Brief History
1972: The IJHS was founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
1972: Joe Levine became the first Executive Director.
1995: Eileen Baitcher became the second Executive Director.
1999: The IJHS archival collections were donated to the Indiana Historical Society in Indianapolis.
2002: The IJHS endowment was established.
2016: The first annual Hoosier Jewish Legends Awards were held.
2017: The IJHS office moved from Fort Wayne to Indianapolis.
2017: Wendy Soltz became the third Executive Director.
2018: IJHS Lifetime Membership was introduced.
Our Lifetime Members
Linda Cohen, West Lafayette
Gerald and Adele Kraft*, Indianapolis
Kevin Krulewitch and Rosanne Ammirati, Indianapolis
Joe Leffel, Naples, FL
Leona Rosenberg*, Chicago, IL
Jeffrey and Nancy Trockman, Evansville
Rick and Rita Weinstein, Paradise Valley, AZ
Leonid and Marina Grabovsky, Carmel
Richard and Sandy Zeckel, Carmel
Ora Pescovitz, Rochester MI
Robert and Alice Schloss, Indianapolis
Judith Weitzman, Carmel
Our Board
The Board of Directors consists of members from around the state, serving two consecutive three-year terms (representing their communities). IJHS members vote to elect each Board member. The Board of Directors annually appoints our Executive Board, which consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Executive positions are limited to two 2-year consecutive terms. The IJHS employs an executive director.
President: Melanie Hughes, New Albany Vice President, Membership: Barbara Goldman, Indianapolis Vice President, History: Jill Weiss Simins, Indianapolis Treasurer: Kevin Krulewitch, Indianapolis Secretary: Robert Phillips, Muncie
Executive Director: Michael Brown, South Bend 2018-2020, Dr. Wendy Soltz, Fort Wayne Past Presidents: 2017-2020, Kevin Krulewitch, Immediate Past President *z”l of blessed memory |