This collection contains photographs and negatives, copyprints, photocopies, slides, and contact prints which depict wide-ranging subject matter regarding Jewish individuals and institutions. The bulk of the photographs were made in the Southwest United States, principally Arizona, California, Texas, and New Mexico. These photographs are especially revealing of the role of Jews in the establishment of commercial, religious, and other communal institutions in the American West during the second half of the nineteenth century and the early decades of the twentieth century. Also present are more contemporary depictions of Jewish individuals and groups which have been prominent in this region.

The collection also contains a few photographs from Michigan, Colorado, Israel, Europe, Latin America, and other locations.

The states listed are Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. A final category includes photographs from all other locations.