In Focus

In focus 7.8.16

Israel Scouts Friendship Caravan

At Handmaker, an Israel Scout connects with resident Thelma Weiss as the other members of the company perform. (Courtesy Weintraub Israel Center)
At Handmaker, an Israel Scout connects with resident Thelma Weiss as the other members of the company perform. (Courtesy Weintraub Israel Center)

The Tzofim (Israel Scouts) visited Tucson for several days last month. Along with their annual concert at the Tucson Jewish Community Center on June 20, the scouts also gave performances for Camp J and Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging and spent time with local Boy Scouts on Mt. Lemmon.  Founded in 1973, the first Israel Scouts Friendship Caravan came to the United States to bring a message of hope and peace for Israel. Since then, the program has grown to three different caravans of five boys, five girls and two leaders each, traveling across North America each summer.

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The Israel Scouts brought a crowd of about 200 to their feet during their concert at the Tucson Jewish Community Center on Monday, June 20. (Courtesy Weintraub Israel Center, Marty Johnston)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Israel Scouts are chosen for their performance skills, maturity and fluency in English.
Israel Scouts are chosen for their performance skills, maturity and fluency in English. (Courtesy Weintraub Israel Center, Marty Johnston)

 

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Tucson Hebrew Academy kindergarten teacher Danielle Weiss (left) met her Israeli counterpart, Smadar Zigdon, and the kindergarten class at Gan Sigaliyot in Hof Ashkelon during her visit to Israel last month. The two classes connected all year through the Weintraub Israel Center’s Partnership2Gether school twinning program.

 

Back row (L-R) Ronnie Sebold, Rachel Weinstein, Hunter Byrd, Chef Brenden Henry, Rabbi Billy Lewkowicz, Manny Rosen, Max Byrd. Front row: Natalie Leonard, Rachel Levy, Eitan Penner
Back row (L-R) Ronnie Sebold, Rachel Weinstein, Hunter Byrd, Chef Brenden Henry, Rabbi Billy Lewkowicz, Manny Rosen, Max Byrd. Front row: Natalie Leonard, Rachel Levy, Eitan Penner

THA alumni reunion

Tucson Hebrew Academy held a reunion for its class of 2012 on Friday, May 27 in the THA Beit Midrash. Many members of the graduating class were in attendance along with their parents and several teachers and administrators. Rabbi Billy Lewkowicz gave the graduates a final blessing before they head off to college and other destinations, including the University of Arizona, Barrett’s Honor College at Arizona State University, Camp Pendleton (Marine Corps), University of Chicago, Colorado College, Emerson College, the Israel Defense Forces, University of Kansas and University of Michigan. The evening included dinner and a film tribute. THA also recently held a reunion for the class of 2014.