“Resilience” is the word Dr. David Siegel, a Tucson neurologist, heard most often from Israelis during a solidarity mission last month with the American Healthcare Professionals and Friends for Medicine in Israel, or APF. “The absolute resilience of the many Israelis I had the privilege to talk and interact… Read more »
Israel
Tucsonans on Israel Missions Witness Devastation and Unity
Sadness, anger, hope, and resilience. Todd Rockoff, president and CEO of the Tucson Jewish Community Center (JCC), felt all these emotions and more on a JCC Association Board Solidarity Mission (JCCA) to Israel in January. “I felt a great pull to be there,” he says, to bear witness and… Read more »
Tucson Jewish Free Loan Helps Provide $3.3 Million Loan for Humanitarian Needs in Israel
The International Association of Jewish Free Loans and 17 member agencies in the U.S. have provided over $3.3 million in an interest-free loan for emergency financial assistance to Israeli individuals and families. The Tucson Jewish Free Loan raised funds to contribute $36,000 to the effort, says Allison Wexler, executive… Read more »
Local Firefighter Who Witnessed Hamas Devastation Eager to Help Israel
Capt. Jeff Hamblen of Northwest Fire recently signed up to train with Israel’s Emergency Volunteer Project. He expected to help his Israeli counterparts put out fires. He didn’t expect to be flying into a country at war. Hamblen’s travel date was Oct. 7, 2023, the day Hamas launched a… Read more »
Oro Valley Family Celebrates Sponsorship of Intensive Care Ambulance for Israel at Two Local Events
Thanks to Sandy and Maureen Salz of Oro Valley, a new MICU (mobile intensive care unit) for Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service, has arrived in Israel to help care for those dealing with increased violence, in response to Hamas attacks. Two events marking the sponsorship took place… Read more »
JPSA Board of Trustees Issues Public Statement in Support of Israel
Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) issued the following statement today in support of Israel: JPSA stands unwaveringly in support of the people of Israel. JPSA recognizes the right and necessity for Israel to defend itself and its citizens and for the Israel Defense Forces to act as required… Read more »
A Letter to the Community from Yuval Malka, Shaliach
Dear Community Member, As a new member of the Weintraub Israel Center team, it is with great sadness that this has to be my first letter to the community. Friday evening, October 6, we returned from Shabbat dinner and arrived home. Suddenly, I received a message from one of my friends:… Read more »
Nearly a Thousand Gather in Support of Israel at Tucson J
This article is reprinted courtesy of Jewish News A standing-room-only crowd of more than 900 people gathered in the sculpture garden of the Tucson Jewish Community Center (Tucson JCC) on Oct. 9 to show solidarity with Israel in the wake of unprecedented terrorist attacks. The evening of prayers and… Read more »
Prayers for Israel from Handmaker and THA
Starting last month, and for the second year, Handmaker residents have been enjoying monthly Better Together Intergenerational meetings with Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA) and B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) teens. A quick pivot was made on programming for the meeting with THA Students on Wednesday, October 11 from what… Read more »
THA Provides Support, Counseling Services for Students in Wake of Terrorist Attacks
In a message to the Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA) community following the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, Head of School Johanna Shlomovich wrote: “Our hearts are with our family and friends in Israel, and to those of us living in the Diaspora who feel these events at our… Read more »
Can You Be Zionist and Progressive? (Of Course!): Weintraub Israel Center to Bring Zioness Founder and Executive Director Amanda Berman to Tucson J
After a successful kick-off to a season of Arts, Culture + Community events with over 100 convening at the Tucson J earlier this month for a conversation with infamous author, Dara Horn, the Weintraub Israel Center is excited to welcome Zioness Founder and Executive Director, Amanda Berman to the… Read more »
Apples and Honey for All: Reflecting on Project Isaiah this High Holiday Season
Dipping apples and honey, savoring a thick slice of warm, raisin challah, I think about how blessed I am to celebrate a new year; healthy, happy, and sharing a delicious, fresh meal with loved ones. I also think about my neighbors that do not have access to food, especially… Read more »
Israel at 75 Fuels Momentum Around Israel Engagement
As I have referred to in a variety of different circles, the Weintraub Israel Center, a partnership between the Tucson J and Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA), has developed a generative mission statement that invites each of us to go on a self-propelled journey to individually connect in… Read more »
THA 8th Graders Go to Israel!
After two consecutive years of having to cancel their trip to Israel due to Covid, Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA) has resumed the trip this year, and their 8th graders are having a blast! They arrived in Israel on Erev Yom HaZikaron (the eve of Israel’s Memorial Day) and joined… Read more »
Z3 online event brings big names to talk peoplehood, Israel, and the Diaspora
This year’s Z3 event won’t be what people might expect. Now in its sixth year, Z3, which originally was dubbed Zionism 3.0, is an opportunity to talk about a wide range of issues in Israel and the Diaspora. But this is definitely not going to be your typical conference, and not… Read more »
JFSA vp’s Partnership2Gether visit to Israel affirms bonds with Southern Arizona
In early June, Aviva Zeltzer-Zubida, Ph.D., vice president for planning and engagement at the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, visited Kiryat Malachi and Hof Ashkelon in Israel for what she calls a “deep dive” into the Weintraub Israel Center’s Partnership2Gether program. Zeltzer-Zubida met with representatives of social service programs… Read more »
Israel limits public protest during coronavirus lockdown
(JTA) — Public protests in Israel will be limited during the coronavirus lockdown under legislation passed early Wednesday by the Knesset. Protesters will be prohibited from traveling more than 1 kilometer, or 0.6 miles, to participate in a demonstration and outdoor gatherings will remain limited to 20 people. Hours… Read more »
Netanyahu nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for agreements with UAE and Bahrain
(JTA) — An Italian lawmaker has nominated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel for the Nobel Peace Prize. Paolo Grimoldi of the right-wing Northern League party tweeted Wednesday that he had nominated Netanyahu because he signed peace agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, as well as the… Read more »
Saudi Arabia’s king tells Trump his country will not pursue normalization with Israel until there is peace with Palestinians
(JTA) — The king of Saudi Arabia has thrown cold water on the assurances of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump who is leading Middle East policy, that all Arab countries will follow the United Arab Emirates’ lead and normalize ties with Israel. Saudi Arabian King Salman… Read more »
President of Malawi says his country will open embassy in Jerusalem
(JTA) — The president of Malawi said that his country would open an embassy in Jerusalem Lazarus Chakwera made the announcement Saturday as part of a larger expansion of the country’s diplomatic representation abroad. Malawi currently does not have a diplomatic mission in Israel. The announcement came a day… Read more »