JPSA Dinner on Antisemitism Informative and Emotional for Community

November 6, 2025 / Phyllis Braun, AJP Feature Writer

For many weeks after Oct. 7, Israeli singer-songwriter Linor Ein Gedy could find no comfort in music.  “Music has always been my source of strength, of solace, and my way to channel my emotions. It wasn’t only my livelihood. It was my way to turn pain into beauty, and I was scared that I lost that,” she told 300 community members gathered for Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona’s inaugural Southwest Institute dinner on Oct. 26.  Ein Gedy was one of two main speakers for the evening, joining scholar Dr. Rachel Fish, who also… Read more »

Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona Director of Public Affairs Carina Bien-Willner, left, moderates a discussion with Israeli singer-songwriter Linor Ein Gedy (center) and antisemitism expert Rachel Fish, Ph.D., Oct. 26, 2025.

Bar Mitzvah: Nathan Jacob Goldstein
November 11, 2025 /

Nathan Jacob Goldstein will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah on November 15, 2025, at Kol Ami Synagogue. He is the son of Adam and Dana Goldstein. Nathan attends Orange Grove Middle School. His hobbies include baseball, football, golfing, skiing, and following his favorite teams. Nathan also likes spending time… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Donald Novitt
November 10, 2025 /

Donald S. Novitt, born on July 30, 1947, in New York City, passed away on November 5, 2025 in Tucson. He was a devoted husband to Morleen, a loving father to Lisa (Rick), and proud “Pa” of Mia and Ruby, who brought him endless joy. Don was a successful… Read more »

Oct. 7 Spurred Tucson Volunteer’s Urge to Support, Protect Jewish Community
November 7, 2025 / Phyllis Braun, AJP Feature Writer
Kameron Norwood and Sara Cash Norwood with their daughters. (Photo: Kristin Bendigo Photography)

Over the past two years, Kameron Norwood, 36, has woven himself into the fabric of Tucson’s Jewish community. He’s in his second year of Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona’s two-year Young Men’s Group leadership program, and he and his wife, Sara Cash Norwood, have hosted several YMG and JPSA events at… Read more »

Hygiene pantry at JFCS opens as SNAP recipients face delays, reductions
November 6, 2025 / Jacob Owens, News 4 Tucson
Jewish Family & Children's Services of Southern Arizona has launched a hygiene pantry to help those facing cuts in SNAP benefits.

Last week, with cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits looming for one million Arizonans, Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Arizona opened a hygiene pantry. The pantry, located at the organization’s building at 4301 E. Fifth Street, aims to provide essential items such as toothpaste, diapers and feminine… Read more »

Bat Mitzvah: Sydney Viscusi
November 3, 2025 /

Sydney Viscusi will celebrate becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Kol Ami Synagogue. She is the daughter of Chad and Rebecca Viscusi. Sydney attends the Gregory School, where she is in seventh grade. She plays volleyball on her school team and is an avid dancer… Read more »

Acclaimed Cellist to Perform Bruch’s Haunting Kol Nidrei with Tucson Symphony Orchestra
October 21, 2025 / Phyllis Braun, AJP Feature Writer
Wearing a blue jacket, Julian Schwarz stands with his arm around a cello.Julian Schwarz

Cellist Julian Schwarz made his performance debut at the age of nine, playing composer Max Bruch’s Kol Nidrei at the synagogue his family attended in Seattle, Washington. For the next 11 years, he played the Kol Nidrei on Yom Kippur at Temple De Hirsh Sinai. “The cantor at my… Read more »

TJMHC to Host ‘Facing the Holocaust Through Yiddish Poetry’
October 21, 2025 / Lynn Davis, TJMHC Director, Gumbiner Community Project Action
Daniel Kraft

Early next month, as part of our Kristallnacht programming, Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center welcomes poet, educator, and Yiddish translator, Danny Kraft. Kraft’s presentation, “Facing the Holocaust Through Yiddish Poetry,” will explore how Yiddish poets expressed their grief and anger through words, both during and after the Shoah.… Read more »

Tucson J’s Hanukkah Hot Cocoa Run Celebrates its Ninth Year
October 21, 2025 / Rachael Mitchell, Sr. Director of Marketing, Communications + PR, Tucson J

For the ninth year, people of all ages and abilities are invited to hit the trail with the Tucson J, kicking off the season of light with movement and community for the annual Hanukkah Hot Cocoa Run on Sunday, Dec. 7. This year’s run features timed 5k and 1-mile… Read more »