The rapper Shyne, shown leaning against a pillar in the Old City of Jerusalem, says the tenets of Judaism help him become closer to the kind of person he strives to be. (Dena Wimptheimer) JERUSALEM (JTA) – It was early on during his difficult, isolated years in prison that the former gangsta rapper known as Shyne decided to formally take on the laws of Judaism as his own. Shyne, who legally changed his name in prison from Jamaal Barrows to Moses Levi —… Read more »
NEW YORK (JTA) — A debate among bloggers following Debbie Friedman’s death is raising questions about the obligation of gay and lesbian celebrities to be out front in discussing their sexual orientation. The discussion began with a Jan. 10 post to Jewschool by David Levy lamenting what he described… Read more »
SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) — Journalist and author Lisa Alcalay Klug flew across the country this month to present at Limmud NY, the annual New York version of the worldwide Jewish learning extravaganza. The Jan. 14-17 conference in upstate New York was Klug’s seventh Limmud gathering in 12 months. Like… Read more »
Campers at Ramah Darom in Georgia tending to the camp's five-acre organic garden. (Photo courtesy of Ramah Darom) NEW YORK (JTA) — After the unexpected death of his 26-year-old daughter Jessica last August, Dane Kostin found himself searching for a fitting memorial, a project that would benefit the community and provide an appropriate tribute to a daughter who loved cooking with fresh, seasonal vegetables. Thus was born… Read more »
Hundreds showed up for a demonstration in Tel Aviv's Hatikvah neighborhood against African migrants who have moved into the area in recent years, Dec. 21, 2010. The sign says, "Israeli girls for the Jewish people." (Maariv/Flash90/JTA) TEL AVIV (JTA) – For the tall 28-year-old from Sudan who calls himself Mike, life in Israel has become a game of survival. Most days, he earns enough money to buy food for dinner doing odd jobs at construction sites or cleaning houses. But with voices against illegal immigrants… Read more »
Crowds of Jews celebrating the annual hillulah at La Ghriba synagogue in Djerba, Tunisia, May 2007. (Larry Luxner) WASHINGTON (JTA) — The violence roiling Tunisia hasn’t put the country’s 1,500 or so Jews in serious jeopardy, but Jewish organizations are increasingly concerned about their fate as massive anti-government protests continue. No Jews have been targeted by the protesters, according to Roger Bismuth, a Jewish businessman and member… Read more »
WASHINGTON (JTA) — The post-shooting debate over political civility is cooling down, but passions are still raging over Sarah Palin’s claim that critics were guilty of perpetuating a “blood libel” against her. Palin’s initial use of the term, in a Jan. 12 video message, drew sharp rebukes from liberal,… Read more »
(JTA) — Debbie Friedman, the popular singer and songwriter who died Jan. 9, wrote the following for “I Am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pearl,” a collection of writings following the 2002 murder of Wall Street reporter Daniel Pearl. Dear Daniel, This is the… Read more »
Messages and tributes left by Tucsonans in front of University Medical Center on Jan. 15, 2011 (Sheila Wilensky) It’s been nearly three weeks since the assassination attempt on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the murders of six Tucsonans, and the wounding of 12 others. For many members of the Jewish community, the singing of the Mi Shebeirach, a prayer/song of healing, framed the week following the shooting rampage. On… Read more »
JEWISH FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SERVICES OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA has received a $10,000 donation from The Wings Like Eagles Foundation to help girls and young women in its “Project Safe Place” program for victims of abuse. Project Safe Place has already served 500 clients ages 8 to 18. The Wings… Read more »
HANNAH RATLIFF was named to the fall 2010 dean’s high honors list at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.… Read more »
A son, SAMUEL R. GOLDFEIN, was born Nov. 11, 2010 to Dr. Nathan Goldfein and Rosa Roman of Alamogordo, N.M. Grandparents are Ann Goldfein and the late Dr. Samuel Goldfein of Tucson, and Barbara and Quique Roman of Chicago, Ill. Samuel joins his sisters, Ahava and Ziva.… Read more »
I am extremely saddened, as well as appalled at the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a member of the Jewish community, as well as an elected Democratic representative. My heart goes out to the families of the shooting victims. My prayers go out to those who lost loved ones,… Read more »
In addition to the tragic shootings that occurred at Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ “Congress on Your Corner” event last Saturday, the Jewish world experienced the untimely loss of a beloved star, composer and performer, Debbie Friedman, 59. She was best known for writing music that expresses healing and accessibility to… Read more »
When I made Aliyah (immigrated to Israel) six and a half years ago from Tucson, the streets here in Israel were full of violence. I witnessed a bus bombing less than 50 meters from the bus I was sitting on. As I sit at my desk in Jerusalem today… Read more »
(L-R): Nina Isaac, Randi Levin, Cheryl Wortzel, Shaun Kozolchyk and David Plotkin at JFSA’s Hava Tequila Young Leadership Bash New JCC artwork Local artist Julie Szerina Stein created the beautiful new mosaic-and-painted mural in the Tucson Jewish Community Center preschool area. Jonathan and Rachel Green conceived of the idea, and Jonathan’s mother, Fay Green, of Texas, underwrote the project in honor of her grandsons — Ryan, 13; Aaron,… Read more »
I am a closet card-aholic. It’s true. Some people eat when they get stressed. Others shop. Me? I head straight to the card aisle at Walgreens or CVS. If I’m really lucky and Hallmark has declared a holiday, like National Take Your Pet to Work Day, I can get… Read more »
Knesset legislation calling for an investigation of Israeli human rights groups has sparked a fierce argument over who is doing more to hurt Israel’s reputation: Human rights organizations critical of the Israeli government and army, or the politicians who want to investigate them for allegedly going too far. By… Read more »
The 8th District in southern Arizona represented by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords comprises liberal Tucson and its rural hinterlands, which means moderation is a must. But it also means that spirits and tensions run high. Giffords’ office in Tucson was ransacked in March following her vote for health care… Read more »
Volunteer Angie Goorman makes calls at the JFSA Super Sunday phone-a-thon on Jan. 31, 2010 On Sunday, Jan. 30, members of Southern Arizona’s Jewish community will have their annual opportunity to change the world with one phone call, as hundreds of volunteers with the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s Super Sunday phone-a-thon call Tucsonans to raise funds for the JFSA 2011 Community Campaign. Super… Read more »
