ELLEN FREEMAN has been named coordinator for the LGBT Jewish Inclusion Project of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. Freeman has a long history of activities in the LGBT non-profit sector. She is also an award-winning professional in media, marketing and business development arenas. A Massachusetts native, Freeman lives in Tucson with her partner, Roselyn Callahan. The JFSA LGBT Jewish Inclusion Project is one of only two federation-supported LGBT groups in the country.
Three local Jewish educators, LORI RIEGEL, JULIE ZORN and SCOTT ZORN, recently participated in Song Leader Boot Camp, a regional conference held in Paradise Valley, Ariz. The two-day program was led by Rick Recht, the top-touring Jewish singer-songwriter in the United States and founder of Jewish Rock Radio and Jewish World Productions, and Todd Herzog, cantorial soloist at Temple Solel in Paradise Valley and singer-songwriter with five published albums. Riegel is religious and cultural education coordinator at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging. Julie Zorn teaches secular and nonsecular music at five local schools, including the preschool/kindergartens at the Tucson Jewish Community Center and Congregation Anshei Israel and Temple Emanu-El’s Kurn Religious School, and writes a weekly blog with music activities for parents at www.tucsonsongstress.com. Scott Zorn is director of children, youth and family engagement at the JCC and co-music specialist with Julie at Temple Emanu-El’s religious school. He also plays keyboard with Temple Emanu-El’s Avanim Rock Band.
STEVEN BAKER has joined the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona as grants manager, overseeing the annual grants cycle process and donor-advised funds. Before coming to the Foundation, Baker spent six years working for national Jewish organizations, including Birthright Israel Foundation and BBYO, in programming, marketing, curriculum and fund development roles. He holds a master’s of business administration degree from Indiana University.
