The Jewish Federation-Northwest celebrated its grand opening at 190 W. Magee Road on Sunday, Oct. 7.
Although the new office of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s Northwest Division has been open since July, offering classes, Torah study, women’s Rosh Chodesh gatherings, mah jongg, arts and crafts for all ages and more, the event was the official ribbon-cutting and mezuzah dedication.
More than 150 people attended the opening, which included brunch in the sukkah, tours of the facility and remarks from several of those instrumental in creating JFSA’s Northwest Division, including Esta Goldstein and Eliot Barron, co-chairs; Helene Mittleman, Northwest program chair; and Adam Goldstein, Jewish Federation-Northwest development chair.
JFSA Chair Kathy Unger cited the generosity of Irving Olson in providing funds for the new office, adding that “another hero of this special day is Anne Lowe,” Northwest Division director.
“Anne has staffed the Northwest Federation project for a few years, and her dedication to the development of it has been exceptional,” said Unger, noting that Lowe “worked her magic” to take the site from an empty warren of offices to an inviting new home, “an extraordinary accomplishment that Anne completed in an unbelievably short period of time.”
Shira Ledman, director of Jewish Family & Children’s Services, which has opened a counseling and care-management office at the Magee Road address, also spoke. Rabbi Jason Holtz of Temple Emanu-El gave a d’var Torah and led the crowd in the Shehecheyanu blessing. Rabbi Ephraim Zimmerman of Chabad of Oro Valley spoke and hung the mezuzah.
For more information, contact Lowe at 577-9393, ext. 130, or visit the Jewish Federation-Northwest at 190 W. Magee Road, Suite 162. Office hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., or by appointment.
