Yearly Archives 2014

In January 1985, as a colonel in the Israeli Air Force, I was running a course for high-ranking officers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), focused on lessons from Israel’s wars. One of the case studies to be discussed was the battle of Um-Katef/Abu-Ageila, in the Six-Day War, when… Read more »

(JTA) — A timeline of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s life. 1928 — Born Ariel Sheinerman in Kfar Malal, near Tel Aviv. 1942-48 — Member of the Haganah, the pre-state Jewish fighting force. 1948 — Wounded while serving as an infantry commander in Israel’s War of Independence. 1952-53… Read more »

Ariel Sharon is pictured in Jerusalem with the Temple Mount in the background on July 24, 2000. (Flash90)

Ariel Sharon, one of Israel’s last warrior statesmen, whose military and political careers were woven into his nation’s triumphs and failures, has died. Sharon, 85, died Saturday at the Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv after eight years in a coma. “He went when he decided to go,” said his younger… Read more »

Menachem Stark, shown with his wife and seven children, was hailed as a loving father and generous giver by his Hasidic community. (Courtesy photo)

 NEW YORK (JTA) — The murder of Menachem Stark has sparked intense media scrutiny of the Brooklyn real estate developer’s troubled business record, prompting the New York Post to ask “Who didn’t want him dead?” on its front page. But while mainstream media outlets scrutinized the Satmar hasid’s relationships… Read more »

On Jan. 8, 2011, the peace of a sunny Tucson day was shattered at 10:10 a.m. in front of a Northwest Safeway, when a lone gunman killed six Tucsonans and wounded 13 others at a Congress on Your Corner event with U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. One of those wounded… Read more »

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Until recently, the rule of thumb in the pro-Israel community was that the bigger the academic group, the less likely it was to consider a boycott of Israeli colleagues. But with the 30,000-member Modern Language Association set to host a panel on BDS at its convention… Read more »

An angel's trumpet is the tree of choice for a planting by Edmon J. Rodman at an impromptu backyard service for Tu b'Shvat. (Edmon J. Rodman)

LOS ANGELES (JTA) — While my neighbors were putting their Christmas trees to the curb, in what seems like a ritual of replacement, I was preparing to plant for Tu b’Shvat. My friend Freda recently presented me a cutting from an Angel’s trumpet — a small tree with beautiful,… Read more »

Vintage brass pieces look fresh again. Left, 1980s brass vase by J. Johnston. Right, mid-century candlestick by Ben Seibel (Jenni Steinberg Pagano)

As the last calendar page falls away, and the urge to make New Year’s resolutions emerges full force, it’s nice to move forward with a clean slate. Away go the holiday decorations and extra calorie-laden snacks and home go the relatives. Suddenly, the house is emptier and we may… Read more »

Prof. Evyatar Erell with a prototype of the Seasons window.

“We spend most of our lives in a controlled environment,” says Evyatar Erell, associate professor of desert architecture and urban planning at Ben-Gurion University’s Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research. “We live and work under conditions that are different from those outside. When it’s hot, we turn on our… Read more »

Selma Davis, 96, died Dec. 17, 2013. Mrs. Davis and her late husband, former Tucson Mayor Lewis W. Davis, supported many community endeavors. Mrs. Davis was preceded in death by her husband Lewis W. Davis. Survivors include her children, Robert (Elaine) Pratt of Florida and Andrea Davis of Tucson;… Read more »

Bernard “Bernie” Evenchik, 83, died Dec. 14, 2013. A Tucson resident for more than 40 years, Mr. Evenchik was born in Elyria, Ohio. He ran Rigbee’s Toy Store in Elyria and managed Chateau Apartment-Hotels in Tucson. He was an officer in the U.S. Air Force and a volunteer “cuddler”… Read more »

Zachary Allen Schlamo­witz, son of Jane and Kevan Schlam­o­­witz, will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 18 at Temple Emanu-El. He is the grandson of Dorothy Allen of Tucson, the late Arthur Allen, and the late Samuel and Elaine Schlamowitz. Zach attends Orange Grove Middle School where… Read more »

Jack Tyler Eigen, son of Heylie and Brand Eigen, will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Temple Emanu-El. He is the grandson of Ellie Eigen of Tucson and Dennis Hubbes of Hope­well, Va. Jack attends Coronado Middle School, where he is an honor student. He… Read more »

Ann Lei Tumarkin, daughter of Joanna Norman and Paul Tumarkin, will celebrate becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Congregation Chaverim. She is the granddaughter of Linda and Gerry Tumarkin of Tucson. Ann attends Civano Community School, where she is especially interested in history and Holocaust studies.… Read more »

Hadassah regional leader Cathy Olswing was installed as president of Hadassah’s Desert-Mountain Region on Sunday, Dec. 15 at a ceremony at Lodge on the Desert. The region encompasses eight southwestern and mountain states. As president of the region, Olswing will sit on the national board of Hadassah. Rochelle Edelman… Read more »

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA has named EILEEN WARSHAW, executive director of the Jewish History Museum, as the recipient of the 2013 Margie Fenton Award. The award recognizes an individual or group who has made a significant impact on the community with… Read more »

Linor Abargil in ‘Brave Miss World’

Nearly two dozen films from around the world will be screened at the 23rd annual Tucson International Jewish Film Festival. Running Jan.16 to 25, this year’s program features several international award winners, Arizona premieres and special guests. A pre-festival kickoff is scheduled Sunday, Jan.12 at the Desert View Performing… Read more »

Thinking about going to Israel in 2014? At least five Tucson congregations would be delighted to have you join them. Congregation Or Chadash is first up with a trip March 5 to 12. Congregation Chofetz Chayim’s trip will be May 4 to 18, followed by Congregation Bet Shalom June… Read more »

Cantor Ivor Lichterman

Cantor Avraham Alpert has gathered an eclectic group of performers for Congregation Bet Shalom’s “An Enchanted Evening: A Jewish Music Concert” on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. at the Berger Performing Arts Center. Cantor Ivor Lichterman will be the special guest artist. “I think everybody knows Cantor Lichterman,”… Read more »

Bruce Magid, dean of the Brandeis University International School of Business, will discuss “Not Business as Usual: How Changes in the Global Economy Will Impact Your Lives,” at the Tucson chapter of the Brandeis National Committee’s annual University on Wheels event on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 9:30 a.m. The… Read more »