12 Torches Ceremony
Two hundred and fifty people attended the Weintraub Israel Center’s 12 Torches Ceremony and Dinner on Thursday, May 12 at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. The dinner was prepared by four Israeli chefs visiting from the Israel Center’s Partnership2Gether region. In Israel, the 12 Torches Ceremony is held at the Mount Herzl national cemetery, marking the transition between the commemoration of Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, and the celebration of Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day. The Tucson event honored Tucsonans who have created unique connections between Tucson and Israel.
Pictured, from left, are Sgt. Chris Rogers of the Pima County Sheriff’s Dept., Libby Quinn, Madyssen Zarin (for honoree Marlene Abraham), Pastor Mark Harris, Madeline Duarte, Madison Barrow, Ryan Anderson (for honoree Mayor Jonathan Rothschild), Ed Wright, David Graizbord, Patty Vallance, Rabbi Stephanie Aaron, Billie Kozolchyk, Jenni Rockoff (emcee), Rina Liebeskind and Weintraub Israel Center Director Oshrat Barel. Also honored: Jill and Herschel Rosenzweig.
Celebrity chefs dinner
On Sunday, May 14, more than 100 people enjoyed a gourmet dinner at Vero Amore on Swan Road, created by the four Israeli chefs visiting from the Weintraub Israel Center’s Partnership2Gether region in Israel. Vero Amore donated the space for the fundraising event.
Hebrew High graduation
Tucson Hebrew High held its 38th commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 10 at Hebrew High’s host congregation, Anshei Israel. The class of 2016/5776 chose as their theme “Humans of Hebrew High,” emulating the blog/facebook page and book, “Humans of New York,” which publishes photos and snippets of conversations of a diverse section of the population in New York and around the world. “Every story is unique,” just as every member of the graduating class is as well, explained graduate Natalie Leonard in her speech. Rachel Levy concluded, “But we are here now, a class that will never be what we are right now and learn what we’ve learned this year. We’ve grown up a lot since we all were in second grade together and we’ll continue to grow in college.”
Pictured, from left, are Sharon Glassberg, principal; Rachel Levy; Eliyahu Gibly; Madyssen Zarin and Natalie Leonard. Not pictured: Rachel Dveirin
Temple Emanu-El honors educators
The 2016 recipients of Temple Emanu-El’s Gerald and Marion Gendell Excellence in Jewish Education Awards were Kurn Religious School teachers Mindy Henry and Brie Finegold, and Madrichim Teaching Assistants Diane Zashin and Elena Ecelbarger.
Pictured at the Religious School Siyyum on Sunday, May 15, from left are Religious School Director Rabbi Educator Batsheva Appel, Mindy Henry, Diane Zashin, Elena Ecelbarger, Brie Finegold with her son, Arlo Foote, and Senior Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon.
ASU grads
Wendy Weise Cohon, wife of Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon, and Roshann Salkowitz Pressman, daughter of Jewish Community Foundation CEO Tracy Salkowitz, received their Masters in Social Work in Planning and Community from Arizona State University at the ASU Tucson campus graduation on Saturday, May 7.
