Dr. Jill Ellen Rosenzweig passed away suddenly on March 19, 2022. Jill was born in Boston, MA and grew up in Waban, MA. She attended Simmons College for her B.A., New York Teachers College for her M.A., and the University of Arizona for her PhD in special education. Jill moved to Tucson in 1982 and soon became the Director of Education at the Arizona Children’s Home. She later became the Director of the JCC Early Childhood Program which she built to over 300 students and directed for 13 years. Lately, she had run into former students who are parents of preschoolers of their own.
Jill continued on the board of the JCC for many years and was instrumental in establishing the Sculpture Garden. Jill also served on the board of Jewish Family and Children’s Services where she served as President and chaired numerous committees. Recently, she served on the boards of Public Media, First Things First, and the Desert Song Festival. She and her husband have supported many local charities, service, and cultural organizations including the Tucson Symphony, the Arizona Opera, the Southern Arizona Chamber Music Society, the Tucson Museum of Art, the University of Arizona School of Dance, and The Drawing Studio.
Alfred Madfis preceded her in death. Jill is survived by her loving family. Her sister Leslie Madfis Gold lives in Philadelphia. Her daughter Sandra Rosenzweig Schulman lives in Bethesda, MD with grandchildren, Ben, Dora, and Kayla. Her son Michael is a physician at the City of Hope in Los Angeles where he lives with his wife Luciana and two boys, Leonardo and Mateus Rosenzweig. She is also survived by her husband of 55 years, Herschel Rosenzweig, MD.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 25th at Congregation Kol Ami followed by family burial at East Lawn Cemetery. A meal of condolence with the family will immediately follow at approximately 1:00 p.m. in the JCC Sculpture Garden.
Donations in Jill’s memory may be made to Congregation Kol Ami, Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Southern Arizona, the Tucson JCC, or a charity or service organization of your choice.
