As a result of recent community work around the Jewish Community Ecosystem of Southern Arizona, the Tucson J has is pleased to announce the hiring of a Director of Community Engagement. Naomi Sandweiss has accepted and after working remotely, recently begun her position at the Tucson J. The position is made possible with thanks to the generous support from Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona.
Naomi comes to the Jewish community of Southern Arizona bringing a background in non-profit leadership within both the Jewish and secular communities. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director of the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society and previously as Executive Director of an organization serving youth with disabilities. Naomi has written many publications for Tablet Magazine and authored Jewish Albuquerque in 2010. A true communal professional, Naomi values people’s stories and experiences and works hard to ensure that all members of the community are engaged, welcomed, and involved to the degree that works for them. Naomi is a parent to two young adults, Ethan and Molly, a beekeeper, and an enthusiastic hiker. She and her husband Michael have made Tucson their home and look forward to exploring Southern Arizona.
Naomi will work as part of the engagement team at the Tucson J to serve the entire Jewish community as a thought-partner to build, strengthen, and deepen relationships across the Jewish community, including those who are currently engaged and those not yet engaged. Naomi shares, “It has been a pleasure getting to know members of the Southern Arizona Jewish community. I look forward to connecting with Jewish individuals throughout the area and supporting Jewish engagement. I hope to learn from those of all age groups and interest areas.”
A significant part of Naomi’s work will include supporting the current relationship-based engagement cohort, a project of the Jewish Community Ecosystem of Southern Arizona, facilitated by Gather, Inc. She will also spearhead recently initiated community-wide efforts such as the monthly community-wide Torah study and the newly launched Jewish Professionals Collaborative (for all professionals in Southern Arizona who identify as Jewish, whether they just began their career, are recently retired, or are somewhere in between).
“We are honored to welcome Naomi to the J and look forward to seeing the ways her extensive background and passion for community building will contribute to the work we do on behalf of the community, to cultivate and enrich Jewish identity, ensure Jewish continuity, foster wellness, and broaden communal harmony,” says Todd Rockoff, CEO + President, Tucson J.
Naomi can be reached at nsandweiss@tucsonjcc.org or (520) 299-3000, extension 244.
