Tucson hosted its first Z3@ experience on November 2, bringing together community members to explore Israel, identity, and Jewish unity through a framework that emphasizes dialogue across religious and political lines. The half-day gathering at the Tucson Jewish Community Center was intentionally scheduled near the 30th Yahrzeit of Yitzhak Rabin, providing an opportunity to explore ideas of unity, identity, and shared future.
Z3 (short for Zionism 3.0) is a project born in Palo Alto that brings together Jews from across the political and religious spectrum to explore Israel, Zionism, identity, and the future of Jewish life. The Z3@ concept brings the project to local communities.
“Our people, our story and Israel are so much bigger than politics,” said Yuval Malka, Weintraub Israel Center Senior Community Shaliach, in her opening remarks. “It’s made up of people, of dreams, of values, the same ones that inspired the creation of Israel and continue to shape it today.”
The opening session featured David Hazony, Z3 Institute Director and Steinhardt Senior Fellow, in conversation with Tucson J President and CEO Todd Rockoff. They explored how events from the Oslo Accords to the judicial reform created rifts within Israeli society and between Israel and North American Jewry, while emphasizing that both communities share a common destiny.
Breakout sessions offered three lenses on Israel engagement: Yotam Wolk of the Jewish Agency explored maps as narrative tools; local educators from Tucson Hebrew Academy, UA Hillel, and the Weintraub Israel Center discussed teaching nuance about Israel in classrooms; and a multigenerational panel examined how millennials and Gen Z relate to Zionism today. The closing plenary, featuring Amy Albertson and Jennifer Lorch Selco, addressed social media in a post-October 7 world and building Jewish literacy and joy. The morning concluded with the singing of Hatikvah.
Post-event surveys revealed that participants left feeling hopeful, curious, and inspired, notable given how charged conversations about Israel have become. Attendees came seeking community with others who care about Israel, perspectives from knowledgeable speakers, and a more nuanced understanding of the Israel-Diaspora relationship. Several reported encountering viewpoints different from their own while feeling reaffirmed in their Jewish practice, with many saying they were motivated to deepen their involvement in Jewish Tucson.
Feedback also indicated participants want to engage in conversation with one another in both structured and unstructured ways. Plans are now beginning for the second Z3 experience in Tucson.
“The Tucson J is proud to bring Z3 to Tucson,” said President and CEO Todd Rockoff. “We have been part of this movement for seven years and have built up to hosting our own Z3 here at the J.”
Z3@Tucson was supported by the JCC Association of North America and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, and presented in partnership with the Weintraub Israel Center, a partnership between Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona and the Tucson J.
