On Sunday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Tucson J will host the second annual Z3@Tucson, themed HaTikvah Shelanu, Our Shared Hope, one of several Z3@ gatherings taking place in communities across the country. It is presented in partnership with the Weintraub Israel Center, a program of Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona and the Tucson J.
Founded by Zack Bodner, CEO of the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, the Z3® Project (Z3 stands for Zionism 3.0) began with a series of speakers exploring Israel and Jewish life and has grown into a day of conversation, learning, and wrestling with ideas or pressing issues.
Now in its 12th year, the Z3 Conference brings Jews from across the political and religious spectrum together to explore Israel, Zionism, identity, and the future of Jewish life. Z3@ brings that spirit to our community, built by our JCC and shaped by the questions and voices that matter most here. The intent of Z3@Tucson is not to replicate the Palo Alto conference, but for our Southern Arizona community to explore its own Jewish story and consider its role in shaping our shared future.
At its heart, Z3 is built on three principles: Jews can engage as equal partners; we can embrace a multiplicity of voices; and we can be unified without being uniform. Together, these principles create space for meaningful dialogue about Jewish life today and the future we want to build.
This year’s program invites participants to consider how our Jewish story can help us navigate challenging and uncertain moments. What does it mean to be an American Jew today? How can we tell our Jewish stories in ways that feel meaningful and relevant? And how can we remain connected to one another when our perspectives, experiences, and convictions differ?
The morning will begin with a panel conversation exploring the political moment we are in and what the results of Israeli and American elections may mean for the local and global communities of which we are a part.
Participants will then choose from five breakout experiences: Clay + Conversation, Constructive Arguing, Gaming Toward a Shared Future, How Do We Tell Our Story Today?, and My Story, Our Story. Each offers a different way to explore identity, engage with differing perspectives, and consider what it means to take shared responsibility for Jewish life.
The closing plenary will feature a conversation between Betzy Lynch, President and CEO of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in San Diego, and Ghazal Mizrahi, an Iranian-American Jewish singer, activist, and voice coach. Together, they will explore how Ghazal has used her platform since October 7, her hopes for the Jewish community, and her hopes for the people of Iran. The day will conclude with a performance by Ghazal and the singing of HaTikvah.
Presenters include Barak Sella of Tzomet Games, Daniel Arnon and Samara Klar of the University of Arizona School of Government and Public Policy, Rabbi Rachel Bovitz of the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, and Jessica McCormick of PJ Library.
Registration is $55, with a $35 supported rate and a $72 pay-it-forward rate, at tucsonj.regfox.com/z3tucson-hatikvah-shelanu-our-shared-hope.
