Congratulations to the THA students who brought home awards at SARSEF last weekend! SARSEF is the Southern Arizona Research, Science, and Engineering Fair. Sixth graders in Mrs. Lehrfeld’s class worked tirelessly throughout the third quarter to identify personal interests and research topics, ultimately coming up with a testable scientific… Read more »
Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) and other partner organizations warmly welcome the newest little members of our community with a wonderful box full of baby items and resources about the Tucson Jewish community. JPSA Interim CEO Emily Richman explains, “JPSA is involved in every stage of Jewish… Read more »
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… Read more »
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mel Zuckerman z’l, pillar of our Tucson Jewish community and visionary philanthropist. Mel passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 18 at age 94 surrounded by his loving family. As dedicated leaders in our Jewish community, Mel Zuckerman and his devoted… Read more »
Handmaker residents and staff enjoyed eating many hamantaschen during Purim this year! Staff were greeted at the main entrance to Handmaker with a basket full of hamantaschen on Purim, alongside a sign with information about the holiday. These delicious cookies were made by Executive Chef Claire and Pastry Chef… Read more »
Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) has selected a cohort of 10 women to take part in the MOMentum Year-Long Journey, a program for mothers raising Jewish children 18 years and younger that includes an 8-day trip to Israel. The 10 women selected are Shelly Kippur (co-chair), Emily Lazarus… Read more »
Kol Ami Synagogue is overjoyed to welcome Rabbi Malcolm Cohen to our clergy team. He was installed on Friday, March 10, 2023, with over 250 congregants and guests in attendance. We welcome everyone to come visit and meet Rabbi Cohen at Kol Ami, where our mission is to enliven… Read more »
Helen Beverly Lederman Cole, beloved Granny and GiGi, passed February 26, 2023. Born in Chicago March 15, 1939, Mrs. Cole taught kindergarten and was a graduate of Roosevelt University where she met her husband Alan (z”l). Together they opened Cole’s Baby News, a children’s department store franchise in Goleta,… Read more »
After several months of work from a dedicated team of parent volunteers, Tucson Hebrew Academy’s (THA’s) newly renovated Sebold Library was unveiled during Love of Reading week. The ceremony involved a visit from the Library Fairies, who taught the students about properly caring for books before bestowing upon them… Read more »
Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona (JFCS) is hosting a unique film screening and panel discussion at The Loft Cinema on March 5, 2023, at 2pm. The film, Orchestrating Change, tells the inspiring story of Me2/ Orchestra. The conductor of the orchestra, Ronald Braunstein, was on the… Read more »
The Tucson J invites the entire community to campus Sunday, March 12 from 1-4pm for “Tucson Portrait Story Art(ish) LIVE Festival,” an immersive art experience in partnership with local artist and long-time community member, Lauri Kaye of Create for the People Ventures, and Southern Arizona Arts + Culture Alliance.… Read more »
“I am a survivor. That comes with a survivor’s obligation to represent one and a half million Jewish children murdered by the Nazis. They cannot speak. So, I must speak on their behalf.” Tova Friedman was one of the youngest people to emerge from Auschwitz. After surviving the liquidation… Read more »
Handmaker residents are grateful for the chesed (loving kindness) that they receive from the Tucson community. And lately, they have received a lot! For the last year, the Congregation Bet Shalom Chesed Group of volunteers, led by David Wien, have been joining Handmaker residents monthly for a “virtual tea… Read more »
Ace and Charlene Rosman Irwin “Ace” Rosman died on February 6, 2023, at age 91. He will be mourned by his family and friends, including sons Richard Rosman and his wife Johanna Rosman of New York, and Brian Rosman and his wife Rabbi Barbara Penzner of Boston; and his four grandchildren, Aviva Rosman… Read more »
Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) welcome Jennifer Lightman this week as Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Jenny and her husband Brett recently moved from Philadelphia where she served as the Director of Communications and Special Projects for Perelman Jewish Day School. “We are incredibly excited to have… Read more »
After three years of mostly virtual programming, there will be a relaunch event for PJ Library and PJ Our Way in Southern Arizona, Purim Palooza! on Sunday, February 19 from 10am to 2pm at the Children’s Museum of Tucson. The program is free and open to families currently enrolled… Read more »
I am currently in the last semester of the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation’s Springboard Social Justice Fellowship, and I am full of gratitude. Hillel calls it the Springboard Fellowship because it is built to give young Jewish professionals the tools to spring into their future careers. And, for… Read more »
At Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA), students are steeped in the Jewish experience, making them uniquely positioned to understand and find common ground with all groups of people that have been oppressed. Using the curriculum, “Facing History and Ourselves” in conjunction with hands-on projects, middle-school humanities students have focused on… Read more »
In the words of Abraham Joshua Heschel, “You have suspended the trivialities of thinking that stultify unique learning experiences. You have a passionate regard for the marvel that is everywhere!” So wrote Sue Cohen, president of the Beth Shalom Temple Center Sisterhood, in a thank you card presented to… Read more »
If I were to ask the Tucson International Jewish Film Festival committee members, whom I have the pleasure of working with to create this signature community-wide event, about the three films from this year’s line-up that they each found most meaningful, it’s unlikely I’d get any duplicate answers. That’s… Read more »
