Posts By PHYLLIS BRAUN - AJP Executive Editor

Israeli bike ride promotes cooperation

Tucsonan Abe Rosin at a rest stop during the Jerusalem to Eilat 2014 Israel Ride

Abe Rosin saw a different side of Israel by bicycling 250 miles from Jerusalem to Eilat, Nov. 5 to 12. The retired engineer and dual American/Israeli citizen made aliyah in 1976 and lived in Israel for 20 years before moving to Tucson in 1999. “I’ve been an athlete all… Read more »

Watercolorist invites viewers to invent stories

“Listening to Beauty,” watercolor by Marcie Feldman

The Tucson Jewish Com­munity Center Fine Art Gallery will present local artist Marcie Feldman with an exhibit of new watercolors, “Tell Me A Story,” Dec. 12-Jan. 18. A recent transplant to Tucson, Feldman says, “The need to create, to tell a story, comes from a place magical and primal.… Read more »

Israel’s recognition of Aramean nationality empowers Arameans worldwide in demand for rights

World Council of Arameans now “Looks specifically to Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon”  Lost in the uproar over Israel’s proposed Nationality Bill has been the historic recognition of Arameans as a separate nationality in Israel. Israel is the first country in the world to recognize the Arameans. Israel’s historic recognition has empowered… Read more »

Glazier to celebrate splendor of Great American Songbook in one-man show

Richard Glazier

Award-winning pianist, storyteller and cultural historian Richard Glazier will bring his passion for the history, personalities and music of the Great American Songbook to Tucson Dec. 7 in  Invisible Theatre’s “Broadway to Hollywood.” His one-man show includes personal stories, movie clips, interview footage and — of course — piano… Read more »

In France, new chief rabbi embraces change

Chief French Rabbi Haim Korsia, center, with Consistoire President Joel Mergui, left, and French army officers at a synagogue in Paris, Nov. 6, 2014. (Alain Azria)

PARIS (JTA) — The first thing Haim Korsia did after becoming chief rabbi of France was give his new office a thorough cleaning. Next he redecorated to give the space a more modern look, placing his 30-inch model of a nuclear submarine — a gift from his previous stint as senior… Read more »

CHANUKAH FEATURE: Celebrating Eric Kimmel’s Hershel, meeting new characters

BOSTON (JTA) — Back in 1984, when Eric Kimmel was an up-and-coming children‘sbook author, he tried his hand at a Hanukkah story, one featuring goblins. Overly cautious Jewish editors rejected the manuscript, not knowing what to make of it, Kimmel recalled.“It was strange. It didn’t look like any other Hanukkah books and didn’t… Read more »

Business briefs 11.21.14

MARIS FINLEY has joined the ARIZONA JEWISH POST as advertising account executive. Originally from New York, she moved to Tucson from Baltimore in 2008 and spent several years working in the advertising department at the Arizona Daily Star. She is involved with a variety of community events and fundraising… Read more »

People in the news 11.21.14

Dr. Richard J. Ablin

RICHARD ABLIN, Ph.D., DSc. (Hon), presented a presidential lecture on his studies of prostate cancer at the 13th National Conference on Medical Oncology, held Oct. 9-12 in Poiana Brasov, Romania, and was the guest of honor and keynote lecturer at the Conference on Innovations in the Management of Prostate… Read more »

Devin Wortzel

DEVIN WORTZEL, son of Cheryl and Jeff Wortzel, will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 6 with Congregation Or Chadash at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. He is the grandson of Sandra and Kenny Wortzel, Marcy Merin and Lisa Newman, Terry and Dale Ruedebusch, all of Tucson,… Read more »

Makinley Wortzel

Makinley Wortzel, son of Cheryl and Jeff Wortzel, will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 6 with Congregation Or Chadash at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. He is the grandson of Sandra and Kenny Wortzel, Marcy Merin and Lisa Newman, Terry and Dale Ruedebusch, all of Tucson,… Read more »

Jacob Samuel Cohen

Jacob Samuel Cohen, son of Andrea and Greg Cohen of Scottsdale, Ariz., will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Nov. 29 at Gindling Hilltop Camp in Malibu, Calif. He is the grandson of Susan and Michael Cohen of Sun Lakes, Ariz., (formerly of Tucson) and Ellen and Burt Pressman… Read more »

Henry Solomon Abrams

Henry Solomon Abrams, son of Lisa and Ted Abrams, will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 22 at Temple Emanu-El. He is the grandson of Geraldine Hogan, Barbara Cosslett, and Judy and Stan Abrams, all of Tucson. Henry attends Esperero Canyon Middle School, where he sings in… Read more »

Juliet Faye Goldstein

A daughter, JULIET FAYE GOLDSTEIN, was born July 10, 2014 to Dana and Adam Goldstein of Oro Valley. Grandparents are Suzie and Marvin Goldstein of Phoenix and Debbie and Jay Jacobs of Mesa, Ariz. Great-grandparents are Barbara and Lou Goldstein of Phoenix, Phyllis and Bob Weinstein of Scottsdale, Ariz,… Read more »

In Focus 11.21.14

(L-R) Rosie Eilat Khan, Marcia Abelson, Ricki Weinstein-Wolf, Hedy Feuer, Judy Schultz and Peggy Langert (Courtesy Hedy Feuer)

Walking to end breast cancer On Oct. 12, volunteers joined the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Women’s Philanthropy team at the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, held at the Kino Sports Complex.       Hillel Israelpalooza The University of Arizona Hillel Foundation held its… Read more »

Local people, places, travels and simchas – 11.7.14

Bill and Wendy Fishkind with the Cessna 182 at Lanseria Airport in South Africa

Bucket list check-off For Bill and Wendy Fishkind, African travel has always been on their radar; however, for two weeks in September, they traveled on the African continent without radar. Bill and Wendy are both licensed pilots. They flew commercially from the United States to Johannesburg. Once there, they… Read more »

Gary Williams

Gary Paul Williams, 83, died Nov. 11, 2014. Born in Yakima, Wash., Mr. Williams served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and was later employed in the wholesale food industry in Spokane, Wash., for 42 years prior to his retirement.  He also enjoyed work as a dog obedience trainer.… Read more »

Clifford Altfeld

Clifford B. Altfeld, 62, died Nov. 9, 2014. Born in Elyria, Ohio, Mr. Atlfeld was partner at Altfeld & Battaile, P.C., a member of the Tucson Unified School District audit committee, Arizona School Bonds Association, State Bar of Arizona, Pima County Bar Association, and a former longtime member of… Read more »

Leonard Chaison

Leonard Chaison, 94, died Oct. 28, 2014. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Dr. Chaison was a Tucson resident for 50 years. He practiced podiatry in Tucson for 30 years. Dr. Chaison was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Elaine; son, Eric Chaison; and second wife, Estelle. Survivors… Read more »