Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, refers to the windows broken at synagogues, homes, and Jewish-owned businesses that were plundered and destroyed during a wave of violent anti-Jewish pogroms on Nov. 9 and 10, 1938 throughout Germany, Austria, and the Czech Sudetenland. The event is commonly thought to be… Read more »
Posts By PHYLLIS BRAUN - AJP Executive Editor
JFSA groups to discuss Tucson’s opioid crisis
Two Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona affinity groups will hold a joint event next month to discuss America’s growing opioid crisis and its effects on the local community. The Tucson Maimonides Society and Tucson Cardozo Society will host two local experts on the subject. Nancy Johnson, R.N., Ph.D., the… Read more »
For artist, writer and community volunteer Anne Lowe, there is no off season
Between heading local organizations or sitting on boards, volunteering with humanitarian efforts or creating art, Anne Lowe, 70, finds time for everything and shows no sign of stopping. For nine years, she served as Northwest Jewish Connections coordinator (later Northwest Division director) and outreach director for the Jewish Federation… Read more »
Caring for others gives Honey her sweetness
Honey Manson loves the people of Tucson. Along with the warm weather, they are her favorite thing about the city. Unfortunately, the hard water of Arizona has been less kind to her. A plumbing leak caused by corrosion recently left her and her husband without water for five hours.… Read more »
AJP wins Arizona Newspapers Association award
The Arizona Jewish Post received an award in the Arizona Newspapers Association 2018 Better Newspapers Contest. The AJP won second place for Departmental News and Copy Editing Excellence in its division, non-dailies with a circulation of 3,500 to 10,000. The ANA presented the awards Oct. 6 at its annual… Read more »
Children’s program to blend music, mitzvot
A new musical program, Music, Memories, and Mitzvot, will weave song, stories, and learning about Jewish celebrations with the mitzvah of bringing joy to the elderly, says Rabbi Israel Becker of Congregation Chofetz Chayim. The program, for children ages 5-11, includes three Sunday classes in preparation for each of four… Read more »
Docent brings her love of teaching to Tucson’s Jewish History Museum
A middle school, elementary and special education teacher for 42 years in rural Vermont, Ellen Saltonstall pioneered Holocaust studies in her school district. “There aren’t many Jewish people in Vermont,” she notes. She won a scholarship for an educators’ tour to Israel in 2009 where she had a chance… Read more »
Pianist David Syme to give concert at Temple Emanu-El
Internationally renowned concert pianist David Syme will perform at Temple Emanu-El, Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. Syme is a distinguished soloist, an alumnus of Juilliard, and has over 20 CDs to his name. He makes regular appearances with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic, the Vienna Symphony, and… Read more »
We’ve seen this before: Public charge rules used to disguise xenophobia
The Trump Administration recently proposed an unprecedented expansion in our country’s public charge rules for applicants for citizenship. For the first time, a legal immigrant to the United States can be considered ineligible for citizenship simply because they utilize SNAP — our nation’s food stamp program. These new public… Read more »
Whether in U.S. or Israel, voting is vital duty
Some of our community members and lay leaders are involved in the Nov. 6 elections. As an American citizen, I plan to cast my ballot, as voting, in my eyes, is one of our important civic duties. I had my first political experience in the Israeli general elections campaign… Read more »
In wake of personal crisis, Tucsonan helps others choose their best life
I don’t know if I want to do it anymore,” I said to my friend Darren. And by “it” I meant live. Three weeks later, I was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer and given a 40 percent chance of surviving more than five years. At 34 years old, I felt… Read more »
New delegation of local firefighters heading to Israel
Six firefighters from Tucson will head to Israel next month to share their expertise in handling wildland fires. Since spring, incendiary kites and balloons launched from Gaza have burned thousands of acres of Israeli land. The trip is part of the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation’s Firefighters Beyond Borders program.… Read more »
Green Valley’s Beth Shalom Temple Center will host weekend with rabbi
Beth Shalom Temple Center of Green Valley will host a weekend of events with Rabbi Norman T. Roman, Nov. 2-4. Roman has been the rabbi emeritus at Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield, Michigan, since 2016, after serving as senior rabbi for 30 years. The weekend marks a significant… Read more »
AARP age-friendly survey assesses Tucson
Last year, AARP Arizona conducted a telephone survey of adults 45 and older across Tucson in efforts to help make the city more age-friendly. AARP accepted the City of Tucson into its Network of Age Friendly Communities in October 2016 as the 122nd community. Tucson is the first Arizona… Read more »
JFSA women seek teen nominees for Zehngut award
The Women’s Philanthropy Advisory Council of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona is seeking nominations for the 12th annual Bryna Zehngut Mitzvot Award, recognizing an outstanding Jewish teenage girl. The award honors Zehngut, a community leader who died in 2005. Nominees should be high school juniors or seniors who… Read more »
Business briefs 10.26.18
Beth Nakhai, Ph.D, an associate professor at The Arizona Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Arizona, recently published an article, “How to Avoid Gender-Based Hostility During Fieldwork” in The Chronicle of Higher Education. The article relates to Nakhai’s ongoing work as head of the American Schools of… Read more »
People in the news 10.26.18
Debra S. Jacobs, an occupational therapist for more than 30 years, published her second book, “Safety and Consent for Kids and Teens with Autism or Special Needs: A Parent’s Guide” (Jessica Kingsley Publishers). She previously co-authored “Everyday Activities to Help Your Young Child with Autism Live Life to the… Read more »
Lola Grabb
Lola Lipsitz Grabb died peacefully at her home in Tucson on Sept. 29, 2018 due to complications related to cancer. Lolita (as she became known to friends) was born on March 20, 1929, in Santiago de Cuba to Julio and Emma Lipsitz, immigrants to Cuba from Lithuania. Lolita first… Read more »
A guide to the Jewish Democratic House candidates in the 2018 midterm elections
WASHINGTON (JTA) — Among the 36 Jewish Democrats running for the U.S. House of Representatives in November, 18 are incumbents and an equal number are challengers. Three Jewish Democrats are leaving the House: Sandy Levin of Michigan is retiring, Jacky Rosen of Nevada is running for the Senate and… Read more »
A guide to the Jewish Republican House candidates in the 2018 midterm elections
By Ron Kampeas WASHINGTON (JTA) — There are 16 Jewish Republican candidates running in U.S. House of Representatives races this fall. Two are incumbents and 14 are challengers. JTA is breaking down the races, assessing where the candidates stand on the political spectrum, noting their Jewish involvement and reporting what… Read more »