International chef and author Debbie Matzkin says she was born “in a palace of shadows.” “My family lived in a world of elegance and affluence,” she told almost 300 women gathered March 2 at Tanque Verde Ranch for Connections, the signature program of Women’s Philanthropy at Jewish Philanthropies of… Read more »
“Israel is forever changed after the attacks on October 7, 2023. What does the future hold for Israel and the Jewish people throughout the world?” asks Rabbi Sara Metz of Congregation Anshei Israel. Join Vice Chairman of the World Zionist Organization Dr. Yizhar Hess to discuss the roles American… Read more »
Arizona legislators from both sides of the aisle participated in a forum on ending antisemitism on Feb. 20 at the University of Arizona Hillel, cosponsored by the nonpartisan international grassroots movement #EndJewHatred. The panel included State Rep. Justin Wilmeth, a Republican representing north Phoenix, and the three Hernandez siblings,… Read more »
For the final event in the 2024-2025 Beth and Mike Kasser Patron of the Arts Signature Events Series, the Tucson J in partnership with Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra (SASO), is proud to present Peter Boyer’s Ellis Island: The Dream of America on Sunday, May 11 at 3pm and Monday,… Read more »
“Israel is held to a uniquely harsh standard by the world, facing relentless criticism and misinformation in the media. When other nations take military action for their security, they are met with understanding — yet when Israel does the same, it is vilified”, says Rabbi Sara Metz of Congregation… Read more »
In 2015, Miriam Ruth Black saw a news report about Syrian refugees trudging across Europe, seeking safety. She noticed a little boy among the crowd. “I thought, ‘There’s my dad,’” says Black, whose father was orphaned in a Ukrainian pogrom at age 4. “I saw my father as he… Read more »
After Colton Zuckerman, a freshman at The Gregory School in Tucson, was diagnosed with leukemia in October, his family decided to encourage blood donations across the country. “Our goal is, by the end of this, to have put 10 times the volume back in the blood bank than what… Read more »
Marc Blitzstein (1905–1964) was a groundbreaking American composer whose work reflected both his commitment to social justice and his rich musical heritage. Known for his versatility, Blitzstein made significant contributions to both the classical and musical theater worlds, with works that conveyed a deep sense of purpose and cultural… Read more »
Acclaimed songstress Neshama Carlebach is coming to the Tucson J, Saturday, March 1 from 7:30-9:00 pm. The performance, titled BELIEVE, is part of the 2024-2025 Beth and Mike Kasser Patron of the Arts Signature Event Series and presented in loving memory of Ray Lederman. Neshama, daughter of the… Read more »
Jay Baruch, M.D., was an English major in college before he went to medical school. This may have made him, in his own words, “a very neurotic medical student,” but it also gave him an unusual skill set. Amid the organized chaos of life as an emergency room physician,… Read more »
Dozens of Tucson Jewish community members fanned out across the city on Jan. 20 for a Day of Chesed. Chesed means “kindness” in Hebrew. Volunteers participated in various service projects, such as packing care kits for people experiencing homelessness and donating blood to the American Red Cross. The Day… Read more »
The Hebrew word “chesed” is often translated as “loving-kindness” or simply “goodness.” The Tucson Jewish community’s Day of Chesed on Jan. 20 will offer many ways to do good in our community, from a clothing swap to visiting with Handmaker residents. The Day of Chesed is organized by Levia… Read more »
Wicked, the movie based on the Broadway musical, based on the book by Gregory Maguire, has brought the musical back to mainstream popularity. To date, the movie has grossed over $350 million domestically and is once again shining a spotlight on a stage that has been profoundly influenced over… Read more »
Opening the curtain on its 34th year, the Tucson J International Film Festival starts on January 8, with in-person screenings and special events for select films through January 19, with most films streaming virtually from January 17 through January 31 for the Greater Tucson area. This year screenings will… Read more »
Hosting the 2025 JCC Maccabi Games and Access in Tucson this summer will be a true community effort. More than 1,000 volunteers, 350 host families, and up to 100 local athletes ages 12-17 will be recruited to join staff members of the Tucson Jewish Community Center in creating a… Read more »
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect the change of the event’s date to December 14. On November 2, 2024, The New York Times released a front-page article, “A Whisperer to the Stars on the Middle East Conflict” by Nicole Sperling. She wrote, “Since Oct. 7 of… Read more »
For the Afghan survivors impacted by combat that Jewish Family & Childrens Services (JFCS) serves, art is a powerful tool for healing—helping express through creativity what cannot be said with words. Annie Kunz, program supervisor, explains, “The mental and physical tolls of combat are complex and are compounded by… Read more »
The Tucson Jewish Community Center (Tucson J) presents the exhibition Au Naturel by the Sonoran Plein Air Painters, on exhibition from October 31 to December 1, 2024. As part of its Fine Art Gallery Season, the Tucson J is hosting an opening art reception on Sunday, November 3 from… Read more »
Locked in a safe room for 13 hours, singer-songwriter Micha Biton and his family barely survived the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attacks on Israel. More than 20 of their friends in Moshav Netiv Ha’asara, the Israeli community closest to the Gaza border, were killed. Along with his songs, Biton… Read more »
The only thing more bitter than the cacao, was the sting of defeat after the judges’ final ruling. In a dazzling display of teamwork and efficiency under pressure, several teams of four students each took on the challenge of preparing a three-course meal, while racing the clock, in the… Read more »
