Benjamin Thurston Aronson completed his Bar Mitzvah on April 30, 2022. Although he read his Torah portion through Congregation Or Chadash’s Zoom services in April 2020, he was grateful for an in-person service and celebration with his family and friends. This belated event was performed at a family home,… Read more »
Sometimes a Jewish ritual object takes on a life of its own. It can trace the history of an entire family, even an entire portion of the Jewish people. When that object is returned to regular religious use, it symbolizes the eternal vitality of Judaism. So it is with… Read more »
Hannah Aviva Ellentuck celebrated becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Dec. 20, 2021. The service took place in her backyard led by Rabbi Avi Alpert and her mother, Cantor Emily Ellentuck of M’Kor Hayim. She is the daughter of Max and Cantor Ellentuck, of Tucson, and granddaughter of Wayne and… Read more »
Sawyer Charles Lazarus Sawyer Charles Lazarus celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on August 7th, 2021 at Congregation Anshei Israel. He is the son of Emily and Adam Lazarus and the grandson of Ellen and Larry Z”L Yasmer and Sandy and Joel Lazarus of Davie, Florida. Sawyer is a rising seventh grade student at… Read more »
Sage Elise Wexler Sage Elise Wexler was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on April 24, 2021 at Congregation Or Chadash. She is the daughter of Allison and Michael Wexler, of Tucson, and granddaughter of Charlene and Sam Wexler of Chicago, and Jerry and Sue Zandman of Lido Beach, NY.… Read more »
Celeste Grace Bergantino Celeste Grace Bergantino will celebrate becoming a Bat Mitzvah on April 10, 2021 at Congregation Or Chadash (soon to be Kol Ami). She is currently in eighth grade at the Gregory School. She loves dance and art. Celeste is the daughter of Tamar and JR Bergantino.… Read more »
Abigail Rose Hanley Abigail Rose Hanley celebrated becoming a Bat Mitzvah on May 22, 2021 at Congregation Or Chadash. She is the daughter of Todd and Rebecca Hanley and granddaughter of Richard and Shana Oseran and Pat Dale, all of whom live in Tucson. Abigail attends the Gregory School, where she is… Read more »
Aaron Zeldin celebrated becoming a Bar Mitzvah on January 30 at Congregation Or Chadash. He is the son of Jean Lee and Martin Zeldin and attends Orange Grove Middle School, where he plays tuba in the band. He enjoys various sports, hanging out with friends and is an avid… Read more »
Abbe Goncharsky Calista Morrison, daughter of Christopher and Abbe Morrison, will celebrate becoming a bat mitzvah on Saturday, February 6, 2021 via Facebook Live from Congregation Or Chadash. Cali is the granddaughter of Sharon and the late Robert Goncharsky of Tucson, Arizona, and Joan O’Connell and Brian O’Connell of West Palm… Read more »
Melayna Rachel Matheson, daughter of Teresa and Brandon Matheson, will celebrate becoming a bat mitzvah on Feb. 20, 2021 at Congregation Anshei Israel. She is the granddaughter of Debra and Landon Matheson of Chicago, Illinois; Darlene and Robert Moen of Sartell, Minnesota; and the late Susan Matheson. Melayna is… Read more »
Eloise Henry, daughter of Mindy and Steve Henry, will celebrate become a bat mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Temple Emanu-El. She is the granddaughter of Lyn and Ralph Henry of Tucson and Susan and Stuart Padove of Birmingham, Alabama. Eloise attends Esmond Station K-8 School, where she is… Read more »
Samson Isaac Goldberg, son of Lisa and Ben Goldberg, will celebrate becoming a bar mitzvah on Saturday, October 24, 2020, at Congregation Or Chadash and on Facebook Live. He is the grandson of Jerry and the late Mimi Sisk of Palos Verdes, California, and Karen and Bill Goldberg of… Read more »
Destiny Marie Bickart, daughter of Erin Bickart, will celebrate becoming a bat mitzvah on Aug. 29, 2020 at Temple Emanu-El. She is the granddaughter of Jeff and Fran Bickart of Tucson. Destiny attends Twin Peaks K-8 School. She enjoys reading and swimming. For her mitzvah project, Destiny is helping… Read more »
Ethan Domnik Glassey, son of Lauren and Eric Glassey, will celebrate becoming a bar mitzvah on June 13, 2020 with Temple Emanu-El via Zoom and Facebook Live. He is the grandson of Judy Thomas of Tucson and Stan and Lori Thomas of Rockville, MD. Ethan attends Marana Middle School,… Read more »
Shane Preston Glesinger, son of Dr. April Glesinger and Jeff Glesinger, will celebrate becoming a b’nai mitzvah with his cousin Brady Bayard on March 7 at Temple Solel in Cardiff by the Sea, California. He is the grandson of Sue and Sonny Ross of Tucson and Jan and the… Read more »
Brady Bayard, son of Beth and Johnny Bayard of San Marcos, California, will celebrate becoming a b’nai mitzvah with his cousin Shane Preston Glesinger on March 7 at Temple Solel in Cardiff by the Sea, California. He is the grandson of Sue and Sonny Ross of Tucson and Cecilia… Read more »
Josephine Elyse Hanley Josephine Elyse Hanley, daughter of Rebecca and Todd Hanley, will celebrate becoming a bat mitzvah on Saturday, Feb. 29, at Congregation Or Chadash. She is the granddaughter of Shana and Richard Oseran and Pat Dale, all of Tucson. Josephine attends Miles Exploratory Learning Center where she is an honor… Read more »
Samuel Ellis Jacobson, son of Jeffrey and Rachel Jacobson, will celebrate becoming a bar mitzvah on Saturday, Feb. 15, with Congregation Or Chadash at the Jewish Community Center. Sam attends Tucson Hebrew Academy, and plays on basketball, football, and soccer teams. He enjoys travel. For his mitzvah project, he… Read more »
Conner Belakovsky Connor Belakovsky, son of Anjelina Belakovskaia and Lawrence Bernstein, will celebrate becoming a bar mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Congregation Beit Simcha. He is the grandson of Liliya Belakovskaya of Tucson. Connor attends Esperero Canyon Middle School, where he plays clarinet in the band and is a member… Read more »
Bar mitzvah celebrant Stuart Tobin, center, with Michael Mussman and Sara Golan-Mussman at Beth Shalom Temple Center in Green Valley, Nov. 16. (Courtesy Marylou Tobin)
Stuart Tobin, 85, was called to the Torah to celebrate his second bar mitzvah last month at Beth Shalom Temple Center in Green Valley, surrounded by family and friends. The custom of a second bar mitzvah ceremony, which has grown in popularity, is based on Psalm 90:10, which says… Read more »
