WASHINGTON (JTA) – While the Iran nuclear deal gets fleeting attention in the presidential race, it is shaping up as a key issue in at least nine states integral to Democrats’ hopes of regaining control of the U.S. Senate. Rival pro-Israel factions are pouring money into many of those races, and candidates are… Read more »
News
BLOG Donald Trump’s ‘international bankers’ speech leaves some uneasy
Updated with a response from the Trump campaign. MIAMI BEACH (JTA) — Donald Trump’s star, blunted into a circle, may just have re-sprouted six corners. Trump delivered a speech Thursday in West Palm Beach, Florida, that sounded some familiar themes – familiar to his campaign, but also to… Read more »
UA Hillel Foundation announces 2016 Israelpalooza
Israelpalooza, the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation’s annual event on the UA Mall, will be held Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This year, Israelpalooza will be hosting Artists 4 Israel. Artists 4 Israel utilizes the power of art to beautify the land, uplift the people and enhance… Read more »
Biden, remembering Peres, pleads for triumph of tolerance over bigotry
WASHINGTON (JTA) — Vice President Joe Biden said Shimon Peres’ legacy should be one of tolerance at a time of rising bigotry. “At a time when the currents of bigotry and anger and isolationism are on the rise, when too many are quick to cast blame on the outsider,… Read more »
PJ Library, Tucson J plan Shanghai Sukkot event
A family Sukkot celebration, “Shake It Up in Shanghai!,” sponsored by the Tucson Jewish Community Center and PJ Library, will be held in the sculpture garden at the J on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 5-6:30 p.m. The organizations invite families to be their ushpizin (Hebrew for “guests”) in the… Read more »
Open studios tour brings fiber artists, sculptor to Tucson J
Tucson Handweavers & Spinners Guild will present more than 60 juried fiber artists for its show, “A Palette of Fiber Arts” on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 1-6 p.m. at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. The event will be a stop on the Heart of Tucson Arts Open Studios Tour.… Read more »
THA dinner to honor late Don Baker as ‘Developer of Dreams’
Tucson Hebrew Academy’s “Developer of Dreams” Tikkun Olam Celebration honoring the late Donald Baker will be a promotion of visionary ideals, says Deborah Baker (no relation), alumni coordinator at THA. This year will be an intimate community event because of Baker’s untimely death, she says. “There are people who… Read more »
UA’s ‘Forbidden Composers’ festival to explore work of Nazi-banned musicians
“Forbidden Composers” is the theme for the 9th annual Music + Festival which will be presented by the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music later this month. The festival will focus on the music, lives and cultural impact of three Jews whose music was banned by the… Read more »
New skills, old values: next generation enriches community
In many Jewish communities, the phrase “l’dor v’dor” (loosely translated as “from generation to generation”) is used to highlight the importance of passing values, education and history from one generation to the next. Scholars and community organizations often speak of the importance of teaching children as a way to… Read more »
Jewish History Museum to celebrate Gootters at fall fundraiser
The Jewish History Museum will honor Joe and Paulette Gootter at its 8th annual fall fundraiser, “Over the Rainbow: Songs of Conscience & Hope.” The luncheon and silent auction will be held Sunday, Oct. 30, at noon at Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, with entertainment by Richard Hanson.… Read more »
CHAI Circle annual retreat to focus on ‘Living with No Regrets’
Amy Hirshberg Lederman will speak on “Living with No Regrets” at the 12th Annual CHAI Circle Retreat on Sunday, Oct. 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Canyon Ranch Health Resort, 8600 E. Rockcliff Road. CHAI Circle (Cancer, Healing and Inspiration), a program of Jewish Family & Children’s Services,… Read more »
For local women, Lions conference is poignant, enlightening
A delegation of nine Lions of Judah from Tucson attended the biennial international conference in Washington, D.C. to discuss philanthropic programs, ideas and stories of strength. Judy Berman, a local philanthropist, has been a Lion for about 10 years. She has attended three conferences thus far but this year’s… Read more »
Musical duo to present ‘Sephardic Journey’
The Cavatina Duo, Eugenia Moliner and Denis Azabagic, will present “Sephardic Journey” as part of the UA Presents series on Friday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. at Crowder Hall, 1017 Olive Road (in the music building). Moliner, a flutist from Spain, and Azabagic, a guitarist from Bosnia, together have… Read more »
Family Wellness Festival at J will combine experts, child-friendly entertainment
The third annual Family Wellness Festival, produced by the Tucson Jewish Community Center in collaboration with Tucson Medical Center, will be held Sunday, Oct. 16, from noon to 4 p.m. at The J. The keynote speaker for the free, interactive event will be Dan Johnson, executive director of the… Read more »
‘My Name Is Asher Lev’ coming to Tucson stage
Live Theatre Workshop will present “My Name Is Asher Lev” by Aaron Posner, adapted from the novel by Chaim Potok, through Nov. 12, with a preview performance Oct. 7. Set in post-war Brooklyn, “My Name Is Asher Lev” is the story of a boy’s passionate desire to follow his… Read more »
BLOG After the Veep debate: Who was right about the Iranian nuclear deal, and do Israelis agree?
(JTA) – Seven times during the vice presidential debate, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said the deal his running mate, Hillary Clinton, worked on had helped “stop Iranian nuclear weapons.” Seven times, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said no, it did not. Twice, Kaine said Israel’s military “says it stopped.” Both… Read more »
HIGH HOLIDAYS FEATURE For celebs like Donald Trump and Lena Dunham, ‘sorry’ may be the hardest word
WASHINGTON (JTA) – Yom Kippur, despite its solemnity and self-abnegation, seems almost anti-climactic if you’ve spent the 10 days since Rosh Hashanah engaging in person-to-person apologies. We would never admit it to non-Jewish friends, who stand in awe of our 25-hour fast, but Yom Kippur is a dodge, an… Read more »
Saying goodbye to Shimon Peres, world leaders talk peace and love
JERUSALEM (JTA) – Israeli and world leaders gathered atop Mount Herzl on Friday to say goodbye to Shimon Peres, Israel’s last founding father. In addition to fond personal recollections, many of those who took the stage alongside Peres’ Israeli-flag-draped coffin offered their visions of the peace that eluded the… Read more »
Reporter’s Notebook: 1 million expected to pay tribute to Peres
Jerusalem (TPS) – A military cavalcade delivered the coffin of former President and Prime Minister Shimon Peres to the Knesset early Thursday, where the deceased will lie in state in the parliament courtyard until his funeral procession tomorrow. Jerusalem police and Knesset security officials said they expect up to 1 million Israelis… Read more »
Shimon Peres, last of Israel’s founders, dies
TEL AVIV (JTA) — Shimon Peres, the former defense hawk turned Nobel Peace Prize winner and the last of Israel’s founders, has died. Peres died before dawn Wednesday at 93, Israel Radio reported. The former president suffered a massive stroke earlier this month and was reported initially to be… Read more »