News

Volunteer Power Keeps Northwest Tucson Jewish Community Going

The Northwest Tucson Jewish Community, a nonprofit organization, aims “to enrich the educational, cultural, and social life primarily of Jewish residents in Northwest Tucson,” according to its mission statement. “Primarily” is a clue that despite its name, the NWTJC does not impose strict geographical limits: The mission statement goes… Read more »

Art Students, Residents Collaborate on Mural at Covenant House

Residents of Tucson’s B’nai B’rith Covenant House longed for a mural to enhance the back wall of the facility’s patio, says Abbie Stone, president of the board of Covenant House, an affordable housing community for older adults funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “We try… Read more »

Local Firefighter Who Witnessed Hamas Devastation Eager to Help Israel

Capt. Jeff Hamblen of Northwest Fire recently signed up to train with Israel’s Emergency Volunteer Project. He expected to help his Israeli counterparts put out fires. He didn’t expect to be flying into a country at war. Hamblen’s travel date was Oct. 7, 2023, the day Hamas launched a… Read more »

Murdered Israeli Soldier Had Ties to Tucson

Tucsonan Lindsey Baker wasn’t sure of the exact term for her family relationship with Rose Lubin, a 20-year-old Israel Defense Forces soldier who was killed by a knife-wielding terrorist in Jerusalem on Nov. 6, one month into Israel’s war against Hamas. Lubin was the granddaughter of Baker’s father’s first… Read more »

Oro Valley Family Celebrates Sponsorship of Intensive Care Ambulance for Israel at Two Local Events

Thanks to Sandy and Maureen Salz of Oro Valley, a new MICU (mobile intensive care unit) for Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service, has arrived in Israel to help care for those dealing with increased violence, in response to Hamas attacks. Two events marking the sponsorship took place… Read more »

JPSA Light in the Darkness Event Is Spark of Hope for Israel

Some 200 people gathered at Congregation Anshei Israel at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3, for Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona’s “A Light in the Darkness” Israel solidarity event, which provided an update on the situation in Israel since the horrific Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks and the subsequent… Read more »

Collaborative Leadership is Hallmark of New JPSA CEO

Hava Leipzig Holzhauer’s official start date as president and CEO of Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona is Dec. 4, but she will be joining the community on Dec. 3 for a solidarity gathering for Israel called “A Light in the Darkness” because of its proximity to Hanukkah. The event… Read more »

JPSA Board of Trustees Issues Public Statement in Support of Israel

Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) issued the following statement today in support of Israel: JPSA stands unwaveringly in support of the people of Israel. JPSA recognizes the right and necessity for Israel to defend itself and its citizens and for the Israel Defense Forces to act as required… Read more »

A Letter to the Community from Yuval Malka, Shaliach

Dear Community Member,    As a new member of the Weintraub Israel Center team, it is with great sadness that this has to be my first letter to the community.   Friday evening, October 6, we returned from Shabbat dinner and arrived home. Suddenly, I received a message from one of my friends:… Read more »

JPSA Welcomes Four New Hires to Its Development Team

Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) is pleased to announce the addition of four new staff members to its development team. The new hires are Junko Nagao, Director of Development; Ian Arthur, Campaign Manager; Nate Weisband, Young Leadership Manager; and Ital Ironstone, Women’s Philanthropy Manager. They will all work… Read more »

Nearly a Thousand Gather in Support of Israel at Tucson J

This article is reprinted courtesy of Jewish News A standing-room-only crowd of more than 900 people gathered in the sculpture garden of the Tucson Jewish Community Center (Tucson JCC) on Oct. 9 to show solidarity with Israel in the wake of unprecedented terrorist attacks. The evening of prayers and… Read more »

Prayers for Israel from Handmaker and THA

Starting last month, and for the second year, Handmaker residents have been enjoying monthly Better Together Intergenerational meetings with Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA) and B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) teens. A quick pivot was made on programming for the meeting with THA Students on Wednesday, October 11 from what… Read more »

Can You Be Zionist and Progressive? (Of Course!): Weintraub Israel Center to Bring Zioness Founder and Executive Director Amanda Berman to Tucson J

After a successful kick-off to a season of Arts, Culture + Community events with over 100 convening at the Tucson J earlier this month for a conversation with infamous author, Dara Horn, the Weintraub Israel Center is excited to welcome Zioness Founder and Executive Director, Amanda Berman to the… Read more »

OP-ED: Say “No” to the Nazi Salute, Pima County. Just Say “No.”

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Arizona Jewish Post or its publisher, Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona. At a Pima County (Arizona) Board of Supervisors meeting in early June, an attendee made a straight-arm… Read more »

Israel at 75 Fuels Momentum Around Israel Engagement

As I have referred to in a variety of different circles, the Weintraub Israel Center, a partnership between the Tucson J and Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA), has developed a generative mission statement that invites each of us to go on a self-propelled journey to individually connect in… Read more »

Tucson International Jewish Film Festival Returns with In-Person Events at the J

Lights… camera… action! The Tucson International Jewish Film Festival opens January 12, with in-person and virtual screenings and post-film programs for select films through January 22, and virtual screenings of each and every film continuing through January 31. The Festival returns in 2023 with in-person events after two years… Read more »