Local

‘Stumbling stone’ gives family overdue closure

Tucsonan Bertie Levkowitz-Herz speaks at the installation of a ‘stumbling stone’ honoring her uncle in Groningen, the Netherlands, Aug. 6. (Photo courtesy Bertie Levkowitz-Herz)

Active remembrance can provide an alternative to warfare, and taking pause to acknowledge as well as consider human tragedies may force us to search for peaceful means, says Bertie Levkowitz-Herz.    “You only have losers with war, and killing makes no sense,” she says. “There’s got to be another… Read more »

‘Courage to Sparkle’ to welcome JFSA women

Lois Barth

“Courage to Sparkle: Creating a Life That Lights You Up” is the theme for the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Women’s Philanthropy annual welcome event, which will be held Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Harvey and Deanna Evenchik Center for Philanthropy, the new home of the Federation and Jewish… Read more »

UA lecture to examine gender in Judaism, law

Max Strassfeld

The Arizona Center for Judaic Studies will present a lecture by Max Strassfeld, Ph.D., “(Cis)gendering Religion: Rabbinic Literature, Anti-trans Bills, and Trans Jewish Cosmology,” on Oct. 9 at 4 p.m. at the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation, 1245 E. 2nd St. Strassfeld is a professor in the UA department… Read more »

Local teens bring passion, talent and caring to b’nai mitzvah projects

David Jurkowitz plays piano for residents of Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging on Sept. 22. [Courtesy Lisa Jurkowitz)

For Jewish teens, a bar or bat mitzvah project is an opportunity to learn more about their responsibilities as Jewish adults. It’s a  hands-on way to learn the meaning of tikkun olam (repairing the world), and serve the community in personally meaningful ways. Several Tucson Jewish teens shared with… Read more »

Cantor becomes rabbi, and Bet Shalom plans gala in celebration

Rabbi Avraham Alpert of Tucson speaks at his ordination at the Stephen Wise Temple in Los Angeles on May 29. (Photo: Aly Blue Photography)

Congregation Bet Shalom will celebrate the recent ordination of Rabbi Hazzan Avraham “Avi” Alpert next month at a gala event. Alpert says he’s both humbled by the attention and excited because the event supports his mission of reaching out to the entire Jewish community. Alpert’s personal journey began when… Read more »

‘The Odd Couple’ at Arizona Rose Theatre

(L-R) Christopher Younggren as Felix and Lawrence Fuller as Oscar in a rehearsal for the Arizona Rose Theatre’s production of Neil Simon’s classic comedy, “The Odd Couple.” Arizona Rose Theatre will present “The Odd Couple” on Oct. 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22. The theatre is located in the… Read more »

Robotic arm system puts Tucson surgeon on the cutting edge

Russell Cohen, M.D., with Stryker’s Mako robotic-arm assisted surgery system (Courtesy Stryker)

People are living longer than ever before — but living with a painful joint can restrict daily activities and decimate quality of life. In the 1950s, few retirees lived beyond their mid-60s, but today the average length of retirement is 18 years. During that time, joints often degenerate. As… Read more »

UA telehealth pioneer sees program thriving

Dr. Ronald S. Weinstein demonstrates telepathology during a teaching session at the University of Arizona.

When it comes to healthcare in rural areas, the overarching question is how to level the playing field between geographically isolated healthcare facilities and their urban counterparts, says Ronald S. Weinstein, director of the Arizona Telemedicine Program at the University of Arizona. That’s exactly why the Arizona Telemedicine Program… Read more »

Brandeis gears up for annual used book sale

Meg Sivitz and Rachel Barker, Brandeis Tucson chapter vice presidents, prepare for the Brandeis Book Bonanza to be held at the Foothills Mall next month. (Courtesy Meg Sivitz)

The Tucson chapter of the Brandeis National Committee will hold its annual used book sale, dubbed the “Brandeis Book Bonanza,” next month, beginning with a preview night on Thursday, Oct. 5 from 5-9 p.m. The book fair will be open for two weekends during mall hours, Oct. 6-9 and… Read more »

Federations create hurricane relief fund

Rescue workers and volunteers help residents make their way out of a flooded neighborhood in Houston following Hurricane Harvey, Aug. 29, 2017. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona is joining with the Jewish Federations of North America to help the victims of Hurricane Irma, which battered the Caribbean and the eastern United States earlier this month. At least 42 people in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina have died as a result… Read more »

THA Passport2Peace teaches kids importance of giving

Tucson Hebrew Academy students make cards for kids at local children's organizations during THA's annual Passport2Peace fundraiser benefiting local charities, Sept. 18. (David J. Del Grande/AJP)

On Monday, Tucson Hebrew Academy held its annual “Passport2Peace” fundraising event, which educates students about local charitable organizations and allows them to donate funds to their favorite charities. Informational booths are set up throughout THA’s courtyard. Professional or student liaisons explain how the charities help the community. When the… Read more »

Senior rabbi resigns from Temple Emanu-El

Editor’s note: As of Feb. 16, the Central Conference of American Rabbis reversed Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon’s suspension and reinstated him. See more details here: https://azjewishpost.com/2018/ccar-reverses-suspension-reinstates-local-rabbi/ Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon has resigned from his position as senior rabbi with Temple Emanu-El as of Sept. 13. Mona Gibson, president of Temple… Read more »

Genetics of breast cancer topic for Hadassah

Cassandra Garcia

Cassandra Garcia, M.S., CGC, a certified genetic counselor at the University of Arizona Cancer Center, will present “Genetics of Breast Cancer, Jewish Ancestry, and Ongoing Research: Important Information for Men and Women” at a Hadassah Southern Arizona luncheon on Sunday, Oct. 15. The lunch will be held at the… Read more »

UA talk to probe Mideast water, energy issues

The Arizona Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Arizona will present “Water, Wastewater, and Energy Solutions for Off-grid Bedouin, Palestinian, and Jordanian Communities” on Monday, Oct. 2, at 4 p.m., with Clive Lipchin, Ph.D., of the Center for Transboundary Water Management at the Arava Institute for Environmental… Read more »

Tikkun olam: Bob Feinman

Bob Feinman

In 1967, Bob Feinman, an 18-year-old Jewish kid from New York City found himself in Tucson, enrolled in college, knowing no one. He could speak Spanish, but had never heard of a taco. He ended up with a 40-year career in Spanish language radio and became an advocate for… Read more »