Local

New, inclusive prayer book wins local fans

Rabbi Helen T. Cohn

Congregation M’kor Hayim will start the new year with a new High Holidays machzor, or prayer book, recently published by the Reform Movement’s Central Conference of American Rabbis. The two-volume machzor, Mishkan HaNefesh, should “add new energy and meaning to our High Holidays services,” says Rabbi Helen Cohn. Among… Read more »

Second Stone Avenue Block party will celebrate Jewish and Mexican cultures

Mexico City’s Benjamin Shwartz y Los Jreins will perform at the second annual Stone Avenue Block Party on Sept. 29.

As the sun goes down on Thursday, Sept. 29, live music by Mexico City’s Benjamin Shwartz y Los Jreins will heat up the night at the second annual Stone Avenue Block Party, presented by the Jewish History Museum and the Consulate of Mexico in Tucson. The party, which starts… Read more »

Jewish Federation, Foundation to share building on Jewish community campus

The lobby of the new Jewish Federation/Foundation building will evoke the welcoming spirit of the tent of the biblical Abraham and Sarah. (Courtesy CDG Architects)

After decades of putting the needs of other Jewish community agencies first, the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona is ready to break ground on a new home of its own. The new 18,000 square foot building, which will house the Federation and the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona,… Read more »

Classics, new hits will grace Tucson 2016-17 arts season

Broadway in Tucson Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. 903-2929 broadwayintucson.com The 13th season begins in September with a revival of the Tony-award winning masterpiece “Cabaret.” Rodgers and Hammerstein’s family classic “The Sound of Music” will thrill audiences with its Tony®, Grammy® and Academy Award® winning score, including “My… Read more »

Tucson Jewish Community Center partners with Federation on JPride

The Tucson Jewish Community Center has added JPride to its programming roster. JPride, then known as the LGBT Jewish Inclusion Project, began in 2005 when the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona became one of the first federations in the country to create an outreach program for lesbian, gay, bisexual… Read more »

Exploration of justice kicks off Jewish History Museum chats

Cantor Avraham Alpert at the Holocaust History Center at the Jewish History Museum Sept. 2 (David J. Del Grande/AJP)

Driving one of Tucson’s new Israeli teen emissaries, Leah Avuno, from a lunch and learn on the University of Arizona campus to her next destination, Cantor Avraham Alpert found his talking point. Avuno, originally from Ethiopia, told him Ethiopian Jews would never have made it to Israel if it… Read more »

Project Isaiah food drive to start

The Tucson Jewish community will hold its annual Project Isaiah food drive benefiting the Community Food Bank from Sept. 15-Oct. 15. The project, timed to coincide with the High Holy Days, is named for the Prophet Isaiah, who when asked why we fast on Yom Kippur, responded, “Is it… Read more »

New Jewish Cub Scout pack seeking members

The Temple Emanu-El board of directors has unanimously voted to be a chartering organization for a Cub Scout pack of the Boy Scouts of America. Recruitment is beginning in both the Jewish and general communities for charter members of Pack 613, says Herbert A. Cohn, assistant district commissioner, Spanish… Read more »

JFSA Women’s Philanthropy welcome on tap

Leah Avuno

The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Women’s Philanthropy will hold its annual welcome, “Making Our Mark in Tucson, Israel and around the World” on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort. The guest speakers will be Leah Avuno, one of two Israeli teens… Read more »

ADL gets new Arizona director

Carlos Galindo-Elvira

Carlos Galindo-Elvira,  the Anti- Defamation League’s new Arizona regional director, wants Tucson Jewish community leaders to know the ADL is there for them, “whether it’s a 411 call, to get information or resources, or a 911 call” in a situation where the ADL can play a role. Galindo-Elvira is… Read more »

Colitis complicates local teen’s life but has not dampened her spirit

Rachel Levy, left, and her mother, Nanci Levy (Korene Charnofsky Cohen)

Rachel Levy spent her childhood struggling with ulcerative colitis, but she didn’t give in to self-pity. While learning how to manage the symptoms of the disease, she reached out to help others, earning the title of “Hero” from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. “My dream is to… Read more »

UA student’s research is breakthrough in pain, addiction

Alexander Sandweiss

Understanding how to provide narcotics for pain management, while avoiding potential addiction to opiates, can be difficult for physicians and patients alike. Chronic pain affects more than 100 million Americans and opioids such as morphine have been the mainstay therapy for many years. Yet growing evidence suggests that prescription… Read more »

Witnessing joyous French aliyah — and hoping Diaspora can be sustained

(L-R): Tucsonans Bobby Present, Fran Katz and Deborah Oseran in Paris on the Jewish Federations of North America Campaign and Directors Mission in July.

This July, as incoming 2017 Campaign chair for the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, I had the opportunity, with my husband, Bobby Present, and Fran Katz, JFSA senior vice president, to participate in a Jewish Federations of North America Campaign and Directors Mission to France and Israel. The emotional… Read more »

JFCS Sherman Institute program to tackle tough issues

Paige Hector

“What would happen to me if I had a severe stroke and couldn’t communicate?” “What would happen if my spouse gets dementia and stops eating?” People sometimes choose to ignore these kind of tough issues rather than talk about them. To help change that, Jewish Family & Children’s Services… Read more »

MD to speak on women’s rights and access to healthcare

Eve Shapiro, M.D.

The Secular Humanist Jewish Circle will sponsor a lecture by Eve Shapiro, M.D., “What Century Are We In? Women’s Rights and Access to Healthcare,” on Saturday, Sept. 10, 1:30-4 p.m. at   Academy Hall, Atria Bell Court Gardens, 6653 E. Carondelet Drive.  Shapiro, a Tucson pediatrician, specializes in adolescent… Read more »

At ethical wills class, talk of gratitude, regrets

Rabbi Stephanie Aaron blows a shofar at Jewish Family & Children’s Services’ ethical wills workshop at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging Aug. 11. (Korene Charnofsky Cohen)

An ordinary will is about leaving money and property. But there is also a way to leave the legacy of who you are and your values, philosophy, religious beliefs, what you hold most dear — even your favorite recipe. This is called an ethical will. About 20 people gathered… Read more »