Local

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.
August 25, 2016 / Deborah Oseran, Special to the AJP

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
August 25, 2016 /
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
August 25, 2016 /
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)
August 25, 2016 / Korene Charnofsky Cohen, Special to the AJP

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 »

Jewish community website now features Nosh & More recipe exchange
August 25, 2016 /

Jewishtucson.org, Tucson’s Jewish community website, has launched Nosh & More, a recipe exchange. At jewishtucson.org/nosh-more, food lovers can submit everything from treasured traditional recipes to contemporary takes on Jewish cuisine. Participants are encouraged to include a bit of history or a fond remembrance on what makes the recipe special… Read more »

‘Quintessential ’70s rocker’ to share journey at one man show in Tucson

Henry Gross co-founded the ’50s revival group Sha Na Na but may be best known for his 1976 solo hit, “Shannon.” He will bring his one-man show to Tucson Sept. 10.
August 11, 2016 / Craig S. Baker, Special to the AJP

In his own words, Henry Gross’ life has been “kind of an unusual journey.” He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1951 to a musical family, so it was no surprise when he picked up the guitar at age 12. When he was 18, Gross and a few friends… Read more »

Despite silver medal at JCC Maccabi Games, Tucson boys put emphasis on fun

Tucson Jewish Community Center Maccabi Games participants and friends (in white and turquoise T-shirts) play with special needs campers in Columbus, Ohio. Back row (L-R): Oren Riback (delegation head), Max Silverman, Zach Giles, Dimitri Rally (Palo Alto), Zamy (Jake) Zwinger, Jake Blumenthal, Adam Rudy (Louisville). Front: Avin Kreisler, Matthew Gurovich (Palo Alto) and Henry Abrams. Dakota Kordsiemon (basketball coach) is kneeling on the right. (Courtesy Oren Riback)
August 11, 2016 / Phyllis Braun, AJP Executive Editor

Thirteen teen athletes represented the Tucson Jewish Community Center at the JCC Maccabi Games in Columbus, Ohio, July 24-29. It was Tucson’s return to the games after a three-year absence due to scheduling conflicts with local schools’ early start dates. Despite the lag, the Tucson boys’ basketball team members… Read more »

CAI summer Israel trip delves into history, insiders’ views

Members of Congregation Anshei Israel’s “off the beaten path” Israel mission in June harvested leeks for Leket Israel, an organization that distributes surplus food to the needy. (L-R): Aaron Leonard, Rabbi Robert Eisen, Ron Gray, Margo Gray, Katherine Leonard, Ann Anovitz, Michelle Sigafus, Eugene Kellogg, Michael Schoenholz, Paul Hoffman. Seated, Aurora Kellogg (Courtesy Rabbi Robert Eisen)
August 11, 2016 / Korene Charnofsky Cohen, Special to the AJP

Congregation Anshei Israel’s 11-day mission to Israel in June was no ordinary tourist trip. Instead of focusing on history and popular sites, the itinerary delved into the culture, problems, agriculture and technology of modern Israel. Rabbi Robert Eisen says that this is the fourth time he has taken congregation… Read more »

With U.S.-Cuba ties restored, family joins Tucson man on long-awaited homecoming visit

Tucsonan Billie Kozolchyk, right, with Adela Dworin, vice president of the Patronato de la casa de la comunidad Hebrea de Cuba in Havana, the equivalent of a Jewish federation in the United States. (Courtesy Billie Kozolchyk)
August 11, 2016 / Billie Kozolchyk, Special to the AJP

So we went to Cuba. Big deal, you say? Everybody’s going to Cuba. It seems not a single U.S. institution, big or small, isn’t arranging tours and oh yes, cruises, too. But our trip was different. My husband, Boris, had left his native Cuba pre-Fidel in 1956, to continue… Read more »

After multiple trips to Israel, Tucson teen making aliyah as lone soldier

Madyssen Zarin, left, with her twin sister, Rachael, and mother, Patricia (Korene Charnofsky Cohen)
August 11, 2016 / Korene Charnofsky Cohen, Special to the AJP

Update: Nefesh B’Nefesh provided this photo of “soon to be IDF soldiers” arriving in Israel Aug. 17. We’re pretty sure we spotted Madyssen Zarin on the far right.    Madyssen Zarin is not someone who sits and watches the world go by. She is leaping into the future by making… Read more »

Poet, local rabbis to discuss inspirational women for Hadassah
August 11, 2016 /
Joy Ladin

  Hadassah Southern Arizona will present a panel discussion, “Shhh … Our Matriarchs Are Speaking,” with three women, Joy Ladin, Ph.D., of Yeshiva University, and local Rabbis Batsheva Appel and Stephanie Aaron, on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 3 p.m. at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. Ladin is the author… Read more »

Rabbi and wife join Jewish Arizonans on Campus team at UA location
August 11, 2016 / David J. Del Grande, Special to the AJP

Rabbi Moshe Schonbrun, who recently came to Tucson as rabbi for Jewish Arizonans on Campus at the University of Arizona, says after he and his wife, Esti, were married, they decided to put all of their efforts into maximizing their positive impact on the Jewish community. After meeting the… Read more »

Tucson J-Rays swim school will teach toddlers to teens
August 11, 2016 /

The Tucson Jewish Community Center has launched a year-round J-Rays Swim School created by Brandon Rannebarger, the J’s aquatics director and head swim coach. The school will work primarily with children ages 3-14 years in private or group lessons for any skill level, with a constructive play curriculum. It… Read more »

Taste of Judaism heads into 17th season
August 11, 2016 /

Temple Emanu-El will offer its 17th year of free Taste of Judaism classes beginning next month. The program explores Judaism in three two-hour sessions on Jewish spirituality, values and community, taught by Temple Emanu-El’s rabbis. In Tucson, the national outreach program, open to all, has had over 5,800 participants… Read more »

JFCS confirms new date for ethical wills workshop
July 27, 2016 /

Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona will hold a free ethical wills workshop for the Jewish community on Thursday, Aug. 11, from 1-3 p.m. at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging. Rabbi Stephanie Aaron of Congregation Chaverim will lead the workshop, which was originally scheduled for July.… Read more »

Community leader Bill Holmes dies
July 20, 2016 /

Local businessman and community leader Bill Holmes, 58, died suddenly on Monday, July 18. “Bill, beloved husband of Shelley Pozez, lived his life fully and gave such joy to our world.  He was a treasured member of our Federation Board who, through the force of his personality and devotion to… Read more »