Local

Despite myths, domestic violence occurs in Jewish homes

To you, a Jewish woman of any age who has been abused by her loved one. You may be feeling despair, sadness, anger, anxiety or overwhelming fear, but know that you are not alone. There is hope for a new life for you! Dream about a happier life for… Read more »

Recovery changed my life, inspired career helping others

Doron Sears

Two weeks ago, at the gym, I met a man who had lost both feet to frostbite after getting lost while snowboarding. He was a professional hockey player who had become a professional snowboarder, until suddenly this happened. There was nothing about his appearance or personality to indicate that… Read more »

JFSA Women’s Philanthropy to fight sex trafficking in Arizona

Speakers at the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Women’s Philanthropy event on Oct. 14 (L-R): Savannah Sanders, survivor advocate and training coordinator at the SAFE Action Project in Tempe; Melanie Roth Gorelick, Community Relations Commitee director at the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ; and Kathleen Winn, direcor of community outreach and education at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office (Roberta Elliott)

“I am an abolitionist,” proclaimed Melanie Roth Gorelick at the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Women’s Philanthropy Annual Welcome earlier this month. Gorelick, Community Relations Committee director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ, spoke along with two other “abolitionists” to increase awareness of the sex trafficking of… Read more »

‘Shuk’ puts myriad classes under one roof

On Sunday evening, Nov. 16, 11 local rabbis and Jewish educators will teach 11 classes on a range of topics, all under one roof. The Jewish Culture Shuk, presented by the Coalition for Jewish Education of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona and the Synagogue-Federation Dialogue, will take place… Read more »

THA to honor Carroll with Tikkun Olam Award

Ray Carroll

On Sunday, Nov. 2, at 5:30 p.m., Tucson Hebrew Academy will honor Pima County Supervisor Ray Carroll at its annual Tikkun Olam event. “Ray Carroll served as a hardworking and much beloved trustee on the Tucson Hebrew Academy board for many years, and has truly become an honorary member… Read more »

JCC seeks Alzheimer’s program participants

The Tucson Jewish Community Center is beginning intake for clients and volunteers for its Elder Rehab program, a 10-week program that will start in January. The program, based on a federally funded University of Arizona program and directed by psychologist Sharon Arkin, will pair memory-impaired adults with student volunteers… Read more »

In psychology and in Judaism, local woman keeps mind and heart open

Julie Feldman

The love of learning has been a powerful motivator for Julie Feldman, Ph.D. From spending her formative years in Geneva, Switzerland, with her family, to revamping a desire to become a physician, Feldman, 46, finds joy in expanding her world. Now a clinical assistant professor in psychology at the… Read more »

Chabad, JFSA-NW sponsor ‘Loaves of Love’

Chabad of Oro Valley and the Jewish Federation-Northwest will hold a challah-making event, “Loaves of Love,” on Thursday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Federation-Northwest office, 190 W. Magee Road, #162. The event will include a hands-on challah demonstration, lessons about Jewish women’s traditions, and a challah and… Read more »

Matisyahu bringing tour to Rialto Theatre

Grammy-nominated musician Matisyahu, on tour to promote “Akeda,” his fifth studio album, will perform at the Rialto Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 28. “Akeda” is the Hebrew word for “binding” and often refers to the biblical story of the binding of Isaac. “Akeda is the kind of album an artist… Read more »

Jewish Community Foundation launches new Israel Discovery Fund

A new Jewish Community Foundation Israel Discovery Fund will provide funds to 501(c)(3) organizations in Southern Arizona that in turn select Jewish and non-Jewish participants for organized trips to Israel. The fund is managed through the JCF’s competitive grants process. The application deadline is Nov. 17; funding will be… Read more »

Library sale celebrates Jewish book month

The Tucson Association of Jewish Libraries will hold its annual book sale in conjunction with the Jewish Culture Shuk on Sunday, Nov. 16 at the Tucson Hebrew Academy. The sale will begin at 6:15 p.m. in the auditorium. The sale will be unique because there will be no prices… Read more »

Dancing for health topic for CHAI Circle retreat

The 10th annual CHAI Circle Retreat, “A Day for Healing and Spirituality,” will take place on Sunday, Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Canyon Ranch Health Resort, 8600 E. Rockcliff Road. CHAI, which stands for Cancer, Healing and Inspiration, is a support group for Jewish… Read more »

Israeli superstar Broza bringing peace message to Fox Tucson concert

David Broza

Israeli folk star David Broza returns to Tucson on Oct. 30 for a solo performance — with a few special guests — at the Fox Tucson Theatre. With a career spanning almost four decades, Broza’s eclectic musicianship ranges from flamenco rhythms to lightning fast guitar picking to his own… Read more »

JHM to honor Justice Feldman at annual event

Stanley Feldman (Athol Cline)

Stanley G. Feldman, 82, retired as an Arizona Supreme Court justice in 2002, but he hasn’t retired from the legal profession. Now in his sixth decade of fighting for the rights of all, Feldman will receive the Jewish Heritage Award at the Tucson Jewish History Museum’s annual benefit on… Read more »

Tucson to join global Shabbat with challah baking event

Ingredients are set out for a mega challah bake. (Courtesy Chabad Tucson)

The Shabbos Project, a global movement to celebrate the Jewish day of rest on the weekend of Oct. 24-25, will be marked in Tucson with a Mega Challah Bake for women and girls (ages 9 and up) at the Tucson Jewish Community Center on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 7… Read more »

Why Marriage Matters AZ rep to speak at pride service

Tucson’s 6th annual multifaith pride service in support of Southern Arizona’s LGBTQ community, “Weaving a Common Sacredness,” will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 7-9 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El. Rev. Debra Peevey, faith outreach director from Why Marriage Matters Arizona, will be one of the key speakers. Rabbi Batsheva… Read more »

BBYO taking part in ‘Hunger Games’-themed food drive

The local BBYO chapters of Abba Godol AZA and Kadimah BBG are participating in “Can-Tribute,” a food drive partnership between BBYO and DoSome thing.org. The local chapters are working with chapters from around the world to help fight poverty by collecting canned food to donate to local food banks.… Read more »

Cross-country ride is cyclist’s road to recovery

Shirley Christie (Photo: Gloria Christie-Bishop)

Healing from the trauma of domestic violence and sexual assault can be elusive. For Shirley Christie, bicycling from Boston to Seattle, then South to her hometown of Pasadena, Calif. — covering 4,000 miles over 105 days — was the right route. Christie will discuss her journey, “Cycling to End… Read more »

‘We Called Him Rabbi Abraham’ author to discuss Lincoln, courage at COC

Rabbi Gary Zola

Rabbi Gary Phillip Zola, Ph.D. will be the Mitch Dorson scholar-in-residence at Congregation Or Chadash on Oct. 24 and 25. Zola is executive director of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, professor of the American Jewish Experience at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in… Read more »

Seattle transplants bring lifetime of teaching, lay leadership to Tucson

Pinchas (Paul) and Rita Zohav

Deciding to leave their home in Seattle, Pinchas (Paul) and Rita Zohav narrowed their search to Albuquerque or Tucson. “Without a doubt,” Rita says, “it was the Jewish community in Tucson which made our decision so easy.” After 10 years in Seattle, the couple agreed it was “too grey,… Read more »