News

Nations connect, learn at ‘Wicked Water Problems’ conference in Israel

Sharon Megdal, center, with fellow Central Arizona Project board members Jennifer Brown and Mark Taylor at the ‘Cutting-Edge Solutions to Wicked Water Problems’ conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, September 2017. (Courtesy Jennifer Brown)
October 19, 2017 / Sharon Megdal, Special to the AJP

I recently had the great honor and pleasure of co-chairing the international water conference “Cutting-Edge Solutions to Wicked Water Problems.” Held Sept. 10-11 at Tel Aviv University’s beautiful Porter School of Environmental Studies building, the conference was jointly convened by the American Water Resources Association and the Water Research Center… Read more »

Tucson senior living communities help Jewish residents stay connected

Carol Zuckert makes honey cake for Rosh Hashanah at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging. [Nanci Levy)
October 19, 2017 / Korene Charnofsky Cohen, Special to the AJP

Celebrating Shabbat and Jewish holidays brings the joy and comfort of tradition to residents of senior living communities. This can involve anything from a ride to synagogue to holding High Holiday services on site. Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging “Jewish celebrations and services are important because they help… Read more »

JCRC will train citizenship fair volunteers
October 19, 2017 /
Richard White

The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona will hold a citizenship fair volunteer training with immigration attorneys Mo Goldman and Alan Bennett on Sunday, Nov. 19, noon-3 p.m. at the Federation office, 3718 E. River Road. Volunteers will learn how to help U.S. permanent… Read more »

CHAI Circle to host bestselling author at retreat
October 19, 2017 /
Rabbi Naomi Levy

Bestselling author Rabbi Naomi Levy will be the keynote speaker for the 13th annual CHAI Circle retreat on Sunday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, 5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Road. CHAI Circle is a support group for women in the Jewish… Read more »

AJP wins writing, advertising awards in ANA competition
October 19, 2017 /
David J. Del Grande

The Arizona Jewish Post won two awards recently from the Arizona Newspapers Association. In the ANA’s 2017 Better Newspapers Contest, AJP Staff Writer David J. Del Grande took third place in the Best Feature Story category (Division 2: Non-Daily circulation 3,500 to 10,000) for “Local thrift store volunteers in… Read more »

In new book, victims of chlorine bomb, anti-Semitic attack, find healing and hope

(L-R) Karen and Myles Levine with co-author Dan Baldwin [Courtesy Dan Baldwin)
October 19, 2017 / David J. Del Grande, AJP Staff Writer

During the early morning hours of Aug. 2, 2009, Myles Levine was jolted out of bed by the screams of his wife, Karen. Their front and garage doors were sealed shut. Globs of motor oil, paint, and foam peanuts were strewn along their walkway and driveway. A putrid chemical… Read more »

What Palestinian reconciliation means for Israel

Hamas and Fatah leaders shake hands following the signing of a reconciliation deal at the Egyptian intelligence services headquarters in Cairo, Oct. 12, 2017. (Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images)
October 18, 2017 / Andrew Tobin, JTA

JERUSALEM (JTA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken a wait-and-see approach to last week’s Palestinian reconciliation deal. Netanyahu spoke out publicly and loudly against the move toward unity between the feuding Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas, calling it a threat to Israel and a setback to peace.… Read more »

Is it Islamophobic to oppose the mosque next door? London Jews debate the question.

A Jewish man walking in London's Golders Green neighborhood, which is home to a large Jewish population, Sept. 23, 2015. (Tony Margiocchi/Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
October 18, 2017 / Cnaan Liphshiz, JTA

(JTA) — A plan to open a mosque in a heavily Jewish area of London is dividing British Jews, with some calling the development worrisome and others accusing its opponents of racism. The Islamic center is slated to open next month at the Hippodrome, a former concert hall in the heart… Read more »

Richard Spencer will soon speak at the university with the largest Jewish student body in the US

White supremacist leader Richard Spencer, center, and supporters clashing with police after the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Va., was declared unlawful, Aug. 12, 2017. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
October 18, 2017 / Josefin Dolsten, JTA

(JTA) — The University of Florida, home to the largest Jewish student body in the country, is bracing for an upcoming speech on campus by white supremacist leader Richard Spencer. Only six weeks after Hurricane Irma wrought destruction in Florida, Gov. Rick Scott declared another state of emergency, this… Read more »

Three Supreme Court cases Jews are watching closely

Visitors wait in line to enter the Supreme Court building in Washington as the high court begins its new term, Oct. 2, 2017. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images)
October 10, 2017 / Ron Kampeas, JTA

  WASHINGTON (JTA) — The Supreme Court is back in session with a full bench of nine justices, so expect more momentous decisions after nearly a year of caution. Now that the high court is back to its previous equilibrium — four solid liberals, four solid conservatives and one… Read more »

Trump is ready to decertify the Iran deal. What does that mean?

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Sept. 20, 2017. (Kevin Hagen/Getty Images)
October 10, 2017 / Ron Kampeas, JTA

WASHINGTON (JTA) — President Donald Trump will present a major foreign policy speech this week on the Iran nuclear deal, reportedly decertifying its compliance with the 2015 agreement. His words, ostensibly, will have consequences. Or perhaps not because of the type of decertification Trump reportedly is choosing. Or everything… Read more »

Federation, Foundation to hold open house at new building

Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona President and CEO Stuart Mellan and Jewish Community Foundation President and CEO Tracy Salkowitz at the Harvey and Deanna Evenchik Center for Jewish Philanthropy Oct. 1. (Martha Lochert Photography)
October 6, 2017 / Phyllis Braun, AJP Executive Editor

The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona and Jewish Community Foundation will hold a ribbon-cutting celebration of their new home, the Harvey and Deanna Evenchik Center for Jewish Philanthropy, 3718 E. River Road, on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. The open-house event will include food, music, remarks by Tucson… Read more »

‘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)
October 6, 2017 / David J. Del Grande, AJP Staff Writer

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
October 6, 2017 / Phyllis Braun, AJP Executive Editor

“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
October 6, 2017 /

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 »

Tucson J concerts to include Celebration of Heritage, Jewish-jazz connection
October 6, 2017 /

Music takes center stage this month at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, ranging from Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn to the Jewish-jazz connection. The fall Celebration of Heritage concert series begins Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. with “Celebrating Felix Mendelssohn and Fanny Mendelssohn,” German Jewish composers of the Romantic… Read more »

Israelis are throwing themselves one-of-a kind weddings in nature

Shani and Ran Maaman embrace under the huppah at their wedding in the Judean Desert, May 11, 2017. (Dana Bar-On)
October 6, 2017 / Andrew Tobin, JTA

TEL AVIV (JTA) – In this tiny country, there are only so many places to have a wedding. Or so you would think. But a growing number of Israelis are creating one-of-a-kind outdoor weddings from the ground up. In some cases, they even start with the ground. “We brought in bulldozers for one couple,” said Ori Fuks, an Israeli… Read more »