News

Medical student committed to compassionate care, underserved wins $30,000 scholarship

Gabrielle “Gabi” Mintz

Second-year University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson student Gabrielle “Gabi” Mintz has been awarded the Shirley D. Curson Medical Student Scholarship from the UArizona Hillel Foundation. Second-year medical student, Gabrielle “Gabi” Mintz, in the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, has been awarded the Shirley D. Curson… Read more »

JFCS hosts “Healthy Relationships Inside the Household” workshop as part of domestic violence prevention program

Dr. Marcela Kepic, Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona

COVID-19 has impacted everyone’s lives, leaving us with a deep sense of grief as we grapple with the loss of loved ones, jobs, freedom, and many other sources of stability and joy. The Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona (JFCS) domestic violence prevention program, LEAH (Let’s End… Read more »

State Representative Alma Hernandez re-introduces bill mandating Holocaust education in Arizona public schools

Arizona State Representative Alma Hernandez

State Representative Alma Hernandez, a Democrat representing Arizona’s 3rd district, re-introduced a bill at the start of the legislative session that would make a substantive change to the state’s public school curriculum and have Arizona join 15 other states in mandating Holocaust education in public schools. Presently, there is… Read more »

Questioning racial and gender injustice in athletics

The world of sports prides itself on references to fair play and teamwork. Have those references always been applicable?  Not so much. This month, after the excitement of March Madness has dissipated, we need to look at  both commercial and amateur sports historically to see where justice has been… Read more »

Updates from Handmaker: Newfound freedoms, just in time for Passover

A collection of pictures of Handmaker residents from April 2021

Late last month, Handmaker finally received guidance from the Arizona Health Department to begin to loosen some of the restrictions that residents have been living with for months. What a relief! And, what a blessing that this happened just in time for Passover! This meant that we could have… Read more »

John “Ryan” Weston graduates

John “Ryan” Weston

John “Ryan” Weston will graduate from Millennium High School in May. He has earned high academic honors, ranking within the top ten in his class, and has been a standout member of his Cross Country (three years) and Track and Field (four years) teams. He has also participated in… Read more »

Uncovering the story of my Doda Anutza: Unsung heroine of WWII

Hanna Druckman, called Doda Anutza by her family

One Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago, I got a phone call from my mother’s cousin, Tzippi, who lives in South Florida and is in her late seventies. “Sha’ron,” she asked, “I know you were close with Doda . Did she ever tell you what she did… Read more »

University of Arizona Hillel Foundation names Jessica Emerson McCormick executive director

Jessica Emerson McCormick, Incoming Executive Director of the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation

The Board of Directors of the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation is delighted to welcome native Tucsonan Jessica Emerson McCormick—who has worked in Jewish organizations, municipal government, and as a writer—as Executive Director of the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation. Jessica will start on July 1, 2021, succeeding Michelle… Read more »

Southern Arizona Jewish community invests in security and combats anti-Semitism

Security director Chelsea Guiterrez at JFSA’s November 17 event honoring Stu and Nancy Mellan

The Southern Arizona Jewish community continues to adopt a strong stance against anti-Semitism and act boldly to prevent attacks against our institutions and constituents. Community leadership continues to advance this priority in both funding and action in 2021. Recent History of Our Program In March 2019, the Jewish Federation… Read more »

Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging under new ownership

The sale of Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging to MED Healthcare Partners was finalized on January 26, 2021. The name of the organization will not change with the sale, nor will its commitment to quality care for the elderly in our community. The Handmaker Board, with the support… Read more »

Handmaker residents celebrate Purim

Sarah Segal got into the spirit of Purim during the Zoom Megillah reading at Handmaker on Erev Purim.

Despite COVID restriction adjustments, Handmaker residents had fun celebrating Purim this year! Rabbi and Chani Shemtov and Rabbi and Feigi Ceitlin provided beautiful Mishloach Manot for our residents at Handmaker. Many residents also enjoyed listening to the Megillah Esther on Zoom on Erev Purim, read by Mel Cohen, Dan… Read more »

Introducing Arizona Jewish Post-Its

We are delighted to introduce Arizona Jewish Post-Its, a hub for stories from Arizona Jewish life. From lifecycle events to local happenings, this content is submitted and written by community members like you. Share and be heard on our community bulletin board! Check out the first edition of Post-Its.… Read more »

JTA: Arizona Jewish Post shuts down after 75 years

(JTA) — The Arizona Jewish Post, a 75-year-old community publication covering the Jewish population of Tucson and southern Arizona, announced it would cease operations effective March 1. The Jewish Community Federation of Southern Arizona, which owns and operates the Post, announced the closure in an email to subscribers this week. The… Read more »

Two JHM programs to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day

The Jewish History Museum/Holocaust History Center will mark Holocaust Remembrance Day and the liberation of Auschwitz with two online programs next week. “We Are Still Here: The Testimony of Margot Heuman, Auschwitz Survivor” screens the testimony of a Southern Arizona resident, newly recorded in the Holocaust History Center in… Read more »

Pastor, former Tucson mayor discuss African American-Jewish relations, fixing inequities

Jonathan Rothschild, left, and Pastor D. Grady Scott

Although the African American community faces many challenges, such as gaining better access to healthcare and education, for Pastor B. Grady Scott of Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Tucson, the number one issue is overrepresentation in jails and prisons. Scott and former Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild presented “African… Read more »

Examining justice: Introducing the Tzedek Project

What is justice? Equity? Fair treatment? The blindfolded woman holding the scales? What would the perfect world, filled with justice,  look like? Deuteronomy 16:20 tells us: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof l’maan tichyeh.” Justice, justice you shall pursue, that you may live… In the months of 2021, we will explore many… Read more »

JFSA Tucson Maimonides Society wishes the community a happy, healthy 2021

The Tucson Maimonides Society is a fellowship of healthcare professionals who are dedicated to educational, social and philanthropic activities under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY Jacob Pinnas, M.D.* Retired   Leonard Schultz, M.D.* Retired   Howard J. Schwartz, M.D.* Retired   ANESTHESIOLOGY… Read more »

AJP gets new intern; JFSA/JCF hires marketing coordinator

Quinn McVeigh is the Arizona Jewish Post’s intern for spring 2021. McVeigh is a junior at the University of Arizona majoring in journalism and environmental studies with a minor in natural resources. His interest in interning with the AJP stems from his high school years, when he had meaningful… Read more »

CAI to present StandWithUs virtual workshop for teens on anti-Semitism

Nichole Chorny

Congregation Anshei Israel will present a workshop for high school students about anti-Semitism led by StandWithUs on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 11:15 a.m. on Zoom. Teens attending will include high school madrichim (teacher’s aides) from CAI and Or Chadash/Temple Emanu-El, plus members of CAI USY and BBYO, but all Jewish… Read more »