News

Ruthann Kornbleet Pozez passed away with her family by her side on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Ruthann was born July 13, 1926 in Kansas City, Kansas. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years, Louis Pozez, her brothers, Seymour and Lawrence Kornbleet, and her parents, Hy and… Read more »

In December 2021, five local organizations received grants that totaled more than $65,000 from the Jewish Community Pandemic Relief Fund. The Jewish Community Pandemic Relief Fund was created at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak by the Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona to “meet the… Read more »

The Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona (JCF) is pleased to introduce the Impact Pool, a new investment pool option designed to increase the impact of your philanthropic funds through social impact investing and philanthropic stewardship. The role of the Impact Pool is threefold: To invest in a socially… Read more »

Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA) develops students who are highly skilled, creative thinkers with a spirited love of learning. This month, students exhibited that love of learning through their love of the arts. Music Lower School students at THA learn music fundamentals which allow them to pursue their music interests… Read more »

The J’s Tucson International Jewish Film Festival has returned featuring 12 full-length films, six shorts, a mini-series, and eight post-film programs. Beginning Jan. 6 and running through Feb. 20, the Festival showcases an ample selection of independent and international films that celebrate Jewish culture and diversity and provide a… Read more »

The Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center will hold a new session of “Teaching the Holocaust: Spotlight on Southern Arizona Survivors” on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 4-7 p.m. The virtual workshop will be led by TJMHC’s four Museum Teaching Fellows and is open to all middle school and high school… Read more »

Hanukkah at Handmaker Hanukkah came early this year! The Sunday night after Thanksgiving was the first of eight nights and days of celebration in every neighborhood in Handmaker. Hanukkah celebrations included nightly candle lighting and Hanukkah song singing, as well as lots of dreidel playing and holiday cookie decorating.… Read more »

In March of this year, researchers in Israel revealed newly discovered 2000-year-old Dead Sea Scroll fragments including the following lines from the prophet Zechariah: “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to one another, render true and perfect justice in your gates…” A member of… Read more »

Center for Jewish Philanthropy Board of Trustees member Morgan Abraham was appointed this week to fill the vacancy in the Arizona House of Representatives left by Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton, who was appointed to fill a Senate vacancy. Abraham, a Democrat, was appointed by Pima County supervisors to represent Legislative District… Read more »

The Z3 Project is a signature program of the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto. Since 2015, the program has been providing the Jewish community with a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about the Diaspora and Israel. Now in its sixth year, Z3 has become a global… Read more »

Free Smart Phones for Handmaker Staff At an employee appreciation event on November 5, Handmaker staff received free LG Smartphones, including an unlimited talk, text, and data plan with T-Mobile, at no cost to them! This is a new benefit being offered to Handmaker employees, sort of an early… Read more »

Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona (JFCS) is thrilled to reinitiate its Resettlement Services. For 18 years, JFCS helped newly arrived refugees settle into the Tucson community, and with the arrival of Afghan refugees to our community, the organization relaunched and expanded its refugee services this past… Read more »

Next April when we sit down at our Seder tables, many of us will participate in the familiar responsive reading: Reader: Avadim Hayinu – We were slaves in Egypt. All: We remember our histories; we acknowledge our pasts. Reader: Ata b’nei horin – Now we are free people. All:… Read more »

The full video of the Jewish Community Awards and Welcome Back Celebration is now available online. The event was held on Nov. 1, 2021 at the Tucson Jewish Community Center Sculpture Garden. It honored those working to enhance Jewish life in Southern Arizona and celebrated the opportunity for community… Read more »

The Jewish History Museum & Holocaust History Center in downtown Tucson has a streamlined new name: Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center. The name, approved by the Museum’s Board of Directors in October, is the result of months of deliberations and conversations with stakeholders, says Board President Eric Schindler.… Read more »

After 21 years of dedication to the Tucson Jewish Community, Rabbi Robert Eisen stepped down in June 2020 as the spiritual leader of Congregation Anshei Israel. This December 5, the last night of Chanukkah and the holiday of rededication, Congregation Anshei Israel will be dedicating the remodeled Beit… Read more »

In early October, the Claims Conference announced pensions for certain groups of Holocaust Survivors who previously did not receive funding. These include Survivors of the Leningrad Siege, those hiding in France, and those persecuted in Romania. These funds will support 6,500 survivors worldwide, recognizing the trauma and terror that… Read more »

Pam Meyer (Photo by Jennifer Stewart)

Jewish National Fund-USA’s (JNF-USA) lay leaders and professional team are delighted to announce the appointment of philanthropist, Pam Meyer as the organization’s new Board President in the Desert States region. In a statement, Meyer said: “JNF-USA has always had a special place in my heart. It is a great… Read more »

On Sunday, October 24, the Tucson J welcomed an estimated 250 guests for “A Celebration of Sculpture,” an inaugural festival marking the opening of its Sculpture Garden and Indoor Fine Art Gallery exhibits. Nine new works joined the J’s robust collection of more than 40 sculptures by local, national,… Read more »

Members of our community who have been ordering Kosher Mobile Meals delivered to their home for the last six months have not only received a delicious kosher meal prepared in Handmaker’s kitchen, but some have had their meal delivered by none other than Rabbi Shemtov of Chabad Tucson! Rabbi… Read more »