News

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) delivers remarks during the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's Policy Conference on March 3, 2014 in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (JTA) – The battle between members of Congress and the State Department over tourist visas for Israelis features two competing archetypes of the young Israeli traveler. The lawmakers paint a picture of a world traveler, matured by service to country, who deserves a break from the stresses of the… Read more »

Col. Dr. Eyal Fruchter, head of the IDF Mental Health Department, said he does not see increased violence among members of the Israeli army, but his recent work in attention bias modification supports other research by Professor Golan Shahar about Israeli desensitization to violence.

Fifteen seconds. That’s how long a resident of Sderot has from the time a Code Red alert is announced until a Palestinian rocket strikes the town or is intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system. In other southern Israeli communities, one might have 30 seconds, maybe even a… Read more »

(JTA) — After a Polish court tossed out a government regulation permitting kosher slaughter in 2012, Poland’s $500 million ritual slaughter industry was expected to be brought to its knees. Evidence shows, however, that not only was kosher slaughter still being performed in Poland as recently as this month,… Read more »

Rabbis on a Jewish Federations of North America mission to Tbilisi, Georgia, brought a food basket to the family of 10-year-old Nodar Abramishvili, who immediately shared a bag of M&M candies with the visitors. (Courtesy Rabbi Robert Eisen)

On Thursday, March 27, Rabbi Robert Eisen will share insights from his recent visit to the Jewish community of Tbilisi, Georgia, as part of a “Between the Headlines: Tbilisi, Ukraine and the Global Jewish Community” briefing sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. It also will feature Danny… Read more »

Dr. Pamela Hartzband and Dr. Jerome Groopman (Shelly Harrison Photography)

Understanding your patient and yourself as a physician — and a human being — is the path to the best medical treatment. So say Dr. Jerome Groopman and Dr. Pamela Hartzband, authors of “Your Medical Mind: How to Decide What is Right for You.” Both Harvard Medical School educators… Read more »

(L-R): Karen, Lionel, Danielle and Ariella Faitelson at the Spice Route Winery near Cape Town, South Africa. Paarl (“Pearl”) Mountain can be seen in the background. (Courtesy Karen Faitelson)

From changes at a South African Jewish day school to the transformation of a country, Karen and Lionel Faitelson have seen it all. In December, the Faitelsons returned to South Africa with their two adult daughters for the first time in 14 years. Growing up, Karen attended the King… Read more »

Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

The Sunday Evening Forum, which ran from 1947 to 1984, will return to Tucson on Sunday, March 30 with former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor as the keynote speaker. Former Arizona Su­preme Court Justice Stanley Feldman will interview O’Connor. The free event will be held at the Fox… Read more »

Congregation Bet Shalom will hold its 11th annual wine tasting and auction event on Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 pm at the synagogue. The event will feature free tastings of at least eight kosher-for-Passover wines from around the world. Those attending can make a donation to Bet Shalom to… Read more »

Operation Elijah is a community effort to ensure that every Jew in Southern Arizona has a seat at a Seder table for Passover. Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s Jewish Community Relations Council and Outreach Connections, the project matches those who are new to the Tucson community,… Read more »

The University of Arizona Hillel Foundation’s annual 24-hour Holocaust vigil will be held from Wednesday, March 26 at noon till Thursday at 12:15 p.m. on the UA Mall. This year’s event will offer a variety of discussions, films and exhibits that address the theme, “For the dead and the… Read more »

Nancy Cohen is a registered nurse and life coach.

All of our lives are marked by milestones and passages. For families who are dealing with acute or chronic medical conditions, these transitions can be especially challenging. Whether it’s the onset of Alzheimer’s for a spouse or the changes of adolescence for a child with type 1 diabetes, patients… Read more »

Once a month, a group of about 20 Jewish women meet to talk about their children. That may sound fairly routine, but this gathering has a unique purpose. All of these women have children or grandchildren with special needs. They meet to share information and to support each other.… Read more »

Since 1970, individuals, local synagogues and businesses have joined with Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona for Matza & More, collecting and delivering Seder food items to more than 200 individuals and families in need. This year, 13-year-old Ben Spiegel is collecting food and financial donations for… Read more »

As required by its constitution, the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona hereby notifies its membership of proposed amendments to its constitution. These amendments will be subject to approval by the Federation membership at a special meeting to be held March 19, 4:30-4:45 p.m. in the Falkow lounge at Congregation… Read more »

On Sunday, April 6 from 2-4 p.m., the Jewish History Museum will hold a dedication of an Eshet Chayil (Woman of Valor) stained glass window honoring Eileen Warshaw, who died earlier this month. Warshaw was instrumental in establishing the museum on the site of the Stone Avenue Temple after… Read more »

Kate Titus (Lyn Sims)

When it comes to taking care of pets, responsible owners know the importance of vaccinations, annual veterinary appointments, grooming and exercise; however, several local animal care specialists argue that there is much more that can, and should, be done to ensure the health and well-being of animals. Whether your… Read more »

Simon Schama at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem (Photo: Tim Kirby © Oxford Film & Television 2012)

Prize-winning author of 15 books and Emmy Award-winner Simon Schama brings to life Jewish history and culture in a new five-part documentary series, “The Story of the Jews with Simon Schama.” To celebrate the series, airing on PBS 6 March 25 and April 1, the Tucson Jewish Community Center… Read more »

NEW YORK (JTA) — If it wasn’t clear before, it should be abundantly clear now: The Orthodox establishment will not sanction so-called partnership minyans, and it’s willing to go to the mat to fight them. In recent weeks, a flurry of articles by leading Orthodox rabbis and scholars have… Read more »

Whatsapp CEO Jan Koum spoke at the Mobile World Congress on Feb. 24, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. (David Ramos/Getty Images)

Jan Koum’s birthday was Feb. 24, but he received his big gift early. The Ukraine-born CEO and founder of WhatsApp has catapulted from relative unknown to a poster boy for rags-to-riches immigrant triumph since his rapidly growing messaging company was sold last month  to Facebook for a record-breaking $19… Read more »

A man shoots a slingshot at national guard troops following one of the largest anti-government demonstrations yet on March 2, 2014 in Caracus, Venezuela. (John Moore/Getty Images)

 (JTA) — They left after Venezuelan secret police raided a Jewish club in 2007, and after the local synagogue was ransacked by unidentified thugs two years later. They left after President Hugo Chavez expelled Israel’s ambassador to Caracas, and when he called on Venezuela’s Jews to condemn Israel for… Read more »