Eva Vavrecka contemplating the horrific living conditions that her mother and grandparents endured in the forest to survive World War II. (Bruce Konviser) TRSICE, Czech Republic (JTA) — Nearly 70 years after a Czech Jewish family sought refuge from the Nazis by retreating into a nearby forest and relying on non-Jewish locals for help, an American high school teacher has helped erect a permanent monument to their memory. Last week, several dozen… Read more »
After 21 years, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks is retiring as Britain's chief rabbi. (United Synagogue) (JTA) — The search to replace Britain’s powerful longtime chief rabbi has gone international, but even as resumes are gathered and interviews conducted, some are questioning whether the position is still relevant and what it means today for the Anglo Jewish community. As chief rabbi, Lord Jonathan Sacks brought… Read more »
(JTA) — Tributes and statements of profound respect and admiration are pouring in for Elan Steinberg, former executive director of the World Jewish Congress, who died April 6 of complications from lymphatic cancer. He was 59. “Elan’s premature death will leave a huge void in the Jewish world,” said… Read more »
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Every Friday night, Scott and Theresa Johnson host Jewish Shabbat dinners for lone Israeli soldiers. The meal begins after sundown, preceded by the Kiddush blessing over the wine and singing of “Shalom Aleichem,” the traditional Hebrew song greeting the Sabbath. There’s one catch, however, made evident… Read more »
Fans of Beitar Jerusalem FC celebrate a win in the State Cup in Ramat Gan Stadium on May 13, 2008. (Kobi Gideon/FLASH90/JTA) JERUSALEM (JTA) — Sports fans aren’t the only people lately paying attention to Israeli soccer. A string of ugly incidents has caused Israelis to focus on the problems of violence and racism within the sport. In mid-March, thousands of Hapoel Tel Aviv fans rioted on the field after their… Read more »
The following excerpt written by Mike Wallace is from “I Am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pearl.” © 2005 Dr. Judea and Ruth Pearl. Wallace was senior correspondent on “60 Minutes” and was a reporter for CBS News for more than four decades. (JTA)… Read more »
JERUSALEM (JTA) — She’s young, smart and aims to help treat life-threatening diseases. Naama Geva-Zatorsky, 34, is among a growing group of Israeli women scientists who are gaining recognition for their contributions to scientific research. The Weizmann Institute biologist was in Paris last month to accept the International UNESCO… Read more »
The first Israeli government official to ever appear before J Street received a rousing, whistling, foot-stomping reception. And that was it, as far as the welcome went. The speech delivered March 26 at J Street’s annual conference by Barukh Binah, the deputy chief of mission at the Washington embassy,… Read more »
Comments by the head of a Texas school association at the center of a controversy over Sabbath accommodations is fueling a drive by its members to be more open to the needs of Jewish and Muslim schools. Edd Burleson, the director of the The Texas Association of Private and… Read more »
WASHINGTON (JTA) — The Obama administration has its Iran ducks in a row: Tehran is coming to the table, Israel is sitting still, most of the world’s major oil buyers and sellers are on board with the sanctions effort, and Congress is in an agreeable mood. Ducks, though, have… Read more »
For many years, Moti Amir tried to block out any memory of the horrors that she witnessed on the night of the 2002 Seder terrorist attack in this seaside city. But on the 10th anniversary of what is considered the deadliest terror attack of the second intifada, Amir remembers… Read more »
Mimuna is a traditional North African Jewish celebration held the day after Passover, marking the start of spring and the return to eating chametz ( leavened goods). Temple Emanu-El and the Weintraub Israel Center will hold a Mimuna celebration on Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El.… Read more »
David Brog Christians United for Israel at the University of Arizona will host “A Night to Honor Israel: Arizona Stands with Israel” featuring David Brog, CUFI executive director, on Thursday, April 19 at 6 p.m. Before CUFI, Brog worked in the U.S. Senate for seven years, rising to be chief of… Read more »
Congregation Or Chadash will dedicate its new library on Sunday, April 22 at 9:45 a.m. Robert Klein, author of “Being First: An Informal History of the Early Peace Corps,” will sign copies of his book and answer questions about the Peace Corps. The event will honor library creators Roberta… Read more »
The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s nominating committee, chaired by Jennifer Miller Grant, has recommended the following slate of officers for the 2012-2013 program year: Kathryn L. Unger, chair of the board; Deanna Evenchik, vice chair; Madeline Friedman, vice chair; Larry Gellman, vice chair; Joyce Stuehringer, vice chair; Jim… Read more »
The Tucson Jewish Community Library is looking for gently used books to sell at its annual book sale on Sunday, April 22, at 10 a.m. Proceeds will benefit library programs. Donations of everything from novels to children’s books to nonfiction are welcome. Books of Judaic content may be used… Read more »
Some 400 people attended “All That Jazz,” a party honoring Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona President and CEO Stuart Mellan, at the Tucson Jewish Community Center on Saturday night, March 30. The elegant evening was briefly marred by reports of shots being fired near the JCC around 10:45 p.m.,… Read more »
Mayor Jonathan Rothschild Being Tucson’s mayor will involve bumps in the road but Jonathan Rothschild — the fourth Jewish mayor of Tucson’s last six — is enthusiastic about his new role. He’s spent his first months in office actively promoting the city’s revitalization, despite some “tough” spending cuts. “We’ve really been able… Read more »
Congregation Or Chadash Cantor Janece Cohen and Rabbi Thomas Louchheim mark the dedication of a new Torah scroll in December 2007. A magnificent view of the Santa Catalina Mountains contributes to the peaceful ambiance at Congregation Or Chadash, but many congregants would say that it is Thomas Louchheim, their rabbi of almost 17 years, who provides the true inspiration. In May, Louchheim will receive an honorary Doctor of Divinity… Read more »
Dutch composer Leo Smit Sixteen members of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra will perform the work of Leo Smit, a Dutch Jewish composer killed in the Holocaust, at the community’s annual Holocaust commemoration, “A Grave in the Air: A Musical Remembrance,” on Sunday, April 22. Smit, who was of Portuguese descent, was born in… Read more »
