News

Congregation B'nai Midbar Cantorial Soloist Eliyanah Powers and Rabbi Daniel Price lead a Shabbat service on Feb. 21, 2025. (Photo courtesy B'nai Midbar)

Congregation B’nai Midbar is Southern Arizona’s newest Jewish congregation — with a 25-year history. The congregation began when three SaddleBrooke residents formed the Institute for Judaic Services and Studies in 2000. Its primary purpose was to hold monthly Shabbat services and High Holiday celebrations.  Over the years, the IJSS… Read more »

At its April 2, 2025, board of governors meeting, Pima Community College honored Lisa Grabell for 20-plus years as a student mentor in PCC’s Teacher Certification program.  Grabell is a Holocaust survivor from Vienna, Austria. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Mills College of Education in New York City,… Read more »

The 2019 Jewish Latino Teen Coalition with Congressman Raúl Grijalva in Washington, D.C.

The Jewish Latino Teen Coalition extends its most heartfelt condolences regarding the passing of Congressman Raúl Grijalva. Congressman Grijalva and his office were instrumental in founding and supporting this program, which represents a unique partnership between the Tucson Jewish and Latino communities and has helped shape the lives of many… Read more »

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN: Ian Kinsler #3 of Team Israel throws to first base in the fifth inning during the baseball Opening Round Group B game between Team Israel and Team Republic of Korea on day six of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on July 29, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)

Two years after he retired from a 14-year Major League Baseball career as a second baseman, Tucson native Ian Kinsler’s time with Team Israel began. “My Jewish heritage means a lot to me — it’s part of who I am,” said the 42-year-old Kinsler, who graduated from Oro Valley’s… Read more »

(L-R): E. Lee Bernick, professor of public policy at University of Nevada Las Vegas; Jessica Mehlman, associate vice president of impact and planning at Jewish Federations of North America; Sen. Ruben Gallego; Carlos A. Hernández, president and CEO of Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona; Andrew Gale, legacy officer at Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona; and Sophie German, director of older adult and community services at JFCS.

Three Tucsonans traveled to Washington, D.C., last week for a “Financial Vulnerability Fly-In” sponsored by Jewish Federations of North America. Fifty participants from across the country, including Carlos A. Hernández, president and CEO of Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona; Sophie German, director of older adult and… Read more »

Since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, antisemitic incidents on U.S. college campuses have increased dramatically.  “But it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen to everybody, and it doesn’t mean that’s going to be your whole college experience. Definitely not,” Robin Friedman, co-founder of TribeTalk, assured local Jewish… Read more »

​The Tucson J International Film Festival is rapidly approaching its 35th year! Established over three decades ago, the festival has become a cornerstone cultural event for Tucson’s Jewish community as well as for the community’s seasonal snowbird residents. This remarkable longevity is a testament to our commitment to presenting… Read more »

As a parent, a Tucson Hebrew Academy board member, and a proud member of this community, I’ve seen firsthand how Jewish education shapes not only our children’s minds but also their hearts. When my husband and I enrolled our son at THA, we were initially drawn by the small… Read more »

As Arizona families face increasing economic pressures, Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona (JFCS) is reinforcing its commitment to providing essential mental health and community support services to vulnerable populations across the region. JFCS is committed to responding to the growing economic crisis in our community by… Read more »

This year, Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA) is incredibly proud to see our 8th-grade class embarking on exciting high school journeys. Our graduates are heading to top schools like Catalina Foothills High School, the Arts Magnet Program at Tucson High School, The Gregory School, and five have been accepted to… Read more »

Daniella Ironi is Tucson’s newest shlicha, or Israeli emissary, here to support this summer’s JCC Maccabi Games & Access® at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. Ironi is helping design fun yet educational programs for the “Hang Time” space, where athletes will spend time socializing when they are not competing.… Read more »

He was standing at a busy intersection when I drove by.  What caught my attention was the small dog wrapped in a blanket that he pushed in a stroller. Also, his sign had a name on it: Leo. It seemed every major intersection had people with signs, pleading for… Read more »

When David Wien’s wife, Fran, died of cancer in 2020, he found it hard to cope. But after 18 months, he says, “All of a sudden, I got this, maybe message from HaShem, I don’t know, but I got this thought in my head that said, ‘Take the focus… Read more »

“Israel is forever changed after the attacks on October 7, 2023. What does the future hold for Israel and the Jewish people throughout the world?” asks Rabbi Sara Metz of Congregation Anshei Israel. Join Vice Chairman of the World Zionist Organization Dr. Yizhar Hess to discuss the roles American… Read more »

Arizona legislators from both sides of the aisle participated in a forum on ending antisemitism on Feb. 20 at the University of Arizona Hillel, cosponsored by the nonpartisan international grassroots movement #EndJewHatred. The panel included State Rep. Justin Wilmeth, a Republican representing north Phoenix, and the three Hernandez siblings,… Read more »

The Tucson Jewish Community Center’s Taglit day program for young adults with developmental disabilities is flourishing, with 41 participants and a substantial waiting list. Taglit also has a summer camp program for middle and high school youth with disabilities, which served 24 campers in 2024. The Tucson J’s day… Read more »

Some years ago, I had a 93-year-old client who was depressed. Try as I did to interest her in attending programs in the medical day care program where I worked, she resisted. One day, in response to my encouragement, she made a comment that has stayed with me ever… Read more »

“Israel is held to a uniquely harsh standard by the world, facing relentless criticism and misinformation in the media. When other nations take military action for their security, they are met with understanding — yet when Israel does the same, it is vilified”, says Rabbi Sara Metz of Congregation… Read more »

Dozens of Tucson Jewish community members fanned out across the city on Jan. 20 for a Day of Chesed. Chesed means “kindness” in Hebrew. Volunteers participated in various service projects, such as packing care kits for people experiencing homelessness and donating blood to the American Red Cross. The Day… Read more »

The Hebrew word “chesed” is often translated as “loving-kindness” or simply “goodness.” The Tucson Jewish community’s Day of Chesed on Jan. 20 will offer many ways to do good in our community, from a clothing swap to visiting with Handmaker residents. The Day of Chesed is organized by L.… Read more »