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 »
Jewish Family & Children’s Services Midtown Memory Café is making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals experiencing memory loss and their caregivers, offering a unique space where connection and understanding flourish. The café provides a welcoming environment where people affected by memory loss can gather alongside their… 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 »
The mental health crisis among men in America has reached critical levels: one in 10 men experience depression or anxiety, yet less than half seek treatment. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, men account for about four times the number of completed suicides compared to women in… 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 »
Hava Leipzig Holzhauer was due to start her role as President and CEO of Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona in December 2023. After the Oct. 7 terror attacks in Israel, she jumped in early upon request, joining meetings remotely to help the community deal with the antisemitism that soon… Read more »
Dr. Bryan Shumaker and his wife, Linda, were winter residents in Southern Arizona for six or seven years before becoming full-time residents in November. They sold their house in northern Michigan and settled into a home in Dove Mountain. Southern Arizona’s dark skies and its astronomy community are a… Read more »
“I’d like to help you, because you helped me.” What a strange way to start a conversation. And even stranger was the fact that the woman who walked into my office and said that was a complete unknown to me. My mind did the panic-scan where I mentally cycled… Read more »
Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center is thrilled to announce a new initiative, the Rabbi Joseph H. Gumbiner Community Action Project. Inspired by the social activism of one of Tucson’s founding rabbis, the Gumbiner Project fulfills an integral part of the Museum’s mission, that of collaborating with diverse people… Read more »
Chip Rosenfeld says Oct. 7, 2023, was “a watershed moment” that inspired him to get more involved in Tucson’s Jewish community. The retired physician was surprised by how deeply he felt “that was my people” under attack. Rosenfeld and his wife, Sara, attended a community Shabbat gathering at the… Read more »
