Our Town

Beth Braun and the University/Rincon High School Primaveras dance group have been invited to perform at the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France, in June 2020. As official representatives of  the United States, the Primaveras will perform at the D-Day Anniversary Parade, the International Salute to Liberation, and… Read more »

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Beth Nakhai, Ph.D, an associate professor at The Arizona Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Arizona, recently published an article, “How to Avoid Gender-Based Hostility During Fieldwork” in The Chronicle of Higher Education. The article relates to Nakhai’s ongoing work as head of the American Schools of… Read more »

Debra S. Jacobs, an occupational therapist for more than 30 years, published her second book, “Safety and Consent for Kids and Teens with Autism or Special Needs: A Parent’s Guide” (Jessica Kingsley Publishers). She previously co-authored “Everyday Activities to Help Your Young Child with Autism Live Life to the… Read more »

Dana Adler has been elected president of the Women of Reform Judaism Pacific District for a two-year term. She will be installed at the WRJ 2018 Pacific District Convention, which will be held in San Diego Oct. 18-21. The district comprises 13 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Adler… Read more »

Tucson Hebrew Academy’s student government held its annual Passport to Peace event Monday, Sept. 17. Taking place around the Jewish High Holidays, it provides students an opportunity to reflect and to learn about ways they can do mitzvot and actively participate in tikkun olam (repair of the world). Representatives… Read more »

More than 75 people attended Splish Splash in the Sukkah, a joint event co-hosted by Tucson Hebrew Academy, PJ Library and PJ Our Way on Sunday, Sept. 30. The event included a reading of “Leo and Blossom’s Sukkah” by Jane Breskin Zalben, making rain sticks in the THA sukkah,… Read more »

Liz Kanter Groskind

Liz Kanter Groskind was recently installed as the board chair of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, a national advocacy organization, for a three-year term. With a background in management, executive coaching, marketing, human resources and charitable planning, she has run her own consulting business for 20 years. A… Read more »

David Ivers

Arizona Theatre Company Artistic Director David Ivers will return to his native California after being named artistic director at the 55-year-old Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory Theatre in Costa Mesa, California. Ivers will continue his ATC co-executive leadership responsibilities with Managing Director Billy Russo until assuming the new position… Read more »

Tucson J revamps art gallery The Tucson Jewish Community Center revealed its renovated Fine Art Gallery on Sunday, Sept. 16 at the artists’ reception for “Simcha,” a group show featuring 13 members of the Tucson Jewish Artists. Approximately 100 people turned out for the exhibit. The gallery features a… Read more »

Meg Sivitz, Brandeis National Committee Tucson chapter co-vice president of the book business and former chapter president, was honored by National Board President Madalyn Friedberg with a presidential citation. Paintings by Tucson artist Devy Wolff are part of an exhibit at Tucson International Airport, “Space Connections,” which also includes… Read more »

The Tucson Jewish Community Center is holding a September promotion, “State of the Heart Community.” All new members who join in September can direct half of their first month’s dues to one of three charities:  Ben’s Bells, Literacy Connects, and Youth on Their Own. For more information, visit www.tucsonjcc.org/heart.… Read more »

Young Women’s Cabinet members celebrate Shabbat at the Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, Aug. 17. (L-R) Simone Krame, Jenny Rothschild, Laura Kravec, Karen Sadow, Rachel Jarrett, Melissa Landau (YWC alum), Lindsay Berkman, Katie Stellitano, Meg Knight, Jennifer Bell (YWC alum), Jennifer Selco, Bronwyn Sternberg, Nicole Zuckerman-Morris (YWC co-chair), and Kathy Gerst (YWC co-chair) (Not pictured: Rachel Haimowitz, Aimee Katz, Jamie Kippur, Ally Ross)

Alumnae, new members mingle at Young Women’s Cabinet retreat The members of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s 2018-2019 Young Women’s Cabinet held their annual retreat last month. They spent 24 hours celebrating Shabbat, getting to know each other, learning about the Tucson Jewish community and the mission of… Read more »

Young leaders help Federation disburse $10,000 The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona recently awarded $10,000 to local agencies as part of its 2018 Young Leadership Campaign Special Teams initiative. Each team determined in May where to allocate their share of the JFSA funding. Team (Adam) Goldstein and Team (Isaac)… Read more »

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Geri-Lynn Bertagnolli has joined the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona as campaign administrative assistant. Bertagnolli, a Tucson native, has an M.B.A. in e-commerce as well as B.S. degrees in business administration and business management from the University of Phoenix, where she also earned a certificate in human resources management.… Read more »

Abbie Kozolchyk on a recent research trip to Samoa (Courtesy Abbie Kozolchyk)

Former Tucsonan Abbie Kozolchyk was included in a Tripbase® listing of “100 Favorite Travel Writers.” Kozolchyk has written for Conde Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, Cosmopolitan, and Forbes Traveler, among other publications. Her book, “The World’s Most Romantic Destinations,” was published by National Geographic. Aimee Katz completed a summer… Read more »

Myles K. Beck

Myles K. Beck received the Edwin N. Sommer Award from Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity at its 2018 International Convention in Los Angeles on July 14. The award is presented occasionally to a ZBT alumnus for “selfless dedication to the ideals of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity.” Beck is a 1967… Read more »

Elder Camp volunteer Rina Ornela Ybarra and Ofelia Morales, a seven-semester veteran of Elder Rehab, show off arts and crafts creations.

  J’s one-day adult camp lets grown-ups in on summer fun Thirty-seven campers joined the Tucson Jewish Community Center’s one-day adult camp on July 29, enjoying traditional camp activities such as a talent show as well as a variety of class options, including cooking, yoga and J-Wave Glide-Fit floating… Read more »

Susannah Castro recently joined the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona as Women’s Philanthropy director. She brings over 15 years of experience in nonprofit administration, including posts focused on community outreach, development, and public relations, most recently as director of operations for the Star Foundation. In August 2015, she founded… Read more »

ALLEN D. EL, a rising senior at The Gregory School, was chosen from among 250 people to serve as one of two American Legion of Arizona Boys State primary delegates to American Legion Boys Nation in Washington, D.C., later this month. In D.C., acting as Boys Nation senators, the… Read more »

RONALD M. LEHMAN, ESQ., has opened LEHMAN LAW PC, after more than 30 years practicing with Bossé Rollman PC and its predecessors.  Lehman received his B.A. from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and his J.D. from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. He is a… Read more »