People in the News

REBEKKAH DIAMOND, a science teacher at Canyon Del Oro High School, was chosen to participate in the National Science Teachers Association yearlong fellowship program. One of three teachers chosen from Arizona, Diamond will receive an NSTA membership package, online mentoring, the opportunity to participate in web-based professional development seminars… Read more »

ASHER SUSSER, former visiting scholar in modern Israel studies at the University of Arizona, has a new book, “Israel, Jordan, and Palestine: The Two-State Imperative,” which will be published this month by Crown Books/Brandeis University Press. DAVID MONTEFIORE has posted several YouTube videos in honor of Chanukah, featuring selections… Read more »

Jeff Sambur, a retired firefighter, has published a book about his San Diego to Maine bicycle ride, “Destroying Demons on the Diagonal,” a lighthearted account that takes readers to the highest points in three states and 15 baseball stadiums, among other places. For more information, contact the author at … Read more »

BARBARA R. LEVY, ACFRE, has been named chair of the Ethics Committee of Association of Fundraising Professionals, which represents 30,000 individuals around the world. Levy currently serves as president of the Tucson Symphony Society Board of Trustees. She is principal in her firm, Organization & Fundraising Counsel, and has… Read more »

Tucson resident JOHN NEWPORT, Ph.D., has written “The Tucson Tragedy: Lessons from the Senseless Shooting of Gabrielle Giffords” (Outskirts Press). RABBI STEPHANIE AARON of Congregation Chaverim, a longtime spiritual advisor and friend of Giffords, wrote the forward. Drawing on media accounts, the book summarizes the events and aftermath of… Read more »

RABBI SHAFIR LOBB recently published High Holy Day prayer books for care facilities. The “To Life!” series includes Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and a combined edition.… Read more »

SIDNEY FINKEL, a Holocaust survivor and educator who speaks to students in Tucson and nationwide, will be awarded an honorary doctorate in public service from Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Ill., and will deliver their December 2011 commencement address. Finkel is the author of the memoir “Sevek and the… Read more »

JOYCE FINKELSTEIN of Green Valley has been selected by AARP to receive Arizona’s 2011 AARP State Andrus Award for Community Service. Finkelstein serves on the board of Green Valley Recreation as treasurer. She is secretary of the Greater Green Valley Community Foundation and a member of its allocations and… Read more »

DAN ADLER of Keller Williams Southern Arizona, DAMION ALEXANDER of Tucson West Publishing and Long Realty and REBECCA GARFUNKEL of the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Southern Arizona are among those honored by the Arizona Daily Star in its annual 40 under 40 list, which recognizes young leaders… Read more »

JONATHAN ROTHSCHILD, Democratic candidate for mayor of Tucson, has released a 180-Day Work Plan focusing on jobs and economic development, “safe, vital neighborhoods,” an open government initiative and plans to develop green industries. To read a copy of the plan, go to www.jonathanfor mayor.com.       “The Heyday… Read more »

BRUCE ZORTMAN has published a book, “Eight Little Candles Plus One: A Hanukkah Tale” (Strategic Book Group). Zortman was a professional educator for 25 years. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS was named “Tourism Champion of the Year” by the Arizona Office of Tourism last month, recognizing her efforts to oppose last… Read more »

­KALEY ROSE WEINTRAUB, a University High honor student, has committed to the swim team at University of Rhode Island, where she will enter the Doctor of Pharmacy program. Weintraub, a Tucson Hebrew Academy alumna, is also a dancer with the Arizona Ballet Theater and a synchronized swimmer. She represented… Read more »

STEVEN FREEDMAN, A.B., M.S., has written a novel, “Dinah Blu,” published by PublishAmerica. Freedman notes that he suffers from schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, making his literary accomplishment “a triumph of the human spirit.”           BOBBY PRESENT will be a member of the United States masters… Read more »

ANGIE GOORMAN has been selected by the Jewish Federations of North America National Young Leadership Cabinet as a new member beginning with the 2011/2012 year. The cabinet is a group of men and women, ages 30-45, who are committed to shaping a bright future for the Jewish people in… Read more »

A paper written by BRYAN DAVIS, youth and Holocaust education coordinator at the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, and his advisor at the University of Arizona, ELIANE RUBINSTEIN-AVILA, “Holocaust Education: Global Controversies Shaping Curricula Integration and Implementation,” has been accepted for presentation at the International Journal of Arts  &… Read more »

PATRICIA C. BISCHOF, a student artist at Prescott College, will hold an exhibit of her work, including a Holocaust-themed mixed-media piece, “Never Forget,” at the college’s Tucson Center, 2233 E. Speedway Blvd., on Saturday, April 16, from 6 to 8 p.m.… Read more »

JOHN GARRARD, professor emeritus of Russian studies at the University of Arizona, and his wife and co-author CAROL GARRARD will deliver the Jack Fischel Lecture at the 31st Annual Millersville University Conference on the Holocaust and Genocide in Millerville, Pa., April 6-8. The Garrards will speak on the Holocaust… Read more »

HOWARD PALEY has published a book of photographs, “First Impressions — Landscapes.” For more information, visit www.hpaley.com. PATTI DAY has published a novel, “The Ride: In the Air & Through the Courts.” The book won a Spring 2010 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award from the North American Book Dealers Exchange.… Read more »

HANNAH RATLIFF was named to the fall 2010 dean’s high honors list at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.… Read more »

RUTH ZALES will be honored as the Tucson recipient of the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award during the 2010 International Lion of Judah Conference in New Orleans Nov. 8-10. In addition to her work with the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s Women’s Philanthropy, Zales is a member of Jewish Federations of North… Read more »