B’nai Mitzvah

Bat Mitzvah: Avey Lopez-Hanshaw

Avey Marie Lopez-Hanshaw (Aviva Miryam bat Azriel) will celebrate becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, January 28th, 2023 at Congregation Kol Ami on Country Club Rd. She is the daughter of Dr. Elise & Mr. Robert Lopez-Hanshaw, and the granddaughter of Donna Greenwood, Manuel Lopez, and Karen & Mark… Read more »

Bat Mitzvah: Sawyer Sevy

Sawyer Belle Sevy will become a Bat Mitzvah on September 17, 2022 This service will take place at the beautiful 3C ranch in Oracle, Ariz. Sawyer will be surrounded by friends and family and the service will be lead by friend and mentor Marjorie Hochberg. Sawyer is the daughter… Read more »

Bar Mitzvah: Matthew Meislin

Matthew Meislin is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah on September 3rd, 2022, at Kol Ami. Matthew is the son of Justin and Georgina Meislin and the grandson of Harvey and Lori Meislin. Matthew is in 8th grade at Orange Grove Middle School, where he enjoys playing… Read more »

Bar Mitzvah: Benjamin Aronson

Benjamin Thurston Aronson completed his Bar Mitzvah on April 30, 2022. Although he read his Torah portion through Congregation Or Chadash’s Zoom services in April 2020, he was grateful for an in-person service and celebration with his family and friends. This belated event was performed at a family home,… Read more »

An Amazing 115-Year-Old Tallit Renews Judaism in Tucson

Sometimes a Jewish ritual object takes on a life of its own. It can trace the history of an entire family, even an entire portion of the Jewish people. When that object is returned to regular religious use, it symbolizes the eternal vitality of Judaism. So it is with… Read more »

Bat Mitzvah: Hannah Aviva Ellentuck

Hannah Aviva Ellentuck celebrated becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Dec. 20, 2021. The service took place in her backyard led by Rabbi Avi Alpert and her mother, Cantor Emily Ellentuck of M’Kor Hayim. She is the daughter of Max and Cantor Ellentuck, of Tucson, and granddaughter of Wayne and… Read more »

Bar Mitzvah: Sawyer Charles Lazarus

Sawyer Charles Lazarus

Sawyer Charles Lazarus celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on August 7th, 2021 at Congregation Anshei Israel. He is the son of Emily and Adam Lazarus and the grandson of Ellen and Larry Z”L Yasmer and Sandy and Joel Lazarus of Davie, Florida. Sawyer is a rising seventh grade student at… Read more »

Bat Mitzvah: Sage Elise Wexler

Sage Elise Wexler

Sage Elise Wexler was called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on April 24, 2021 at Congregation Or Chadash. She is the daughter of Allison and Michael Wexler, of Tucson, and granddaughter of Charlene and Sam Wexler of Chicago, and Jerry and Sue Zandman of Lido Beach, NY.… Read more »

Bat Mitzvah: Celeste Grace Bergantino

Celeste Grace Bergantino

Celeste Grace Bergantino will celebrate becoming a Bat Mitzvah on April 10, 2021 at Congregation Or Chadash (soon to be Kol Ami). She is currently in eighth grade at the Gregory School. She loves dance and art. Celeste is the daughter of Tamar and JR Bergantino.… Read more »

Bat Mitzvah: Abigail Rose Hanley

Abigail Rose Hanley

Abigail Rose Hanley celebrated becoming a Bat Mitzvah on May 22, 2021 at Congregation Or Chadash. She is the daughter of Todd and Rebecca Hanley and granddaughter of Richard and Shana Oseran and Pat Dale, all of whom live in Tucson. Abigail attends the Gregory School, where she is… Read more »

Bar Mitzvah: Aaron Zeldin

Aaron Zeldin celebrated becoming a Bar Mitzvah on January 30 at Congregation Or Chadash. He is the son of Jean Lee and Martin Zeldin and attends Orange Grove Middle School, where he plays tuba in the band. He enjoys various sports, hanging out with friends and is an avid… Read more »

Bat Mitzvah: Calista Morrison

Abbe Goncharsky

Calista Morrison, daughter of Christopher and Abbe Morrison, will celebrate becoming a bat mitzvah on Saturday, February 6, 2021 via Facebook Live from Congregation Or Chadash. Cali is the granddaughter of Sharon and the late Robert Goncharsky of Tucson, Arizona, and Joan O’Connell and Brian O’Connell of West Palm… Read more »

Bat Mitzvah: Melayna Rachel Matheson

Melayna Rachel Matheson, daughter of Teresa and Brandon Matheson, will celebrate becoming a bat mitzvah on Feb. 20, 2021 at Congregation Anshei Israel. She is the granddaughter of Debra and Landon Matheson of Chicago, Illinois; Darlene and Robert Moen of Sartell, Minnesota; and the late Susan Matheson. Melayna is… Read more »

Eloise Henry

Eloise Henry, daughter of Mindy and Steve Henry, will celebrate become a bat mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Temple Emanu-El. She is the granddaughter of Lyn and Ralph Henry of Tucson and Susan and Stuart Padove of Birmingham, Alabama. Eloise attends Esmond Station K-8 School, where she is… Read more »

Samson Goldberg

Samson-Isaac-Goldberg

Samson Isaac Goldberg, son of Lisa and Ben Goldberg, will celebrate becoming a bar mitzvah on Saturday, October 24, 2020, at Congregation Or Chadash and on Facebook Live. He is the grandson of Jerry and the late Mimi Sisk of Palos Verdes, California, and Karen and Bill Goldberg of… Read more »

Destiny Bickart

Destiny Marie Bickart, daughter of Erin Bickart, will celebrate becoming a bat mitzvah on Aug. 29, 2020 at Temple Emanu-El. She is the granddaughter of Jeff and Fran Bickart of Tucson. Destiny attends Twin Peaks K-8 School. She enjoys reading and swimming. For her mitzvah project, Destiny is helping… Read more »

Ethan Domnik Glassey

Ethan Domnik Glassey, son of Lauren and Eric Glassey, will celebrate becoming a bar mitzvah on June 13, 2020 with Temple Emanu-El via Zoom and Facebook Live. He is the grandson of Judy Thomas of Tucson and Stan and Lori Thomas of Rockville, MD. Ethan attends Marana Middle School,… Read more »

Shane Preston Glesinger

Shane Preston Glesinger, son of Dr. April Glesinger and Jeff Glesinger, will celebrate becoming a b’nai mitzvah with his cousin Brady Bayard on March 7 at Temple Solel in Cardiff by the Sea, California. He is the grandson of Sue and Sonny Ross of Tucson and Jan and the late Jerry… Read more »

Brady Bayard

Brady Bayard, son of Beth and Johnny Bayard of San Marcos, California, will celebrate becoming a b’nai mitzvah with his cousin Shane Preston Glesinger on March 7 at Temple Solel in Cardiff by the Sea, California. He is the grandson of Sue and Sonny Ross of Tucson and Cecilia and Rick Bayard… Read more »

Bat mitzvah: Josephine Elyse Hanley

Josephine Elyse Hanley

Josephine Elyse Hanley, daughter of Rebecca and Todd Hanley, will celebrate becoming a bat mitzvah on Saturday, Feb. 29, at Congregation Or Chadash. She is the granddaughter of Shana and Richard Oseran and Pat Dale, all of Tucson. Josephine attends Miles Exploratory Learning Center where she is an honor… Read more »