Thanks to a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation, Handmaker, in collaboration with Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS), began hosting a monthly Shabbat Lunch and Learn program in October, free of charge to older adults. The intention of the program is to give aging adults a no-cost opportunity… Read more »
Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Ethan Myerson as its new Director of Development. With a decade of experience in Tucson’s nonprofit sector, Ethan brings a wealth of expertise and passion for connecting people with meaningful missions. In his role, Ethan will spearhead efforts… Read more »
When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, many Afghans, some who worked alongside U.S. troops and NGOs (non-profits that operate independently of governments), had to escape due to a real and critical threat to their lives. Over the past six months, Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona (JFCS)… Read more »
A new historical exhibit, “We Stand on Their Shoulders: Mentors of Tucson’s Jewish Community,” was dedicated Nov. 9 at the Harvey and Deanna Evenchik Center for Jewish Philanthropy, which houses the Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA). The exhibit adorns a hallway outside JPSA’s Shaol and Evelyn Pozez Event… Read more »
Myra Katzen Levenson of Tucson, AZ, and Mill Valley, CA, died at age 84 on November 4. Myra found her true joy in connecting with family and friends, talking about everything, and making new connections with people. Her other true passions were classical music and art. Born and raised… Read more »
This article originally appeared in Jewish News (Phoenix) and is reprinted with permission. Last month, the University of Arizona in Tucson marked a grim anniversary: the campus murder of Professor Thomas Meixner, head of the Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences Department. Though Meixner was not Jewish — he was a… Read more »
This article was originally published at Tucson.com. I’m writing this column to give an insight into what many Jewish people are going through. I don’t speak for all Jews, but I do speak for a sizeable swathe of my community. Since the Hamas massacre of Israelis on October 7,… Read more »
Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) issued the following statement today in support of Israel: JPSA stands unwaveringly in support of the people of Israel. JPSA recognizes the right and necessity for Israel to defend itself and its citizens and for the Israel Defense Forces to act as required… Read more »
This article was first published in the October 2023 issue of DesertLeaf magazine. My Aunt Jan saved my life. The overall risk of a woman developing breast cancer during her lifetime is approximately 13%. My risk was much higher—55%-72%—due to a genetic predisposition known as a BRCA1 mutation. I… Read more »
Dear Community Member, As a new member of the Weintraub Israel Center team, it is with great sadness that this has to be my first letter to the community. Friday evening, October 6, we returned from Shabbat dinner and arrived home. Suddenly, I received a message from one of my friends:… Read more »
Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) is pleased to announce the addition of four new staff members to its development team. The new hires are Junko Nagao, Director of Development; Ian Arthur, Campaign Manager; Nate Weisband, Young Leadership Manager; and Ital Ironstone, Women’s Philanthropy Manager. They will all work… Read more »
This article is reprinted courtesy of Jewish News A standing-room-only crowd of more than 900 people gathered in the sculpture garden of the Tucson Jewish Community Center (Tucson JCC) on Oct. 9 to show solidarity with Israel in the wake of unprecedented terrorist attacks. The evening of prayers and… Read more »
On Sunday, October 22, Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center (TJMHC) hosted the third installment of the Lakin Lecture Series on Antisemitism. More than 100 people came together to listen to internationally recognized educator and author Ben M. Freeman and learn more about his advocacy for Jewish Pride. Jewish… Read more »
Starting last month, and for the second year, Handmaker residents have been enjoying monthly Better Together Intergenerational meetings with Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA) and B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO) teens. A quick pivot was made on programming for the meeting with THA Students on Wednesday, October 11 from what… Read more »
In a message to the Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA) community following the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, Head of School Johanna Shlomovich wrote: “Our hearts are with our family and friends in Israel, and to those of us living in the Diaspora who feel these events at our… Read more »
Gertrude (Gerie) Richman, formerly of Tucson, passed away on October 4, 2023, at the age of 101. She lived the last six years of her life near her family in Boulder, Colo. Gerie was born on July 14, 1922, in New York City. She lived in West Aliquippa, Pa.… Read more »
It is with profound sadness that The Weintraub Israel Center shares with you the passing of Ron Weintraub on Monday, September 25, 2023. Ron was a giant in our community. He was devoted to both the Tucson Jewish community and to Israel. Ron and his wife Diane had traveled… Read more »
Interim Executive Director, Jennifer Camano, CFRE is delighted to have joined the dedicated and lively team at UAHillel. Tucson’s Jewish Wildcat Headquarters has been busy acting as a home away from home for all kinds of Jewish students. This year’s programming has gotten off to a robust start with… Read more »
After a successful kick-off to a season of Arts, Culture + Community events with over 100 convening at the Tucson J earlier this month for a conversation with infamous author, Dara Horn, the Weintraub Israel Center is excited to welcome Zioness Founder and Executive Director, Amanda Berman to the… Read more »
What comes to mind when you think of a parade? Music, dancing, fanciful clothing, even a float or two? A Pride parade is all that and more: it marks an exuberant and enthusiastic celebration for and by the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual) community. (The… Read more »
