The University of Arizona administration and I have worked closely in the past weeks to begin to address critical issues in the wake of recent tragedy, when Professor Thomas Meixner was shot in the building across the street from Hillel on Yom Kippur by a known antisemite. May Dr.… Read more »
Leaders from Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) joined over 1,200 Jewish communal leaders in Chicago at Jewish Federations’ three-day General Assembly, where they set the shared Jewish communal agenda for the year ahead and heard from a diverse array of voices on critical issues facing the North American… Read more »
Jews for Fontes/Mayes, a group formed for the 2022 election, hosted Adrian Fontes, candidate for Arizona Secretary of State, and Kris Mayes, candidate for Arizona Attorney General at an event on October 30. Approximately 50 people attended the event, and over $22,000 was raised for the candidates. Chabad Rabbi… Read more »
Marion Belvin Gendell, 91, passed away peacefully on October 15. Born in Berlin in 1931, she emigrated with her parents and younger brother to England in August 1939, just one week before the onset of World War II. In 1940, her family emigrated to the United States settling in… Read more »
This last month has been a whirlwind of activity at Handmaker. Beginning with the special festive meals and holiday services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, followed by the joyous celebrations of Sukkot and Simchat Torah during which residents experienced near perfect Sukkah dining weather. The holidays began a… Read more »
Stuart Brody will present a Gallery Chat, “Reflections on a Recent Visit to Auschwitz: The Psychology of Collaboration and the Crisis of Current Political Narratives“ at the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center on Friday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. In his talk, which falls just after the anniversary of… Read more »
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains, from whence cometh my help” -Psalms 121:1 Torah has several accounts of those who seek guidance, enlightenment, and inspiration from the divine by climbing hills, ascending mountains, or otherwise pursuing high, holy places. Similarly, the fifth – eighth grade students at… Read more »
UArizona Hillel has a new Israel Fellow for the 2022-23 school year! Yuval Morad is originally from Kfar Saba, Israel, but for the next year will be in Tucson, exploring everything Arizona and America has to offer. Morad had never before visited America and he didn’t even know he’d… Read more »
The Arizona Center for Judaic Studies will present a free screening of Where Is Anne Frank with director Ari Folman, one of Israel’s most acclaimed filmmakers, on Sunday, Nov. 6. Where Is Anne Frank brings the famous diary of Anne Frank to the big screen from an unusual perspective,… Read more »
The JFCS Refugee Resettlement Team Note: The names in the story have been changed. The Sharif family arrived to Jewish Family & Children’s Services (JFCS) in early January of 2022 after months of upheaval and uncertainty. JFCS’s Reception & Placement Case Manager, Omed, met them at the airport upon their arrival. He helped the… Read more »
Suzanne Lois Bloomfield passed away peacefully on October 18, 2022. She was a gifted artist whose work showed worldwide, and a compassionate therapist in private practice and at Jewish Family Services for over 45 years. Her generosity and love of life made the world brighter for all who knew… Read more »
This past Yom Kippur, tragedy struck the University of Arizona campus when beloved professor Thomas Meixner was senselessly murdered by a former graduate student. The shooting occurred very near the UArizona Hillel building, while 25 students, six staff, and a guest rabbi were participating in Hillel’s afternoon Yom Kippur… Read more »
Gaylor Lee Kasle, 81, passed away on October 3, 2022, in Phoenix with his loving wife Barbara by his side. Gaylor was born March 2, 1941, in Flint, Michigan to Sidney and Lee Kasle. He attended Short Ridge High School in Indianapolis where he made many lifelong friends. Upon… Read more »
Jerome (Jerry) Harvey Kramer, age 94 of Tucson, AZ, passed away peacefully on Sept 22nd in the loving presence of his wife, Mary. Jerry was born July 28, 1928, and raised in Milwaukee, WI. He began his career in sales, working for Universal and Columbia Pictures before going into… Read more »
Today’s 24-hour news cycle has allowed the world to witness war crimes, almost in real time. Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the world has seen many unspeakable acts unfolding before us almost daily on the screens of our televisions, tablets, and telephones. As we witness this… Read more »
With the Jewish New Year of 5783 just around the corner, Handmaker staff, volunteers and residents have been busy preparing for the holidays logistically, as well as spiritually. Handmaker’s wonderful Executive Chef, Claire Ferguson, has planned some delicious festive meals for residents for the holidays, beginning on Erev Rosh… Read more »
The sense of community and energy was palpable as more than 270 community members of all ages gathered on Friday, September 9 (13 Elul 5782) at the Tucson J for a communal Shabbat dinner and celebration. Guests lit candles as they arrived, before joining Shabbat services led by Congregations… Read more »
An incredible evening of music, family, and community will take place at the Fox Tucson Theatre on Sunday, October 23rd at 4 pm. Featuring four generations of the talented Ronstadt family and a special welcome by Linda Ronstadt, “The Ronstadt Family in Concert” will benefit Jewish Family & Children’s Services of… Read more »
With our strategic plan set and our big-picture goals of doubling staff, tripling revenue, and quintupling student engagement by 2027, University of Arizona Hillel is taking a targeted approach to training and equipping our staff, board, and student leaders to use Jewish values, innovative approaches and best practices in… Read more »
Amy Hirshberg Lederman, guest speaker at upcoming JPSA Advanced Gifts/Summit dinner Amy Hirshberg Lederman will be a guest speaker at Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona’s (JPSA’s) Campaign Summit & Advanced Gifts Dinner, October 25, 2022, details are forthcoming. It’s that time of year again. Backpacks and school binders tumble off the shelves at Target, crossing guards in bright orange vests… Read more »
