Post-Its

JPSA Announces Co-Chair and New Board Members

Anne Hameroff, JPSA Co-Chair

Following up on last week’s announcement of a new Interim CEO, Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) announced today that Anne Hameroff has accepted re-appointment as Board of Trustees Co-Chair, a position she will hold until May 2023. Hameroff will continue to work alongside C0-Chair Bruce Ash to help… Read more »

A Conversation for the New Year: Tucson J Welcomes Speechwriter and Author Sarah Hurwitz to Campus

Along with the sweetness of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, there comes the opportunity for reflection and renewal. In the spirit of the season, the Tucson J is elated to welcome renowned political speechwriter and author Sarah Hurwitz to campus for two community events Sunday, September 18. Sarah’s… 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 »

You’re Invited to Celebrate Shabbat Together

Our community is stronger when we gather in celebration, in prayer, in song, and when we make motzi together. The entire Tucson Jewish community is invited to join with many of Tucson’s congregations and educational institutions for a communal Shabbat experience on Friday, September 9 (13 Elul 5782) from… Read more »

Book Talk: Meet the Award-Winning Author of Shayna

Meet Miriam Ruth Black, author of Shayna, at the Tucson Jewish Museum (TJMHC) on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 6pm, at a program presented in partnership with the Tucson Jewish Community Center (with a virtual event to be scheduled at a later date). Miriam Ruth Black won the Midwest Independent… Read more »

Rich Neighborhood Renovations at Handmaker

Residents in the Rich Long Term Care Neighborhood at Handmaker have been enjoying watching the transformation of their home over the last few months as the unit goes through a major renovation. Handmaker’s Administrator, Steve Hunt, has been doing his best to ensure that the work gets done, while… Read more »

New Year: New Mission, Vision, and Value Statements at THA

For many, the start of the school year represents a fresh new beginning—a time of goals, reunions, and renewed enthusiasm. For Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA), embarking on its 49th school year, it is an exciting time to look forward to a future of progress, strength, and growth. It is… Read more »

Creating Access Points at UArizona Hillel

The words “egalitarian” and “pluralistic” don’t mean much to most of the students we see at UArizona Hillel, but the concepts are at the heart of our mission: to help students build a vibrant, diverse, meaningful, and empowered Jewish community on campus. How do you create a truly egalitarian… Read more »

JPSA Announces Interim CEO

Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) has announced that Chief Development Officer Emily Richman will also now serve as  Interim CEO. She will maintain her duties as CDO during this time with additional support from both her colleagues and members of the Board of Trustees. “Even in her short… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Gail Kushner

Gail Kushner (Jampole) passed away July 28, 2022, at age 86. Formerly of Tucson, AZ, Shorewood, WI, she was born in Brooklyn, NY. Beloved wife of the late Gordon L. Goodman, to whom she was married for 32 years, and the late Arthur Kushner, Gail was the former spouse… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Dinah Taub

Dinah Taub was born on February 27, 1931, in Chicago to Sol and Esther Geller. She is a long time Tucson resident having moved here in 1958 with her husband, Marvin. She died peacefully surrounded by her family in Tucson on July 31, 2022, after a recent diagnosis of… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Bill Sampson

William (Bill) Sampson, born April 28, 1948, passed away July 20, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. Born in Chicago, Bill came to Tucson with his parents, Walter and Charlene (Shafer), and Sister Judy in 1965. Bill achieved Master’s degrees in both Music (French Horn – Performance) and Physical Education. He… Read more »

Shaped by Tucson, Bringing Her Whole Self to the Rabbinate

Rabbi Kleinman

Growing up in Tucson, Alanna “Lonnie” Kleinman did not know any female rabbis or any religious leaders who identified as LGTBQ. Now Kleinman is joining a much more diverse rabbinate, one that more fully reflects the fullness of Jewish communities. On May 22, almost 50 years after Rabbi Sally… Read more »

Award Winning Care at Handmaker

This spring, Handmaker learned that they had received two Arizona Daily Star’s Reader’s Choice awards for 2021; one for Best Skilled Nursing/Rehab Facility and one for Best Continuing Care Retirement Community. As the community outreach coordinator at Handmaker for nearly seven years, this does not surprise me. My office… Read more »

Summer: Hillel’s Busiest Season?

Just what do the dedicated staff at University of Arizona Hillel do all summer? In some ways, it’s our busiest season. We hate it when the students are away, but we use every moment of the time to prepare for their return. This summer we’re particularly busy, with three… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Richard Belkin

Richard Bernard “Dick” Belkin, born June 5, 1933, in Hartford, Connecticut, died July 7, 2022, in Tucson, Arizona. Dick Belkin was perhaps the most positive and inspirational person you will ever meet, a man of great integrity, creativity, and infinite kindness. In his younger days as a television personality,… Read more »

Of Blessed Memory: Charles Whitehill

Charles H. (“Chuckles”) Whitehill passed away on July 5, 2022. Chuck was a longtime Tucsonan and dedicated member of the Jewish community since arriving as a freshman at the University of Arizona (UA) in 1948. He was a member of Tau Delta Phi Fraternity. Shortly after coming to Tucson,… Read more »

The JFCS Refugee Resettlement Program – A Volunteer’s Story

JFCS refugee client taking English Placement test

As a faculty member at the University of Arizona, summer is the perfect time for me to get caught up on projects that I have set aside during the school year, and to do things that I enjoy. As the semester was winding down in May, my husband and… Read more »

Rabbi Cantor Emily Ellentuck Ordained

On June 16th, in New York, Rabbi Cantor Emily Ellentuck received rabbinic ordination from The Rabbinical Academy at Mesifta Adath Wolkowisk. She serves as Cantor for Congregation M’Kor Hayim and works at Tucson Hebrew Academy as program coordinator and teaching Judaic Studies and tefillah.… Read more »

On the Ground in Krakow: Assisting Ukrainian Refugees in Poland

Dr. Jacobson in front of the Krakow JCC

I recently returned from two weeks in Krakow, Poland, volunteering with the team at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Krakow in their terrific effort to assist Ukrainian refugees. I traveled to Poland with my brother, Bruce Jacobson, who lives in South Carolina. Our contact was Jonathan Ornstein, Executive… Read more »