Rabbi Sara Metz
This past June, my family moved from New Jersey to Tucson. As we started unpacking and dreaming of our life here, we looked to our yard. We knew that the blessing of rain is scarce in this desert climate. For that reason, we have worked with people who know… Read more »
Henri Servin, Ph.D., 94, died of Covid-related pneumonia on Jan. 8, 2021. Servin’s son was at his side when he died, and his wife, Genevieve was able to say a final goodbye over video. Henri was born to a Jewish family in Poland in 1926 and grew up in… Read more »
Jonathan Rothschild, left, and Pastor D. Grady Scott
Although the African American community faces many challenges, such as gaining better access to healthcare and education, for Pastor B. Grady Scott of Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Tucson, the number one issue is overrepresentation in jails and prisons. Scott and former Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild presented “African… Read more »
What is justice? Equity? Fair treatment? The blindfolded woman holding the scales? What would the perfect world, filled with justice, look like? Deuteronomy 16:20 tells us: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof l’maan tichyeh.” Justice, justice you shall pursue, that you may live… In the months of 2021, we will explore many… Read more »
Nancy Bee (nee Shanker Sirota), 92, or Reseda, California, died, Dec. 29, 2020. Survivors include Mike and Pam Sirota of Los Angeles, and Yvonne Cook, Phyllis Bee, Brian and Jane Bee, and Sharon Aviva Bee all of Tucson; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and a community of friends at… Read more »
Gugulethu Moyo, executive director of the Jewish History Museum/Holocaust History Center in Tucson (Photo courtesy Moyo)
Gugulethu Moyo, the new executive director of Tucson’s Jewish History Museum/Holocaust History Center, comes to the job with a unique set of qualifications, encompassing both her career as an international human rights lawyer and her personal Jewish journey. In November, the museum’s board of directors unanimously approved her appointment… Read more »
Community Food Bank team members load provide food supplies at the emergency food distribution center it operated at Kino Sports Complex for nine months. On Jan. 7, the food bank moved drive-up distribution to its building at 3003 S. Country Club Road. Project Isaiah, the Jewish community's annual anti-hunger campaign, benefits the Community Food Bank. (Photo courtesy Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona)
Through Project Isaiah and Mitzvah Magic, two longstanding programs organized by the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona and community partners, members of the Tucson Jewish community have helped put food on the table and meet other needs for local families this fall, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.… Read more »
Minnette Doris Marks Friedman, 84, died Dec. 31, 2020. Born in Irvington, New Jersey, on June 6, 1937, Minnette was the daughter of Paul Jerome Marks and Jeannette Samuels Marks. As an only child, Minnette developed a strong sense of independence and self-reliance. After graduating as the valedictorian from… Read more »
Isidore Shapiro, 101, died Dec. 27, 2020. Izzy was born in 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and moved with his family to New York City a few years later. Izzy dedicated his professional life to helping others: working first as a probation officer, then as a social worker and the… Read more »
Goldie Shapiro, 93, died Oct. 6, 2020. Goldie was born in New York City in 1927 to Isidore and Rachel Grushka, immigrants from what is now Poland, who were active members of the Workmen’s Circle (now named the Workers Circle). The family lived in the Bronx until she was… Read more »
Allen Berns, 92, died Jan. 5, 2021 of complications related to COVID-19. Originally from Chicago, Allen was a 25-year resident of Tucson. He retired young and enjoyed life. Allen had the gift of gab and made friends everywhere he went. As Al would say, “You have one go around… Read more »
Rabbi Sam Cohon What does it mean to be able to really perceive, not just observe? How can we look at a troubled period and see not just the facts, but the meaning? As we enter a new secular year, how can we best learn to use the complicated mess of this… Read more »
Melissa Zimmerman Melissa Zimmerman, LMSW, CCTP, BHP, vice president of clinical services at Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona; Isaac Rothschild, a managing partner at Mesch Clark Rothschild; and Robin Glicksman, DBH, LMSW, chief clinical officer at Escalera Health, are among those honored recently as “40 Under 40” by… Read more »
Rahmat Aziz, 93, died Nov. 28, 2020 Mr. Aziz was born in the Punjab to Bibi and Jon Mohammed. He grew up in a small village, always motivated to expand beyond its boundaries, and saw education as a way out. His love of learning and passion for reading drove… Read more »
Marvin Glassberg, 84, died Dec. 31, 2020 at Peppi’s House Hospice in Tucson from Covid pneumonia, surrounded virtually by his loving family. Born in Spring Valley, New York, he moved to Tucson with his parents, and graduated from Tucson High School and the University of Arizona. He had a… Read more »
Morton Kiel Kranitz, 94, died Dec. 11, 2020. He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a successful shoe salesman before entering the automotive business. He was the longtime proprietor of Kranitz Automotive Group (later Mort’s… Read more »
Esther Tannenhaus Starr, 95, died Nov. 24, 2020. Born in New York, on December 21, 1924, she raised her family in Freehold, N.J. prior to relocating to Tucson in 1986. She was a committed volunteer throughout her life; devoting her time and energies to a variety of auxiliaries, hospitals… Read more »
Dr. Melvin Burton Margolis, 87, died Dec. 26, 2020. He was born in Chicago on June 20, 1933, to the late Hyman and Ida Margolis. Melvin was the beloved husband of the late Letty Berman Margolis for 56 years. Melvin served active duty as a dental officer with the… Read more »
Rabbi Thomas A. Louchheim There is no age and no situation where values do not play a part. Modernity has created a fire hose of information that often — without reflection — drives us to analyze the information from our own accustomed viewpoint. We are so rushed to decide that we leave our… Read more »
Sidney Hirsh, 90, died Dec. 9, 2020. Sid was born Aug. 22, 1930 in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, to Rose and David Hirsh. David owned a successful shoe store, The Bootery. For health reasons, the family moved to Tucson in 1944. After graduating from Tucson High, Sid attended the University of… Read more »
