Post-Its

A son, BRACH WILLIAM BLANEY KOEN, was born Dec. 25, 2010 to Daniel and Lisa Blaney Koen of Chicago. Grandparents are Mike and Gerri Koen of Oracle, Ariz., and Howard and Marie Blaney of Boulder, Colo.… Read more »

A son, SAMUEL R. GOLDFEIN, was born Nov. 11, 2010 to Dr. Nathan Goldfein and Rosa Roman of Alamogordo, N.M.  Grandparents are Ann Goldfein and the late Dr. Samuel Goldfein of Tucson, and Barbara and Quique Roman of Chicago, Ill. Samuel joins his sisters, Ahava and Ziva.… Read more »

Debbie Friedman, Jewish songwriter and performer, dies.

SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) — Over the weekend, as singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman lay dying in a hospital bed in Southern California, the call went out to Jewish congregations around the world to pray for the popular musician. But early Sunday morning Friedman, who composed “Mi Shebeirach,” a popular version of… Read more »

Stephanie L. Balch, 30, died unexpectedly Dec. 14, 2010. Beloved daughter, sister, niece, grandchild and friend, she will be remembered as a beautiful, loving and generous person. Private services were held. Arrangements were made by Evergreen Mortuary and Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of… Read more »

Renaye "Ricki" Lehman

Renaye “Ricki” Lehman, 81, died Dec. 13, 2010. Although she was hampered by rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and later Alzheimer’s, Mrs. Lehman was certified by the Library of Congress as a braillist and proofreader. She was a patient instructor in the muscular and skeletal examination program for second year medical… Read more »

Anita Labovitz, 87, died Dec. 5, 2010. Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., she volunteered with B’nai B’rith Women. Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Hy; daughters, Susan (Charles) Childers of Tucson and Renee (Peter) Nowell of Phoenix; and three grandchildren. Graveside services were held in the Congregation Anshei Israel… Read more »

Maurice Halper

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Maurice Jacob Hal­per, 94, died Dec. 4, 2010. After retiring from the U.S. Army, Brig. Gen. Hal­per founded Orient East and was later president of the Tucson Girl Scout Council. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; sons, David Halper of Plano, Texas, Stephen Halper of Las Cruces,… Read more »

Aimond "Pep" Pepper

Aimond “Pep” Pepper, 83, of Oro Valley, Ariz., died Dec. 1, 2010. Born in Providence, R.I., a first generation American, he grew up in City Island, N.Y. He graduated from Christopher Columbus High School. Mr. Pepper managed a bar and grill in New York City. He was the owner… Read more »

A son, BRAYDEN SCOTT MAGNUSON, was born Oct. 19, 2010 to Stephanie and Phillip Magnuson. Grandparents are Marlene and Larry Harris, Raymond Magnuson and Cheryl Magnuson, all of Tucson.… Read more »

Carolee and Daniel Asia announce the engagement of their son, Reuben Hillel Asia, to Drew Feith Tye, daughter of Debbie Feith Tye of Rydal, Pa., and the late Cary S. Tye. Reuben is the grandson of Jean Seder Asia of Gwynedd, Pa., and the late Hilda and Benjamin Asia;… Read more »

BENJAMIN ALISTAIR ABRAMS, son of Lisa and Theodore Abrams, will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2010 at Temple Emanu-El. He is the grandson of Judith and Stanley Abrams, Barbara Cosslett and Gerry Hogan, all of Tucson. Benjamin attends Esperero Middle School. He plays soccer with… Read more »

Evie Pozez

Evelyn Shirley Whitebook Pozez was “always gracious and grateful to people around her,” says Stuart Mellan, CEO and president of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. “First and foremost, I’ll remember her shining spirit and ever-present smile.” Mrs. Pozez, 84, died on Friday, Dec. 17, 2010. Born in Iowa… Read more »

A daughter, ARABELLE SOPHIA CHERNY, was born Nov. 1, 2010 to Stephanie and Andrei Cherny of Phoenix. The Chernys also have a son, Ben. Grandparents are Shelley Fleisch­man Heyman and Larry Fleischman, both of Tucson, and Pavel and Dr. Helena Cerny of Valley Village, Calif. Great-grandmothers are Doris Fleischman… Read more »

ELIEZER ISAAC ROSEMAN, son of Ann and Ron Roseman, will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 25 at Congregation Bais Pinchus in Brookline, Mass. He is the grandson of Dr. Richard Sylvester of Los Angeles, Calif., the late Helen Ellis of Los Angeles, Calif., and Lillian and… Read more »

ZOE CHARLOTTE WEINTRAUB, daughter of Ellen Weintraub, will celebrate becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 18 with Congregation Or Chadash at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. She is the granddaughter of Deborah and Gerald Weintraub of Tucson. Zoe attends Orange Grove Middle School where she is an honor… Read more »

Joy Isenstein

Joy Barbara Isenstein, 78, died Nov. 29, 2010 in New Brunswick, N.J. Mrs. Isenstein was a frequent winter visitor to Tucson. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Joshua Joseph. Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Robert Isenstein of Monroe Township, N.J.; daughters, Judy (John) Peterson of… Read more »

Rabbi Shafir Lobb

It started when a friend sent me an article about people leaving structured religion faster than new people are joining, especially 30- to 40-year- olds. The last line in the alter net.org article, “Are We Becoming an Atheist Nation? Three Reasons Young People Are Abandoning Religion,” expressed concern about… Read more »

Joshua Langert and Leah Friedman announce their engagement. Joshua is the son of Dr. Richard and Peggy Langert of Tucson and grandson of Cantor Charles and Sally Julian of Tucson. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Washington University in St. Louis and his medical degree… Read more »

SAMUEL LOUIS GORDON, son of Amy Krauss and Richard Gordon, will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Mon., Dec. 20 at the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas, U.S.Virgin Islands. He will lead Temple Emanu-El’s Shabbat evening service on Fri., Dec. 3. He is the grandson of Allen and the… Read more »

ETHAN WILLIAM BRODY, son of Jacqueline and Eric Brody, will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 11 at Congregation Or Chadash. He is the grandson of Bonnie Farinas of Las Vegas, Nev. Ethan attends Orange Grove Middle School where he is an honor student and plays clarinet… Read more »