Special Sections

Tucson Health Professionals Pen Maternal Mental Health Guide

Maternal mental health matters.  That’s the main message of “You’ve Got This: A Pocket Guide for Maternal Mental Health,” a slim, easy-to-read volume by two local Jewish health care professionals, Robin Giles, a nurse practitioner, and Joy Subrin, a doctor of behavioral health.    “During your pregnancy so much attention is given… Read more »

Tucson J’s Hanukkah Hot Cocoa Run Celebrates its Ninth Year

For the ninth year, people of all ages and abilities are invited to hit the trail with the Tucson J, kicking off the season of light with movement and community for the annual Hanukkah Hot Cocoa Run on Sunday, Dec. 7. This year’s run features timed 5k and 1-mile… Read more »

Project Isaiah Food/Fund Drive Will Benefit Community Food Bank

Project Isaiah, the Jewish community’s annual High Holidays food and fund drive benefiting the Community Food Bank, begins on Monday, Sept. 8, and will continue through Friday, Oct. 17. The project is named for the Prophet Isaiah, who, when asked why we fast on Yom Kippur, responded, “Is it… Read more »

Grief Inspired End-of-Life Doula to Ease the Way for Others

The role of a doula is traditionally associated with birth. Anita Kellman guides people at the other end of their journeys, as a certified end-of-life doula. Kellman provides physical, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families, whether that means running errands, facilitating conversations or sitting vigil. Caring… Read more »

TMC, Tucson J Partner for Community Water Safety Day on Aug. 24

A lifeguard watches over a shaded pool where children are swimming.

In recognition of Drowning Impact Awareness Month, Tucson Medical Center and the Tucson Jewish Community Center are partnering to host the annual Community Water Safety Day on Sunday, Aug. 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. The free event, hosted at the Tucson J, is designed to promote water safety… Read more »

JFCS Prepares for Impact of New Federal Legislation

Carlos A. Hernández

As President Trump signed the Budget Reconciliation Bill into law on July 4, Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona is preparing for what could be significant changes to how the organization serves those most in need in the community.  The legislation will cut federal Medicaid spending by… Read more »

Lamplighter School Completes New Indoor Playground

The Lamplighter Chabad Day School of Tucson, which serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade, blends authentic Jewish traditions and customs with diverse academic subjects. Until recently, however, the school lacked a key component of a well-rounded educational environment—a dedicated space for physical activity and play. That will change… Read more »

UA Medical Student Awarded Hillel Foundation Scholarship

Smiling woman wearing a white doctor's coatOlivia Mitchel

The University of Arizona Hillel Foundation awarded Olivia Mitchel, a third-year medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, the Shirley D. Curson Medical Student Scholarship, a two-year award that provides $17,500 a year for a student’s third and fourth years of medical school. The… Read more »

JFCS and Candlelighters Forge New Partnership to Support Families Facing Childhood Cancer

Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern Arizona 2024 Candlelighting Ceremony.

Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona has launched a significant new partnership with Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern Arizona. The partnership will combine resources to better serve local families affected by childhood cancer and blood disorders. The collaboration has already begun making an impact through emergency… Read more »

A Portrait of My Mother, from Provincetown to Provincetown

For as long as I can remember, the portrait of my mother hung on the living room wall. First, it graced our apartment on the top floor of a two-family house in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Then, in fifth grade, we upscaled and moved into a one-family house. The painting… Read more »

Daniella Ironi Will Amp Up Israeli Connection at Tucson’s Maccabi Games

Daniella Ironi is Tucson’s newest shlicha, or Israeli emissary, here to support this summer’s JCC Maccabi Games & Access® at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. Ironi is helping design fun yet educational programs for the “Hang Time” space, where athletes will spend time socializing when they are not competing.… Read more »

The Tucson J International Film Festival is Back for its 34th Year this January

Opening the curtain on its 34th year, the Tucson J International Film Festival starts on January 8, with in-person screenings and special events for select films through January 19, with most films streaming virtually from January 17 through January 31 for the Greater Tucson area. This year screenings will… Read more »

Art as Healing: Afghan Refugees Find Solace Through Creative Expression

For the Afghan survivors impacted by combat that Jewish Family & Childrens Services (JFCS) serves, art is a powerful tool for healing—helping express through creativity what cannot be said with words. Annie Kunz, program supervisor, explains, “The mental and physical tolls of combat are complex and are compounded by… Read more »

Inside Project Isaiah and the Community Food Bank’s Impact

Each fall, the Southern Arizona Jewish community comes together to donate non-perishable food items, filling bins across local synagogues and Jewish agencies for the Project Isaiah High Holiday food drive. These contributions are then delivered to the Community Food Bank (CFB), where they are distributed throughout Southern Arizona to… Read more »

High Holiday Services in our Southern Arizona Community

Rosh HaShanah begins the evening of October 2. Yom Kippur begins the evening of October 11.           Please click the links below for High Holy Days congregational information: Congregation Chofetz Chayim (Orthodox) (520) 747-7780 The Shul of Tucson (Orthodox) (520) 975-4489 Tucson Torah Center (Orthodox) Congregation… Read more »

Camp Memories: Tucsonans Look Back on Golden Summers

Proponents say Jewish overnight camps strengthen kids’ Jewish identity. This was certainly true for Tucsonan Nanci Ogur Levy, who spent four summers at Pine Forest Camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania, as a camper, plus a summer as a waitress and another as a counselor-in-training. “It actually was my first real… Read more »

At Tucson J, Israeli Camp Counselors Keep Focus on Fun, Not War

At a Jewish Agency for Israel training this April for American Jewish summer camp directors and prospective Israeli counselors, also known as summer shlichim (emissaries), the slogan was “Now More Than Ever.” JAFI staff joked that the catchphrase is used for everything, even insurance companies, says Robin Kelley, director… Read more »