Special Sections

Hanukkah is Here! Events Planned Across Southern Arizona

Hanukkah, Chanukah, Hanuka, Channukah, Hannukah — there are many ways to spell it and even more ways to celebrate the Festival of Lights in Tucson and Southern Arizona this year. The holiday begins with the first candle on the evening of Dec. 7. PJ Library will provide Hanukkah: It’s… Read more »

High Holiday Services in our Southern Arizona Community

Rosh HaShanah begins the evening of September 15. Yom Kippur begins the evening of September 24. In the busy schedules of our lives, we have little time to reflect. The High Holydays offers us the chance of deep introspection. This is, on one hand, intimidating but, on the other,… Read more »

THA Celebrates the Beginning of 50th Anniversary School Year

At Tucson Hebrew Academy’s (THA) Welcome Back family event on August 7, students shared their excitement for the 2023-24 school year: “What’s great is that you know everybody , you can reach out to everybody, and everybody will always be there for each other if you need them.”… Read more »

THA to Celebrate 50th Anniversary This School Year

The 2023-24 school year will be a celebratory marker for Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA): its 50th year as Southern Arizona’s foremost center for Jewish education. The school will unveil a commemorative motto and logo later this summer as it prepares for a year of community events and a 50th… Read more »

Israel at 75 Fuels Momentum Around Israel Engagement

As I have referred to in a variety of different circles, the Weintraub Israel Center, a partnership between the Tucson J and Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA), has developed a generative mission statement that invites each of us to go on a self-propelled journey to individually connect in… Read more »

PJ Library and PJ Our Way to Hold Relaunch Event in February

After three years of mostly virtual programming, there will be a relaunch event for PJ Library and PJ Our Way in Southern Arizona, Purim Palooza! on Sunday, February 19 from 10am to 2pm at the Children’s Museum of Tucson. The program is free and open to families currently enrolled… Read more »

THA Students Spend Sukkot at Mt. Lemmon

“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 »

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 »

THA 8th Graders Go to Israel!

After two consecutive years of having to cancel their trip to Israel due to Covid, Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA) has resumed the trip this year, and their 8th graders are having a blast! They arrived in Israel on Erev Yom HaZikaron (the eve of Israel’s Memorial Day) and joined… Read more »

My Single, Senior, Challenging, Meaningful Life

My birthday this year came and went with no bouquet of roses gifted to me by a special man and nary a sweet nothing whispered in my ear. It’s just not fair, I silently reproached the universe.  Why are there so many more women than men over 60 looking… Read more »

From their table to yours: Passover recipes from community members

Congregation Or Chadash 2017 Religious School Model Seder

Passover may look different this year, but it is still an essential time for us to come together with family and friends (whether in person or via Zoom) to share the story of our deliverance from Egypt. Four community members offer their favorite recipes to help flavor your Passover… Read more »

Moses & Passover (Cartoon)

When Moses led the Jewish People out of Egypt on the night of Passover, G-d had delivered them by a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm. He led them in the way they should go, and gave Moses the Torah, with the Ten Commandments, to set the Jewish… Read more »

JFSA Tucson Maimonides Society wishes the community a happy, healthy 2021

The Tucson Maimonides Society is a fellowship of healthcare professionals who are dedicated to educational, social and philanthropic activities under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY Jacob Pinnas, M.D.* Retired   Leonard Schultz, M.D.* Retired   Howard J. Schwartz, M.D.* Retired   ANESTHESIOLOGY… Read more »

Telemedicine pioneer Ronald Weinstein gets lifetime achievement award

  Ronald Weinstein, M.D., director of the national award-winning Arizona Telemedicine Program and a professor of pathology, was recognized with a lifetime achievement award by the Phoenix Business Journal at the 2020 Health Care Heroes virtual event Nov. 9. An international pioneer in the field of telemedicine, Weinstein founded… Read more »

With real-life travel curtailed, Tucsonan’s Jewish travel podcast is unique opportunity

A travel group (minus leader and photographer Tom Price) on tour in Fez, Morocco, once a major center of Jewish life. (Photo courtesy Tom Price)

International travelers seeking new and exciting experiences can depart today from Tucson, or anywhere, at no cost, with no passport, and with no travel restrictions. All that’s required is an Internet connection, a digital device, some curiosity, and one’s attention for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. “Around… Read more »

‘Taste of Tucson’ cookbook includes recipes from renowned local chefs

Local food columnist and photographer Jackie Alpers’ cookbook, “Taste of Tucson: Sonoran-Style Recipes Inspired by the Rich Culture of Southern Arizona,” is replete with recipes from well-known local chefs such as Suzana Davila of Café Poca Cosa and The Little One, and Carlotta Flores of El Charro Café. Published… Read more »