Back to School

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 »

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 »

After 41 years, Tucson Hebrew High undergoes evolution

Students in last year’s senior class at Tucson Hebrew High work together on an assignment. (Debe Campbell/AJP)

Tucson High School for Jewish Studies, better known at Tucson Hebrew High, will undergo an evolution as it launches its 41st year in August. Still in development, the Jewish teen network will unfold as the year progresses, says Rabbi Ruven Barkan, THH director. “The success of this past year… Read more »

‘Spirit’ offers free Jewish learning for men and boys

(L-R) Rabbinic student Avrohom Luban talks with Tucsonans Max Lazar and Al Gordon during a ‘Spirit’ study session in 2014. (Courtesy Southwest Torah Institute)

The 2019 Dr. Paul W. Hoffert Spirit Program, a free Jewish learning opportunity for men and boys from the Southwest Torah Institute’s Naomi Adir Center for Torah Education, begins July 28 and runs through Aug. 11. In morning or evening sessions, individuals or groups can study the topic of… Read more »

New school year brings exciting programs to Tucson Jewish community

Local Jewish educators are gearing up for the new school year, which starts next month. Here are some of the new programs awaiting students. Congregation Anshei Israel is introducing a new, integrated youth education program, B’Yahad (Together). B’Yahad will provide experiential learning opportunities for students of CAI’s religious school… Read more »

With new programs and staff, local Jewish schools ready to kick off a new year

School days are right around the corner, and community students have much to look forward to in the new school year. Tucson Hebrew Academy students will notice physical changes from the outside to the inside for the school’s 45th anniversary. Refreshing the building exterior, water fountains and restrooms is… Read more »

PJ Library offers prizes for summer reading program

PJ Library invites kids up to age 8 to join the “Dive into Reading This Summer” program, which runs through July 31. Kids need to read nine books and complete nine activities from the PJ Library calendar, such as “eat some challah” and “compliment someone.” Print a calendar at… Read more »

Southwest Torah Institute’s Spirit study program returns

Rabbinical student Harry Kleinerman, left, and Robert Nye of Green Valley study together at Congregation Chofetz Chayim in 2016. (Courtesy Southwest Torah Institute)

“In the Driver’s Seat” is this year’s theme for the Southwest Torah Institute’s Dr. Paul W. Hoffert Spirit Program, which begins Wednesday, July 26 and runs through Tuesday, Aug. 8. Begun in 2000, the program offers two weeks of free learning for Jewish men and boys ages eight and… Read more »

JFSA helping synagogues boost youth engagement

Cantorial soloist Marjorie Hochberg guides Temple Emanu-El religious school students in singing the Four Questions at a second night Passover seder in 2015. (Steve Shawl)

Declining youth engagement has been a problem facing synagogues across the country for a decade or more.  To help local synagogues reverse this trend, the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona is providing them with new allocations for religious schools and family education programs. Each synagogue will decide how to… Read more »

Darkaynu adds staff, toddler program

Darkaynu Tucson Jewish Montessori is making changes for the new school year, adding a new covered playground, new staff members and a toddler program. The preschool now accepts children ages 1-6. Darkaynu will become the first preschool in the area with Imagination Playground Blue Blocks (as seen at the… Read more »

Rabbi and wife join Jewish Arizonans on Campus team at UA location

Rabbi Moshe Schonbrun, who recently came to Tucson as rabbi for Jewish Arizonans on Campus at the University of Arizona, says after he and his wife, Esti, were married, they decided to put all of their efforts into maximizing their positive impact on the Jewish community. After meeting the… Read more »

Tucson J-Rays swim school will teach toddlers to teens

The Tucson Jewish Community Center has launched a year-round J-Rays Swim School created by Brandon Rannebarger, the J’s aquatics director and head swim coach. The school will work primarily with children ages 3-14 years in private or group lessons for any skill level, with a constructive play curriculum. It… Read more »

Taste of Judaism heads into 17th season

Temple Emanu-El will offer its 17th year of free Taste of Judaism classes beginning next month. The program explores Judaism in three two-hour sessions on Jewish spirituality, values and community, taught by Temple Emanu-El’s rabbis. In Tucson, the national outreach program, open to all, has had over 5,800 participants… Read more »

Local Jewish schools eager to start new year

As students sharpen their pencils and charge their laptops and smartphones for the new school year, Tucson’s Jewish schools are keeping their programs fresh with everything from new electives to new teachers. Temple Emanu-El’s Kurn Religious School will hold a geniza (archive) ceremony field trip as students learn about… Read more »