(Family Features) — It’s the time of year when many of us think about getting organized for a fresh new start. “Most of us put cleaning out and organizing our closets at the top of our New Year’s resolutions list every single year,” says Barbara Reich, professional organizer. “But… Read more »
Tucsonan Lisa Goldberg’s connections to Camp Ramah in Ojai, Calif., run deep. She’s been a Ramahnik since she first attended camp when she was 8 years old, having “inherited” Ramah from her mother, Mimi Dinin Sisk, who was one of the first campers at the California location, and her… Read more »
The Coalition for Jewish Education of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona is accepting applications for scholarships to Jewish overnight summer camps for the summer of 2016. The need-based scholarship assistance is funded by the Mo and Frances Beren Family Scholarship Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern… Read more »
Sheldon Clare teaches Yiddish at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. (Renee Claire)
So what’s your Yiddish IQ, bubbeleh? Don’t be too quick with your answer because truth is, lots of the mamaloshen (mother tongue) has entered into common English usage; think kibbitz, bagel, klutz, kosher and chutzpah. But should you want to think of more than the commonly known terms, then… Read more »
Elder Rehab at the Tucson Jewish Community Center couples memory-impaired seniors with University of Arizona students who supervise them in physical exercise and memory and language stimulation activities. The research-tested program, developed by psychologist Sharon Arkin, is now enrolling participants for its third semester, which begins Jan. 25. The… Read more »
Nanci Levy and Handmaker residents braid challah. Seated, L-R: Peggy Simon, Betty Light and Anna Rogovin (Courtesy Handmaker)
Recently hired as community outreach coordinator at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging, Nanci Levy says 20 years of volunteer work in the Tucson Jewish community was great preparation for her new role — along with a background in advertising, public relations, event planning and fund development. “Over the… Read more »
Into a world bombarded by research on wellness and longevity comes “Staying Sharp: 9 Keys for a Youthful Brain through Modern Science and Ageless Wisdom.” In this smart and (relatively) simple guide, the authors, psychologist David Alter, Ph.D., and psychiatrist Henry Emmons, M.D., boil down the brightest science and… Read more »
PHOENIX — The Internal Revenue Service reminds individuals and businesses making year-end gifts to charity that several important tax law provisions have taken effect in recent years. Some of the changes taxpayers should keep in mind include: Rules for charitable contributions of clothing and household items Household items include… Read more »
Tucsonan Danny Levkowitz finished his steel menorah in time to celebrate Chanukah 2015.
Tucsonan Danny Levkowitz recently finished building this 15-foot tall menorah, his first attempt at sculpture, at his east side home. Made of steel rebar with LED lights, the menorah took over two months to create, but it is something Levkowitz, the owner of Sun Lighting, has been dreaming about… Read more »
Tracy Salkowitz I’ve often told people how honored I am to have my job. “You’re kidding,” they say. “Don’t you just talk about death?” In point of fact, we rarely talk about death. We talk about life! We at the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona are the “pause doctors,” if… Read more »
Susan Katz Miller (Kveller via JTA) — “We get twice the presents!” Most interfaith kids will utter this classic, and rather obnoxious, boast at some point during childhood. And I have to admit, it makes me wince and grit my teeth a little. As an interfaith child myself, I understand all too… Read more »
Brendan, left, and Neal Shusterman (Courtesy of Neal Shusterman)
NEW YORK (JTA) — When Neal Shusterman helped his son Brendan with a second-grade report on the Pacific Ocean’s Marianas Trench, he thought the name of its deepest location, Challenger Deep, would make a great title for a book. In fact, for a number of years, whenever Shusterman — the author… Read more »
Quiet contemplation of the menorah can be rewarding. (Flickr Commons)
LOS ANGELES (JTA) — There’s a popular Chanukah song recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary, “Light One Candle.” Its chorus insists we “don’t let the light go out” — but I’ve been thinking that maybe we should. Not that I want to leave all those Maccabee children stumbling in the… Read more »
Everything bagel latkes (Shannon Sarna)
(JTA) — I first tasted latkes for brunch at a trendy eatery on the Lower East Side about six years ago. Since then, I’ve seen them across the country on brunch menus everywhere from diners to Michelin Star restaurants. Latkes — or potato pancakes, as they’re known to non-Jews —… Read more »
Cooler weather isn’t the only thing Tucsonans can look forward to this fall. Local kitchens are heating up with all new menus and pumpkin-flavored treats galore. Gourmet Girls’ Susan Fulton says she and co-owner Mary Steiger “are in our full pumpkin mode.” The gluten free bakery is offering pumpkin… Read more »
ALFONSO GOURMET OLIVE OIL & BALSAMICS St. Philips Plaza, Suite #40 • 4320 N. Campbell Ave. 441-9081 Plaza Escondida • 7854 N. Oracle Road • 638-5000 www.alfonsooliveoil.com Tom Alfonso, co-owner Do you have a secret menu item? All of our extra virgin olive oils are certified kosher and have… Read more »
Good food and drink are among life’s best simple pleasures — especially when you’re talking about pizza baked to perfection or a cold brew shared with friends. Here are a few words about some of Tucson’s best purveyors of gustatory bliss. Fresco Pizzeria & Pastaria Mat and Britnee Cable,… Read more »
About 90 miles south of Tucson is Bisbee, the county seat of Cochise County, once a bustling copper mining town. While touring the historic Queen Mine is a blast — especially in the summer, when it’s a cool 47 degrees underground —there’s plenty more to do and see in… Read more »
(L-R): Ben, Jonathan, Daniel and Rosi Vogel
The JDRF will hold its 2015 Southern Arizona One Walk to raise money for Type 1 diabetes research on Sunday, Nov. 8 at the University of Arizona. “There are many Jewish kids and adults in our community living with type 1 diabetes,” says Rosi Vogel, who is president of… Read more »
Roxanne Frankenberg Young teenagers at Tucson synagogues work hard to prepare for their b’nai mitzvah ceremonies. In addition to learning to chant Torah and Haftorah, and prepare and deliver a sermon, these motivated young people commit hours and energy to charitable causes in their community and beyond. In a spirit of… Read more »
