I’ve written in Post-Its over the last two years about the methods by which UArizona Hillel was increasing engagement. Now, two years after the University reopened post-COVID, I’m pleased to report on the results of our methods. This academic year, UArizona Hillel reached 953 students, including 284 at great… Read more »
I was nervous about coming to Tucson because I knew I would be a co-rabbi with Rabbi Thomas Louchheim. He seemed nice at my interview weekend, but how would this work in practice?! Would it be awkward? Would it be unclear who had rabbinic authority? What would be the… Read more »
Arizona. California. Israel. Peru. Boston. No matter what state, country, time zone or zip code, I call my mother every day. And at 97, she still answers the phone with energy and excitement. Calling home was a decision I made over two decades ago to intentionally stay connected to… Read more »
Burton (Burt) E. Becker (born January 11, 1941) passed away Tuesday, April 25, preceded in death by his wife Phyllis, after a prolonged battle with cancer. He is survived by his daughters Beth Becker of Silver Spring, Md. and Amy Platizky (Adam Platizky) of Phoenix. He is also survived… Read more »
To commemorate Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), the Tucson Hebrew Academy’s (THA’s) Hebrew and Humanities departments collaborated to design an assembly presented by the sixth-grade students to acknowledge the 1.2 million children that were murdered by the Nazis. The assembly began with the students reminding the audience that a butterfly… Read more »
Why is the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center (TJMHC) hosting a book club that is reading Beyond Magenta: Transgender and Nonbinary Teens Speak Out? This question was posed to me recently and honestly, it’s a question that I was happy to answer. Why is an organization that focuses… Read more »
As Jewish people, we are connected with a global Jewish peoplehood past and present; as a Jewish Community Center, one way we maintain and deepen that connection is by strengthening our bond with other JCC’s in the JCC Movement. On Sunday, March 26, the Tucson J had the honor… Read more »
For many years, Handmaker Passover Seders were large events with children and grandchildren joining parents, grandparents and great-grandparents for this wonderful holiday celebration. The Handmaker Seders for the last several years have been more intimate events, due to COVID restrictions, but not so much this year. For the first… Read more »
“Absolutely life changing.” “The most extraordinary experience of my life.” “Will inform how I consider literally every conflict going forward.” These are just a few pieces of student feedback from UArizona Hillel’s first Perspectives trip to Israel and Palestine, funded by the national Maccabee Task Force. The trip is… Read more »
On Sunday, March 26, Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) reintroduced Super Sunday, the largest annual, one-day fundraising event for the organization. The event, shuttered in 2020 due to the COVID outbreak, returned this year and raised nearly double its goal of $60,000. A total of $118,785 will be… Read more »
Thomas Alan Louchheim was born on February 9, 1957, in Los Angeles, California, the third child of Sandy z”l and Marlene Louchheim. He graduated Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Finance in 1979. Tom remained in Washington, where he… Read more »
This article was originally published by the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. Artist Beth Surdut is a wildlife illustrator, environmental educator, stained glass designer and writer. She began painting on silk in the 1980s, starting with scarves, which have been on display in the Smithsonian, in Washington, D.C., and… Read more »
Our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, Phyllis Joan Seltzer passed away peacefully on March 25, 2023 at the age of 85 years old. The world will be less colorful and bright without her big beautiful presence, smile, and energy. She has left an indelible mark on the lives… Read more »
Irene Steindler, 98, of Highland Park, Illinois, died at home on Tuesday, March 14 after a long and beautiful life. Her daughter, Carol Miller, was by her side as she took her last breath. Irene was born on December 3, 1924 in Dieburg, Germany to Louis and Elsa (Loeb)… Read more »
Congratulations to the THA students who brought home awards at SARSEF last weekend! SARSEF is the Southern Arizona Research, Science, and Engineering Fair. Sixth graders in Mrs. Lehrfeld’s class worked tirelessly throughout the third quarter to identify personal interests and research topics, ultimately coming up with a testable scientific… Read more »
Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) and other partner organizations warmly welcome the newest little members of our community with a wonderful box full of baby items and resources about the Tucson Jewish community. JPSA Interim CEO Emily Richman explains, “JPSA is involved in every stage of Jewish… Read more »
As a result of recent community work around the Jewish Community Ecosystem of Southern Arizona, the Tucson J has is pleased to announce the hiring of a Director of Community Engagement. Naomi Sandweiss has accepted and after working remotely, recently begun her position at the Tucson J. The position… Read more »
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mel Zuckerman z’l, pillar of our Tucson Jewish community and visionary philanthropist. Mel passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 18 at age 94 surrounded by his loving family. As dedicated leaders in our Jewish community, Mel Zuckerman and his devoted… Read more »
Handmaker residents and staff enjoyed eating many hamantaschen during Purim this year! Staff were greeted at the main entrance to Handmaker with a basket full of hamantaschen on Purim, alongside a sign with information about the holiday. These delicious cookies were made by Executive Chef Claire and Pastry Chef… Read more »
Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) has selected a cohort of 10 women to take part in the MOMentum Year-Long Journey, a program for mothers raising Jewish children 18 years and younger that includes an 8-day trip to Israel. The 10 women selected are Shelly Kippur (co-chair), Emily Lazarus… Read more »
