Center for Jewish Philanthropy Board of Trustees member Morgan Abraham was appointed this week to fill the vacancy in the Arizona House of Representatives left by Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton, who was appointed to fill a Senate vacancy. Abraham, a Democrat, was appointed by Pima County supervisors to represent Legislative District… Read more »
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Tucson J to participate in sixth annual Z3 Conference
The Z3 Project is a signature program of the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto. Since 2015, the program has been providing the Jewish community with a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about the Diaspora and Israel. Now in its sixth year, Z3 has become a global… Read more »
Vibrant Jewish life on the Tucson Hebrew Academy campus
Tucson Hebrew Academy is gearing up for Hanukkah! To celebrate, our teachers and students have planned fun and meaningful activities to take place over the eight-day festival that include: Starting the day with an all-school Hanukkah candle lighting. Making Hanukkah Judaica in Art class (ceramic oil jugs, Hanukkiot, and… Read more »
Festive fall at Handmaker
Free Smart Phones for Handmaker Staff At an employee appreciation event on November 5, Handmaker staff received free LG Smartphones, including an unlimited talk, text, and data plan with T-Mobile, at no cost to them! This is a new benefit being offered to Handmaker employees, sort of an early… Read more »
Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona Relaunches Refugee Resettlement Services (Update)
Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona (JFCS) is thrilled to reinitiate its Resettlement Services. For 18 years, JFCS helped newly arrived refugees settle into the Tucson community, and with the arrival of Afghan refugees to our community, the organization relaunched and expanded its refugee services this past… Read more »
Seeking justice for the enslaved
Next April when we sit down at our Seder tables, many of us will participate in the familiar responsive reading: Reader: Avadim Hayinu – We were slaves in Egypt. All: We remember our histories; we acknowledge our pasts. Reader: Ata b’nei horin – Now we are free people. All:… Read more »
Video: Community Awards and Welcome Back Event 2021
The full video of the Jewish Community Awards and Welcome Back Celebration is now available online. The event was held on Nov. 1, 2021 at the Tucson Jewish Community Center Sculpture Garden. It honored those working to enhance Jewish life in Southern Arizona and celebrated the opportunity for community… Read more »
Congregation Anshei Israel Beit Midrash to be dedicated to Rabbi Robert J. Eisen
After 21 years of dedication to the Tucson Jewish Community, Rabbi Robert Eisen stepped down in June 2020 as the spiritual leader of Congregation Anshei Israel. This December 5, the last night of Chanukkah and the holiday of rededication, Congregation Anshei Israel will be dedicating the remodeled Beit Midrash… Read more »
New Jewish National Fund-USA Desert States President eager to engage broader community
Jewish National Fund-USA’s (JNF-USA) lay leaders and professional team are delighted to announce the appointment of philanthropist, Pam Meyer as the organization’s new Board President in the Desert States region. In a statement, Meyer said: “JNF-USA has always had a special place in my heart. It is a great… Read more »
Tucson J celebrates new work in its treasured sculpture garden and fine art gallery
On Sunday, October 24, the Tucson J welcomed an estimated 250 guests for “A Celebration of Sculpture,” an inaugural festival marking the opening of its Sculpture Garden and Indoor Fine Art Gallery exhibits. Nine new works joined the J’s robust collection of more than 40 sculptures by local, national,… Read more »
Help needed at Handmaker to deliver kosher meals to those in need
Members of our community who have been ordering Kosher Mobile Meals delivered to their home for the last six months have not only received a delicious kosher meal prepared in Handmaker’s kitchen, but some have had their meal delivered by none other than Rabbi Shemtov of Chabad Tucson! Rabbi… Read more »
Community award winners to be honored at Welcome Back Event on Nov. 1
The Jewish Community Awards and Welcome Back Celebration will be held on Nov. 1 at 5:15 pm at the Tucson Jewish Community Center Sculpture Garden. The event will honor those working to enhance Jewish life in Southern Arizona and celebrate the opportunity to come together as a community once… Read more »
Vaccination and Jewish values
Background: I received both doses of the Moderna vaccine in March of this year. Just over two weeks ago I suffered a bad cold, and was asked to be tested. On the fourth day of my symptoms, I received a positive antigen test. Nine days into my quarantine, I… Read more »
Tucson: the land of cactus, cowboys and… Klezmer?
Some may be surprised to learn that Jews have been active in Tucson’s political, commercial, and cultural life for nearly 200 years. Today, that heritage continues, and includes a contemporary group of local musicians that has been gathering weekly for more than a decade to play the unique Jewish… Read more »
Addressing community justice
A recent segment of NBC’s “Chicago Med” began with the story of a crowd watching a clearly disturbed young man in the midst of a psychiatric incident so severe that he was unable to recognize his own mother or his surroundings. The doctor (a former police officer) who arrived on… Read more »
Of Blessed Memory: Rabbi Arthur Oleisky
It is with a heavy heart that we share that Rabbi Emeritus Arthur Oleisky passed away on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Rabbi Sara Metz of Congregation Anshei Israel shared the following message with us: We are sad to inform you of the passing of Rabbi Arthur Oleisky this Shabbat… Read more »
THA to honor Dick Belkin at 2021 Tikkun Olam Celebration
Tucson Hebrew Academy will honor Richard “Dick” Belkin at its 2021 Tikkun Olam Celebration next month. The virtual celebration will be held Sunday, November 7, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Dick and his wife, Sherry, moved to Tucson in 1989. They found a welcoming Jewish community in which they have… Read more »
Dr. Seneca Erman dies
Dr. Seneca Erman passed away on Sept. 29, 2021. Seneca was the husband of Dorothy Erman z”l; father of Cantor Janece Cohen, Dr. Spencer (Nancy) Erman, and Dr. Russ (Anat) Erman; grandfather of Brayton (Danielle), Derek, Lara, Zachary (Katie), Jared (Erica), and Ariel, great grandfather of Aivi, Cillian, Abigail,… Read more »
Aaron Rottenstein named one America’s top 500 Next-Gen Wealth Managers of 2021
In their October issue, Forbes Magazine announced that Aaron Rottenstein has been named one of America’s top 500 Next-Gen Wealth Managers of 2021. Aaron is the only Tucsonan to make the list. Quoting from Forbes selection for the Top NextGen Advisors: “There’s a reason millions of families are entrusting… Read more »
Cox employees give to JFCS, among other S. AZ charities, to help organizations weather the pandemic
The 3,100 employees of Cox Arizona today announce grant donations of $80K to 21 Southern Arizona nonprofit education, diversity and environment and sustainability programs during a difficult time. This marks the 25th year that Cox Arizona employees, through Cox Charities, have raised funds to help the communities in which they… Read more »