Rabbi Scott Saulson, Ph.D., joined Temple Emanu-El this month as interim rabbi. With an extensive background in pastoral counseling and mediation, Saulson specializes in helping congregations in transition. This is his eighth interim rabbi position. Along with fulfilling typical rabbinic duties for a year, such as officiating at services… Read more »
Tagged Rabbi Thomas Louchheim
Retiring JFSA CEO Mellan fostered cohesive, diverse community
Contemplative, compassionate, collaborative: these are some of the words friends and colleagues use to describe Stuart Mellan, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, who is retiring at the end of this month after more than a quarter century leading the organization. The coronavirus pandemic and… Read more »
William Louchheim
William S. “Sandy” Louchheim, Jr. of Los Angeles, 89, died April 14, 2020. After graduating from Yale University, Mr. Louchheim joined the Navy in 1952. He and his wife, Marlene, married in October of that year. He spent 16 years in the Navy, commanding two ships and retiring as… Read more »
Or Chadash, Temple Emanu-El explore merger
In an era when non-Orthodox synagogues throughout the country have seen membership decline, two Reform synagogues in Tucson, Temple Emanu-El and Congregation Or Chadash, are considering joining forces. Temple Emanu-El, established in 1910, is the oldest synagogue in Arizona, while Or Chadash is celebrating its 25th year. After more… Read more »
Handmaker lecture to explore community’s future from a rabbinic perspective
Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging continues its annual Three Rabbis Lecture Panel next month, exploring “The Future of the Tucson Jewish Community.” Rabbi Yossie Shemtov of Orthodox Congregation Young Israel, Rabbi Robert Eisen of Conservative Congregation Anshei Israel, and Rabbi Thomas Louchheim of Reform Congregation Or Chadash will… Read more »
Tucson rabbi: The rumors of my retirement are greatly exaggerated!
Dearest Friends of the Tucson Jewish community, It seems to me that many of you have forgotten the training we all received when we were children. Remember the nurse at school who taught you two important rules: 1) Wash your hands, and 2) Don’t put something in your mouth… Read more »
After 41 years, Tucson Hebrew High undergoes evolution
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 »
Community forum explores immigration policies, experiences
As Tucson grapples with a continuing influx of Central American migrants seeking asylum, and the community responds with shelter, food, and clothing, the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s Jewish Community Relations Council and the Jewish History Museum focused their annual local leaders’ forum on the immigration issue. The event… Read more »
Or Chadash Sisterhood honors Saboda
The Sisterhood of Congregation Or Chadash honored Kathylynn Saboda as its first Eshet Or (Woman of Light) at a luncheon and end of year meeting on Sunday, April 14. Saboda served as Sisterhood president in 2004. She served on the congregation’s board of directors from 2005-2008; since 2008 she… Read more »
Unity marks interfaith vigil honoring Muslim terror victims
Tucson community members attended a vigil at the Muslim Community Center of Tucson on Monday to express solidarity and commemorate the 50 people killed in the March 14 shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Another 50 people were wounded in the shootings. Mayor Jonathan Rothschild spoke on… Read more »
Rabbis’ talk to probe why ‘bad people’ prosper
Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging will present a three-rabbi panel lecture next month, “Why good things happen to bad people,” presenting the Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jewish perspectives with Rabbi Yossie Shemtov of Congregation Young Israel, Rabbi Robert Eisen of Congregation Anshei Israel, and Rabbi Thomas Louchheim of… Read more »
At Handmaker, rabbis probe purpose of prayer
Some 65 people attended Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging’s third annual three-rabbi panel lecture on Sunday, May 6, on “What is the Purpose of Prayer?” Rabbi Yossie Shemtov of Chabad Tucson said our connection to G-d is through prayer, and that davening (praying) before reciting the Shema is… Read more »
Passion for social justice inspires COC scholar
Doing the right thing and making your life count is the focus of Tzedek America Director and Founder Avram Mandell’s message during his April 13-15 visit to Congregation Or Chadash as the second Mitch Dorson Scholar-in-Residence. “Mitch was director of education at Temple Emanu-El and a history teacher at… Read more »
Habitat for Humanity build a chance to serve
The social action committee of Congregation Or Chadash has arranged a morning of community service on Thursday, Nov. 30, 8 a.m.-noon with Habitat for Humanity Tucson, in collaboration with invited Tucson synagogues and Jewish organizations including Congregations Bet Shalom, M’kor Hayim, Chaverim, Anshei Israel, and Temple Emanu-El plus the… Read more »
In focus 6.9.17
Congregation Anshei Israel confirmation Congregation Anshei Israel held its 2017 confirmation ceremony during Shabbat services on Saturday, May 6. Temple Emanu-El confirmation Temple Emanu-El held its 2017 confirmation ceremony during Shabbat services on Friday, May 19. Congregation… Read more »
In Focus 5.26.17
Tucson Hebrew Academy graduation Tucson Hebrew Academy held its eighth grade graduation on Wednesday, May 10. With 23 graduates, the ceremony was held at the Tucson Jewish Community Center to accommodate the large crowd of family and friends. Tucson Hebrew High graduation Tucson Hebrew High held at its 39th… Read more »
Business briefs 5.12.17
At the invitation of Rep. Martha McSally and the Office of the Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives, RABBI THOMAS LOUCHHEIM of CONGREGATION OR CHADASH will open the House of Representatives with prayer as the guest chaplain on Wednesday, May 17 at 12 p.m. (EDT). INTERFAITH COMMUNITY… Read more »
Three rabbis to explore ‘Finding G-d’ in Handmaker talk
Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging will continue its Rabbi Lecture Series with “Finding G-d (in the) Every Day,” featuring Rabbis Yossie Shemtov, Robert Eisen and Thomas Louchheim, on Sunday, May 21 at 3:30 p.m. “The Baal Shem Tov taught us that everything you see or hear can serve… Read more »
Local people, places, travels and simchas
Live long and prosper On May 6, the 29th Salute to Centenarians was held at Tucson Medical Center’s Marshall Conference Center. This annual event, sponsored by the Pima Council on Aging and TMC, takes place during Older Americans Month and celebrates those people aged 99 and older who represent Pima… Read more »
Tucson rabbis’ panel stresses similarities among Jews
Three Tucson rabbis representing the Orthodox, Reform and Conservative branches of Judaism presented their basic beliefs at a panel discussion at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging on April 10. About 100 people, including Handmaker residents and members of the Tucson community, discovered more about the similarities rather than… Read more »