Tagged Tucson Jewish Community Center

John Felman

(Leo) John Felman, 80, died March 18, 2018 after a long battle with post-polio syndrome and cancer. Mr. Felman was born and raised in Pittsburgh. After attending the Mercersburg Academy, he graduated in 1960 from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.A. and honors in philosophy. He attended post-graduate… Read more »

Memories of childhood Passovers inspire classes at Tucson J

Jennifer Selco

On the day of the first seder, the smell of onions from my childhood home was noticeable from halfway down the block. Inside, you could hear the songs of Cindy Paley’s “Singing Seder” cassette, the pounding of walnuts, and laughter from a funny story just shared. My parents, grandparents,… Read more »

Tucson J launches inclusive cheer team

The Sparks cheer team practices a pyramid formation, with Peter Ruiz at the center, at the Tucson Jewish Community Center.

In August, Allison Wexler, Tucson’s Jewish community special abilities coordinator, was exploring athletic programming ideas for individuals with special needs. When she learned the Tucson Jewish Community Center would be forming a flag football league, she thought, “What does football need? Cheerleaders.” Wexler created a new program at the… Read more »

Latvian immigrant is expert on Russian, Jewish history

Roza Simkhovich

Roza Simkhovich is proud to say that she has been an American for nearly 39 years. She and her family came from Latvia, a Baltic country formerly part of the Soviet Union, to the United States looking for relief from anti-Semitism. As an educator for nearly 30 years, she… Read more »

Explore art, history, outdoors at any age

It’s never too late to learn and grow. The Tucson Jewish Community Center provides numerous opportunities to help people discover their passions later in life. Here are a few highlights of events and classes coming up. “Inside Writing a Mystery” is a free discussion with local author and retired… Read more »

Business briefs 1.26.18

ALLIE LONDON is the TUCSON JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER’S new director of marketing. A native New Yorker who received her B.A. in politics and journalism from New York University, London relocated to Tucson from Chicago in 2014. She has since served as the program officer for The Jewish Community Foundation… Read more »

Tucson J plans circus-themed ECE fundraiser

Flam Chen’s performances merge daredevil acrobatics and pyrotechnics. (Courtesy Tucson Jewish Community Center)

The Sculpture Garden at the Tucson Jewish Community Center will take on a “Big Top” atmosphere for the Tucson J early childhood education program’s new winter fundraiser, Cirque D’Arte. The event, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m., will begin in the Sculpture Garden with characters… Read more »

Olympic swimmer Jason Lezak will hold swim clinic

Jason Lezak takes the U.S. to gold with a record-breaking 4 x 100 medley anchor leg at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. (Courtesy Tucson Jewish Community Center)

Olympic swimmer Jason Lezak will present a Mutual of Omaha BREAKOUT! swim clinic on Sunday, Nov. 12, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. A total-person approach to swimming, the clinic can help swimmers break bad habits, build new skills, and uncover hidden talent. The clinic will… Read more »

Medals and memories for teens at Maccabi Games

Tucssonans Gabe Green (front row, fourth from left) and Gabe Friedman (back row, third from left) were part of a multi-city team that won gold for 14U soccer. (Denise Wolf)

Ten teen-aged athletes from Tucson teamed up with other Jewish athletes from across the United States, Israel and Ukraine for the 2017 Maccabi Games in Birmingham, Ala., this summer.  And they’re already looking forward to next summer’s games — not just for the sports or the fun, but for… Read more »

Business briefs 8.11.17

The JEWISH FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA has hired CLAUDIA LOPEZDIAZ as the new office assistant. LopezDiaz will have a variety of administrative duties in addition to serving as receptionist. She earned a Bachelor of Science in physiotherapy at the University of Cape Town and is currently completing her dissertation… Read more »

Tucson J’s program variety is boon for seniors

‘Chair Yoga’ is an ongoing class at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. (Courtesy Tucson Jewish Community Center)

From “Painting the World Jewish” to “Senior Shimmy Belly Dancing” to kosher cooking, the Tucson Jewish Community Center’s Arts & Culture, Fitness & Wellness, and Jewish Life & Learning departments will offer a wide array of programs for seniors this fall. The Tucson J will partner with Ballet Tucson… Read more »

Launch set for Tucsonan’s novel based on WWII resisters

The Tucson Jewish Community Center will present a book launch party and signing by local author Jillian Cantor for her new historical novel, “The Lost Letter,” on Tuesday, June 13 at 7 p.m. The event will include a question and answer period with the author. Inspired by World War… Read more »