Arizona Jewish Post 1.10.20 by Arizona Jewish Post

January 10, 2020 13 Tevet 5780 Volume 76, Issue 1

S O U T H E R N A R I Z O N A ’ S A WA R D - W I N N I N G J E W I S H N E W S PA P E R S I N C E 1 9 4 6

Arts & Culture .........................9 Classifieds ...............................4 Commentary ..........................6 Community Calendar...........24 In Focus/Hanukkah ..............26 Israel ...........................10, 11, 16 Letter to the Editor ................8 Local ...................3, 5, 7, 9, 10, .........................11, 13, 19, 20 Obituaries .............................22 Our Town ..............................27 Rabbi’s Corner ......................23 Reflections............................ 21 Synagogue Directory...........22 WINTER PUBLICATION SCHEDULE Jan. 24 Feb. 7 Feb. 21

PHYLLIS BRAUN AJP Executive Editor

t’s another election year, and that’s a bonanza for the Capitol Steps, the singing satirists from D.C. who will take the stage at the Fox Tucson Theatre next month in a benefit performance for the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation. “That will be a fun time because that will be the height of the Democratic primaries,” says Elaina Newport, one of the founding members of the group, which got its start in 1981 when some Senate staffers were planning entertainment for a holiday party. “Right now we’re opening the show with a song called ‘76 Unknowns,’” which is adjusted “on the fly” as the parade of Democratic candidates changes, says Newport, who is counting on

Photo courtesy Capitol Steps

Celebrations............ 13-15 Mind, Body & Spirit...16-20

Capitol Steps will zap both sides of the aisle for Hillel benefit

The Capitol Steps perform.

Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, and “Good Old Joe” Biden to still be in the race. But not to worry, the Steps are equal opportunity offenders, mocking politicians on both sides

of the aisle. “A lot of the show is about Trump. He takes a lot of the headlines, because the party in power is always grabbing the headlines — especially him,” Newport says. Vice President Mike Pence has a

song, and senators take their fair share of ribbing, from Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to Mitch McConnell, with the impending impeachment trial of the president giving the Steps more opportunities for fast and furious re-writes. As for global leaders, Newport promises that a shirtless Vladimir Putin will grace the stage at the Fox on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. “And the guys in our group do not work out, so this is interesting,” she says. Putin’s song about Russian interference in U.S. elections has been in the show since 2016 and is still relevant for 2020, Newport says. Other songs don’t last as long. “The most famous shortlived song was ‘Scaramucci’ a year and a half ago, that lasted two weeks. See Hillel, page 4

Federation to host Super Sunday event in philanthropy center PHYLLIS BRAUN AJP Executive Editor

he Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona is planning its annual Super Sunday phone-a-thon this year for Jan. 26. The event, which raises funds for the 2020 Community Campaign, will be held 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in a new venue: the Deanna and Harvey Evenchik Center for Jewish Philanthropy at 3718 E. River Road, which houses the JFSA and the Jewish Community Foundation. “It’s a day where the Jewish community comes together to help support a wonderful 501c3 and the campaign,” says Super Sunday Co-chair Andy Kunsberg, emphasizing that the Fed-

Photo: Debe Campbell/AJP

INSIDE

w w w. a z j e w i s h p o s t . c o m

Leslie Glaze, co-chair of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Women’s Philanthropy Campaign for 2019, talks to Super Sunday volunteer Barbara Selznick, Jan. 27.

eration is a nonprofit charitable organization. The goal of this year’s campaign is $4 million, which supports the Federation’s partner agencies — Handmaker Jewish Services

for the Aging, Jewish Family & Children’s Services, Jewish History Museum/Holocaust History Center, Tucson Hebrew Academy, Tucson Jewish Community Center, and University of Arizona

Hillel Foundation — along with local synagogues as well as Jewish communities in Israel and around the world. “The monies we collect from generous donations help support these programs,” says Kunsberg. “They help so many Jewish people in town and also the non-Jewish community.” “Super Sunday is an opportunity for the Jewish Federation to reach out to the Jewish community to share the good work the Federation does year-round in Southern Arizona,” adds Bill Jacobson, Kunberg’s Super Sunday co-chair. At the same time, Jacobson adds, it is an opportunity “to hear what is of value to the Jewish community so that the Federation can provide services See Sunday, page 5

CANDLELIGHTING TIMES: January 10 ... 5:19 p.m. • January 17 ... 5:25 p.m. • January 24 ... 5:32 p.m.

ARIZONA JEWISH POST, January 10, 2020

LOCAL New bill proposes mandatory Holocaust education in all Arizona school districts Holocaust from friends and neighbors growing up. Kay Jewish News is the grandson of a survivor PHOENIX whose entire family was killed in death camps. Beller grew nly 12 states currently up in Vail, Arizona, where his require schools to next-door neighbor was a camp teach students about liberator who told Beller and the Holocaust. Michael Beller his father what he witnessed, and Josh Kay, the founders of Michael Beller after Beller described hearing a Arizona Teaching the HoloHolocaust survivor speak to his caust, want to make Arizona middle school class. state number 13. “When you have a direct “It’s important to me that relationship with a Holocaust Holocaust education stay at survivor or somebody who the forefront,” Beller said. “We fought in World War II, your want to ensure that it’s taught awareness level is different than in order to combat anti-Semisomebody who is growing up tism and hatred.” reading textbooks and is exThe number of states that Josh Kay posed to campaigns of misinrequire Holocaust education formation online,” Beller said. has been growing slowly in recent years. Hilton’s father, Sam Hilton, also was a In 2014, five states had statutes requiring it. By 2017, the number had grown to Holocaust survivor. Surveys show that awareness of the Hoeight, and legislators from 20 more states locaust is declining in the United States. A pledged to introduce genocide education legislation as part of the Anne Frank study commissioned by the Conference on Center for Mutual Respect’s 50 State Jewish Material Claims Against Germany in February 2018 found that 22% of millenGenocide Education Project. “As the Holocaust becomes further nials — defined in the study as anyone ages in the rearview mirror and there are less 18 to 34 — haven’t heard or weren’t sure if survivors around, it doesn’t get the atten- they’d heard of the Holocaust, compared tion and the memory that it deserves,” with 11% of all U.S. adults. And 31% of all said Steve Hilton, CEO and chairman U.S. adults and 41% of millennials also beof Meritage Homes Corporation and a lieved that the number of Jews killed in the major sponsor and supporter of Arizona Holocaust was two million or fewer. “Resoundingly, people will tell you Teaching the Holocaust. that it’s not a problem, that Holocaust The bill that Beller and Kay are proposing would require grade- and age- education is already there,” Beller said. appropriate education on the Holocaust “But if it’s already being taught, then no and genocides, but leave the specific edu- one should have a problem ensuring that cation standards up to the Arizona State the suggestions become shalls.” Kay, who grew up in the Scottsdale Board of Education. “We don’t want the legislature setting area, says the Holocaust was included in education curriculum,” Beller said. “We his textbooks, and it was only later that he want that to be left to the academics and discovered it wasn’t necessarily part of the educators. The curriculum requirements curriculum throughout Arizona. This month, the bill that Beller and Kay are set by the Board of Education, and we are proposing will be assigned to commitwant to stick to that process.” The current History and Social Science tees in the House of Representatives and Standards, adopted by the Arizona State the Senate. Once each committee approves Board of Education in October 2018, in- the bill, it will be brought before state repclude World War I and World War II ed- resentatives and senators for a vote. “Elie Wiesel once said, ‘for the dead ucation in seventh grade and education on human rights and genocides in eighth and living we must bear witness,’ and grade. The standards note that “in addi- that is why I am honored to sponsor the tion to the study of the Holocaust, other legislation that will forever change history in Arizona,” says Tucsonan Alma genocides should be studied.” “As a basis for teaching genocide, the Hernandez, the first Jewish Latina in the Holocaust is the best example of a man’s state legislature. “Educating our children capacity for evil and also for good,” Beller is essential to creating a safer and tolerant said. “It’s an incredible teaching tool from society. Nearly half of the world does not know the Holocaust happened, and that that perspective.” See Education, page 4 Beller and Kay both learned about the

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HILLEL continued from page 1

“It’s a very weird way to make a living, because when we get up in the morning and we hear the news, we don’t think is this good for the country or bad for the country, we think is it funny, what rhymes with this, and do we lose a song over it,” she says. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be among the cast of characters for the Tucson show, with Queen Elizabeth II putting in an appearance in a “Brexit” song. “At one point I was told it was more costume changes than a Cher concert!” Newport says. The Steps have appeared on “Good Morning America,” the “Today Show,” “20/20,” “Entertainment

EDUCATION continued from page 3

should scare us all.” “Our goal, obviously, is to get as much bipartisan support as possible,” says Kay. “We view this not necessarily as a Republican or Democratic issue. We actually don’t view it that much as a Jewish issue as much as it is just an educational issue. “I always view education as the only thing that can help prevent a lot of the negative, hate-filled feelings that are happening in today’s world,” he says. If there is opposition to the bill, Beller predicts that it will come during the committee hearings from the Ari-

Tonight,” “Nightline,” CNN’s “Inside Politics,” and frequently on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.” They’ve also recorded dozens of albums — more albums than the Constitution has amendments, as they like to note — including their latest, “The Lyin’ Kings” (2019). Amy Brannock, UArizona Hillel vice chair, is co-chair of the event with fellow board member Alex Stuchen. “This is our big annual fundraiser, the funds from which allow us to keep offering wonderful programming for our students at no cost to them,” says Brannock. “It’s a win-win for all — come enjoy a fabulous show while helping support the work of Hillel!” For special event ticket packages, contact Hillel at 624-6561 or visit www.uahillel.org. For general admission tickets, contact the Fox Tucson Theatre at 547-3040 or visit www.foxtucson.com. zona Association of County School Superintendents or the Arizona School Boards Association. “No one’s told me that they oppose it, but generally those groups oppose anything that could be seen as a mandate or an imposition,” Beller said. And if it reaches a vote? “We don’t anticipate that there will be much opposition once it gets to the floor,” Beller said. “I don’t think anybody wants to be seen as opposed to Holocaust education.” Arizona Teaching the Holocaust raised $5,276 on Facebook, surpassing its goal by $118, and so far has gathered 1,303 signatures in support of the campaign. This article first appeared in the Jewish News (Phoenix). AJP Executive Editor Phyllis Braun contributed to this report.

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LOCAL Fast facts about the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Did you know … that in addition to the programs, synagogues, and agencies the Federation helps fund in Southern Arizona, it supports Jewish communities in Israel, the former Soviet Union, and more than 70 countries around the world? Did you know … that the Free Loan, a non-sectarian program for more than 70 years, is now a Federation partner? The Free Loan lends funds to help people in Southern Arizona with a variety of needs, such as medical expenses, business investment, kids’ camp or classes, or car repairs. In 2018, the Free Loan introduced an employee assistance program, which lets borrowers who work at enrolled businesses repay loans of up to $750 through automatic payroll deductions.

Did you know … that the Weintraub Israel Center is a joint program of the Federation and the Tucson Jewish Community Center? The WIC welcomed its first shaliach (Israeli emissary) in 1997; Inbal Shtivi, the current shlicha (the feminine form of the Hebrew word) is the seventh. In 2016, WIC added the shinshinim program, which brings a pair of Israeli teens to Tucson for a year between high school graduation and their army service. As part of its mission of “Building a Living Bridge to Israel,” the WIC also provides Israeli travel information and programs such as the Israel Festival; Partnership2Gether (with the Israeli city of Kiryat Malachi and the Hof Ashkelon region); and people-to-people exchanges such as visiting artists and chefs.

SUNDAY

colors to add to the festive spirit. Volunteers are encouraged to bring cell phones to make calls (outgoing numbers can be blocked). Those who prefer not to make calls can help with clerical tasks, including thank-you cards. Shifts begin at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. To sign up for a volunteer shift, email Anel Pro at apro@ jfsa.org or call 647-8455. To save Super Sunday volunteers a call, make a donation by Jan. 17. Visit www.jfsa.org/make-a-donation; mail a check to JFSA, 3718 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718; or call 577-9393.

continued from page 1

that meet its needs.” “And we’re going to have lots of fun” on Super Sunday, Kunsberg promises. Agencies and synagogues will compete to recruit the most volunteers, with prizes going to the winning teams. There will be food — including hamburgers grilled by Campaign Chair Melissa Goldfinger — and prizes for volunteers, who can wear a favorite sports team’s

January 10, 2020, ARIZONA JEWISH POST

COMMENTARY In this time of crisis, the Jewish community must do more — and we will ERIC D. FINGERHUT and MARK WILF Jewish Federations of North America

Photo courtesy Jewish Federations of North America

n Sunday, Jan. 5, a huge crowd responded to the call from UJA-Federation of New York to march against anti-Semitism. The sense of threat is so pervasive at this moment that Jewish Federations and other organizations bused thousands from other states and locales to march in solidarity with the Jews of New York, who have experienced an unprecedented wave of violent anti-Semitic attacks, most recently in Monsey on the seventh night of Hanukkah. People may be asking what the leadership of the Jewish community in America is doing. The answer is that we are dramatically accelerating work on safety and security that has been underway since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Following 9/11, The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the umbrella for 146 local Federations and 300 other networked communities, act-

Participants in New York's solidarity march against anti-Semitism Jan. 5 cross the Brooklyn Bridge.

ed on several fronts. First, recognizing the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens in their houses of worship and community centers, we urged Congress to establish the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to bolster nonprofit institutions at risk of attack. Since then, JFNA has worked with Congress and a broad coalition of part-

ners to increase the NSGP to $90 million for the coming year. This amount — a 50% increase from the prior year — was signed by President Trump days before the New Year and just one week before the attack on Rabbi Rotenberg’s house in Monsey. Already, we are working with bipartisan leadership in Congress to support Sen. Chuck Schumer’s call for an emergency increase in these funds to

$360 million. All told, these advocacy efforts have secured $419 million in U.S. government funding that has been invested in increasing the security of our synagogues and communal institutions. We anticipate that much more will become available as a result of our efforts. We are also working to ensure that the institutions that need the funding the most can receive it. Until recently, only facilities in designated “urban areas” could apply for federal NSGP funds. Today, thanks to intense advocacy and the leadership of U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), institutions across the country, from urban areas to rural ones, can apply for funding. That means houses of worship in places like Rockland, New York, and White Settlement, Texas, both of which were attacked this week within 24 hours of one another, can now seek funding. In our system of government, state and local agencies have significant responsibility for law enforcement. The state advocacy teams of our local Federations, in coalition with many others, have See Crisis, page 7

The incredible NYC march should not overshadow Judaism’s main purpose RABBI ARI BERMAN JTA NEW YORK

n Sunday, I joined tens of thousands of Jews and non-Jews who marched from downtown Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge in

a show of commitment to fighting the recent violent rise of anti-Semitism. Last week, I stood in Jerusalem with thousands of Jews at the Siyum HaShas, a celebration of the seven-plus year achievement of the completion of the study of the entire corpus of the Talmud. Our gathering was just one of dozens held

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Arizona Jewish Post Advisory Board Damion Alexander, Myles Beck, Barbara Befferman Danes, Bruce Beyer (chairman), Roberta Elliott, Cathy Karson, Steve Weintraub Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Stuart Mellan, President • Fran Katz, Senior Vice President • Deborah Oseran, Chairman of the Board

ARIZONA JEWISH POST, January 10, 2020

around the world. As I reflect on these two massive displays of Jewish unity, I cannot help but think of an ancient Jewish teaching in which power is symbolized by the image of an intertwined book and sword descending from heaven. The sword represents physical strength and the ability to fight and defend oneself. The book represents the power of ideas. At first glance, one might think that the sword is a more effective means of securing power in the physical world. But as the character of Rosencrantz points out in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” to prove a slightly different point, we know that “many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose quills.” Compelling ideas, unlike mighty armies, are rarely defeated. And while the mastery of ideas often requires greater patience, once achieved, the effects are long lasting and hard to eradicate. Throughout our long and often turbulent history, Jews have learned that in order to survive, we need to join together with our partners and friends in other communities and protect ourselves from those who would harm us. That is why we are so appreciative of the great outpouring of support by our neighbors

and public officials that preceded and will follow Sunday’s march. But while the lesson of the sword — survival — is of course essential, it should not be confused with our foundational purpose. Our purpose as Jews is to study, model and spread Torah values. We have a 3,500 year-old tradition filled with great wisdom, values, teachings and traditions. These ideas and ideals are more relevant today than perhaps ever before. In our rapidly changing world, people are increasingly seeking stability, clarity, meaning and morality. Our modern lives, often filled with mind-numbing routines and life conducted on autopilot, make us long for purpose and significance. In a world of the ephemeral, people seek the eternal. All of these values are found in our tradition and teachings about truth, compassion, kindness, and redemption. And our purpose as Jews is to embody these values and share them with the world. As the new decade dawns, the bending arc of history has become more palpable. We are living in a period unlike any the world has seen before. All areas of our lives — technology, health, communications, industry — are shifting at See Purpose, page 8

LOCAL Southern AZ community security vigilance continues ing they were monitoring the situation. “Tucson Police Hate & Bias Crimes Unit AJP Assistant Editor Det. Tristan Pittenridge said while there was ontinued attacks on Jewish tarno uptick of hate crime, we would notice a gets are a reminder that individhigher presence of police patrol at Jewish ual organizations clearly need to institutions,” Patterson says. “This attentivebe more attentive, and they are stepping up ness existed previously,” says Mellan. “What’s to that,” says Stuart Mellan, CEO and presichanged is that law enforcement knows and dent of the Jewish Federation of Southern trusts Paul and knows where he is to reach Paul Patterson Arizona. “We see a higher level of vigilance out to. Whereas I got one call after the Gabby than ever before.” Giffords shooting in 2001, Paul got four.” “The Jewish community needs to do more, but that Patterson also is linked to the national Secure Comhas always been the case, for the last 3,000 years,” says munity Network, part of the American Jewish commuPaul Patterson, JFSA’s Jewish community security direc- nity’s response to heightened security concerns in the tor. “The biggest goal is not to diagnose what happened United States. Under the auspices of the Jewish Federabut focus on building relationships that will help prevent tions of North America and the Conference of Presifurther victimization. The next level of hatred is always dents of Major American Jewish Organizations, SCN is working to find a way around whatever you do.” the only national Jewish organization exclusively dediJFSA took a proactive stance to harden local vigilance cated to homeland security initiatives on behalf of the in March 2019, bringing on board 24-year law enforce- American Jewish community. ment and security veteran Patterson to assist all area Patterson attended a national conference with other synagogues and Jewish agencies with facility security federation security directors where SCN introduced a assessments, ensuring best practices, and up-to-date standardized active-shooter training program for fedtraining. Perhaps just as important are the relationships erations and formalized a standardized site assessment he fosters with local law enforcement agencies and other tool. Federation staff received the training and three site churches and faith-based organizations that are facing assessments with the new tool were completed during similar issues, Mellan says. the past quarter. JFSA participates in the SCN’s Alert When local law enforcement sees something happen- system that provides an instant text or email message ing nationally, they reach out to let the community know tree to reach local affiliated agencies and synagogues they are keeping an eye out, Mellan notes. The day fol- with urgent messaging. lowing the stabbing of five people during a Hanukkah “We are fortunate to have Paul, who is highly skilled celebration at an Orthodox rabbi’s home in New York, and goes above and beyond,” Mellan says. “Whatever he Patterson received calls from local law enforcement is called upon at the micro or macro level, he is proacleaders at the University of Arizona, Tucson Police De- tive.” Patterson’s position is fully funded by the Federapartment, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation say- tion, with support from local donors.

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CRISIS continued from page 6

so far worked successfully with eight states to provide security funding for faith-based institutions. We believe every state should do the same. However, as much as we can push on government to meet its responsibilities, we will not leave the security of the Jewish community to government alone. We know we must organize ourselves effectively to ensure the safety of our community. Following 9/11, JFNA worked with law enforcement partners and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations to create the Secure Community Network (SCN), a safety and homeland security organization established to protect the Jewish people. SCN coordinates with federal law enforcement, provides critical training and support to local communities, and works with national organizations like Hillels, Chabad on Campus, AEPi, and the Foundation for Jewish Camps. In addition, SCN has the skills and resources to help institutions access and effectively use government security grants, a capacity that will have to grow dramatically and quickly. Most importantly, many of our largest local Federations have created their own Community Initiatives that both draw on the resources and expertise of their local communities and partner with our national system to

make sure we are all working together and developing the highest standards for security. They have hired local Community Security Directors, helped with funding to harden community facilities, organized training, and maintained constant vigilance in their service areas. SCN is making sure that every community has a local system that meets the highest standards of security and coordinates with our national efforts. The attacks on the Tree of Life Synagogue building in Pittsburgh will likely be looked back on as our community’s own 9/11. Though the training provided by the Pittsburgh Federation’s Community Security Initiative and SCN saved lives on that horrible day, the urgency of building out security systems across communities, large and small, is now clear to all. The Hanukkah attacks in New York, so soon after the Jersey City attack, will be viewed as a moment when the process of securing our community accelerated dramatically and began to reach critical mass. No further evidence is needed — just purposeful, effective and clear action to complete the security umbrella for the Jewish community. We will do it.

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Eric D. Fingerhut is president and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America. Mark Wilf is chair of the board of trustees of The Jewish Federations of North America. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the AJP or its publisher, the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona.

January 10, 2020, ARIZONA JEWISH POST

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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So far, Jewish 2020 candidates spur no remark The fresh feeling of possibilities at the dawn of a new secular year (and decade) will no doubt be accompanied by business as usual in the political arena — loud bickering, mud-slinging and more regarding presidential candidates — not only in the House and Senate but in the homes of many among our roughly 330 million citizens. Yet in spite of it all, we Jewish voters have reason for great optimism. Noting that a record five presidential candidates are either Jewish on both mother’s and

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father’s sides (Sanders, Bloomberg, and Williamson) or half-Jewish (Steyer and Bennett), I have yet to hear any public remark from our politicians that have even a whiff of anti-Semitism. And mainstream America appears to be judging candidates based on past performance, present character, and promises for the future. In at least one respect, maybe 2020 will be our country’s best political year yet. — Barbara Russek

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PURPOSE continued from page 6

an unprecedented pace; the turbulent international political culture and the new frightening wave of anti-Semitism are raising crucial questions for our community and society at large. We can all feel history bending. But in what direction? Looking out at the hundreds of thousands of people who gathered over the past week in defense of Judaism — one group celebrating the completion of the

Talmud and the other rallying against anti-Semitism — I saw once again the book and the sword descending intertwined from heaven. As our society joins together to assert the need for physical Jewish security, we must also remember the greater purpose our security protects. Collectively, we must seize the arc of history and bend it towards more peace, justice, opportunity and prosperity for all. Rabbi Ari Berman is president of Yeshiva University. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the AJP or its publisher, the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona.

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ARTS & CULTURE / LOCAL

Photo: Screenshot from YouTube

Israeli filmmaker to give Pozez lecture

Michael Aloni stars in “Shtisel.”

ward-winning writer and director Yehonatan Indursky, co-creator of Israel’s award-winning TV series “Shtisel,” will speak on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. as part of the Arizona Center for Judaic Studies Shaol & Louis Pozez Memorial Lectureship Series. The free lecture will be held at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, which is a series co-sponsor. Indursky is a graduate of the elite ultra-Orthodox Ponevezh Yeshiva, and later was a top alum of the Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School. He wrote and created, with Ori Elon, the esteemed drama series “Shtisel,” which won 17 Israeli Academy of Television awards. Set in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Geula in Jerusalem, “Shtisel” follows a recently widowed man and his son as they try to find love within

the confines of their religious life. The series is currently an international hit on Netflix. His full-length documentary “Ponevezh Time” (2014) was nominated for Best Documentary Film at the Israeli Academy Awards. “Driver” (2018), his first full-length film, won the Israeli Critics Award. Indursky wrote and directed the series “Autonomies” (2018), which received rave reviews and won the Reflet d’Or for “Best International Television Series” in the Geneva International Film Festival. “Autonomies” imagines an ultraOrthodox autonomy in Jerusalem that is surrounded by a wall, and operates strictly in accordance with halachic laws. Indursky’s short film “The Cantor and the Sea” won the best director prize in the 2015 Jerusalem Film Festival.

Read the book/Save the date! ATTENTION BOOK GROUPS: Read “The Gratitude Diaries” by Janice Kaplan, and meet the author at the Jewish Federation’s “Together in Jewish Learning” event March 18. Watch for more info in an upcoming issue of the AJP.

January 10, 2020, ARIZONA JEWISH POST

LOCAL / ISRAEL University of Arizona graduate takes Judaics out of classroom, into real world DEBE CAMPBELL AJP Assistant Editor

Photo courtesy The Israel Innovation Fund

n a recent return visit to Tucson, Adam Scott Bellos, founder of The Israel Innovation Fund, told the AJP it felt like “coming full circle for me.” Bellos says the unique Zionist nonprofit has its roots at the University of Arizona, where he spent three years in Judaic studies and received his bachelor’s degree. TIIF is a new kind of nonprofit that “represents the next generation of Jews” by delivering Israeli culture to the world through experiences. “We’re young, lean and hungry,” says Bellos. Unlike most nonprofits, TIIF aims for self-sustainability while giving back to the community. TIIF is registered both as a U.S. 501c3 charity and an Israeli amuta (nonprofit). Bellos originally followed a girl he fell in love with to UArizona. While they remain good friends today, she married another. But he left his mark on the university through the foundation in November 2007 of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. “It started in my house, with seven Jewish friends, but my parting gift was getting a house on campus,” for which he won the national fraternity’s Rabbi Leibman Award. The frat today has 70 members, of which now 30% are Jewish, Bellos says. He credits that frat-building experience with sowing the seeds for his people-building success as an entrepreneur. He also credits his Judaic studies professors at UArizona with teaching him “how to think, not what to think.” Bellos said his ideas “crystalized at UofA because my educators believed in me. I am indebted to my professors for believing in me and still having my back. TIIF is a direct result of the UA Judaics program, taking it out of the classroom and into the real world.” His study with Palestinian associate professor of modern Middle East History and Islamic studies, Maha Nassar, taught him opposite sides of conflict, Bellos says. “It opened my eyes to the total opposite side of Zionism.” He ticks off the names of Judaics program professors and staff who taught and mentored him and with whom he has maintained relationships for a decade: “David Graizbord, Ed Wright, John Winchester, helped define what I felt and peers influenced me. I’m indebted to the rabbis and the people who took the time to see past my eccentricities.”

Adam Scott Bellos

“The Arizona Center for Judaic Studies takes pride in the fact that our faculty and staff pay close attention to our students,” Graizbord says. “Adam Bellos was my student in or around 2011 when I supervised his senior thesis on ethnic nationalism and politics in the Yishuv (the pre-state Jewish community in what became Israel and the West Bank),” recalls Graizbord, today an associate professor and associate director of UArizona Judaic studies. “He impressed me as an independent thinker and consummate doer then and still does today.” “My experiences created who I am, from March of the Living to study in Tel Aviv and UofA, military service,” Bellos says. Raised in Cincinnati, he attended Jewish day school and a Conservative synagogue. He became a serial entrepreneur who worked in the United States and China before relocating to Israel. He has made Tel Aviv home since 2012, served in the IDF, and earned his master’s degree from Tel Aviv University. “I have different ideas on how to connect young people to Israel and on how the establishment isn’t reaching kids the way they need to. It wasn’t enough to maintain the fire in me or to connect to Israel or being a part of creating a Jewish community,” he says. “Through cut-

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ting-edge contemporary culture, lifestyle, and travel, young diaspora Jews and non-Jews are discovering new ways to personally connect to the Israeli experience in ways that go far beyond conflict and survival. “Our vision is to connect people around the world through the vibrancy and creativity of contemporary Israeli culture by bringing Israel to you and then you to Israel,” Bellos says. “It’s like Chabad for Zionism. How does Chabad interest people in Judaism? Every Chabad event is experiential and engages your own curiosity. There are no initiatives about working with individual kids using Zionism as a framework. “Zionism is the national liberation of the Jewish people, not about taking pride in Israel but taking pride in yourself. Letting kids know who they are, where they come from and where they can go. Zionism bestows the gift of the Jewish memory into the next generation,” Bellos says. Bellos says this new Zionism will focus less on statecraft and more on creativity. Where last century Zionism was about creating the conditions for Jewish survival in a sovereign state, in the new century it’s about thriving, building outward, and sharing with the world. “Everything we do is influenced by Adam’s experience,” David Hazony, TIIF’s executive director, told the AJP. “Graizbord gave him the 30,000-foot and the ground-level perspective to give TIIF the vision to do so many different things.” TIIF invests in commercially viable cultural projects in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and various American cities. The primary focus is Wine on the Vine, which advances the relationship with Israeli wineries in a similar way previous generations did by planting trees in Israel. “Since May 2018 we have planted more than 5,000 vines,” Bellos said. TIIF’s video production team operates under “What If? Studios,” working to maximize the impact of both Israeli culture and TIIF’s work by telling their stories. The Hebrew Wallpaper Project highlights talented young Israeli artists and supports their effort to beautify neglected urban areas with large-scale murals. Jaffa Nights events combine Israeli wine tasting, food, music, art — incorporating Hebrew Wallpaper Project artists — art auctions, and on-site video production. TIIF has hosted such events in Tel Aviv; Jerusalem; New York City; Hartford, Connecticut; Cincinnati; Miami, and Scottsdale, Arizona. On the ground in Israel, TIIF offers graffiti See Judaics, page 11

LOCAL / ISRAEL Vineyard purchases benefit Israeli charities and Tucson J

he Israel Innovation Fund’s Wine on the Vine initiative allows people to plant a grapevine in Israel in the name of a loved one for $18. The Tucson Jewish Community Center is one of the first five JCCs in the United States to partner with Wine on the Vine. The program aims to serve those who love the land and people of Israel in three ways: • Give those elsewhere a way to literally root themselves in the soil of Israel. • Raise money for causes that serve the needs of the people of Israel. • Support a 3,500-year Jewish cultural practice that connects with people all around the world, especially young people. A percentage of every vine sold through the Tucson Jewish Community Center also will support the J. All contributions are tax-deductible for U.S. tax-payers. Visit https://wineonthevine.org/partners/tucsonjcc to learn about the options for buying a vine, including choosing which Israeli charities your purchase will support.

JUDAICS continued from page 10

tours and wine tours. The organization’s website features videos of these projects. The backbone of TIIF’s work is hands-on internship programs that span social media, filming, wineries, art, and content creation. “The feedback from interns and parents has been that it is a dramatically different experience,” says Bellos. “It is more of an apprenticeship or mentorship. Interns experience every aspect of building a start-up company, which TIIF is. They see management difficulties, revenue generation, negotiation, and film production. Students are thrown into the thick of high-level meetings. It is a powerful experience, giving the next generation what I didn’t get and wanted. “This generation needs love and support and to be believed in. These kids are lost and tied up in their phones. They are desperate to be treated as adults and given responsibility. They are excited, flattered, and thrilled to be treated as adults.” Participating with Onward Israel, TIIF has become the largest agency providing slots at one location for college interns, Bellos says. “Because of the volume of work we have, interns can stay for any length of time.” In the summers of 2018 and 2019, Graizbord took students to Israel as part of a study abroad program, “Arizona in Israel.” In 2018 one of the participating students was an intern with TIIF.

SIGN UP FOR PJ LIBRARY and each month your Jewish child age 6 months to 8 years will get a FREE Jewish book or CD in the mail. Go to www.jewishtucson.org. January 10, 2020, ARIZONA JEWISH POST

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Tucson native, now a cantor, marries fiancé in summer New Jersey nuptials

schooling, he realized dentistry was not the right profession for him. A year later, he moved to Los Angeles to live with his good friend, James Frankel, and taught himself computer code. Since then, he has been working as a software engineer. For the last two years, he has worked for start-up company ROG Security.

How they met:

The couple met in Los Angeles on Oct. 26, 2014 at a Halloween party put on by J-Café, a Jewish organization that no longer exists. It was held at a bar in Beverly Hills that was closed for the special event. Megdal attended the party with a group of friends; Tanne went with Frankel, who was a best man at the wedding. A bunch went out to In-N-Out Burger afterward.

Photos: Chris Jorda Photography

antor Bryce Megdal and Marc Tanne were married on Sept. 1, 2019, at Maple Country Club in Maplewood, New Jersey, with Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz officiating. Megdal is the daughter of Ronald and Sharon Megdal, Ph.D., of Tucson. Tanne is the son of Robert Tanne, D.M.D., of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and Susan Tanne Oliner, M.D., of West Orange, New Jersey. Megdal, 29, was ordained as a cantor at the Academy for Jewish Religion California on May 27, 2019, receiving a master of Jewish sacred music. Previously, she received a master of Jewish studies with an emphasis in music in Jewish life from AJRCA in May 2015. Her undergraduate bachelor of arts degrees from the University of Arizona are in Judaic studies and studio art. Currently, she works as a b’nai mitzvah teacher at Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Synagogue of the Pacific Palisades, where she has been teaching for over six years. She also teaches b’nai mitzvah candidates on Sundays at Valley Beth Shalom, and sub-

Marc Tanne and Bryce Megdal head back from the chuppah.

stitutes for cantors in and around Los Angeles. Tanne, also 29, graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York, with a bachelor of science degree in biol-

ogy. He then went to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in pursuit of becoming a dentist and taking over his father’s practice; however, about a year and a half into his graduate

The proposal:

On April 1, 2018, while visiting Tucson, the couple went for a hike on Dove Mountain. “With a beautiful view of the desert, Marc got down on one knee and asked me, ‘Bryce Emily Megdal, will you See Nuptials, page 14

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marry me?,’” Megdal recalls. “Well, not only was the view beautiful, but the ring was spectacularly sparkling and shiny, and the box was out of this world! Marc had it custom made out of walnut wood with a Jewish star engraved in it, which was very meaningful to me. The ring design was also custom made. I wasn’t completely surprised that Marc proposed then, as I had a feeling it was happening due to multiple indicative signs. After I said ‘Yes,’ we FaceTimed with our parents and Marc’s older sister, who all were eagerly awaiting to congratulate us. Though it was the first day of April, our engagement was not an April Fools’ joke!”

Wedding planning challenge:

Planning the wedding from afar was a challenge, but they knew from the start that they wanted to have the wedding in New Jersey for practical reasons. “We are very grateful for all of the help Marc’s mom provided since she lives not far from the wedding venue,” Medgal says.

Special memories of the day:

Bryce: The “First Look” with my dad.

I wanted my dad to fasten my necklace, which originally was a ring his deceased mother wore every day. Aside from trying the pendant on after putting it on a chain, I had waited to wear my paternal grandmother’s heirloom for the first time on my wedding day. Marc’s sister, Erica, suggested to have a “First Look” with my dad, during which he could put the necklace on me. I was intrigued and accepted her suggestion. My dad actually saw me before Marc did. He shed a few tears, and I was close to doing so as well. It was a very special moment that I will cherish forever. Another memorable moment was when Marc and I were alone after the ceremony. We took selfies and put on our official wedding bands. We tried to embrace what had just happened and what was about to happen — the party! Marc: The First Look. I cried when I saw Bryce for the first time in her wedding gown with her bouquet. It was very emotional for me.

Honeymoon:

The newlyweds honeymooned in Hawaii toward the end of October, after the High Holy Days and the Jewish holidays that follow concluded. They spent a week in Kauai and a week in Maui. “It was wonderful,” says Megdal.

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Israeli research gives new hope to patients with multiple myeloma LARRY LUXNER TEL AVIV

Photo courtesy AMEN

hlomit Norman was only 42 when doctors diagnosed her with multiple myeloma — a bone marrow cancer with no known cure that rarely strikes people under the age of 65. At the time, the youngest of her three boys was 10, and few patients with the disease survived for more than a couple of years. “I told my best friend that she’d have to be in charge of my son’s bar mitzvah because I didn’t think I’d be around by then,” recalled Norman, who lives in Haifa. But thanks to some innovative treatments with roots in Israeli research, Norman managed to outlive her initial prognosis and today leads a relatively stable life 12 years later. “For the first 10 years after I was diagnosed, I was in a partial remission after my first bone marrow transplant and I had a fantastic quality of life,” she said. “But in 2016, I relapsed and had another transplant. Since then, I’m on maintenance medicine. Other than fatigue, and numbing in the hands and feet, I’m OK.” According to the American Cancer Society, some 13,000 Americans die annually from multiple myeloma — commonly referred to as myeloma and first documented in 1844. But the typical life expectancy for patients following diagnosis has surged from two years to nearly 10. Some people now live for more than two decades with the illness. A significant part of the global progress in treating multiple myeloma — in which the body produces too many plasma cells, “crowding out” other types of blood cells like platelets and red cells, all

Members of AMEN, the Israeli Association of Myeloma Patients, attend a patient conference at Tel Aviv University, May 2019.

of which are necessary for optimal health — stems from research conducted in Israel. In 2004, Aaron Ciechanover and Avram Hershko, scientists at Haifa’s Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, along with American biologist Irwin Rose, for their discovery years earlier of the ubiquitin proteasome system, a pathway responsible for the degradation of proteins within the cell. This discovery was crucial to the creation of a whole class of treatments called proteasome inhibitors — drugs that slow the degradation of protein and thereby inhibit the cancer’s progress, explained Dr. Yael Cohen, head of myeloma services at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital, also known as the Sourasky Medical Center.

“Velcade, a drug which came out of that, was revolutionary, and it’s still used as first-line treatment for myeloma in most places around the world,” Cohen said. Dr. Mark Israel, national executive director of the New York-based Israel Cancer Research Fund, which helped fund Ciechanover’s research and raises millions of dollars every year for cancer research in Israel, said the early work on proteasome inhibitors was groundbreaking even if the scientists at the time didn’t fully realize all its implications. “When Ciechanover and Hershko got the Nobel Prize for something important, they had no idea they had discovered an efficacious drug target that inhibits multiple myeloma,” Israel said. “But if they had never done their work, everybody with

the disease would still be dying quickly.” Now there are second- and thirdgeneration drugs based on the same research, such as carfilzomib, a selective proteasome inhibitor given to patients via an intravenous line, and ixazomib, the first oral therapy for multiple myeloma. A more recent Israeli contribution to treating multiple myeloma was the invention of the CAR-T cell based on early work by Zelig Eshhar of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot. T cells are a type of white blood cell that helps the human immune system fight harmful microbes. CAR-T cells are specially modified T cells designed to fight cancer. “Eshhar’s idea was to take a T cell, modify it genetically by implanting a hybrid receptor that can target the cancer cell and have a second component that activates the T cell to kill the cancer cell,” Cohen said. “This was later developed for the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma, and we are now hoping to open CART clinical trials in Israel to treat multiple myeloma in the next few months.” Dr. Moshe Gat chairs the Israeli Multiple Myeloma Study Group, a gathering of 20 to 30 physicians who meet every few months to discuss current topics in myeloma. The group runs some joint clinical trials and advocates for better patient care and enhanced access to medication. “When I was a fellow 15 years ago, the median survival for a patient with multiple myeloma was 2 1/2 years,” Gat said. “Since then it’s nearly quadrupled, and I don’t know what to say to a new patient since so many treatments are coming online.” About 550 people in Israel are diagnosed with multiple myeloma each year,

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with some 3,500 patients living with the disease at any given time, according to Norman, who chairs AMEN — The Israeli Association of Myeloma Patients. The nonprofit, founded in 2005, advocates for multiple myeloma patients throughout Israel, including offering support through monthly meetings, empowerment workshops and an active Facebook group with more than 600 members. “These days, people are living with myeloma much longer than they used to,” Norman said. “Even if they’re diagnosed at the age of 40, they will make it into their 60s.” The most difficult thing about living with myeloma, Norman said, is the inevitability that her health will take a turn for the worse. “For now there’s no cure, so even when you’re in remission you know it’s going to come back,” Norman said. “You don’t know when or how, but every physician you ask will say ‘You’re going to relapse.’

We always carry this fear.” While the median age for a multiple myeloma diagnosis is 70, some patients get it much younger. Norman says it is outdated thinking to view it as a disease of the elderly. Myeloma is one of the many cancers that the Israel Cancer Research Fund is targeting through research. “We’re trying to use the best minds in the world to ask the fundamental questions about cancer cells: How do they grow, how do they metastasize, how do they invade normal tissue and ultimately do things which make people sick and die?” said Israel of the ICRF. “We contribute to the fund of knowledge on which cancer interventions are based. This is where the investment really counts.” This article was sponsored by and produced in partnership with the Israel Cancer Research Fund. This article was produced by JTA’s native content team.

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UArizona Colleges of Medicine provide some free tuition

Photo: Kris Hanning

he University of Arizona Colleges of Medicine in Tucson and Phoenix began providing free tuition in the spring semester to students who agree to practice primary care in a federally designated underserved community in Arizona for at least two years after completing their residency. This is a move to address both the severe statewide shortage of primary care physicians and the growing burden of student debt. Arizona currently meets only 40% of its need for primary care physicians, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration, and underserved areas are especially hard hit. Newly released U.S. Census data shows Arizona is among the top three states in the country for population growth. “Arizona needs nearly 600 primary care physicians today, and the number is expected to grow to more than 1,900 by 2030,” said Michael D. Dake, M.D., senior vice president for UArizona Health Sciences. “As the state’s only two designated medical schools, the Colleges of Medicine in Tucson and Phoenix are taking full advantage of the public investment approved by our state legislators, who recognize the time to address this shortage is now.” With a portion of $8 million in annual funding appropriated by the Arizona Legislature in May, nearly 100 students — approximately 10 percent of the student body — could receive free tuition at the two medical schools. The remaining funding will expand the College of Medicine-Phoenix class size. “The issue of student debt is a major roadblock for

Third-year medical students at the University of Arizona

many people who have the potential to be great doctors. It keeps many individuals from even applying to medical school,” Dake said. To be eligible, an applicant must be an Arizona resident and current full-time medical student enrolled in one of the UArizona Colleges of Medicine. In exchange for receiving a scholarship, students will be obligated to practice clinically in a federally designated underserved community or health professional shortage area in Arizona for at least two years, starting within six years of graduation from medical school, and complete this commitment within 10 years of graduation.

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On Hanukkah, like a moth to the flame AMY HIRSHBERG LEDERMAN Special to the AJP

t began as a typical Jewish Christmas Eve. To borrow a quote from Elana Kagan: “Like most Jews, I was at a Chinese restaurant.” As I walked through the restaurant, I passed table after table of Jewish friends and acquaintances happily sharing fried rice and eggrolls with family and friends. My group had already claimed the prime real estate, a large table in the corner of the room with a huge Lazy Susan for sharing the inevitable overkill of food we’d order. This year Christmas Eve fell on the third night of Hanukkah. One of my friends had thought to bring a Menorah and candles to dinner. Unusual, yes? But we were delighted as she put the menorah on the Lazy Susan, right next to the soy sauce and a bottle of wine. As she placed three candles in the menorah, it occurred to us that we had a wonderful opportunity. There were more Jews in the restaurant than at some Friday night services. Why not invite them to light candles with us? We began circulating through the restaurant, inviting anyone who wanted to join us to come and light. Chairs scraped, chopsticks dropped, and napkins littered the floor, as parents brought their babies, toddlers, and reluctant teens to our table. A multigenerational hug-fest ensued as more than 60 community members crowded together. Like a moth drawn to a flame, we moved toward the light and celebrated the third night in song. “This is our Hanukkah miracle,” I thought. “The coming together of a community of Jews creating a sacred moment in time.” Much ink has been employed to explore the question of WHO is a Jew. But I am more interested in understanding WHY is a Jew. Specifically, why do Jews from all different backgrounds spontaneously gravitate toward creating a shared Jewish experience in a Chinese restaurant in Tucson? What drives the urge to identify and experience a Jewish moment like this? Is there really such a thing, as many Jewish sages (including my grandmother!) believed, as the pintele Yid? In Yiddish, das pintele yid is translated to mean “the Jewish spark” that is said to dwell within every Jewish soul. But what does it mean? A 2006 article

in the Forward explored multiple interpretations of this Yiddish phrase that offer a greater opportunity to personally identify with it. Some of them are: “The core of one’s Jewishness, the Jewish spark, the spark of Jewish spirituality, the little point of light in the Jewish soul, the quintessence of Jewish identity, the heart and soul of each individual Jew, the tiny yet brilliant spark which is the saving remnant, however deeply buried, in every Jewish heart.” You get the point. The pintele yid is a somewhat mystical idea that posits that all Jews, regardless of whether they are secular, Jews-by-choice, totally unaffiliated, or even unaware that they are Jewish, have buried, somewhere deep within their heart and soul, an indestructible essence of Jewishness that will make its presence felt at unexpected and unpredictable moments. It is why, perhaps, an agnostic Jew will ask a family member to say Kaddish for him. Or why at a time of crisis, one may spontaneously say the Shema. To some, this may seem ridiculous; to others, a deep spiritual truth. But its origins can be found in the Torah. In Deuteronomy 29:9 Moses tells the Children of Israel: “You are standing here today, all of you, before God” and then continues to list everyone from the heads of tribes and elders to the small children, wood cutters, and proselytes. Moses then affirms God’s covenant as being all inclusive: “Neither with you only do I make this covenant; but with whoever is standing here today and also with whoever is not here with us today.” There is an ancient midrash that interprets these words to mean that the soul of every Jew destined to be born in the future was present at the giving of the Torah. Every Jew thus has a “little Jewish spark” inside because every Jewish soul has, however inaccessible to consciousness, a memory of having been at Sinai. Rabbi Adam Frank describes the pintele yid as “the fiber in each Jew that resists the darkness of the complacent and the ordinary.” He continues, “Like the menorah in the time of the Maccabees, the spark of each Jewish soul refuses to be extinguished.” I love Frank’s comparison to a spark of light that refuses to be extinguished, especially in light of our own “Hanukkah Happening” on Christmas Eve. Anne Frank said it most poignantly when she wrote: “Look at how a single candle can defy and define the darkness.”

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January 10, 2020, ARIZONA JEWISH POST

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AREA CONGREGATIONS REFORM

CONSERVATIVE

Congregation anShei iSrael

5550 E. Fifth St., Tucson, AZ 85711 • (520) 745-5550 Rabbi Robert Eisen, Cantorial Soloist Nichole Chorny • www.caiaz.org Daily minyan: Mon.-Thurs., 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; Fri., 7:30 a.m.; Sun. and legal holidays, 8 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. / Mincha: Fri., 5:45 p.m. / Shabbat services: Sat., 9 a.m., followed by Kiddush; Tot Shabbat, 1st Fri., 5:45 p.m.; Family Service, 3rd Friday, 5:45 p.m.; Holiday services may differ, call or visit website. / Torah study: every Shabbat one hour before Mincha (call or visit website for times) / Talmud on Tuesday, 6 p.m. / Weekday Torah study group, Wed., 11 a.m. beverages and dessert provided.

ORTHODOX Congregation Chofetz Chayim/SouthweSt torah inStitute

5150 E. Fifth St., Tucson, AZ 85711 • (520) 747-7780 Rabbi Israel Becker • www.tucsontorah.org Shabbat services: Fri., Kabbalat Shabbat 15 minutes before sunset; Sat. 9 a.m. followed by Kiddush. / Mincha: Fri., 1 p.m.; Sat., 25 minutes before sunset, followed by Shalosh Seudas, Maariv, and Havdallah. Services: Sun., 8 a.m.; Mon. and Thurs., 6:50 a.m.; Tues., Wed., Fri., 7 a.m.; daily, 15 minutes before sunset. / Weekday Rosh Chodesh services: 6:45 a.m.

Congregation young iSrael/ChaBad of tuCSon

2443 E. Fourth St., Tucson, AZ 85719 • (520) 881-7956 Rabbi Yossie Shemtov, Rabbi Yudi Ceitlin • www.chabadoftucson.com Daily minyan: Sun. and legal holidays, 8:30 a.m.; Mon. and Thurs., 6:30 p.m.; Tues., Wed., Fri., 6:45 a.m. / Mincha and Maariv, 5:15 p.m. / Shabbat services: Fri. at candlelighting; Sat. 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush. Mincha, Maariv, and Havdallah TBA.

ChaBad on river

3916 E. Ft. Lowell Road, Tucson AZ 85716 • (520) 661-9350 Rabbi Ram Bigelman • www.chabadonriver.com Shabbat services: Fri., Mincha at candlelighting time, followed by Maariv. / Sat., Shacharit service, 9:30 a.m. / Torah study: women, Wed., 2 p.m.; men, Tues. and Thurs., 7 p.m. Call to confirm.

ChaBad oro valley

1171 E. Rancho Vistoso #131, Oro Valley, AZ 85755 • (520) 477-8672 Rabbi Ephraim Zimmerman • www.jewishorovalley.com Shabbat services: 3rd Fri., 5 p.m. Oct.-Feb., 6 p.m. March-Sept., all followed by dinner / Sat., 10 a.m. study session followed by service.

ChaBad Sierra viSta

401 Suffolk Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 • (520) 820-6256 Rabbi Benzion Shemtov • www.jewishsierravista.com Shabbat services: Sat., 10:30 a.m., bimonthly, followed by class explaining prayers. Visit website or call for dates.

REFORM

Congregation Beit SimCha 2270 W. Ina Road, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85741 • (520) 276-5675 Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon • www.beitsimchatucson.org Shabbat services: Fri., 6:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m., with Torah study at 9 a.m; monthly Shabbat morning hikes.

Congregation Chaverim 5901 E. Second St., Tucson, AZ 85711 • (520) 320-1015 Rabbi Stephanie Aaron • www.chaverim.net Shabbat services: Fri., 7 p.m. (no service on 5th Fri.); Family Shabbat, 1st Fri., 6 p.m. / Torah study: 2nd Sat., 9 a.m., followed by contemplative service,10 a.m.

Congregation Kol SimChah

(Renewal)

4625 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718 • (520) 296-0818 Mailing Address: 6628 E. Calle Dened, Tucson, AZ 85710, Shabbat services: 1st and 3rd Fri., 7:15 p.m.

ARIZONA JEWISH POST, January 10, 2020

Congregation m’Kor hayim 3888 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718 (Tucson Hebrew Academy) Mailing Address: P.O. Box 31806, Tucson, AZ 85751 • (520) 305-8208 Rabbi Helen Cohn • www.mkorhayim.org Shabbat services: 2nd and 4th Fri., 7 p.m. / Torah study, 2nd and 4th Sat. 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Congregation or ChadaSh 3939 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85718 • (520) 512-8500 Rabbi Thomas Louchheim, Cantor Janece Cohen www.orchadash-tucson.org Shabbat services: Fri., 6:30 p.m.; 1st Fri., Friday Night LIVE (Sept.-May); 2nd Friday, Tot Shabbat (Sept.-May), 6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. / Torah study: Sat., 8:30 a.m.

temple emanu-el 225 N. Country Club Road, Tucson, AZ 85716 • (520) 327-4501 Rabbi Batsheva Appel • www.tetucson.org Shabbat services: Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m./ Torah study: Sat., 8:30 a.m. except when there is a Rabbi’s Tish.

temple Kol hamidBar 228 N. Canyon Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 • (520) 458-8637 www.templekol.com Mailing address: P.O. Box 908, Sierra Vista, AZ 85636, Friday night Torah study group: 6 - 7:15 p.m. / Shabbat services: Fri., 7:30 p.m.

TRADITIONAL-EGALITARIAN

Congregation Bet Shalom 3881 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718 • (520) 577-1171 Rabbi Hazzan Avraham Alpert • www.cbsaz.org Shabbat services: Fri., 5:30 p.m. (followed by monthly dinners — call for info); Sat. 9:30 a.m., Camp Shabbat (ages 6-10) 10 a.m.-noon, followed by Kiddush lunch; 12:30-2 p.m. CBS Think Tank discussion led by Rabbi Dr. Howard Schwartz and Prof. David Graizbord; monthly Tot Shabbat (call for dates) / Weekday services: Wed. 8:15 a.m. / Hagim 9:30 a.m.

OTHER

Beth Shalom temple Center

1751 N. Rio Mayo (P.O. Box 884), Green Valley, AZ 85622 • (520) 648-6690 Rabbi Norman Roman • www.bstc.us Shabbat services: 1st and 3rd Fri., 7 p.m. / Torah study: Sat., 9:30 a.m.

OBITUARIES Harold Feig Harold “Leroy” Feig, 83, died Nov. 25, 2019. Mr. Feig was born in the Bronx, New York, to Rose and Herbert Feig. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mimi (Richard). Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Bobbie; children, Betsy (Fred) of Scottsdale, Marc (Aleda) of Phoenix, and Danny (Cynthia) of Tucson; and five grandchildren. Services were held at Evergreen Mortuary with Rabbi Robert Eisen of Congregation Anshei Israel officiating.

Michael Elsner Michael Elsner, 65, died Dec. 9, 2019 of pancreatic cancer. Mr. Elsner was born to Sidney and Jean Elsner in Cleveland, Ohio, where he grew up. He graduated from the University of Arizona and earned a master’s degree and doctorate from American University. He taught sociology, criminology, and criminal justice at Howard University and Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., William Paterson University in New Jersey, and Northern Arizona University. He founded the Institute for Social Justice in Tucson. He volunteered at Primavera Foundation and CASA of Pima County, was a precinct committee member for the Pima County Democratic Party, and served on the boards of the National ACLU, Arizona ACLU, and Wingspan. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Hutchison; brother, David Elsner and sister-in-law, Michelle Gaspar of Chicago; brother, Larry Elsner and sister-in-law, Benita Rubinett of Austin; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Teri Hutchison Issenmann and Vince Issenmann of Tucson; and sister-in-law, Patty Yates of Tucson. An informal gathering in his memory will be held in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to Primavera Foundation, Mission Garden, Guatemala Medical Aid, and Acupuncture Project, or the charity of your choice.

handmaKer reSident Synagogue

2221 N. Rosemont Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85712 • (520) 881-2323 www.handmaker.com Shabbat services: Fri., 4:30 p.m., led by various leaders, followed by Shabbat dinner; Sat., 9:30 a.m., led by Mel Cohen and Dan Asia, followed by light Kiddush lunch.

Obituaries printed free of charge may be edited for space and format. There is a nominal fee for photographs. Please inquire at 319-1112 for obituaries.

JewiSh arizonanS on CampuS 2146 E. 4th Street Tucson, AZ, 85719 • (520) 834-3424 • www.myjac.org Shabbat hospitality and social events for UA students with Yosef and Sara Lopez. Shabbat services on request.

SeCular humaniSt JewiSh CirCle www.secularhumanistjewishcircle.org Call Cathleen at (520) 730-0401 for meeting or other information.

univerSity of arizona hillel foundation 1245 E. 2nd St. Tucson, AZ 85719 • (520) 624-6561 • www.arizona.hillel.org Shabbat services: Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and alternative services two Fridays each month when school is in session. Dinner follows (guests, $8; RSVP by preceding Thurs.). Call for dates/times.

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RABBI’S CORNER Four steps to tackle our biggest issue now, starting with building bridges RABBI SAMUEL M. COHON CONGREGATION BEIT SIMCHA

he emergence of violent anti-Semitism as a widespread American scourge can leave no Jews with warm thoughts about the year that just passed. Until October 2018, just 15 months ago, there had never been a fatal attack on a synagogue in the United States. Now there have been two such atrocities, another planned attack was averted by authorities, while a kosher market and then a Hanukkah celebration at a rabbi’s home next door to his synagogue both were the scenes of fatalities in the recent weeks. The year 2019 saw distressing developments of a situation we have been watching with trepidation for a while: the rise of anti-Semitism here in America, the growth of this cancer in a country which has, throughout its history, experienced only a relatively minor infection of this deviant disease native to Europe and other continents. While the organized American Jewish community has been seriously concerned with the rise of anti-Semitism on college campuses for years, with anti-Zionism used as cover for virulent anti-Semitism on the political left, the last three and a half years have seen a dramatic rise in violent antiSemitism on the right, in the lunatic fringes of society, and on the internet. We can no longer ignore it, or pretend it will fade away or go back to hiding under the rocks it crawled out from under in recent years. When I began my radio show, Too Jewish with Rabbi Sam Cohon and Friends, 17 years ago, my second guest was Professor Leonard Dinnerstein, author of what was then the most important book on the subject, “Anti-Semitism in America.” Dinnerstein, who died in January 2019, spoke about the decline of anti-Semitism, and his principal thesis was that Jews had never been more at home in America than we were back then, in 2002. When a caller asked about rising Muslim anti-Semitism in the United States he was dismissive of it. Jews had ascended to extraordinarily high places in America, he said, and being Jewish was no disability here any more. In fact, we were in greater danger of being loved out of our existence as a separate people, sought after as desirable marriage partners by non-Jews throughout the country. Back then, he was right. Anti-Semitism existed in America, but it was fading out in those places where it wasn’t already extinct. And being an anti-Semite meant social exclusion from most civilized circles. Now jump forward 17 years to 2019. Realize that the first fatal attack in American history on a synagogue at

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prayer took place in October 2018 — and the second took place in April 2019, and that the attack on a Hanukkah party at the rabbi’s house next door to the synagogue, basically the same thing, took place Dec. 28, 2019. And then note that virulently anti-Semitic traffic on the internet in less-public forums has increased dramatically in the past year, and gotten much more vicious. See that highly ranked public officials have slandered prominent Jews with anti-Semitic stereotyping, and that Jewish students have been accused of dual loyalty and been forced off university boards, and that all the weirdest, sickest, most vile and evil vilifications are being revived online and in other public forums. Pay attention to the fact that all this is happening not in Europe, where anti-Semitism is in the very soil of the continent, or around the Arab world, where hatred of Israel has turned every response to Jews into malicious public defamation. No, this is in the very country where we Jews experienced citizenship and freedom from the very first day of our nation’s existence, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

So what’s going on here?

As Pirkei Avot tells us, “Pray for the welfare of the government, for without it we would swallow each other alive.” In the past couple of years the balance and control that government is supposed to provide to our great nation has been upended, and attitudes and even policies of hatred and demonization have become standard issue. We have turned into a Twitter-oriented people, focused on the latest outrageous statement or accusation, a thrill-a-minute nation, unfiltered id exploding on our small screens. And we have apparently become very, very angry about almost everything. My friends, whenever you release unfocused hatred in society as a motivation to control some issue, or to serve your own political ends, you are unlikely to be able to control where it will be directed. Angry people are generally not rational people, and they will act to destroy anything that gets in their way, or happens to cross their path. Mobs do not act with balance and discretion. They act stupidly, out of ignorance and the selfishness that emotional disruption and hostility breed: “I want to damage what I don’t like, and I don’t care if it is reasonable or appropriate or decent or rational to do so.” Back in 1976, the bicentennial of our country, the Paddy Chayefsky-written movie “Network” had Peter Finch’s insane newsman character shout, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!” And it became the rallying cry of the nation. Chayefsky — Jewish, of course — was writing satire, a fictional story. But today it feels like he was writing prophecy. There is so much anger out there about politics and government and public life, at a time when things

tues - sAt 8Am - 4pm

are, frankly, not so bad. Yet everyone on a soapbox, or an Instagram feed, or a Facebook screed, or in the Twitterverse keeps shouting, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore.” This empowers those who are truly insane, and who prefer crazy conspiracy theories to hard facts, to take aim directly at Jews. After all, we have been a target for ignoramuses and those seeking scapegoats for over 2,000 years. One of the most vicious and longest-lived conspiracy theories of all pretends that Jews are controlling the world. It is time to do something serious about anti-Semitism in America. It is a real live problem now, not a matter of hate literature or scrawled swastikas or even toppled tombstones. It is a threat to some of our very lives, to our peace of mind, to our freedom to be Jews. There are four things we can and should do. The first is build bridges to other communities, to reach out to smart, caring people of all denominations and make alliances with people of all faiths who will come to our aid in this time of trouble. Attend their services, and have them attend ours. Create relationships that endure, because a strong religious and civil society is the best defense against the free-floating insanity aloft in America today. The second is to fight against the disturbed elements trying to drive our nation into a crisis. Work for and elect sane people, those who seek to protect the rights of all Americans to pray, believe, and be who they are. Do not descend into the miasma of anger and hatred yourself. We are facing a time of danger. The best responses will come when we reason carefully and strategically, not shout incoherently. And, sadly, the third thing we must do is make certain that we are protecting our people, all of our people, as well as we possibly can. That means having serious security at all Jewish institutions in America, as it exists all over the rest of the world. That means training people in how to respond to acts of insanity, how to defend ourselves. That means funding it appropriately. And finally, we must resist any form of anti-Semitism, whether it comes from the right or the left. If people you otherwise agree with politically are using anti-Semitic tropes, or attacking Jews, you must be willing to stand up to them. Because you have a far greater chance of changing the mind of someone you know and work with than of someone far off on the other side of the political divide. That’s four ways to combat and defeat anti-Semitism: build bridges; seek sanity; protect people; and argue against. We don’t know what the new secular year will bring; but if we act with energy, vision, and commitment we can make 2020 a far better year than 2019 was for Jews in America. Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon leads Congregation Beit Simcha and is host of The Too Jewish Radio Show with Rabbi Sam Cohon & Friends.

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January 10, 2020, ARIZONA JEWISH POST

COMMUNITY CALENDAR The calendar deadline is Tuesday, 10 days before the issue date. Our next issue will be published Jan. 24, 2020. Events may be emailed to office@azjewishpost.com, faxed to 319-1118, or mailed to the AJP at 3718 E. River Road, #272, Tucson, AZ 85718. For more information, call 319-1112. See Area Congregations on page 22 for additional synagogue events. Men’s Mishnah club with Rabbi Israel Becker at Cong. Chofetz Chayim. Sundays, 7:15 a.m.; Monday-Friday, 6:15 a.m.; Saturdays, 8:15 a.m. 747-7780 or yzbecker@me.com. Chabad of Sierra Vista men’s tefillin club with Rabbi Benzion Shemtov, first Sundays, 9 a.m., at 401 Suffolk Drive. 820-6256 or www.jewishsierravista.com. Southwest Torah Institute Beginners Hebrew for Women with Esther Becker, Sundays, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 14 sessions through Feb. 2, at 5150 E. Fifth St. Free. Register at 591-7680. “Too Jewish” radio show with Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon on KVOI 1030 AM (also KAPR and KJAA), Sundays at 9 a.m. Jan. 12, Jeremy Ben Ami, president of J-Street. Jan. 19, Heather Dune Macadam, author of “999 — The Extraordinary Young Women of the First Official Jewish Transport to Auschwitz.” Beth Shalom Temple Center of Green Valley bagel breakfast and Yiddish club, first Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Members, $7; nonmembers, $10. 648-6690 or 399-3474. Southern Arizona Jewish Genealogy Society, second Sundays, 1-3 p.m. at the Tucson J. Contact Barbara Stern Mannlein at 731-0300 or the J at 299-3000. Tucson J Israeli dance, taught by Brandi Hawkins, 2nd and 4th Sundays, 5 p.m., no partners. Members, $6; nonmembers, $8. 299-3000. Cong. Anshei Israel parent-tot class, led by

Friday / January 10

11 AM: JHM Gallery Chat, discussion by artist Gaby Hurtado-Ramos of her work in the exhibit, “Asylum/Asilo.” Free. 564 S. Stone Ave. 670-9073 or www.jewishhistory museum.org. 1:30 PM: JFCS presents “To Tell Our Stories,” local Holocaust survivors reading from their book published by JFCS. Free. Joyner-Green Valley Library, 601 N. La Cañada Dr. Contact holocaustsurvivors@jfcstucson.org or 795-0300 ext. 2214. 5:30 PM: Temple Emanu-El Seeking Shabbat evening service, noshes at 5 p.m. www.tetucson.org or 327-4501.

Saturday / January 11

8 AM: Temple Emanu-El Wandering Jews hike and Shabbat morning service with Rabbi Batsheva Appel at Bridal Wreath Falls. Meet at trailhead at east end of Speedway Blvd. 327-4501. 9-9:45 AM: Cong. Or Chadash Torah cantillation class with Cantor Janece Cohen. Continues Saturdays through Feb. 29; no class Feb. 15. Members, free; nonmembers, $36. 5128500. NOON: Cong. Anshei Israel “Origins” Kiddush. Mingle with congregants from the

ARIZONA JEWISH POST, January 10, 2020

ONGOING

Ally Ross. Mondays, 9-11 a.m. Children up to 24 months and their parent(s). Free. Mandatory vaccination policy. Call Nancy Auslander at 7455550 or visit www.caiaz.org. Temple Emanu-El mah jongg, Mondays, 10 a.m. 327-4501. Cong. Anshei Israel mah jongg, Mondays, 10 a.m.-noon. All levels, men and women. Contact Evelyn at 885-4102 or esigafus@aol.com. Tucson J current events discussion, Mondays, noon-1:30 p.m. Members, $1; nonmembers, $2. Bring or buy lunch, 11:30 a.m. 2993000, ext. 147. Cong. Bet Shalom yoga, Mondays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. $5. 577-1171. Jewish 12-step sobriety support group meets Mondays, 6:30-8 p.m. at Cong. Bet Shalom. dcmack1952@gmail.com. Spouse Bereavement Group, cosponsored by Widowed to Widowed, Inc. at the Tucson J, Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Contact Katie at 299-3000, ext. 147. JFCS Holocaust Survivors group meets Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-noon. Contact Raisa Moroz at 795-0300. Awakening Through Jewish Meditation — Discover Freedom, with Reb Brian Yosef, Tuesdays/Sundays at 10:30 a.m., at Cong. Bet same areas of the United States and beyond. Free. 745-5550 or www.caiaz.org.

Sunday / January 12

9 AM – 4 PM: Cong. Anshei Israel 14th Annual Mah Jongg Tournament. $36 entry fee includes lunch, game, prizes. Benefits CAI’s United Synagogue Youth. Bring new underwear or socks, or gently used sweatshirts and sweatpants for women at Sister Jose Women’s Center. RSVP for space availability to Rosie at 906-6947. 9:30 AM-1 PM: Temple Emanu-El community-wide Jewish Camp Experience. Meet camp representatives; camp activities. Free. 327-4501. 10 AM-NOON: JFCS CHAI Circle meeting. “Writing to Feed Resilience,” presented by author Marge Pellegrino. Free. At the Tucson J. RSVP to Irene Gefter at igefter@jfcstucson.org or 795-0300, ext. 2271. 11 AM: JFSA Winter Residents brunch reception. At the Harvey & Deanna Evenchik Center for Jewish Philanthropy, 3718 E. River Road. RSVP for availability to Anel Pro at apro@ jfsa.org or 647-8455. 1 PM: JHM and Prince Chapel AME Church “No Hate. No Fear” solidarity rally against anti-Semitism, at the museum, 564 S. Stone Ave. 670-9073 or www.jewishhistorymuseum.org.

Shalom. Free. Check calendar at www.torahof awakening.com. Tucson J social bridge, Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon-3 p.m., year round. Drop-ins welcome. Meets in library on second floor. 299-3000. Jewish History Museum/Holocaust History Center Social Action/Compelling Futures event. First Tuesdays, 12:45 p.m. Bear witness to Operation Streamline federal criminal immigration proceedings. Meet at rear plaza of DeConcini Federal Courthouse for brown bag lunch and learn with immigration attorneys and migrant justice organizers, then enter courthouse together at 1:30 p.m. 405 W. Congress St. www.jewish historymuseum.org or 670-9073.

Tucson J canasta group, Tuesdays 1-4 p.m., and Thursdays noon-4 p.m. Instruction available and a beginners’ table every week. Call or text Lisa at 977-4054. Cong. Anshei Israel Talmud on Tuesday with Rabbi Robert Eisen. Meets 6 p.m. 745-5550. Weintraub Israel Center Shirat HaShirim Hebrew choir, Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Learn to sing in Hebrew. Contact Rina Paz at 304-7943 or ericashem@cox.net. Cong. Anshei Israel gentle chair yoga with Lois Graham, Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Members of Women’s League, $6 per class; nonmembers, $8 per class. Contact Evelyn at 8851-5 PM: Temple Emanu-El Hebrew Marathon with Cantorial Soloist Marjorie Hochberg. Continues Jan. 13, 6–9 p.m. Members, $45; nonmembers, $60. Register at 327-4501.

Monday / January 13

NOON-1:15 PM: Cong. Or Chadash lunch and learn, “Who Needs God?” Weekly discussion with Rabbi Louchheim. Bring lunch. Mondays through April 27. Members, $50; nonmembers, $75. 512-8500. 5:30 PM: JHM Mapping Migrations art making workshop, with artist Gaby Hurtado-Ramos. Bring a family photo and create transfer art and a multimedia book. $20. RSVP required at programs@jewishhistorymuseum.org. 564 S. Stone Ave.

Tuesday / January 14

1-3 PM: Beth Shalom Temple Center (Green Valley) art gallery workshop with “Playing with Paper” artist Linda Lucas Larriva. $10. RSVP for availability to Bev at 701-893-5569.

Wednesday / January 15

6-8 PM: Cong. Or Chadash presents “Fact vs Fiction — The Skinny on Cannabis,” with Steven A. Wool, MD, FACP. Free. 512-8500.

Thursday / January 16

7 PM: Temple Emanu-El/UA Center for

4102 or esigafus@aol.com. Temple Emanu-El Talmud study, Wednesdays, 10 -11:30 a.m. Text required, call 327-4501. Chabad of Sierra Vista women’s class with Rabbi Benzion Shemtov, last Wednesdays, 2 p.m., 401 Suffolk Drive. 820-6256 or www.jewishsierravista.com. Jewish mothers/grandmothers special needs support group for those with children/ grandchildren, youth or adult, with special needs, third Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m. at Tucson J. Contact Joyce Stuehringer at 299-5920. “Biblical Breakthroughs with Rabbi Becker” at the Southwest Torah Institute. Fridays, noon, for men and women. 747-7780 or yzbecker@me.com. Temple Kol Hamidbar (Sierra Vista) “Wrestling with Torah” study group, led by Reuben Ben-Adam, Fridays, 6-7:15 p.m. 458-8637. Beth Shalom Temple Center of Green Valley art gallery presents “Art in Dimension,” with contemporary paintings by Ann Marcus Lapidus, and jewelry and women’s kippot by Jere Moskovitz, through March 10. Open Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. or call 6486690 for a viewing appointment. Jewish History Museum/Holocaust History Center exhibit, “Asylum/Asilo,” through May 31. Drop-in hours Fridays 1-3 p.m., Saturdays/ Sundays 1-5 p.m. 564 S. Stone Ave. 670-9073 or www.jewishhistorymuseum.org. Judaic Studies Bilgray Memorial Lectureship with Rabbi Mary L. Zamore presenting “Judaism’s View of Wealth: Good or Bad?” At Jewish History Museum, 564 S. Stone Ave. Free. www.tetucson.org or 327-4501.

Friday / January 17

9:45 AM: Handmaker lecture. Gil Riback, UA assistant professor of Judaic studies, presents “Helpless Refugees or the Seed Amalek? Judaism, Refugees, Liberalism, and Their Discontents.” Free. RSVP to Nanci Levy at nlevy@hand maker.org or 322-3632. 11 AM: JHM Gallery Chat, “Collective and Communal Grief,” with Cindy Milstein, editor of “Rebellious Mourning: The Collective Work of Grief.” Free. At 564 S. Stone Ave. www.jewish historymuseum.org or 670-9073. 5:45 PM: Cong. Anshei Israel Family Shabbat Experience service and dinner. Dinner at 7 p.m.: members, $25 family of 2 adults and up to 4 children; nonmember family $30; adult (13+) $10. RSVP for dinner only by Jan. 13, at www.caiaz.org or 745-5550. 6 PM: JHM Grief Circle: A Workshop on Collective Mourning facilitated by editor Cindy Milstein, with authors Wren Awry, Harmony Hazard, and Scott Campbell. Preceded by informal Shabbat observance. Bring food or drink to share, vegan main dish provided. Bring a personal memento for

creating a collective memorial space. $20. At 564 S. Stone Ave. RSVP required at programs@jewish historymuseum.org. 7:30 PM: Temple Emanu-El/UA Center for Judaic Studies Bilgray Memorial Lectureship Shabbat evening service with Rabbi Mary L. Zamore presenting, “We Can and Should Talk about Money.” Free. www.tetucson.org or 327-4501.

Saturday / January 18

NOON: Temple Emanu-El/UA Center for Judaic Studies Bilgray Memorial Lectureship Rabbi’s Tish with Rabbi Mary L. Zamore presenting “Coveting vs Contentment.” Bring dairy or vegetarian dish for potluck. www.tetucson. org or 327-4501. 5-10 PM: Tucson J Parents Night Out. Ages 3-5 and 5-12. Includes pizza, dessert, and movie. Members, $25 first child, $20 additional sibling; nonmembers, $30 first child, $25 additional sibling. Coincides with Tucson International Jewish Film Festival, www.tijff.org. Register at www.tucsonjcc.org or 299-3000.

Sunday / January 19

9:45-11:15 AM: Temple Emanu-El/UA Center for Judaic Studies Bilgray Memorial Lectureship with Rabbi Mary L. Zamore presenting from her book “The Sacred Table: Creating a Jewish Food Ethic.” $5 donation requested. www.tetucson.org or 327-4501.

Monday / January 20

2 PM: Beth Shalom Temple Center of Green Valley presentation by Les Bakke, “Minority Service Members of World War II,” in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Free. www.bstc.us or 648-6690.

Tuesday / January 21

NOON-1:15 PM: Cong. Or Chadash book

Wednesday / January 29

club, “Hotel Moscow,” by Talia Carner. 5128500. 5:30-7:30 PM: JFSA REAP dinner and presentation, “Get to Know Ourselves Mixer,” speak for one minute about your work in real estate and allied professions. At Hacienda del Sol, 5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Road. Members, free; nonmembers, $55. RSVP to Jeanette Dempsey at 647-8477 or www.jfsa.ticketspice. com/reap-2020.

Friday / January 24

11AM: JHM hosts local Holocaust survivors who will read from their book, ”To Tell Our Stories,” published by JFCS. 670-9073 or www.jewishhistorymuseum.org. 5:30 PM: Temple Emanu-El Shabbat Rocks! service with fourth and fifth grade classes, Avanim Rock Band and youth choir, followed at 6:30 p.m. by family Shabbat dinner, and traditional service at 7:30 p.m. Dinner $12 for adults, $3 ages 4-12, age 3 and under, free. RSVP for dinner by Jan. 22 at 327-4501 or www.tetucson.org.

Sunday / January 26

9 AM-1 PM: JFSA Super Sunday phone-athon to raise funds for 2020 Community Campaign. Shifts are 9:30-11:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.1 p.m., with training 30 minutes before. Make calls or help with clerical work. Food, prizes. At Harvey and Deanna Evenchik Center for Jewish Philanthropy, 3718 E. River Road. RSVP to Anel Pro at apro@jfsa.org or 647-8455.

Monday / January 27

7 PM: Arizona Center for Judaic Studies Shaol & Louis Pozez Memorial Lectureship Series presents Yehonatan Indursky, co-creator of Israeli TV series “Shtisel,” at the Tucson J, a co-sponsor. Free. 299-3000.

UPCOMING

7-8:30 PM: Chabad Tucson presents sixweek JLI class, “Judaism’s Gifts to the World.” At Tucson J. $99 includes textbook. Register at www.chabadtucson.com or call 955-9680.

Saturday / February 15

7:30 PM: UA Hillel presents “The Capitol Steps.” At Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. Tickets start at $50, packages available starting at $180. Supports Hillel’s annual campaign. www.uahillel.org or 624-6561.

NORTHWEST TUCSON

All Ruth and Irving Olson Center for Jewish Life (JFSA Northwest Division) events are held at 180 W. Magee Road, #140, unless otherwise indicated.

ONGOING

Chair yoga with a Jewish flair taught by Bonnie Golden. At Ruth and Irving Olson Center for Jewish Life, Mondays, 10-11 a.m. $7 per class or $25 for four. 505-4161 or northwestjewish@ jfsa.org. NW Needlers create hand-stitched items for donation in the Jewish community. At Ruth and Irving Olson Center for Jewish Life. Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m. RSVP to judithgfeldman@gmail.com or 505-4161. Mah jongg meets at Ruth and Irving Olson Center for Jewish Life, Wednesdays, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., 505-4161. Chabad of Oro Valley adult education class, Jewish learning with Rabbi Ephraim Zimmerman. Wednesdays at 7 p.m., at 1171 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., #131. 477-8672 or www.jewishorovalley.com. Chabad of Oro Valley Shabbat service and dinner, third Fridays. RSVP at 477-8672 or www.jewishorovalley.com.

Sunday / January 12

2-3 PM: Ruth and Irving Olson Center for Jewish Life Northwest Jewish kids singalong, with song leader Eva Turner. Free. RSVP to www.jfsa.org/nwsingalong or 5054161.

Monday / January 13

11:15 AM -12:15 PM: Ruth and Irving Olson Center for Jewish Life and JFCS presentation on community services and Jewish El-

der Access, with Susan Kasle, JFCS vice president of community services, and Elise Bajohr, JFCS program manager. Croissants, bagels, and coffee provided. 505-4161. 6:30 PM: Chabad of Oro Valley Women’s Circle presents documentary, “Outback Rabbis.” RSVP to adeli@jewishorovalley.com. Suggested donation $5.

Tuesday / January 14

5 PM: Ruth and Irving Olson Center for Jewish Life men’s group attends TIJFF screening of “Fiddler: Miracle of Miracles” documentary, at Tucson J. Arrive before 4:30 p.m. for seating. $9. Following film, meet for coffee at Denny’s, 5000 N. Oracle Road. RSVP to northwestjewish@jfsa.org.

Sunday / January 26

6:30-8 PM: Chabad of Oro Valley presents six-week JLI class, “Judaism’s Gifts to the World.” Second option, Tuesdays 10-11:30 a.m., starting Jan. 28. At 1171 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., #131. $99 includes textbook. Register at www.jewishorovalley.com or call 477-8672.

Monday / January 27

5-6:30 PM: Ruth and Irving Olson Center for Jewish Life and Hadassah Southern Arizona book club discusses “Uncovered: How I Left Hasidic Life and Finally Came Home” by Leah Lax. Feb. 24, “Educated” by Tara Westover. RSVP at 505-4161 or northwestjewish@jfsa.org.

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January 10, 2020, ARIZONA JEWISH POST

IN FOCUS / HANUKKAH

Photo: Libby Quinn

Hanukkah at the White House

Photo courtesy Gary Kippur

Temple Emanu-El Hanukkah Spectacular About 150 people attended Temple Emanu-El’s Hanukkah Spectacular on Sunday, Dec. 15, with students from the Kurn Religious School and Strauss ECE singing, dancing, acting, and playing music. Here, Kurn teacher Sarah Fire leads children in “I’m a Little Latke” and “Hanukkah is Here.”

Tucsonans Bruce Ash (right) and Gary Kippur attended the White House Hanukkah reception Dec. 11, and witnessed President Donald Trump signing the Executive Order on Combating Anti-Semitism.

Congregations join for 100 Menorah Celebration Members of Congregation Or Chadash and Temple Emanu-El joined for a 100 Menorah Celebration, an Or Chadash tradition, at Temple Emanu-El on Friday, Dec. 27. After a light supper, participants lit menorahs in the sanctuary, lending their glow to the holiday Shabbat service led by clergy from both congregations.

Photo courtesy Temple Emanu-El

Photo: Nanci Levy/Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging

PJ Library, COC celebrate with Handmaker

Aaron Winter cheers on his daughter as she colors a menorah at Handmaker, where PJ Library kids and Congregation Or Chadash students joined with residents to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, Sunday, Dec. 22. Participants also designed menorah drip mats, laminated by PJ Library coordinator Mary Ellen Loebl, and joined in candle lighting, songs, and stories with COC’s Cantor Janece Cohen and rabbinical student Julia Berg.

Shlicha hosts Hanukkah open house

About 100 people attended Congregation Chofetz Chayim’s dinner party on Sunday, Dec. 29, celebrating both the final night of Hanukkah and Rabbi and Esther Becker’s 40th year in Tucson.

ARIZONA JEWISH POST, January 10, 2020

Photo: Phyllis Braun/AJP

Photos courtesy Congregation Chofetz Chayim

CCC marks Hanukkah and 40th anniversary

Inbal Shtivi, director of the Weintraub Israel Center and one of Tucson’s shlichim (Israeli emissaries), and her family hosted a Hanukkah open house on Thursday, Dec. 26, the fifth night of the holiday, with food, fellowship, and song. Here, Shtivi (left) and Cantorial Soloist Sara Golan Mussman prepare to lead the menorah lighting blessings.

OUR TOWN In focus

J-Street honors Gellman J Street founder and President Jeremy Ben Ami (right) honored Larry Gellman Dec. 16 at the first major event the pro-Israel group hosted in Tucson. More than 110 people, including a broad range of political leaders, rabbis, and Jewish professional and community leaders, attended. The event featured a timely conversation about the challenges facing Israeli and American Jews between Ben Ami and former undersecretary of state Wendy Sherman, and raised more than $30,000.

Five generations at BSTC

Bar mitzvah Conner Belakovsky, son of Anjelina Belakovskaia and Lawrence Bernstein, will celebrate becoming a bar mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Congregation Beit Simcha. He is the grandson of Liliya Belakovskaya of Tucson. Conner attends Esperero Canyon Middle School, where he plays clarinet in the band and is a member of the school’s FIRST® Lego League team. He is in the top 10% on the U.S. Juniors chess lists. He also enjoys basketball, music, computers, and futures/ cryptocurrencies trading. For his mitzvah project, Connor collected toys and games for Tucson Medical Center for Children.

Birth A son, Asher Evan Cogan, was born Nov. 30, 2019 to Scott and Laura (Heisler) Cogan, in New York City. Grandparents are Michael and Barbara Heisler of Tucson and Jesse and Sandy Cogan of Livingston, New Jersey. Asher Evan is the younger brother of Leo Grayson.

Business brief The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, area synagogues, and community members recently conducted the annual Project Isaiah food drive, collecting more than 3,636 pounds of food and $512 in donations for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Many other donations were collected directly from local synagogues.

People in the news State Rep. Alma Hernandez was named to The Forward’s list of 50 “Machers and Shakers Who Influenced, Intrigued and Inspired Us This Year.” Hernandez also was appointed this month to be the Young Democrats of America Jewish Caucus Southwest regional director. Steve Brass, a Tucson-based “stun and run” self-defense trainer and certified use of force instructor, has published a new book, “Self Defense for Busy People.” It is available from Amazon or by emailing streetsmart defense@gmail.com.

“A Vereshchavgino Restaurant,” written and directed by Sheldon Metz, will be one of five short plays presented by Old Pueblo Playwrights at the Tucson Fringe Festival, Jan. 10 and 12. For tickets, visit http://shop.tucsonfringe.org/item/old-pueblo-play wrights-showcase. For more about the festival, visit www.tucsonfringe.org. Esther Schnur-Berlot has published a book of poetry, “Changing Conversations” (Moonstone Press). She will participate in a reading by new authors at Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, 3733 W. Ina Road, on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 2:30 p.m.

Need help with IRS issues?

Lawrence I. Subrin, CPA Back row (L-R): Scott Casey (grandfather), Jacob White (father); middle row: Rachel Casey White (mother) with baby Eli, Kim Ronkin Casey (grandmother), Pam Weston (great-grandmother), Sandy Ostroff (greatgrandfather), Sarah Casey (aunt); front row: Yeta Bart Weston (greatgreat-grandmother)

Yeta Weston, 104, one of the earlier members of Beth Shalom Temple Center in Green Valley, recently became a great-great-grandmother. She returned to BSTC to celebrate the naming of Eli White. The baby and parents were in town for the special service on Friday, Dec. 27, conducted by Rabbi Norman Roman.

Tax Preparation & Consulting 520-296-7759 Cell: 520-419-1472 Fax 520-296-7767 lsubrincpa@aol.com

Send news of your simchas to localnews@azjewishpost.com or call 319-1112 January 10, 2020, ARIZONA JEWISH POST

ARIZONA JEWISH POST, January 10, 2020