Jewish News, January 10, 2025 by jewishaz

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Rosie’s Nest boosts CBI’s Jewish community ‘from cradle to grave’ philosophy

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

This year, parents dropping off their kids at Congregation Beth Israel’s (CBI) Chanen Preschool will be able to grab a coffee and chat with friends for a few minutes before rushing off to work. The same will be true for people wanting an ice cream in the afternoon or just the chance to relax, hang out and talk in comfort. While new coffee, ice cream and gift shops might be exciting campus additions for many CBI members, none of those nifty new spaces constitute the main motivation for the synagogue’s ongoing construction, which began last spring. Instead, something much cuddlier and sweeter is afoot.

Through its preschool, Hebrew school and summer camp to its social groups, adult education and religious services, CBI promotes the all-inclusive ethos of Jewish community — from the cradle to the grave. This month, it will add another, more precious layer to that communal mindset with the addition of Rosie’s Nest at Chanen Preschool.

Rosie’s Nest is an infant and family center expanding on Chanen’s existing infant program. It takes the care that was already offered to “a new level,” Robin Roeder, CBI’s chief communal and executive officer, told Jewish News.

Those parents who need infant care for children as young as six weeks old are either working full-time, caring for an elderly parent or likely both, according to Roeder. She recognized that to

SEE NEST, PAGE 2

Activist Montana

Tucker warns ‘history will repeat itself’ if antisemitism not aggressively confronted

Montana Tucker, the popular multimedia star and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, brought her global campaign to combat antisemitism and draw attention to the plight of the Gaza hostages to Scottsdale on Dec. 12 at Jewish National Fund-USA’s (JNF-USA) annual Men’s Event.

The 31-year-old actor, singer, songwriter, dancer and producer, who boasts 14 million followers on TikTok and Instagram, was the featured speaker at a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization that is dedicated to building a strong, vibrant future for the land and people of Israel.

“My grandparents’ survival is the reason I’m even here today,” Tucker told hundreds of the organization’s local partners. “They lived so that I could live, so that I could speak out in ways that they couldn’t back then. If we don’t stand up now, history will repeat itself.”

Tucker said she committed to using her unique platform to educate young people in the aftermath of the Hamas massacre of more than 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2023, which supercharged an already steady rise in antisemitism.

“We live in a world where the unthinkable has become acceptable,” she said. “Antisemitism is no longer hiding in the shadows. It’s out in the open. It’s woven into chants on college campuses, into the rhetoric of protests in the streets of New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, right here in Arizona, to

SEE ACTIVIST, PAGE 3

BRYAN BENDER | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Montana Tucker spoke at the Jewish National Fund-USA’s Men’s Event on Dec. 12. COURTESY

about her Judaism with her fellow council members and speaking out for her rights and beliefs.

be “truly supportive of that demographic, we wanted to create something that made them (the parents) feel comfortable and secure, to ensure that their child — their little baby — was being cared for in the utmost way.”

Roeder recognized some time ago that there was both underutilized space at CBI and an increasing number of brand-new parents in search of a safe and loving environment. She saw an opportunity to respond to both issues at once. She credits two generous gifts for making Rosie’s Nest a reality.

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SOPHIE STERN

said Jon Meyers, director of ADDPC.

Director Shaleen Hill advised that Rosie’s Nest should project CBI’s inclusive flavor.

“It’s not only about this piece or that piece, but how Congregation Beth Israel can use the space that we have to maximize the vision of our community, which is a Jewish gathering space from cradle to grave,” Mason-Barkin said. “We want to make sure that at every age and stage of life there is a purpose for being here, and our space should reflect that.”

said Jon Meyers, director of ADDPC.

“Our hope is to create and promote opportunities for people to be embraced, become part of the community and find equitable opportunities wherever they might live,” he said.

Meyers first came to know Stern through her mother, Amy Silverman, who read her personal essays about raising a daughter with Down syndrome on KJZZ, National Public Radio’s Phoenix affiliate station.

CBI’s old library provided the necessary space. “Our library was beautiful, but nobody was using it anymore,” Roeder said.

Meyers was so captivated by the essays that he reached out to Silverman, and the two became friends.

That’s how Stern first learned of the open council seat, but there’s no doubt she earned her position, Meyers said.

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When she first presented her vision to Richard Feldheim, a board member whose late wife, Rosie, had been an educator, he recognized its value and supported it wholeheartedly. Congregants Lynn and Larry Kahn also generously got behind the project, Roeder said. A dedicated learning area is in memory of Lynn’s parents.

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“All of this is happening because Robin (Roeder) had a vision, and she’s taken the steps necessary to put the vision into place,” CBI Executive Educator and Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin told Jewish News.

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That’s how Stern first learned of the open council seat, but there’s no doubt she earned her position, Meyers said.

To become a council member, Stern had to apply and demonstrate that she had something valuable to contribute, he said.

She already has some practice at

about her Judaism with her fellow council members and speaking out for her rights

“One time, I was in class and someone called me the R-word and I told him not to. The teacher was in the hallway and another student repeated the word,” she said. Rather than letting the situation go, she told her theater teacher, who was able

She already has some practice at

“If someone has a disability, saying the R-word is like saying the F-word,”

While performing in the musical “Hairspray,” she had another occasion to tangle with the offensive word, which

“That’s really bad and my friend said it on stage. I was not OK with that, so I went to the director and told her it was a bad word for people with disabilities, but she wouldn’t take it out,” Stern said.

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The rabbi also asserted that Rosie’s Nest’s care comes in an educational package.

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CBI donated most of the contents but the sacred books that were no longer usable found another destination. They were buried in a genizah, a storage space for retired religious books and objects. CBI’s genizah is at its downtown cemetery. CBI’s sixth-grade religious school class went along in an educational capacity.

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“The instructors teach the infants using tummy time, holding their head up and using different colors to stimulate them. The teacher might say, ‘This is a red ball,’ for example. It’s teaching. It’s education. It just looks different,” Mason-Barkin said.

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From the calming color on the walls to the private lactation room for nursing mothers to use before or after school or during lunchtime, Chanen Preschool

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“She’s on the council because she deserves to be on the council,” he said.

To become a council member, Stern had to apply and demonstrate that she had something valuable to contribute, he said.

Stern is creating a life and career as a member of her community, which makes her a great addition.

“They gave a fitting goodbye to the sacred texts, and it offered them a chance to learn about Jewish connection to all of the life cycles. It’s not only about the fun babies, it’s about the other end, too,” Mason-Barkin said.

“She’s on the council because she deserves to be on the council,” he said. Stern is creating a life and career as a member of her community, which makes her a great addition.

Stern graduated from McClintock High School in Tempe last year and now attends Glendale Community College, with a focus on dance. She is a regular performer at Detour Company Theatre, a Scottsdale theatre company for adults with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.

The first of Rosie’s Nest’s rooms opened on Monday, Jan. 6, and is already full. A second room will soon follow. Once children begin crawling, at around nine months old, they graduate into Chanen’s one-year-old class, in recognition of the different developmental needs as they grow.

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In fact, when Stern attended her first council meeting in January, she couldn’t wait to tell people of her involvement with Detour and share information about its upcoming shows.

“We really do feel it’s our mission to help families raise these kids, and we have a beautiful space that we can do Mommy and Me, Baby Shabbat, even Grandparent University,” Roeder said. Many of her

In fact, when Stern attended her first council meeting in January, she couldn’t wait to tell people of her involvement with Detour and share information about its upcoming shows.

“There’s no question that she is going to thrive,” Meyers said. “She’s very gregarious and passionate about the things that matter to her.”

She let her mother know about the conflict and they were able to convince the director of the need to remove the

“My friend Al was next to me when I told the director and he gave me the biggest hug ever and said that he loved me so much,” Stern said. Sadly, Al died in a car crash on Oct. 24, 2021.

Heart Can’t Even Believe It: A Story of Science, Love and Down Syndrome,” Silverman’s book about her daughter. When Gesher’s speakers’ bureau, Damon Brooks & Associates, was asked to find a speaker about Down syndrome for an event this spring, Hummell first asked Silverman to speak, thinking Stern might be too young.

They decided instead that Stern should tell her own story; it’s a real bonus that she is not afraid of public speaking.

“That was hard; it’s very hard to get emotions out and I was very, very upset,” she said.

“My friend Al was next to me when I told the director and he gave me the biggest hug ever and said that he loved me so much,” Stern said. Sadly, Al died in a car crash on Oct. 24, 2021.

friends who are grandparents are hopeful that they can glean useful tips on how to talk to their grandchildren, whose slang and interests are a mystery.

“That was hard; it’s very hard to get emotions out and I was very, very upset,” she said.

On the recent anniversary of his death, Stern made a cake and took it to the crash site.

“We can support the whole intergenerational family through education,” she said. JN

“I don’t know how I did it without crying. I’m so proud of myself,” she said.

On the recent anniversary of his death, Stern made a cake and took it to the crash site.

“I don’t know how I did it without crying. I’m so proud of myself,” she said.

For more information, visit cbiaz.org.

Amy Hummell, executive director of Gesher Disability Resources, agreed that Stern is a good fit for ADDPC because of her ability to self-advocate.

“It’s not the same when someone tries to tell a person’s story for them,” Hummell said.

They decided instead that Stern should tell her own story; it’s a real bonus that she is not afraid of public speaking.

“It’s not the same when someone tries to tell a person’s story for them,” Hummell said.

Additionally, helping people with disabilities find jobs was one of the reasons for acquiring the bureau. Unemployment in the disability community is upwards of 75% and of that percentage, 75% are ready, willing and able to work — but haven’t been given the opportunity, Hummell said.

Stern looks forward to sharing insights

“There’s no question that she is going to thrive,” Meyers said. “She’s very gregarious and passionate about the things that matter to her.”

Stern looks forward to sharing insights

Hummell co-hosted a book event with Meyers a few years ago for “My

Amy Hummell, executive director of Gesher Disability Resources, agreed that Stern is a good fit for ADDPC because of her ability to self-advocate.

Hummell co-hosted a book event with Meyers a few years ago for “My

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Sophie Stern at her high school

Sophie Stern at her high school graduation

Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin, left, and Robin Roeder stand in front of what will be a room in Rosie’s Nest at Congregation Beth Israel. COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS

all the way across the world in Amsterdam, Paris and many more.”

Tucker cited survey data from the Anti-Defamation League that revealed a majority of Jewish college students in the United States reported experiencing antisemitism. “Yet this hatred is excused and even celebrated under the guise of free speech or social justice,” she said.

Tucker arrived in Phoenix after attending the premier in Israel of her latest documentary, “The Children of October 7,” which chronicles the stories of eight Israelis between the ages of 10 and 16 who survived the Hamas massacre.

She told the audience she sees the battle against antisemitism and for Israel’s survival as one and the same.

“Here in America, the very values of free speech and tolerance are being used to shield hatred,” Tucker said. “The line between antisemitism and anti-Zionism has been erased. And our youth — our future leaders — are being indoctrinated with lies about Israel and the Jewish people.”

Attendees also heard a videotaped message from Michal Uziyahu, the mayor of the Eshkol Region in Israel, where JNFUSA is helping to rebuild the towns and kibbutzim attacked on Oct. 7.

“Hundreds of our community members were murdered,” Uziyahu recalled. “We lost our beloved friends, we lost our laughter and we lost our innocence … but we are determined to be better and stronger.”

The dinner program, chaired by Daniel Efune and David Shapiro, also honored Phoenix philanthropist and JNFUSA partner Steve Hilton for his support for multiple Jewish causes, including

schools and medical centers, locally and in Israel.

“Steve doesn’t just answer the call. He embodies it with unparalleled commitment and steadfast leadership,” said Rabbi Pinchas Allouche, of Scottsdale’s Congregation Beth Tefillah.

Allouche highlighted, among Hilton’s many charitable works, his plans to “fulfill, as he says, his most important project yet — building the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center,” which is scheduled to open in Phoenix in April 2027.

The center, the rabbi said, “will forever shape hearts and minds, ensuring the lessons of the Holocaust will ignite compassion and responsibility for all future generations.”

For Tucker, combating Holocaust denial and antisemitism online was a mission even before Oct. 7, such as producing a film during her visit to the former Nazi death camp at Auschwitz in Poland, where her grandmother, who is now 96, was an inmate.

Tucker said standing up for the Jewish people and combatting the lies and hate has since become her calling. Earlier this year, she drew widespread attention — as well as harsh criticism — for donning an oversized yellow ribbon emblazoned with “Bring Them Home” at the Grammy Awards to call attention to hostages still held in Gaza.

But Tucker also recounted for the Scottsdale audience how the dance video titled “We Will Dance Again,” which she filmed on the site of the Supernova music festival to honor the victims of Oct. 7, “reached millions, including people who may have never otherwise heard these

stories.”

It was part of an initiative, she explained, “to bring awareness to what happened. I’ve seen how something as universal as music and dance can create a ripple effect. That is the power of art, of storytelling and of truth.”

On her visit to Phoenix, Tucker was also interviewed on Channel 12 KPNX by anchor Mark Curtis during a segment on rising antisemitism.

“I get death threats every single day,” Tucker shared on the program. “People say ‘your grandparents should have died. We’re not going to stop until you die.’ It’s crazy the messages I get but that fuels me even more … I am standing up for humanity.”

During the segment, Curtis recounted his own experiences as the target of antisemitism, including an email he received depicting a can of Zyklon B, the poison gas the Nazis used to exterminate Jews and others during the Holocaust.

“It was one of a number of extremely hateful and disturbing messages that I have received,” Curtis said.

Tucker urged the community to not shrink from the fight. “It depends on us, on our voices, our resources and our unwavering commitment,” she said. “Be louder than all the lies. Be braver than the hatred. Be a light in the darkness. Stand with Israel and you stand with the truth. Stand with me as we fight, not just for the Jewish people, but for our future where love triumphs over hate and where justice prevails.” JN

For more information, visit jnf.org. Bryan Bender is a writer based in Scottsdale.

From left to right, Daniel Efune, Montana Tucker, Steve Hilton and David Shapiro.

Scottsdale couple offers fellow Jews a mezuzah, Shabbat and acceptance

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Scottsdale natives Casille Kristol and Scott Lorsch love hosting their friends and neighbors for Shabbat. Every week, they pass out candles, offer a smorgasbord of kosher food, play games and, in every way they can, provide Jews of all levels of observance with a safe space to relax and unplug.

“We sit around and eat. Our friends enjoy hanging out, not doing much,” Lorsch told Jewish News. One regular he’s known since high school really enjoys having a reason to put his phone away. Lorsch said his friend likes coming to a place where he knows there’s good food and he can “just be.”

Being responsible for creating such an easy atmosphere for so many has “been a blessing for us,” Lorsch said.

As important as it is, Shabbat isn’t the only way the young couple serves the Jewish community. Recognizing how essential a mezuzah is to a Jewish household, they have recently launched ScrollUp Phoenix, an offshoot of Chabad Young Professionals’ ScrollUp, an initiative to offer inexpensive mezuzot to Jews. Ordinarily, a kosher scroll for a mezuzah

costs around $100, but as members of Chabad Young Professionals, they’re able to procure kosher scrolls for $35 a piece. One need only mention Lorsch’s name when ordering and it will be sent to him. He will then arrange to put it on the buyer’s doorpost.

“Hosting Shabbat, holidays and helping with a mezuzah really gives us a lot of fulfillment,” Lorsch said.

Though both Lorsch and Kristol grew up in Scottsdale, they didn’t officially meet until adulthood. Once a couple, they discovered parts of their lives, including family and friends, that overlapped.

Their official meeting happened at a ski retreat, and it turned out to be a bit starcrossed as Lorsch, thinking himself clever, ended up offending Kristol. She ignored him for the next three years. Fatefully, they met again at a Tu B’Shevat celebration where they hit it off. Lorsch told her he was like one of the olives traditionally eaten on the holiday. He started off a bit bitter but with some time for ripening, and maybe a little squeezing, he turned out well.

Apparently, it was a convincing argu-

ment. The two married in October 2023, and have found themselves in agreement on most things, though they started in different places. Lorsch grew up Reform but always knew that he wanted to keep a kosher household one day. Kristol grew up in the Conservative tradition but after her brother became religious as a teenager,she eventually found her way to Orthodoxy as well.

When Lorsch opened an escape room, Levertov offered him a mezuzah cover that resembled a simple key fob or an object that wouldn’t draw attention to the doorpost of his new business. That opened up a new possibility for people who are somewhat insecure about announcing their Judaism to the world, but want to follow the mitzvah of having a mezuzah.

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Lorsch understood that once married, he would need to go beyond just keeping kosher and become shomer Shabbat. It took some getting used to but given his wife’s love of hosting, bringing people into their home to share the weekly holy day was both natural and meaningful.

The couple participates in Chabad of Paradise Valley activities and have become close with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov, its director, and his wife, Chaya.

For example, one man told Lorsch that he hadn’t put a mezuzah up for seven years because “he was afraid to tell the world this is a Jewish home. This cover gave him the comfort to be Jewish, do the mitzvah and not be afraid,” he said. It’s kind of like taking baby steps, Kristol posited.

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“They (Levertovs) do so much for the community, but they can’t do it all. They’re human and need breaks, so we decided to start hosting more events,” Kristol told Jewish News. The couple also give enough Shabbat candles to their friends to cover every week of the year except for two, which they hope will be spent at their house.

“Casille and Scott are exemplary leaders within our community. Their dedication to fostering Jewish pride and unity is truly inspiring, especially in these challenging times. Their efforts provide a sense of hope and strength for all of us,” Levertov said.

The mezuzah project was a natural next step to the community building they were already doing. They both agree with certain Chabad philosophies, such as its emphasis on the mezuzah and the protection it offers a Jewish home.

“If you’re feeling uncertain or unsteady with the world, check your mezuzah,” Kristol said.

“Judaism should be accessible to everyone. Doing a little of the mitzvah is better than doing nothing. There’s no right way to be Jewish,” she said.

That’s the attitude the couple brings to everything they do. While they keep kosher, they don’t insist that their friends do. They don’t shame anyone for a lack of observance. Instead, they share their own Jewish joy.

Kristol likes that people coming to her house can see just how easy it is to make kosher food and taste how good it is.

“We want to normalize it. You can live a Jewish life without too much difficulty. We’ve been doing it for thousands of years,” she said.

They both like the idea of supporting their friends and community where they are on their Jewish journey, even if it’s at the beginning.

“Judaism is not a black-and-white religion where you’re all in or you’re all out. It’s so much more encompassing,” Kristol said. JN

To learn more about the mezuzah initiative, visit Scrollupnow.com.

Casille Kristol and Scott Lorsch wed just over a year ago.

COURTESY OF CASILLE KRISTOL AND SCOTT LORSCH

Scott Lorsch and Casille Kristol meet their friends where they’re at on their Jewish journeys.

COURTESY OF CASILLE KRISTOL AND SCOTT LORSCH

Board Members

Staff Members

Shanah Tovah from Rabbi Shmuly and the VBM Board & Staff!!

Valley Beit Midrash wishes everyone a shana tovah, a happy new year ﬁlled with joy and love. We invite you to join us in pursuit of improving lives in our communities through transformative learning and action.

Here’s how you can plug into our work this year:

1. Learn with us at our upcoming classes. We have multiple pluralistic o erings each week and options for both virtual or in-person learning.

2. Serve with us and volunteer with Arizona Jews for Justice to help uplift the most vulnerable members of our community.

3. Reach out if you are looking for internship or fellowship opportunities for teens and young adults. We would be thrilled to tell you more about our leadership development programs.

4. Become a Legacy donor. By joining the Jewish Education Legacy Society of Valley Beit Midrash you will ensure VBM has the ability to provide engaging learning opportunities and save lives in our communities for many years to come.

We hope this year will be a time of renewal and growth and that we will experience many joyful moments together in the year ahead.

Schenkein

Steve Shobin

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Associate: Shulamit Monina

Coordinator: Ben Mazur, R.J.E.

Assistant: Cody Fitzpatrick

Associate: Isaac Blumenthal

Associate: Zack Sapinsley

Avraham: What is the source of his

New business responds to notable need in Jewish community

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

For nearly a quarter of a century, Kim Gallagher worked directly with Greater Phoenix’s Jewish community, most recently at Jewish National Fund-USA and the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center. When she decided to start her own business last summer, Gallagher knew she’d miss the daily interaction with people she’d valued as friends and associates for years.

“I have a huge connection and passion for our Jewish community,” Gallagher told Jewish News.

Shortly after founding her full-service event company, Gallagher became aware of a need in the Jewish community that she was uniquely designed to fill.

Dinner Designers, her new venture, is focused mainly on intimate, high-end dinner parties and milestone events. In the midst of juggling a burst of bookings, a friend told her about losing a family member and struggling to organize the shiva, the seven days of mourning following a Jewish burial.

Many people need help with all the details that a traditional shiva requires. Gallagher realized this was a niche need

that she could do something about. After doing some research, she created Shiva Source, a subsidiary of Dinner Designers.

“They really go hand in hand. Both are about offering excellent customer service to the client and being able to get them anything and everything they need to make their lives easier,” Gallagher said.

Furthermore, she had already done something similar for a friend whose father died at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic during the summer of 2020.

Marci Gluck-Stewart’s mother died in 2018, so when her father passed away two years later, she and her sister were overwhelmed.

“Kim saw that I needed help and offered to plan the shiva,” she told Jewish News.

When Gallagher recently told her she was creating Shiva Source, Gluck-Stewart was supportive.

“This is a huge need in the community and will be really well received. Plus, Kim is innovative, creative and highly regarded,”

she said.

Gallagher’s strong connections in the Jewish community will also be helpful, Gluck-Stewart said.

“Kim’s very personable and able to read the needs of different people. She gets it. She can meet you wherever you are,” she said.

Jewish estate planner Allison Kierman often has clients asking for help with a shiva for their loved ones, particularly for older clients who don’t know who to call.

“For years, people have asked who can help with this. I know some resources, but nobody’s advertising for a shiva business,” Kierman told Jewish News.

While chatting with Kierman after a dinner party organized and catered by Dinner Designers, Gallagher asked straightforwardly. “What is missing?”

Immediately, Kierman answered, “What is missing is someone who can help with shivas, who helps on solemn occasions.”

“I can do that,” Gallagher said.

Kierman had faced the issue in her own family, in addition to working with many people who live in Arizona part-time or have only recently moved here and lack the family and friend infrastructure a shiva takes.

“You can’t always race home, and not everyone has someone who can fill that role. You need someone to call who can handle it and nobody was advertising a shiva business,” Kierman said.

Gallagher has been reaching out to synagogues, Jewish organizations and mortuaries to let people know about the new service she provides. She also has her own deep connections within the community. As the one-time head of a JCC camp, she got to know kids, parents and family friends. Recently, she watched as

one of her one-time campers got married.

“I’ve taken care of so many people’s children in our community, and the bride was my camper, starting at age five. For me, this is truly the circle of life,” she said.

Being able to connect with the Jewish community in such an intimate way is one of the best things about the new business, she said.

“I have a lot of families in my life and have known their children since they were very, very young. It’s an honor to be able to really live through the full circle and help them at different stages of their lives,” she said.

Kierman is grateful that she now has a place to direct clients when they ask her about getting help with shivas.

“I get asked all the time, and now Kim’s part of that,” she said. Not to mention, “another Jewish woman is paving her own way, which is exciting.” JN

For more information, contact Kim Gallagher at kim@dinnerdesigners.com.

Kim Gallagher’s Shiva Source helps people at a sensitive and somber time in their lives.

COURTESY OF KIM GALLAGHER

Kim Gallagher’s Dinner Designers is focused on intimate parties.

COURTESY OF KIM GALLAGHER

Mesa man indicted for threatening U.S. Jews

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

An Arizona man was arrested late last fall for making antisemitic threats to several people in New York and across the United States. Last month, he was indicted in a federal court for his actions.

Thirty-four-year-old Donovan Hall of Mesa was indicted on Wednesday, Dec. 18. He has been accused of using antisemitic and threatening language over the telephone, as well as sending multiple text messages with violent language and imagery.

Hall was first arrested on Friday, Nov. 22. While searching his Mesa home that day, police found unregistered firearms, ammunition and numerous other weapons. Hall later appeared in the District of Arizona’s federal court before ultimately being moved to New York.

Hall made graphic and hate-filled calls to several victims in New York, and across the United States, according to Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Nelson Delgado.

“These malicious phone calls escalated to text messages brazenly displaying his weapons, furthering his victims’ worst fears,” Delgado said in a press release.

This type of threat is familiar to Arizona Jews. A year ago, 62 Arizona synagogues and Jewish institutions, along with hundreds of others across the country, were inundated

with emailed bomb messages.

Temple Beth Emeth of Scottsdale’s website mailbox received an email at 4:22 a.m. on Dec. 16, 2023, Shabbat morning, claiming that “multiple explosives” had been put in the synagogue and “also inside of every Synagogue from Arizona.” The sender said all the “explosives are well hidden and they will go off in a few hours.”

The last line of the email, written in all caps, came straight to the point: “ I WILL MAKE SURE YOU ALL END UP DEAD.”

Law enforcement found that none of those messages were credible, though they were upsetting to many who received them.

At that time, Detective Michael Hillman of the Phoenix Police Department sent a statement to the Jewish Advisory Board, making it clear that he understood the difficulty and trauma these threats have caused the Jewish community and reiterated that they were not credible.

A month before those emails were sent, Congregation Or Tzion Rabbi Andy Green arrived in his Scottsdale office to discover an email with the subject line “HITLER WAS RIGHT RABBI GREEN.” The body of the email was filled with vile antisemitic slurs, blaming Jews “for everything evil in this world” and claiming “Zionist Jews control

everything from the courts to the banks to the media.”

Green contacted Sarah Kader, AntiDefamation League Arizona’s community manager. Upon reading the email, Kader immediately contacted law enforcement, including the FBI, Tempe Police Department and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. They reached out to Green and let him know that Jeffrey Mindock, the email’s actual sender and Tempe resident, had made death threats before without acting on them, “which is somewhat comforting,” Green said.

Mindock, like Hall, was arrested for the threats he sent.

In mid-December, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced that Hall was indicted on three counts, two of which were for making interstate threats. The other count was for interstate stalking. All three charges carry a maximum five-year prison sentence.

The defendant “unleashed a campaign of terror against several Jewish New Yorkers, allegedly sending scores of hateful, violent and antisemitic death threats,” said Edward Kim, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. “No individual deserves to be at the receiving end of these types of threats or to be targeted because of their religion.”

Starting in August, Hall contacted various people in New York City close to 1,000 times over the next three months. On the calls, he made antisemitic and violent threats, which included threats of torture. He also said he intended to murder their family members, according to court documents.

The threats spiraled dangerously in October when Hall started to include photographs of guns and a machete in his murderous texts.

The firearms depicted in the text messages, among other weapons and ammunition, were recovered. The two firearms — neither of which is registered in the defendant’s name — were located alongside his wallet in his backpack. One of the firearms was loaded.

“The FBI has ZERO tolerance for hatefilled speech, threats and violent actions,” said Delgado of the Newark field office. “We will not rest until those who commit these types of crimes are held accountable.”

Prosecutors say Hall’s threats were part of a larger pattern of death threats sent to individuals, most often Jews, around the United States.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights Unit in the Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Adelsberg is in charge of the prosecution. JN

Chanukah in Carefree’s 8th year ‘a big success’

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Scores of people gathered north of Phoenix under a canopy in Carefree’s Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion to celebrate the first night of Chanukah on Wednesday, Dec. 25. Before the first candle was lit, people chatted happily, exchanging pleasantries at the beginning of the festival of lights. Karen Acker, bedecked in a blue-and-white lightbulb necklace, came to the microphone to welcome everyone — including those live streaming “from other parts of the world” — and to thank the other nine volunteers who worked hard to make the annual community event a success.

“It really does take a village,” Acker said. “If it weren’t for all of you who come here to celebrate, the town of Carefree who embraces us and all the businesses that support us, we would not have this amazing opportunity to share so many wonderful programs that light and warm up this town during its darkest and coldest time of the year,” adding parenthetically that it’s not that cold yet!

For an eighth year, Chanukah in Carefree invited Jews from across the Valley to eat Chanukah delicacies, drink hot cider, sing songs and help light the

over-six-foot Chanukah menorah, all at no cost thanks to community donations and volunteers.

Carefree Mayor John Crane, who attended each of the eight nights, said he was proud to have his town host the event, and happy that so many people came to celebrate a special holiday together.

“A big part of tonight is binding people together with music, singing, laughter and good food,” he said.

“To have that kind of support from the mayor is priceless,” Acker told Jewish News. “People who come really appreciate it and so do all of us volunteers.”

The first night was hosted by Foothills Shevatim Social Night, a group that was founded by people who attended an earlier Chanukah in Carefree. Sheryl Greenspan, the group’s leader, said when she first started the group, she didn’t know if it would attract many people. She happily announced there are now 276 members. The night was full of song, comedy and even a ventriloquist.

Before festivities began on the second night, revelers lined up for a buffet of

Chinese food provided by Jade Palace. The audience was then regaled by music provided by the Temple Chai Adult Choir, then by “the one and only” Cantor Ross Wolman, who announced recently that he would be moving on from Phoenix next year.

Wolman, dressed in his Chanukahthemed blue sports coat, talked about his memories of performing for the community event, including in 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions kept everyone far apart and mostly on video. “But we got through it!” he said. Together with the choir, he serenaded the crowd for roughly an hour.

For the third night, also Shabbat, Temple Kol Ami Rabbi Jeremy Schneider, wearing gloves and a Chanukah sweater, explained that they would have to light the Chanukah candle before the Shabbat candles, wherein the next night they would reverse the process for Havdalah. Schneider and Kol Ami’s Cantor Noa Shaashua led another evening of frivolity and singing. The fourth night, Havdalah, was led by Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman of Cave Creek’s Congregation Kehillah.

On Sunday, the fifth and most wellattended night, the Phoenix Holocaust Association had to switch its speaker, because Jack Adler, the original speaker, was hospitalized after a fall. Holocaust survivor Rise Stillman was luckily able to switch hit for him.

Each night, except for New Year’s Eve, averaged about 150 people, Acker said. Just as in years past “the night the Holocaust survivor speaks is the most popular.”

Maricopa County Thomas Galvin introduced the evening by talking about the importance of being vigilant against antisemitism. Stillman sat in a chair while she shared some painful memories. Until recently, she has not spoken publicly often but that night she spoke for about 45 minutes.

The sixth night was all about the kids. Family Night was co-sponsored by Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, its Camp Shemesh, the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix (CJP) and led by music specialist Erez Kessler, a regular at Chanukah in Carefree. Besides

lots of singing and music there were games, arts and crafts for kids of all ages. Andrea Cohen, CJP’s director of youth philanthropy and community engagement, introduced the evening. She lauded Acker as “an extraordinary volunteer” and joked that she might also be the most persistent one Cohen has encountered, given that the two first started conversing about the event nearly a year before it took place.

Acker explained that while most people only see her group during Chanukah, she and her fellow volunteers work on the event throughout the year. She started working on Chanukah in Carefree 2025 on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Desert Foothills Jewish Community Association led the seventh night, which coincided with New Year’s Eve. The eighth and final night was Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce Community Night, featuring local small businesses. Chanukah in Carefree collected food and money for Foothills Food Bank each night through the sale of raffle tickets and a silent auction with items donated by the business community. Winners were announced every night, but for the largest ticket items, including a two-night hotel stay/use of facilities at Civana Wellness Resort, jewelry from Grace Renee Gallery and a stay in Hammock Cove in Antigua, winners were announced on the final night. JN

To view a livestream of each night or learn more about Chanukah in Carefree, visit chanukahincarefree.com.

Jewish News is published by the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix, a component of the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix.

Holocaust survivor Rise Stillman, right, talks to Karen Acker. COURTESY OF HERB HITCHIN

A ventriloquist entertained the audience on the first night of Chanukah in Carefree. COURTESY OF HERB HITCHIN

Chanukah in Carefree continues to draw more people in its eighth year. COURTESY OF HERB HITCHIN

8 fascinating Jewish news stories from 2024 that you might have missed

JTA STAFF

Some Jewish stories of the last year have been impossible to miss: Israel at war, antisemitism around the world, a U.S. presidential election featuring Jewish politicians.

Others may have slipped under the radar, drowned out by the drumbeat of breaking news. Here, we draw your attention to eight such stories, starting with one we published at the very beginning of the year.

The magical life of Albert Levis, a scholar of storytelling who has his own improbable tale

Albert Levis, in his late 80s, is a Holocaust survivor from Greece, a psychiatrist, a real-estate investor, a businessman, an author, a student of Jewish philosophy, a possible future documentary star, and a ceaseless searcher of the human condition. From his home in Vermont, where his family operates an inn, he has also embarked on a single-minded quest to explain the scientific process by which humanity turns traumatic, morally troubling experiences into stories. He believes it can rid the world of war and strife — if only people would listen.

This teenaged girl studied the whole Talmud in just 2.5 years

When she was 14, Elke Bentley could hear her father’s online Talmud classes through the wall between her bedroom and his home office in Brookline, Massachusetts. Undeterred by the 5 a.m. start time, she tuned in as the men did Daf Yomi, a regimen of page-a-day Talmud learning that stretches over seven and a half years. She decided she wanted to do it faster. This year, she pulled it off, completing the entire Babylonian Talmud at 18 before heading off to Harvard University. The rare feat represents something of a landmark for the movement to expand text learning for Orthodox women.

The secret list of 29 names that helps pollsters find American Jews

How do researchers study American Jews?

At least some of the time, they use a list of 29 names that are distinctively Jewish, according to a research protocol that was devised in 1942 and is still used today. The list — which could not be found online until we published it — consists of entirely Ashkenazi surnames, so it would do poorly for identifying, for example, Persian, Israeli or Russian Jews, a growing concern as American Jewry becomes increasingly diverse. Still, researchers say it has value, and they’re updating the list so it stays useful in the future.

Jerry Lewis’ infamously terrible Holocaust movie is having a moment. You still can’t watch it.

Film buffs have long understood that legendary funnyman Jerry Lewis never wanted anyone to see his Holocaust movie. “The Day the Clown Cried,” a maudlin tragicomedy about a German clown ordered to entertain children at the Auschwitz death camps, was filmed in the early 1970s but never completed or released, and it has remained unseen.

This year, Lewis’ folly reentered the public eye, with a documentary devoted to

it, a Hollywood producer acquiring rights to the original script, and the Library of Congress opening its trove of material to researchers. What you need to know about what’s widely thought to be the worst Holocaust movie ever made.

Klezmer legend Frank London was gearing up for the fight of his life. But first, one more show.

An all-star lineup of Jewish musicians hunkered down at a suburban New York City synagogue one night in May to tackle an intimidating feat: They would be recording seven new liturgical songs without ever having played together before, or even fully worked out the music and words. The breakneck pace was not a choice: The lead musician, klezmer legend Frank London, had been ordered by his oncologist to report to the hospital to start a grueling regimen of treatments meant to cure his rare cancer. The songs have now been released as an album and London is preparing to retake the stage in early 2025.

A German soldier looted postcards from doomed Jews in Poland. 80 years later, his granddaughter brought them back.

As a child, Karla McCabe knew her

grandfather had been a German soldier in World War II — but she didn’t know what he did during those years. Later, she inherited part of his stamp collection and discovered postcards addressed to a destination destroyed by the Nazis: the famed Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva in Poland. This year, McCabe returned the postcards to Lublin, where just 40 Jews live but an effort is underway to retrieve relics of the lost Jewish house of study. “These cards are neither a gift nor a donation,” she said in a ceremony we covered from Poland. “I am simply bringing home Holocaust loot.”

In the Spanish town of León, locals serve up a seasonal ‘Kill Jews’ cocktail “Semana Santa,” or the holy week before Easter, is the most important religious period in Spain. The city of León hosts particularly spectacular celebrations — all accompanied by a Leonese cocktail made from red wine, lemons, cinnamon and sugar that revelers call a “Kill Jews” cocktail. “It’s strange to foreigners, but they take it with a laugh,” said a server at a local tapas bar. “Here it’s normal.” The tradition has drawn attention to León’s lost Jewish history.

Meet J.D. Vance’s Jewish chief of staff Jacob Reses’ earliest political activity, as a teenager, involved campaigning to raise local taxes and denouncing the right-wing commentator Ann Coulter as “spewing hate.” It was hardly an obvious launching pad for a career in Republican politics, but this year, Reses, the grandson of a Holocaust refugee, quietly became one of the most influential conservatives in the United States when his boss, J.D. Vance, was elected vice president. What role Reses will play in the new administration is not publicly known — but his presence as a Jewish chief of staff was notable in a campaign season characterized by rising Christian nationalism among Republicans. JN

One of the headlines from 2024 you might have missed. COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

Step by step

RABBI MICHAEL DUBITSKY

PARSHAH VAYECHI: GENESIS 47:28 - 50:26

In this week’s parshah, Vayechi, there is an anomaly that only occurs once in the Torah. Usually, between one Torah portion and the next there is a significant amount of space in between. However, leading into this week’s parshah there is almost no space. One parshah ends and the next parshah begins on the same line, only a few letters further.

Rashi points out the reason for this and teaches that Jacob, our forefather, had a prophecy for when and what would occur at the end of galut, exile. He wanted to share this information with his children — the twelve tribes — but it was hidden from him, and the information was closed off or taken away from him. What can be learned by this enigmatic and esoteric teaching? Why is it

Commentary

so important that it impacted the “shape” and line formation of the Torah?

Rabbi Nison Alpert, zt”l, in his seminal work on the parshah, the Limudei Nisan, offers a profound insight into this topic. He elaborates that a person goes through life without a full understanding about its events. A person may have a seemingly ominous event occur to themselves, their family members or friends but eventually turns out alright; one might face the reverse situation as well. Jacob, our forefather, never could have imagined that he would once again see his son Joseph alive and well — let alone that Joseph would be the second in command to Pharoah in Egypt. In that vein, a person should live their lives step by step, day by day, and appreciate the goodness that one receives daily and always remain hopeful for a good outcome. There is a fascinating story told about the Sanzer Rebbe. He walked with a limp throughout most of his life and the pain was oftentimes unbearable. When Jews came from near and far to ask him for a blessing, he would not be able to escort them

to the door of his house due to weakness and pain in his leg but would simply shake their hands when they were on their way out. On one occasion, there was a guest that after his visit with the Sanzer Rebbe, was leaving directly on a trip to Israel. The Rabbi repeatedly stressed how fortunate the person was to travel to Israel. As the person left, the Rabbi hobbled to the door, out into the street and even escorted his guest to the outskirts of the village. Although each step was painful, he called out after the guest to send regards to each Jew in Israel and tell them that although the Jews around the world are hurting, hobbling and suffering, they are on their way — they are coming to Israel soon.

The main element to glean from this story is that even though every day he dealt with pain, he was hopeful about the future. The Sanzer Rebbe dealt with each day as it came and we should treat each situation in life with a chance to grow, develop and internalize one’s current situation — step by step and day by day.

Many patients that have been in hospitals

in our community have to face uncertainty in their medical diagnoses and with life situations that can change quite rapidly within a short period of time. One way to deal with all of the medical information, assessments and testing is to focus on what is happening day by day and not focusing too much on the uncertainty regarding the future. While it is certainly more easily said than done, one should take solace and gain strength from the fact that even Jacob our progenitor was faced with accepting the reality that Jews throughout all generations would have to deal with difficult and at times unimaginable terror and uncertainty, both on a personal and national level, and cope with those situations on a day-to-day basis. JN

Calls to ‘end the war in Gaza’ before Hamas is defeated risk us repeating

MOSHE PHILLIPS | JTA

The question of whether American Jews should criticize Israel has nothing to do with free speech, or democracy, or peace in the Middle East. It has everything to do with the real-life consequences that Israelis suffer when they bow to criticism from abroad.

In a recent JTA op-ed, Rabbi Jill Jacobs called on American Jews to pressure Israel to “end the war in Gaza.” That might sound appealing at first glance. After all, war is bad. Everyone wants wars to end. But what would be the real-life consequences for Israelis if Israel ceased firing at Hamas now, before victory has been achieved?

Today, the war in Gaza is in large part a police operation. Israeli forces are mopping up the last several thousand of the terrorists who raged through southern Israel 14 months ago. The Israeli army is no longer engaged in large-scale battles or continual air strikes. Israeli security forces are simply going house to house in search

our painful past

of Hamas killers.

If killers were on the loose in any American neighborhood — surely the residents would want the police to hunt them down. I doubt anybody would be urging the police to “end the war.” Yet if the critics of Israel somehow succeeded in pressuring Israel’s leaders to “end the war,” several thousand killers would escape justice.

Let’s consider another real-life consequence of “ending the war” prior to victory. If Israel enters into a one-sided ceasefire against Hamas before Hamas is completely destroyed, then Hamas will remain in power in Gaza.

Yes, the same Hamas that treats Arab women like third-class citizens, prevents them from entering many professions, and campaigns for them to wear a hijab to obscure most of their faces. Hamas courts have ruled that Gazan women need the permission of a male guardian just to travel.

For many left-of-center critics of Israel

who support women’s equality, surely that is a nightmare scenario. Yet that would be the real-life consequence of what they are demanding from Israel today.

Let’s consider another real-life consequence: Israelis cite the foreign pressure and criticism that helped bring about Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. The real-life consequence was years of Hamas rockets being fired at kindergartens in southern Israel, culminating in the vicious atrocities of Oct. 7. Once again, demands for withdrawal in the name of “peace” only brought more war.

Israelis also point to the tremendous pressure and criticism from abroad that helped bring about Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000. The real-life consequence was that Hezbollah was able to build up an arsenal of 150,000 rockets, with which it has tormented Israel, provoked multiple wars, and driven tens of thousands of Israeli families from their homes. Demands for withdrawal in the

maximum of 200 words. They may be edited for space and clarity. Unsigned letters will not

name of “peace” only brought more war. In my many conversations with Israelis — as a pro-Israel activist for decades, as a delegate to the World Zionist Congress, and today as national chairman of a proIsrael organization — the sentiment I have heard expressed the most often is profound frustration at this gap between what leftwing Diaspora critics advocate, and what ordinary Israelis experience. So here is my plea to left-of-center American Jews who are considering whether or not to publicly criticize Israel: Think carefully about the potential reallife consequences that others may suffer because of your actions. No matter how lofty your rhetoric or intentions, there is a real world out there, one where Hamas kidnappers and Hezbollah rockets have exacted a steep price. JN

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

Rabbi Michael Dubitsky is a hospital chaplain for Jewish Family & Children’s Services and teacher at Shearim Torah High School for Girls.

Find area congregations at JewishAZ.com, where you can also find our 2025 Community Directory.

Rabbi Michael Dubitsky COURTESY OF RABBI MICHAEL DUBITSKY

CAMP & SCHOOL

The gift of productive struggle and how it is baked in to any sleepaway camp experience

JODI WOODNICK | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

t goes by many names — grit, resilience, tenacity, resolve, perseverance. It means the ability to tolerate life’s ups and downs, to be able to sit with discomfort (knowing that discomfort is temporary), to put things in perspective, to use creative problemsolving, to self-soothe and so much more. It is an essential feature of a full and productive life. While it is something we all want for our children, we scratch our heads when it comes to how to achieve it.

In my counseling practice, I work with parents on the concept of “productive struggle,” a learning state in which children are challenged but not overwhelmed, where focus, repetition, hard work and mistakes prevail. It is in this state of productive struggle that children develop the grit and resilience we strive for as parents. Allowing opportunities for children to struggle in this way gives them

the greatest gift of all … self-efficacy. Spending a session at sleepaway camp is one of the most effective ways to expose children to just the right amount of struggle, enabling them to devel op necessary life skills under the supportive and

watchful eye of caring, non-parental adults. Here are just a few of the ways productive struggle makes its way into camp life, and why as parents we should embrace the struggle rather than resisting it.

1. Children will share space and time with people they did not choose

Common to almost every sleepaway camp experience is sharing small spaces with peers. At home, friendships are carefully curated, and children (with heavy influence from parents) can choose who they spend time with. By contrast, children at camp are grouped simply by age and gender. While many camps will allow one or two bunk requests, most campers will inevitably end up in a cabin with someone they don’t like at some point in their camp career.

The struggle of sharing space and time with someone your child finds annoying, messy, loud or rude teaches tolerance, empathy, self-advocacy and can ultimately prepare them for managing the difficult college roommate or the co-worker who doesn’t do their share of the work. If we remove challenging people from our children’s lives, we deprive them of invaluable opportunities to practice critical skills. Even just attempts to

remove challenging people through calls of complaint or orchestrated efforts by groups of parents send messages to our children that they shouldn’t have to work with those who challenge them.

2. Children will manage their own belongings and personal hygiene

One of my favorite moments of any camp session is the beginning of shower hour on day three of camp, as the youngest campers proudly walk to the shower, having remembered to bring their shower caddies and wear their flip-flops (even as towels swing haphazardly from their arms).

While it may seem silly to us as adults, the pride and self-reliance that can come from simply managing personal hygiene routines in a new environment is something that can only happen at camp.

Yes, there will be mistakes: the towel might fall on the floor, the teeth may not be brushed to dentist’s standards, a few socks or T-shirts may end up in someone else’s bag. These mistakes are what allow campers to develop executive-functioning and creative problem-solving skills as they try again and again to get it just right.

3. Children will get their second (or third) choice

There will be times at camp when the kitchen runs out of your child’s favorite

flavor of popsicle, that the cabin votes to do something that your child doesn’t want to do, that the perfect color of lanyard string runs out just before your child’s turn or that the elective activity they want most is full. In these moments of disappointment, children learn that disappointment, while uncomfortable, is not the end of the world — and it doesn’t last forever.

Through experiencing disappointment, children learn how to self-soothe, how to re-regulate their bodies when big feelings threaten to take over. Experiencing small disappointments and knowing that they can persevere will prepare children to face bigger disappointments yet to come.

4. Children will eat the food that is served

As a parent, I know the feeling well: you’ve prepared what you believe to be a perfectly adequate Tuesday night dinner. Nothing fancy, but gets the job done. You call everyone to the table, only to be met with groans of complaint and refusal to eat. So many of us, in our attempts to keep everyone healthy and well fed, will turn into short-order cooks.

At camp, there is no short-order cook. Yes, the food is prepared with kids’ palates in mind and yes, there is generally a salad bar or peanut butter/soy butter and jelly

Jodi Woodnick

• Grades K-6

• Summer camp: Swimming, field trips, cooking, Rock Show, arts & crafts, music, Israeli culture sports, STEAM, Late Nights

• School-break camps

• Kosher lunches

• Email: Stephania, salvarez@evjcc.org

SPRING CAMP: MARCH 10-21

• Infant-kindergarten

• Year-round program with flexible scheduling

• Five-Star Quality First site

• National Early Childhood Program Accreditation

• Low student-to-teacher ratio

• After-school enrichment classes

• Summer Fun at the J (Ages 2-4)

• Email: Pam, pam@evjcc.org

908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler, AZ 85224 * 480-897-0588 * evjcc.org

CAMP & SCHOOL

station, but the main course is what it is and children are forced to make a choice: eat one of these options or be hungry until the next meal. This is a difficult concept for many parents (and camp counselors), but it is a reality of the camp experience.

As difficult as this concept may seem, it too comes with great opportunities for emotional growth and self-determination. As they navigate a meal that they don’t like, children will learn how to self-advocate. They will practice creative problemsolving (my son learned how to make egg salad from salad bar ingredients). They will learn how to tolerate the discomfort of eating something that is just OK. By being exposed to new and different foods, children will learn and practice flexibility.

5. Children will lose

The big basketball game, game show night, the lead role in the camp play or color wars, each of these events provides lifelong memories for campers at sleepaway camp. Anyone who ever went to sleepaway camp remembers the feeling of cheering for their color wars team. There is nothing like it.

Camp Chanen is a fun-filled day camp for children ages 6 weeks to entering kindergarten. Our campers enjoy a variety of exciting activities, including special guests, weekly themed events, P.E., and water play - all designed to spark creativity and support the development of young minds.

For more information: (480)-951-3398 chanenadmin@cbiaz.org

www.chanenpreschoolaz.org

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 REGISTRATION OPENS IN FEBRUARY

These emotionally charged moments can also provide something else — the opportunity to lose. Having the ability to lose with dignity, appreciating positive moments throughout the experience and feeling joy for the other team is a critical life skill that has gotten lost in a society that values winning over everything. Simply put, camp provides children with opportunities to practice losing with dignity, supporting others and becoming stronger in the process.

As I look back on my life, I am struck by the realization that my greatest moments of growth have come, not from times when everything worked out perfectly, but from the mistakes, the disappointments, the conflicts, the losses — from the struggles. I carry this concept with me in my counseling practice, my parenting and every summer in my work at sleepaway camp.

Join me in celebrating struggle. Give your child the gift of self-reliance in a session at sleepaway camp. JN

Jodi Woodnick is a child, adolescent and family therapist with Out of the Woods Counseling in Scottsdale (outofthewoodsaz.com). Prior to her current role with WBT Camps, she was the director of Camp Charles Pearlstein in Prescott (now Camp Daisy and Harry Stein) from 2002-2012.

Camp 56 is a day camp for students entering 1st through 6th grade. Located on the same campus as Camp Chanen, we offer age-appropriate activities, exciting offsite field trips, and visits from special guests, all designed to engage and inspire campers throughout the summer.

For more information: (480)-951-0323 rvanlandingham@cbiaz.org

Camp Daisy and Harry Stein is a Jewish overnight camp in Prescott, AZ, for children entering 2nd - 12th grade Campers build lasting friendships, deepen their connection to Judaism, and enjoy a variety of fun activities, making it the ultimate summer experience.

ROCK CLIMBING, SWIMMING, SPORTS, ARTS...

...DANCE, SHABBAT, HORSEBACK RIDING, AND MORE! www.campstein.org

(480)-951-0323 camp@cbiaz.org

Jewish camp professionals share their favorite memories

MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR

The first Jewish camps sprouted up amid the larger organized camping movement in America during the end of the 19th century. By the mid-1920s, hundreds of camps had opened in forested, lakeshore spots around the United States.

Michael M. Lorge and Gary P. Zola’s book, “A Place of Our Own: The Rise of Reform Jewish Camping,” mentions that the first known Jewish camp was a girl’s camp, founded in 1893 by the Jewish Working Girls Vacation Society, located in New York.

Jewish summer camps are not just places for recreation — they are environments that nurture personal growth, independence, social skills, friendship, connection with nature, community building, skill development, lifelong memories, traditions and future Jewish leaders.

Those warm days filled with adventure, learning and friendship often leave lasting impressions. Jewish News asked Jewish camp professionals to share some of their favorite memories of camp.

A favorite memory for many is celebrating Shabbat. The day is a big deal at camp, often seen as a highlight of the week, for campers and staff alike, where everyone comes together to reflect, sing, pray and share a communal meal.

“In the summer of 1994, I was a camper at UAHC (Union of American Hebrew Congregations) Camp Swig (now closed) and my counselor that summer had a CD player in the cabin and would play music for us. One of the CDs that was in the rotation was Rusted Root’s ‘When I Woke.’ I remember listening to ‘Send Me On My Way’ as we got ready for Shabbat each week of the session,” said Joel Swedlove, camp director, Maccabi Sports Camp, Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto, California.

“To this day, 30+ summers later, I listen to that song every single Friday at camp while I get ready for Shabbat. It doesn’t matter that I’m now the camp director, when I hear it, I still feel like the little boy nervous and excited to see everyone in their Shabbat whites, ready to pray, sing,

dance and welcome Shabbat as you only can at camp.”

Outdoor activities are the cornerstone of day and overnight camps, and swimming is often at the top of the list, as Erin Wynn, LMSW, director of youth and camping services, Shemesh Camp at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale shared.

“I absolutely loved swimming in the big pool (at Camp Shamayim day camp at the El Paso Jewish Community Center, which no longer exists) and I have vivid memories of going down the slide and off the diving board over and over again,” said Wynn. “I also made a lifelong friend at

camp. She lived with her mom in another city but would come each summer and go to Camp Shamayim. Camp gives you the chance to make friendships that can last a lifetime and memories with friends that you don’t see on an everyday basis.”

Sometimes favorite memories can span multiple summers with surprising outcomes as shared by Stefani Rozen, director of Camp Daisy and Harry Stein in Prescott, owned and operated by Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale.

“My first summer as a college-age counselor, one of my campers stood out as a leader among the group. She was friends with everyone, consoled those who were

sad or upset and led her Maccabiah team in cheers energizing all around her,” said Rozen. “Fast forward a few years, and as a camp professional I was honored to hire her for her first summer as a counselor. She led her campers with the same enthusiasm and taught them the joy and friendship that can grow at camp.”

As her camp career grew, she expressed an interest in a professional role and Rozen’s camper is now a colleague.

For program directors Sam Braley at Camp: Destination in Chandler and Aubrey Golding at Eden Village West in Sonoma County, California, their favorite SEE MEMORIES, PAGE 16

Stefani Rozen COURTESY OF STEFANI ROZEN

Aubrey Golding COURTESY OF ABREY GOLDING Erin Wynn COURTESY OF ERIN WYNN Joel Swedlove COURTESY OF JOEL SWEDLOVE

Sam Braley COURTESY OF SAM BRALEY

memories at camp happened as adults.

it, and new memories will continue to be made by campers and staff alike.

Last summer, Braley celebrated Camp: Destination’s 10th anniversary and his first summer on the leadership team.

“Being able to take part in building, crafting and creating the summer camp experience of a lifetime, which meant so much to me growing up, was so significant for me,” he said.

and together we reflect on our intentions — to make new friends, step outside our comfort zones, play with our identities, seek spiritual guidance and, of course, have fun. Together, we speak our world into existence through our words.”

Braley said that most of the staff has been with the camp since the beginning, and many were former campers with him growing up.

“It was such a privilege to witness that the camp is stronger than ever before,” he said. “I cannot wait to take part in continuing those traditions and that legacy for this upcoming summer!”

Last summer, Golding dedicated herself to living the entire summer in rollerblades. “As I went up and down stairs, across hiking trails and led camp activities — all in rollerblades — campers questioned if I wore them to bed too!” she said. “But it all started when I jumped over the fire, on the rocky beach, in my rollerblades.”

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“Seeing the personal and professional growth of campers and staff over a number of summers is truly one of the best things I get to do, and it consistently creates new memories and is the ‘why’ behind my work at the same time,” said Rozen. JN

For more information on each of the camps, visit their websites: Maccabi Sports Camp, maccabisportscamp.org; Shemesh Camp at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, valleyofthesunj.org/kids-family/camps/shemesh; Camp Daisy and Harry Stein, campstein.org; Camp: Destination, campdestination.org; and Eden Village West, edenvillagewest.org.

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Aubrey Golding considers the “fire jump” ritual at Eden Village West a “truly magical moment.” This occurs on the first all-camp evening program of the summer, where the entire camp community introduces themselves by their given name, or chosen name for the summer, and jumps over a small fire as they set their intentions for the time ahead.

“This sacred ritual symbolizes the transition from the outside world into the sacred space of camp,” she said. “Staff sing a niggun, camp leaders hold up staffs to mark the gateways between worlds

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Campers

Jewish artist’s works ‘make people smile’

MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR

At the age of three, Freddie Lieberman started on her artistic journey by taking a crayon to the freshly painted walls in her grandparents’ home. More than seven decades later, she held her first one-woman show at Inspired Real Estate Life at 821 N. 5th Ave. in Phoenix.

On Friday afternoon, Jan. 3, people gathered in every room of the 1918 renovated Craftsman-style home to admire Lieberman’s art. Her latest pieces are created using layers of thinned glazes, metal leaf, antique netting, sequins, inks, glass beads and more. The 3D elements are enhanced with a final coating of resin because she likes “the shiny surface and the bling.”

After teaching high school art for years, the Jewish artist began freelancing, specializing in wall graphics, murals and furniture. Once she moved on to painting faux finishes on walls, she soon decided it was time to quit when she had to rent scaffolding to complete some of the projects.

She held a midday reception for those

who didn’t want to fight the crowds and parking challenges at the First Friday nighttime art walk that occurs downtown each month. “This afternoon was for my friends who are interested and who have supported me for years,” she said. Some of those in attendance represented the Scottsdale Artists League, Brandeis and Hospice of the Valley Art Auction.

Lieberman was named Artist of the Year by the Scottsdale Artists League

(SAL) in 2018 and 2022 and has served as its past president. Artist Leslie Austin, who works in oil paint and watercolor, met Lieberman through SAL.

Austin said she enjoyed seeing all of Lieberman’s art displayed all together.

“It’s a rare occasion you can see all the phases the artist goes through,” she said. In addition to the more abstract works throughout the house, Lieberman SEE ARTIST, PAGE 19

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“Corona Corona” mixed media piece by Freddie Lieberman combines layers of paint and 3D elements. COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS

Artist Freddie Lieberman stands in front of some of her art pieces. COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS

“Okey Sudokey” by Freddie Lieberman. COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS

Scottsdale senior publishes fourth novel in 2024

LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

“Plunder,” by Scottsdale author Douglas E. Pike, begins with a young man in his teens who commits a petty crime in Cuba in 1720. The novel traces the multiple, sometimes disastrous, repercussions that ripple through the next two and a half centuries, culminating in the dark underworld existence of a 1970s charlatan. It is a literary fleshing out of the butterfly effect, the chaos theory positing that one small act in a system can lead to profound future consequences.

Published by Club Lighthouse Publishing in 2024, “Plunder” is the Jewish senior’s fourth published novel.

As accomplished a novelist as Pike is now, fiction wasn’t where he began as a writer. In fact, once upon a time, he wasn’t a writer at all. He grew up in New Jersey, studied business at Rutgers University and received his Master of Business Administration at the University of Chicago. He married and owned a combined retail pharmacy and liquor store in his home state until he experienced his own butterfly effect.

Upon visiting Pike’s parents in their second home in Sun City West in the late 1980s, he and his wife, Beth, fell in love

with the western vista, warm weather and friendly people and decided to make a change. He didn’t just change his location (New Jersey to Arizona) but his entire life. Before the move, Pike sold his business and returned to Rutgers to study art, something he’d always loved but never taken the time to explore fully.

“I wanted to do something I always enjoyed, and I always loved art,” he told Jewish News.

Once the couple was firmly planted in Scottsdale, Pike continued studying art at Arizona State University and opened an art studio downtown, where he painted and sculpted. While that was fulfilling, he found that he enjoyed creating cartoons.

Pike learned that Bil Keane, the cartoonist who created “The Family Circus” comic strip, lived in Paradise Valley. Pike wanted to join the National Cartoonists Society, which requires a recommendation from a member. He wrote to Keane, sent him some of his cartoons in the National Scrabble Association’s publication and asked for a reference.

“I took a chance and wrote to him and he was so nice to do it for me,” Pike said. Thus began his professional cartooning

“I LIKED MY STORIES AND DIDN’T WANT THEM TO JUST SIT THERE, SO I CONVERTED THEM TO NOVELS.”

DOUGLAS E. PIKE

SHANNON

Douglas and Beth Pike

COURTESY OF DOUGLAS E. PIKE

life. He focused mainly on business cartoons for websites and financial publications like Barron’s, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal. He also published his cartoon collections.

Not one to hem his artistic self in, as a self-described “movie nut,” he expanded into writing screenplays and wrote about a dozen. His agent couldn’t place them but Pike was not going to let that stop him.

“I liked my stories and didn’t want them to just sit there, so I converted them to novels,” he said.

Thanks to his cartooning, Pike is

comfortable writing humor, and one of his first novels is a political satire called “The Final President.”

“Plunder” started as a screenplay, inspired, at least in part, by the character in “Hud,” a novel, and later a movie, starring Paul Newman.

“His character was such a terrible person and I thought, what if I could create something similar with a treasure-seeking scuba diver,” he said. One of the fun things about “Plunder” is that Pike incorporated scuba diving and coin collecting, two of his favorite hobbies.

But far from humorous, “this novel is dark in a lot of ways,” he said.

Pike’s wife has always been very supportive of her husband’s decision to turn to creative work. Pike happily took care of the household and was able to stay at home with their son while he grew up. He said that time staying home with his son “was a great experience.”

At 70, Pike is still hard at work. The working title for his next novel is “The Senior Senior,” which is about a 64-yearold who has been left back in high school 46 times.

As a cartoonist, his Jewish knowledge sometimes played a part in his work. However, he has not incorporated it into his screenplays or novels yet.

“I certainly might do that in the future,” he said. JN

ARTIST

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

introduced one room with portraits on the wall. “Welcome to the ladies’ room — with one gentleman,” she said, pointing to the portraits of women, and one man, on the bathroom wall.

Another artist from SAL, Gary Binder, who works in oil and pastel, said that you really get to know someone when you do an art show with them.

“I’ve been in shows with Freddie, and I’ve gotten to know her,” he said. “She’s a professional, classy, upbeat person and she reflects that in her art. She puts things in her art to make people smile.”

He said that the texture in her paintings intrigues people and allows them to interpret different perspectives.

Lieberman explained that many contemporary artists leave their work “untitled” and open to such interpretation, but she likes to give everything a name to share insight into what she was thinking at the time.

“It’s nice to see the paintings all together and the venue is nice, too,” added Binder.

Realtor Katie Fear owns the venue, which she explained she bought because she didn’t want it to be just “another real estate office.” She believes they are the first-ever “event space brokerage.” In addition to hosting artists, they host several events throughout the year, like

“Tacos, Tequila and Tattoos” and “Paw Wars” on May 4, a dog-themed “Star Wars” event.

Fear offers artists space for a month, and they need to have 10 or more pieces for a solo show. She takes no fee or commission, and just insists that the artist be there on the First Friday evening to greet visitors. “There are stories with art that connect and resonate with people,” she said.

“It’s about more than real estate, I am inspired by who we get to do life with in our neighborhood,” said Fear.

Lieberman has shown her work at Art One Gallery on Marshall Way in Scottsdale, Herberger Theater Art Gallery in Phoenix and the Olney Gallery inside Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, also in Phoenix. When she first visited Inspired Real Estate Life, she felt the space had great potential.

“It’s a great opportunity to see my art all in the same place,” she said. “It’s also fun to see contemporary paintings in a non-contemporary house.” JN

Freddie Lieberman’s art will be on display throughout the month of January. For more information, visit inspiredrealestatelife.com or freddieliebermanartist.com.

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The cover of Douglas E. Pike’s recent novel “Plunder,” which is available on Amazon.

Embracing 2025: A new year of hope, innovation and generational wisdom

BOB ROTH | COLUMNIST

t’s hard to believe we are standing at the threshold of 2025. It feels like just yesterday we were bracing for the Y2K bug, anxiously anticipating technological collapse as the clocks struck midnight on Jan. 1, 2000. And yet, here we are, 25 years later, still standing, still thriving and still proving that humanity has an incredible ability to adapt, overcome and move forward.

We’ve just come through another contentious election cycle, and if there’s one resolution I wish we could all embrace, it’s to step away from the divisions that dominate our world. Politics today seems to take the air out of everything we do, read and view. In reality, our most meaningful moments come not from debates and divisions but from the connections we make — with family, friends and the communities that shape our lives.

As we step into this new year, I want to challenge us to focus not on what divides us but on what unites us: the shared experiences of life, the pursuit of a better

future and the extraordinary advancements that await us over the next 25 years.

If you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, there is so much to be hopeful about. The next quarter century will bring innovations on a scale we can hardly fathom. Advances in health care, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and longevity science will not only extend lives but improve the quality of those years.

By 2050, the number of Americans aged 65 and older will nearly double, reaching over 90 million, while the population of those 85 and older will quadruple. This demographic shift presents one of the greatest challenges — and opportunities — of our time. How will we care for an aging population? How will we ensure that people are not just living longer, but living well? These are not just problems for policymakers or health care providers. They are questions for all of us, as sons, daughters, grandchildren and friends.

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remarkable innovations designed to help us navigate this future. From AI-powered health care monitoring to on-demand caregiving models, the way we support our aging population is evolving rapidly. Robotics, wearable health technologies and predictive analytics will revolutionize aging in place, making it safer and more accessible than ever before.

But technology alone is not enough. We must also look to the past to prepare for the future.

In just 18 months, on July 4, 2026, our nation will celebrate a momentous milestone — its 250th anniversary. Two and a half centuries of history, progress, struggle and resilience have led us to where we are today.

Think about the generations before us who shaped this country. The founding fathers, the pioneers of industry, the civil rights leaders and the everyday Americans who built communities, raised families and contributed to the greater good. Each era faced its own defining challenges — wars, economic downturns, social upheavals — but through it all, the American spirit of perseverance and reinvention remained strong.

As we approach this historic anniversary, we have an opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going. What will our legacy be for future generations? Will we leave behind a society that values unity over division? Will we take care of our elders the way they took care of us? Will we embrace innovation not just for progress, but for the betterment of all?

The answers to these questions are up to us.

As we celebrate new beginnings, we must also recognize that we are losing some of our greatest teachers. The Greatest Generation, those who lived through the Great Depression and fought in World War II, is dwindling. Soon, we will also begin losing the Silent Generation, those born between 1928 and 1945. These individuals have witnessed and shaped some of the most pivotal moments in human history.

They carry with them lessons of resilience, sacrifice and perseverance. They have lived through world wars, economic

upheavals, technological revolutions and cultural transformations. They have adapted and thrived, leaving behind wisdom that is invaluable to future generations.

If there’s one resolution, we should all make in 2025, it’s to spend more time listening to them. We need to record their stories, preserve their insights and honor the life lessons they offer. We need to sit with our elders, ask questions and soak in the knowledge that only comes with time. Because if history has taught us anything, it’s that it has a habit of repeating itself — and those who fail to learn from it are doomed to repeat its mistakes.

So, as we embark on this new year, let’s embrace hope. Let’s focus on the incredible advancements ahead while cherishing the wisdom of the past. Let’s resolve to be more present with our families, to listen more, to connect more and to appreciate the time we have with those who came before us.

As we look toward America’s 250th birthday, let’s recommit to the ideals that made this country strong: resilience, unity and the belief that we can build a better tomorrow. The future is bright, not just because of what we will achieve, but because of what we choose to hold onto from our past.

Let’s make 2025 a year of unity, of curiosity, and of gratitude — for where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going.

Wishing you all a year of hope, health and meaningful connections. JN

AS WE STEP INTO THIS NEW YEAR, I WANT TO CHALLENGE US TO FOCUS NOT ON WHAT DIVIDES US BUT ON WHAT UNITES US: THE SHARED EXPERIENCES OF LIFE, THE PURSUIT OF A BETTER FUTURE AND THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVANCEMENTS THAT AWAIT US OVER THE NEXT 25 YEARS.

Bob Roth is the managing partner of Cypress HomeCare Solutions.

Bob Roth COURTESY OF BOB ROTH

Parades and mitzvot

New year, new friends

Lovely November evening

BBQ for veterans

Young mentors

Big night out

Remembering Oct. 7

Hundreds enjoyed themselves at last month’s annual gala for the

Denise Israel, left, and Rabbi Alicia Magal of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley sing "Lu

The Arizona Jewish Historical Society held a community fundraiser on Nov. 17 to replace lost revenue during construction of the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center and maintain AZJHS’ cultural and education programs.

a Hebrew song that speaks of hope for peace during a commemoration service, Remembering Oct. 7, 2023, to honor those murdered in the Hamas attack on Israel last year.

helps stabilize veterans and find permanent housing for them.

Jewish’ Temple Kol Ami (TKA)

Cooking with an influencer

National recognition

Temple Kol Ami

You deserve a happy hour

Executive Director Nancy Drapin was recently recognized for her leadership at a national professional conference. A Senior Member is a certified credential by the National Association of Temple Administrators for those who are distinguished as experts in the field of synagogue management.

Justice for immigrants

NowGen, a program of the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix that connects Jewish adults in their 20’s through 40’s in community, philanthropy and leadership, hosted another successful happy hour on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at RnR Gastropub in Scottsdale.

Hoedown in Sun City

And the winner is...

Turning out for veterans

COURTESY OF RABBI JEREMY SCHNEIDER

COURTESY OF NOWGEN

Arizona Jews for Justice led a rally in support of immigrants the first week of December. The rallygoers were joined by a group of 14 California women who came to volunteer with AJJ for a few days.

COURTESY OF RABBI DR. SHMULY YANKLOWITZ

Gloria Bold, left, and Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan at Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley’s Western BBQ and Hoedown fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 20.

the

Last month, Jewish Community Relations Council of Tucson Director Lynn Davis received the Arizona Faith Network’s Peacemaker in Action Award for 2024. Davis was recognized for her efforts to strengthen Arizona’s democratic norms and values and fighting antisemitism and extremism against all vulnerable communities in the state.

Beautiful weather for a run

On Thanksgiving, Chabad of Fountain Hills members participated in the 40th Annual Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade. They gave out “The Good Card,” which encourages everyone to fill their lives with good deeds and observe biblical laws, kosher candy and charity boxes for tzedakah.

on a big first

Chanukah and a Christmas tree

Shoshana Beran, left, and Nicole Pendergast became great friends participating in the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix’s (BJE) single parents’ zoom every month. Here they are together at the BJE’s Rosh Hashanah event for single parents.

Temple Kol Ami Rabbi Jeremy Schneider and Cantor Noa Shaashua spoke and sang about Chanukah at the annual State of Arizona Christmas tree lighting at the Capitol with Governor Katie Hobbs, center, on Monday, Dec. 2.

Jennifer Brauner, left, celebrated the completion of the Phoenix 10K/Half-Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 10.

Rabinovich, left, Life & Legacy Program director, presents Arlene Schiff, Life & Legacy senior adviser, with a thank-you gift for her past 10 years of hands-on work guiding the community through the Life & Legacy program. Arlene is retiring at the end of the year. Life & Legacy is a program of the Center for

COURTESY OF RABBI JEREMY SCHNEIDER’S FACEBOOK

Tikkun olam for Chanukah

Working together for Holocaust ed

A new moon

Poppies for veterans

Prized memento in the spotlight

Rabbis reach out

Last month, the Greater Phoenix Board of Rabbis visited First Place

On Monday, Oct. 7, Reverend Bruce Scott, left, director of program ministries for the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministries, presented Steve Hilton with a $5,000 gift for the Building a Legacy of Hope Capital Campaign. This is the first significant gift from the interfaith community in support of the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center, which should break ground next year.

Moms and daughters (in grades 6-10) from the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix Tikkun Olam Together service group brought donations to create Chanukah baskets for Arizona Kosher Food Pantry clients. They filled the baskets with latke mix, apple sauce, dreidels, gelt, candles, stickers, art projects and decorations, in addition to bringing and wrapping toys for children of all ages.

For his swearing in as a new member of the Scottsdale City Council on Monday, Dec. 9, Adam Kwasman used his family’s copy of a Hebrew Bible published by the late Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. Orit Kwasman, his wife, held the Bible for him.

COURTESY OF THE CENTER FOR JEWISH PHILANTHROPY OF GREATER PHOENIX

This COMMUNITY page features photos of community members around

This COMMUNITY page features photos of community members around the Valley and the world. Submit photos and details each week to editor@jewishaz.com by 10 a.m. Monday.

COMMUNITY page features members around the Valley and the world. Submit photos and details each

by 10 a.m. Monday.

COURTESY OF ADAM KWASMAN

Valley

the Sun Jewish Community Center. Pictured from left are Gary Weiss, Adam Brooks, Beth Jo Zeitzer, Adam Nach and Ellen Lindzon.

COURTESY OF ARIZONA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY

CTeen Phoenix recently introduced its group of Solomon Leadership Fellows and Mentors for 2024-25. COURTESY OF CTEEN PHOENIX

Mazel tov!

Rabbi Mendel Vaisfiche, center, celebrated the brit milah of Binyamin Moshe at Chabad of Scottsdale last month.

Klezmer Band

COURTESY

FRANK JACOBSON

Yehi,"

Jewish War Veterans Post 619 members will collect donations for veterans on Veterans Day weekend at several East Valley Fry’s supermarkets. Pictured from left are Bob Howard, Arthur Uram, Elliott Reiss, Michael Dar and Dan Tilsner.

Ruhama Shitrit, a social media influencer and food blogger behind

popular Instagram account, RuhamasFood, led a cooking demo and recipe testing at Chabad of Scottsdale on Sunday, Nov. 10. Shitrit is pictured second from the left.

OF DINA LEVERTOV

Featured Event

SUNDAY, JAN. 12

JKids & Teens Expo:

12:30-2:30 p.m. Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join Shalom Phoenix and the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix for a chance to talk to Jewish preschools, overnight camps, Israel experiences, youth groups, enrichment programs, religious schools, summer programs and day schools about their program offerings. Cost: Free; registration enters you into a drawing for a $500 scholarship grant to be used at a Jewish summer camp in 2025. For more information, visit phoenixcjp.regfox.com/jkids-and-teens-expo-2025-raffle-registration.

Events

FRIDAY, JAN. 10

Tot Shabbat Hop: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Chanen Preschool at Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N. 56th St., Paradise Valley. Join the Phoenix Jewish preschool community for Shabbat morning, followed by a Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix program in one of the preschool classrooms. Cost: Free. For more information, visit bjephoenix.org/family-shabbat.

University on Wheels: 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Biltmore, 2630 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. Join Brandeis National Committee Phoenix Chapter for breakfast and a presentation by Dr. Avital Rodal on the university’s new engineering program and how it will create unique opportunities for students to solve real-world challenges at the intersection of science, technology and the arts. Cost: $56 per person. For more information, visit brandeisphoenix.org.

SATURDAY, JAN. 11

End-of-Life Preparation Advice from Rusty Rosman: 4 p.m. Temple Solel, 6805 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. Join Temple Solel for a presentation by author Rusty Rosman exploring the often overlooked conversations about how we wish to be remembered and the legacy we wish to leave for our loved ones. Cost: Free. For more information, visit templesolel.org.

Zikaron BaSalon: Memories in the Living Room: 6-8 p.m. Location in Ahwatukee provided upon registration. Join 3GAZ for a presentation by Einat Orlev sharing the journey of her grandfather from the ghetto to Palestine, where he was part of the Jewish Brigade of the British Army. Cost: Free. For more information, contact einat.orlev@gmail.com.

JAMA: Havdalah and Night Out for 60s & 70s: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Location at Scottsdale Road and Shea Blvd. provided upon registration. Join Smile On Seniors for an evening of ceremony, food and friends with other Jewish active mature adults. Cost: $54; registration closes on Jan. 10 at 12 pm. For more information, visit smileonseniorsaz.com/tools/events/ register_cdo/eventid/18734.

SUNDAY, JAN. 12

January Café Europa: 1-3 p.m. Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. Join the Phoenix Holocaust Association for a social and support program for Holocaust survivors, descendants, family and friends. Cost: Free for Holocaust survivors and drivers; $20 for guests. For more information, visit phxha.com.

Namaste and Shalom: A Virtual Tour of Jewish India: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. Join Or Tzion for a presentation on the sites and synagogues of Bombay, Calcutta and Cochin by Rahel Musleah. Part of the Bureau of Jewish Education of

Greater Phoenix’s Passages series. Cost: $25. For more information, visit bjephoenix.org/ programs/passages.

MONDAY, JAN. 13

Arizona Jewish Academy Basketball Games: 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 13, 22, 23 and 30; 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 21. Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Come and cheer on Arizona Jewish Academy’s basketball team, the Flames, the only Jewish competitive sports team at the high school level in the state. For more information, visit azjewishacademy.org.

TUESDAY, JAN. 14

Philanthropy 101: 5:30-7 p.m. Goodmans Interiors, 1400 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Join Gail Baer, chief philanthropy officer at the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix, and local philanthropists Alison Feinberg, David Shapiro, and Bryan Kort for a discussion about philanthropy. For more information, visit phoenixcjp.org/philanthropy101.

Teen Jewish Learning Event: 7-9 p.m. Jan. 14; 8-9 p.m. Jan. 21. Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix’s Hebrew High for a learning event aimed at strengthening character, nurturing Jewish identity and fostering community. For more information, visit bjephoenix.org/ hh-overview.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15

Martin Buber: Judaism as Ethics: 2 p.m. Via Zoom and in person at Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join Arizona State University Jewish Studies program for a lecture on this leading Jewish philosopher by Dr. Hava TiroshSamuelson. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jewishstudies.asu.edu/JSBuber.

JNF-USA Industry Professionals Night: 5:30-8 p.m. Downtown Phoenix address provided prior to event. Join Jewish National Fund-USA for an evening to support Israel while connecting working professionals across industries. Features speaker Avi Mayer, former editor in chief of The Jerusalem Post. Cost: $36. For more information, visit events.jnf.org/e/bridgingindustries.

FRIDAY, JAN. 17

Brighter Tomorrow Luncheon: 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. JW Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale. Join Jewish Family and Children’s Service to celebrate 90 years of impact in the Greater Phoenix community. Cost: $275 per adult; register by end of day Jan. 10. For more information, visit secure.qgiv.com/for/2025b rightertomorrowluncheon/event/btl.

SUNDAY, JAN. 19

Paralyzed Veterans of AZ and Honor Flight

Speakers to Address JWV: 9:30 a.m. Oakwood Country Club Ballroom, 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd., Sun Lakes. Join the Jewish War Veterans

Copper State Post 619 for a presentation by Dawn Quinn, donation coordinator/outreach at AZ Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America and Matt Hartman from Honor Flight AZ detailing the important free services their organizations offer veterans. Cost: Free. For more information, contact Arthur Urman at 702-884-4175 or uramarthur@gmail.com.

TUESDAY, JAN. 21

CAREaVAN Teen Summer Info Session: 6:15 p.m. Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix’s Hebrew High for an information session on its annual summer social justice travel program for kids entering ninth through 12th grade. Trip dates are June 8-18. For more information, visit bjephoenix.org/careavan.

THURSDAY, JAN. 23

Interview with Author Georgia Hunter: 6-7:30 p.m. Chaparral High School Auditorium, 6935 E. Gold Dust Ave., Scottsdale. Join the Phoenix Holocaust Association for a conversation with author Georgia Hunter, “We Were the Lucky Ones,” facilitated by actress Busy Philipps. For more information, visit phoenixhsa.formstack. com/forms/an_evening_with_georgia_hunter.

FRIDAY, JAN. 24

Beth Ami Temple Open House: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, 4027 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley. Join Beth Ami for an open house to meet members and share wine and cheese before experiencing Shabbat services. Cost: Free. For more information, visit bethamitemple.org.

Meetings, Lectures & Classes

SUNDAYS

Chassidus Class: 9 a.m. Online. Learn about the Chasidic movement with Rabbi Yossi Friedman. Use this link: ChabadAZ.com/LiveClass. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Jewish War Veterans Post 210: 10 a.m. Online. Any active duty service member or veteran is welcome to join monthly meetings, every third Sunday. Cost: Free. For more information, email Michael Chambers at c365michael@yahoo.com.

MONDAYS

Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework, Desert Cactus Chapter: 10 a.m. The Oasis at Sagewood, 4555 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. The guild meets the third Monday of the month, adjusted when necessary to accommodate Jewish holidays. For more information, visit pomegranateguild.org.

Mahjong: 1:30-3:30 p.m. East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Come play mahjong each week. For all levels. Cost: Free; registration required at evjcc.org/mahjong.

Ethics of Our Fathers: 7 p.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Zalman Levertov. Use this link: bit. ly/2Y0wdgv. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Single Parent Zoom: 8 p.m. First and third Monday of every month. Join The Bureau of Jewish Education’s Family University single parents’ group for those looking to form friendships and build their support system with likeminded people. For more information or to register, visit bjephoenix.org/family-university.

TUESDAYS

Let’s Knit: 1:30 p.m. Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Share the pleasure of knitting, crocheting, etc. outside the social hall in the campus. Can’t knit? They will teach you! Every level welcome. Cost: Free. For more information, visit vosjcc.org.

Maintaining an Upbeat Attitude: 7 p.m. Online. A class exclusively for people in their 20s and 30s, learn how Jewish Mysticism can help with your attitude with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov. Use this link: JewishParadiseValley.com/YJPclass. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Torah Studies: 7:30 p.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Mendy Levertov. Use this link: ourjewishcenter.com/virtual. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

WEDNESDAYS

Torah Study with Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Online. Weekly study group explores that week’s portion and studies different perspectives and debates the merits of various arguments. Intended for adults, Torah study is open to students of all levels. For more information, contact the TBS office at 623-977-3240.

Grief Support Group: 5-6 p.m. Online via Zoom. Therapist Susan Charney MCW, LCSW, leads a grief support group every first and third Wednesday of the month virtually for individuals experiencing the loss of an adult child or sibling. In lieu of any fees for these sessions, donations to Temple Solel are appreciated. For more information, contact susancharneycounseling@gmail.com.

History of the Jews: 7 p.m. Online. Learn the Jewish journey from Genesis to Moshiach with Rabbi Ephraim Zimmerman. Use this link: zoom.us/j/736434666. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

JACS: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Online. Zoom support group for Jewish alcoholics, addicts and their friends and family on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Cost: Free. For more information, email jacsarizona@gmail. com or call 602-692-1004.

THURSDAYS

Ladies Torah & Tea: 10:30 a.m. Online. Learn about the women of the Torah with Mrs. Leah Levertov.

CALENDAR

Use this link: ourjewishcenter.com/virtual. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Mindfulness Gatherings: 12 p.m. Online. Hosted by Hospice of the Valley via Zoom. Cost: Free. To join by phone, dial 1-253-215-8782, meeting ID 486 920 2119#, to get the Zoom link or for further questions contact Gill Hamilton at ghamilton@hov.org or 602-748-3692.

Weekly Mahjong: 1-3 p.m. Temple Solel, 6805 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. Join Temple Solel each Thursday afternoon for mahjong. Lessons available for beginners. Cost: Free. RSVP via email to dottiebefore@gmail.com so they know how many tables to set up.

Teen Discussions: 7-8:30 p.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Tzvi Rimler. Use this link: cteen.clickmeeting.com/east-valley. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

SATURDAYS

Saturday Mindfulness Gatherings: 9:30 a.m. Online. Hosted by Hospice of the Valley. To join by phone, dial 1-253-215-8782, meeting ID 486 920 2119#. To get the Zoom link or for more information, contact Gill Hamilton at ghamilton@hov.org or 602-748-3692.

Book Discussion: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Online. Join Or Adam Congregation for Humanistic Judaism on the third Saturday of every month for a book discussion. For more information and to register, contact oradaminfo@gmail.com.

Shabbat

FRIDAYS

Shabbat in the Park: 10-11 a.m. Cactus Park, 7202 E. Cactus Road, Scottsdale. Join the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix monthly for music, parachute play, crafts and a family Shabbat experience. For more information, visit bjephoenix.org.

Welcome Shabbat: 11-11:30 a.m. Online. Celebrate Shabbat with the JFCS Virtual Center for Senior Enrichment. Each week a different guest host will lead the program with song and celebration. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse.

Shabbat at Beth El: 7:15 a.m. and 5:45 p.m on Zoom; 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale. Ave., Phoenix or livestreaming on YouTube. Celebrate Shabbat with songs, blessings and teachings with Rabbi Stein Kokin the first Friday of every month. Special guests will be welcoming Shabbat during the remainder of the month. For more information or to join, visit bethelphoenix.com.

Erev Shabbat Service: 5:30 p.m. Online. Rabbi Alicia Magal will lead a service livestreamed for

members of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley. Cost: Free. For more information and to obtain the Zoom link, visit jcsvv.org/contact.

Shabbat Service: 5:30-6:30 p.m.; Oneg at 5 p.m. Temple B’rith Shalom, 2077 Brohner Way, Prescott. Join Temple B’rith Shalom for a musical and spiritual Shabbat service. For more information, visit brithshalom-az.org.

Shabbat Services: 5:30 p.m. nosh, 6:15 p.m. service; morning service has varying dates and times. Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. For more information, contact Joan Neer at jneer@templechai.com.

Shabbat Services with Sun Lakes: 5:30-6:15 p.m. Sun Lakes Chapel, 9240 E. Sun Lakes Blvd. North, Sun Lakes. Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation conducts this twilight service on Aug. 9. For more information, contact 480-612-4413.

Pre-Shabbat Kiddush Club: 6 p.m. Online. Say Kiddush with Rabbi Mendy Levertov. Cost: Free. Use this link: ourjewishcenter.com/virtual. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Shabbat Services: 6 p.m; 9:30 a.m. Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. Services are also live streamed at otaz.org/ livestream. For more information about services, events and membership, visit congregationortzion.org or call 480-342-8858.

First Friday Shabbat Services: 6:15 p.m.; Oneg at 7:15 p.m. Valley Unitarian Universalist, 6400 W. Del Rio St., Chandler. Join Congregation NefeshSoul for Friday night services the first Friday of each month in the sanctuary building of Valley Unitarian Universalist. For more information, contact Jim Hoffman at 480-329-3316.

Shabbat Services: 6:15 p.m; 10 a.m. Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N. 56th St., Scottsdale. Services held in the Goldsmith Sanctuary. Participants must pre-register by Thursday at 5 p.m. Priority will be given to members first and then guests. If there are more requests than available seats a lottery system will be used. For more information or to make a reservation, visit cbiaz.org/shabbat-services.

Kabbalat Shabbat and/or Shabbat morning service: 6:30 p.m.; 10 a.m.; dates vary. Congregation Kehillah, 5858 E. Dynamite Blvd., Cave Creek. Join Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman and cantorial soloists Erica Erman and Scott Leader either in person or via Zoom. For safety reasons, please register ahead of time. For dates, visit congregationkehillah.org/event/. Register by emailing info@congregationkehillah.org.

Shabbat Services: 7 p.m. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City. Services are followed by an Oneg. Services are

Stephen J. Gubin (1937-2024)

Stephen J. Gubin passed away peacefully on Dec. 30, 2024, surrounded by family. He is survived by wife, Helen; brother, David; five children; 11 grandchildren; and one greatgranddaughter.

He held distinguished service in Marine Corps, Navy, Army Reserve and was a dedicated community leader. Co-owner of Wilson Electric, notable project: Arizona Diamondbacks’ ballpark. Past president of Temple Solel and past board chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. Steve served his community with unparalleled dedication. His legacy of love and leadership will be fondly remembered.

Funeral service was held at Mt. Sinai Cemetery on Friday, Jan. 3 at 12:30 p.m. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix. May his memory be a blessing.

live-streamed on YouTube. For more information and to get the YouTube link, visit tbsaz.org or call 623-977-3240.

Shabbat Services with Beth Ami Temple: 7 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, 4027 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley. Rabbi Alison Lawton and Cantorial Soloist Michael Robbins lead Shabbat services twice

MILESTONES

ARI JOSEPH SCHWARTZ

a month. For more information, visit bethamitemple.org.

Third Friday Shabbat: 7-9 p.m. Group meets at a North Scottsdale location. The Desert Foothills Jewish Community Association hosts a Shabbat service followed by a program. Contact 602-487-5718 for more information. JN

Ari Joseph Schwartz became a bar mitzvah on Nov. 2, 2024, at Congregation Or Tzion. He is the son of Sami and Adam Schwartz of Scottsdale and the brother of Michelle and Alexa. Ari’s grandparents are Marcia and the late Max Weisberg; and Jill and Robert Schwartz.

For his mitzvah project, Ari raised awareness and funds for the Israel ParaSport Center, which is a community of mentors, coaches and para-athletes that empowers people whose physical abilities make it challenging to overcome the obstacles of daily life. Ari had a goal to raise $3,600 and, so far, he has raised more than $4,000.

A student at Copper Ridge School, Ari enjoys watching and playing sports, is an avid skier and recently began playing golf. He is a member of BBYO and volunteers at the Miracle League of Arizona. JN

OBITUARY

JUDGE ELIZABETH (ELLIE) FINN

Judge Elizabeth (Ellie) Finn of Phoenix died on Dec. 27, 2024. She was 77. Ellie was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and was a retired presiding judge for the City of Glendale and a retired judge with the City of Phoenix.

Ellie is survived by her husband, Ed Turner; daughter, Sarah Finn Turner; son, Jesse Finn Turner; sister, Alice Finn Gartell; and brother William Finn.

Services will be held at Glendale Civic Center on Jan. 12 at 1 p.m.

Donations in her name may be made to A New Leaf (anewleafaz.donorsupport. co/page/ElizabethFinn). JN

Dr. Leonard David Aldes

Dr. Leonard David Aldes of Scottsdale, originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Jan. 2, 2025, at age 75, with his beloved wife of 53 years, Reenie, by his side. He is survived by his wife Maureen “Reenie” Aldes; daughter, Jamie (Bobby); grandchildren Ethan and Erik; brother, Mike Aldes; and many loving family members and friends.

Graveside service was held at 12 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2025, at Temple of Aaron Cemetery, at 591 Larpenteur Avenue W., Roseville, Minnesota.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or to organizations supporting research and care for those affected by Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA).

Lorraine “Lori” Lee

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Lorraine “Lori” Lee, 75, on Nov. 3, 2024. Born on Oct. 26, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan, Lori was the beloved daughter of Helene and Meyer Leib and a cherished sister to Fran (Bruce) Finsilver. Lori is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Marc Lee, who was by her side for over 60 years, and daughters Michele (David) Corris and Erica (Alex) Marks, and her late daughter Stephanie, who preceded her in death in 2010.

Lori brought style and grace to everything she did. Her love for art, design and fashion was more than a passion — it was a way of seeing the world. Lori taught her family to pause and appreciate the beauty around them, to find joy in small details and to embrace the artistry of life.

As a grandmother to Ella Marks, Ben Marks, Bradley Corris and Danielle Corris, Lori shared her vibrant spirit and creativity, inspiring in each of them a love for beauty and wonder. Her warmth, elegance and kindness left a lasting imprint on everyone who knew her.

Lori will be deeply missed by her close-knit group of friends and family members, including her sister-in-law Helaine Lee, her nieces Lauren (Paul) Jackson and Leslie (Scott) Hirsch and cousins who adored her, including Roger Leib, who was especially close to Lori.

The family appreciates the special, loving care from Dr. Pat Pasulka. Donations in Lori’s memory can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the Arizona Humane Society.

BAR MITZVAH