Jewish News, April 12, 2024

FBI RECOGNIZES LOCAL LEADER

Paul Rockower, executive director of the JCRC, receives the Director’s Community Leadership Award

Israel official speaks to joint session of Arizona legislature about Hamas and heeding the words of an enemy

Israel Bachar was on his way to his New York office in lower Manhattan when the first plane hit the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. By the time he arrived, the second plane had struck and any illusion that the attack might have been an accident evaporated. More than two decades later, “the fear and trauma” of that day are still vivid in his memory, as are “the noise, the mayhem and the destruction as the towers came crashing down,” he told a joint session of the Arizona legislature on Wednesday, April 3.

On that infamous September day, America learned an important lesson: “When an enemy tells you that they are going to do something, believe them,” Bachar, consul general of Israel to the Pacific Southwest region, told Arizona legislators. Just as Osama bin Laden had promised to strike at the heart of the United States, Hamas taught Israel to heed the same lesson in nightmarish proportions on Oct. 7.

“Our society has been traumatized,” he intoned. Bachar had only been in his current post in Los Angeles a month when the Hamas attack took place, and his first months in office have gone somewhat differently than originally planned. This week was his first time in Arizona, and he hopes to visit at least twice a year going forward. (He already plans to be in Tucson next month to meet with its Jewish community.)

“I feel very much at home in

‘Connection through experience,’ Phoenix Holocaust museum touts immersive technology

Visitors to the up-and-coming Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center will begin their roughly 90-minute tour in light, move to darkness and end up back in the light. The intention behind each exhibit is to reflect the architecture of its space. Both teams working on the $30 million museum, the building’s architects and the exhibition’s designers, were on hand to show off their combined vision at the Arizona Jewish Historical Society (AZJHS) on Tuesday, March 26.

For example, the ‘Upstanders Hallway,’ in which people who stood up to Nazi brutality are honored, utilizes soaring architecture and “tree of life” imagery that will be activated with a light source.

“We want to take advantage of the space’s light — to start from a hopeful place,” said James Burns, one of G&A’s exhibit designers. G&A is the firm designing all of the exhibits in the new center.

He explained that even going up a set of stairs to the second floor, where the bulk of the exhibits will be, is going to be a responsive experience. With each step, visitors will be engaged with messages about the Holocaust

What’s for brunch?

Food blogger Francine Coles shares recipes to serve during Passover. See page 14.

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANCINE COLES

Image of proposed building. COURTESY OF MOTLEY DESIGN GROUP VIA ARIZONA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Arizona,” he told legislators and spoke of his deep ties to the desert. “The desert runs through the heart and soul of the Jewish people.”

Bachar’s position, political expertise and personal experience were the motives for Republican Representative and House Speaker Ben Toma’s invitation. Toma was one of 17 legislators who went to Israel last month.

“It’s important for members of both chambers to hear directly from the source,” Toma told Jewish News. “It’s been six months, things get lost and people need to remember why it’s important.”

Legislators received Bachar warmly, applauded loudly and gave him several standing ovations when he promised to bring the remaining hostages home, when he stressed that “Hamas must be eradicated,” and when he thanked the legislature for the strides it had made against antisemitism in the state.

He thanked four Holocaust survivors sitting in the front row for coming, calling on each of them by name.

“Your presence is a testament to the power of surviving in the face of atrocity and inspires all of us,” he told them.

To begin and end his remarks, he quoted verses from Genesis in Hebrew, which grabbed the attention of Chabad of Arizona State University Rabbi Shmuel Tiechtel.

“I love being able to sit here in the House of Representatives and hear him quote the Torah in the original Hebrew,” he told Jewish News.

The Israeli consul briefly spoke of Israel and Arizona’s shared interests, especially regarding water and shared values. “Arizona and Israel not only share topography; we are both innovative and resourceful people,” he said.

But it was Hamas and the war in Gaza that were the focus of his remarks, some

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.

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

She already has some practice at

“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

“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 appears in the script.

of them personal. For example, when he spoke of the displacement of thousands of Israelis since the attack, he explained that many members of his own extended family at home are still being hosted by his father.

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

Toma hoped that Bachar would share the Israeli perspective on “what’s happening on the ground, which is different from what’s being reported here,” he told Jewish News.

Bachar said he was there “to tell the truth” and pulled no punches when he called Hamas responsible not only for the attack on Oct. 7, but the humanitarian crisis in Gaza that has unfolded since.

“For us, every civilian casualty is a tragedy; for Hamas, every civilian casualty is a strategy,” he said.

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.

He claimed that despite Israel’s best efforts to get aid to civilians, Hamas “intentionally sabotages the distribution of aid to generate international pressure on Israel,” he said.

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.”

Stern looks forward to sharing insights

However, he did apologize on behalf of Israel and himself for the Israeli strike that killed World Central Kitchen’s seven aid workers earlier this week. Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi called their deaths “a grave mistake.”

“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.

“We take full responsibility and are investigating in order to make sure that such rare mistakes do not happen again,” Bachar said.

On the other hand, he claimed that reports from various world health officials that Gaza is on the verge of a famine are false.

“There is no starvation; it is not the truth,” he said.

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

September

September

October

“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.

Bachar also called the war a battle of “good vs. evil” and promised that “Israelis will fight and we will win, not just for ourselves but for humanity,” another line that earned a standing ovation.

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.

October

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

October

November

“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.

In the face of decreasing public support for Israel’s military action in Gaza (only 36% approve and 55% disapprove, according to a Gallup poll last week), Bachar insisted that his country is “on the right side of history.”

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

November

November

December

December

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

This was the message that he wanted to convey to the legislators, he told Jewish News. “There needs to be a very clear distinction between right and wrong because sometimes people get confused about it.”

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

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.

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

Many legislators welcomed his message, as evidenced by their enthusiastic applause and rush to take photos with him after his

“People have it in them to speak up but don’t know how, and often they’re not cheered on. Sophie has family support

and given questions to think about as they go through the tour.

As they gather in the immersive theater, facts about the Holocaust will be on display to ensure everyone starts with at least a base of knowledge. Jewish life before the Holocaust, the Nazis’ rise to power, World War II and the post-war experience are all areas covered.

The exhibits will certainly be full of information, but because the philosophy behind the center is to go beyond a traditional Holocaust museum to be as engaging as possible, the exhibits will not be heavy in texts but rather will project images on translucent and layered glass and use a combination of video and audio to bring history to life, Burns said.

In the largest gallery will be a four-part media wall that “reflects our fractured, fragmented visualization, activating imagery, artifacts and static information,” he said. In this way, the larger story of the period can be told alongside its smaller and more personal stories, such as that of Anne Frank.

The G&A team gave an impressive PowerPoint demonstration of the flow of exhibits and their contents, but not everything is set in stone. Still, having something to show potential donors in helpful, and G&A wasn’t the only team presenting.

Phoenix’s Motley Design Group, the team designing the new building housing the interactive exhibition, explained how they will preserve the historic nature of AZJHS’ building (after all, it’s the site of Phoenix’s first synagogue). Like Jerusalem, Hebron and other ancient cities that have grown

speech. A few Jewish legislators were especially happy with the presentation.

Rep. Seth Blattman (D-23) called it “a great speech that reaffirms that Arizona stands with Israel.”

Rep. Consuelo Hernandez (D-21) said it was “really nice to hear someone give us the reality of what’s happening at the moment while surrounded by my colleagues who are supportive of the State of Israel and its existence.”

by accretion without impinging on their antiquity, the architects will incorporate the new building behind the existing one in ways that will “create interesting spaces,” Robert Graham, Motley’s principal architect, said.

“The in-between spaces that happen with buildings built at different times, and the different angles creating a streetscape and interior — that is what we really love about these little places in ancient cities; when you walk around on twisty little streets, the ups and downs and the variety that’s still very cohesive,” he said.

The new, large building he and his team are designing behind AZJHS will attempt to replicate this feeling of those ancient cities.

“This whole project is really about the educational experience of the students and the public who will be invited to attend,” Graham said.

While incorporating the existing AZJHS architecture into the new structure is a challenge, it has the benefit of being centrally located, with easy access to the light rail station, the main public library and plenty of parking.

“Taking advantage of our surroundings will work to enhance the historic building,” he said.

The architects and designers are also planning ways to move up to 200 visitors each day through the exhibits without gumming up the works by having too many people in one place at one time. Helpfully, the museum itself will manage the flow of people through interactive exhibits that move between “resting and coming to life,” Clare Brown, G&A’s creative director, said.

“When we’re thinking about the pacing of visitors through the space, we need a few places to be able to stagger the visitation outside of the exhibit space,” she said. Areas

Rep. Alma Hernandez (D-20) said, “It’s more important than ever for people to hear what’s actually going on directly from someone that represents Israel. It’s really critical for the community to understand that there’s a lot more than what the media is putting out there.”

The war in Gaza is not the only “war” Bachar is concerned about. Antisemitism is part of the same war, even if it’s not always fought violently, he said.

“Israel was attacked, not because of a territorial issue. We were attacked because we are Jews,” he said. The same can be said for any attacks on Jewish people in the United States. In his opinion, there is no distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism.

No amount of “different wording or smart propaganda will change the fact that anti-Zionism means the extinction of the State of Israel,” he said.

Outside of the State House, where Bachar spoke, a lone protester with a

centered on Jewish life, as well as temporary exhibition spaces, will be useful to that end.

“We have a lot more work to do to finalize the specifics but this is our concept deliverable, and we’re really excited about where it is,” she said.

All that’s left is to finish raising about $12 million. Frank Jacobson, the center’s management consultant and capital campaign director, said the process has now entered a “semi-quiet period.” Still, they’re more than halfway to the total goal and he’s optimistic the campaign will hit its goal by the end of 2024, allowing the center to break ground in early 2025.

“The money is out there in this community and the project is more exciting every day,” Jacobson said. Having the visual presentations makes his job a bit easier and he’s already shown it to some of the “visionary donors” (those who donated before they had an idea of what it would look like) and prospective donors.

A bonus to the Holocaust center is that it already has the full-throated endorsement of Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, who has made a point of requiring school districts to prove they’re following the state’s law that the Holocaust and other genocides are being taught at least twice between seventh and 12th grades.

“It’s very easy for a teacher to fulfill that requirement by merely bringing their students on a field trip to the Holocaust center,” said Rabbi Jeffrey Schesnol, AZJHS’ associate director.

“Tom Horne is 100% committed to this project,” he added. JN

For more information, visit azjhs.org/ capital-campaign.

Palestinian flag stood awaiting his exit. He shouted “Free Palestine” and “Israel is murdering Palestinians” at Bachar as he walked by but made little impression on a man whose consulate in Los Angeles had hundreds, even thousands, of protesters outside its doors.

He credited Arizona for its efforts to fight antisemitism and anti-Zionism through legal channels, such as adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and passing anti-boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) legislation.

“I give credit to the people of Arizona and its leadership,” he said. “I wish I could clone Arizona all over the United states.” JN

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Pictured from left are Patrick Gallagher, Spencer Downey, James Burns and Scott Miller, all members of G&A. COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS Illustration of "Upstanders Hallway" exhibit. COURTESY OF G&A VIA ARIZONA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY

To be ‘a

part of’

or ‘apart from,’ American Jews, identity and the future

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Soon, a majority of American Jews will gather with family and friends around a table to celebrate a Passover Seder, one of the most recognizable Jewish holidays, especially in the United States. Many of those offering the ritualistic meal will have designed elements of it themselves or chosen from various ideas on offer that speak to them personally.

According to American Judaic scholar Arnold Eisen, the former chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in New York, American Jews by and large want to maintain some Jewish rituals but demand autonomy as to how they will do so. Thus, most of the same

Jews celebrating the first Passover Seder will not go to synagogue the following Shabbat, “where they do not control the ritual,” Eisen said.

After hours and hours of conversations with American Jews, Eisen reported that “Jews will not observe anything they do not find meaningful in the moment they observe it because that would be inauthentic.”

Eisen spoke about his studies in person at Temple Chai on Monday, March 11. Additionally, about 200 people watched online as Eisen gave the 35th edition of the annual Eckstein Lecture, sponsored by Arizona State University Jewish Studies.

The program’s director, Hava TiroshSamuelson, introduced Eisen and explained that the lecture has focused on American Jewry in the last few years and called Eisen “an interpreter of American Judaism.”

Eisen’s lecture, “American Jewry Today and Tomorrow,” detailed large

portions of his years of research about the American Judaism of yesterday and how it continues to impact the Jewish community.

American Jews still generally adhere to what Eisen termed a “folk religion” that allows them to testify to their religious experience, regardless of their belief in God and how they define it.

The traditions and rituals that carry the most meaning to contemporary American Jews are those like Passover connected to family, especially to parents and grandparents, which is in line with Americans from all faith traditions, he said. Thus, Passover continues to be essential for its familiar connection and universal celebration of freedom. Jewish rituals with less universal ideas that are more particular to Judaism alone, such as Sukkot or Shavuot, are less meaningful to most contemporary Jews. American Jews want to determine for themselves how distinctive they want to be, whether celebrating Jewish holidays,

“JEWS

WILL NOT OBSERVE ANYTHING THEY DO NOT FIND MEANINGFUL IN THE MOMENT THEY OBSERVE IT BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE INAUTHENTIC.”

practicing dietary laws or sending their children to Jewish schools.

“Every single thing you do has to pass the bar of ‘Is it meaningful to me to do this? How distinctive do I want to be?’” Eisen explained. While leading the JTS, an academic and spiritual center of Conservative Judaism, he’s talked with “hundreds and hundreds” of people about how they choose what’s most meaningful.

Parents tell him that choosing between Hebrew school and soccer practice for their children is painful, but sometimes they come down on the side of soccer because it “makes you part of the larger

Arnold Eisen COURTESY OF ASU JEWISH STUDIES

ARNOLD EISEN

world,” whereas Hebrew school sets them apart.

That makes sense, given that American Jews historically have juggled certain big theological ideas. First, is the idea that Jews are God’s chosen people. In the late 19th and early 20th century, Jews trying to make it in the U.S. could see a chance to be accepted by non-Jews.

“It was not good PR to tell the people that you want to be part of that you have to be apart from them,” Eisen said.

He discussed the theories of the Jewish sociologist Nathan Glazer, who proposed that Jewish particularity would be a problem for the Jewish people because American society “expects to see ethnic particularity abandoned.” Glazer correctly predicted that intermarriage between Jews and Christians would become common.

Outside of the Orthodox world, about 70% of American Jewish marriages are between a Jew and a non-Jew.

On the other hand, Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg argued that “Judaism cannot survive if Jews are just like everybody else.” Eisen explained that 20th-century Jews were also grappling with the rabbi’s insistence that the Jewish community could only survive if it emphasized its uniqueness rather than turning from or hiding it.

Jewish sociologist Charles Liebman

later described the Jewish community as one caught between conflicting desires for integration on the one hand and being apart from the non-Jewish society on the other. Trying to walk that tightrope, Liebman suggested, would make most

Jewish life is the middle,” Eisen said. Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, the founder of Reconstructionist Judaism and someone Eisen met in person when he was in his 90s, insisted that it was important to make Judaism intuitive by surrounding people

American Jews shrink from extremes and land somewhere in the middle. However, Eisen pointed out that theory kept him from foreseeing the rise of Haredi Jews. “What’s actually shrinking in American

with Jewish history, literature, language and community so that people ask, “Why should I not be a Jew?” rather than “Why should I be a Jew?”

For more than 1,000 years before

modernity, Jews lived in societies ruled by Christianity or Islam and knew where they stood. “Sometimes it was bad and other times it was good. Maybe you were second-class citizens but you were tolerated,” Eisen said. Modern ideas of liberal democracy shifted everything, especially in the U.S. and thus, American Jews have been negotiating their place within it over the last 150 years with some difficulty, and the Jewish calculus of how distinctive to be is something that continues to this day, he said.

As for the future, Eisen said it’s a fool’s errand to make predictions without knowing all the variables of the next 10, 20 or 30 years, an impossible task. He can only make “educated guesses” and said it’s more important “to try to make it the kind of future that we want to have, rather than worrying about what’s going to happen.”

That said, the future definitely changed on Oct. 7, but there’s no way to predict what that will mean for the future of American Jews and Judaism, he said. “We should not worry about the future of Judaism in America. The question is what you and I are going to do today and tomorrow to secure the future of Jews in America — that’s the only question.” JN For more information, visit jewishstudies.asu.edu.

Passover Seder table CANVA STOCK IMAGE

National Jewish Democrat makes a case to Arizonans for Biden, Democrats in November

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

On the same day Halie Soifer, CEO of Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA), was making her way across the state of Arizona and talking to Jewish voters about the importance of electing Democrats in November, the former president of the United States of America was telling American Jews that voting for Democrats was the same as hating Judaism.

“Any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion, they hate everything about Israel, and they should be ashamed of themselves because Israel will be destroyed,” Donald Trump said Monday, March 18, in an interview with Sebastian Gorka, a far-right commentator, Trump’s former White House advisor and someone with ties to a Hungarian NeoNazi group.

Soifer took time out of her scheduled stop in Scottsdale to address Trump’s remarks on CNN.

“Our message to Trump as he continues to demonstrate animus to Jewish Americans: The feeling is mutual,” Soifer told CNN host John Berman, citing a

Pew survey of Jewish voters that shows a majority disapprove of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

Trump’s message of “contempt and anger” directed towards American Jews is because he knows that “three-quarters of us will never support him,” she said.

Soifer’s three-day sojourn in Arizona, her first as JDCA’s leader, is to ensure that Jewish voters will not waiver in their support of Democrats. She spoke with Jewish voters of various political stripes, including Democrats, Independents and moderate Republicans.

“There’s no question that Arizona will be one of the critical battleground states that determine whether Joe Biden is reelected, if Democrats can hold on in the senate and if they can win back the House majority,” Soifer told Jewish News.

She pointed out that Jewish voters will be critical in some very tight races come November. From March 17-19, Soifer met with voters in Sedona, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tucson to listen to their concerns and let them know what a key role they will play

in this election.

Debra Stein, JDCA board member and Arizona chapter lead, said it was a big deal for Soifer to meet with Arizonans in person.

“It was important to have Halie go to different cities in the state to hear from Arizona’s Jewish voters,” she said, agreeing with Soifer that on several issues, and specifically abortion, “Trump is making the case for us. The one universal thing we heard across the board from Jewish voters is that reproductive rights is a driving force in this election.”

Soifer predicted that Arizona’s abortion access ballot measure would be helpful for Biden and the state’s Democratic candidates.

“Eighty-eight percent of Jewish voters believe that abortion should be legal in some or all cases and it’s a compelling issue,” she said.

She pointed to Democrat Tom Suozzi’s recent victory over Jewish Republican Mazi Pilip in New York’s special congressional election. JDCA targeted every Jewish voter in that district regardless of political party and abortion, among other factors, was a help to Suozzi’s campaign. JDCA ran an ad focused on abortion in that contest and Pilip would not respond when asked about her support for abortion access.

JDCA also aims to convince young voters that they have a lot at stake in this election.

At a breakfast meeting with young voters in Scottsdale on Tuesday, March 19, she met with a group of young Jewish leaders “who expressed a range of views that will determine their choice in November,” she said.

The conversation was about a range of issues, including abortion access, defense of democracy, Israel and rising antisemitism on college campuses.

With her at the breakfast was Adam

Metzendorf, who lives in Greater Phoenix and was appointed last year to JDCA’s New Leadership Council (NLC).

“It was really cool and really impactful for Jewish voters to hear from her (Soifer) in person and see that Arizona is a pivotal state,” he told Jewish News.

Metzendorf unsuccessfully ran for the United States Congress in 2022 and has seen his share of young voter apathy and disillusionment with government. According to most national polls this sentiment is growing stronger.

“We need to combat apathy and that starts with people feeling heard. Having Halie here shows people that their voice matters,” he said.

He described watching people’s faces “literally light up” during the meeting with Soifer as she “gave them a path of what they can do and why they’re important,” he said.

“It was cool to see people be inspired.”

Soifer also announced that Metzendorf will be heading up a new JDCA program to engage young voters in key battleground states, including Arizona. Aside from being “excited and honored,” he couldn’t say much since the program was just starting and he hadn’t convened the first meeting yet.

However, he has given a lot of thought to what it will take to win in 2024 and beyond: talking to voters face to face. He wants to take conversations about politics from the macro level, a place that makes voters feel out of control, to the micro level.

“You have to speak to people and meet them where they are so that they feel heard and know their opinions matter. All our issues are important but it’s not about a particular issue; we have to have real conversations and give real answers,” he said. JN For more information, visit jewishdems.org.

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FBI recognizes local leader for protecting Arizona’s Jewish, marginalized communities

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Paul Rockower, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix (JCRC), is making a quick trip to the nation’s capital this month, but not to see the cherry blossoms. Rather, he is traveling at the invitation of FBI Director Christopher Wray, who is set to honor Rockower for the significant work he has done to protect the local Jewish and other minority communities in Greater Phoenix.

On Friday, April 19, Rockower will receive the Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA), which was created in 1990 to recognize people whose work promoting education and preventing violence has made a difference in their communities.

Fifty-six FBI offices across the country nominate one person every year, but the final decision is Wray’s, and only a handful of nominees receive the award. Rockower is among that handful.

“Our relationship with Paul has been extremely strong,” FBI Phoenix Field

Office’s Special Agent in Charge Akil Davis told Jewish News. In Davis’ two years in Phoenix, Rockower has been the FBI’s main point of contact with the Jewish community.

Since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, “the relationship has only grown stronger,” Davis said.

Davis confirmed that after a few recent FBI arrests in Arizona regarding threats to the Jewish community, he and his colleagues relied on Rockower to communicate whatever information they could share with the public.

“Paul has a lot of empathy and emotional intelligence. He understands that when we say, ‘We can’t talk to you about that,’ it’s because we really can’t. Some people might assume ill intent on our part, but Paul trusts us and understands that I will share what I can when I can, and I frequently do share information with him,” Davis said.

“The JCRC has been proud of its work liaising with the FBI to help protect and

safeguard the Jewish community, and other vulnerable communities, across Arizona,” Rockower told Jewish News in an email. “To be recognized by such significant partners as the FBI with such a meaningful award is truly an honor.”

In February, Rockower joined several FBI agents, Phoenix and Scottsdale police officers and lawyers from the Department of Justice, Attorney General’s Office and Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to address the Jewish community about identifying and reporting antisemitic incidents. The panel was part of a series of meetings with minority communities in Greater Phoenix and designed to be the beginning of an ongoing conversation.

Rockower didn’t mince words when he exhorted people not to go to social media with their suspicions.

Thanks to their lobbying efforts, the legislation easing the financial burden on these small institutions passed and was signed into law last year.

“My father always told me, ‘If you want to make things 100% better, you have to make 100 things 1% better.’ At JCRC, we believe in creating meaningful steps for change on the ground and this campaign seemed like a positive and practical way to strengthen all vulnerable communities in Arizona,” Rockower told Jewish News as their efforts were underway.

“If you see something, say something but say something to your rabbi or to any of the community organizations that deal with this; don’t say it on social media. Talk to your partners in the community so we can handle it strategically instead of throwing it up on social media without knowing the full context,” he said.

Since taking charge of JCRC more than five years ago, Rockower has quietly assisted individual Jews as well as Jewish organizations with troubling incidents and threats, often connecting them with law enforcement when necessary.

In 2021, Rockower was awarded the Arizona Faith Network’s Arizona Peacemaker in Action Award. Rev. Katie Sexton-Wood, AFN’s executive director and Rockower’s partner in interfaith work, explained that the award is for those “who help to build peace amongst Arizona communities,” and Rockower is someone who personifies the core values of AFN because of his work with “interfaith relationship building and social justice.”

Sexton-Wood said she appreciated the time and energy Rockower spends protecting vulnerable faith communities. “As the FBI has recognized, we celebrate not just an award but a testament to Paul’s steadfast resolve in safeguarding our sacred spaces across diverse faith traditions,” she told Jewish News in an email.

Asian, Black, Latino, LGBTQ and other minority Phoenicians have also found a reliable friend and ally in Rockower and the JCRC.

Whether it’s defending Chinese Americans against hostility during the COVID-19 pandemic, outreach to the Black community after George Floyd’s murder, providing humanitarian assistance to asylum seekers or a host of other examples, Rockower has emphasized JCRC’s role in building “a coalition of faith and ethnic community partners so that everyone is supported in times of need.”

Rockower and the JCRC quite literally secured the Jewish community and other minorities when they played a big role in Arizona’s effort to provide state funding for security assistance to small nonprofit organizations, including synagogues and Jewish organizations, at high risk of terrorist attacks and hate crimes due to their mission or beliefs.

Rockower’s interfaith connections have also helped the FBI in its effort to protect other religious minorities, Davis said.

Threats against faith-based communities across the board have been on an incline since 2020. Since Oct. 7, threats against Muslims have increased just as they have against Jews.

“Paul has been our main broker with some of the outreach to the Muslim community,” Davis said. “He’s the face of the Jewish community but he’s also been a leader in this lane, and he’s done it independently.”

Davis called Rockower’s efforts “priceless.” He and his colleagues feel lucky to have someone of Rockower’s caliber and sympathize with bureaus in other states that lack a similar figure.

“We need a Paul in all 50 states,” Davis said. JN

For more information, visit jcrcphoenix.org.

Paul Rockower memorializes his visit to the Grand Canyon in 2024. COURTESY OF PAUL ROCKOWER

Passover Seder 2024

RABBI BONNIE KOPPELL

Why is this Passover different from all other Passover Seders?

Passover celebrates liberation. It celebrates freedom. It celebrates the exodus from slavery.

And yet . . . over 100 Israeli hostages are not free to celebrate with their families this year.

Our joy is diminished as we feel the lack of their presence at their Seder tables.

Seder means “order.” There are 15 moments in the Seder (numbered below) and none of them is untouched. Let’s take a journey through the Haggadah, through the lens of Oct. 7:

1. Kadesh: We begin by lighting candles and blessing the wine, the very symbol of rejoicing. This year we light an extra candle representing these souls who are missing from our community. “The human soul is a flame of God.” (Proverbs 20:27)

2. Urchatz: We wash our hands with no blessing. As we lift our hands, we remind ourselves of the need to use our hands to work for freedom and justice for all.

3. Karpas: A sprig of parsley dipped in salt water. A symbol of spring and the hope for new life. This year, we add salt, symbolizing the many tears shed by those whose have lost loved ones and those whose loved ones are still missing.

4. Yachatz: We break the middle matzah, recognizing the brokenness of the world that was and is still with us. The matzah is hidden, to be reunited with its broken half at the conclusion of the Seder, the Afikomen. May those who are hidden be reunited, bimhera b’yamenu, speedily and in our day.

5. Maggid: Telling the story. We begin with questions and add to the telling and questioning. So many questions haunt us. Why? Why so much hatred? Why so much evil? Why does this story of oppression occur and reoccur in every generation? The Ten Plagues: Every year, we remind

ourselves not to rejoice in the suffering of our enemies. A challenging and essential reminder.

Dayenu: Enough! When the hostages are free and the people of Israel are truly safe, only then will we say, “Dayenu.” Rabban Gamaliel tells us that we must mention:

Pesach: The Passover sacrifice. We remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, those who have died in defense of the land of Israel.

Matzah: The simplest of food. We are grateful for the blessing of the abundance available to us, and pray for a time when hunger will be no more.

Maror: It is a bitter moment in the life of the Jewish people. We eat the maror this year with no charoset, in solidarity with the bitterness of loss and fear of our people.

6. Rachtzah: Now we roll up our sleeves and wash with a blessing, preparing ourselves for the ongoing work of freedom.

7 & 8. Motzi Matzah: “This is the bread of affliction.” Taste it. Feel it.

9. Maror: This year, we eat a bigger bite for the extra bitterness brought on by the unimaginable attack on Oct. 7, the most bitter of days

10. Korech: This sandwich represents the two aspects of our nature — the yetzer ha-tov, the good inclination, the matzah and the yetzer ha-ra, the evil inclination, maror. Even as we recognize that we each have both capabilities, we pray for ourselves and our world that we move ever forward towards the good.

11. Shulchan Orech: As we share a festive meal, we give thanks for the friends and family who share our hurt. The strength of community touches our hearts offering strength and comfort.

12. Tzafun: The hidden matzah has been found and restored to its place of honor on our Seder table. May the hostages who are still hidden soon, very soon,

My stepfather, Joe Lieberman, modeled integrity inside and out

How do we live a life of principle and integrity, without closing ourselves off from others who do not share all of our values?

How do we build bridges and broad tents that include the diversity of human viewpoints and experiences, without forgetting what we stand for?

These are old problems, and evergreen ones.

The Talmud records a crisis from 2,000 years ago, when Rabban Gamliel, the political head of the Jewish community, was deposed as the leader of the main rabbinic academy. His sin? It seems his standards were too high: Rabban Gamliel demanded that all who entered the house of study meet the standard of tokho ke-varo, that their insides should be like their outsides. Like the ark in the Tabernacle, a scholar was meant to be a person of gilded character, inside and out, a paragon of integrity and principle. This was a standard most people cannot meet.

Indeed, on the day Rabban Gamliel was

deposed, the barriers to entry were lowered dramatically: We hear of hundreds and hundreds of pews being added until the space was bursting at the seams.

The message of the Talmud, at first read, seems to be this: Lean into love and compassion and be less of a stickler. Sacrifice some integrity and principle; maybe it’s acceptable for the ark to be gilded on the outside without looking too closely at what you will find within. You will be rewarded with a fuller and broader community. And if you stand on ceremony for what you believe, your world will begin to contract.

But that is not in fact the end of the story. At the end of the story, Rabban Gamliel — presumably along with the culture he embodied — returns to head up the study house three weeks out of four. The final picture is one of synthesis, where the communal space is guided by a paragon of principle insisting on high standards, balanced with a breadth of vision that will find a way to let those hundreds of people in.

In the Talmud, this balance requires a rotating cast of characters. For all of us mourning Joe Lieberman, we saw this synthesis, and the utter refutation of the entire dichotomy, in the man we mourn. Joe Lieberman was tokho ke-varo — his inside was like his outside.

Tokho ke-varo — His inner gilded character and generosity shone through to all those who encountered him. His panim yafot, his gleaming countenance, was not

A NOTE ON OPINION

a well-executed politeness. It reflected the inner joy he truly felt when he encountered each person. There was no person, no matter their station, their seniority, their origin, their ideology, who was not capable of evoking this response from him. When he first met me, at age 6 ½, I could tell from the first moment that he loved my mother, but he also loved me, and not just because

We are a diverse community. The views expressed in these opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of the officers and boards of the Jewish Community Foundation, Center for Jewish Philanthropy, Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, Cleveland Jewish Publication Company or the staff of the Jewish News. Letters must respond to content published by the Jewish News and should be a maximum of 200 words. They may be edited for space and clarity. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters and op-ed submissions should be sent to editor@jewishaz.com

Rabbi Bonnie Koppell COURTESY OF RABBI BONNIE KOPPELL

RABBI ETHAN TUCKER | JTA

Sen. Joe Lieberman and his wife Hadassah with their children, clockwise from lower left, Hana, Ethan, Rebecca and Matt. COURTESY OF RABBI ETHAN TUCKER

We cannot avert our eyes

This past Monday, I stood in the Trader Joe’s parking lot with a group of strangers, sharing eclipse glasses and looking up at the sky. Together, we stood profoundly in awe, marveling at nature and the miracle passing by right above us.

Professor Google taught me that a solar eclipse is when the moon’s path completely intersects with the path of the sun. For a very short time, those who are in the path of totality will have the opportunity to see one of nature’s most inspiring sights.

But here’s the catch: for those who are able to see a full or partial solar eclipse, this rare sight is potentially dangerous. Looking directly at the sunlight — even when mostly covered by the moon, can irreparably damage your eyes. To view the beauty, you need protection.

SEDER

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

now, yesterday, may they be restored to our people.

13. Beirach: The blessing after the meal directs our hearts to the land of Israel. We pray for God’s compassion on the people of Israel, on Jerusalem and on Tzion. Sh’foch Chamatcha, “Pour Out Your Wrath:” At many of our Seders, this is a troubling moment, as we cry out to God to pursue and destroy our enemies. Various Haggadot have tempered the desire for revenge with the addition of a call for loving appreciation for the friends of the Jewish people. In 2024, we have permission for a moment of pure anger. When we remember the way too many instances of violence directed towards us throughout our history, and viciously reignited at this moment, we can be for-

OPINION

A solar eclipse is a time when our brightest light will be covered by darkness, when it will hurt to look. When our eyes can literally burn as the forces of light and dark collide.

This week’s Torah portion, too, urges us to avert our eyes. Not from the sun, but rather, from a litany of skin ailments and infections. It details everything from rashes to boils, from hairs to scales, from puss to streaks. Parshah Tazria is, for lack of a better word, gross!

Our biblical ancestors seemed to share this assessment, as it says, “The afflicted person shall call out ‘impure, impure!’ Then, they shall dwell outside the camp, away from their family, their friends and their community.” (Lev 13:45)

I can imagine the neighbors shielding their eyes, keeping their distance and looking down as the m’tzora (the afflicted person) walks away.

In that parking lot on Monday, one person showed me how to turn the camera of my iPhone so that I could safely see the crescent reflection in my photos. Another person handed me a pair of glasses.

Light rolls into darkness, and darkness

rolls into light.

A fear becomes a blessing.

An ordinary shopping trip becomes holy.

If only the priests had a special pair of glasses or goggles or an iPhone camera, they could use to view the heart of the metzora. If only they could remove the fear of disease and instead of casting away, bring their neighbor back into the camp, closer to the healing power of friendship and community. We do, as a Jewish family, have the power to heal each other. Perhaps we aren’t able to heal skin diseases with our kindness, but we can help each other find a sense of wholeness and purpose. “Refuah Shleimah” are the words that we offer to those who are ill: May your recovery move swiftly, and may you soon feel whole.

We see healing through offerings of chicken soup deliveries and heartfelt prayers. We see it in visits to close friends and phone calls to acquaintances. We see it in offers of errands and cups of tea shared with company. While a virus may contaminate a loved one’s skin, or blood, or muscle, or bone — our hearts

LIEBERMAN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

given for this desperate plea for the end of Jew-hatred.

14. Hallel: How can we praise God when our pain is so deep? The author of the Psalms expresses that sense of being surrounded on all sides, of the struggle to have faith in the midst of fear and pain, trouble and sorrow. Is there any sense of comfort in knowing that we are not alone in our struggle?

15. Nirtzah: As the seder draws to a close, we pray the words, “Next year in Jerusalem.” Would that we might be blessed in the year ahead to visit the land of Israel, a land at peace and a land with families reunited, enjoying health and well-being. JN

Letter to the editor

This is an epidemic happening all over the country, here in Flagstaff (“After antisemitic slurs and racist screeds, Flagstaff City Council relieved by ‘compassionate’ ceasefire discussion,” April 5, 2024), and now in Tucson. Tucson has seen an uptick in antisemitism and April 9 there is a ceasefire resolution that might be brought up to be voted on. I feel as most do, if passed this will embolden more hate against us. We need to concentrate on local matters, and we need to support whatever the steps are with our country to see peace in the Middle East. This needs to stay out of city government. Again, thank you for your article.

Andrew Kunsberg, Tucson

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are always pure. With our love we lift the darkness. With our compassion we find safe ways to see the light.

We won’t see another eclipse in North America until 2045 (again, according to professor Google). But until then, we can certainly find ways to bring light into the dark, holiness to the profane, blessing in the face of fear.

While our parshah teaches us to avert our eyes, we know where to find the tools we need so that we don’t need to turn our backs to the hurting or the hopeless. Next week, Parshah Metzora will offer us insight into the rituals the ancient world used to purify the impure. But we know what we need to do in the here and now to make life better for those who are in need. JN

he loved her. His external kindness reflected internal affection. This was a gift, gratitude for which I can never exhaust, an example I can only hope to emulate.

Tokho ke-varo — His integrity guided his actions. Nothing was done except for principle, sometimes to his political benefit, sometimes not. You knew where he stood, and based on where he stood, you knew how he would respond.

Tokho ke-varo — His inner, private, family life was seamlessly connected to his outward, public-facing life. He was the same person at home and in public. He saw his public service as a reflection of his most deeply held values, the ones he instilled in us. And his interactions with everyone carried the tenderness of a dear friend and a loving parent.

He would have been a star pupil in Rabban Gamliel’s academy

But no one knew more and better how to build bridges and broad tents than he. And he did so through his integrity.

This started at home: As a small child, I saw him leverage his love for and commitment as a father to Matt and Rebecca, the children of his first marriage, to take me on as his child.

He had his home synagogues, beginning with Congregation Agudath Shalom in Stamford, Connecticut; but there was no shul in which he wouldn’t daven.

He saw and found truth in genuinely held political convictions with which he

disagreed, because he knew what it felt like to believe in something.

His faith allowed him to connect to others of faith, or to anyone seeking a voice of conviction and principle. He taught me that being an observant Jew should make you more, not less likely, to connect with those of different backgrounds.

His integrity was not a blinding light, but a magnetic field, drawing in fellow travelers and inviting in even adversaries for dialogue and compromise.

There was no limit to the number of benches in his study hall. He could have run the Talmudic academy four weeks out of four — it would have modeled integrity inside and out, and it would have been bursting at the seams, as is this sacred space today.

Oh, how we miss you and need you, Joe. Thank you for reminding us that our deepest convictions can be the most important planks of bridge building. And that the pegs of our integrity are the only things strong enough to anchor the tents of the broad communities our world so desperately needs. We love you. JN

This essay is adapted from the eulogy the author gave for his stepfather, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, at his funeral. Lieberman died March 25 at age 82.

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 Sara Mason-Barkin serves as rabbi and executive educator at Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale.

Rabbi Bonnie Koppell is the associate rabbi of Temple Chai in Phoenix.

RABBI SARA MASON-BARKIN PARSHAH TAZRIA: LEVITICUS 12:1 - 13:59

Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin COURTESY OF RABBI MASON-BARKIN

Latino-Jewish Seder brings two communities together

Freedom, resilience and strength are all universal themes associated with Passover, the Jewish holiday celebrating the ancient Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. The fact that it is also a time for most Jews to connect with family, food and home is a bonus. Each of those Passover messages, from the familiar to the universal, will be part and parcel of the Latino-Jewish Seder on Wednesday, April 17. (Passover officially begins at sundown on Monday, April 22.)

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix (JCRC) is hosting the event to build connections between the Jewish and Latino communities, JCRC Associate Director Amanda Garcia told Jewish News.

“Our mission is to bring people together,” she said. When the only interactions people have on a regular basis take place on social media, forums where “people talk about each other and to each other,” misunderstandings easily arise, Garcia said. This Seder will be a way for

young people from both communities in Greater Phoenix to engage with one another and build strong relationships.

It helps that Latinos and Jews come to the table with a number of shared values, Carlos Galindo-Elvira told Jewish News.

“There are more similarities than dissimilarities between the two communities, with family being the number one shared value — and not far behind that is the love of food,” he laughed.

Galindo-Elvira, director of community engagement and partnerships for Chicanos Por La Causa, was one of the original organizers of the event when it began two decades ago as a project of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and Valle del Sol’s Hispanic Leadership Institute. Both organizations are participating in this year’s event.

Galindo-Elvira, who is a Latino Jew and called himself “a walking bridge” between the two communities, called the Seder “a cultural experience that was unlike any

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Carlos Galindo-Elvira holding a piece of matzah.

COURTESY OF CARLOS GALINDO-ELVIRA

Rabbi Dean Shapiro, left, and Carlos Galindo-Elvira, right, at a previous Latino-Jewish Seder in Greater Phoenix. COURTESY OF CARLOS GALINDO-ELVIRA

Haggadah and Cesar Chavez prayer used in a previous Latino-Jewish Seder in Greater Phoenix. COURTESY OF CARLOS GALINDO-ELVIRA

A superhero, a scientist and a T. rex who scares his seder guests star in 2024’s new Passover children’s books

Asuperhero who saves the day; the return of a beloved multigenerational family of Jewish bears; a budding young nonbinary scientist who’s an heir to Frankenstein and a folk-style Ethiopian tale are among the stars of the new Passover children’s books published in 2024.

The titles come from new entrants to the Jewish children’s literary scene as well as from prominent, award-winning writers. They include picture books, young adult novels and two compendiums of timeless stories tied to the Passover holiday, which this year begins the evening of April 22.

Here’s your roundup of new children’s Passover books for 2024.

“Matzah Ball Chase”

Rachelle Burk; illustrated by Brittany Lakin Apples & Honey Press; ages 3-6

In this rhyming Passover story, a matzah ball made by a young Israeli girl’s grandmother flies out of her bowl of soup

and bounces out of the house. The ball bounces into Jerusalem’s Old City, across Israel to Tel Aviv, Masada and the Red Sea in a ticklish travelog that arrives at a time when many Jewish families are likely to be thinking about Israel.

“Where is Poppy?”

Caroline Kusin Pritchard; illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; ages 4-8

In this poignant story, a young girl looks forward to celebrating Passover with her extended family, but misses her grandfather, who died during the year. When her family suggests she look for signs of her beloved Poppy, she recalls all the ways he made the seder special.

“Tyrannosaurus Tsuris”

Susan Tarcov; illustrated by Elissambura

Kar-Ben Publishing; ages 3-6

Dinosaur lovers will enjoy this story of a Tyrannosaurus Rex who is overcome

by tsuris (the Yiddish word for “worry”) about whether the guests he invited will come to his seder, or whether they’ll steer clear out of fear. The solutionsoriented story teaches a lesson about the importance of being kind to guests.

“Beni’s Tiny Tales: Around the Year in Jewish Holidays”

Jane Breskin Zalben

Christy Ottaviano Books; ages 4-8

More than three decades after the debut of a set of books about a charming family of Jewish bears, Beni, his sister Sara and all their cousins are back with children of their own, in Jane Breskin Zalben’s compilation of gloriously illustrated stories, songs, craft activities and recipes that is sure to delight a new generation of kids. A 20-page spread devoted to Passover opens with “Passover Ping Pong,” a lighthearted story that will have kids chuckling.

“Matzah Man to the Rescue!”

Eric A. Kimmel; illustrated by Charlie Fowkes

Apples & Honey Press; ages 5-9

Kids will delight as they follow the adventures of Matzah Man, in Eric Kimmel’s laugh-out-loud comic-style adventure about a Passover superhero who soars the skies in his blue cape, rescuing families across the globe who need help preparing for their seder. When his miracle matzah balls run low and he runs out of energy,  along comes the Prophet Elijah to save the superhero’s holiday. Charlie Fowkes’ colorful, animated illustrations are perfectly paired with Kimmel’s lively text.

“Everybody’s Book: The Story of the Sarajevo Haggadah”

Linda Leopold Strauss; illustrated by Tim Smart

Kar-Ben Publishers; ages 4-8

This gloriously illustrated, inspiring book traces the story of the historic

medieval Spanish haggadah through its remarkable journey of survival, rescued multiple times by Muslims who risked their lives to save theJewish manuscript. Today, the treasured haggadah, housed at the National museum in Sarajevo, no stands as a universal symbol of peace for people of all faiths.

“Benjy’s Messy Room”

Barbara Diamond Goldin; illustrated by Rita Tan

Apples & Honey Press; ages 4-7

If only Benjy can put away all his toys,  he’ll get to lead his family’s hunt for chametz on the evening before Passover. It’s Benjy’s favorite ritual where he’ll hide small packets of bread crumbs that his family will have to find. To Benjy’s surprise, when he gets distracted playing with his younger sister, he discovers that turning the chore into fun is the perfect solution.

“Workitu’s Passover: A Story from Ethiopia”

Zahava Workitu Goshen and Maayan Ben Hagai; Illustrated by Eden Spivak; translated by Jessica Bonn

Green Bean Books; ages 4-8

In this touching, folk-like tale, Workitu, a young Ethiopian Jewish girl, discovers that her family’s Passover ritual of smashing their hand-made clay dishes, including her favorite cup, is a meaningful tradition of transforming the old into something new. Eden Spivak’s illustrations depict the warmth of rural village life.

“Afikoman, Where’d You Go? A Passover Hide-and-Seek Adventure”

Rebecca Gardyn Levington; illustrated by Noa Kelner

Rocky Pond Books/Penguin

Random House; ages 4-8

In Rebecca Gardyn Levington’s rhyming adventure, a houseful of spunky cousins search the house for the afikoman, a beloved seder ritual where kids are challenged to

New Passover children’s books out for 2024 tackle a range of topics and time periods. COLLAGE COURTESY OF GRACE YAGEL

PENNY SCHWARTZ | JTA

find the hidden piece of matzah. Readers are in for fun searching for the clever cartoonish afikoman who slips here and there in Noa Kelner’s lively illustrations.

“Frankenstein’s Matzah: A Passover Parody”

K. Marcus; illustrated by Sam Loman Intergalactic Afikoman; ages 5-9

In this zany Passover caper, Vee Frankenstein, an inventive non-binary Jewish kid, is determined to win the science fair by bringing a piece of matzah to life. This witty story encourages kids to ask questions and amplifies the Jewish value of welcoming guests, both central themes of the seder. Sam Loman’s animated, colorful cartoon-like artwork jumps off the page.

other.” This is the event’s first time back since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.

Temple Kol Ami Rabbi Jeremy Schneider and Cantor Noa Shaashua will lead the Seder.

“The Jewish community is always proud to share the story of Passover, and how its timeless message connects and resonates with different communities,” Schneider told Jewish News in an email. At each table, individual Jews will share their own family traditions and Passover memories with those who are brand new to the holiday.

“That’s what makes it special,” GalindoElvira said. “It’s a chance for meaningful conversations that help build relationships mutually beneficial to both communities.”

It’s centered on a Jewish religious holiday, but the point is not to talk about religion. “It’s about dialogue and discourse,” he said. For example, when the 10 plagues come up during the ritual meal, it’s a great time to bring up modern plagues, such as antisemitism and racism. The discourse will be driven by the mix of people at each table. JCRC will guide discussions as well, offering themes such as migration, identity, religion and cross-cultural interplay, drawing on parallels between the Exodus story and what’s going on in the world at present. Additionally, people will be able to share their own stories and points of view.

He remembered that one year, Cesar Chavez’s work was incorporated and his fight for equity for farm workers. Again, the broad lessons of Passover — freedom and liberation — are the focus. The details depend on the players.

Garcia estimated there would be 100 attendees, including representatives of Valle del Sol’s Hispanic Leadership Program, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Chicanos Por La Causa and people each of those organizations invites. JCRC’s board members and the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix’s Leadership & Advancement

“On All Other Nights: A Passover Celebration in 14 Stories”

Edited by Chris Baron, Joshua S. Levy and Naomi Milliner

Amulet Books/Abrams; ages 8-12 and up A gefilte fish tale of woe; a time-travel adventure and a cartoon about the longest-ever seder that its author suggests may be true are among the stand-out reads in this page-turning illustrated anthology of 14 stories, each inspired by one of the steps of the seder. An all-star cast of best-selling authors, including the editors, Adam Gidwitz and Mari Lowe and others, offer short, Passover-themed works of fiction and non-fiction that will engage teens and adults alike. JN

Series members will help round out the Jewish participants.

While that’s not a full accounting of the participants, the key is that everyone who comes is interested in having “a positive cultural exchange,” Garcia said.

That’s why Beth El Phoenix congregant Barbara Lewkowitz first got involved in Greater Phoenix’s Hispanic-Jewish Coalition, also an AJC project, more than two decades ago. Given her proficiency in Hebrew, she always read part of the service at those first Seders.

“Both our communities have similar experiences given that we came to this country as immigrants, built our families, gained education and became leaders. I think our values are very similar,” she told Jewish News.

While talking to Galindo-Elvira at another event a couple of months ago and learned the Seder was being revitalized, she exclaimed, “That’s fantastic!” He responded, “You’re coming!”

“I’m thrilled to have it back,” she said.

This will be Garcia’s first Latino-Jewish Seder, and she is excited to listen to people discuss the themes of freedom, identity, migration and more, knowing that people will walk out with new friends and more mutual understanding.

“I’m grateful that everyone’s coming together,” she said. Given that the Seder comes four days after her son’s bar mitzvah, she’ll probably be grateful to have a bit of a break.

Galindo-Elvira is also looking forward to celebrating with both communities again. For him, this Seder is an “idea that never gets old.”

His favorite part of the event, aside from the dark chocolate-covered macaroons, is “looking around the room, seeing the combination of people and knowing it’s possible to build community.” JN

What’s for brunch?

When I think about menu planning for Passover, I initially work on the Seders.

The Seders begin this illustrious holiday and food is a major part (as with most Jewish holidays) of the tradition. The Seders typically involve extended family and friends, so it feels like the energy goes into making these meals special.

But there are many more days that need menu ideas. One category that tends to get missed is brunch. While I can enjoy toasted matzah with a little melted butter and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a good savory matzah brie, that can get old in a hurry, which is why I recommend making my two featured recipes.

The first recipe is Matzah Rosti with Eggs, Arugula & Feta. It’s a twist on matzah

brei (we make it into a large round “pancake”) and it gets topped with ricotta cheese, fried eggs, arugula and crumbled feta cheese. Sounds pretty darn good to me!

The second recipe, The BEST Matzah Granola, is amazing for brunch but you will be hard-pressed to keep your hands off it all day long! It’s an addictive snack — handfuls seem to disappear when I’m not looking! This recipe gets made year-round in my household. The matzah gives granola a more interesting flavor and texture than oats and it’s very versatile. You can use any combination of nuts, spices and dried fruit.

So, look no further when contemplating brunch recipes. Here are two that you’ll make year after year!

MATZAH ROSTI WITH EGGS, ARUGULA & FETA

Makes: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 matzah, broken in 1-inch pieces

• 8 eggs

• 1/4 + 1/8 teaspoon salt, divided

• 4 cups baby arugula

Instructions:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

• 3/4 cup part skim ricotta

• 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese (or more to taste)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a baking sheet pan with cooking spray. Add 3/4 cup warm water to the broken matzah and toss. Allow to sit 3-5 minutes, until the water is absorbed.

Beat 4 of the eggs lightly with a fork, stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper, and add to the matzah. Toss the mixture well, and then occasionally for the next 5 minutes to allow some of the egg to be absorbed.

Meanwhile, toss the arugula with 1 tablespoon of the oil, the vinegar and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the matzah mixture and press it lightly into an even disc in the pan. Cook until the bottom is browned and the mixture holds together well when you shake the pan, about 5 minutes. Place the sheet pan (sprayed side down) over the skillet and invert the rosti onto the pan. (The browned side will face up.) Spread the top evenly with the ricotta and place in the oven for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet.

Matzah rosti with eggs, arugula and feta. COURTESY OF FRANCINE COLES

THE BEST MATZAH GRANOLA

Makes: 8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 -3 sheets matzah, crumbled (to make 2 heaping cups)

• 3/4 cup roughly chopped pecans

• 3/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts

• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

• 1/4 cup honey

Instructions:

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon allspice

• 1 pinch kosher salt

• 1/2 cup chopped dried figs, cranberries or cherries

• 1/2 cup chopped dates

Pre-heat the oven to 300 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Mix the matzah, nuts and coconut flakes in a large bowl; set aside.

In a small saucepan over low heat stir the honey, sugar, olive oil, cinnamon and allspice just until the sugar is dissolved. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir till well combined. Add a good pinch of kosher salt and stir again.

Spread the mixture evenly onto your prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes, stirring and checking every 10 minutes. Remove from the oven when the granola is golden brown and let cool completely.

Use your hands to break up any larger clusters and stir in the dried fruit. Store in the freezer in a Ziploc bag (or other airtight container).

Chef’s Notes:

Substitute the nuts for whatever you like; you want a total of 1 & 1/2 cups chopped.

Substitute the dried fruit for whatever you like; you want a total of 1 cup chopped.

Substitute maple syrup for the honey if you prefer.

Use any combination of spices you like in place of (or in addition to) the cinnamon and allspice; you want a total of 2 teaspoons of spice (nutmeg, clove and ginger all work well). JN

Francine Coles is a food blogger based in Phoenix. Find more of her food insights and recipes at thefancypantskitchen.com.

Crack the remaining 4 eggs in the skillet and cook them, sunny side up, until the whites are just cooked through and the yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes.

Cut the rosti into four wedges and place each on a plate. Top with the arugula and then an egg; sprinkle with the feta and serve immediately.

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Chandler students lead public through Holocaust exhibit featuring young Jews

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Rylee Becker, a Chandler High School (CHS) junior and member of Temple Emanuel of Tempe, was one of four student docents to lead Chandler city and school leaders through a traveling exhibit titled “Through the Eyes of Youth: Life and Death in the Bedzin Ghetto,” at the Chandler Center for the Arts on Monday, Feb. 5. The exhibit was open to the Chandler public for the first time Feb. 5-8 before moving to CHS, where students will view it for the second year in a row.

“I volunteered because I want to make sure the public knows the details of the Holocaust and the personal stories that sometimes get forgotten,” Becker told Jewish News. She and her fellow students took 90 minutes of docent training and volunteered their afternoons and evenings to the task.

The exhibit is a creation of Northern Arizona University’s Martin-Springer Institute in Flagstaff in honor of its co-

founder Doris Martin (née Szpringer), a Holocaust survivor who was born in Bedzin, Poland, deported to Auschwitz and survived Ludwigsdorf, a women’s labor camp. About a decade ago, MartinSpringer collaborated with 15 NAU undergraduate students on the text, photos and set for an exhibit originally intended to travel only to schools in Arizona. Since its creation, the exhibit has also been displayed in New York, Poland and South Africa.

Before the general public could see it, Lori Redman, the CHS teacher responsible for bringing the exhibit to Chandler’s art center, hosted Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, Chandler Unified School District Superintendent Franklin R. Narducci, Chandler City Councilwoman Christine Ellis, Chandler High School Principal Greg Milbrandt and others for a special preview of the exhibit.

“I’m here to learn like everyone else,” Hartke told Jewish News. His father

served in the army and was in France at the war’s end but he never talked about what he witnessed. Hartke remembered first learning about the Holocaust in a social studies class in the early 1970s. His teacher showed the class a film of Allied forces liberating concentration camps.

“That movie made a lasting impression,” he said.

Ellis, who was born in Haiti, said she knew about life in a ghetto from personal experience. “It’s important to know about different cultures so that we can work together,” she told Jewish News.

Brandon Nevarez, a CHS junior, vol-

unteered to be a docent both because he believes “the world should remember the Holocaust” and because he loves to be of service. The thing that he likes about the exhibit is “it uses personal stories, which is important because Holocaust history is so big and it’s the personal stories that resonate. These were real people whose lives were taken,” he told Jewish News.

Chloe Hallin, a CHS junior, volunteered because she is interested in how the lessons of World War II are still so present, especially when it comes to propaganda.

“It’s interesting to see how people can be swayed and influenced in terms of how

Rylee Becker, Brandon Nevarez, Chloe Hallin and Nigel Garrity, pictured left to right, are all Chandler High School juniors who volunteered to be docents for the “Through the Eyes of Youth: Life and Death in the Bedzin Ghetto” Holocaust exhibit at the Chandler Center for the Arts. COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS

we react to our leaders and to wars,” she told Jewish News.

Nigel Garrity, a CHS junior, was “a tad bit nervous” to take people through his portion of the exhibit. However, it’s worth it because “this is bringing awareness to people and shedding light on really dark situations. People might know certain things about the Holocaust but many don’t know about individual lives like this,” he told Jewish News.

The exhibit gives an overview of Bedzin before, during and after World War II, introducing viewers to Doris Szpringer (Martin), Jane Lipski, Hadassa Broder, Rutka Laskier, Sam Pivnik, Rose Rechnic and Arnold Shay, seven young people who lived there before World War II began. People can read their words and look at their photos to see the reality of their day-to-day lives, as well as their families, religion and schooling before Nazis occupied the town in 1939.

Five days after the invasion, Nazis rounded up the Jewish population, about 50% of the town, forced 300 men into a synagogue in the city center and burned it. The exhibit shows the horrors of occupation, including the Nazi-imposed restrictions on the town’s Jews, confiscations of their businesses and property, conscription into menial labor, forced relocation to an overcrowded ghetto, and ultimately, deportations to Auschwitz, less than 40 miles away.

The exhibit also offers snippets of resilience in the ghetto, using the words of the young protagonists, five of whom survived the war and wrote about their lives during those years.

“No place was safe. We wanted to resist or at least not go meekly to the crematoria,” Jane Lipski wrote. She described gatherings where other students would read and sing together.

“Resistance meant conducting underground schools to continue the teachings of the Torah or to slip out of the ghetto,” wrote Arnold Shay.

Still, others wrote of meeting one

another to talk, study, plant vegetables, sing and even fall in love.

“How wonderful it felt to experience this feeling of love, despite such clouds of doom hovering over us,” wrote Rose Rechnic in her memoir. Hadassa Broder married and had a child during those years in the ghetto. In 1943, she was deported to Auschwitz and there is no record of her fate.

Rutka Laskier’s diary is an insightful document for understanding the lives of the young people in Bedzin. She wrote about boys, missing her favorite foods and the boredom of life under occupation. Sadly, she did not survive and her diary, discovered 40 years after her deportation, is all that remains.

While most stories were lost along with the lives of their tellers, Martin-Springer and the teachers who use the exhibit hope that by showing the real people who suffered in Bedzin, especially the young people, it will touch a chord in the people who are seeing it 80 years later and 6,000 miles away.

“We wanted to use the voices of these young people — 16, 17, 18 years old — so that students today have an access point into history and a way to connect,” Martin-Springer director Bjorn Krondorfer told attendees.

Looking around the room and seeing the leaders who accepted her invitation, Redman said the exhibit was already a success. “I hope that community members take advantage of this too. It’s something they don’t normally have an opportunity to see,” she told Jewish News. Additionally, 22 educators signed up to learn more about bringing the exhibit to their schools and classrooms.

“It’s a huge success because making people aware of this is what it’s about. This year, it’s at Chandler High and next year, it will be at Hamilton and other schools and it will spread,” she said. JN

To learn more about the exhibit, go to in.nau.edu/ martin-springer/.

Rylee Becker shows her principal part of the Bedzin Ghetto exhibit on Monday, Feb. 5. COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS

Why I send my children to sleepaway camp

JODI WOODNICK, LCSW | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

It’s dirty, it’s loud, the food is average on its best day, you get no space or time to yourself (even in the bathroom) and many of your belongings will likely get lost and/or destroyed. All of this can be yours (well, your child’s) for the high, high price of $1,000.00 a week or more. But wait! There’s more! Did I mention the bugs?

You may think this is the world’s worst sales pitch. For me (and for millions of other parents) it sounds like a bargain, too good to be true.

I wear many hats in our community — mental health therapist to kids, families and parents, director of community care at Wilshire Boulevard Temple Camps in Southern California and parent to two lifelong sleepaway campers. Looking through multiple lenses, I get an inside look at the kind of growth that is possible after just a couple of weeks at sleepaway camp, and it’s worth more than money can buy.

Here are just a few benefits of a sleepaway camp experience:

1. Children can practice problemsolving and coping skills

We have become accustomed as parents to anticipating potential problems for our kids and solving them before they can even occur. How many of us make sure the backpack is ready, the pantry is stocked with preferred snacks, the restaurant order is exactly right and so much more? Most of us don’t even realize what we’re doing or we do it because it’s just easier.

At camp, children will encounter novel challenges. Moreover, the support they receive as they face challenges (counselors, cabin mates) will feel unfamiliar. Some challenges will be simple (I don’t like the dinner, I can’t find my water bottle) and others more complex (I’m feeling homesick, I don’t get along with my bunkmate). Either way, children will practice problem-solving through trial and error and learn what works (and what doesn’t).

2. Children can practice independence

When we think of “independence” as it relates to sleepaway camp, it is natural for us to think about children brushing their teeth without being asked, turning on the shower or picking up dirty laundry. Yes, these things are likely to happen at camp

and you may even notice when your child comes home (for a little while). What will be less obvious, but (in my opinion) vastly more important, is the emotional independence that can occur at camp. Children rely on parents to understand their own emotions. In many ways,

children are our mirrors, unconsciously reflecting our responses to events, to each other and even to them. At camp, children have the chance to rely on and process their own emotions without our input, giving them agency, a sense of empowerment.

3. Children can hone friendship skills

At home, parents are heavily involved in children’s friendships. As much as we may try to avoid it, our attitudes and opinions about others are conveyed to our children. When our attitudes are at odds with our children’s, they are left to question their preferences, their boundaries and even themselves.

Camp, by contrast, creates opportunities for kids to forge friendships without parental input. At camp kids can discover what they value in a friend, discovering their own friendship boundaries. They can learn how to say no when something doesn’t feel right and how to participate when it does. Discovering and ultimately trusting one’s own relationship boundaries is a necessary skill for life.

4. Children can build empathy

The ability to perceive and understand the world from another’s perspective, even when their perspective differs from ours, is empathy, a critical feature of any

strong and lasting relationship. Some believe that empathy is intrinsic; a person either possesses empathy or does not. In actuality, children can build empathy by seeing it modeled in adults, recognizing it and intentionally practicing it. There is no better place than a sleepaway camp to build empathy in real time.

Common to almost every sleepaway camp experience is sharing small spaces with peers, most of whom differ from us in background, needs or habits. Some peers will need more time to get ready in the morning, some will need less. Some peers will be able to keep their areas organized, while others will struggle. Some peers will need extra staff support than others regulating their emotions or behaviors. Having that kind of intimate exposure to another’s quirks and challenges, and giving grace rather than judgment, enables campers to live with empathy day-to-day.

5. Children can build identity

According to psychologists, developing a personal identity separate from others is a critical feature of childhood and adolescence. As they develop, children begin to answer questions like, “Who am I? “What is important to me?” “What are my strengths?” “What do I value?”

Sleepaway camp provides organic opportunities for children to begin build-

ing independent identities in safe and protected environments. By being gently pushed outside of their comfort zones, with exposure to various backgrounds and belief structures, children can begin to learn who they are and what they truly value.

The word “resilience” comes up a lot in writings about children and mental health. It’s a nice concept — tolerating the ups and downs of life, problem-solving what we can and sitting comfortably with what we cannot. It is a daunting task to understand how to help our children be

I BELIEVE

I BELIEVE

resilient. The simple answer: they can’t, not without practice.

But don’t worry! There’s an easy solution! Sleepaway camp can provide endless opportunities for kids to practice resilience every day, and you can get it today for the bargain price of just $1,000.00 a week! Worth every penny (and more). 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.

Temple Chai

Early Childhood Center Summer Camp

5/28 -7/24

I BELIEVE

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Multiple generations come together to support ASU Hillel

Hundreds of community members gathered for a sold-out night of schmoozing and simcha for Hillel Jewish Students Center at Arizona State University’s annual fundraiser at The Clayton House in Scottsdale on Feb. 4.

The fundraiser’s name, “L’dor V’dor,” which translates to “from generation to generation” in Hebrew, encapsulated the essence of the evening.

The community gathering was multigenerational, spanning recent graduates to older donors, now coming together for a common cause: to support the current generation of college students.

“When thinking about generation to generation in the Jewish sense, what you do matters,” Debbie Yunker Kail, ASU Hillel’s executive director, said. “Not just for what you are now, but for what you leave behind and we wanted to instill that value in the people that are coming and the contribution they are making.”

The fundraiser not only served as a moment to commemorate the past and present but also as an opportunity to celebrate the future of the Jewish community and leadership.

Lee Dranikoff, board chairman of Hillel International, attended the event and spoke about the organization’s oncampus work battling antisemitism and honored Yunker Kail for her 10 years of leadership.

“Since Oct. 7, we reported 900 incidents of antisemitism on college campuses, including over 40 physical assaults,” he said. “I could never have imagined that this could happen.”

Dranikoff said he and Yunker Kail met with ASU’s President Michael Crow earlier that week to discuss tensions on campus. He said that is why the fundraiser was so important.

“Rebuilding is just something we need to do,” Dranikoff said. “Your support really means a lot to me.”

Yunker Kail was recognized for her tenure at the event and presented with a mezuzah from ASU Hillel’s board of directors.

“Your leadership here at ASU, in this community, it just means the world to us,” said Ed Ober, president of ASU Hillel’s board of directors. “We are honored to have you as our executive

director.”

Steven M. Goldstein was honored with the Rabbi Barton G. Lee Memorial Pillar Award. This award is named in honor of the late Rabbi Barton G. Lee, a revered figure who shaped the Hillel community at ASU for 40-plus years.

The award symbolizes excellence and dedication to the principles that Lee held dear — community engagement, spiritual leadership and a commitment to fostering unity among the Jewish people.

Yunker Kail compared Goldstein’s leadership to a literal pillar, “holding up so many organizations, reliably doing what needs to be done.” He spent almost 10 years on ASU Hillel’s board of directors, helping raise the $1.25 million needed to purchase the Tempe property at 1020 S. Mill Ave. in 2017 without financing.

“In my early years, this meant helping me learn our community history and make new connections,” Yunker Kail said. “As we grew together, you consistently made decisions that showed you were committed to building Hillel’s infrastructure, and you became a pillar to me and this organization.”

In addition to the Rabbi Barton G. Lee Memorial Pillar Award, the event also highlighted Jessielyn and Jared Hirschl with the presentation of the Community Enrichment Award.

Yunker Kail said this award honors young professionals who demonstrate a profound commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others and “improve our community.”

Jared graduated from ASU in 2015. During his time on campus, he set an example for his peers in the pro-Israel space, “laying the foundation for being an Israel advocate today,” Yunker Kail said.

“Debbie was also a huge supporter and advisor of my and other students’ efforts to start Students Supporting Israel,” Jared said. “Eventually, Hillel even connected me to Jessielyn and led us to where we are now: happily married for four and a half years and raising our children in a Jewish home.”

Jessielyn first took a job at ASU’s Hillel recruiting for its Birthright program. She works to create advertising and build partnerships and oversaw the painting of Hillel’s Sparky the Sun Devil (ASU’s mascot) mural, which, according to Yunker Kail, “has become an integral part of” the tradition for graduating seniors to sign.

“Jared and I are incredibly humbled to look out to the crowd right now and see the countless faces of individuals who have championed us, given us opportunities, taught us important lessons and fed our souls — and our stomachs,” Jessielyn said. “All of which have brought us to this point.” JN

For more information, visit hillelasu.org.

Emily Fox-Million

is a sophomore at the Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Hillel at ASU staff, from left to right, Taylor Silverman, Shira Khotim, Debbie Yunker Kail, Jennah Parker, Rabbi Suzy Stone and Devin Davidson.

It’s a strike!

Purim parade

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.

Intergenerational dialogue

Arizona Jews for Justice teen fellows invited their parents to a night of learning and intergenerational dialogue about issues of tzedakah and social action in mid-March.

Checking out #MasaIsrael

Andrea Cohen, director of the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix’s Youth Philanthropy and Community Programs, was invited to Israel as a guest of #MasaIsrael to learn about gap-year programs for high school graduates. Cohen, back row second from right, is pictured with her cohort after arriving in Israel in late March.

Purim volunteers at Beth El

Beth El Phoenix hosted volunteers who put together about 800 small “travel” hygiene bags for Arizona Friends of Homeless and 241 large bags with standard size toiletries for low-income seniors at Kivel Campus of Care. While they were working they were entertained by a Purim spiel that included Taylor Swift and Lion King songs.

Pictured from left to right, Joyce Heitler, Jim Hall, Chani Levertov, David Termine, Susan Hall, Rabbi Levi Levertov, Dana Schibel and Carol Roth take a break for a snack during Smile on Seniors’ Chai Pins Bowling Night on Feb. 28. COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS

From left to right, Beckett, Kaylie and Harper Medansky at the Purim Story Walk event on March 15, at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus.

OF JEWISH NEWS

Featured Event

Featured Event

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17

How do we Celebrate the Seder in a Time of Crisis? An Israeli Perspective: 10-11 a.m. Online. Join Valley Beit Midrash for a presentation by Noam Zion, emeritus at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. This class will address the question: How will you celebrate your Seder in a time in which so much is lo b’seder (not in order), in a time of war, with collateral damage to civilians, endangered hostages and various kinds of worldwide antisemitism? Cost: $18; free for VBM members. For more information, visit valleybeitmidrash.org/event/ seder-2024-how-do-we-celebrate-the-seder-in-a-time-of-crisis-an-israeli-perspective.

Events

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 12-14 & 19-21

The Diary of Anne Frank: 7 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Paradise Valley Community College Center for the Performing Arts, 18401 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. Join PVCC Fine Arts for a production based upon “Anne Frank: the Diary of a Young Girl,” newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman. Cost: $8-$15. For more information, visit paradisevalley.edu/center-performing-arts.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

Spurs & Sequins Gala: 5:30 p.m. Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. Join Temple Chai for their fundraising gala honoring Carmen and Michael Blank and awarding Nona Siegel and Jesse Goodsell. $165. For more information, visit e.givesmart.com/events/AuD/.

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

Model Matzah Bakery for Kids: 10:30 a.m. Chabad Edelman Jewish Center, 16830 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills. Join Chabad of Fountain Hills for a matzahmaking workshop for kids and teens. For more information, contact 480-795-6292 or office@jewishfountainhills.com.

JWV 30th Anniversary Luncheon: 11:30 a.m. Oakwood Country Club, 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd., Sun Lakes. Join Jewish War Veterans Copper State Post 619 for a luncheon instilling its new officers and honoring others. Cost: $35; responses due by April 7. For more information, contact 480-629-5100.

Pianist Nicole Pesce: 2:30-4 p.m. Temple

Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City. Join TBSWV for a solo performance by Nicole Pesce. $25. For more information, visit tbsaz.org.

Exclusive Briefing with IDF Soldier Izzy Ezagui: 3-4:30 p.m. Location provided upon registration. Join Israel Bonds and Temple Kol Ami for a presentation from Izzy Ezagui, a one-armed IDF sharpshooter who recently returned from a tour of duty in Gaza. For more information, visit lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/hethtfg.

Kosher Food Truck for Dinner: 4:30-8 p.m. Beth Joseph Congregation, 515 E. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix. Join Arizona Kosher Pantry and Ezras Cholim’s kosher food truck for dinner. All proceeds support the work the two organizations are doing to support the community dealing with food insecurity. For more information, visit azkosherpantry.org.

Jewish Women’s Conservative Forum Event: 5-8 p.m. Maggiano’s Little Italy, 16405 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join the Jewish Women’s Conservative Forum for an event featuring Kimberly Yee, Treasurer of the State of Arizona, as guest speaker. Cost: $55. For more information, contact lks19@cox.net.

MONDAY, APRIL 15

From Kishinev to Sderot: 7-8:30 p.m. Online via Zoom or in person at Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join ASU Jewish Studies for the presentation by Professor Edward Westermann, “From Kishinev to Sderot: Considering ‘Spectacular Violence’ and Mass Murder against Jewish Communities.” Cost: Free. For more information, visit jewishstudies.asu.edu/jswestermann.

TUESDAY, APRIL 16

Current Events in Israel: 10-11:30 a.m. East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Join the EVJCC for a discussion on Israel. Cost: Free; registration required. For more information, visit evjcc.org/tuesdays.

Art Talk: Savor the Southwest: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join VOSJCC and the Phoenix Art Museum for an exploration of different cultures that make the Southwest unique. Cost: Free. For more information, visit vosjcc.org/program/art-talks.

SUNDAY, APRIL 21

Sound Bath Meditation: 3-4:30 p.m. Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join VOSJCC for a session with bowls, chimes and gongs, and the vibrations they emit, which allow for the release of energy blocks. Great for depression, anxiety, stress, fear, panic disorder and more. Cost: $18 member, $25 non-member. For more information, visit vosjcc.org/program/ empathy-compassion-in-our-lives-series-copy.

MONDAY, APRIL 22

Passover Seder: 5:30 p.m. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City. Join TBSWV and Rabbi Dana Kaplan for a Seder. Cost: $45 members, $50 non-members, $18 ages 6-18; paid reservations required by April 17. For more information, visit tbsaz.org.

Community Passover Seder: 7 p.m. Chabad Edelman Jewish Center, 16830 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills. Join Rabbi Lipskier and Chabad of Fountain Hills for a community Seder with food, singing and discussion. Reservations required. For more information, visit JewishFountainHills.com/pesach.

Community Passover Seder: 7:30 p.m. Location provided upon RSVP. Join Chabad of Ahwatukee for an interactive Seder with gourmet cuisine. Cost: $36 adults, $18 children. For more information, visit ChabadAhwatukee/seder.

MONDAY-TUESDAY, APRIL 22 & 23

Passover Seders: 7:15 p.m. Monday; 7:45 p.m. Tuesday. Chabad of Phoenix, 2110 E. Lincoln Drive, Phoenix. Join Chabad of Phoenix for a Seder with gourmet cuisine, song and friendship. Before April 15: $54 adults, $36 children, $175 family. For more information, visit ChabadAZ.com/Seder.

TUESDAY, APRIL 23

Second Night Seder: 5:30 p.m. Temple Kol Ami, 15030 N. 64th St, Scottsdale. Join Temple Kol Ami for a participatory Seder led by Rabbi Jeremy Schneider and Cantor Noa Shaashua and catered by Culinary by Julie. Cost: $35-65; reservations needed by April 16. For more information, visit templekolami.org.

2nd Night Passover Seder: 6 p.m. Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. Join Temple Chai for a Seder led by Rabbi Bonnie Koppell. Cost: $10-$75; reservations needed by April 15. For more information, visit tcaz.shulcloud.com/ event/2nd-night-passover-seder.html.

SUNDAYS

B.A.G.E.L.S: 9-11 a.m.; last Sunday of the month. Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Grab a bagel and a cup of coffee at Bagels And Gabbing Every Last Sunday and enjoy some time with your friends and make new ones. You must register to attend. Bagels and coffee will be provided. Cost: Free for members, $5 for guests. For more information and to register, visit vosjcc.org.

THURSDAYS

Storytime at Modern Milk: 9:30 a.m. Modern Milk, 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, #163, Scottsdale. Storytime for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Integrates children’s books and songs while giving parents new ideas for play. Cost: $5. For more information and to register, visit modernmilk.com/after-baby.

Meetings, Lectures & Classes

SUNDAYS

Chassidus Class: 9 a.m. Online. Learn about the Chasidic movement with Rabbi Yossi Friedman. 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.

Sundays are for the Family Weekly Feed: 3-5 p.m. Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe. Join Arizona Jews for Justice and AZ HUGS for the Houseless every Sunday to serve food to those in need. For more information and to RSVP, email Arizonajews4justice@gmail.com.

Anxiety in the Modern World: 6 p.m. Online. Learn the secrets of the Torah for living stressfree in the current environment with Rabbi Boruch of Chabad of Oro Valley. Cost: Free. Use this link: zoom.us/j/736434666. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

MONDAYS

Interfaith Antisemitism Course: 10-11 a.m. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202

N. 101st Ave., Sun City. TBSWV will present a four-part interfaith series (April 1, 8, 15 and 22) looking at contemporary antisemitism and attempting to analyze its sources and likely results. Cost: $20 members; $35 nonmembers; registration deadline March 27. For more information, visit tbsaz.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.

Quotable Quotes by our Sages: 7 p.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov. Use this link: JewishParadiseValley.com/class. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Partners in Torah: 7:30 p.m. Online. Join a growing group of inspired learners with Project Inspire. Cost: Free. Use this link: us04web.zoom. us/j/3940479736#success, password is 613. For more information, email Robin Meyerson at robin@projectinspireaz.com.

Learning to Trust in God: 7:30 p.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Yossi Friedman. Use this link: ChabadAZ.com/LiveClass. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Torah & Tea: 7:30 p.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Yossie Shemtov. Cost: Free. For more information, visit Facebook.com/ChabadTucson.

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 like-minded 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. Cost: Free. Use this link: JewishParadiseValley.com/YJPclass. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

WEDNESDAYS

History of the Jews: 11 a.m. Online. Learn the Jewish journey from Genesis to Moshiach with Rabbi Ephraim Zimmerman. Cost: Free. Use this link: zoom.us/j/736434666. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

COURTESY OF VALLEY BEIT MIDRASH

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.

Happiness Hour: 11:30 a.m. Online. Class taught by Rabbi Pinchas Allouche that delves into texts and references culled from our traditions to address a relevant topic. For more information or to join, visit cbtvirtualworld.com.

Torah Study with Chabad: 12 p.m. Online. Take a weekly journey of Torah with Rabbi Yossi Levertov. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Lunch & Learn: 12:15 p.m. Online. Grab some food and learn with Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin. Cost: Free. Get Zoom link by emailing info@chabadtucson.com. For more information, visit chabadtucson.com.

The Thirteen Petalled Rose: 1 p.m. Online. Kabbalah class that studies “The Thirteen Petalled Rose” by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, focusing on the many concepts of Kaballah and Jewish Mysticism and applying them to everyday life. For more information or to join, visit cbtvirtualworld.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

Interfaith Course: 10-11 a.m. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City. TBSWV will present a four-part interfaith series (April 4, 11, 18 and 25) focusing on two perspectives of the Gospels: Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism. Cost: $20 members; $35 nonmembers; registration deadline April 2. For more information, visit tbsaz.org.

Ladies Torah & Tea: 10:30 a.m. Online. Learn about the women of the Torah with Mrs. Leah Levertov. Cost: Free. Use this link: ourjewishcenter.com/virtual. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Talmud - Maakos: 11 a.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov. Cost: Free. Use this link: JewishParadiseValley.com/YJPclass. 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.

The Science of Everything: 4 p.m. Online. Explore the most fundamental work of Chassidut: the Tanya, with Rabbi Boruch. Cost: Free. Use this link: zoom.us/j/736434666. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

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

SATURDAYSSaturday 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: 11-11:45 a.m. Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale. Ave., Phoenix. 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Shabbat Services with Sun Lakes: 7 p.m. Sun Lakes Chapel, 9240 E. Sun Lakes Blvd. North, Sun Lakes. Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation conducts services on the second Friday of the month. For more information, contact 480-612-4413.

Shabbat Services with Beth Ami Temple: 7 p.m. Gloria Christi Federated Church, 3535 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley. Rabbi Alison Lawton and Cantorial Soloist Michael Robbins lead Shabbat services twice a month. For more information, visit bethamitemple.org.

Seniors

MONDAYS

Fitness Xpress Series with Zoe: 11-11:30 a.m. Online. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Workout features weight and band exercises as well as yoga poses. Exercises will be demonstrated standing, but can also be done sitting in a chair. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse.

Sip & Schmooze: 11 a.m. milk + honey, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Sip on kosher coffee or tea, enjoy a pastry and schmooze every second Monday of the month. RSVP appreciated to chani@sosaz.org or 602-492-7670. For more information, visit sosaz.org.

Featured Presentation: 12:30 p.m. Online. Join Smile on Seniors Mondays and Wednesdays to learn from a variety of presenters about topical issues, like Q&As with medical professionals, entertainers and lectures. Cost: Free. For more information, visit sosaz.org/virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at levi@sosaz.org.

TUESDAYS

Movie Discussion Group: 11 a.m. Online. Join Smile on Seniors on the third Tuesday of every month hosted by Issy Lifshitz. Cost: Free. For full details and the movie of the month visit sosaz.org/virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at levi@sosaz.org.

WEDNESDAYS

Fitness Fun with Zoe: 10-10:45 a.m. Online. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Workout features light chair exercises with

MILESTONES

BAR MITZVAH

JUDAH VAUGHN GARCIA

optional weights. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse.

Chair Yoga with Zoe: 11-11:45 a.m. Online. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. 45-minute chair yoga class. No prior yoga experience required. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse.

THURSDAYS

Memory Cafe: 10-11 a.m. first Thursday; 1-2 p.m. third Thursday. Online. Presented by Jewish Family & Children’s Service. Program for those with changes in their thinking or memory, mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder, along with their care partners. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/our-services/older-adult-services/ memory-cafe/.

In the Kitchen with Benita: 12:30 p.m. Join Smile on Seniors on the fourth Thursday of every month for some delicious cooking or baking fun! Cost: Free. For full details visit sosaz. org/virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at levi@ sosaz.org.

FRIDAYS

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.

Sit or Stand Ballet Class: 12-12:45 p.m. Online. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Jennifer Cafarella Betts and Friends from Ballet Theatre of Phoenix teach this class. Grab a chair or you can stand next to a chair or counter. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz. org/cse.

Musical Friday: 12:30 p.m. Online. Join Smile on Seniors on the first Friday of every month for a musical presentation. Cost: Free. For full details visit sosaz.org/virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at levi@sosaz.org. JN

Judah Vaughn Garcia will become a bar mitzvah on April 13, 2024, at Temple Chai. He is the son of Amanda and Joseph Garcia of Phoenix.

Judah’s grandparents are Lois von Halle of Scottsdale; Joe and Gloria Baca of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and the late Brian von Halle and Margaret Garcia.

For his mitzvah project, Judah volunteered with the Miracle League of Arizona for six weeks. He also created “care kits” with toiletries and snacks for the homeless and donated them to Arizona Jews for Justice to distribute.

A student at Desert Shadows Middle School, Judah enjoys skateboarding, riding his scooter, playing the saxophone, video games and soccer. JN

BAR MITZVAH

DARREN MARTIN ZELL

Darren Martin Zell became a bar mitzvah on March 30, 2024, at Congregation Or Tzion. He is the son of Steve and Debbie Zell of Scottsdale and brother to Samantha and Sarah.

Darren’s grandparents are Howard and Linda Zell of Scottsdale; Barry Simon of Florida; and Marjie Simon of Scottsdale.

For his mitzvah project, Darren is raising money for Magen David Adom. After Oct. 7, Darren dedicated his time fundraising and raising awareness for the Israeli organization.

A student at Scottsdale Preparatory Academy, Darren enjoys music, piano, guitar, tennis, track and cross country. JN