Jewish News, October 25, 2024 by jewishaz

Jewish TV producer Arthur Smith to speak at NowGen event

West Valley synagogue hosts interfaith service to commemorate Oct. 7

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley hosted interfaith clergy at its Monday, Oct. 7 commemoration event in Sun City. About 200 congregants gathered with Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan, Cantor Baruch Koritan and leaders from Jewish, Christian and Buddhist communities to show solidarity with Israel on the anniversary of the horrific Hamas attack, which left nearly 1,200 people dead and more than 250 held captive in Gaza.

Kaplan strongly believes in the importance of interfaith dialogue, which interfaith services help to create. It helps build understanding and trust, something that is more critical than ever.

“We live in a country where we Jews are a small minority, and therefore interacting with other religious groups is of critical importance. We want to understand what they are thinking and feeling and convey the same to them,” Kaplan told Jewish News in an email.

This type of discussion does not mean people will agree, but Kaplan believes that “there are ways to discuss who we are and what we stand for in a respectful manner that acknowledges these differences while seeking to build bridges between our communities,” he said.

On Monday, people of different faiths prayed and sang together in memory of Oct. 7’s victims.

“It was so gratifying to see

SEE INTERFAITH, PAGE 2

HEADLINES | 18 TUCSON COMMEMORATES OCT. 7

The Tucson community gathered for “With Broken Hearts, and Heads Held High.”

Temple Chai members clean up local lake to welcome new Jewish year

This year, a group of Temple Chai members held their first “Reverse Tashlich,” a unique take on the traditional Jewish High Holiday atonement ceremony in which people gather at a large, natural body of flowing water and symbolically cast off their sins by tossing something in, often bits of bread, in a bid to have a clean slate for a new year.

On Sunday, Sept. 29, a dozen people gathered at Tempe Town Lake to pick up garbage and detritus from the water’s edge.

Nona Siegel and Bethjoy (BJ) Borris, members of Temple Chai’s Eco Chai group, first learned about the environmental spin on the ceremony last year through Lisa Malachowsky, a friend and board member for Repair the Sea, a Jewish organization committed to raising awareness of the plethora of threats to the world’s oceans and natural waterways and taking action to preserve them.

Big ballot for AZ

Arizona Jews for Justice held several events to break down each proposition on the ballot to its basics, ensuring voters feel confident about what’s being asked of them. See page 14

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Group of Temple Chai members gathered to pick up trash, marking a reverse Tashlich.

the outpouring of support from so many ministers and clergy and their congregations,” Kaplan said. Kaplan and Koritan were joined by two rabbis, 11 Christian ministers and one Buddhist leader.

Each clergyperson chose a text to read with no restriction on religious content.

“We were coming together as representatives of different religions to support Israel and so it would be perfectly legitimate to speak in the name of that religion,” Kaplan said.

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

Reverend Bruce Scott, the director of program ministries for the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, gave the keynote speech. He spoke of the difficulty of commemorating something as tragic as Oct. 7. Scott took volunteers with him to Israel a few months ago to show support to the country. He recounted many of the stories he heard from Israelis on the ground.

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open council seat, but there’s no doubt she earned her position, Meyers said.

had to apply and demonstrate that she had something valuable to contribute, he said.

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At Monday’s event, Scott talked about the group’s volunteer service at the Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot, where they heard tragic and heroic tales from people.

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He stressed how important it is to keep the memory of what happened alive, just as it is critical to offer support and solidarity with the victims.

First Presbyterian Church Pastor, Jim Rausch, was unable to adequately express what he was feeling in words. Instead, he shared a prayer that is done using hand movements without words.

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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.

his hands above his head. He waited until he felt that God had taken the symbolic object before slowly putting his arms down. Then he repeated the action.

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

He would usually do this in silence, but on Oct. 7, he talked through the movements so those in the audience could follow along if they wanted to.

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He stood in front of the crowd and put his hands together with the palms up. He told those gathered that he envisions a symbol representing something he wanted to lift up to God and slowly lifted

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

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

“We lifted up a representative vision of the faces of those many who were brutally murdered a year ago on that date. Next, we lifted those many who were injured physically, mentally and emotionally. We repeated with visions of those who were taken captive, grieving loved ones, first responders, caregivers, protectors and defenders, and then a vision of hope for an end to vicious inhumanity and enmity among peoples,” he told Jewish News in an email.

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.

As this prayer drew to a close, Rausch admitted the difficulty of praying for

“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.”

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

She already has some practice at

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

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

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

Stern looks forward to sharing insights

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

“My friend Al was next to me when I told the director and he gave me the biggest hug ever and said that he loved me so much,” Stern said. Sadly, Al died

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

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

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

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

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

“I don’t know how I did it without crying. I’m so proud of myself,” she said. Amy Hummell, executive director of Gesher Disability Resources, agreed that Stern is a good fit for ADDPC because

“I don’t know how I did it without crying. I’m so proud of myself,” she said. Amy Hummell, executive director of Gesher Disability Resources, agreed that Stern is a good fit for ADDPC because of her ability to self-advocate.

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

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

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

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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.

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

Sophie Stern at her high school

Sophie Stern at her high school graduation

12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 201, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

At Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, Sherry Weinstein lights a memorial candle with Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan during an interfaith service to stand in solidarity with Israel in remembrance of the Oct. 7th massacre.

COURTESY OF TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OF THE WEST VALLEY

Pastor James Rausch prays with his hands while Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan holds the microphone for him. COURTESY OF TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OF THE WEST VALLEY

An affiliated group of Jewish college students in Florida turned the new year tradition on its head by removing human “sins” in the form of plastic and other debris from the water during a 2016 cleanup of the waterfront on campus.

Those students, inspired by Repair the Sea, wanted to do something, even something small, to counteract the billions of tons of trash dumped into the ocean each year.

Since that first year, the idea has grown in popularity and spread globally with the help of Repair the Sea and its app, which is meant to help Jewish groups host their own reverse tashlich events. Last year, more than 4,000 participants from 300 communities in 23 countries registered to take part in an event.

“Nature is an intrinsic part of the Jewish tradition and, as Jews, we are charged with the responsibility to protect it,” said Rabbi Ed Rosenthal, CEO of Repair the Sea, in a press release. He added that he has been heartened by the positive response the program has received.

Siegel and Borris decided this year would be a great year to start an annual tradition, and spent considerable time finding a good body of water. They chose Tempe Town Lake in large part thanks to the City of Tempe’s responsiveness and ability to provide assistance to volunteers, such as drinking water and tools.

“I was honored to have Temple Chai be the first Phoenix-area synagogue to participate,” Malachowsky told Jewish News in an email. While she couldn’t join them since she was in Greece (“where my wife and I did our own reverse Tashlich”), she was happy to reflect on “all of the Phoenicians helping our waterways in this new tradition for our Jewish community here in Arizona.”

In preparing for the actual day, Siegel and Borris scouted the area, checking things out. They were somewhat worried that there wouldn’t be much trash for the crew to pick up. On the day itself, they found out that impression had been mistaken.

“What seemed to have been a little

one’s enemies, something his faith tells him to do.

“Trying to envision one’s enemies in the palms of our hands stirs up deep emotion, and it takes fortitude to lift them to God. However, when God takes them from our hands, it is a relief to know that God will take it from there,” he said.

Rausch called becoming acquainted with Kaplan and the Sun City congregation “a privilege.”

Kaplan acknowledged that organizing the service amid the High Holidays was “not an easy task” to org and thanked

“NATURE IS AN INTRINSIC PART OF THE JEWISH TRADITION AND, AS JEWS, WE ARE CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT IT.”

RABBI ED ROSENTHAL

garbage was actually an area full of items to retrieve upon closer look,” Siegel told Jewish News. There were tiny pieces of debris scattered everywhere.

“I was very struck by how plastic, foam, synthetic fabrics and foil break into smaller and smaller pieces but remain plastic, foam, synthetics and metal — just pieces that are easily consumed by wildlife and more difficult to remove. Also, every small space, corner, seat or art piece had places for debris to lodge,” she said.

Even with all the debris, Siegel said she was relieved to have a smaller crowd.

The event started at 9 a.m. and she and Borris had to help everyone get to the right location, download the app and sign a waiver. They took time explaining the concept for the event, the impact of plastic in the water and the significance of Tashlich in the High Holidays. Borris blew the shofar she brought with her.

“BJ’s shofar sounding and the inspirational reflections made a difference to me,” Jeannie Duncan said in an email.

“BJ’s shofar blowing and prayer added immensely to the intentionality of our work,” Alicia Messing agreed.

Burt Feuerstein called the morning “a mindfulness experience.” He liked that it focused his attention on something he otherwise may not notice. “I wonder how much styrofoam has simply broken down into dust and really does become invisible.”

“I could not stop thinking about how those creatures in urban areas (lizards, coyotes, birds, bugs, people) have no escape from the relentless garbage and

Patty Weiner and Helene Fox, members of his congregation, for their “crucial role,” as well as many other volunteers.

Clergy represented First Presbyterian Church in Sun City, Living Word Pentecostal Church in Sun City, First Presbyterian Church in Peoria, Saint Haven Ministry in Surprise, Shepherd of the Desert Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sun City, Grace Bible Church in Sun City, First Baptist Church in Sun City West, St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Goodyear, Embassy Church, Faith Presbyterian Church in Sun City,

dust in the air by the time it has broken down into tiny pieces, flowing into waterways whenever we have measurable rain. And the wider world eventually receives all that we put out into it. We must have more respect for this garden we inhabit,” Siegel said.

Duncan and her husband committed themselves to using less plastic, and after the reverse Tashlich said, “We’re inspired to do more this year.”

By 10:45 in the morning, the group had to stop due to the heat. It was 105 degrees and getting hotter. People were sweaty and tired but also excited by what they were doing. Still, they brought it to a close earlier than expected for safety’s sake.

Those who turned out are excited about this becoming an annual tradition, perhaps even a community-wide event. The Sunday before Rosh Hashanah is a possibility, but the heat is always going to be a problem. Now that she’s experienced coordinating it once, Siegel is confident next year’s will go even more smoothly.

“People are feeling so much anxiety about the environment that having a ritual like this is powerful. It’s a way to say, ‘I’m so sorry’ and offer Teshuvah to the earth, especially with the heat and the hurricanes on everyone’s mind. It was very moving,” she said.

“May next year bring more Jews out to help the cause,” Arlene Hazelkorn said in an email. JN

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“On the first anniversary of the terrible atrocities committed by Hamas, other groups and individuals from Gaza, it was gratifying to see and feel how so many people in the West Valley want to share their support for the State of Israel and the local Jewish community,” Kaplan said. JN

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Arthur Smith will talk the power of ‘reach,’ competition shows and putting on tefillin

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

n Thursday, Nov. 7, NowGen, a program of the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix (CJP), will host a conversation with Arthur Smith, a successful Jewish television producer of such long-running hits such as “Hell’s Kitchen” and “American Ninja Warrior.”

Smith will discuss his book “REACH: Hard Lessons and Learned Truths from a Lifetime in Television” with Nicole Myden, a community member, author and public relations expert. The event is open to the community and will include a special gathering for CJP’s NowGen Leadership & Advancement Series (LAS) participants.

“This event offers a unique opportunity for young professionals to connect, be inspired by Arthur Smith’s incredible career journey and engage with others in the community,” NowGen Director Andrew Gibbs told Jewish News.

In an interview with Jewish News, Smith said he also looks forward to connecting with the Scottsdale cohort and hearing about their aspirations.

In November, Smith will talk about his passion for competition shows, which is rooted in both his sports and storytelling background. Smith’s passion is one reason Gibbs extended the invitation. The NowGen leader is excited to hear about Smith’s “remarkable career in the entertainment industry and his ability to push boundaries and drive innovation in a highly competitive field. His story exemplifies what can be accomplished through persistence, creativity and bold decision-making.” To that end, Smith will also talk about his book, “Reach,” which focuses on the power of extending oneself.

Smith also spoke to Jewish News about his experiences of overcoming shyness, his path to becoming a producer, his idiosyncratic writing process and how his Judaism inspires him every day.

Jewish News: Why do you love producing competition shows?

I love covering the game, but the game is so much more interesting when you care about the players. The whole story of “American Ninja Warrior,” one of our longest running shows, is that with every person that steps on the course, you’re invested in them, you care about them. There’s no logical reason for an obstacle course show to be on prime time but the course is a metaphor for life. It’s about people getting over obstacles in their own personal life.

I always want to create content that makes the viewer feel something. That’s who I am. I’m an emotional person. Growing up, I always gravitated to the content that made me feel something. That could be anger, sadness, laughter or it could be heartfelt. But unless you connect, unless there’s a visceral response to whatever you watch, you’re not going to keep watching. Thus, that quality is in every production that we do.

Were you always planning on this career path?

I grew up as a very shy kid. When I was 9, I had a life-changing moment. I had

Smith: I love all forms of television, but my roots are in sports, my second love. (Smith was the youngest-ever head of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Sports and the head of programming and production at FOX Sports Net). Having spent so much time telling stories about athletes, whether known or unknown, the most exciting thing was to connect to the human part of what was going on. When the viewer gets to know somebody and gets invested in their character, then there are real stakes on the line.

"I’M A VERY PROUD JEW. I BEGIN EVERY MORNING THE SAME WAY, PUTTING ON MY TEFILLIN."

ARTHUR SMITH

to reach beyond what I thought I could do, and it turned out well.

I was in the fourth grade and at a new school. I loved playing sports, especially hockey. I showed up for practice to be on defense, not a scorer or anything like that. The coach said he wanted me to play center (offense). In the second game of the season, the game was tied at one and I scored a goal with a minute left. All of a sudden, I had friends and I gained confidence.

After that, I was never the same. I developed this whole new vibe and I realized I liked being in the spotlight. I became more confident and more willing to put myself out there, which led to all kinds of wonderful things that have happened.

I became an actor. I put myself out there, and I wanted to be an extra in a movie and I ended up getting a part in it, which led to another movie, which led to

television shows, which led to me getting an agent. All this good momentum happened because I was reaching.

How would you describe your book?

The core message of my book is the power of reach. When you reach, you find out what you’re capable of and you learn the difference between a pipe dream and what you haven’t dared to try just yet. When I look back on my life and all the wonderful things that have happened to me, I realized there was this pattern of reaching beyond what I thought I could do and found out that I could actually do it.

For example, “American Ninja Warrior” was a reach. There were very few people who believed in it. We just did our 23rd season of “Hell’s Kitchen” and taped our 24th, but when we began there were no food shows on network television.

Arthur Smith in the “Hell’s Kitchen” control room.

COURTESY OF ARTHUR SMITH

Jews in Arizona, other swing states favor Harris, according to Dem poll

RON KAMPEAS | JTA

Apoll commissioned by a Jewish affiliate of the Democratic Party shows Vice President Kamala Harris garnering 71% of the Jewish vote in Arizona and the other six swing states likely to decide the election.

The poll released Wednesday, Oct. 9, by the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) and conducted from Sept. 26-Oct. 2 showed Donald Trump getting 26% of the vote just four weeks before the Nov. 5 presidential election. Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carloina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin were the swing states polled.

The polling by GBAO, a company that polls for liberal and Democratic groups, is consistent with a national poll of Jewish voters last month also commissioned by JDCA and carried out by GBAO. That

poll showed Harris leading Trump among Jews 68%-25%, and 72% to 25% in a headto-head race. Jews have historically voted in large majorities for the Democratic presidential candidate.

A large proportion of Jews live in states that are not considered battlegrounds — such as the Democratic strongholds of New York, California, New Jersey and Illinois, or Florida, which is expected to vote Republican — and as such are not expected to determine which candidate gets their state’s electoral votes. This latest poll — by honing in on the swing states of Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania — makes the case that Jewish voters could help deliver the election to Harris.

“In the states that will decide the outcome of this election, Jewish

Americans are strongly motivated to vote – and the vast majority are planning to vote for Kamala Harris,” said Halie Soifer, the JDCA CEO.

“This poll is consistent with what we see in national polling: The overwhelming majority of Jewish voters support Kamala Harris and reject Donald Trump. Arizona’s Jewish voters know that Kamala Harris stands with us and with Israel,” Debra Stein told Jewish News. Stein is a JDCA board member and Arizona chapter lead.

Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina and Georgia — skewed older and more conservative than Jewish voters in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, said GBAO’s principal, Jim Gerstein, in an interview.

Still, he said, the tendency to favor Harris over Trump was consistent across the states and was good news for Democrats.

“Trump is as hated in the battleground states as he is hated in the general population among Jewish voters,” Gerstein said.

“Arizona’s Jewish voters know that Donald Trump’s extremism is a threat to our democracy, our safety, and that he cannot be trusted to support Israel,” Stein said.

The poll also runs up against claims by Jewish Republicans that Jews in the swing states are due to vote in higher numbers for Trump. At the Republican Jewish Coalition’s convention in September, CEO Matt Brooks said the group had data showing almost half of Jewish voters in swing states would vote for Trump. A poll by the Orthodox Union also showed a closer race for the Jewish vote in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania.

“The RJC is working tirelessly to move even more Jewish voters to the GOP in support of President Trump in decisive states like Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, and Georgia, building on President Trump’s historic success in 2020, when he received the highest share of the national Jewish vote in more than 40 years, and record-smashing levels of support in key battleground states,” Sam Markstein, RJC’s national political and communications director, told Jewish News in an email.

Adam Kwasman, co-leader of RJC’s Arizona chapter, believes that marginally increasing Trump’s Jewish support in Arizona will be enough to get him over the top in a close election.

“The RJC sees anything above 30% as a victory so our goal is to turn Trump’s 30% in 2020 to 33%,” Kwasman told Jewish News. He’s optimistic about his chances given that he believes Arizona “is turning from purple to light pink.”

As for the issue of Israel, “Donald Trump favors Israel more than Harris. The choice is clear,” he said.

According to the Democratic poll, Jewish voters in the Sun Belt states —

Also consistent, according to the poll, is how respondents do not view Israel as their top issue at the ballot box. It ranked fourth among issues presented to the respondents, with 16% saying it was their top issue — though that was higher than the national poll of Jews, who ranked it ninth. Ahead of Israel in the poll of swing state Jews was the future of democracy, which 44% of respondents view as their top issue; abortion which garnered 36%, and inflation and the economy, which garnered 24%.

Despite Democrats’ historic advantage among Jews, Republicans believe that the domestic turmoil and spike in antisemitism unleashed last year by Hamas’ invasion of Israel — including at protests against Israel’s conduct in progressive redoubts such as college campuses, will erode Jewish support for Harris. Republicans also point to increased calls among some progressive Democrats to cut defense spending to Israel.

Trump has said he has seen polling that would garner him 40% of the Jewish vote, around 10 points more than recent Republican candidates have typically received, although he did not cite the specific polls. He also has said 40% is not enough — he wants 100% — and said that “the Jewish people” will be to blame if he is not elected.

Man in a kippah lines up at Phoenix polling location on Election Day 2020.

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My whole career I was always extending myself, thinking about what is possible and not being afraid to put myself out there.

How did the book come about?

Four years before I actually wrote it, I had it in my head, but I was busy. Then there was one rare rainy weekend in Los Angeles, and I was home, and I started writing. I wrote 85 pages. I was up all night on Saturday, and my wife saw me the next day as I came out of my home office looking like Christopher Lloyd from the “Back to the Future” movie. I asked if I could read some of it to her. She asked what it was, and I said, ‘I think it’s a book.’

That never felt like work, because it was all brewing inside of me. The book came out last year and has been received positively. I’m really excited to come to Scottsdale and talk to NowGen, because I love that it’s this young group, and I can talk to them and get into their aspirations.

You’ve had a lot of success. Do you have anything to say about failure?

I’ve had disappointments. There are jobs that I didn’t get, shows that I’ve

had canceled. I’m extremely grateful for all the wonderful things that I have, but there were times in my life where it didn’t go my way, but that happens with everybody. I always say failures aren’t failures. They’re just redirects.

How much does your Judaism impact your life and career?

I’m a very proud Jew. I begin every morning the same way, putting on my tefillin. I don’t consider myself religious, and I’m certainly not orthodox, but my tefillin goes on every day. I haven’t missed a day since I was 13 years old. I don’t feel complete unless I do it. Every day, I put on my tefillin and then I work out. I might miss a couple of workouts if I’m sick but I never miss putting on tefillin. I feel good spiritually and physically. My Jewish values are important in how I try to do the right thing, give back, be kind to people, be respectful to people. When I talk about the power of reach, it’s much easier to reach when you’re reaching from a strong foundation. JN

To register for next month’s event, go to phoenixcjp.ticketspice.com/ nowgen-an-evening-with-arthur-smith-1001-3.

POLL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

Jewish Democrats say that such warnings and Trump’s repeated claims that Jewish Democrats ought to have their “head examined” are antisemitic.

A JDCA ad released Tuesday shows a young Jewish woman having her “head examined” — and then outlining why she would never vote for him.

Another poll of Jewish voters showed a more favorable result for Republicans.

A study carried out in late July and early August for the Orthodox Union’s Teach Coalition found that among Pennsylvania Jewish voters, Harris’ lead was 52% to Trump’s 41%, a considerably narrower gap than the 65%-70% Jewish voters traditionally deliver to Democratic nominees.

Bradley Homan, CEO of the Honan Strategy Group, which carried out the poll for the Orthodox Union, said he was seeing a shift among Jewish voters that could help deliver a Trump win in Pennsylvania, where there are more than 300,000 likely Jewish voters, and which Trump lost by just over 80,000 votes in 2020.

“We saw this as potentially a significant realignment of the voting coalition

that we’re not seeing with any other Democratic demographic in American politics,” Homan said in an interview.

The two polls employed different methodologies: The JDCA weighted its poll according to data by the Pew Research Center that breaks down the percentage of Jewish Americans according to their affiliation — or nonaffiliation — with the various religious streams, as well as age and gender. The Orthodox Union poll was not weighted.

The JDCA poll reached 800 voters by text across the seven states, while the O.U. poll reached 400 voters in Pennsylvania by phone. Both polls had a margin of error of approximately 3.5%.

Soifer said she was confident Jewish voters would stay the course with Democrats.

“The Jewish American electorate has been incredibly consistent in its overwhelming rejection of Donald Trump,” she said. “This poll demonstrates that 2024 is no different and that Donald Trump – who received 25% of the Jewish vote in 2016 – has made zero inroads with Jewish voters in the past eight years.” JN

This article incorporated reporting from Jewish News.

Ruben Gallego is a voice & vote in

Congress PRO-ISRAEL

In the Senate, he’ll continue to:

Support Israel's right to defend itself & eliminate Hamas

Demand that Hamas release all remaining hostages

Support fully funding security assistance for Israel without additional conditions

Work to expand the historic Abraham Accords

Ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon

VOTE FOR RUBEN GALLEGO

Get ready to dance and play Yiddish style at Beth El

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Miryam Coppersmith, a Jewish dance artist, first saw Yiddish dancing on a Broadway stage in 2018. She was in the audience for “Indecent,” a play about a controversial Yiddish production in the early 1920s. She knew something about the plot — indecency accusations that dogged it and the difficulty of putting on a Yiddish play in a period rife with antisemitism. Coppersmith was also familiar with klezmer music in general, but that night was the first time she “saw people dancing to that music in a way that felt authentically Jewish and so joyful,” she told Jewish News in an email.

Inspired, she enrolled in a Yiddish dance class and was thrown off almost immediately by the scarves she was asked to use during certain exercises. It all felt foreign, she said.

The instructor called out, “Don’t they look Jewish?” Coppersmith, who didn’t know what he meant, decided to dig deeper into her studies so that she could know “what it meant to dance Jewishly,” she said.

Next month, Coppersmith will share

her love of dancing “Jewishly” with a crowd at Beth El Phoenix on Sunday, Nov. 3. The day begins with music and dance workshops for those interested in honing their skills and ends in an evening concert and dance party for all comers.

“Having a dance leader with live music makes it a more participatory experience,”

Little Chef Klezmer Band leader Max Schwimmer told Jewish News. “Miryam’s super skilled at getting everyone to dance and creating a welcoming, inviting atmosphere.”

While most Jews have either danced or witnessed a hora at a bar mitzvah or wedding, “there’s a whole rich and broad tradition of Yiddish dancing most haven’t seen, and Miryam will open doors for people to step into that,” he said.

Schwimmer was raised Jewish, but klezmer wasn’t a big part of his family tradition. As he’s learned more about klezmer, he sees how it is influenced by traditional cantorial singing and prayer melodies that he is familiar with.

“Klezmer is a way to connect with my ancestors and previous generations. I imagine that music was in the air when my grandfather and previous generations were listening to the radio or hearing it at weddings. It makes me feel a little more connected to my heritage and ancestors,” he said.

Coppersmith focuses on the communal aspect of Yiddish dance when she teaches it, and shares how people can take care of the dancers around them.

“It’s also so improvisational that every dancer gets to really put their own style into the dance,” she said.

Schwimmer will teach the instrumental side of the day and perform with his band in the evening in the latest iteration of the Trampled Manuscripts series, a series of concerts for klezmer connoisseurs that began in January.

Daniel Stein Kokin founded Beth El’s “Chamber in the Chapel” concert series last year, and klezmer was always on his list of ideas, so he was delighted when Max Schwimmer, Little Chef’s Klezmer Band’s leader and saxophonist, suggested “Trampled Manuscripts,” he told Jewish News in an email.

“Especially at times of deep crisis like the present, we need to celebrate Jewish culture and allow music to enter into and soothe our souls,” Stein Kokin said before the first concert in January.

The initial concerts went so well that Schwimmer applied for, and received, a grant for November’s festival from the City of Phoenix, which covers professional sound mixing, marketing, workshop materials and artists’ fees.

Schwimmer first met Coppersmith

several years ago, while they were both teaching music and dance at a Jewish summer camp, just before they simultaneously became interested in klezmer music and Yiddish dance.

Coppersmith recalled how camp directors handed out themed bracelets describing Jewish values to the instructors. The first week she was given “curiosity” while Schwimmer got “craftsmanship.”

“It felt very indicative of our strengths and what makes us such great collaborators. I’m always full of weird dreams and questions, and Max is great at crafting ideas into a realizable shape,” she said.

The two have maintained a friendship, such that Coppersmith led the dancing at Schwimmer’s wedding last February, while his band played and “brought the house down,” she said.

“That was so much fun, and I was looking for a way to bring Miryam back to Phoenix. This was the perfect opportunity,” Schwimmer said. JN

To learn more and register for the festival, visit bethelphoenix.com/klezmer-festival or contact M Zavos-Costales at 602-944-3359.

Miryam Coppersmith dancing.

COURTESY OF MIRYAM COPPERSMITH

Miryam Coppersmith on stage with the Little Chef’s Klezmer Band. COURTESY OF MAX SCHWIMMER

Negative campaign video draws accusation of antisemitism

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Matt Evans posted a strange takedown video of his opponent in the Phoenix mayoral race on Friday, Oct. 11. The video shows people protesting Mayor Kate Gallego, mostly during COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020. In the background, CIL’s 2023 song “Devil In Your Eyes” plays while a vandalized picture of Gallego with devil horns atop her head and flashing eyes dominates.

“I saw the devil in your eyes @mayorkategallego,” Evans posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Negative campaigning is par for the course in election years, but this video stood out because Gallego is Jewish and Evans posted it on the eve of Yom Kippur, the most sacred day of the Jewish year.

“You can hide behind your smile and you can hide behind your team of law-

yers but I see right through you,” Evans wrote.

Phoenix City Councilman Carlos Elvira-Gallindo was quick to call Evans out on X for using “one of the oldest #antisemitic tropes of Jews as the devil” and for his timing.

Not skipping a beat, Evans denied that his video has any antisemitic overtones and called Galindo-Elvira “a dirtbag politician” for even suggesting that it did.

Then he brought his religion into it, hinting that Gallego was anti-Christian.

“First off, Christians like myself are still waiting for an apology for when @ MayorGallego shutdown our parks on easter,” Evans wrote.

Evans told The Arizona Republic on Friday his post had “nothing to do” with Gallego’s Jewish faith and he knew nothing about the anti-Jewish trope. He didn’t even know it was Yom Kippur. However,

he learned that because he posted it on Friday morning it wasn’t technically on the holiday, and, in his opinion, shouldn’t be considered for that reason.

Elvira-Gallindo, a frequent X user, saw the video and texted Gallego to alert her.

Through a spokesperson, Gallego accused Evans of weaponizing her faith against her. She also said it was a good thing for people to call her opponent out for problematic posts, given the danger of antisemitism.

Evans is not going to remove his post because he didn’t intend any antisemitic critique.

“Regardless of intent, the post contains a number of problematic elements including the physical distortion of the candidate’s face to make her look demonic, direct references to her being the devil and the flashing of the term ‘globalist’ in a headline,” said Sarah Kader, AntiDefamation League Arizona’s community manager.

“Especially in this time of surging antisemitism in the United States, posts like this can further fan the flame of antiJewish sentiments,” Kader told Jewish News in a text.

Galindo-Elvira found Evans’ decision not to remove the post galling once he learned of the criticism.

“Rather than accept responsibility, he lashed out,” he told Jewish News.

dug in, called the mayor evil and learned nothing,” Galindo-Elvira said.

“@Mattforphoenix had 364 other days to educate himself on #antisemitism & age old tropes. Ignorance is no excuse; it’s a status. And, when called out, resorts to name calling. Let’s add status of immaturity too. Man-up Matt & apologize,” he posted on X.

Galindo-Elvira is also in the midst of campaigning to hold his District 7 seat in a special election after he was appointed to it when it became vacant this summer. A couple of weeks ago, while knocking on voters’ doors, he had a day illustrating two opposite extremes for a Jewish candidate. At one door, the voter looked at him and said that he would never support a Jew. A couple of hours later, another voter told him she had an Israeli flag hanging in front of her house because she wanted Jews to know that she is worried about rising antisemitism.

Galindo-Elivira said the man had his chance and chose to continue perpetuating what he already knew was insulting.

“Such opposite viewings, in adjacent neighborhoods with small Jewish populations, shows how the rhetoric is trickling down,” he said.

In terms of calling out Evans’ video, he said he would never stay quiet about such things because that would be complicity in the face of hate speech.

He hoped that Evans might even apologize to Gallego, calling it “the gentlemanly thing to do,” he said.

“He could have said that he was glad to learn more and because it’s so insensitive and insulting to the Jewish community that he would take it down. Instead, he

“We know, and history bears this out, it may start with the Jews but it never ends with the Jews,” he said. JN

Screenshot of Matt Evans’ anti-Mayor Kate Gallego video that has been accused of using antisemitic tropes.

Tim Stringham For County Recorder

Tim Stringham is an Army and Navy veteran and attorney who has served our country and will always put our democracy first.

Tim has dedicated his life to public service and freedom – serving in Afghanistan in the US Army and as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the US Navy where he gave human rights training to partners in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Tim was born and raised in Arizona, graduated from Arizona State University in 2009, and, using the GI bill, attended Notre Dame Law School in 2018 and earned his General Master of Law degree in National Security Law from Georgetown University.

During these uncertain times, we need a tested expert like Tim Stringham to deliver transparent, accessible, and fair elections to Arizonans.

Jewish group breaks down propositions on the Arizona ballot

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Arizona voters might be surprised about the length of the ballots they’re currently receiving in the mail — two full pages, front and back. Those who have already voted would probably testify that it will take a few more minutes to vote this year than it has in the past. One element adding to the length is the number and size of the ballot propositions.

Several news outlets have tried to drill down into the details of the propositions, which can seem worded in a confusing way, leaving voters without a sense of what exactly they’re saying “yes” or “no” to.

For the last couple of months, Arizona Jews for Justice (AJJ) added its voice to the effort to break down each proposition to its basics, ensuring voters feel confident about what’s being asked of them.

In the latest episode of its “Vote Smart” series on Monday, Oct. 14, Pinny Sheoran, president of the League of

Women Voters in Arizona, broke down the propositions by offering what the current law is and how a yes vote would change the system. She also gave input on the views of her organization, which leans to the left but don’t always agree with other progressive groups.

Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, AJJ’s founder, said a series like this is important to equip people to participate in democracy.

“As a Jewish community, we feel it is crucial to defend democracy and vote on everything on the ballot,” he told Jewish News in a text.

“We should know everything and not be unprepared or confused by various things at the last minute. Some of it is quite confusing,” he said, a fact he related during Monday’s virtual session while he held the ballot in front of him to read along as Sheoran went proposition by proposition. She also advised people to come to the ballot already informed and

to vote the entire two pages.

Sheoran cited her organization’s online voter guide (found at lwv.org/elections/ vote411), explaining that it gives more detailed information, including the people or organizations who wrote each proposition.

“Arizona is one of those unique states where the right of citizens to make laws is enshrined in our Constitution, and it’s so important for us to protect that right and not give an inch on that right,” she told viewers.

The Arizona legislature added most of the propositions as concurrent resolutions, which only require a simple majority of the House and Senate. Thus, 46 people were able to refer legislation to the ballot on the one hand. On the other hand, citizens have to gather more than 250,000 verified signatures before they can get anything on the ballot.

“You should remember that inequity on how easy it is for the legislature to get

stuff on the ballot versus for the citizens,” said Sheoran, before jumping into the ballot explanations.

Though she touched on each of the 15 measures, she spent the majority of her time on four:

Prop. 133: “If you vote ‘yes’ on this one, you’re saying you want to amend the Constitution so that both cities and school boards have to have partisan primary elections. It would effectively end local jurisdictions’ ability to determine how they make decisions.”

Prop. 134: “If you vote ‘yes’ on this, you want to make it harder to get citizen ballot measures because you have to gather a percentage of signatures from every legislative district. We have 30 districts, so instead of collecting 10% of signatures from the entire state, you have to collect 10% from every single legislative district. Additionally, if any one legislative

LD4 2024 TER GUIDE

V O TER GUIDE

LD4 2024

CHRISTINE MARSH

LD4 2024

2 Year English Teacher

CHRISTINE MARSH

Carine Werner

CHRISTINE MARSH

• 32 Year English Teacher

ormer AZ Teacher of the Year ears in the Arizona Senate

• 32 Year English Teacher

Carine Werner

32 Year English Teacher

• 32 Year English Teacher

• Former AZ Teacher of the Year

• 32 Year English Teacher

EDUCATION

• Former AZ Teacher of the Year

Former AZ Teacher of the Year

• 4 Years in the Arizona Senate

• Former AZ Teacher of the Year

Endorsed by Police and Firefighters

• 4 Years in the Arizona Senate

4 Years in the Arizona Senate

• 4 Years in the Arizona Senate

Endorsed by Police and Firefighters

on the ISSUES

• 32 Year English Teacher

on the ISSUES

on the ISSUES Carine

on the ISSUES

EDUCATION

Carine Werner

• First Term Scottsdale School Board Member

• First Term Scottsdale Unified School Board Member

In 2022 Carine Werner was named as a Trusted AZ School Board Candidate by Education Advocates for Kari Lake.(5)

In 2022 Carine Werner named as a Trusted AZ Board Candidate by Education Advocates for Kari Lake.

• First Term Scottsdale Unified School Board Member

In 2022 Carine Werner was named as a Trusted AZ School Board Candidate by Education Advocates for Kari Lake.(5)

EDUCATION

Christine Marsh is a former Arizona Teacher of the Year, and she has led efforts to stop cuts to public schools, increase accountability, and restore education funding so Arizona no longer ranks in the bottom 5 in funding in the country.

• Former AZ Teacher of the Year

CHRISTINE MARSH

• 4 Years in the Arizona Senate

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

EDUCATION

• First Term Scottsdale Unified School Board Member

EDUCATION

Marsh is a former Arizona Teacher of and she has led efforts to stop cuts to schools, increase accountability, and restore funding so Arizona no longer ranks in the funding in the country.

Werner has been criticized for opposing additional school funding for the school district she represents (4) and pushing hard to cut after-school programs(5). She will not help Arizona’s education climb out of the bottom 5 in the nation.

REPRODUCTIVE

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

RIGHTS

• 32 Year English Teacher

Endorsed by Police and Firefighters

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Marsh will protect women’s access to healthcare and will keep the government out of the deeply personal decisions made between a woman and her doctor.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Marsh will protect women’s access to healthcare and will keep the government out of the deeply personal decisions made between a woman and her doctor.

• Former AZ Teacher of the Year

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

DEMOCRACY

Marsh will protect women’s access to healthcare and will keep the government out of the deeply personal decisions made between a woman and her doctor.

• 4 Years in the Arizona Senate

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

DEMOCRACY

Marsh will protect women’s access to healthcare and will keep the government out of the deeply personal decisions made between a woman and her doctor.

DEMOCRACY

protect women’s access to healthcare and the government out of the deeply personal made between a woman and her doctor.

DEMOCRACY

Christine Marsh has fought for our democracy by sponsoring election legislation that supports poll workers (1), accessible voter registration (2), and increasing access to early voting (3).

EDUCATION

Christine Marsh has fought for our democracy by sponsoring election legislation that supports poll workers (1), accessible voter registration (2), and increasing access to early voting (3).

1. HB2421, 2. HB2422, 3. SB1541

Christine Marsh has fought for our democracy by sponsoring election legislation that supports poll workers (1), accessible voter registration (2), and increasing access to early voting (3).

Endorsed by Police and Firefighters

1. HB2421, 2. HB2422, 3. SB1541

DEMOCRACY

Christine Marsh has fought for our democracy by sponsoring election legislation that supports poll workers (1), accessible voter registration (2), and increasing access to early voting (3).

1. HB2421, 2. HB2422, 3. SB1541

Marsh has fought for our democracy by election legislation that supports poll accessible voter registration (2), and access to early voting (3).

EDUCATION

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Christine Marsh is a former Arizona Teacher of the Year, and she has led efforts to stop cuts to public schools, increase accountability, and restore

Marsh will protect women’s access to healthcare and

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

• First

In 2022 Carine Werner was named as a Trusted AZ School Board Candidate by Education Advocates for Kari Lake.(5)

Werner has been criticized for opposing additional school funding for the school district she represents (4) and pushing hard to cut after-school programs(5).

She will not help Arizona’s education climb out the bottom 5 in the nation.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Werner is backed by proponents of Arizona’s most extreme abortion ban laws, who agree with the 1864 law that has no exceptions for rape and incest and criminalizes doctors and nurses(6).

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Werner is backed by proponents of Arizona’s most extreme abortion ban laws, who agree with the 1864 law that has no exceptions for rape and incest and criminalizes doctors and nurses(6).

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Carine

Werner is backed by proponents of Arizona’s most extreme abortion ban laws, who agree with the 1864 law that has no exceptions for rape and incest and criminalizes doctors and nurses(6).

DEMOCRACY

Carine Warner has garnered and promoted support from extremist election deniers (7) who promote conspiracy theories (9).

Werner is backed by proponents of Arizona’s most extreme abortion ban laws, who agree with the 1864 law that has no exceptions for rape and incest and criminalizes doctors and nurses(6).

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Werner is backed by proponents of Arizona’s most extreme abortion ban laws, who agree with the 1864 law that has no exceptions for rape and incest and criminalizes doctors and nurses(6).

EDUCATION

DEMOCRACY

Carine Warner has garnered and promoted support from extremist election deniers (7) who promote conspiracy theories (9).

Werner is backed by proponents of Arizona’s extreme abortion ban laws, who agree with the law that has no exceptions for rape and incest criminalizes doctors and nurses(6).

DEMOCRACY

Carine Warner has garnered and promoted support from extremist election deniers (7) who promote conspiracy theories (9).

Town of Paradise Valley Independent, 10/5/22

4. Town of Paradise Valley Independent, 10/5/22

https://americapack.org/

Werner has been criticized for opposing additional school

East Valley Tribune

ABC News 4/17/24

the school district she represents (4) and pushing hard

Carine Warner has garnered and promoted support from extremist election deniers (7) who promote conspiracy theories (9).

DEMOCRACY

Carine Warner has garnered and promoted support from extremist election deniers (7) who promote conspiracy theories (9).

cut after-school programs(5). She will not help Arizona’s education climb out of the bottom 5 in the nation.

EDUCATION

Carine Warner has garnered and promoted support from extremist election deniers (7) who promote conspiracy theories (9).

Werner

agent.

Speaker advocates ‘restorative justice’ when teaching genocide

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

When the U.S. Embassy in Rwanda told Americans to leave the country in the days leading up to the 1994 genocide against the minority Tutsi ethnic group, Carl Wilkens decided to stay. It was a difficult and frightening decision because he and his wife were well aware of the overwhelming slew of violent threats being made by political and cultural Hutu leaders against the Tutsi people. However, when they read that they were forbidden from helping Tutsis escape, the choice became clear.

The family decided that Wilkens would stay behind with the two Tutsis in their employ, whom they considered part of their family, while his wife left with their three children and Carl’s parents (who happened to be visiting at that fraught moment) for a safer place.

“That was the curveball. These two loved my kids; they were family and I might have left if we could bring them, but knowing they would die, we couldn’t leave them,” Wilkens told Jewish News.

Wilkens, one of only a handful of Westerners who remained in Rwanda during the genocide, is the keynote speaker at this year’s Murray and Sabina Zemel z”l Educator Conference on the Holocaust and Genocide on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at the Arizona Jewish Historical Society in Phoenix.

The Phoenix Holocaust Association, Arizona State University Jewish Studies, Arizona Jewish Historical Society and the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix are all sponsoring the conference, which will culminate at the end of the day with Wilkens’ talk, which is open to the public.

Wilkens’ personal intervention helped to save hundreds of lives, mainly orphans. He was able to negotiate with armed militia and Hutu politicians, who listened to him based on his status as a foreigner.

“Rwanda had a culture of respecting foreigners that privileged us. We wanted to leverage that privilege,” Wilkens said.

His organization, World Outside My Shoes, provides structures, context and strategies for building relationships through restorative rather than punitive practices.

“Punitive and restorative justice are contrasted, and the latter goes beyond justice to healing,” he said. “The genocide was a choice, the restorative journey is a choice.”

This is the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, and Wilkens will talk about his experience, both as a witness to genocide and as someone who helped save lives, and provide insights to teachers about how to teach this challenging material.

The anniversary made Wilkens a “fitting choice,” Phoenix Holocaust Association Executive Director Leslie Feldman told Jewish News. She first met him more than a decade ago when she worked for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Committee on Conscience.

“Carl is a true upstander in every sense of the word,” Feldman said. She finds his approach to restorative justice to be inspiring and courageous.

Wilkens admires the work the Rwandan government has invested in reconciliation over the last few decades.

“The restorative approach is hard and messy, but that’s what Rwanda has been working towards,” he said. Further, trust is one of genocide’s first casualties, especially in a situation like Rwanda where neighbors killed each other.

“Trying to believe that a person is more than the worst thing they’ve ever done is a radical approach,” Wilkens said. For Rwanda to move forward as a country that contains both perpetrators and victims, who still have to live together, people must find the humanity in one

another, even those who have committed genocide.

When he tells people that he’s often faced with incredulity. People ask him, “Do you hear yourself, Carl? Can that work in the case of rape and murder?” Though it feels contrary, it has to work, he said, adding that he’s witnessed “incredibly beautiful stories of reconciliation.”

Finding and sharing such stories is a big part of the work he does now, to help teachers unpack this history. He also takes a group of teachers to Rwanda every year, where they not only see the sites and relics of the genocide but also meet people who went through it.

The Genocide Intervention Network offers a Carl Wilkens Fellowship to give people tools and resources to build sustained political will to end genocide.

Kim Klett, PHA board secretary and Holocaust educator, is a Carl Wilkens Fellow.

“Carl had such a unique experience and he has continued to cultivate relationships with the people he knows in Rwanda. He is always building upon those relationships and connections to bring new ideas about reconciliation and forgiveness,” Klett told Jewish News in an email.

She is confident that he will provide the teachers in attendance with a lot of useful material to take back to their classrooms.

Barry and Barbara Zemel founded the annual teacher’s conference in honor of Barry’s parents — his mother, Sabina, was

a Holocaust survivor. The free conference is open to all who teach grades six to 12 and aims to help Arizona teachers build programs, develop curricula and share what works when it comes to teaching the grim but profound history. JN

Carl Wilkens’ lecture is free and open to the public. To register, go to jewishstudies.asu.edu/ ZemelConference2024.

Carl Wilkens and his family are reunited in July 1994 following the genocide in Rwanda.

COURTESY OF CARL WILKENS

Carl Wilkens with a group of students.

COURTESY OF CARL WILKENS

Greg

Stanton is a voice & vote in Congress PRO-ISRAEL

If re-elected, he’ll continue to:

Support Israel's right to defend itself & eliminate Hamas

Demand that Hamas release all remaining hostages

Support fully funding security assistance for Israel without additional conditions

Work to expand the historic Abraham Accords

Ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon

VOTE FOR GREG STANTON

Songs, prayers and solidarity mark Tucson commemoration of Oct. 7

PHYLLIS BRAUN | ARIZONA JEWISH POST

Locked in a safe room for 13 hours, singer-songwriter Micha Biton and his family barely survived the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attacks on Israel. More than 20 of their friends in Moshav Netiv Ha’asara, the Israeli community closest to the Gaza border, were killed.

Along with his songs, Biton shared the story of that terrible day and the pain, strength and hope of the year that followed with more than 1,000 Southern Arizona Jewish community members and allies. As dusk fell, the crowd gathered at the Tucson Jewish Community Center to mark the first anniversary of the attacks in which approximately 1,200 people were murdered, thousands more injured and 253 kidnapped.

In the J’s Sculpture Garden, set off from the chairs for guests, rows of empty white folding chairs with photographs were a stark reminder of the 101 hostages still held in Gaza.

The J, the Weintraub Israel Center and Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA) organized the commemoration, dubbed “With Broken Hearts, and Heads Held High.” More than a dozen local synagogues and Jewish community agencies provided support.

As community members found seats, they spoke together quietly, some sharing their disbelief that a year had passed and the war was not over, the hostages not free.

“My heart hurts — all the suffering,” said Rebecca Crow.

“Israel is the life of the Jews, and we cannot let it be destroyed,” added Crow, who has family in Israel, including a cousin’s son, age 22, who rejoined his Israel Defense Forces unit after Oct. 7 and was just called up for a second deployment.

Judy Katz Esbit said her son Simon recently finished his third year at the Medical School for International Health at Ben Gurion University. A terrorist attack at the Beersheba bus station on Oct. 6 that left a border police officer dead, and 10 others wounded, added to her worries.

“He goes to that bus station twice a day,” she said.

Yet she’s also fiercely proud of his decision to stay in Israel and help in the hospital where he trained until he comes home for Thanksgiving.

Welcoming the crowd, JPSA President and CEO Hava Leipzig Holzhauer made a special point of thanking the Jewish

community’s allies for their support over the past year, naming more than 20 politicians, non-Jewish clergy and other community leaders in attendance.

Holzhauer spoke of the resilience of the Jewish people, saying resilience “reflects the ability to cope and adapt in difficult situations. Resilience is being able to keep going, to keep moving forward when something terrible happens that is worthy of stopping most in their tracks. Resilience is being strong in body and strong in mind. It’s being able to stand tall and face adversity, time and again. It’s finding happiness, celebration, prosperity, and endurance after suffering trauma and adversity for thousands of years.”

Senior Community Shlicha Yuval Malka asked the crowd to join in a moment of silence, after which Nitay Bar, who is Malka’s partner, and Arielle Shemesh, representing the Israeli community in Tucson, lit a memorial torch in honor of two Israelis murdered on Oct. 7, Dror Altun and Ron Shemer.

Local rabbis chanted memorial prayers in Hebrew and English. Rabbi Norman Roman of Beth Shalom Temple Center and Rabbi Helen Cohn of Congregation Mkor Hayim recited Yizkor, Rabbi Sam Cohon of Congregation Beit Simcha sang El Male Rachamim with Rabbi Avi Alpert of Congregation Bet Shalom reading the translation, and Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin of Chabad Tucson recited Kaddish.

Tucsonan Ben Pozez spoke of the bravery of his cousin, Rose Lubin, a lone soldier who left her bomb shelter to help defend her kibbutz on Oct. 7, guarding the main gate for 14 hours. Lubin survived Oct. 7 but was stabbed to death by a terrorist in Jerusalem on Nov. 6, 2023.

University of Arizona student Zoe Saltz and UA Hillel Israel Fellow Michele Pissarenko Shuster read a song, “Who Is the Man,” written about Ben Shimoni, who escaped the massacre at the Nova Music Festival, helping others flee, only to return more than once to rescue more people. After returning to the site a third time, he was ambushed and killed.

“Amid all the evil, pain and destruction we have witnessed, so much good and kindness has been revealed before our eyes,” said Saltz, noting the many other acts of courage and sacrifice plus the tens of millions of dollars raised to help those fleeing the communities that were attacked.

“In a reality filled with uncertainty, this

is our certainty: we have each other,” Saltz said, adding that the community must stand together, “united against hatred, choosing love over fear.”

Rabbi Malcolm Cohen and Cantor Jennifer Benrey of Kol Ami Synagogue followed with Acheinu, a prayer for the release of captives. As photos of hostages appeared on the screen behind them, the Tucson Hebrew Academy choir performed a soulful pop song, “Coming Home,” which drew appreciative murmurs from the crowd. Rabbi Sara Metz of Congregation Anshei Israel and Rabbi Stephanie Aaron of Congregation Chaverim recited the prayer for the State of Israel and Rev. Dr. Jay R. Hartley and Rev. Matthew Funke Crary closed the prayer service with an interfaith prayer for peace.

Introducing Biton, Malka, the community shlicha, spoke of the difficulty of planning a ceremony for a tragedy that is still ongoing.

“By standing here, we choose to remember, and we choose life, love and strength,” she said, adding that we can actively choose a hope that “is 2,000 years old, held by millions before us.”

“We must continue to believe that tomorrow will be better,” she said, emphasizing that this belief inspired Biton’s music.

“I have learned to tell my story from a place of light and faith,” Biton said. “We made it out of the inferno and met people who are embracing and lifting us up. There is a lot of light and power in that, despite the pain for all those who were not so lucky.”

Biton’s songs, including “Aneni” (Answer Me), “Sheyavo” (Let It Come), and “Hatzad Hamu’ar” (The Lighted Side) affirmed this belief. With his lyrics projected on a screen in Hebrew, English, and transliterated Hebrew, Biton often invited the crowd to sing along.

Between songs, Biton shared more of his story, including his decision on Oct. 7 to briefly open the safe room door because the 11 people inside were running out of air. He stood in his living room armed with a hammer, prepared to sacrifice himself to save his family.

Local musicians Rami Yadid, Mark Ross, Michael Hoffman and Yosef Lapko joined Biton onstage for part of the show. Toward the end of his concert, as Biton led the crowd in Oseh Shalom, the ancient prayer for peace, the audience sang and clapped. For the final song, Hatikvah, Katz Esbit and three of her friends linked arms, swaying together.

“That was beautiful,” Crow said. “The perfect ceremony.” JN

This article first appeared on AZJewishPost.com. Reprinted with permission.

Singer-songwriter Micha Biton shared songs and stories from Oct. 7, when he and his family were locked in a safe room for 13 hours. COURTESY OF TUCSON

MARKETING

Members of the community gathered for the “With Broken Hearts, and Heads Held High” Oct. 7 commemoration at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. COURTESYOFTUCSONJCCMARKETING

In the J’s Sculpture Garden, rows of empty white folding chairs with photographs were a stark reminder of the 101 hostages still held in Gaza. COURTESY OF TUCSON JCC MARKETING

We run Arizona businesses of all sizes and we endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president. She is the best choice for our economy and for the future of the United States.

With Harris in the White House, we’ll have a pragmatic, fact-based leader who gets up every day thinking about us, not himself — a source of stability for business, not chaos.

We don’t agree with Harris on every issue, but her “Opportunity Economy” will invest in Arizona’s middle class. Her plan boosts the tax deduction for start-ups from $5,000 to $50,000 and cuts red tape and permitting restrictions; incentivizes home construction, which will spur economic development; and negotiates lower drug prices, not just for insulin, but for other life-saving drugs. Restoring the child tax credit and offering support for parents in their child’s first year will also help our overall economy.

Harris will expand the asylum crackdown and sign the tough bipartisan border bill — supported by the U.S. Border Patrol — that Trump killed for crass political reasons. She would sharply reduce President Biden’s capital gains tax proposal and bar any tax increases for those making less than $400,000 a year.

Signed,

Adam Goodman

CEO, Goodman’s Furniture

Bert Millett

Managing Attorney, Orangewood Law Group

Bettina Nava

Co-Founder and Owner of OH Strategy Communications

Blake Sacha Director, Intel Corporation, Retired

Brandon Clarke

Co-Founder & Chairman, StartupAZ

Brian Barabe

Owner, PuroArte.com

Christopher R. Kaup

Shareholder, Tiffany & Bosco, P.A.

Dan Schweiker

Co-Chair, China Mist Tea Company, Retired

David DeConcini Partner, 4-D Properties

David Lovitt

Owner, Insurance Agency, Retired

Donald Trump is no fiscal conservative. He’s a budget-busting protectionist who would politicize the Federal Reserve and use the heavy hand of government to advance his own interests. According to non-partisan economists at Goldman Sachs, Trump’s irresponsible economic policies would shrink GDP in 2025-26, causing a net loss of jobs. His proposals would increase the federal budget deficit by an astonishing $5.8 trillion dollars over the next 10 years, more than five times what Harris’s proposals would cost, and set back the average family $4,000 a year.

For these reasons and more, please join us in supporting the Harris-Walz ticket and advancing what’s best for our state, our economy and our democracy.

David Reese

Banking Executive, Retired

Elizabeth Baierl

Owner, Solidad Services LLC

Gary Haydon

Chairman of the Board, Haydon Companies

Girish Rishi

Chairman & CEO, Cognite, Inc

Hon. Robin Ross Shaw

Founder, Wild American Chestnut, LLC

James Huntwork Attorney at Law

John Graham Sunbelt Holdings

John Lutes

Owner & CFO, Van Gogh’s Ear Gallery

John Webster

President & Owner, Executive Millwork

Judge Dan Barker Principal, Mediation Services, Retired

Keith Galbut

President, ADVOCATE –Residential Construction Advisors

Lyn Mowafy Virtual Habitats, Retired

Marianne Mago CEO, Steele Foundation

Matthew Gindlesperger Principal Engineer, MG ASIC LLC

Michael Kano

Co-Founder, Veterans Home Access LLC

Neil Giuliano

Former Mayor of Tempe

Oliver Harper, M.D CoFounder & Past President, Arizona

Medical Clinic

Paul Hickman

Former Senior Advisor to Sen. Johh McCain

Phineas Anderson

Headmaster, K-12 Independent Day Schools, Retired

Phil Francis CRO, Petsmart, Retired

Robert Frith

Business Development Manager, Motorola, Retired

Sharon Harper

Chairman & CEO, Plaza Companies

Stan Shafer COO, Holualoa Companies

Steve May

Chief Veteran Advocate, Veterans Home Access LLC

Thomas Lewis II, DVM Founder, Dermatology for Animals

Tirrill Woodring

Southwest General Development LLC, Retired

Tom Curzon

Managing Member, Pole Creek Capital

Yasser Sanchez

Law Office of Yasser Sanchez

Querida Walker Owner, My WOAB LLC

Silent dancing on Simchat Torah? A joyous Jewish holiday is remade for a mournful anniversary.

JACOB GURVIS, DEBORAH DANAN | JTA

For many Jews across the United States and globe, memories of last year’s Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah will forever revolve around grim phone alerts and hushed conversations in synagogue, tears, hugs and the dawning realization that an unfathomable number of Israelis had been killed or taken captive.

Now, those communities face the challenge of figuring out how to celebrate the same holiday one year later.

“On the one hand, it is a festival, a day when it is forbidden to give eulogies and to mourn,” Rabbi Leo Dee wrote in Britain’s Jewish Chronicle. “On the other hand, it is the anniversary of the most tragic attack against humanity since the Holocaust.”

He went on to ask questions that have occupied rabbis and Jewish leaders at synagogues worldwide: “Can we dance again? Can we celebrate again? How should we respect the victims?”

Oct. 7, 2023, and its aftermath have now shaped a full year on the Jewish calendar — prompting people to light

menorahs salvaged from the wreckage of Gaza border communities, leave empty seats for the hostages at their Passover seder tables and, this week, decorate their sukkahs with motifs drawing attention to those still captive.

Simchat Torah — which marks the end of the yearly Torah-reading cycle and begins on Thursday evening — is especially vexing: Although most commemorations of the attack took place on Oct. 7, Simchat Torah is the one-year Hebrew anniversary, or yahrzeit, of the attack. That sad occasion is further complicated by the festive nature of the day, which is usually filled with dancing and singing. It is the only major Jewish holiday that has the word “joy” in its name.

“How can we celebrate when the Jewish people has lost so many hostages, soldiers, siblings and friends, when we in Israel have sat shiva too many times?” reads a guide for this year’s Simchat Torah published by Hadar, the egalitarian Jewish educational institute. “Can we dance with Torah scrolls

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Rabbi

Shmuly Yanklowitz, Valley Beit Midrash

whose embroideries now bear, for a lasting memory, the names of our murdered loved ones?”

Synagogues and communities, in the United States, Israel and beyond, have come up with answers that they hope will do justice to the day’s inherent joy as well as its mournful mood this year.

Many congregations are focusing on the core Simchat Torah ritual of hakafot, or sets of seven circular dances around the Torah. This year, some synagogues will devote one of the seven to commemorating the day’s tragedy.

“What a lot of rabbis are talking about doing is having one of those circles be kind of staid and subdued and maybe even silenced, as opposed to singing and dancing, to mark those who were lost,” said Rabbi Mike Uram, the chief Jewish learning officer at the Jewish Federations of North America.

“There’s a huge number of Jews in North America who have deep personal and family connections to people who’ve been killed either on Oct. 7 or in the war,” Uram continued. “So there’s going to be a lot of sadness as those memories of lost loved ones and family members come back to them.”

In the Hadar guide, Renana Ravitsky Pilzer, a scholar at the Shalom Hartman Institute, suggests imbuing each of the seven hakafot with a theme — but making the first one completely silent, to provide a single space for the day’s complex and conflicting emotions.

“Let us use it to express justification or protest, shock or weeping, the inability to accept contradictions, or acceptance,” she wrote. “Let us recognize that members of our community have diverse and opposing interpretations of both the ancient and current silence, and we will share a

moment of silence together.”

Another initiative will commemorate the attack using the Torah scrolls themselves.

The Simchat Torah Project, launched by Mizrachi, a global Zionist organization, has created a Torah vestment that it has sold to over 500 communities across 31 countries, and which displays the Israeli flag and one of the victims of the attack.

The vestment will also feature a famous quotation from Ecclesiastes, the book read on Sukkot, days before Simchat Torah: “There is a time for everything under the Heavens… a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Each vestment costs $1,300.

“The Jewish world will be unified, knowing that across the globe, Jews are dancing with Torah scrolls that collectively link us all with the events of October 7th, and inspire us to realize that ‘Am Yisrael Chai,’” or the Jewish people lives, the project’s website reads.

While Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are observed on the same day in Israel, the festival is two days in the Diaspora, and Shemini Atzeret — which falls on the first day, when the massacre occurred — also includes a communal memorial service, known as Yizkor. Then, that night, Simchat Torah begins.

Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is using that distinction to structure its commemoration of Oct. 7. Taking its cues from the transition between Israel’s Memorial and Independence Days, which are celebrated back-to-back, the synagogue will pay tribute to the victims of the attack on Shemini Atzeret, then hold a “transition ceremony” to move into the joy of Simchat Torah.

“We will make space to remember and to celebrate the strength and resilience of

Hakafot — circular dances around the Torah — are a key ritual on the holiday of Simchat Torah. COURTESY OF FRANK RUMPENHORST/PICTURE ALLIANCE VIA GETTY IMAGES

Once elected, she will:

Support Israel's right to defend itself & eliminate Hamas

Demand that Hamas release all remaining hostages

Support fully funding security assistance for Israel without additional conditions

Work to expand the historic Abraham Accords

Ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon

district does not meet the threshold, then the ballot measure fails. I want everybody to let that sink in. One single legislative district can kill a ballot measure.”

Prop. 139: “If you vote ‘yes’ on this, you’re saying you want a constitutional right to abortion, to prevent the state from interfering in a person’s right to choose before fetal viability.”

Prop. 140: “If you vote ‘yes,’ you’re saying you want open primaries rather than the semi-open primaries we currently have. You want all the candidates on an even footing, so that people vote based on whichever candidate, regardless of party, they want to move forward to the general election.”

In August, AJJ asked Temple Solel

DANCING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

our people,” Rabbi Micah Peltz wrote in the synagogue bulletin.

Resilience has been a watchword for many communities as they approach Simchat Torah. Some are adopting a refrain that originated at the Nova music festival, where more than 360 people were murdered on Oct. 7, and has come to represent hope and perseverance in its aftermath: “We will dance again.”

At Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, congregants have been asked to wear blue and white — the colors of the Israeli flag — as they join for “Simchat Torah in the Streets: We Dance Again.” The event will feature a live band, singing and dancing with Torahs and an ice cream truck.

At Washington D.C.’s Sixth & I, a Simchat Torah event is billed as “Choosing Joy.” The event page notes that on the Shabbat prior to the holiday, Jews will read the same passage from the book of Ecclesiastes about “a time for dancing.”

“Last year, we grieved,” the event page reads. “This year, we’ll dance again.”

In Israel, celebrating Simchat Torah is even more fraught: Some communities are doubling down on joy, while others are forgoing celebration this year. Organizers of Ohr HaChaim synagogue in Jaffa decided that each of their hakafot would begin with soft songs that grow louder, while the seventh hakafah will be danced in silence. After hakafot, the community will come together for a communal meal that will provide space for sharing and reflection.

The synagogue’s prayer for rain, another piece of the holiday’s liturgy, will also include Kinat Be’eri, a dirge composed in memory of those killed at the border kibbutz on Oct. 7.

But not all congregants agree on the format. Nili Salem said she planned on “putting all my heart’s energy into dancing.”

including one devoid of Simchat Torah’s typical jubilance.

“There will be no celebrations, no dancing, and no hakafot — neither in the evening nor in the morning,” Shoham proposed in the Hadar guide. “We will add Psalms and prayers for the return of the hostages, for the safety of the soldiers and for the healing of the wounded. We will expand the Yizkor prayer to include a memorial for the victims of the October 7th massacre and offer a heartfelt prayer for rain — for blessing, and not for a curse.”

Some people have suggested concrete gestures to pay tribute to the attack’s victims on the occasion of the holiday. Dee, whose wife and daughters were killed in a West Bank terror attack months before Oct. 7, suggested that Diaspora communities use the holiday to promote aliyah, or immigration to Israel.

And Daniel Loeb, the CEO of Third Point, a hedge fund that manages an estimated $14 billion in assets, partnered with Chabad, Yeshiva University, Sefaria and other Jewish organizations to launch the Simchat Torah Challenge, which aims to encourage at least 10,000 Jews to commit to reading the entire Torah, one portion a week, from this year’s holiday to next year’s. According to the project’s website, that goal has already been reached.

“The terrorists who targeted Israel last year chose to do it on the holiday of Simchat Torah, the joyous day on which we finish reading the Torah and begin anew,” Loeb told eJewishPhilanthropy. “This year, we hope to invite many more Jews into what is one of humanity’s oldest book clubs, and help them engage in learning the Torah, through one life-changing portion per week.”

member and past-president Judy Schaffert to delve into the details of Prop. 137, a somewhat controversial ballot measure about retaining justices, another long part of the ballot.

“I believe that Jews are religiously obligated to participate in supporting democracy and in elections to the fullest extent possible. To do so, we must not just read street signs and social media propaganda, but invest in a deep dive of learning about pressing issues and propositions to fully understand all aspects and implications so that we’re well-educated on all of the agendas and perspectives involved,” Yanklowitz said. JN

For more information, visit arizonajewsforjustice.org.

“This year people feel uncomfortable with Simchat Torah, they’re wondering if they should dance. But we need to remember, It’s also their yahrzeit and that comes with tremendous light,” she said. “We don’t only dance because it’s fun and we’re happy, it’s also a spiritual endeavor. With dancing, we have the greatest chance of elevating their souls and sweetening the judgments on us.”

Oshrat Shoham, who co-founded the Kehillat Hakhel community in Jerusalem — where the family of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin belongs — suggested a handful of approaches to the holiday,

Uram said that no matter how one chooses to observe Simchat Torah this year, the spirit of the holiday itself encourages Jews to reflect and grapple with the world around them.

“It’s a strange peculiarity that every single year, Jews read the same book,” Uram said, referring to the Torah. “In a world where most of us read things that are almost disposable in nature — the news and tweets and how quick media moves, you kind of read it once and it disappears — there’s this countercultural approach in Jewish tradition of reading deeply and reading over and over again.”

He added, “And the idea is that while the text may stay the same, the person who’s reading each year changes.” JN

“ON THE ONE HAND, IT IS A FESTIVAL, A DAY WHEN IT IS FORBIDDEN TO GIVE EULOGIES AND TO MOURN. ON THE OTHER HAND, IT IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOST TRAGIC ATTACK AGAINST HUMANITY SINCE THE HOLOCAUST.”

RABBI LEO DEE

This year’s ballot contains two full pages of propositions.

COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS

Providing context to a misleading campaign sign

SHERYL BRONKESH | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

When I first saw a large sign declaring that Christine Marsh voted against Holocaust education, I was taken aback. State Senator Marsh (LD4), a former Arizona Teacher of the Year, sat on the Senate Education Committee when I testified in 2021 in support of legislation to mandate Holocaust education (HB2241). She not only voted for this important bill in committee, but she also cast her vote in favor of the bill in the Senate. Phoenix Holocaust Association is extremely proud to have championed this bill.

I researched to understand the basis behind the confusing sign on Hayden Road in Scottsdale. What I found is that despite having backed the mandate bill, she also supported two bills this past session related to Holocaust education including the bill establishing a study committee on the Holocaust and other genocides, and a bill to provide funds

for the first Phoenix area Holocaust center to be built on the site of Arizona Jewish Historical Society (Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center).

The creators of the misleading sign used her “no” vote on another bill that set a specific number of class periods to be devoted to Holocaust and other genocides between seventh and 12th grades. Phoenix Holocaust Association was not consulted about that bill. I reached out by email to Senator Marsh to ask about her “no” vote. She wrote,

“I voted ‘no’ on that because six class periods is likely not enough. It was an arbitrary number of hours, and since it included “other genocides,” it’s possible that the Holocaust itself would actually get very little time devoted to it. Thus, the bill might not accomplish the goal, and we do need to accomplish that goal.”

I spoke directly with Senator Marsh recently and she believes, as do I, that the Holocaust Study Committee is more comprehensive legislation. Senator Marsh voted “yes” on HB 2760 on behalf of which I testified. HB2760 includes the following actions 1) convene a committee of 14 people, three of whom must “have expertise in the Holocaust and other genocides,” that would “review the course of study and competency requirements that include a requirement that students be taught about the Holocaust and other genocides,” 2) “study how teacher lessons and trainings in public schools regarding the Holocaust and other genocides can be improved,” 3) study how Arizona public universities can incorporate teachings of the Holocaust and other genocides into courses and campus engagements; and 4)“explore how public schools and universities can facilitate speaking

engagements by survivors, their families and liberators for students.”

This bill requires that the committee submit a report to the governor and legislative leaders with its recommendations for impactful Holocaust education and genocide studies.

Senator Marsh said, “The study committee consists of 14 people, three of whom must ‘have expertise in the Holocaust and other genocides,’ and is a more productive avenue to determine exactly what increasing education about genocide and the Holocaust should look like, including adding it to the standards and ensuring that enough classroom hours are devoted to it that it’s not simply minimized.”

HB2760, supported by Senator Marsh, was signed by Governor Hobbs on April 8 of this year.

I trust that readers of the Jewish News will do their homework before voting and not rely on deceptive street signs maligning candidates inaccurately and unfairly. Feel free to reach out to me with questions about Holocaust education. JN Sheryl Bronkesh is the president of the Phoenix Holocaust Association, contact her at Sherylbronkesh.PHA@gmail.com.

This is the vote you should cast during this election season

RABBI PINCHAS ALLOUCHE | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

It’s no secret that we are experiencing one of the most divisive election seasons in recent history. Personal attacks have been launched, friendships have been broken and walls of antagonism and hostility have been built between people.

But are our minds too small to hold two differing opinions? Are our hearts too narrow to embrace someone who thinks differently?

And so, before the cracks in our “one nation under G-d” deepen, we must take responsibility and cast our first and most crucial vote: a vote for peace within our homes. The future of our world depends on this vote. And as we commit to this, let us keep these five guiding principles in mind:

1. World peace begins with family peace

One of the most popular Jewish holidays is Passover which celebrates the birth of the Jewish nation.

Yet, interestingly, Passover is not celebrated with grand national gatherings and street parades. Instead, we are commanded to hold intimate Seder meals in our homes with our families and friends. The reason is poignant and surpassingly beautiful: Over three millennia ago, Judaism understood that the foundation of a strong society is a strong family, and that the seeds of change in the world can only blossom if they are planted in the rooms of our own homes. Similarly, a study held in 2015 revealed that strong family bonds contribute to lower crime rates and greater stability in society. When the family unit is strong and filled with love, respect and mutual responsibility, the societies of our world are also stronger, healthier and safer.

AS WE ENTER THIS ELECTION TIME, WE TOO MUST NOT ALLOW POLITICAL LABELS TO BLIND US TO THE INHERENT GOODNESS IN OTHERS.

2. Parenting is modeling

A 2020 study found that children as young as three years old are influenced by the behavior and conflict management styles they observe in their parents. Children who witness constructive handling of disagreements are more likely to develop healthy coping mechanisms, while children exposed to hostility are more prone to anxiety and depression later in life.

Think about that: Your children are watching how you handle differences of opinion. If they see you tearing apart a family member over politics, they will internalize that as acceptable behavior. But do we really want to raise children

who believe that it is acceptable to choose political affiliations over friends and family?

3. Holding grudges harms mental health

Our generation suffers from an everincreasing mental health crisis. Anxiety, depression and stress are rampant. But dare we ask: how much of this stems from our inability to let go of anger and resentment?

According to a 2014 study, people who hold grudges suffer from higher stress levels, increased blood pressure and a weakened immune system, and they are more likely to experience chronic anxiety,

Rabbi Pinchas Allouche COURTESY OF RABBI PINCHAS ALLOUCHE

A campaign sign displaying false information on State Senator Christine Marsh (LD4). COURTESY OF SHERYL BRONKESH/PHOENIX HOLOCAUST ASSOCIATION

Sheryl Bronkesh testifying in 2024 in support of HB2760. COURTESY OF SHERYL BRONKESH/PHOENIX HOLOCAUST ASSOCIATION

On the way

RABBI MINDIE SNYDER

PARSHAH BERESHIT:

On the way, what was before connects with the here and now, capturing whispers of the future.

On the way, Aner was with his friends at a festival. Joy turned to horror. He rose up with extraordinary courage and saved lives but lost his own.

On the way, Moshe grabbed his son and drove, many times, directly into the fray, rescuing survivors and transporting them to safety.

On the way, hundreds of Israelis made “choice-less choices” on October 7, 2023. Some lived. Some lost their lives. Some are waiting to live.

On the way, we make a way and beginnings happen, but there is no guarantee how they will unfold.

On the way, The Creator awoke to something wild, vague and indescribable. Harnessing the power of possibilities, on the way, God created what would become the greatest partnership experiment in the universe.

In the first chapter of the first book of Torah, our origin story illustrates magnificent successes. God is incredibly busy, creating our world, all its fine details and auspicious separations — everything from a formless void (1:1-2:3). A lot of it was “good.” Tuesday was twice as good and therefore doubly blessed. Completing the process of creating heavens and earth, light and life, people appeared on the scene, in God’s image, last (1:27).

ELECTION

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

depression and heart disease.

Perhaps this is why our Talmudic sages teach that “the world endures only in the merit of those who restrain themselves during a potential quarrel” (Chullin 89a).

And so, before we sever ties with friends and family members, we must ask: Is it worth destroying our mental health and relationships for the sake of being right?

4. Yes, there’s good in everyone

The Lubavitcher Rebbe once quipped: “Imagine you could open your eyes and see only the good in every person, the positive in every circumstance, and the opportunity in every challenge.”

One of the shining examples of this

God’s efforts in the Divine field of Creation were quite pleasing for a while, but human prototypes, Adam and Eve and one of their three their offspring, Cain, demonstrated a flawed image of God on Earth. From states of harmony, beauty and perfection, problems manifested with consequences. For their transgressions at the Tree of Knowledge, a deeply disappointed and punitive God exiled Adam and Eve from their idyllic home in the Garden of Eden (2:15-3:24).

In Torah, the first question from God to humans is directed at Adam, who is hiding in the Garden, ashamed because he did something God told him not to do.

“Where are you?”(3.9) This is a notable inquiry. Now, we can ask ourselves the same question. Where are you, today? Throughout this past month, you have navigated the High Holy Days, sincerely repented, embraced the joy of Torah, and life itself, during Sukkot, Shemeini Atzeret, Simchat Torah. In other words, where do you stand after all these religious, psycho-spiritual experiences? Can you identify what deeply matters to you and what are you willing to do to be aligned with that? Or are you hiding from God, yourself or someone else? Are you out of sync with your values? On the way, you have been gifted a beginning. So, consider affirming your location.

As years advanced, so did this first family’s tsuris and they didn’t exactly follow Orders from Headquarters. Things get worse from here. Adam and Eve’s son, Cain, grew jealous of their other son, Able. Not long into the Creation narrative, we witness the tragic act of murder, not between strangers, but between brothers (4:1-24). God is displeased

with this situation because life is precious. The murder of one constitutes the destruction of a whole world. Therefore, generations of a family vanish when a life is prematurely extinguished. Here, murder arises from human flaws, fueled by the deleterious character traits of jealousy and hatred: “Your brother’s bloods cry from the ground” (4:10). The sixth Commandment, “You shall not murder,” harkens back to this story (Ex. 20:13).

Through ups and downs, humanity continues, and Torah lists ten generations from Adam and Eve to Noah. By the time Noah comes along, The Creator wants to take his Divine Etch A Sketch and erase Creation for a dramatic do-over. However, Noah finds favor with God and the worst-case-scenario is averted (6:5-6:8).

Question: Is a beginning really a beginning if you want to alter, change, improve something you created, but don’t like?

I have been thinking a lot about beginnings, where they are in time, and the opportunities they present. Parshah B’reishit records numerous beginning stories in the larger saga. It seems to me that God and God’s Creation have been, and continue to be, on the way. Beginnings begat beginnings. Furthermore, our beginnings do not arise from nothing. Instead, there is always something that came before, even something without form or definition. As French chemist, Antoine Lavoisier said in the 18th century, “Matter cannot be created or destroyed”.

Given the tragedies and challenges of the past year, the concept of beginnings may seem a bit strange. We are, however, on the way. Optimistically, Israel is on

OCTOBER 25 - 5:24

her way to prevailing over the acts of terrorism and the nihilistic thinking that prevents peace. Hostages are on their way home. With courage and confidence, we are on our way to better understanding between peoples, eliminating obstacles of hatred. Heroic, Polish nurse, Irene Gut Opdyke (1918-2003), saved many Jews from death during WWII. She said, “Courage is a whisper from above. When you listen with your heart, you will know what to do, and how, and when.”

On the way, we summon our courage. We show up. We stand up. We speak up. We listen carefully. We discern. We extend ourselves to others with chesed. Furthermore, we answer God’s question, “Where are you?” by saying, “Hineini (Here I am).”

Then I hear the voice of my Sovereign saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us? “And I said, “Here I am. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

This is how we create beginnings and change the world for the better.

So, where are you?

Hazak, Hazak, V’nichthazek and Shabbat Shalom JN

radical approach was Rabbi Meir, a Mishnaic sage of the second century.

Rabbi Meir continued to learn from his teacher, Elisha Ben Abuya, even though most of his peers had ex-communicated him after Elisha became a heretic. When Rabbi Meir was asked how he could learn from such a person, he responded: “I am like a person who eats a pomegranate. I eat the fruit and throw away the peel.”

As we enter this election time, we too must not allow political labels to blind us to the inherent goodness in others. Every person has something valuable to offer, and we have to learn how to “discard the peel” and focus on “eating the fruit.”

5. G-d Is in control — let go of the rest

It’s easy to become consumed by the politics of the day and believe that the fate of the nation hinges on one political candidate or another. But we must remember: G-d holds the future, not us.

On September 17, 1945, General Dwight D. Eisenhower visited the saintly Klausenberger Rebbe, Rabbi Yekutiel Yehuda Halbershtam, at the DP camp set aside for Holocaust survivors in Feldafing, Germany.

General Eisenhower arrived during the morning services, but Rabbi Halbershtam refused to speak with him until he had finished his prayers. When Rabbi Halbershtam was done, he apologized

A NOTE ON OPINION

for his delay and explained to the general: “I was praying before the General of generals, the Holy One, Blessed be He. So, the general had to wait.”

Let us also place our trust in the General of generals, who, in King Solomon’s words, “controls the hearts of all kings [and all who hold positions of power]” (Proverbs 21:1). We do not know what our future holds, but we know Who holds our future. And, at the end of the day, that’s all that matters. JN

Rabbi Pinchas Allouche is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Tefillah in Scottsdale.

Rabbi Mindie Snyder is empowering the celebration of Judaism through the arts.

Rabbi Mindie Snyder COURTESY OF MINDIE SNYDER

Remembering Oct. 7

Denise Israel, left, and Rabbi Alicia Magal of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley sing "Lu Yehi," a Hebrew song that speaks of hope for peace during a commemoration service, Remembering Oct. 7, 2023, to honor those murdered in the Hamas attack on Israel last year.

You deserve a happy hour

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

Turning out for veterans

New year, new friends

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

Working together for Holocaust ed

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

OF FRANK JACOBSON

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.

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

Featured Event

THURSDAY, NOV. 7

NowGen Speaker: An Evening with Arthur Smith: 7-9 p.m. Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join NowGen for an evening with Critics Choice award-winning and Emmy-nominated Hollywood producer Arthur Smith, the man behind Hell’s Kitchen, American Ninja Warrior and more of TV’s longest-running unscripted series. Smith will discuss his book “REACH: Hard Lessons and Learned Truths from a Lifetime in Television” in a conversation led by community member, author and public relations expert Nicole Myden. For more information, visit phoenixcjp.ticketspice.com/nowgen-an-evening-with-arthur-smith-1001-3.

Events

SUNDAY, OCT. 27

Arizona Monument and Memorial Tour: 8 a.m. Meet in the parking lot at Beth Emeth Congregation of the West Valley, 13702 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West. Join Beth Emeth for a tour presented by Launa Winegrad of 33 points of interest along a walking tour around the State House. Cost: Free; RSVP required. For more information, contact 623-584-7210 or bethemethaz@gmail.com.

Peace, Politics and Propaganda: An Insider’s Look at the Fight for Israel on the Military and Media Battlefields: 2 p.m. Locations provided upon registration. Join Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation Friends of Israel and the SLJC Adult Education Committee in partnership with the East Valley Jewish Community Center for a presentation by Gil Hoffman, executive director of Honest Reporting in Israel and former chief political correspondent and analyst for The Jerusalem Post. Cost: Free. For more information, visit evjcc.org.

Welcome Back from Summer: 6-9 p.m. Aunt Chilada’s Classic Mexican Cuisine, 7330 N. Dreamy Draw Drive, Phoenix. Join Brandeis National Committee - Phoenix Chapter for an evening of socializing, music, food and fun. Cost: $47 per person. For more information, visit brandeisphoenix.org.

TUESDAY, OCT. 29

Asia’s Unique Jewish Communities: 10-11:30 a.m. East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Join the EVJCC and travel writer Dan Fellner for a presentation of Jewish life in such diverse countries as Vietnam, Myanmar, India, Thailand, Nepal, Taiwan, Japan and China. For more information, visit evjcc.org/tuesdays.

Jewish-Muslim Collaboration for Democracy and Tolerance: 4-5 p.m. Online. Join Arizona Jews for Justice for a virtual event featuring Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz and scholar Dr. Mehnaz Afridi, a respected Muslim expert on genocide. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jewishphoenix.com/events/jewish-muslimcollaboration-for-democracy-and-tolerance.

THURSDAY, OCT. 31

The 2024 Election: Reflections on the Jewish Vote: 1-2 p.m. Online. Join Valley Beit Midrash for a virtual presentation on the history of Jewish political engagement by Dr. Steven Windmueller, Emeritus Professor of Jewish Communal Studies at the Jack H. Skirball Campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. For more information, visit valleybeitmidrash.org.

FRIDAY, NOV. 1

2024 Tax & Legal Seminar: 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m.. Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix. Join the Center

for Jewish Philanthropy and the Arizona Community Foundation for the 2024 Tax & Legal Seminar featuring Beth Shapiro Kaufman and Justin Miller. This events serves as an education and networking opportunity for Arizona’s leading estate planning attorneys, CPA’s, insurance agents, CFP’s and other financial planning professionals. For more information, visit acf.cventevents.com/event/taxlegal24/summary.

TUESDAY, NOV. 5

Putting Learning into Action: Co-Creating a Space for Belonging: 10-11:30 a.m. Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix for a facilitated dialogue on fostering inclusivity within the Greater Phoenix Jewish community. Led by Matt Lehrman of Social Prosperity Partners, this session consists of a guided group conversation rather than a formal presentation. Cost: Free. For more information, contact engagement@phoenixcjp.org.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 6

It’s Not Just Lunch & the Audiologist: 12 p.m. Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join Smile on Seniors for lunch plus an informative presentation by audiologist Dr. Cathy Kurth, who will share the latest innovations in hearing technology and the importance of hearing health. For more information, visit sosaz.org/lunch.

SUNDAY, NOV. 10

Ruhama’s Cooking Demo: 2 p.m. Location provided one week prior to the event to registered participants. Join Chabad of Scottsdale Jewish Women’s Circle for a cooking demonstration by Ruhama Shitrit, social media influencer and food blogger behind the Instagram page RuhamasFood, which has more than 600,000 followers. For more information, visit chabadofscottsdale.org/Ruhama.

SUNDAY, NOV. 17

Mahjong Tournament: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Palmbrook Country Club, 9350 W. Greenway Road, Sun City. Join Temple Shalom of the West Valley for its fall fundraiser tournament. The tournament includes four rounds with cash prizes and a chance to win at special hands. Cost: $55 per player; includes a full taco bar lunch and homemade dessert bar. Registration form and payment must be received by Nov. 1. For more information, visit tbsaz.org.

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. Use this link: ChabadAZ.com/LiveClass. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

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

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

Middle East Update: What is Happening Now and Why in Israel: 10-11 a.m. Oct. 7, 14, 21 & 28. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City. The existential conflict in Iran and its proxies against Israel is the focus of a four-part interfaith adult education course led by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan. For more information, visit tbsaz.org.

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

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

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

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 likeminded people. For more information or to register, visit bjephoenix.org/family-university.

TUESDAYS

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

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

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

WEDNESDAYS

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

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.

Lunch & Learn: 12 p.m. Online. Grab some food and learn with Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin. Use this link: Facebook.com/ChabadTucson. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadtucson.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.

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.

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

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

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

THURSDAYS

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

The Science of Everything: 11 a.m. Online. Explore the most fundamental work of Chassidut: the Tanya, with Rabbi Boruch. Use this link: zoom.us/j/736434666. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

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

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

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

SATURDAYS

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

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

Shabbat

FRIDAYS

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

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

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

Erev Shabbat Service: 5:30 p.m. Online. Rabbi Alicia Magal will lead a service livestreamed for members of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley. Cost: Free. For more information and to obtain the Zoom link, visit jcsvv.org/contact.

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

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

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

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

Shabbat Service: 6-7 p.m.; Oneg at 5:15 p.m. Temple B’rith Shalom, 2077 Brohner Way, Prescott. Join Temple B’rith Shalom for a musical and spiritual Shabbat service. For more information, visit brithshalom-az.org.

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

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

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

Shabbat Services: 7 p.m. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City. Services are followed by an Oneg. Services are live-streamed on YouTube. For more information and to get the YouTube link, visit tbsaz.org or call 623-977-3240.

Shabbat Services with Beth Ami Temple: 7 p.m. 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.

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.

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 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

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Dov Aron Mayimsde peacefully passed on October 18, 2024. He was born, raised and died in Tel Aviv. He is preceded by his parents, Yitzhak and Rivka Mayimsde, and is survived by his sister, Lora Vitale. Services were at the Nahalat Yitzhak Cemetery in Tel Aviv on October 20, 2024. His memory will forever be a blessing.