Jewish News, December 13, 2024 by jewishaz

STRIKE UP THE BAND

Saul Dreier, 99-year-old Holocaust survivor and drummer, will perform in Chandler

NAR SETTLEMENT

Realtor Ophir Gross reviews recent changes to the real estate industry

‘We Were the Lucky Ones’ author comes to Phoenix

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Georgia Hunter based her book, “We Were the Lucky Ones,” on her family’s experience in Poland before, during and after World War II. The book chronicles her extended family’s stories as they survive life in a ghetto, forced labor in factories and on farms, prison abuse, serving in the military and in the resistance and hiding — sometimes in people’s homes, sometimes in plain sight, using false IDs.

Hunter will discuss her family’s incredible tales of survival at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale early next year, on Thursday, Jan. 23, four days before the observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD). Hunter will be interviewed by Busy Philipps, the well-known television and film actress currently starring in “Girls5eva,” a Peacock/Netflix original series.

“With Holocaust awareness diminishing and with fewer and fewer survivors alive to pass along their firsthand experiences, I feel it’s important — now more than ever — to share stories like my family’s, and to do so in a way that current and future generations can relate to and learn from,” Hunter told Jewish News in an email.

Phoenix Holocaust Association (PHA), in partnership with the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix, invited Hunter as part of its IHRD commemoration. Hunter’s book is not only about the Holocaust in which one or two family members survive, but, as the title indicates, the whole family makes it out alive. Though the book is serious and includes descriptions of indiscriminate violence, hunger and dismal conditions, many readers have an easier time knowing that the characters they come to care about will survive.

SEE AUTHOR, PAGE 2

Dr. Ruth’s lessons to curb loneliness play role at CJP fundraiser

W| MANAGING EDITOR

hen Dr. Ruth Westheimer set her sights on becoming the Loneliness Ambassador for New York State, no such position existed. So, she enlisted the help of a state senator and began petitioning Gov. Kathy Hochul to create the role.

“As New York works to fight the loneliness epidemic, some help from honorary Ambassador Ruth Westheimer may be just what the doctor ordered,” Hochul said in a statement after confirming the appointment. “Dr. Ruth Westheimer has offered her services to help older adults and all New Yorkers cope with the loneliness epidemic and I will be appointing her to serve as the nation’s first state-level honorary Ambassador to Loneliness.”

Emmy Award-winning author and journalist Allison Gilbert spent three months interviewing Westheimer about her transition from renowned sex therapist to loneliness ambassador. The article appeared in The New York Times on Nov. 9, 2023.

“It was a wonderful series of conversations to prepare that piece,” said Gilbert. “Then after it was published, it was a great fortune to continue knowing her and begin a different kind of relationship and, completely by surprise, to collaborate with her, which was just wonderful.”

Gilbert co-authored the book, “The Joy of Connections: 100 Ways to Beat Loneliness and Live a Happier and More Meaningful Life,” with Westheimer and her media director for more than 40 years, Pierre Lehu. The book was the last project Westheimer worked on before her death on July 12, 2024.

Gilbert will “share stories that probably most people have never heard before about Dr. Ruth and we will have a chance to honor her together” when she is the guest speaker at the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix’s Power of the Purse event at 6 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2025.

Sharing the light

SEE LESSONS, PAGE 4

Four towns in the White Mountains of Arizona will host public menorah lightings to celebrate Chanukah this year.

See page 15.

MALA BLOMQUIST

PHOTO COURTESY OF DYAN FLYZIK

ISRAEL

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, left, and Allison Gilbert at Westheimer’s home.

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

“‘We Were the Lucky Ones’ is a good book, especially for people who can’t handle the pain of the Holocaust very well,” PHA President Sheryl Bronkesh told Jewish News. “A lot of what we do in PHA is very difficult for people. Our (Holocaust) survivors talk to classes and groups, and I’m in this all the time.” Bronkesh is also a daughter of survivors, referred to as a 2G (second-generation survivor).

Personally, she was drawn in immediately when she learned that Hunter’s family was located only a few miles from where her own father was born and raised.

Kim Klett, PHA secretary, will host a discussion of the book in December to help create excitement for Hunter’s appearance a month later. Bronkesh will host another in early January.

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Klett, who has taught Holocaust literature for many years, agreed that a book wherein the whole family survives is an easier pitch to people new to Holocaust content.

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“I remember a lot of times, students asking if we were ever going to get happy stories. There aren’t that many. While this is still sad and serious, you know they’ll make it in the end — the title tells us that right away,” she told Jewish News.

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Klett suspected that Hunter’s perspective as a third-generation (3G) survivor is also helpful. Some of the most well-known 2G books she’s taught describe the lives of survivors after the Holocaust in stark and often depressing terms. When she was teaching high school, she made sure to bring in survivors, 2Gs and 3Gs to give her students a wide range of delivery and descriptions.

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Hunter only learned about her family’s history when she was a teenager, a fact she talks about in her book. She also discusses how she gathered the details she wrote about by interviewing family members and

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

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

researching facts about the people, places and events.

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

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

“The journey of unearthing her family history resonated deeply with me as the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors,”

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

Executive Director Leslie Feldman told Jewish News in an email.

“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.

Klett is hopeful that people who come to the January event with Hunter might feel a spark of interest in exploring their own family history and connections. Additionally, the fact that Hunter talks about her writing process might help out with that, too.

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.

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Bronkesh is also excited that Philipps volunteered to interview Hunter. Philipps has been a close friend of Bronkesh’s daughter since they were children. Though Philipps is not Jewish, she got to know Bronkesh’s mother very well and got to learn about the subject because of that personal connection.

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.

She already has some practice at

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

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

She already has some practice at

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

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

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

“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.

Hulu. Philipps was at the premiere when she texted Bronkesh to suggest bringing Hunter to Phoenix for PHA’s IHRD commemoration. She even volunteered to interview her on stage at her old high school in Scottsdale.

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

Both Bronkesh and Klett hope people who come will have read the book or seen the Hulu series, so they can get more from hearing from the author. The series is widely reviewed as being faithful to the book, so if someone lacks the time to read an entire book, the series is a good substitute.

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

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

“We Were the Lucky Ones” was adapted for television and is available streaming on

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

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

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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.

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

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

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

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

Meanwhile, Bronkesh tells anyone who is hesitant to read a book about the Holocaust, “Just read the title — they all survive. We have to be realistic and understand some people can’t read a lot of what’s out there. I read it all — and cry — and to me, that’s good,” she said. JN

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

Stern looks forward to sharing insights

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

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

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

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

For more information, visit phxha.com/events/ we-were-the-lucky-ones/.

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

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

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

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

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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.

“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

Georgia Hunter will be in Scottsdale in January to talk about her Holocaust book, “We Were the Lucky Ones.” COURTESY OF GEORGIA HUNTER

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Whether it’s a ritual, a holiday, or a history lesson, Judaism is always about storytelling.

Our culture is wrapped up in stories, big and small: Queen Esther, the Maccabees, Moses. We tell these stories to our children and to each other, to remind ourselves of our capabilities and to teach important lessons about our culture and the state of the world. Future generations will know what we went through because of the stories we create now.

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Alan Gold, vice chair and chair-elect, Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix

Rachel Hoffer, board chair, Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix

Alan Gold, vice chair and chair-elect, Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix COURTESY OF ALAN GOLD

Rachel Hoffer, board chair, Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix

COURTESY OF RACHEL HOFFER

With five previous book projects under her belt, Gilbert said this one “bubbled up organically.”

With her new role, Westheimer was seeking out ways to make an impact and Gilbert suggested structuring this project similarly to one of her books, “Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive,” a “how-to” book for remembering loved ones.

“We collectively thought it would work for the type of ideas that she wanted to communicate in ‘The Joy of Connections,’” she said. “It really was just so fluid and organic how everything came together. It was wonderful.”

Gilbert, who also lives and attends synagogue in New York, spent most weeks traveling to Westheimer’s apartment where they would meet, along with Lehu, and she would take notes on her laptop about all the things that now appear in the book.

“It was just this incredible partnership,” she said. “To do it in her home in a way that was just so swift and concentrated.” They signed the book contract in January of 2024 and the book was published in September.

Gilbert shared that these moments with Westheimer felt like her “private audience with the queen” and that she was the

perfect hostess, always inquiring about her family and how she was doing, even giving her chocolates on Valentine’s Day.

“I not only lost my co-author when she passed away, but I lost my new friend,” she said.

She compared the relationship with Westheimer to those formed at sleepaway camp, where you spend so much time together in a short period that you get to know someone very well. Gilbert attended Camp Lakota in Upstate New York, where she also met her husband, Mark Weintraub.

She said although they didn’t talk about Judaism per se, many of the stories Westheimer shared were about her personal life and what was important to her.

“She reflected so beautifully on the importance of music and singing in her life,” said Gilbert. Westheimer grew up in Frankfurt, Germany, before she was sent away on the Kindertransport when she was 10 and a half. “Singing was a way that she connected with her family and when she would hear certain songs and pieces of music, even decades later, it would remind her of walking hand in hand with her father to synagogue on Shabbat.”

In the book, she talks about these recollections of her father holding her hand and how those memories would come flooding back when she heard a Jewish choir of children sing.

Gilbert said there has never been a book that’s so straightforward about how, step

by step, to alleviate your own sense of social isolation. Westheimer’s “menu for connection” is straightforward, actionable and approachable.

“This is not an academic tome, this is the opposite, it’s direct and no nonsense. We give you 100 strategies that you can use as soon as you crack open this book — that work,” she said. “You have the power to make a difference in your own life. But you’re not alone. Dr. Ruth is there every step of the way. This was her final gift to all of us.”

Even though the book was published after Westheimer’s death, Gilbert explained that the editor brought a mock-up of the book over to her home for her to see it.

“This project meant so much to her. She just wanted to keep making a difference,” she said. “She wanted to keep having meaning in her life, and to her, meaning is about teaching. She was a teacher at heart and had lessons to pass along even at 95, and then 96 years old.” Gilbert attended Westheimer’s 96th birthday party in June and said it was such an honor and pleasure to be invited.

Gilbert said that she feels enormous pressure to share Westheimer’s “final lessons that she wanted all of us to learn and take to heart.” She and Lehu are doing as many podcasts and television and print interviews as possible to promote the book and “celebrate the legacy of such an American icon.”

She also shared something that surprised her in a very personal way during her time working with Westheimer. “Whenever we would end one of our working sessions in her apartment, she wouldn’t let me leave without asking me one question, ‘When will I see you again?’”

She explained it showcased so much about what Westheimer was all about. That she’s not going to let anyone else dictate when she will see them again. It’s not up to fate or somebody else, she wants to be proactive.

So that was Gilbert’s cue to take a large month-at-a-glance calendar off the seat next to her and assign her name and a time to a square.

“She wanted to know when our next date was going to be because she wanted to have agency over her own life and her own schedule. But it also did something else. It made me feel incredibly special that she wanted to see me again,” said Gilbert. “It’s an example of how Dr. Ruth lived. She made people feel special. She accumulated friends like gems, and she was endlessly and hungrily proactive.” JN

For more information on Allison Gilbert, visit allisongilbert.com. For information on the Power of the Purse event, visit phoenixcjp.regfox.com/ pop2024.

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

Holocaust survivor and band leader speaks in Chandler

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Saul Dreier, a nonagenarian survivor of the Holocaust, will tell the story of his experience growing up in Poland and surviving life in a ghetto and concentration camps, but he will add a unique twist to the standard fare of survivor speeches. He will play his drums for those who come to hear him in Chandler on Monday, Dec. 16, and he will bring a second musician with him to boot.

Dreier’s love of music helped see him through the terrifying years of the Nazis’ reign of terror, and it’s something that continues to bring meaning to his life. A decade ago, after reading about a survivor who lived to108 and continued to play the piano, Dreier was inspired to create his own musical group in her honor, which he aptly named the Holocaust Survivor Band. In the last several years, he has played all over the world, including in his native Poland.

Dreier will speak and play at the Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Chandler on Monday and then travel to Tucson where he will perform again at Chabad of Sierra Vista on Wednesday evening. It will be his first time visiting the state.

Chabad of the East Valley Director Rabbi Mendy Deitsch first learned about Dreier and his band from a rabbi friend in New Orleans. Deitsch likes to present a wide range of speakers and educational opportunities for his community, especially when they can also provide a positive message.

“We always try to educate the community in an uplifting manner,” Deitsch told Jewish News. “Especially today, with antisemitism being openly displayed against young people, we feel it’s critical to share not just the message of what eventually happens when hate becomes so pronounced, but a positive perspective on the benefits of living in a loving environment.”

For his part, Dreier wants to educate as many young Jews as possible. At nearly 100 years old, he is still excited to travel extensively, telling Jewish grandparents to take whatever money they can spare and be sure to spend it on their grandchildren’s education.

“My best years were taken away. I was the unlucky one. I want to let people know how important education is,” he told Jewish News.

On his website, Dreier talks about starting his original band against the advice of his late wife and his rabbi. In fact, when he bought a drum set, his wife told him, “Either you go, or the drums do.” He convinced her to let him keep them. He also convinced his rabbi by renting a room in the synagogue and hosting a free

concert. Many people came and he and his bandmates received a standing ovation. His wife even called him a celebrity. Then the floodgates opened with invitations from near and far.

There has even been a documentary made about Dreier and his fellow survivor bandmate, “Saul & Ruby’s Holocaust Survivor Band,” which won the 2020 Miami Jewish Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize.

Once he became a public speaker, Dreier had to reflect on his life and all that he had lost. He’s also had the chance to come face to face with some of that life he long ago left behind. It hasn’t always been easy. Before playing a concert in Poland in the late 1990s, he went to visit Krakow, his hometown, with his wife. He went to the house he grew up in “but I got cold feet

before I knocked on the door,” he said.

He laughed recalling that he couldn’t remember what he had eaten for breakfast that morning, but standing in his old stomping grounds, the memories from decades earlier came flooding back.

Deitsch said that since he announced Dreier’s appearance, he’s had a great response from people anxious about antisemitism.

“People want to hear from a living survivor and how he overcame so many challenges. They want to know how to find strength within themselves,” Deitsch said.

Dreier suspects that his talks are successful for one simple reason: “I tell the truth.” JN

For more information, visit chabadcenter.com/ survivor.

Saul Dreier will be talking and playing his drums at Chabad of the East Valley on Dec. 16.

SAUL DREIER

Saul Dreier when he moved to the United States after World War II. COURTESY OF SAUL DREIER

Saul Dreir pictured behind his drums. COURTESY OF SAUL DREIR

Combating antisemitism through student empowerment and community support

ELLEN WIDOFF | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

On Nov. 17, Congregation Or Tzion’s chavurah (friendship circle) from Scottsdale partnered with Hillel Jewish Student Center at Arizona State University to host a panel on campus antisemitism. Held at Hillel at ASU, the event featured a discussion led by Hillel’s Executive Director, Debbie Yunker Kail. The panel aimed to shed light on the challenges Jewish students face and identify ways the synagogue and broader Jewish community can offer meaningful support.

The student panelists included junior Emily Fox-Million, sophomore Max Liberman, senior Michael Gralnick, senior Jessica Brashear and Aaron Goldschmidt, Hillel’s development specialist. These panelists shared firsthand experiences, highlighting the complexities

of antisemitism on campus and the unique role ASU and Hillel play in addressing it. The conversation focused on the persistence of antisemitism on campus — not just in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel but also long before — and the critical roles ASU and Hillel play in supporting students.

ASU’s approach to student activities often emphasizes student autonomy within the boundaries of the law. This approach, while sometimes frustrating for Jewish students confronting antisemitism, has also created opportunities for them to address these issues directly and build leadership skills.

One panelist shared an instance when a group invited a speaker with known antisemitic views and requested club funding from the student government

for the event. Despite objections about the content of the planned speech, the club was allowed to proceed, having followed all the proper procedures of the undergraduate student government.

This decision, though difficult, demonstrated ASU’s commitment to neutrality in such matters. As another panelist noted, the administration’s stance, while limited in intervention, encourages students to navigate these challenges on their own, with guidance and resources from Hillel.

Present Oren Kessler

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Namaste and Shalom: A Virtual Tour of Jewish India

Rahel Musleah

January 12, 2025

Take a trip to Jewish India! India's Jewish heritage is a rich cultural and historical saga that stretches from biblical times until today. Explore each of India's Jewish communities as we visit sites and synagogues in Bombay, Calcutta and Cochin. Led by Rahel Musleah, who was born in Calcutta, the seventh generation of a Calcutta Jewish family that traces its roots to 17th-century Baghdad.

PASSAGES is BJE’s annual fundraising learning series. Your support enables the BJE to continue to promote Jewish life and literacy from Jewish Baby University, to Hebrew High, and Adult learning.

Goldschmidt, now a Hillel staff member, recounted his decision to run for student senate after witnessing antisemitic incidents during his freshman year, including a swastika flag on a dorm wall and disruptions during events featuring Israeli speakers.

“Hillel gave me the support I needed to handle these situations,” he said.

“We can count on ASU to enforce their own rules, something we saw missing from many universities over the last year,” said Yunker Kail.

Beyond providing a safe space, Hillel serves as a resource hub and a source of moral and emotional support. For example, Hillel supported Jewish students’ petition to create a Jewish cultural coalition on campus. Although the project was ultimately discontinued for various reasons, students felt empowered by the process.

Yunker Kail emphasized that Hillel’s relationship with ASU is built on mutual respect and ongoing collaboration. She said ASU has been consistently supportive of partnering with Hillel and receptive to its efforts to advocate for Jewish students and strengthen their resilience. Regular meetings with senior administration have helped Hillel staff understand how to navigate the myriad of support ASU offers students.

The students also spoke about the emotional toll of antisemitism. Several

shared that they now avoid wearing visible symbols of their Jewish identity, such as a Star of David, due to safety concerns. Others noted that they carefully weigh the risks of engaging in conversations that could lead to conflict, while another student shared that he welcomed discussions with pro-Palestinian students in the encampment that was held at ASU on April 26 (and swiftly dismantled by ASU leadership and administration). While he was firm in his beliefs, he wanted to understand where others were coming from and have the chance to share his perspectives with his peers.

Despite these challenges, the students expressed pride in their identity and a determination to persevere.

The program underscored the importance of community support in combating antisemitism. Congregation Or Tzion members left the event with a deeper understanding of the challenges Jewish students face.

Many expressed admirations for the students’ courage and resilience, and the students expressed their appreciation. Congregants mentioned that they would take what they learned back to Or Tzion to discuss actionable steps it can take to support students.

“You being here today shows us that we aren’t alone and that the community cares about us, and about this critical issue on campus,” said Brashear.

ASU’s approach, Hillel’s guidance and the community’s support together form a powerful framework for addressing antisemitism and ensuring Jewish students feel valued and supported on campus. JN

For more information, visit hillelasu.org.

Ellen Widoff has spent her career working as an executive for a variety of nonprofits focusing on human services. She is the immediate past president of the Brandeis National Committee Phoenix Chapter and a member of Congregation Or Zion.

Students and ASU at Hillel staff members gathered after the event. From left to right, Max Liberman, Michael Gralnick, Debbie Yunker Kail, Emily Fox Million, Jessica Brashear and Aaron Goldschmidt. COURTESY OF

Israeli seniors need updated safe rooms, says Amigour CEO

MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR

magine being a senior citizen living on the 12th floor of your building in Israel when you hear warning sirens and have less than 40 seconds to get to the nearest safe room — in the basement.

This is a situation that many elderly have experienced, especially since the war with Hamas began in October 2023, and one that Amigour is working on fixing. Founded in 1972, the nonprofit Amigour is a subsidiary of the Jewish Agency for Israel and is Israel’s leading sheltered housing company and second-largest public housing group.

Amigour operates 56 senior housing facilities for needy elderly residents, with a project underway to construct vertical structures of safe rooms directly accessible from each resident’s unit of the building.

Erez Shani, Amigour CEO, will speak at an event, “Meeting Critical Needs and Dealing with Crisis,” in partnership with the Center for Jewish Philanthropy on Dec. 18 (location provided upon registration). He will also speak at a parlor meeting in a private home on Dec. 19. Shani is joined by Nadav Eylon, regional director for the Western Region U.S., who will provide an update on various Jewish Agency programs.

In 1992, Israel passed Civil Defense

Regulations that required new residential and industrial buildings to have a safe room, or mamad. For hotels and apartment buildings, a safe room is required on each floor.

Shani said that some of the buildings belonging to Amigour were built in the 1960s or ‘70s, when “nobody thought about missile attacks on civilian populations in the main cities.”

The elderly in Amigour’s housing live on a limited income of $800-$900 a month and pay only $80-$90 a month in rent, so moving is not an option for them. There are also 27,000 people on a waiting list for housing.

“They’re living only on social security income,” said Shani. “Most of them are new immigrants or Holocaust survivors, people that really need these homes.”

He said they are raising funds to build safe rooms, starting with eight buildings — four in the north and four in the south.

One of the buildings located in Kiryat Motzkin, north of Haifa, is in an area heavily populated by the petroleum industry and thus a recent target of Hezbollah terrorists.

“Our elderly basically have less than 40 seconds to go into the bomb shelter, which is underground, and if you’re 80 — the average age in our homes is 81 — you don’t

have time to go down,” said Shani. He said that in a building where they added safe rooms, the residents just have to walk out their apartment door to the other side of the corridor to seek shelter.

Shani said that it’s been luck and divine intervention that none of their seniors have been hurt in any of the recent attacks.

He said that one of their properties in Ashkelon, where Hamas has continuously launched a barrage of rockets, had a rocket land 100 meters from the building.

and the elderly residents who have posttraumatic stress disorder from the Holocaust or previous wars are suffering greatly.

Adding these safe rooms is a “life-saving project,” and time is of the essence, he said.

Shani explained that workers would construct a vertical tower containing the safe rooms and retrofit it to the existing building. “From the time we start construction, it will take seven or eight months to complete,” he said.

Funding for the project is coming from the Jewish Agency, the Jewish Federations of North America, private organizations and individual donors.

“One of our elderly gentlemen went into the safe room and when he got back, there was a hole in his window and a piece of metal on his bed,” said Shani. The metal was a ball bearing contained within the rocket, designed to fire out in all directions at high velocity upon impact. Shani said there were thousands of ball bearings on the street after the attack.

“We needed to go to war because we didn’t have any choice. They started a war, and we needed to defend ourselves,” he said. “I really hope for peace, but I don’t believe there’s going to be peace for a long time.”

He’s spoken with people who lived through the Yom Kippur War in 1973, who told him this conflict is much worse. He feels that the whole country is under trauma

“We are the only ones that can help our residents — to not only live in dignity, but also to live in a safe place in the time of an attack,” said Shani. “That next time could be five minutes, five days or five years from now, but they will have a safe place to be, and they will know that we will take care of them.” JN

For more information on the Jewish Agency for Israel, visit jewishagency.org. For event information, visit phoenixcjp.org/amigour.

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

A summer spent ‘visiting the past,’ brought 3Gs clarity and closeness

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Last summer, Adena Bernstein and Jennifer Sosnow, two third-generation (3G) descendants of Holocaust survivors, took meaningful (but separate) trips to Poland, where they ‘visited the past’ of their grandparents. In a virtual event on Thursday, Nov. 14, each shared details of their singular travels, the stories of their grandparents and the ways in which they were inspired to keep the memories of their grandparents alive.

The evening’s talk was sponsored by 3GAZ, a local group of third-generation Holocaust survivors founded in 2020, and affiliated with the Phoenix Holocaust Association. The group is ‘small but growing,’ according to Jennifer Blohm, who hosted the event.

“We’re focused on reflecting and educating others about our family histories, keeping our family stories alive in our collective memory by sharing those stories in classrooms and community groups and we also sponsor events to help connections between 3Gs,” she said.

Bernstein and Sosnow knew of each other’s plans to travel to Europe before they went, but they did not connect on the ground while there.

“Adena landed in Frankfurt to catch her connection home while I was on the train getting my luggage in Krakow, and we texted each other,” Sosnow told viewers.

Bernstein, a founding member of 3GAZ and lawyer at the Arizona Attorney General’s office, was invited by the Embassy of Poland, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Poland, to join a small cohort of people for a weeklong study visit in the country.

“My grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, would often tell me, ‘Know your roots.’ She believed that understanding where we came from and learning our family history was essential. Her greatest fear was that we might go through life without any knowledge of our ancestors or who they were,” Bernstein said.

Her trip involved traveling to several Polish cities, meeting with government officials and touring institutions and museums, all with the goal of learning about Jewish culture before and after World War II. In other words, it was a perfect way to learn about her family’s roots.

While at the Pilecki Institute in Warsaw, Bernstein saw an exhibit honoring non-Jews for the selfless acts they made to assist Jewish people. She filled out a form, documenting how one woman risked her life to save Bernstein’s grandmother.

“Acknowledging her bravery felt like the very least I could do, considering that without her, I might not be alive today,” she said.

Not every part of the trip was so surreal, but every piece added up to a more complete look at what her grandmother’s life might

have looked like. Beyond that, she got an idea of what her great-great-grandmother’s life might have looked like from viewing the history of about 1,000 years of Polish Jewry. Bernstein talked about the historical objects and souvenirs she viewed in the course of several days of walking through museums and said the exhibits helped her feel “ a deep connection to the past” and realize “how the events that shaped my ancestors’ lives continue to influence my identity.”

Sosnow, a founding 3GAZ member and hiring director for Hillel International, was accompanied by her family on a private trip, for which she hired a guide to help “get us into some really special places I probably would never have found on my own,” she told viewers.

Sosnow’s maternal grandparents both survived the Holocaust and met after the war in a displaced persons camp. Before last summer, she had never traveled to any of those places but she wanted to see them with her own eyes. She took many notes, in addition to photos, because she plans to write a book about her grandparents’ survival.

She spent time touring her grandfather’s hometown. She found bits of recorded history of her grandfather’s family in the city’s archives. She didn’t know the address

of his home, but looking at the houses she could imagine what his house might have looked like.

“I spent a lot of time in this town, walking around the streets, driving through in the car, looking out the window, wondering, did my grandfather walk down this street at some point?”

She also visited Auschwitz-Birkenau because her grandfather was held in Auschwitz III, or Monowitz, and until she visited in person, she didn’t understand the distinctions and divisions of these concentration camps.

Her grandfather had told her the story of how he was saved from the gas chamber because at Monowitz he was such a valuable worker that when he was selected for death, a Nazi kapo pulled him out of line because he was more valuable alive, and working, than dead. Her grandfather considered that day as another birthday.

Sosnow also found the labor camp where her grandmother was imprisoned, and saw the chair where women were made to sit for invasive examinations. After seeing it, she called her grandmother who remembered that chair very well.

“It was weird to see it still so intact,” Sosnow said.

Now that she’s had time to process the trip and speak to her grandmother, Sosnow is eager to start on her book. Bernstein, who has also written a book about her family’s experience, advised her to do it now while her grandmother is still living.

After her visit to Poland, Bernstein has been working on a Polish citizenship application. She was encouraged by the Polish Secretary of State and his responses to her questions about the troubling history of non-Jewish Poles.

“His responses definitely suggested a path to reconnecting with my Polish heritage, igniting a renewed sense of belonging,” she said. JN

Adena Bernstein, left, sits with two members of her tour of Poland last summer in front of the gates of Auschwitz. COURTESY OF ADENA BERNSTEIN

Who are you? Embracing your true identity

Jacob, our forefather, might have struggled to answer this seemingly simple question. In this week’s Torah portion, we read that, after wrestling with an angel, Jacob’s name is changed to “Israel.” Yet, even after this transformative moment, the Torah occasionally still refers to him as “Jacob.”

The same duality applies to the name of our Jewish nation. At times, the Torah calls the Jewish people “the congregation of Jacob” or “the seed of Jacob.” At other

times, we are referred to as “the children of Israel.” So, who are we? What is our true name?

The message is profound: we each possess two identities. On one hand, we are “Jacobs.” Like Jacob, whose life was marked by tribulations, our inner Jacob wrestles with challenges, battles the evil “Esaus” of our lives, and confronts our inner demons, impulses and temptations.

But we also have moments when we are “Israels.” Just as the first Israel triumphed over evil and became one with his divine calling, we, too, experience times of spiritual alignment, when we connect with our deepest selves, embrace our divine roles and shine as G-d’s beacons of light in a world often shrouded in darkness.

To always remain an “Israel” is, perhaps, an impossible ideal. Most of us oscil-

late between these two identities, living as both Jacobs and Israels throughout our lives.

The goal, however, is clear: to increase the number of “Israel moments” in our lives. We are called to channel our energy toward unleashing our divine soul and illuminating the world with its light. By realizing our infinite potential, utilizing our G-d-given talents and engaging in acts of goodness and kindness — even when our Jacob-like mindset seeks to hold us back — we can fulfill our ultimate purpose.

At times, we may see ourselves as struggling “Jacobs,” bound by life’s hardships, both internal and external. In those moments, despair may cloud our minds, and we might tell ourselves, “This is how I was born; this is how I will always be.”

On a mission to Auschwitz, I found hope amid the ashes

WILLIAM C. DAROFF | JTA

Last month, I returned to Poland for my fifth visit, this time as part of the European Jewish Association’s annual mission to Auschwitz. The gathering brought together Jewish and non-Jewish leaders from across Europe and beyond, united by the urgency to confront rising antisemitism and the shared challenges of our time.

I laid a wreath at Birkenau — a somber reminder of the atrocities our people endured and a call to action against the resurgence of hatred today — and I was honored to give the keynote address. Krakow has always been a city of profound historical and personal significance to me. Nearly 30 summers ago, between my undergraduate and graduate studies in the U.S., I first walked its streets as a student at Jagiellonian University, delving into the history of Eastern European Jewry and the Holocaust. Living just down the hall from me in the dormitory was Heidi, a graduate student at NYU I did not yet know but who would soon become my wife. Our shared experiences in Krakow formed the foundation of our life together. Returning to this city now, decades later — having raised two daughters who for me symbolize Jewish resilience and continuity — reminds me of the miracle of our survival.

I visited Krakow again to work on JewishPolish reconciliation and yet again in 2022,

in the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when the shadow of war once again loomed over Europe. But this time, my return was marked by a different crisis: the resurgence of antisemitism, fueled by the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre in Israel and violent acts like the recent attacks on Jews in Amsterdam after a soccer match.

The parallels between the past and present are stark and chilling. Standing in Krakow, just weeks after Jews were hunted in the streets of Amsterdam, I could not help but reflect on the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Then, as now, hatred unchecked has spiraled into violence. That history has left us with scars, but also with lessons to be learned — first and foremost that we cannot remain passive in the face of such threats. There are other lessons as well:

From mourning to mobilization: Oct. 7 marked the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. The slaughter of 1,200 Israelis — most of them civilians engaged in mundane, life-affirming acts — was a shattering moment for our community. Yet the horror did not end there. The massacre was celebrated in Western capitals, with protests erupting in support of Hamas’s barbarity. Social media amplified the vitriol, emboldening antisemites to bring their hatred into the public square.

Amidst this darkness, however, we have witnessed extraordinary resilience. Across

should be a maximum of 200 words. They may be edited for space and

the Diaspora, Jewish communities are rising to meet this moment. In the United States, synagogues are fuller, Jewish symbols are more visible, and advocacy has reached unprecedented levels. These are not mere reactions to trauma but acts of defiance and pride.

I’ve seen this firsthand in the mobilization of Jewish advocacy groups at school boards, city councils, and Congress. This grassroots activism is making a tangible difference, from securing protections for Jewish students on campuses to advancing the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism in state legislatures. These efforts demonstrate that enduring is not a passive act — it is a proactive, determined stance against those who seek to harm us.

Unity and self-defense: The Holocaust and Oct. 7 remind us of the perils of statelessness and the necessity of a strong, secure Israel. The State of Israel is an indispensable guarantor of Jewish safety. Its ability to defend itself and to serve as a refuge for Jews worldwide is central to our collective strength.

But this moment also demands unity. The divisions that occasionally splinter Jewish communities must be set aside in the face of existential threats. From the exiles of antiquity to the pogroms of the shtetl, from the Holocaust to the atrocities of Oct. 7,

But our “Jacobs” need not define us. We can transform our limited perspectives and reignite the “Israel” within us — the divine flame of G-d that burns in every soul. Through relentless commitment to mitzvot and good deeds, we can rise above life’s challenges and bask in G-d’s light and the comfort of His embrace.

So, have you unleashed your “Israel” today? Have you performed a mitzvah? Have you risen above and triumphed over the forces pulling you down? JN

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

history has shown that Jewish survival depends on our ability to stand together.

Hope amid the ashes: To return to Krakow, a place steeped in Jewish history and scarred by unspeakable horrors, is to confront both the depths of our suffering and the heights of our resilience. As I stood at Birkenau, I was reminded of the enduring spirit of our people. We are here. We endure. And we will not be cowed.

But hope alone is not enough. It must be paired with action — political advocacy, education and the relentless pursuit of justice. Our history is one of perseverance and progress. We have faced darker days and emerged stronger. As I reflect on the mission to Krakow and the work that still lies ahead, I am inspired by the unity and determination of our community. Let us ensure that this moment of reckoning becomes a turning point for global Jewry — a moment when we not only endured but rose to build a stronger, safer future. JN

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

Rabbi Pinchas Allouche COURTESY OF RABBI PINCHAS ALLOUCHE

The author, right, and Dumisani Washington, CEO of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel, lay a wreath in memory of the Jewish victims at Birkenau, Nov. 26, 2024. COURTESY OF WILLIAM C. DAROFF

Why your charitable giving matters

ELLIE FRIEDMAN SACKS AND LESLIE FRIEDMAN | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

When was the last time you made a charitable donation and what motivated you to give?

Maybe it was to help provide emergency services in a disaster area. It might have been to assist an organization that sends doctors to remote areas to restore people’s eyesight. You may have been inspired to support the hospital that provided lifesaving care for a loved one or to a food pantry where struggling families can access healthy, nutritious groceries and support services. Perhaps exposure to the arts nurtured your creative gifts and by supporting public arts organizations you have an opportunity to “give back.” And, if you were the beneficiary of a community service, your support will ensure that others can benefit from a service that helped you in your time of need.

CHOOSING

Choosing the “where” to designate your charitable giving, your time or your expertise is a personal and intentional process. Understanding the “why” of your charitable giving offers you an opportunity to explore your deeper motivation for selflessly sharing with others.

In addition to reflecting gratitude, feeling good through giving and making a positive impact in the community, charitable giving is a concrete expression of your personal values. When you volunteer at an event, underwrite an educational program, help to purchase musical instruments or donate your instrument repair services to a school orchestra, you’re also serving as a role model for the people in your life. It might influence a child or grandchild, a friend or relative, a neighbor or colleague to follow

THE “WHERE” TO DESIGNATE YOUR CHARITABLE GIVING, YOUR TIME OR YOUR EXPERTISE IS A PERSONAL AND INTENTIONAL PROCESS.

your lead to be charitable and motivate them to examine what form of giving would be personally gratifying to them.

There’s another consideration that may influence your decision to support charitable and cultural organizations. There may be a time when you or someone you care about will turn to the community for help, cultural enrichment or involvement opportunities. When you strengthen and sustain vital community organizations today, you are ensuring

that they will be around in the future to provide lifesaving and life enhancing services when you or someone you care about has the need or desire to access them. JN

Sacks is the executive director of Jewish Free Loan and Leslie Friedman is the owner of Leslie Friedman Nonprofit Consulting.

The quiet success of moving out of homlessness

AMY SCHWABENLENDER | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

For 19 years now, the Keys to Change Campus at 12th Avenue and Madison Street in downtown Phoenix (formerly known as the Human Services Campus) has offered dignified services with a 14-partner collaborative, serving some 1,200 people per day. It’s our mission: using the power of collaboration to create solutions to end homelessness.

The campus shelters over 900 people nightly in four spaces. In the first week of December, the Keys to Change Outreach team found 105 unsheltered folks in the immediate neighborhood and 447 more in an expanded area that ventures several miles away from us.

Numbers. It’s easy to come up with numbers. We have a tremendous amount of data at our fingertips. One number that is most difficult to track and sum is the number to answer the question, “how many people ended their homelessness?”

Even if I provide the number — 1,383 found permanent housing in the last fiscal year through Keys to Change — that

may or may not seem like a lot. And it is the number for our organization and does not include the permanent housing placements of the dozen additional organizations at Key Campus who assist people moving into housing.

Using 1,383 over 365 days, 3.789 (let’s round up to 4) people moved into permanent housing. If one were to look for 4 people per day in the sea of 900 to

Leslie Freidman and Ellie Friedman Sacks are mother and daughter with more than 50 years of combined experience in Jewish communal service. Ellie Friedman

Amy Schwabenlender COURTESY OF AMY SCHWABENLENDER

Leslie Friedman COURTESY OF LESLIE FRIEDMAN Ellie Friedman Sacks COURTESY OF ELLIE FRIEDMAN SACKS

Charitable giving made simple and strategic

Most of us think of charitable gifts as transactions through a credit card, check or cash. However, there are ways to make our personal giving more intentional and strategic for ourselves and even multiple generations of a family. One of the ways to do accomplish this is to open a Donor Advised Fund.

What is a Donor Advised Fund?

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a personal charitable giving fund. The Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix (and other institutions) manages DAFs for numerous individuals and families. To start a DAF, donors make a charitable contribution of personal assets (typically cash or stock), receive an immediate income tax deduction, and then recommend grants out of the fund to qualified charitable organizations at any time.

You can take advantage of planning gifts into your fund when timing makes sense for you. Contributions of appreciated stock into your fund also help avoid capital gains taxes. Assets in your DAF are invested, which increases the value of your fund over time. Investment growth is tax-free, thereby growing your fund for more philanthropy grantmaking.

Supporting charitable organizations through a DAF

As soon as your DAF is created and funded, you can recommend grants to qualified, tax-exempt charitable organizations of your choice. The institution holding the DAF is required

1,200 people on the campus every day, it would be challenging to identify the 4 who are ending their homelessness.

The success is hidden. There is no fanfare. There are no moving trucks, no mass exodus. They are gathering up a backpack and tote bag, or one duffle bag of their possessions. Some people have dogs. Some have assistive devices, walkers and wheelchairs. People are moving into apartments, traveling to loved ones. For some, they are transitioning into assisted living or permanent supportive housing. It’s easy to see the problems related to homelessness. To spot the people on street corners, sleeping at bus stops or building structures to shelter for the night. We observe the detritus left behind once the people have moved on.

I would love to show everyone the movement of people out of homelessness. It happens quietly, on a person-by-person basis. The success is shared alone or at times between a case manager and the person who was homeless and is now housed. We do share stories and photos as time allows for staff to capture the experiences,

to verify the eligibility of each organization before making your grant. Your DAF is identified as the source of the grant unless you request anonymity. You also have the option to make a grant in memory or in honor of someone, or to support a specific program, project or campaign. In addition, access to DAFs can be managed online, and your fund is at your fingertips with an online portal.

Personalize your giving

Your DAF is the ideal vehicle for family philanthropy. Engage other family members as soon as you work to establish your fund. You may name it as a family fund or any other name that has meaning to you. You have the option to appoint others (usually adult children) as fund advisors to also help you determine grantmaking from your fund. This is the perfect opportunity to prioritize your giving strategy. Talk to your spouse, partner, parents and children about what matters to you. Think about what changes you want to see in the world during and after your lifetime. Invest in causes that have meaning to you and that align with your personal values. This could be a combination of Jewish communal organizations, human services, civil rights, education, arts, health care and more.

Planning for the future

Upon establishing your DAF, design a legacy plan to determine what happens to the fund after your lifetime. This can be accomplished within the fund agreement

and as people give us permission to share their words and/or images. Not everyone wants to talk about what happened, nor do they want their face published in connection with the word “homeless.” Some people have survived homelessness without friends and family knowing, and they don’t want their story shared in a way that potentially breaks their anonymity.

Once a year we celebrate our success in a public way at the “Mike McQuaid I am Home Breakfast.” McQuaid started the breakfast before there was a campus to raise funds for its construction. He built in stories of people and success from the beginning. On Dec. 13, we will host the 20th breakfast and share glimmers of achievements. We will pause from the daily routine and invite the community to be with us in recognition of the positive outcomes. JN

Amy Schwabenlender is the CEO of Keys to Change Campus. For more information on the “Mike McQuaid I am Home Breakfast,” visit keystochangeaz.org/2024-iamhomebreakfast/ register/.

by naming successor advisors for the fund to continue the grantmaking from your fund on your behalf. Alternatively, you may wish to distribute the assets outright to certain charitable organizations. Another after-lifetime option is to use the remaining amount in the DAF to establish a named endowment fund to benefit one of more of your favorite organizations.

Leverage the expertise of philanthropic

advisors at the Center for Jewish Philanthropy or other DAF institution to help you create and personalize a DAF for you now and into the future. JN

Gail Baer, CAP, is chief philanthropy officer, the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix.

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

Art Heals!

Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is a nonproﬁt organization that delivers transformative arts programs to children who have faced abuse, neglect, and homelessness. By fostering trusting relationships with volunteer mentors and creating opportunities for children to develop a sense of self through creative activities and artistic expression, Free Arts helps children build the resilience they need to overcome trauma.

Estate planning made easy

state planning begins by asking some fundamental questions. Do I need an estate plan?

If you die without a will or trust, your property will transfer according to a statutory priority. If you have no children outside your current marriage, everything goes to your spouse. If you have children that are not also children of your spouse, your spouse generally takes half and all your children (even those with your spouse) take half. In other words, everything goes to the person or people in the highest of the following categories:

1. Spouse (unless there are children that are not also your spouse’s children, then all children take half and spouse takes half)

2. Descendants by right of representation

3. Parents

4. Siblings by right of representation

5. One-half to Parents of each parent (grandparents)

6. Descendants of grandparents by right of representation

Assets that are held in joint tenancy with rights of survivorship or community property with rights of survivorship and bank or

investment accounts will pass to the joint tenant or co-owner. Be aware that this rule does not apply to real property held as tenants-in-common or joint tenants unless it specifically says, “rights or survivorship.”

Assets with beneficiary designations, such as IRAs, 401ks, 457 accounts, beneficiary deeds or accounts with POD or TOD designations pass to the named beneficiary.

All the assets passing outside of probate as described above may be subject to claims, good or frivolous, by family members that may be avoided with a will or a trust.

Death vs. living planning

More important than a will or trust is having effective powers of attorney for financial, health care and mental health care. Naming who you want to make decisions for you when you are unable to do so for yourself is really critical and more important as you age. Will you pay estate taxes?

Most people won’t. Currently unless a married couple living in Arizona has more than $27,000,000 they won’t pay estate taxes at either death. A single person won’t pay estate taxes unless their estate is valued at more than $13,610,000. Although those numbers are scheduled to be reduced by half

Happy Holidays

at the end of 2025, the exemption amount will continue to be adjusted annually for inflation and the law may or may not change. What are your family dynamics?

Second spouses and stepchildren often disagree (even children of the same parents often disagree) once their parents are gone. Good planning to avoid disputes is the cornerstone of estate planning and can be accomplished with a will or a trust. Do I need a trust?

Trusts are popular because in a plan where you are careful to properly title all your assets, probate can be avoided. Is that a good thing? Many small estates can use small estate affidavits to avoid probate (less than $75,000 in accounts and less than $100,000 in equity in real property). If probate is necessary, the minimum time it takes is four months and most probates can be completed in less than a year, unless there are contested matters. The average cost for a simple probate in Arizona is between $5,000 and $15,000 depending on the nature of the assets to be administered and how well the heirs get along. A typical will may cost $1,500 to $2,500 per person and a typical simple living trust may cost between

$3,000 and $9,000 per couple. If you need estate tax planning, expect the fees to be somewhat higher.

What else is there?

Don’t shortchange yourself. You have been given a glimpse into some of the issues involved in planning an estate, but much more counseling can be useful in helping you fully understand the challenges your successors may face and how to minimize the burdens of transitioning property at a first or second death. The cost should be a secondary consideration. Be sure your attorney understands your family dynamics and helps you plan accordingly to achieve your intentions and aspirations for your family. You deserve a thoughtful “issue spotter” to bring to your attention, through careful questioning, what is really important to you and how to best achieve those goals. JN

Mark Bregman has been an estate planning attorney for over 40 years. He has advanced training in complex estate tax issues, how to achieve philanthropic intentions and how to address family dynamics including children with special needs. He can be reached at 602-254-6008 or mabregman@ DBFWCLegal.com.

Real estate after the NAR settlement: A dance between buyers and sellers

OPHIR GROSS | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Whether you’re new to the real estate market or you’re a seasoned investor keeping tabs on the latest news, there have been some huge changes to the real estate industry that everyone needs to know. So, let’s break it down.

Back in March of 2024, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) came under fire as they reached a 418-milliondollar joint-settlement agreement with a nationwide class of home sellers that filed four antitrust lawsuits against the NAR and brokerages. The lawsuits alleged that NAR and the brokerages participated in a conspiracy to raise, fix, maintain or stabilize real estate commissions. There were also concerns regarding misleading buyers to believe that buyer brokers’ services were free of charge and essentially concealing commission information to the public. As one can imagine, the settlement sparked massive change within the real estate industry and new rules of business followed starting August of 2024.

Prior to this past August, the traditional way a residential real estate transaction was as follows: a seller hires a real estate agent to sell their house, agrees upon a commission amount to be split between their hired agent and a buyer’s agent and when the house sells and a check is cut for both agents. Whether or not a buyer’s agent received a commission was never a question. A seller offering a buyer broker commission was similar to the concept of offering a reward for a lost dog — a seller offers a commission to the agent that brought a buyer to the table. The buyer’s agent commission is an incentive for buyers and their agents to buy a home (and still is). Even on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a database of real time real estate activity, the commission amount a buyer’s agent would receive on a specific property was displayed in a private section of each listing. There was even a way to filter listings by commission amounts and as you can imagine, could lead to unethical practices. While the buyer broker commission was common knowledge among real estate professionals, the average buyer might not have been aware of this industry standard. Traditionally on the buyer’s side, a buyer would contact a real estate agent to help them purchase a home. While some agents discussed their compensation with their clients, many in the industry were not always as forthcoming about this information. Very often, it was a topic that was swept

under the rug, as the commission would almost always come from the seller and not be of any concern to the buyer.

So what now? How has the industry handled the lawsuit and public outcry?

I’ll start off by bursting some bubbles — no, buyer broker commissions are not a thing of the past! Rather, the way they are disclosed, discussed and negotiated is one of the largest changes following the settlement, among several others.

Let’s talk commissions. As of August 2024, the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) along with the Arizona Association of Realtors (AAR) have implemented new procedures and new documents to ensure transparency and disclosure of commissions are at the forefront of every transaction. Some of these new procedures include the following:

• Buyer broker commissions are no longer visible on the MLS.

• A seller has the option to offer as low as zero dollars to buyer agents.

• Buyer’s agents must have buyer’s sign new written agreements of disclosure and compensation, among additional forms that offer transparency regarding compensation.

• Buyers might have to start compensating their own agents.

• Buyer’s agents can now negotiate their commission amount as part of the purchase contract, or offer, since it is no longer guaranteed by sellers.

Now you might be wondering why these changes have stirred up so much commotion. Let’s look at it both through the seller’s perspective and then through the buyer’s perspective.

Seller:

As mentioned earlier, traditionally a seller would pay a negotiated amount in commissions for both their hired agent and a buyer’s agent. Now that commissions are no longer visible on the MLS and the expectation to offer a commission is now lifted, sellers can essentially keep more money by not having to offer either as much or at all. However, similar to the example mentioned earlier of offering a reward for a lost dog, a seller will have a significantly higher chance of selling their home faster and smoother if they offer a financial incentive. If not offered, one can expect very little activity on their home. More of this financial incentive below.

Buyer:

Traditionally, a buyer did not pay for their own representation — as their agents would be compensated by the seller. The traditional practice considered that buyers already have an extreme burden when try-

ing to purchase a home. Most buyers must first make sure their finances and credit are in good standing to qualify for a home or home loan, they must come up with a downpayment for a home, they usually have to pay for their own home inspection and appraisal as well as other fees associated with buying a home. For many, especially in recent years where home prices and interest rates have priced out many buyers from the market, it has been increasingly difficult for individuals to purchase a home. Buyers are spending thousands of dollars, as it is, just to buy a home. So as a way to relieve this burden, the seller would cover the cost of representation. Now, just imagine, having to spend an additional ten of thousands of dollars for a realtor — this financial shift can very likely push buyers over their qualifying limit, which means less buyers on the market. Hence the financial incentive. Unfortunately, buyers received the short end of the stick following the recent changes, as compensation agreements between buyers and their agents are now mandatory.

So now you understand the turmoil. Does this mean buyers will always have to pay for their own representation? Certainly not. That is where education, transparency

and skilled negotiation come in. At the end of the day, a real estate transaction is a dance between the buyer and seller. A good buyer’s agent will negotiate into an offer their compensation, so the burden won’t be on their client. And a good seller’s agent will work with an offer if it means the seller closing and receiving funds. The way to keep a balanced market is to understand these principles of supply and demand. What these changes did is force the conversation of commissions to both parties and provide more transparency as to how real estate professionals are compensated. These changes allow for more negotiation and the hope is that business will run as usual, but with more ethical practices. Education on the new changes and understanding the dynamic dance of a real estate transaction is vital to ensure all parties involved are benefiting to create a cohesive, thriving real estate market. JN

Ophir Gross is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty and has a combined skillset of business strategy and consumer psychology. She is a member of JNFuture Root Society, Women in Philanthropy, NowGen Phoenix, attends Congregation Beth Tefillah and began her roots in the community at the Phoenix Hebrew Academy and, formerly, Jess Schwartz High School. She can be reached at ophir. gross@cbrealty.com or 480-794-0807.

Ophir Gross COURTESY OF OPHIR GROSS

Commercial real estate trend watch

BETH JO ZEITZER | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Phoenix is not alone in experiencing challenges in its commercial real estate (CRE) markets during 2024. Office assets are troubled nationwide, with sales prices down, vacancies up and investors and banks sitting on the sidelines. Multifamily properties, which was the CRE industry darling for years, has experienced declining prices in many parts of the U.S., and the Valley has not been immune.

As a result, we are seeing price discovery (the process of determining the price of an asset in the marketplace through the interactions of buyers and sellers) occur across all commercial asset classes, particularly in the office and multifamily markets. Comparing previous sales to the most recent sale price is one way to get a handle on what we might expect going forward.

Even prime office assets, located in the most coveted submarket in Phoenix (Camelback Corridor) and that have been

able to increase their lease rates, are seeing sales price declines. For example:

• 2375 E. Camelback Road (308,827 square feet) sold for $100 million in June 2018 and sold for $86 million in April this year — a 14% decrease.

• Some areas are being hit even harder, such as the Central Avenue Corridor: 3200 N. Central Ave. sold for $49 million in Nov. 2016 and sold for $24.5 million at the end of May — a 50% drop.

• In a less prominent area, 4801 E. Washington St. experienced a 47% decrease from November 2018 to this June.

Multi-tenant offices are a difficult asset to reposition, as many of the older office buildings require full rehab/update to bring employees back to the office, including complete (and very expensive) common area refurbishment, and offices with lots of collaborative space. Typically, the timing on these renovations is difficult as well, as owners need to wait for leases to term out (or for tenants to accept a buyout), or to complete renovations/ rehabs and bring in new tenants. For

those in the market to buy multi-tenant buildings, for the most part, these are cash deals, as the capital markets are not offering financing on many opportunities because of the risks and high vacancy rates. While default rates increase, lenders are holding off on pursuing foreclosure and working with their borrowers/office owners, as these assets are complicated to manage through to repurposing, re-tenanting and repositioning.

Multifamily

Office space has experienced turbulence ever since the pandemic, but the multifamily market peak occurred more recently, around late 2021 to early 2022. During the past 12 months, developers delivered 23,000 net new units — nearly triple the pre-COVID average — putting pressure on the market and pushing vacancies to 11%. Some investors may be stuck with deals they are unable to trade without taking a price hit, due to declining rental rates, higher vacancy rates, lack of financing and other factors. What has price discovery looked like in multifamily? Recent sales have included:

• 3213 E. Flower St. in Phoenix, a 20-unit property that fell from $15 million to $10.5 million in just under a year.

• 15501 N. Dial Blvd. (285 units), which sold for $117 million in May, a 10% drop since July 2021.

• 15509 N. Scottsdale Road (240 units), which fell almost 34% — $145 million to $96 million — from May 2022 to March 2024

There is value in the marketplace, due to property owners who acquired at the peak and do not have equity or refinancing options at this point. The most common buyers are private equity funds that are doing value-added deals for cash or more entrepreneurial well-capitalized private owners. While institutional buyers mostly remain on the sidelines, there have been some high-profile deals. In early November, Brookfield Properties purchased a portfolio of eight multifamily complexes in Las Vegas, Phoenix and other major markets from Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust for $845 million.

Hunting for deals in industrial spaces Phoenix continues to be a national leader in industrial development, but the volume and type of activity is very submarket specific. After a three-year surge in industrial development across Greater Phoenix — including more than 35 million square feet in the past 12 months — each submarket is reacting differently to conditions, depending upon how much product and land is available. Three examples to illustrate the current dynamic:

• In the West Valley, the market reached the point of overdevelopment, and much of this is being delivered on a spec (without a tenant) basis.

• Activity at the Sky Harbor International Airport submarket — where there is very little land available for development and very few excess properties — continues to be hot.

• The other notably active market — the North Valley — is driven primarily by the area around the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) plant, including vendors and other support infrastructure.

Buying and selling in the current Phoenix CRE market

Post-election, there is optimism about a more pro-business environment in 2025 — although uncertainty remains about inflation, the overall economy and interest rates, with the current Federal Funds Rate bringing us into a range of 4.5%-4.6% (as of early December), with commercial interest rates for business owners and investors typically 2.5%-3% higher than the Federal Funds Rate. All investment asset classes are particularly sensitive to interest rates, and market observers are optimistic that further rate relief will encourage CRE dealmaking. Although cap rates are compressing in most sectors, they are rising and will likely put pressure on multifamily in the coming year. Thanks to property owners becoming more realistic in their pricing, buyers have access to ample value-added opportunities in office space and multifamily. Beyond those, retail is the asset class of choice right now, with a lot of people chasing those deals, but value can be found where rent levels are below market. Industrial is performing well, but decision making needs to be strategic to tap into value: What are the vacancy rates, and how much product is coming online, in the specific submarket.

With a market in flux, sellers also need to be realistic: How do you maximize your value appeal in a market when some products are being heavily discounted, while others are gaining attention and traction? Knowing who and how to approach to buy, building creativity in deal structure and providing financing alternatives are ways to bring deals together, whether you are a seller or a buyer! JN Beth Jo Zeitzer is the

Beth Jo Zeitzer COURTESY OF BETH JO ZEITZER

Rural Chabad lights the White Mountains for Chanukah

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

our towns in the White Mountains of Arizona will host public menorah lightings to recognize and celebrate Chanukah this year. The mountain range in the eastern part of the state near the border with New Mexico falls under the purview of Chabad of Rural Arizona, a recently organized effort to reach Jews who might feel isolated due to living well outside the state’s major cities. The public displays represent a first for Taylor, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and Snowflake.

“We’re making exciting history out in the White Mountains,” Chabad of Rural Arizona Rabbi Yaakov Cahnman told Jewish News.

While most of Arizona’s Jewish residents live in, or very near, one of the state’s big cities, giving them access to both Jewish community and religious services, more than a few Jews have joined the just over 10% of all Arizonans who choose to call the rural parts of the state home. This was the motive behind Chabad of Arizona Regional Director Rabbi Zalman Levertov’s decision to dedicate resources to the rural mission this year. Chabad is an organization keenly interested in reaching out to far-flung Jews wherever they may reside.

Since early 2024, Cahnman, sometimes joined by his wife and children, has regularly visited areas well beyond his Valley home base to bring Jewish tradition, ritual and community to Jews who otherwise have very little chance of finding it.

After hosting a well-attended Purim party in Show Low, Cahnman’s confidence that there is an appetite for Jewish celebration in the White Mountains was vindicated. He has been pleased with the warm reception he’s received, not only from Jews in the area, but also from non-Jewish residents and city officials, who were only too happy to help out with a public menorah lighting.

“I’ve been so amazed with the cooperation and eagerness of the municipalities to make these menorah lightings happen. Their

support is what helps us make it a reality,” Cahnman said.

Mayor Shawn Palmer was born and raised in Taylor, the city he now leads. While he acknowledged the town has few Jews, he did have Jewish friends as a kid and has “always been fascinated with the Jewish holidays and celebrations.”

He welcomed Cahnman’s idea of a menorah lighting because “religious diversity is very important to me,” he told Jewish News. The town’s manager and council are also “very supportive.”

Taylor’s menorah will be the first one lit on Thursday, Dec. 26, on the southwest corner of Main Street. Palmer will give an introduction and welcome those gathered for the festivities.

Ira and Janice Schwed have lived on the outskirts of Taylor for 21 years and love it. Though they don’t consider themselves religious Jews, they’re excited about the menorah lighting.

“I thought it was a great idea,” Janice Schwed told Jewish News. “We don’t have anything like that up here.” She has told several people about the lighting and tried to spread the news to ensure a good crowd. She plans to go with her husband, their daughter and some friends “unless snow keeps us from it.”

The couple has also enjoyed getting to know Cahnman and his family and appreciate his efforts in providing outreach to scattered Jews.

“Finding Jews up here is like looking for a needle in a haystack,” Ira Schwed told Jewish News.

Show Low will host its lighting at Show Low City Park on Sunday, Dec. 29. The following evening, Pinetop-Lakeside’s menorah (which has already been set up) will be lit at the Bob Barker Memorial Park adjacent to the public library. Grace Payne, Show Low’s communications manager and advanced public information officer, plans to publicize the event as soon as the

menorah is set up, she told Jewish News in an email.

The menorah lightings are free and open to all. There will be traditional Chanukah treats such as latkes and sufganiyot, Chanukah songs and activities. Because the temperature is likely to be cold, space

heaters will be set up.

The menorahs range between 9 and 12 feet in height. As far as the programming costs, Cahnman said that “while each municipality is, for the most part, funding the actual cost of their menorah, generous

Pictured from left are Rabbi Yaakov Cahnman, Taylor Mayor Shawn Palmer and Taylor Town Manager Gus Lundberg. They met recently about setting up the town’s first menorah lighting during Chanukah. COURTESY OF DYAN FLYZIK

Rabbi Yaakov Cahnman has enjoyed getting to know Arizona’s White Mountains, even though it means he has to drive in the snow.

A Jewish couple created a disco-ball menorah to mark this year’s Chanukah-New Year’s overlap

JACKIE HAJDENBERG | JTA

In 2013, there was the “Menurkey,” a turkey-shaped menorah, for the highly unusual overlap of Thanksgiving and Chanukah.

Now, 11 years later, a new holidaymashup menorah is making its appearance. The Happy Jew Year hanukkiah features a spinning disco ball to mark the rare overlap between Chanukah and New Year’s.

The menorah is the brainchild of Justin and Michelle Esgar, a New Jersey couple who have made a habit of throwing schticky Chanukah celebrations complete with holiday staples like jelly doughnuts and latkes, tailored to an annual theme.

“Back to the Chanukah” riffed on the movie “Back to the Future.” “AloChanukah” featured deep-fried King’s Hawaiian rolls. “My Big Fat Greek Chanukah” took things back to the nation whose ancient forebears are traditionally depicted as the Chanukah story’s antagonist. For “Japan-ukkah,” the Esgars created a make-your-own ramen station and Japanese sweet potato latkes. Their local sushi place arranged the rolls in

the shape of a menorah.

Now, they’re trying to bring their festive spirit to the masses from their home base in Jersey City.

“When we realized that Chanukah this year was going to be over New Year’s, I was like, ‘There’s something there we can do,’” Justin Esgar said. “So then we came up with the idea of ‘Happy Jew Year,’ and then this menorah concept where it’s representative of the New Year’s Eve ball drop from New York City.”

Chanukah merchandise offerings have exploded in recent years, as corporations have realized the size of the marketplace created by an eight-day celebration occurring during the winter holiday season in a society where more and more families include people of multiple faiths. The idea of “Chrismukkah” — another meeting of two holidays that is also occurring this year — is a mainstay of popular hibernal discourse. But new products for calendar quirks such as the New Year’s overlap during an unusually late Chanukah have often been the

province of cottage creators who can devote themselves to a single item.

New Year’s is usually not a prime time for Judaica mashups, according to Rabbi Yael Buechler, a creator and self-appointed watchdog of mass-market Jewish products who scours big-box stores’ Chanukah offerings.

“New Years is a time when more families are away or just returning from vacation. The grownups might have plans, but they are not as synced with kid-based experiences,” she wrote in an email. “I would have loved to see some sparkly NYE/Chanukah headbands. Maybe they’ll surprise us with a crystal dreidel atop Times Square!”

The Esgars’ menorah is nickel-plated and made by hand. It’s priced at $54 — three times $18, a number that signifies life in Jewish tradition.

Happy Jew Year wasn’t the Esgars’ first idea. They initially considered marking the occasion with sparkler candles — but learned that Chanukah candles have to burn for at least 30 minutes to be considered kosher.

“Nobody wants a sparkler in their house going off for a half hour,” Esgar said. “That’s a fire hazard.”

Then their thoughts turned to Asher Weintraub, the 10-year-old who invented

RURAL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

donors to Chabad of Rural Arizona are helping to fund the rest.”

Snowflake became the last city to sign onto the plan in late November, and will host its menorah lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Palmer was happy to hear that Snowflake added itself to the list.

“I did spread a little enthusiasm Snowflake’s way,” Palmer laughed.

Dyan Flyzik moved to an unincorporated area, seven miles east of Snowflake, six years ago. She’s not observant but she studies the Talmud and takes her Judaism very seriously. Her attempt to find other Jews locally has met with little success. Thus, she was happy to meet Cahnman and learn about his menorah lighting initiative.

“I saw an article about Rabbi Cahnman in the newspaper and I called him a few months later. We talked for a while. He told me about the menorah project. I knew people in the county, so I helped him start a full-court press in each town,” she told Jewish News.

Snowflake’s mayor is a supporter of Israel and Judaism more broadly, she said.

and marketed the 2013 Thanksgiving menorah. “It was a kid who made the menurkey,” Esgar said. “We were kind of thinking about that when we were coming up with this idea.”

While the Menurkey was effectively a single-use object for most buyers — Thanksgivukkah will not happen again until 2070, nearly six decades after the last occurrence — the Happy Jew Year menorah will soon be relevant again. Chanukah will overlap with New Year’s Eve again in 2027, 2035 and 2043. JN

He recently asked her to relay a message to Cahman to give a blessing for a February meeting of the town council. She’s heard a lot of supportive messages from various people in the town, as well. Flyzik is planning to attend all four menorah lightings.

“To be part of this is overwhelming,” she said. “What Rabbi Cahnman is doing, the significance of his work in bringing light to the world — everyone in the community is involved, not just Jews,” she said.

Cahnman said it was “fortuitous” that Chanukah coincides with most schools’ winter break this year.

“People will be on vacation in these areas and they may not have another outlet to connect to the Jewish world and embrace the holiday. This will be a great way to spread the light of Chanukah and to publicize the miracle of the oil,” he said.

Chabad has held and advocated for public menorah lightings since 1974 when Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, the spiritual leader of Chabad, encouraged the public display of menorahs to promote Jewish pride and identity. JN

For more information, visit jewishruralaz.org.

Justin and Michelle Esgar designed a menorah to commemorate the overlap between New Year’s Eve and Chanukah for 20242025.

Remembering Oct. 7

New year, new friends

Young mentors

Beautiful weather for a run Jennifer

‘Doing Jewish’

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.

Temple Kol Ami (TKA) purchased 3,500 pounds of food for the PV Community Food Bank and TKA volunteers helped stock the food bank shelves.

You deserve a happy hour

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.

Mazel tov!

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.

OF NOWGEN

Cooking with an influencer

Ruhama Shitrit, a social media influencer and food blogger behind the popular Instagram account,

and

of Scottsdale on Sunday, Nov.

Turning out for veterans

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

A new moon

Poppies

Working together for Holocaust ed

Rabbis reach out

Last month, the Greater Phoenix Board of Rabbis visited First Place AZ, a home for adults with autism and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities.

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.

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.

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

Mazel tov!

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

Little Chef Klezmer Band hosted a klezmer concert at Beth El Phoenix on Sunday, Nov. 3, featuring Miryam Coppersmith, a Jewish dance artist.

Heeres,

with fellow

COURTESY

FRANK JACOBSON

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.

RuhamasFood, led a cooking demo

recipe testing at Chabad

10. Shitrit is pictured second from the left.

OF DINA LEVERTOV

Featured Event

TUESDAY, DEC. 24

Mazelpalooza 2024:

9 p.m.-1 a.m. Backyard Desert Ridge, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. Join NowGen, a program of the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix, for the largest gathering of Jewish young professionals (20s and 30s) in Arizona. Enjoy a night of dancing, music and celebrating with friends, old and new. Cost: $25 per person until Dec. 18; $40 from Dec. 19-24. For more information, visit phoenixcjp.my.canva.site/mazel24.

Events

THROUGH DEC. 17

Arizona Jews for Justice Holiday Toy Drive: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Join Arizona Jews for Justice to spread holiday joy to children across Arizona through its annual Holiday Toy Drive. Donate new, unwrapped toys for children ages 13 and under. Your generosity will bring smiles and brighten the holidays for Native American children, foster kids and families facing financial hardship. To arrange a drop off or for more information, contact arizonajews4justice@gmail.com.

DAILY (EXCEPT SATURDAY)

THROUGH DEC. 27

Chanukah Boutique: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday through Friday. Chabad Edelman Jewish Center, 16830 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills. Shop the boutique for menorahs, dreidels, candles, Chanukah cards, tableware, toys and more. For more information, contact 480-795-6292.

FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, DEC. 13-22

“Twist of the Magi:” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Theatre Artists Studio, 12406 N. Paradise Village Parkway E., Scottsdale. Join local playwright Debra Rich Gettleman for her Jewish take on the classic “Gift of the Magi.” For more information, visit thestudiophx.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 15

Temple Chai Chanukah Boutique: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. Join Temple Chai and shop for Chanukah essentials along with home decor, jewelry and other Judaica. For more information, visit templechai.com.

A Welcoming Place for Long-Term Veteran Care: 9:30 a.m. Oakwood Country Club, 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd., Sun Lakes. Join the Jewish War Veterans post 619 for a presentation by Kyleigh Vahjen, certified recreation therapist at the Arizona State Veteran Home. Cost: Free. For more information, contact Arthur Uram at uramarthur@gmail. com or 702-884-4175.

Eshet Chayil Symposium & Emporium: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Congregation Beth Tefillah, 6529 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. Join Beth Tefillah for lectures and a panel discussion on “Food as Medicine,” plus cooking demonstrations and local vendors. For more information, visit bethtefillahaz.org.

December Café Europa: 1 p.m. Beth El Congregation, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. Join the Phoenix Holocaust Association to celebrate Chanukah with musical entertainment and special treats. Cost: Free for Holocaust survivors and drivers; $30 per guest. For more information, visit phxha.com/ events/december-cafe-europa/.

Chanukah Fun Day: 2-5 p.m. East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Join the EVJCC for arts, crafts, live music, face painting and balloon animals. Kosher food available for purchase. Cost: Free. For more information, visit evjcc.org/jcommunity.

Holiday Concert: From the Shtetl to the Bandstand: 2 p.m. Arizona Jewish Historical Society, 122 E. Culver St., Phoenix. Join the Paradise Valley Community College Klezmer Ensemble for a performance of holiday music. For more information, visit azjhs.org/shtetl.

MONDAY, DEC. 16

It Takes Two to Torah: Finding What Unites Us at a Time of Deep Division: 7 p.m. Online and in-person at Temple Solel, 6805 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. Join Valley Beit Midrash for the Hammerman Family Lecture featuring Orthodox Rabbi Dov Linzer and Reform journalist Abigail Pogrebin in conversation with Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz about their unlikely journey together through the Five Books of Moses during two of the most turbulent years in American history. For more information, visit valleybeitmidrash.org.

TUESDAY, DEC. 17

Chanukah Talk: 10 a.m. East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Join the EVJCC and Rabbi Levi Minsky for a discussion about Chanukah. Cost: Free. For more information, visit evjcc.org/event/tuesdays-at-the-j-23/.

FRIDAY, DEC. 20

Café Kol Ami Chanukah Celebration: 5 p.m. Temple, Kol Ami, 15030 N. 64th St., Scottsdale. Join TKA for an intergeneration Shabbat dinner followed by menorah lighting and services led by Rabbi Schneider and Cantor Noa. For more information, visit templekolami.org/calendar/.

SUNDAY, DEC. 22

Israeli Dancing: The Chanukah Edition: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley, 3400 N. Dobson Road, Chandler. Join TBSEV for Israeli Chanukah dances and other popular dances. Please wear correct shoes for dancing, such as sneakers. For more information, visit tbsev.org.

Book Discussion of Georgia Hunter’s “We Were the Lucky Ones:” 2-3:30 p.m. Private home in Scottsdale (address provided upon RSVP). Join the Phoenix Holocaust Association for a book discussion of the book that has been made into a series on Hulu. For more information, visit phxha.com/events/ book-discussion-of-georgia-hunters-wewere-the-lucky-ones/.

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 stress-free 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

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

TUESDAYS

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

Maintaining an Upbeat Attitude: 7 p.m. Online. A class exclusively for people in their 20s and 30s, learn how Jewish Mysticism can help with your attitude with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov. 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.

CALENDAR

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

Hanukkah: The Clash Between Greeks and Jews: 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 5, 12 & 19. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City. Join TBSWV and Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan for an interfaith course exploring the miraculous military history of the war between the Syrian Greeks and the Jews over 2,200 years ago leading to the Jewish holiday called Hanukkah. For more information, visit tbsaz.org.

Ladies Torah & Tea: 10:30 a.m. Online. Learn about the women of the Torah with Mrs. Leah Levertov. 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 1-253-2158782, meeting ID 486 920 2119#, to get the Zoom link or for further questions contact Gill Hamilton at ghamilton@hov.org or 602-748-3692.

Weekly Mahjong: 1-3 p.m. Temple Solel, 6805 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. Join Temple Solel each Thursday afternoon

for mahjong. Lessons available for beginners. Cost: Free. RSVP via email to dottiebefore@gmail.com so they know how many tables to set up.

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

SATURDAYS

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

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

Shabbat

FRIDAYS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shabbat Services: 6 p.m; 9:30 a.m. Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. Services are also live streamed at otaz.

org/livestream. For more information about services, events and membership, visit congregationortzion.org or call 480-342-8858.

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

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

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

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

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

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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