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Amanda Garcia joins the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix as associate director
Amy Schwabenlender, CEO of Human Services Campus, Inc. shares some myths related to homelessness
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DECEMBER 15, 2023 | TEVET 3, 5784 | VOLUME 76, NUMBER 8
Phoenix Holocaust education center dream is closer to reality thanks to Hilton donation SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER
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lie Wiesel, the much-admired Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate, famously called education “the key to preventing the cycle of violence and hatred that marred the 20th century from repeating itself in the 21st century.” That philosophy is one piece of Steve Hilton’s motivation for donating $4 million to a planned Holocaust education center in the heart of Phoenix, which will bear his family name. “This project is really important now because there are so many young people in our country that don’t know about the Holocaust,” Hilton told Jewish News at the Arizona Jewish Historical Society’s (AZJHS) public launch of its $30 million capital campaign to create the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center, which took place on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Hilton is the co-founder, executive chairman, and former CEO of Meritage Homes Corporation, a real estate development company specializing in energyefficient homebuilding, and has lived in Scottsdale since he was 12. The Holocaust education center is also a deeply personal matter for Hilton, whose father, Samuel Hilton, lived in the Warsaw Ghetto, where he fought back against the Nazis in the ghetto’s famous 1943 uprising, the largest single revolt by Jews during the Second World War. Hilton was deported to and survived some of the most infamous Nazi concentration camps, Buchenwald, Majdanek,
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New Jewish org wants to ensure election past is not prologue for 2024 and beyond SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER
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n Arizona, there is still a swath of voters for whom the result of the 2022 election is not a settled matter, mostly due to the rhetoric of a few losing candidates who continue to contest the results on the stump and in state courts, despite the fact that their dwindling efforts have not worked. Even the 2020 election is still up for debate for some voters, some media outlets and one former president. This reality of widespread election denialism and distrust of the voting system has many Americans worried about what it all could bode for the future. In a bipartisan first, 13 presidential foundations and centers across the countr y issued a joint statement in September about the urgent need to protect democracy. A More Perfect Union (MPU), a Stephen Richer shows Jewish leaders voting process details at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center on Friday, Dec. 1. COURTESY OF MCTEC STAFF relatively new national organization (it began in 2022), is stepping into the election fray to encourage Jewish groups and individuals to get more directly involved in democracy and ensure that this past is not prologue. One piece of that is visiting democratic institutions and learning about the democratic process firsthand. In collaboration with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix (JCRC), MPU invited Jewish religious and community leaders, and other interested parties, to tour the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center (MCTEC) on Friday, Dec. 1. SEE ELECTION, PAGE 3
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Skarzysko-Kamienna and Theresienstadt, before being liberated by Allied forces at the end of the war. He was his large family’s only survivor and a hero to his son, who is eager to honor his father’s heroism and memory. After reading about a startling number of young Americans — “numbers that keep me up at night” — who don’t know how many Jews were murdered in the Holocaust, or even worse, the number who believe Jews were responsible for their own slaughter, Steve Hilton was determined “to bring accurate, impactful knowledge and education to every generation.” He believes that this dedicated center of Holocaust education will be pivotal to “keeping the stories alive and relevant for all future generations to understand what the Holocaust was, those who were lost and why it’s up to each of us to stand up against hate and intolerance of any race or group of people.” Groundbreaking on the center is expected to take place at the end of 2024, with an open date in 2026. The campaign has already collected $16 million in cash and pledges and Hilton is committed to putting “all his effort and decades of business experience into making this happen as quickly as possible,” he said. “Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the United States, and the largest by far without a permanent Holocaust museum or education center for students,” said Lawrence Bell, AZJHS executive director. Like Hilton, Bell worries about the number of young people who “do not *Best of Magazine possess even a basic knowledge of the **Annual Directory history of the Holocaust.” In 2021, Arizona became the 16th state to require Holocaust education by statWWW.JEWISHAZ.COM ute. All of the state’s public schools now teach the Holocaust and other genocides
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at least STERN twice between seventh and 12th SOPHIE grades. The newPAGE center will become a CONTINUED FROM 1 natural destination for student field trips said Jon Meyers, director of and ADDPC. with its guided tours, online interac“Our hope is ato create and promote tive exhibits and digital resource library. opportunities for people to be embraced, Many teachers have benefitted from become part of the community and into find inviting flesh-and-blood survivors equitable opportunities their classrooms to meetwherever and speakthey to mightstudents. live,” he However, said. their as time creeps Meyersthere firstarecame knowtoStern forward, fewer to of them share through her mother, Amy Silverman, who their stories in person. read personal about raising Theher new center essays will contain a high-a daughter with—Down syndrome KJZZ, tech gallery complete with on recorded survivor — including threeNationaltestimony Public Radio’s Phoenixaaffiliate dimensional interactive holographic station. image of local OskarbyKnoblauch Meyers was survivor so captivated the essays designed for visitors ask more that he reached out to to Silverman, andthan the 1,000 questions related to his history two became friends. and receive answers reallearned time. In That’s how Stern in first of this the way, spoken of his openKnoblauch, council seat,who but has there’s no doubt experiences to thousands of students she earned her position, Meyers said. in person, will be able to talkmember, to generations To become a council Stern of to come and provide some hadstudents to apply and demonstrate that she had semblance of a personal relationship, an something valuable to contribute, he said. opportunity a little more “She’s onthat thedisappears council because she every year. deserves to be on the council,” he said. Preserving survivor Stern is creating a lifetestimonies, and career “the as a true personal of which the darkest member of her narrative community, makes days human history,” is paramount her a of great addition. to Stern Anthony Fusco, AZJHS education graduated from McClintock coordinator. High School in Tempe last year and now Fusco Glendale has witnessed firsthand College, what an attends Community impact hearing from a survivor has on with a focus on dance. She is a regular young students. It’s these accounts that performer at Detour Company Theatre, “make an emotional connection for the a Scottsdale theatre company for adults kids,” he told Jewish News. with intellectual, developmental and Sheryldisabilities. Bronkesh, president of the physical Phoenix Holocaust Association and first the In fact, when Stern attended her daughter of survivors, agreed and called council meeting in January, she couldn’t the “long of awaited” by survivors, waitcenter to tell people her involvement with their descendants and educators. Detour and share information about its “It is ourshows. belief that this education can upcoming help combat antisemitism, “There’s norising question that she isracism going and other forms of intolerance,” she said. to thrive,” Meyers said. “She’s very Phoenix Vice Yassamin Ansari gregarious and Mayor passionate about the also spoke the launch, lauding the fact things thatatmatter to her.” that thelooks new forward center will be “right here Stern to sharing insights
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about her Judaism with her fellow council members and speaking out for her rights and beliefs. She already has some practice at advocating for herself. “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 to intervene. “If someone has a disability, saying the R-word is like saying the F-word,” Stern said. Steve Hilton in front of a photo of his father on While in the Society. musical exhibit at theperforming Arizona Jewish Historical “Hairspray,” she had another occasion COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS 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. She let her mother know about the conflict were able to convince Mary Ellenand Page,they AZJHS Holocaust educator, left, and Ernst of at the theremove Hilton Family the Susan director thelaunch needofto the Holocaust Education Center’s capital campaign on word from the script. Tuesday, Nov. 28. COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS “My friend Al was next to me when in the the heart of downtown Phoenix.” I told director and he gave me the She thanked Hilton’s commitment and biggest hug ever and said that he loved the dedication of many as died well me so much,” Stern said.others, Sadly, Al as recently $22021. million bond in a car crash approved on Oct. 24, investment getting to making “That wasforhard; it’s closer very hard to get the centerout a reality. emotions and I was very, very upset,” “We she said.are always talking about,and focusing the anniversary importanceofofhis diversity On theon, recent death, and thatand thistook is an itinclusive Sternmaking made sure a cake to the welcoming crash site. city to all. With the creation of this andhow tech-forward center, “Iworld don’t-class know I did it without Icrying. truly believe that we will continue to I’m so proud of myself,” she said. build is mindful of our Amya generation Hummell, that executive director of past andDisability knowledgeable about that past Gesher Resources, agreed that and in fit protecting our future,” Sterninvested is a good for ADDPC because she said. of her ability to self-advocate. Ansari spokeco-hosted of the Jewish loss of life Hummell a book event in Israel on Oct. 7 years and the with Meyers a few agodisturbing for “My
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Sophie Stern at her high school graduation in 2022 COURTESY OF SOPHIE STERN
Heart Can’t Even Believe It: A Story of Science, Love and Down Syndrome,” Silverman’s book about her daughter. When Gesher’s speakers’ bureau, Damon Brooks & Associates, was asked to find a speaker about Down syndrome for an event this spring, Hummell first asked Silverman to speak, thinking Stern might be too young. They decided instead that Stern should tell her own story; it’s a real bonus that she is not afraid of public speaking. “It’s not the same when someone tries to tell a person’s story for them,” Hummell said. Additionally, helping people with disabilities find jobs was one of the reasons for acquiring the bureau. Unemployment in the disability community is upwards *Best of Magazine of 75% and of that percentage, 75% are ready, willing and able to work — but **Annual Directory haven’t been given the opportunity, Hummell said. “People have it in them to speak up but WWW.JEWISHAZ.COM don’t know how, and often they’re not cheered on. Sophie has family support
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“We are building a stronger civil society here in Arizona, which benefits all vulnerable communities, including the Jewish community,” JCRC Executive Director Paul Rockower told the group of approximately 30 people before the MCTEC tour began. Aaron Dorfman, MPU’s founder and executive director, was also on hand to explain his organization’s guiding principle: the United States has been the best place in the Jewish Diaspora in the last millennium because of its democratic norms and institutions. “Those things have allowed us to thrive here, and we ought to be able to harness our community’s energy and commitment and passion and resources and influence to try to protect and strengthen them,” he said. Stephen Richer, recorder of Maricopa County, and Scott Jarrett, the director of elections for the Maricopa County board of supervisors, led 45-minute-long tours of the large MCTEC facility for attendees, who were split into two groups. Richer explained that Maricopa County is the second-largest voting jurisdiction, accounting for approximately 62% of the state’s registered voters. Uniquely, Maricopa County is roughly divided among Democrats, Independents and Republicans, “which makes for a very dynamic voting situation,” especially given how competitive the state is. Suspicion of the process is one reason Richer and Jarrett welcome and encourage voters of all stripes to see MCTEC and the process for themselves. They each explained the extensive security measures taken so that there is no foul play when it comes to collecting and tabulating ballots: A camera is live streaming the facility and everyone in it 24/7; people in the facility must carry and take notes with red pens only because the tabulation equipment can’t read red ink; there is no internet connection in the tabulation center and all access is restricted to a few people with direct oversight of tabulating the votes and representatives and observers from different political parties are on site during tabulation. Additionally, extensive maps on the walls detail how data, and not partisanship, determine voting locations. The jocular Richer took advantage of his mostly Jewish crowd to recount his college days in Hillel, his year in a yeshiva and even threatened to unleash his favorite Jewish jokes — before his staff hooted him down. However, he
turned serious when he spoke of a “Jewish legacy to speak truth, even when it’s inconvenient.” When he first learned about the “blood libel,” the slanderous ancient idea that Jews killed Christian children to use their blood in religious rituals, he remembers thinking, “‘That’s preposterous! Nobody could possibly believe that.’ But over the last three years, I’ve come to realize that people don’t have to believe it; they just have to stay quiet about it.” Pushing back against election misinformation is something he and his staff have extensive experience with. Demonstrating what actually happens during every step of the voting process is one way to counteract people’s mistrust. Working with community leaders, like those on Friday, is also important, he said. “I really, really, really believe that leadership matters a lot in this space because people take signals from their leaders,” Richer said. Dorfman agreed, telling Jewish News that while Jews have mostly not been election deniers, “they think leadership matters and they’ve been standing firm with everybody else who believes the survival of our democracy is essential.” One possibility for those interested in taking direct action is to become an election worker. The county will soon hire about 3,000 temporary paid workers for the 2024 cycle, positions that range from one day to two months, including working in voting locations, in the warehouse or doing signature verification, a process that was also thoroughly explained on the tour. Richer said that more than one election worker has been harassed in person and online but many people have also been excited to get involved. To do so, one must be a registered and eligible Arizona voter without a felony. There is no political screening and during the training, people will likely be paired with someone with a different political opinion. Even though Maricopa County hasn’t experienced as much turnover in its election staff as other counties, Richer admitted that he’s lost very good staff members who couldn’t continue after “we got punched in the face in the 2022 election.” Threats, harassment and security concerns are a constant concern. “I could walk away from anything except for if somebody got hurt while doing this process.” Richer’s apprehensive about what’s to come next year and said the job has opened his eyes to some harsh realities about certain members of his own Republican party.
reality of a rise in antisemitic incidents in Arizona, acknowledging that it is both a “confusing and devastating” time for Jews. To “prevent any more pain in the future,” she promised her “unwavering commitment to help further education about Jewish bravery, strength, resilience and culture in Phoenix and beyond,” as
well as the support of all city leaders. Susan Ernst is very excited to see the vice mayor’s and the city’s support. When she and her husband, Tim, first caught wind of AZJHS’ “dream of having an educational center in Phoenix,” they wanted “to get things moving,” which they did with a $1.5 million “kickoff” donation, she told Jewish News. Since
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Aaron Dorfman speaks with Rabbi Elana Kanter with Stephen Richer behind them at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center on Friday, Dec. 1. COURTESY OF MCTEC STAFF
In a 2023 nationwide Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, only 22% of Republicans reported they would have “high confidence” in next year’s presidential election. Still, Richer is proud of the competence of the election process and continues to try “to meet people where they are,” he said. Election administrators didn’t have to put much thought into communication efforts before 2016 and are “playing a little bit of catch up,” but he and his staff will continue to do better so that the past doesn’t repeat itself. In William Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest,” Antonio tells Sebastian, “What’s past is prologue,” suggesting that past events make their future inevitable, and therefore, rationalizing the murder he plans to commit by saying it is fated. Dorfman and his organization do not accept that literary premise and are working to rally “Jews, Asian American Pacific Islanders, African Americans, the LGBTQ community and everybody else” to show up and defend democracy. “For a long time, maybe always, human beings have fantasized that if they expel other people, those people disappear and that is not true,” he said. There were 81 million people who voted for Biden in 2020 and 74 million people who voted for Trump. Most of those voters will participate in the 2024 election, so he believes it’s critical to determine how to move forward together. Just as temporary workers at MCTEC will work with people with opposing views, Dorfman said democracy requires conversations between people who vehemently disagree, “because expelling the other side doesn’t make them disappear, and it doesn’t persuade them that you’re right,” he said. JN For more information, visit elections.maricopa.gov. To access the camera at the facility, visit elections. maricopa.gov/news-and-information/live-videofeeds.html.
then, they have donated more funds and are part of the campaign committee. As the daughter of Holocaust survivors, Ernst is “thrilled that it’s finally happening, that so many people have jumped on board and Phoenix is rising to the occasion.” JN To learn more, visit AZJHS.org.
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ore than a year ago, long before the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Mindy Franklin and Lynn Kahn, both active members of the Gr eater Phoenix Jewish community, Jonah Cohen were worried about COURTESY OF JONAH COHEN rising antisemitism and determined to do something about it. After watching a virtual presentation on the subject by Jonah Cohen, communications director for Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (CAMERA), “we both were so impressed with his calm and logical response technique to social antisemitism that we agreed to bring Dr. Cohen to the Valley,” Franklin said in an email to Jewish News. Cohen currently lives in the Boston area. On Sunday, Jan. 7, Cohen will give
January community event offers help on how to talk about antisemitism two talks — one to adults and one to students — at Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale about antisemitism and how to talk about and respond to it. The talks are sponsored by 10 local synagogues and 10 local Jewish community organizations. The day is funded by a grant from the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix. In an email exchange with Jewish News, Cohen discussed his “fail-proof method to challenge anti-Jewish prejudices,” strategies to make challenging discussions conflict-free and hope that people will leave his talk feeling empowered. Since CAMERA is an organization that was created to work with media outlets, what will your talk focus on for people who are not media professionals? It’s true that CAMERA started in the 1980s as a media watchdog, which remains central to our mission, but we’ve grown a lot since then. We also have large departments that focus exclusively on
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Examples of Socratic questions What do you think is the main issue? What other information do we need? What do you think causes...to happen? What are the strengths and weaknesses of...? How does this relate to our discussion? How does...apply to everyday life? ILLUSTRATION BY JEWISH NEWS
combating antisemitism and anti-Israel activism on college campuses and in K-12 schools. Every summer, for example, we bring together college students from all over the world to Boston for a four-day training conference. They attend high-level workshops where they learn strategies and techniques to handle antisemitic and anti-Israel activity at their schools, which helps empower them to speak up for their values. At the conference, I run a workshop on how to discuss Israel in everyday situations, like in a café, classroom or at work. In these ordinary environments, it can be incredibly stressful and difficult to know what to say when friends, colleagues or professors bring up Israel in a disparaging way. How do you disagree without sounding pushy or defensive? Is there a way to share your beliefs without making things awkward? People often freeze up because they just don’t know how to navigate social pressures. Even if they know a lot about Israel, they still might not know how to communicate their knowledge gracefully. As a result, the antisemitic or anti-Israel individual ends up dominating the conversation. That’s where my workshop comes in. I share an easy conversational strategy that helps people handle difficult conversations in social settings, no matter how rude or knowledgeable the other person is. I’ll be diving into that strategy during my talk. Basically, it seeks to provide pragmatic, down-to-earth advice for people who are facing antisemitic or anti-Israel invective in their personal lives. Will you directly address how to talk about Israel and/or antisemitism on social media? That question often comes up during
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Q&A. However, the focus of my talk is mainly on face-to-face conversations with real humans, such as heated discussions over the (holiday) table with an anti-Israel dinner guest. Responding to someone on social media is, in many respects, simpler than dealing with a person right in front of you. The challenge here is speaking in a way that connects to concrete people looking right at you, communicating your deepest values, and that prevents anyone from banging their fists on the table or storming out of the room in awkward tears. These real-life scenarios occur frequently, and it’s crucial to be ready for them. That’s what I try to give people — a usable strategy for staying in control emotionally and intellectually in tough, real-world conversations. Given that you will be addressing adults and young people separately, what are the big issues you plan to cover with kids vs. adults? Since the Oct. 7 massacre, antisemitic rhetoric has surged both in schools and workplaces, impacting both kids and adults. Many people, especially young individuals unfamiliar with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, are seeking guidance in navigating this intensified political atmosphere. After watching my 14-year-old daughter in high school, I can speak to this firsthand. Suddenly, she and her friends find themselves thrust into this decadesold dispute, and many are unsure how to respond due to their understandable lack of experience. They want to engage but are often intimidated by anti-Israel bullies who give the impression that they know a lot. In my talk, I aim to provide both kids and adults with a solid foundation of basic ideas for handling antisemitic JEWISHAZ.COM
HEADLINES LOCAL rhetoric and conversational bullies. What I’ll be presenting is what I call the Gadfly Method, named after Socrates, who referred to himself as a gadfly. This conversational model involves questioning, testing the consistency of someone’s moral principles and assumptions, revealing contradictions in their statements or exposing their ignorance. That might sound difficult to achieve. It’s not. The method that I give is a simple yet powerful way to maintain control of the conversation while placing the burden of proof on the antisemite. Even young people can easily grasp and employ this questioning method. Do you enjoy speaking to audiences made up of everyday people who are perhaps feeling overwhelmed by negative news? Speaking of joy in this context is challenging. I don’t take pleasure in seeing people overwhelmed by the very real negativity that they’re enduring. Ideally, we wouldn’t need lectures on dealing with antisemitism. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in yet another challenging time as Jews, facing individuals who pose a dangerous threat to us. I share in the pain felt by our community, and I look at my own daughters’ future with concern in my heart. It’s crucial that we come together to
share ideas on ways to empower each other. I am eager and grateful to visit Arizona and connect with the people attending the talk. While I don’t claim to have all the answers, I believe in the value of presenting ideas that can spark conversations. Together, we can explore ways to navigate the current crisis and, I believe, move beyond it. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone, which I know I’ll enjoy. Do you think people will come away feeling more confident and optimistic? I’ve been delivering this talk for nearly a decade, reaching thousands of people. I can confidently share that numerous individuals have expressed how this conversational method has been a game-changer for them. They say that they no longer feel intimidated or at a loss for words and, in fact, find themselves looking for ward to engaging in challenging conversations. Many attendees leave the talk feeling empowered. I hope that people in Arizona will feel the same way. JN For more information, visit jewishphoenix.com/ events/responding-to-antisemitism/. Jewish News is published by the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix, a component of the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix.
Join us in January 2024 for two dynamic speakers! Join us in January 2024 for two dynamic speakers! Join us in January 2024 for two dynamic speakers! Join us in January 2024 for two dynamic speakers! Join us us in in January January 2024 2024 for for two two dynamic dynamic speakers! speakers! Join us us in in January January 2024 2024 for for two two dynamic dynamic speakers! speakers! Join Join Join us in January 2024 for two dynamic speakers! Join us in January 2024 for two dynamic speakers! Join us in January 2024 for two dynamic speakers! Join in January speakers! Join us us Bikel: in January 2024 2024 for for two two dynamic dynamic speakers! My Jewish Music Journey Theodore Bikel: Join us in January 2024 for two dynamic speakers! My Jewish Music Journey Theodore My Jewish Music Journey Theodore Bikel: My Jewish Music Journey Theodore Bikel: Join us in January 2024 for two dynamic speakers! Join us in January 2024 for two dynamic speakers! My Jewish Jewish Music Music Journey Journey Theodore Bikel: My Jewish Jewish Music Journey Journey Theodore Bikel: My Theodore Bikel: My Music Theodore Bikel: My Jewish Music Journey Theodore Bikel: Presenter: Allan Naplan In the Shoes of Shalom Aleichem My Jewish Music Journey Theodore Bikel: Presenter: Allan Naplan In the Shoes of Shalom Aleichem Presenter: Allan Naplan In the Shoes of Shalom Aleichem My Jewish Music Journey Theodore Bikel: Presenter: Allan Naplan In the Shoes of Shalom Aleichem My Jewish Music Journey Theodore Bikel: My Jewish Music Journey Theodore Bikel:Aleichem Presenter: Allan Allan Naplan Naplan InPresenter: the Shoes of Shalom Shalom Aleichem Presenter: Allan Naplan In the the Shoes Shoes of Shalom Shalom My Jewish Music Journey Theodore Bikel: Presenter: In the Shoes of Aleichem My Jewish Music Journey Theodore Bikel: Allan Naplan In of Aleichem My Jewish Music Journey Theodore Bikel: Sunday, January 28, 2024 | 6:30PM Presenter: Allan Naplan In the Shoes of Shalom Aleichem Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Sunday, January 28, 2024 | 6:30PM Sunday, January 28, 2024 6:30PM Presenter: Allan Naplan In the Shoes of Shalom Aleichem Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Presenter: Allan Naplan In the Shoes of Shalom Aleichem Sunday, January 28, 2024 | 6:30PM Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Presenter: Allan Naplan In the Shoes of Shalom Aleichem Sunday, January January 28, 28, 2024 2024 ||| 6:30PM 6:30PM Presenter: Allan Naplan InPresenter: the Shoes ShoesAimee of Shalom Shalom Aleichem Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Sunday, JanuaryAllan 28, 2024 2024 6:30PM Ginsburg Bikel Presenter: Naplan In the of Aleichem Sunday, Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Sunday, January 28, || 6:30PM Presenter: Allan Naplan In the Shoes of Shalom Aleichem Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Presenter: Allan Naplan In the Shoes of Shalom Aleichem Temple Chai Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus Sunday, January 28, 2024 | 6:30PM Sunday, January 21, 2024 | 6:30 PM Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Sunday, January 28, 2024 | 6:30PM Sunday, January 21, 2024 | 6:30 PM Sunday, January 21, 2024 | 6:30 PM Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Sunday, January 28, 2024 | 6:30PM Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Sunday, January 21, 2024 | 6:30 PM Sunday, January 28, 2024 | 6:30PM Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Sunday, January 28, 2024 2024 | 6:30PM 6:30PM Sunday, January 21, 2024 2024 6:30 PM PM Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Sunday, January 21, 2024 || 6:30 6:30 PM Sunday, January 28, Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Sunday, January 21, || 6:30 Sunday, January 28, 2024 2024 6:30PM Sunday, January 21, 2024 PM Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Sunday, January 28, ||| 6:30PM Presenter: Aimee Ginsburg Bikel Sunday, January 21, 2024 | 6:30 PM Sunday, January 21, 2024 6:30 PM Sunday, Sunday, January 21, 2024 6:30 PM Sunday,January January21, 21,2024 2024| |||6:30 6:30PM PM Sunday, January 21, 2024 6:30 PM Sunday, January January 21, 21, 2024 2024 ||| 6:30 6:30 PM PM Sunday,
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JEWISH NEWS
DECEMBER 15, 2023
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HEADLINES LOCAL
As JCRC capacity grows, it brings on associate director SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER
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manda Garcia made her first public appearance as the new associate director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Phoenix at a special non-partisan tour of the Maricopa County Elections facility for Jewish community leaders on Friday, Dec. 1. Garcia, who officially started the recently created part-time position on Nov. 8, praised the tour and the big turnout for an event that was all about promoting democracy. “It was a good first public event for me,” she told Jewish News. Her job was necessitated by the growing demands on the organization, according to JCRC board chair Alan Zeichick. “JCRC has been busier than ever in 2023, and we predict that 2024 will be more so,” he told Jewish News in an email. This isn’t Garcia’s first time working at JCRC. For a few months in late 2018, and early 2019, Garcia was called in to serve as the organization’s interim program coordinator. Her time there coincided with the deadly terrorist attack on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, 2018, that left 11 people dead and six wounded. Garcia worked with the JCRC board to plan and execute a community-wide, interfaith vigil at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus in Scottsdale. The trauma the attack caused in Jewish communities across the nation was also felt deeply in Greater Phoenix, which meant a hectic time for Garcia and the JCRC, an organization that works to counter antisemitism and bring disparate elements of the community together. Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman worked closely with Garcia during that time and praised her talent and organizational skills, which
will serve “the absolutely vital” work of the JCRC, Sharfman told Jewish News in an email. Garcia first got to know JCRC while she worked at the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. “I have an affinity for what JCRC did from the beginning and was drawn by the relationship building and the work on outreach throughout the broader community, as well as within the Jewish community, which often felt disconnected, with different agencies stepping on each other’s feet,” she said. As a “big fan of diversity, inclusion and outreach,” JCRC was “a natural fit.” “Amanda is the perfect person to bring us the capacity we need. She already knows the work of the JCRC; she’s very well-connected in our local community; and she has the go-get-it-done personality and skill set to hit the ground running,” Zeichick said. Garcia left the interim position at JCRC once Paul Rockower came aboard in early 2019 as the new executive director, but the two stayed in touch. In the subsequent years, Garcia worked as a care services coordinator for Cypress HomeCare Solutions, outreach coordinator for Honeymoon Israel and the national partnership coordinator for TechForce Foundation, in addition to serving on the boards of Jewish Free Loan, National Council of Jewish Women Arizona and the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix. During the worst period of the COVID-19 pandemic, Garcia also managed her children’s online education. Each new position drew on Garcia’s different talents and interests. Growing up with a father who had multiple sclerosis, she developed considerable insight about homecare needs and she brought that knowledge to Cypress.
Amanda Garcia, left, is pictured with her daughter, son, husband and her mother at her daughter’s bat mitzvah in Jerusalem in 2022. COURTESY OF AMANDA GARCIA
Amanda and Joseph Garcia with two of their children in Tel Aviv holding the artwork they did during a graffiti tour of the city in 2022. COURTESY OF AMANDA GARCIA
In 2015, she went to Israel for the first time with Honeymoon Israel before working with the organization. “The trip was absolutely amazing,” she said. The organization’s focus on connection, diversity and inclusion appealed to her sense of community, a big part of why she always liked JCRC. TechForce, a nonprofit helping students interested in technician careers, was the job that required the biggest learning curve. “Before joining TechForce, I knew
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nothing about cars and I learned a lot,” she said. She lear ned quickly about the organization’s desire to change an industry associated with limited opportunities and showed that the jobs should be considered “new collar” rather than “blue collar.” To that end, she worked with big corporate funders such as Ford, General Motors, Autozone and all the big car companies and small shops to provide scholarships to SEE JCRC, PAGE 8
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Jewish community stalwart advertises support for local news outlet SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER
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dam Goodman first learned about Arizona Agenda (AA), a political newsletter covering Arizona politics and government, on X (the social media site then known as Twitter), where he followed the accounts of both Rachel Leingang and Hank Stephenson, the newsletter’s two founders. “I signed up the first day,” he told Jewish News. “I think their reporting is sensational and I love their unapologetically snarky tone.” Goodman, a pr ominent Jewish philanthropist and business leader in Greater Phoenix, firmly believes in the critical importance of solid local news coverage in creating “an informed citizenry, which is key for a strong democracy,” he told Jewish News. He is board chair of the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting (AZCIR), the state’s only independent, nonpartisan and collaborative nonprofit newsroom. AZCIR is all about accountability journalism, according to Goodman. As such, it shines a light on inequities and corruption and is able to influence policy changes. At an earlier stage in his life, Goodman worked on the marketing side of journalism, though he doesn’t always make that detail explicit in casual conversation. “I feel there’s a bit of stolen valor when people assume that means I’m a journalist, but I never correct them because I’m so proud to be considered one,” he laughed. Even after he left media officially and became the president and CEO of Goodmans Interior Structures, he continued to pay assiduous attention to the news business, and he’s been worried about the closures of small, local papers in the last several years. Mass media companies like Gannett, the owner of the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, have “gutted these important civic institutions and are sucking profits out of them with an unquenchable thirst,” Goodman said. He once worked for Gannett and said it’s not the same company he worked for. “It’s leaving major cities as news deserts, and you can draw a direct line from the decline of newspapers to the dysfunction we have in our politics today — it’s part and parcel of the same issue,” he said. There are roughly 6,000 newspapers left in America, down from 8,891 in 2005, according to a new report from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. It’s into this state of play that AA began in 2021, billing itself as “an insider
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political newsletter for political outsiders,” Stephenson told Jewish News. Goodman has been one of AA’s biggest supporters, and this fall when AA started taking paid advertising, he put his money where his proverbial mouth is and became the first official advertiser. “I read the Agenda at 6 a.m every day and saw their notice about advertising. At 6:01 I responded saying, ‘I’m in.’” Goodman’s ad is very straightforward, without any bells and whistles that people are used to online. Stephenson, who described himself as “a reporter’s reporter,” uncomfortable with selling ads, said he would never put a popup ad on the site. “I want them to feel integrated into the newsletter in a thoughtful way, streamlined. I don’t want it to be a billboard,” he said. Because AA has a big following among politicians and elected officials, Stephenson worried they would make up the advertising base, and he will not allow any campaign advertising or anything that
says “vote.” He was relieved when Goodman called him. “Adam coming in was just lovely. He’s a nice guy and I know he doesn’t want anything from me. It makes dipping my toe into the advertising world feel so much better and cleaner,” Stephenson said. Goodman wasn’t expecting the ad package he bought to bring in lots of new business, however, he was pleasantly surprised by all the texts and emails he received after the first ad ran and credited AA’s loyal readership. It’s still “more of a civic investment than a marketing play,” Goodman said. Leingang moved on from AA and Stephenson now partners with journalist Nicole Ludden, and has added staff and a sister newsletter, The Tucson Agenda, with its own local reporters. “We’ve been trying to grow it beyond a small, scrappy newsletter, but the subscription model will only get us so
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DECEMBER 15, 2023
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far,” Stephenson said. Until recently, the newsletter’s readership has come from word of mouth. To continue growing, adding staff and new video and audio formats, AA needs some traditional advertising, but in a way that “feels integrated into the newsletter in a thoughtful and streamlined way.” There are only three spaces in the newsletter to place an ad: header, middle and footer. AA has approximately 10,000 subscribers and 2,000 of them pay for it. There is no paywall, so every weekday, all subscribers have access to the same content, a mix of original reporting and aggregating interesting and salient news from other Arizona news outlets, including the Jewish News. Stephenson has covered the complexities of Arizona politics since 2008, and he and his staff can easily qualify as policy wonks, but they’ve made it their mission to write about political news in a direct, understandable and often humorous manner. “We deliver it straight,” Stephenson said. “‘Here’s the deal! Here’s what’s
really happening!’ It makes it more fun.” The AA philosophy is to provide the context citizens need to understand what is happening in their state. “People see islands of information with no connecting dots, and we try to draw a line between the islands,” Stephenson said. It’s a way of reporting the news that works well for Goodman. “It’s amusing, informative and they don’t pretend to have a veneer of complete neutrality. They wear it on their sleeve, and I appreciate that,” he said. AA is nonpartisan but Stephenson prefers calling the newsletter’s ethos “no bulls**t.” Part of shining a light on the state government is pointing out its liars and scammers, whether Democrats or Republicans. Democratic Rep. Leezah Sun and Republican Rep. Wendy Rogers are two recent and notable examples. “I don’t cheer for someone because of their party; I cheer for someone because they do something right,” Stephenson said. JN
"YOU CAN DRAW A DIRECT LINE FROM THE DECLINE OF NEWSPAPERS TO THE DYSFUNCTION WE HAVE IN OUR POLITICS TODAY — IT’S PART AND PARCEL OF THE SAME ISSUE.”
Adam Goodman, president and CEO of Goodmans Interior Structures, supports local independent journalism. COURTESY OF JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL OF GREATER PHOENIX
ADAM GOODMAN
Arizona Agenda header.
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Goodmans ad in Arizona Agenda.
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Arizona Public Service Company has F/T IT Meter Data Management Analyst position in Phoenix, AZ. Duties: Apply tech knowledge to procss, spport, & solve software support rqusts w/in MDMS, AMI & other elect cntrl cntr automatn systms; Adapt spport delivery MDMS and AMI processes & tools based on feedback; Spport High levl trblshooting & lead midlevl trblshooting of MDMS systms. Requires: BS in IT, Elctrnic Eng, Elctrcl Eng or rltd + 5 yrs exp. Drug test, Bkgrd check. Flex hybrid sched inoffice 2 days/mo. Must reside in AZ.
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DECEMBER 15, 2023
kids who wanted to become technicians rather than go to college. Through Garcia’s efforts, TechForce received a million-dollar grant from Ford and she received an award for her work. She was happy with her work, “but my heart was with the Jewish community,” she said. By accepting the JCRC job, she’s smack dab back in the middle of it. “With everything that’s going on now, especially since Oct. 7, it feels like meaningful work,” she said. With the growing responsibilities of the organization and demands on his time, Rockower was “keen to expand our ability to represent the Jewish community in various spaces and to different faith/
ethnic community partners for events and functions,” he told Jewish News in an email. “Amanda was a natural fit and knew the contours of our work,” he said. Zeichick emphasized the importance of a solid staff for a small organization like JCRC. “Our strongest asset is our professional staff, which has exactly one soul: Paul. And poor Paul has been run ragged. With Amanda we now have two top-flight professionals on the team,” he said. Garcia also praised Rockower’s work and accomplishments over the past few years. “I’m very impressed with everything Paul’s done, so it’s easy to come back and work with him. I just want to add value or take some of the load,” she said.
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As far as her daily responsibilities, she and Rockower are still figuring it out and deciding which community relationships she will be responsible for. Fundraising will be a big part of her work and she’s anxious to dig into that. “Paul’s doing important work behind the scenes to keep our community safe and I hope to raise funds so he can continue to do that,” she said. “His job is a lot for one person and I’m happy to be supporting him.” Garcia, her husband Joseph and their children live in Phoenix, belong to Temple Chai and are busily preparing for her 12-year-old son’s bar mitzvah. JN For more information, visit jcrcphoenix.org. JEWISHAZ.COM
HEADLINES BRIEFS
Local The 2023 J Gala On Saturday evening, Dec. 2, the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center welcomed over 700 community members, supporters and allies to the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix for The 2023 J Gala honoring Steve Hilton and Irwin Kanefsky. Its biggest fundraiser of the year, the annual gala provides critical resources that make the operation and programming of The J possible. “It was an honor to be involved in significant fundraising for The J at such a critical moment in
Jewish history. I felt both proud and humbled at the gala when hundreds of families participated in the paddle raise to contribute to The J. I had never before experienced such a complete sense of community,” commented Peter Ax, 2023 J Gala Committee co-chair. “It was an amazing evening. Congratulations to our two incredibly deserving honorees, Steve Hilton and Irwin Kanefsky. The support we received from those in attendance helps us do what we do best: make a difference each,
and every, day. Thank you to our J Gala Committee co-chairs, Logan and Peter Ax, the many, many, sponsors and all who supported. Words cannot express how much it is appreciated,” added Jay Jacobs, CEO, Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center. JN For more information, visit vosjcc.org. Jay Jacobs, center, with gala honorees, Steve Hilton, left, and Irwin Kanefsky. COURTESY OF VALLEY OF THE SUN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
Arizona Treasurer announces $5 Million investment in Israel bond holdings Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee announced that the Arizona State Treasurer’s Office increased Israel bond holdings by $5 million. The Arizona Treasury has been investing in Israel bonds since 2013 and this most recent purchase brought holdings to $20 million as of Dec. 1. “As Arizona’s Treasurer, I remain committed to supporting the State of Israel not only through my words, but through my actions. This $5 million investment in
Israel supports Israel’s economic recovery while providing our taxpayers reliable returns,” said Yee. “Israel has been a longtime friend and ally of Arizona and the United States. We must stand resolute with Israel.” Israel Bonds claims to serve as an investment option for individuals, institutions and nations worldwide to support the economic growth and stability of the State of Israel. “The State of Arizona’s support for
Israel is remarkable, and it aligns with the immediate response to the war in Israel across many U.S. states during this crucial period for the Jewish state,” said Israel Bonds President and CEO Dani Naveh. “At a time when Israel is under attack, investments in Israel Bonds represent the most powerful and direct way to stand with the State of Israel and its people. This message from the people of Arizona to the people of Israel is unmistakable: You are not alone.”
Israel Bonds logo
COURTESY OF ISRAEL BONDS
At the beginning of October, Yee directed the Arizona Treasury investment team to increase Israel Bonds holdings. JN
Opportunity for upcoming Jewish journalists In 2022, former Philadelphia 76ers broadcaster Marc Zumoff and former sports producer and current Maccabi USA digital media director Neil Slotkin launched the Maccabi Media Program (MMP) for Jewish students who are aspiring sports media professionals. Students chosen for MMP travel with Maccabi USA and perform a variety of broadcast and communication roles including play-by-play, video production, editing, videography, streaming and sports reporting for social media. Following a comprehensive application process, a team of students will be selected to cover the European Maccabi Youth
Games (EMYG) in London, from July 28-Aug. 6, 2024. The application process is now open and will close on Jan. 14, 2024. Arizona native Jonah Krell, a master’s student in mass communication at Arizona State University, is participating in MMP at the Pan American Maccabi Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dec. 27, 2023-Jan. 5, 2024. “My dream career is to be a play-byplay broadcaster,” said Krell. “I love being a storyteller and it’s so fun to be right in front of the action.” When he was 14, he participated as an athlete in the JCC Maccabi Games held
in St. Louis, Missouri, playing basketball. Krell has never traveled to South America and is looking forward to the experience. “I thought this would be a great way to do what I love but also express it in a Jewish way,” he said. “It’s like combining two of my passions.” JN For more information, visit maccabiusa.com/ maccabi-media/.
Flyer for the Maccabi Media Program in London.
National
COURTESY OF MACCABI USA
Leading national Jewish orgs launch ‘The 10/7 Project’ Following the March for Israel in November, which brought nearly 300,000 people to the National Mall, prominent American Jewish organizations launched The 10/7 Project — a new, centralized communications operation designed to promote continued U.S. bipartisan support for Israel by offering information about the Israel-Hamas war in real time to elected officials. The 10/7 Project is led by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Jewish Federations of North America JEWISHAZ.COM
(JFNA), ADL (the Anti-Defamation League), the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. “The 10/7 Project will be a trusted and timely source of accurate information to set the record straight and combat false narratives perpetuated by Hamas terrorists and their anti-Israel allies. They are responsible for slaughtering some 1,200 innocent Israeli civilians,” said Ted Deutch, AJC CEO.
Eric Fingerhut, JFNA president and CEO, said, “through aggressive rapid response and a comprehensive media campaign, The 10/7 Project will work tirelessly to combat misinformation and inaccurate reporting about the IsraelHamas conflict and continue shining a light on the victims and hostages of Oct. 7.” “In the wake of Hamas’s deadly terrorist attack on Israel, there has been an onslaught of misinformation and conspiracy theories about the conflict
JEWISH NEWS
and Israel circulating on social media and, in some cases, elevated by mainstream press outlets,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of ADL. “While it’s understandable that Americans are clearly interested in what’s happening in the Middle East, The 10/7 Project will make sure they’re receiving verifiable, truthful and balanced information, especially at a time when some platforms have regrettably cut back on their trust and safety teams.” JN For more information, visit the10-7project.com.
DECEMBER 15, 2023
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RELIGIOUS LIFE TORAH STUDY
The uniqueness of Chanukah RABBI MENDEL VAISFICHE PARSHAH MIKEITZ: GENESIS 41:1 - 44:17
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n the tapestry of festivals celebrating the deliverance of the Jewish peoRabbi Mendel Vaisfiche ple from adversaries COURTESY RABBI MENDEL VAISFICHE such as Pharaoh and Haman (and many others), Chanukah emerges uniquely significant. Unlike conflicts that targeted the physical existence of the Jewish people, the saga of Chanukah distinguishes itself by the Syrians directing their assault towards the Jewish soul and spirit. Their contention was not against the mere physical individual but rather the essence of the Jewish soul. Rooted in the Greek culture and philosophy they embraced; the Syrians found no fault in being Jewish within the cultural norms of a progressive society. Their objection lay in adhering to practices solely based on divine
commandments: ritual purity, circumcision, the Jewish calendar were deemed archaic and irrelevant in their vision of a progressive world. While our connection with G-d encompasses various dimensions of intellectual, emotional, practical and everything in between, above all else is the core connection between the deepest part of our soul and the essence of G-d himself. Anything that falls within the parameters of the physical world can be challenged by a counterpart from the opposing side, but the connection that reaches straight from our essence to G-d’s is not quantifiable, and is thus eternal. The Syrian agenda was aimed at obliterating this intrinsic facet of the Jewish soul, prompting the Maccabees to wage war in its defense. Although the majority of Judaic practices might have been allowed to persist, challenging the foundation undermines the core and essential connection with G-d, leaving nothing of substance behind. The Syrians erred in their pursuit, for
by challenging the unchangeable and indestructible link between the Jewish soul and G-d, they inadvertently unleashed the immeasurable strength and power inherent in Jewish souls. This led to the defeat of the Syrians, the triumph of the Jewish people and the miraculous story of Chanukah. While the centuries-long celebration of the Chanukah miracle involves many different things like latkes, doughnuts and Chanukah gelt (including the obligatory chocolate variety), above all, Chanukah serves as a commemoration and celebration of the indomitable and unquantifiable bond between the Jewish soul and G-d that can never be extinguished. It transcends the intellectually and emotionally appealing aspects of Judaism, delving into the realm of purely G-dly commandments, such as circumcising Jewish boys on the eighth day and observing the laws of family purity. Through these commandments, we affirm our identity as the Jewish people, endowed with a G-dly soul that remains impervious to extinction. A few weeks ago, Jews worldwide cel-
SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING DECEMBER 15 - 5:03 P.M. DECEMBER 22 - 5:06 P.M. SHABBAT ENDS DECEMBER 16 - 6:02 P.M. DECEMBER 23 - 6:05 P.M. Find area congregations at JewishAZ.com, where you can also find our 2024 Community Directory.
ebrated the anniversary of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi’s liberation from Czarist prison. In his seminal work, the Tanya, Rabbi Shneur Zalman expounds on the idea that the Jewish soul shares an indestructible and unquantifiable connection with G-d, transcending any challenge or adversary, remaining intact regardless of the situation. This special bond grants us the strength and power to stand tall and proud in the face of opposition, spiritually and physically, ensuring that the positive triumphs over the negative and light over the darkness, keeping the G-dly spirit that personified the ancient Maccabees, shinning bright within us, alive and strong. JN Rabbi Mendel Vaisfiche is director of adult education at Chabad of Scottsdale and a certified mohel based in Scottsdale.
OPINION
Commentary
Carrying the afterglow RABBI JOHN LINDER
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anukkiyot around the world, ablaze with all eight candles and the shamash on the last night of Hanukkah, are now empty save for the remnants of wax. Throughout the Festival of Lights, Jewish homes and public squares, glowed more brightly each night, flickering with the hope of miracles. There was no greater miracle on the hearts and minds of the Jewish people around the globe, than the fervent prayers for the release of the now 137 hostages (as of this writing), held captive by Hamas. For each excruciating day since Oct. 7, nothing has been more in the forefront of the Jewish conscience than each of the hostages, their families and the family of Israel. In solidarity with congregations worldwide, Temple Solel will not rest until all the hostages have been returned. One of the first interfaith leaders to reach out to me after the Oct. 7 massacre was Pastor David Joynt, senior pastor of Valley Presbyterian Church (VPC) in Paradise Valley, our friends down the street. He took me out to lunch, to bring comfort
and support to me as a colleague and the Jewish people with whom Pastor Joynt feels great respect and deep kinship. He asked me, “What can I do to help?” Three weeks later, that question blossomed into an extraordinary collaboration — Bring Them Home Prayer Vigil and Exhibition. The exhibition was spearheaded by Temple Solel members Shira and Nadav Razon, and the Israeli American community. Shira approached me with the idea of an interfaith exhibition shortly before I met with Joynt. All it took was one meeting with the staff at VPC and the tight-knit, well-organized Israeli American team were off and running. The spirit of the prayer service and exhibition was to personalize the hostages. Numbers alone do not carry stories. We wanted members of VPC, Temple Solel and the greater community to experience each hostage, by seeing their name, face and age with a pair of shoes, sneakers, a scarf or tallit, a kippah or hat, sunglasses or a baby toy — each with a helium heart balloon. The exhibit was heartbreaking and breathtaking.
The prayer vigil was anchored by Joynt’s warm welcome. The stories of hostages were brought to life by members of Temple Solel. Daniel Razon, our madrich (youth leader), narrated the stories of the two youngest hostages — siblings, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 10 months. Everyone was speechless. Temple Solel board member Perry Simons spoke about Gadi Moses, 79, a potato farmer and grandfather. VPC’s Chad Millar and Temple Solel Cantorial Soloist Todd Herzog sang the Les Miserable rendition of “Bring Him Home” as “Bring Them Home.” That was the emotional crescendo of the service. Not a dry eye in the 400 souls who filled the sanctuary seats. Standing as one community, we sang the Israeli national anthem, “Hatikvah.” We will carr y the afterglow from our interfaith collaboration and our Hanukkah lights as prayers of hope until each hostage is safely returned. El Na, Please God, Bring them home! JN
Pastor David Joynt, left, with Rabbi John Linder. COURTESY OF RABBI JOHN LINDER
The “Bring Them Home” exhibit at Temple Solel COURTESY OF RABBI JOHN LINDER
A NOTE ON OPINION
We are a diverse community. The views expressed in these opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of the officers and boards of the Jewish Community Foundation, Center for Jewish Philanthropy, Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, Cleveland Jewish Publication Company or the staff of the Jewish News. Letters must respond to content published by the Jewish News and should be a maximum of 200 words. They may be edited for space and clarity. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters and op-ed submissions should be sent to editor@jewishaz.com 10
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CHARITABLE GIVING
Creating solutions to keep people housed AMY SCHWABENLENDER | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
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PHOTO COURTESY OF DIZAIN - STOCK.ADOBE.COM
W I L L YO U G I V E T H E
hat do you see when you look at a homeless man or woman? I see a human being. Unfortunately, not everyone does. Many people only see the physical and all-too-often damaging impact of homelessness on those who may be unsheltered, and often tend to lump them into stereotypical imagery. That mental imagery is both unfair and unsettling because we are talking about men, women and young people who may be a mother, father, sister, brother, aunt or uncle. The reasons for homelessness are as diverse as those living on the streets, in their cars (sometimes with their kids) or bouncing from couch to couch. The reasons transcend race, ethnicity, age and education. The common denominator is that they are, as I’ve said, human beings: people struggling with situations that
for most of us are unimaginable. Adding to the myriad challenges surrounding homelessness are the many myths about the issue and specifically about those who are unsheltered. Deborah K. Padgett at New Amy Schwabenlender COURTESY OF AMY SCHWABENLENDER York University’s Silver School of Social Work upends common assumptions about substance abuse, mental illness and “bad choices.” Professor Padgett compiled the 12 biggest myths related to homelessness in America. Here is how she addresses those we hear most often in Arizona: SEE SOLUTIONS, PAGE 12
Wishing you a Happy Chanukah!
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SPECIAL SECTION CHARITABLE GIVING SOLUTIONS
"MANY PEOPLE ONLY SEE THE PHYSICAL AND ALL-TOO-OFTEN DAMAGING IMPACT OF HOMELESSNESS ON THOSE WHO MAY BE UNSHELTERED, AND OFTEN TEND TO LUMP THEM INTO STEREOTYPICAL IMAGERY."
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11
• The majority of homeless individuals abuse drugs and alcohol It is believed that only about 20% to 40% of homeless have a substance-abuse issue. In fact, substance abuse is rarely the sole cause of homelessness and more often is in response to it because living on the streets puts the person in frequent contact with users and dealers. • They’re dangerous and violent Homeless persons are far more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators. Of course, some homeless individuals may commit acts of violence beyond self-defense, but such acts rarely affect the non-homeless individuals they encounter. To put it another way, any violence by homeless persons is either self-defense or due to the rare violent perpetrator who preys on other homeless people. Non-homeless need to understand this.
AMY SCHWABENLENDER
interviewed by my research team — the complications of applying for a job with no address, no clean clothes, no place to shower and the stigma of being homeless (or having a criminal record), make such individuals far less competitive in the lowwage job market. Every day at the Human Services Campus in downtown Phoenix, we see first-hand the impact homelessness has on people. We believe firmly that homelessness is solvable, however, significant roadblocks stand in our way of achieving that ultimate goal.
• They just need to get a job A significant portion of homeless people do have jobs — they cannot afford to pay rent. Some receive disability income due to physical or mental problems but still cannot afford rent. For those wanting to work — a common refrain among those
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• In Maricopa County, for every person that our community places in housing, two more fall into homelessness. • The mind-boggling lack of affordable housing only exacerbates the difficulty in moving people from street to home. • The financial burden on nonprofits
like HSC and other nonprofit colleagues and organizations is growing as quickly as the number of people who are unsheltered. We know that specific one-time funding sources are either drying up or coming to an end. As money runs out for current mechanisms, like bridge housing — which uses motels to place individuals whose next step is permanent housing — hundreds of people could end up back on the streets. Motels and hotels are not permanent housing and lawsuits don’t solve homelessness. Today, more than 7,000 single adults experiencing homelessness are on the community list for housing. The title of Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern’s eye-opening, must-read book puts the issue directly in front of us: “Homelessness is a Housing Problem.” “Fixing” the housing problem will
take a lot of effort by all sectors and all communities. It also will take a long time. While we have a chance to stem the tide of people falling into homelessness, we must focus on findings ways to help people stay housed. And, we must provide shelter for those who are already homeless. And, we must keep pushing for creative ways for housing options. Of course, and this may be a bit crass, all that takes money. Multiple years of funding by organizations committed to long-term solutions is absolutely necessary. We must engage and collaborate with a very broad base of civic, business, social impact and other community leaders and agencies to develop long-term strategies and solutions to put an end to the burden and despair that homelessness creates. So, put aside the myths and preconceptions about homelessness and those human beings who are unsheltered. Every human being deserves housing. JN Amy Schwabenlender is the CEO of Human Services Campus, Inc., a 13-acre campus in downtown Phoenix where 15 agencies partner to provide wrap-around services to find ways to end homelessness for everyone. For more information, visit hsc-az.org.
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Sponsoring Israeli missiles doesn’t fly for everyone in a Facebook group for ‘Kosher Restaurant Foodies’ JACKIE HAJDENBERG | JTA
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lan Kornblum, the creator of the popular Facebook group Great Kosher Restaurant Foodies, has not been shy about marshaling the group’s 98,000 members in support of a charitable cause. The group, whose usual fodder focuses on the quality of food (and rabbinic certification) at kosher restaurants around the world, has mobilized in response to extreme weather events, community members’ medical expenses and to feed the hungry. In the days following Hamas’ Oct. 7 invasion of Israel, it sent boxes upon boxes of food to JFK Airport, to be loaded onto specially chartered flights to Tel Aviv. Five weeks later, though, the group erupted over another of Kornblum’s donations to Israel: an IDF artillery shell headed for Gaza that was scrawled with the text, “GKR Foodies stands with Israel.” Kornblum said he was able to get the message on the missile via a gift of $180 to an Israeli charity. “On behalf of the group, the IDF soldiers will be sending a present to Hamas tomorrow,” Kornblum wrote in a post on Nov. 12. “Specifically this 155 mm artillery shell. Yes, you can get writing on a missle [sic]. Jewish ingenuity at its finest — introducing the MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE CAMPAIGN!” Kornblum wrote that the money would go to purchase supplies for soldiers. The public post received more than 750 likes and was shared more than 60 times outside of the group. But not everyone agreed that it was a good idea. “I hate it,” one member said. Another replied to the post, “May Hashem have mercy on us all.” The discussion over the fundraiser, which spawned more than 200 comments, is an example of how debate over the Israel-Hamas war has seeped even into Jewish spaces that are meant to be a sanctuary from the sometimes all-consuming political discourse on social media. And, in a forum composed largely of observant Jews, who tend to be more centrist and right-wing, on average, than American Jewry at large, it threw the fault lines of communal discussion into stark relief. Some commenters objected to the fundraiser because they support a ceasefire — a calling-card of left-wing Jews. But even some who support Israel’s campaign in Gaza said they were uncomfortable with having the name of their Facebook group written on a weapon of war.
JEWISHAZ.COM
ONE IN SEVEN PHOENICIANS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY – YOU CAN HELP. A popular kosher food Facebook group became the latest battle scene for wartime ethics questions after a divisive post about missile messages tore the group apart for two days. SCREENSHOT VIA FACEBOOK
“If somebody said, ‘Do you consent to being part of this?’ I would have said, ‘absolutely not,’ and I would probably have a much stronger reaction,” said Daniel Saleman, a New Jersey-based accountant and member of Great Kosher Restaurant Foodies since 2015. “I had absolutely no say in it.” Great Kosher Restaurant Foodies isn’t the only social media operation to find itself dealing with matters of war and peace post-Oct. 7. Jewish influencers whose content does not typically center around Israel have found their roles shift over the past six weeks, as they feel compelled to use their platforms to weigh in on the war. “I feel a moral responsibility to speak about it, specifically because I don’t feel like anyone who is not Jewish does talk about it,” Morgan Raum, a Jewish food influencer with more than 150,000 followers on Instagram, told NBC News earlier this month. “If I’m not talking about it, who is?” The “Foodies” Facebook group was born from a print magazine, Great Kosher Restaurants, that has since become an online guide to kosher dining options. The Facebook group has 10 administrators, including Kornblum, along with one moderator, all of whom manage group membership, settings and posts. Many dissenters on Great Kosher Restaurant Foodies objected to the tone of the post. Saleman commented that the post was “in poor taste.” He added that because the post settings were public, it could be used as anti-Israel propaganda. Other commenters shared similar sentiments.
Comments on the post called it “very misguided and in terrible taste,” and “abhorrent and gut wrenching.” A member who said they were a parent of two Israeli soldiers wrote, “Let’s not glorify war, let’s not make light of the war that is being fought for our country and our people.” Another group member wrote, “This is one of the most horrific things I have ever seen. That a Jew would do this.” The backlash came quickly. Less than an hour after the post went up, Kornblum commented defending it. “I’ll say it again, IDF uses missles [sic] to destroy Hamas buildings and targets, it does not use it for civilians,” he wrote. “I can’t believe we need to explain that in this group.” As discussion on the post devolved from criticism of the campaign to personal attacks on group members, Kornblum shut down the comments section, one of his tools when conversation gets too negative. He reopened the comment feed the following morning, then closed it down again — after posting another comment defending the missile message, at least his fourth since publishing the post. “For the record, I’ll just note there are about 450 reactions on this post,” he wrote. “287 likes, 145 loves, 3 angry. We keep posts up dependent on what the group as a majority wants. I think the group has spoken. Thanks. Talk later.” Kornblum told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that he saw the donation as a standard way to demonstrate support for Israel at war — of a piece with the group’s other efforts.
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
“Being that we run the group and we stand behind Israel, this was my way of showing it,” Kornblum told JTA. He’s used the group’s name in other contexts such as deaths or lifecycle events, he said. “A lot of times I’ll say, ‘On behalf of the group, we send condolences,’ ‘We send mazel tov,’” he added. “So when I speak on behalf of the group, it’s myself and my company and the group. So I thought it was a nice message.” This is not the first time a message written on an Israeli rocket has spread online. On Oct. 29, the day after “Friends” co-star Matthew Perry died, an image of a rocket with the Hebrew message, “This one is for Chandler Bing,” appears to have first been shared on Instagram by comedian and digital creator Matan Zur, who is currently serving in the Israel Defense Forces. The image went viral when it was shared by Israeli tech blogger Hillel Fuld on X. That picture, too, generated backlash for making light of both the war and of Perry’s death. Writing messages on rockets is a tradition that dates back at least to World War II. American soldiers in a Black platoon in 1945 famously posed for a
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“I’M NOT AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT HOT TOPICS. WE DO IT A LOT. WE’VE SPOKEN ABOUT THE PRIDE PARADE AND WE’VE SPOKEN ABOUT BLM ON THE GROUP, WE’VE SPOKEN ABOUT, OBVIOUSLY, COVID.” ELAN KORNBLUM
picture with a basket of ammunition tagged with the words “Happy Easter Adolph.” Another famous photo from 1944 or 1945 shows Joseph Wald, who served in the Jewish Brigade of the British Army, holding an artillery shell bearing the Hebrew words “Gift for Hitler.” And over the course of the Ukraine war, a project similar to the Israeli campaign run through SignMyRocket.com was created by Ukrainian information technology student Anton Sokolenko. The initiative has raised nearly $1.7 million dollars and written more than 5,100 messages across a variety of weapons, according to its website. The donation page for the Israeli project, on the website of a charity called the Chesed Fund, says more than $12,000 has been raised for this particular
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fundraiser for IDF soldiers, which pays for protective gear. But the Chesed Fund did not respond to a JTA inquiry about the missile messages, and it isn’t clear from the webpage that having a message written on a missile is an option. To tag a missile, donors must first donate through the webpage and then call one of two U.S. phone numbers to relay the proposed text. The phone numbers do not appear on the Chesed Fund site, and the missile initiative has spread only through wordof-mouth and social media posts like Kornblum’s. Kornblum is unfazed by the debate over his post. He said this was not the first time discussion on the group has veered away from its namesake subject, kosher restaurants. He has no regrets, says he would write the same post again,
and added that if members left the group over the missile message, “that’s totally up to them, that’s OK.” “I’m not afraid to talk about hot topics,” he said. “We do it a lot. We’ve spoken about the Pride Parade and we’ve spoken about BLM on the group, we’ve spoken about, obviously, COVID.” Saleman, who objected to Kornblum’s post, agreed that discussion of the war wasn’t necessarily out of place in the Facebook group. “You can’t really separate Jewish culture and kosher food and Israel,” he said. “So obviously, as things are happening in Israel, it makes sense that there are definitely certain portions of the group that are kind of dedicated to that.” And he said he’d seen more contentious arguments between the group’s users — about condiments. “There’s definitely lots of controversy but it’s not this type of controversy,” Saleman said. “People can get very heated about charging for spicy mayo. And the people have probably gotten more heated about that than they did about the missile thing.” JN
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Sylvan Adams, philanthropist known for boosting cycling in Israel, gives $100M to help Ben-Gurion U after Oct. 7 DEBORAH DANAN | JTA
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anadian-Israeli businessman Sylvan Adams has donated $100 million to Ben-Gurion University as part of an ef for t to rebuild the south following the devastating Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, university officials announced at a benefit gala Sylvan Adams i n To r o n t o o n COURTESY OF CC 2.0/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Sunday, Dec. 3. “If we want the south to flourish after the Oct. 7 pogrom, we must invest in the south, beginning in its capital of Beersheba,” Adams told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on Dec. 4. Adams, a real estate magnate who moved to Israel in 2015, is perhaps best known for his support of cycling in Israel. He established the country’s first cycling institute and velodrome, created an eponymous commuter bike path in Tel Aviv and brought the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia competition to Israel in 2018 — at a personal cost of more than $20 million. He also owns the IsraelPremier Tech Cycling Team and won the world championship in cycling for his age group last year. Aside from cycling, Adams and his family foundation have also supported the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities; SpaceIL, Israel’s nonprofit space organization; and multiple medical centers in Israel. He also played a role in bringing pop star Madonna to the Eurovision song competition in Israel in 2019. He has given widely in his native
Canada, as well. The latest donation dwarfs any of that giving. The $100 million donation is the largest ever to an Israeli university and on par with some of the largest made to any university, matching splashy gifts that have been announced recently at Harvard and Duke universities in the United States. (The largest-ever gift to an American university was $1.8 billion to Johns Hopkins University in 2018, by Michael Bloomberg, the Jewish businessman and philanthropist who has also donated prolifically in Israel.) It will go to boost a university that lost 82 members of its community on Oct. 7, including students, staff, faculty and their family members, according to a statement released by the university. The university has 20,000 students enrolled and employs 6,700 staff, most of whom reside in the southern region. The funds will focus on six key areas, including the future of the Negev and Israel, technological advancements, climate change, sustainability and global health, BGU President Daniel Chamovitz told guests at the Negev Strong gala, which was hosted by the university’s Canadian fundraising arm, according to the statement. Describing BGU as Israel’s “most important university,” Adams cited its research in several sustainability arenas, including water management, solar energy, desert ecology and climate change solutions — especially through its campus at Sde Boker, the desert kibbutz that was the retirement home of the country’s first prime minister and the university’s namesake.
“ONE OF OUR RESPONSES TO THE TERRIBLE OCT. 7 ATTACK AND THE RISE OF LIES ABOUT ISRAEL AND ANTISEMITISM AROUND THE WORLD MUST BE TO DEDICATE OURSELVES TO JEWISH VALUES AS A FORCE FOR GOOD.” SYLVAN ADAMS
Adams pointed to David Ben-Gurion as someone who “understood that the Negev is the beating heart of Israel.” “One of our responses to the terrible Oct. 7 attack and the rise of lies about Israel and antisemitism around the world must be to dedicate ourselves to Jewish values as a force for good,” Adams told JTA. “We build, while Hamas destroys. We teach our children to love, while they teach theirs hatred.” The donation marks a significant investment in the future of Israel’s southern region and is seen as a beacon of
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hope and renewal after Oct. 7, according to Mitchell Oelbaum, president of BenGurion University Canada. It comes as the country has a strengthened attachment to the region and as the mounting costs of war leave open questions about how prepared the Israeli government can be to make unrelated new investments in the near future. “Our students, staf f and faculty persevered in the face of one of our country’s darkest moments,” Oelbaum said. “This gift comes at the perfect time for renewal.” JN
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SPECIAL SECTION HOME SERVICES
Remodeling vs. redecorating: Determining the best option for you ROSIE ROMERO, JR. AND SUSAN STEIN KREGAR | COLUMNISTS
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re you tired of looking at the same entertainment unit? Feeling a little claustrophobic in a bunch of small rooms? Seeking more open space? Maybe it’s time to refresh your spaces or remodel your home. But how do you know the one that’s right for you? You’ll know it’s time to remodel when: You want to change the way you use the space. For example, if you don’t have enough closets, transform an unused bedroom next to the primary bedroom into a dressing area. Knock down the non-loadbearing wall between them to enlarge the room and add a bounty of closet space. Perhaps you want to replace your traditional oven with a wall-mounted double oven, but the appliances, counters and kitchen sink will need to be moved. Pro tip: Don’t try to force your new oven into a space that will make it inconvenient to use. You’re thinking about selling your home in the next five years. Remodeling, especially the kitchen, can add value to your home. You could have difficulty selling it if your kitchen and bathrooms look tired and dated. Upgrade the countertops, floors, appliances and lighting. Remove the popcorn ceilings. Pro tip: Hire an asbestos abatement professional to remove the popcorn ceiling. Your appliances and fixtures cost more to operate than they should. If your house is more than 20 years old, with the original toilets, sinks, water heater, refrigerator and washing machine, it’s time to replace them. New models are much more energy efficient and use much
toilet and sink with taller versions so you don’t have to bend far or lower the sink if you’d like to use them while seated. Your children have moved out, and your house seems too big. How about converting your unused formal dining room to a first-floor bedroom so you don’t have to climb the stairs every night? Turn one of the kids’ bedrooms into a craft room or an upstairs laundry room.
An updated kitchen appeals to potential home buyers.
COURTESY OF REMODEL WORKS/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
REMODELING, ESPECIALLY THE KITCHEN, CAN ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME. YOU COULD HAVE DIFFICULTY SELLING IT IF YOUR KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS LOOK TIRED AND DATED. less water. You will see a return on your investment in lower utility bills. Replace showerheads, faucets, the dishwasher and anything that uses electricity or water that is more than 15 years old. Trade leaky, single-pane windows for more efficient double-pane models and watch your air conditioning bill drop. Your home’s finishes and surfaces are worn out, cracked or dirty beyond repair. A 40-year-old house with the original shower tile probably has some mold behind the walls. Cracked or falling tiles could be covering damaged drywall. If
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your cabinet doors are scratched and dented, and the linoleum on the floor is curled at the corners, it’s time for a change. You’re getting older and hope to stay in your home as long as possible. To do that, you may need some modifications. A remodeler can widen doorways for wheelchair and walker access, remove the curb that forces you to step up to get into the shower and reinforce the walls in the bathroom so you can add grab bars. Consider replacing the
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Susan Kregar is staff writer and Rosie Romero, Jr. is co-owner of Arizona’s home improvement radio program “Rosie on the House.” For more information, visit rosieonthehouse.com.
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You’re tired of what you have. Your home is your castle, after all. If you don’t love it, you won’t enjoy spending time there. If the space doesn’t function how you want, if you have too little space, if the layout isn’t appealing or if you struggle to use the kitchen or bathroom, add a remodeling project to your to-do list. If you are happy with the layout and structure of your home, rearrange and update the furniture. Refresh the paint. Remove the old carpeting and add wood or tile flooring. There are many ways to refresh a home without the expense and time of a remodel. JN
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JEWISH NEWS
JEWISHAZ.COM
COMMUNITY
A warm Thanksgiving welcome to America
Smile for the camera!
Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, pictured in white shirt, president and dean of Valley Beit Midrash, hosted migrants and asylum seekers from Colombia and Venezuela at his home for Thanksgiving. Eddie Chavez Calderon, Arizona Jews for Justice’s campaign manager, also attended and is pictured far right.
Pictured from left are Elaine Kates, Michael Kates, Nancy Mendelsohn, Dale Sachs, Danny Schneider and Nancy Schneider. The group of friends took a moment for a photo as they enjoyed the Smile on Seniors benefit on Nov. 19. COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS
COURTESY OF EDDIE CHAVEZ CALDERON
Visiting city with a happy and sad Jewish past Native Arizonan and Greater Phoenix Jewish community stalwart Barbara Lewkowitz traveled to Portugal this fall and visited Coimbra, a city that was a major center of Jewish population until the forced conversions of 1497. Lewkowitz, left, pictured with Gabriela Cantergi, a Jewish resident of Coimbra. COURTESY OF BARBARA LEWKOWITZ
Concert for Israel On Thursday, Nov. 30, Beth El Phoenix held a chamber concert to benefit the victims of the devastating Oct. 7 attack on Israel. This event was largely organized by Daniel Stein Kokin and raised nearly $5,000. The funds will be shared between the Israeli charity Lev Echad and the residents of Kibbutz Be’eri. Pictured from left are pianist Cameron Grant, violinist Moshe Bukshpan, pianist Olga Gorelik and clarinetist Erin Finkelstein. COURTESY OF BETH EL PHOENIX
May the light dispel the darkness On Monday, Dec. 4, Temple Kol Ami Rabbi Jeremy Schneider spoke about the story of Chanukah at the request of Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, the same morning she lit the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Executive Tower. Schneider was asked in his capacity as the president of the Greater Phoenix Board of Rabbis. He spoke about the miracle of the oil and offered prayers. Todd Herzog, Temple Solel’s cantorial soloist, sang a Chanukah song. Pictured from left: Todd Herzog, Governor Katie Hobbs and Rabbi Jeremy Schneider. COURTESY OF RABBI JEREMY SCHNEIDER JEWISHAZ.COM
This COMMUNITY page features photos of community members around the Valley and the world. Submit photos and details each week to editor@jewishaz.com by 10 a.m. Monday.
JEWISH NEWS
DECEMBER 15, 2023
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CALENDAR
Featured Event SUNDAY, DEC. 24 Mazelpalooza 2023: 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Address provided upon registration. Join NowGen for the biggest gathering of Jewish young adults in Arizona as they throw it back to the 90s for a night of nostalgia, music and fun. Cost: $18. For more information, visit phoenixcjp.ticketspice.com/mazelpalooza-2023.
COURTESY OF BULLSEYE VIDEO & PHOTO VIA JEWISHPHOENIX.COM
For an updated listing of events and resources for supporting Israel, visit JewishPhoenix.com Events SATURDAY, DEC. 16 Jewish Community Night at ZooLights: 5:30-9 p.m. Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. Join the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix for an evening at the Phoenix Zoo enjoying its holiday light display, activities and entertainment for all ages. Online registration has closed, please email engagement@ phoenixcjp.org for information on ways you can still participate in the community-wide celebration. SUNDAY, DEC. 17 Israeli Film Series: Online. Join the East Valley Jewish Community Center for “The Boy,” a 2023 short film about a father and son living on a kibbutz, is shown in memory of its filmmaker, Yahav Winner, who was murdered on Oct. 7 during the Hamas attack on Israel. All donations from the film will be going to his family. Additional short films will also be available to screen on Dec. 17: “Sirens,” “Asa Turns 13” and “Dear God.” Cost: Free. For more information, visit evjcc.org/film/. TUESDAY, DEC. 19 Holiday Toy Wrapping: 5-7p.m. Location provided upon RSVP. Join Arizona Jews for Justice to wrap toys for migrant, Native American and foster children. More more information, contact arizonajews4justice@gmail.com. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 20 Special Israeli Dance Session: 7 p.m. (beginners), 8 p.m. (open session). Temple Beth Shalom of the East Valley, 3400 N. Dobson Road, Chandler. Join TBSEV for some Israeli dancing. Everyone is welcome, from teens to seniors, beginners to experts. Cost: Free for TBSEV members; $6 non members. For more information, visit tbsev.org. THURSDAY, DEC. 21 Radical Jewish Views of God: Maimonides vs Spinoza: 1 p.m. Online. Join Valley Beit Midrash for a virtual event presentation by Rabbi Micah Streiffer, founder of LAASOK, a virtual Beit Midrash that empowers liberal Jewish learners to deepen their connection with Judaism through study. Cost: $18. For more information, visit valleybeitmidrash.org. “The Red Balcony:” A Novel: 2 p.m. Online. Join the Arizona Jewish Historical Society for an online book discussion of “The Red Balcony” by author Jonathan Wilson, led by Jennie and Michael Kronenfeld. Cost: Free. For more information, visit azjhs.org/red. SUNDAY, DEC. 24 Board Game Sunday: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. Join Beth El for an afternoon of playing board games with the community. Feel free to bring your own game. For more information, visit bethelphoenix.com. 18
DECEMBER 15, 2023
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JAN. 5-7 Poppy Drive: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mesa Market Place, 10550 E. Baseline Road, Mesa. Volunteers from Jewish War Veterans Copper State Post 619 will be conducting a poppy drive. For more information, contact Elliott Reiss at ElliottBarb@q.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.
Maintaining an Upbeat Attitude: 7 p.m. Online. A class exclusively for people in their 20s and 30s, learn how Jewish Mysticism can help with your attitude with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov. Cost: Free. Use this link: JewishParadiseValley.com/YJPclass. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.
FRIDAY, JAN. 5 Why is Government so Dysfunctional?: 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Biltmore, 2630 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. Join Brandeis National Committee Phoenix Chapter for its University on Wheels program featuring guest speaker Dr. Zachary Albert, professor of politics at Brandeis University. Cost: $54 per person. For more information, visit brandeisphoenix. org/uow-2024.html.
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.
WEDNESDAYS History of the Jews: 11 a.m. Online. Learn the Jewish journey from Genesis to Moshiach with Rabbi Ephraim Zimmerman. Cost: Free. Use this link: zoom.us/j/736434666. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.
MONDAYS 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/.
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.
SUNDAY, JAN. 7 JKids and Teens Expo: 12-3 p.m. Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join Shalom Phoenix for an expo featuring opportunities for kids and teens including summer camps, schools, enrichment programming, Israel experiences and more. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jewishphoenix.com/events/ save-the-date-jkids-and-teens-expo-2024. SUNDAYS B.A.G.E.L.S: 9-11 a.m.; last Sunday of the month. Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Grab a bagel and a cup of coffee at Bagels And Gabbing Every Last Sunday and enjoy some time with your friends and make new ones. You must register to attend. Bagels and coffee will be provided. Cost: Free for members, $5 for guests. For more information and to register, visit vosjcc.org. THURSDAYS Storytime at Modern Milk: 9:30 a.m. Modern Milk, 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, #163, Scottsdale. Storytime for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Integrates children’s books and songs while giving parents new ideas for play. Cost: $5. For more information and to register, visit modernmilk.com/after-baby.
Meetings, Lectures & Classes SUNDAYS Chassidus Class: 9 a.m. Online. Learn about the Chasidic movement with Rabbi Yossi Friedman. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Jewish War Veterans Post 210: 10 a.m. Online. Any active duty service member or veteran is welcome to join monthly meetings, every third Sunday. Cost: Free. For more information, email Michael Chambers at c365michael@yahoo.com.
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.
JEWISH NEWS
Happiness Hour: 11:30 a.m. Online. Class taught by Rabbi Pinchas Allouche that delves into texts and references culled from our traditions to address a relevant topic. For more information or to join, visit cbtvirtualworld.com. Torah Study with Chabad: 12 p.m. Online. Take a weekly journey of Torah with Rabbi Yossi Levertov. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Lunch & Learn: 12:15 p.m. Online. Grab some food and learn with Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin. Cost: Free. Get Zoom link by emailing info@chabadtucson.com. For more information, visit chabadtucson.com. The Thirteen Petalled Rose: 1 p.m. Online. Kabbalah class that studies “The Thirteen Petalled Rose” by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, focusing on the many concepts of Kaballah and Jewish Mysticism and applying them to everyday life. For more information or to join, visit cbtvirtualworld.com. JACS: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Online. Zoom support group for Jewish alcoholics, addicts and their friends and family on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Cost: Free. For more information, email jacsarizona@gmail.com or call 602-692-1004. THURSDAYS Ladies Torah & Tea: 10:30 a.m. Online. Learn about the women of the Torah with Mrs. Leah Levertov. Cost: Free. Use this link: ourjewishcenter.com/virtual. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Talmud - Maakos: 11 a.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov. Cost: Free. Use this link: JewishParadiseValley.com/YJPclass. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. JEWISHAZ.COM
CALENDAR 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.
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.
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.
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.
The Science of Everything: 4 p.m. Online. Explore the most fundamental work of Chassidut: the Tanya, with Rabbi Boruch. Cost: Free. Use this link: zoom. us/j/736434666. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Teen Discussions: 7-8:30 p.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Tzvi Rimler. Cost: Free. Use this link: cteen.clickmeeting.com/east-valley. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. 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.
Kabbalat Shabbat and/or Shabbat morning service: 6:30 p.m.; 10 a.m.; dates vary. Congregation Kehillah, 5858 E. Dynamite Blvd., Cave Creek. Join Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman and cantorial soloists Erica Erman and Scott Leader either in person or via Zoom. For safety reasons, please register ahead of time. For dates, visit congregationkehillah.org/event/. Register by emailing info@congregationkehillah.org. Third Friday Shabbat: 7-9 p.m. Group meets at a North Scottsdale location. The Desert Foothills Jewish Community Association hosts a Shabbat service followed by a program. Contact Andrea at 480-664-8847 for more information.
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 Services with Sun Lakes: 7 p.m. Sun Lakes Chapel, 9240 E. Sun Lakes Blvd. North, Sun Lakes. Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation conducts services on the second Friday of the month. For more information, contact 480-612-4413.
Shabbat
Shabbat Services with Beth Ami Temple: 7 p.m. Gloria Christi Federated Church, 3535 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley. Rabbi Alison Lawton and Cantorial Soloist Michael Robbins lead Shabbat services twice a month. For more information, visit bethamitemple.org.
FRIDAYS Shabbat in the Park: 10-11 a.m. Cactus Park, 7202 E. Cactus Road, Scottsdale. Join the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix monthly for music, parachute play, crafts and a family Shabbat experience. For more information, visit bjephoenix.org. Welcome Shabbat: 11-11:30 a.m. Online. Celebrate Shabbat with the JFCS Virtual Center for Senior Enrichment. Each week a different guest host will lead the program with song and celebration. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse. Shabbat at Beth El: 11-11:45 a.m. Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale. Ave., Phoenix. Celebrate Shabbat with songs, blessings and teachings with Rabbi Stein Kokin the first Friday of every month. Special guests will be welcoming Shabbat during the remainder of the month. For more information or to join, visit bethelphoenix.com. Erev Shabbat Service: 5:30 p.m. Online. Rabbi Alicia Magal will lead a service livestreamed for members of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley. Cost: Free. For more information and to obtain the Zoom link, visit jcsvv.org/contact. Shabbat Services: 5:30 p.m. nosh, 6:15 p.m. service; morning service has varying dates and times. Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. For more information, contact Joan Neer at jneer@templechai.com. Pre-Shabbat Kiddush Club: 6 p.m. Online. Say Kiddush with Rabbi Mendy Levertov. Cost: Free. Use this link: ourjewishcenter. com/virtual. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.
JEWISHAZ.COM
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/.
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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JEWISHAZ.COM MILESTONES BAR MITZVAH MAXWELL TYLER RUNNING Maxwell Tyler Running will become a bar mitzvah on Jan. 13, 2024, at Temple Solel in Paradise Valley. He is the son of Lynn and Clifford Running of Phoenix. Maxwell’s grandparents are the late Arthur Ehrenreich; the late Sue and Jack Koslow; Theresa Ehrenreich of Paradise Valley; the late Susan Running and Dr. Cliff H. Running. A student at Madison Traditional Academy, Maxwell loves playing golf, tennis, baseball and being active in his Boy Scout troop. JN
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.
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.
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.
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.
Seniors
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.
FRIDAYS Welcome Shabbat: 11-11:30 a.m. Online. Celebrate Shabbat with the JFCS Virtual Center for Senior Enrichment. Each week a different guest host will lead the program with song and celebration. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse.
BAT MITZVAH MELISSA JOY BROWN Melissa Joy Brown will become a bat mitzvah on Jan. 6, 2024, at Congregation Or Tzion. She is the daughter of Risa and Mike Brown of Scottsdale. Melissa’s grandparents are Barry and Barbara Zemel of Paradise Valley. For her mitzvah project, Melissa is volunteering her time at Puppy Luv Animal Rescue as well as collecting donated items needed for the shelter. A student at Desert Shadows Middle School, Melissa enjoys softball, parkour, guitar and hanging out with her friends. JN
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.
JEWISH NEWS
NAOMI ROSE SABRAW Naomi Rose Sabraw will become a bat mitzvah on Jan. 20, 2024, at Temple Solel. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Jennifer Sabraw of Scottsdale. For her mitzvah project, Naomi is collecting and assembling art kits for younger clients at Jewish Family & Children’s Service. A student at Rancho Solano Preparatory School, Naomi enjoys dance, rock climbing and reading. JN DECEMBER 15, 2023
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40-CLASS SERIES 40 Great Philosophers & what they mean for Judaism! Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz Tuesdays @ 10 am MT
Radical Jewish Views of God: Maimonides vs Spinoza
When “The Hands of Esau” replace “Love the Stranger”: The Corruption of Jewish Power
Rabbi Micah Streiffer Thursday, December 21, 2023 @ 1 pm MT
Food, Clothing, and Shelter: Human Rights or Charity? Rabbi Shlomo Levin Thursday, January 18, 2024 @ 1 pm MT
translation and commentaries on the strangest book of the Hebrew Bible
Rabbi Dr. Aubrey Glazer Wednesday, January 24, 2024 @ 1 pm MT
Why Should Jews Care About a New Interpretation of the (Christian) “Apostle” Paul?
Rav Sarah Mulhern
Dr. Mark Nanos
Thursday, February 8, 2024 @ 1 pm MT
Thursday, February 15, 2024 @ 1 pm MT
Present: Jews in a NonJewish World Dara Horn Monday, March 11, 2024 @ 7 pm PT IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL
Talmudic Tort Law:
Thursday, December 28, 2023 @ 10 am MT
How Can Qohelet Quell the Curious Mind? An exploration of a new
Standing Out or Blending In? Passing vs. Looking Jewish in Texts and Today
Hammerman Family Lecture: In the Haunted
Rabbi Avidan Freedman
Dr. Boris Draznin
Thursday, April 11, 2024 @ 10 am PT
Thursday, April 18, 2024 @ 1 pm PT
Patient Centered: Compassion, Kindness & Dignity
Rabbi Dr. Gil Gershon and Dr. Shirli Regev Thursday, May 9, 2024 @ 1 pm PT
Pursuing Peace & Truth: Healing through Torah Learning!
Rabbi David Kasher, Dr. Julie Lieber & Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz Sunday, June 2, 2024 @ 10 am MT IN-PERSON IN DENVER
SHERMAN MINKOFF MEMORIAL LECTURE:
The Primacy of Morality over Ritual in the Prophets
Mistreating Widows and Orphans: Whom does this law address?
Rabbi Sharon Brous
Rabbi Dr. Jeremiah Unterman
Rabbi Dr. Martin Lockshin
Thursday, February 29, 2024 @ 10 am MT
Thursday, March 7, 2024 @ 10 am MT
Rabbi Mike Feuer Thursday, May 16, 2024 @ 7 pm PT IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL
Rabbi Edward Bernstein Thursday, May 16, 2024 @ 1 pm PT
Rabbi Chaim SeidlerFeller Thursday, June 6, 2024 @ 1 pm PT
Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz
Thursday, March 28, 2024 @ 1 pm PT
Thursday, April 4, 2024 @ 1pm PT
This Antisemitic Moment on the College Campus: An Analysis of the
Hostility and Hatred Directed at Jewish Students
Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller Thursday, May 2, 2024 @ 1 pm PT
Thursday, April 25, 2024 @ 10 am PT
and Opportunities in Honoring Our Parents As They Age
the Ethics of Judaism
Rabbi Marc Gitler
Rabbanit Sharona Halickman
What is heroism for American Jews today?
Women’s Empowerment = Jewish Empowerment
Daniel: Who was he, and his importance to diaspora Jewry
How were women the heroines of the Passover story and what rituals have we taken on to honor them?
Beyond Cleaning Our Room: Responsibilities
Sovereignty, Violence and Morality: Zionism and
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 @ 7 pm - 8:30 pm MT IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL
Thursday, March 21, 2024 @ 10 am PT
Dr. Avishalom Westreich
Thursday, January 11, 2024 @ 1 pm MT
Rabbi David Kasher
Dr. Nadav Shifman Berman
How History and Genetics Define Jewish Diversity and Identity
Thursday, January 4, 2024 @ 1 pm MT
Thursday, February 1, 2024 @ 1 pm MT
New Perspectives on the Old Notion of ‘Dat’ in the Scroll of Esther
Between Corrective Justice and Distributive Justice
Maggid Jim Brulé
Dr. Adele Reinhartz
Is Judaism a Religion?
Thursday, March 14, 2024 @ 1 pm PT
Dr. David Sanders
Eye for an Eye for an Eye: The Poetics of Jewish Law
Thursday, February 22, 2024 @ 7 pm MT IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL
Rabbi Dr. Yehuda Mirsky
The Healing Power of Storytelling
Jews, Judaism, and antiJudaism in the Gospel of John
Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World
Liberalism’s Crises in Israel, and Elsewhere
Introduction to Dreams and Kabbalah
Our Relationship to Time Reflected in the Counting of The Omer
Embracing Impermanence for Mindful Living
Dr. David Sanders
Melanie Gruenwald
Thursday, May 23, 2024 @ 1 pm PT
Thursday, May 30, 2024 @ 1 pm PT
What’s A Nice Jewish Girl Like You Doing In A Place Like This? Jews,
Putting Your Money Where Your Soul Is:
Prison and Spirituality
Jewish Wisdom and Socially Responsible Investing
Dr. Elaine Leeder
Rabbi Jacob Siegel
Thursday, June 20, 2024 @ 1 pm PT
Thursday, June 27, 2024 @ 1 pm PT
How do we remain optimistic and resilient in these troubling times? Dr. Russ Linden Thursday, July 11, 2024 @ 1 pm PT
Ruach Hamidbar
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DECEMBER 15, 2023
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