Featured Event

SUNDAY, MARCH 14

Jewish communities in Asia: 2 p.m. Beth Ami Temple of Paradise Valley will host a virtual lecture about several of Asia’s unique Jewish communities. The 90-minute fundraising event will be presented by Dan Fellner, a seven-time Fulbright fellow, travel writer and faculty associate at Arizona State University. Fellner’s presentation will take the audience on a virtual — and highly visual — journey to explore Jewish life and history in such fascinating places as Shanghai, Thailand, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Japan and Myanmar. Cost: $25 per Zoom link. For more information, contact Elyssa Schneider at 602-433-1617 or eschneider4@cox.net.

Events

Pick up a Haggadah: Need a Passover Haggadah? Robin Meyerson, co-director of Project Inspire Arizona and chair of the Shabbos Project Arizona, has collected donated Haggadot for anybody who needs one. They are in a box outside of her house available to be picked up. Cost: Free. Email Meyerson at robin@projectinspireaz.com for her address.

FRIDAY, MARCH 5

Humanity at a Crossroads: 10 a.m. The Arizona Jewish Historical Society will host a virtual presentation by Zumret Dawut about the persecution of Uyghur Muslims by the government of Communist China. Dawut is an internment camp survivor. Following her presentation, Dawut will be on a panel with Holocaust survivor Oskar Knoblauch to discuss the similarities and differences between their experiences. Cost: Free. Registration is required. Visit azjhs.org/ humanity-at-a-crossroads.

SUNDAY, MARCH 14

Live Music at the J: 2 p.m. Come outside the J for an afternoon concert featuring music and samplings from the String Quartet canon. We will be socially-distanced while sitting outside and wearing masks. Space is limited so register now. Cost: $30 for members, $45 for guests. Location: 12701 N. Scottsdale Road. For more information, visit apm.activecommunities.com/ valleyofthesunjcc.

Virtual Meetings, Lectures & Classes

THURSDAY, MARCH 4

Great American Songbook: 11 a.m. Pianist Nicole Pesce returns with another delightful edition of the Great American Songbook on Zoom, featuring classic songs with a tip of the hat to the Irish. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 7

Book discussion: 6 p.m. Join Sharsheret for an inside look into “Pretty Is What Changes: Impossible Choices, the Breast Cancer Gene, and How I Defied My Destiny,” an acclaimed memoir written by the Executive Producer and Showrunner of CW’s Supergirl, Jessica Queller. The book chronicles Jessica’s journey of inheriting the BRCA1 mutation from her mother. Cost: Free, donations optional. For more information, visit sharsheret.org/event/ sharsherets-national-book-club.

MONDAY, MARCH 8

Cancel Culture and Online Shaming: 11 a.m. Tune in for a Valley Beit Midrash presentation by Rabbanit Karen Miller Jackson called, “If Rashi had Facebook.” As shaming and cancel culture become more prevalent, explore what relevant guidelines can be found in Jewish law and thought. Cost: $18. For more information, visit valleybeitmidrash.org/ event/if-rashi-had-facebook/.

TUESDAY, MARCH 9

Blast from the Past: 11 a.m-noon. Explore 1939 with Arizona’s Hip Historian Marshall Shore. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 11

The Art of Illusion: 11 a.m. Take a look at the way artists working in two dimensions try to fool us into thinking we are seeing in three dimensions. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org.

Sisterhood meeting: 1 p.m. Tune into the next meeting of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation Sisterhood using Zoom. The guest speaker will be Jackie Wheeler, owner of JackieStyle — Image and Branding Agency. Sisterhood members will receive an email with the link for the Zoom meeting. For more information, call Carol Biales at 480-895-3168 or Janey Burnce at 480-895-4815.

TUESDAY, March 16

Yiddish Club: 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Share the warmth and humor of Yiddish online with Rabbi Laibel Blotner. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org.

Women in Comedy, A Subversive History: 2 p.m. The Center for Senior Enrichment, under the auspices of Jewish Family & Children’s Service is offering a new look at the often-overlooked gender in comedyfemales. "Women in Comedy: A Subversive History" will be presented via Zoom. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17

Begged and Borrowed: 1 p.m. The Celtic music duo will perform live online for a St. Patty’s Day Celebration, complete with Celtic harp, flute, whistles and Irish bouzouki. Cost: Free. For more information, visit seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 18

Tea for Three: 11 a.m. A Betty Ford monologue online featuring Kandyce Hughes will kick off a new monthly series featuring actors from the Herberger Theater. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 23

FRIDA KAHLO: 11 a.m. As part of the Jane Przelica Presentation Series, learn via Zoom about Frida Kahlo, who is considered one of the great artists of the 20th century. Cost: Free. For more information, visit seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 30

Lady in Gold: 11 a.m.-noon. Thanks to the 2015 movie “Woman in Gold,” the portrait of Viennese socialite Adele Bloch-Bauer painted by Gustav Klimt in 1907, has become famous. Learn the stories the painting tells via Zoom. Cost: Free. For more information, visit seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org.

MONDAYS

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

Ethics of Our Fathers: 7 p.m. Learn with Rabbi Zalman Levertov online. Tune in at: bit.ly/2Y0wdgv. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Quotable Quotes by our Sages: 7 p.m. Learn with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov online. Tune in at: JewishParadiseValley.com/class. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Learning to Trust in God: 7:30 p.m. Learn with Rabbi Yossi Friedman online. Tune in at: ChabadAZ.com/LiveClass. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Torah & Tea: 7:30 p.m. Learn with Rabbi Yossie Shemtov online. Cost: Free. For more information, visit Facebook.com/ ChabadTucson.

MONDAYS, JAN. 25 - MARCH 1

The Writings and Wisdom of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Z’L: 12:15-1:30 p.m. A Bureau of Jewish Education course taught by Andre Ivory. Rabbi Sacks, who passed away recently, possessed a world of wisdom which crossed denominational lines. Cost: $98. For more information, visit bjephoenix.org.

TUESDAYS Keep Calm and Play Mahjong: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Play mahjong from home with myjongg.net. Cost: Free. To join a table, email Nicole at nicoleg@vosjcc.org.

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

39 Ways to Repair the World: In celebration of Rabbi Shmuly’s 39th birthday, he is teaching the 39 melachot over the year (1 per week for 39 weeks). Each session will be between 15-20 minutes long on Tuesdays. Cost: Suggested $18 donation. For more information, visit valleybeitmidrash.org.

TUESDAYS, FEB. 16 - MARCH 9

Beginner’s Guide to Kabbalah: 10-11 a.m. A Bureau of Jewish Education course taught by Rabbi Laibel Blotner. Explore the inspiring and meaningful guide to Jewish mysticism. Cost: $60. For more information, visit bjephoenix.org.

TUESDAYS, JAN. 12 - MAY 25

Introduction to Judaism: 7-9 p.m. Learn the basics of Judaism with Rabbi Stein Kokin.

For more information or to register, visit bethelphoenix.com/adult-education.

WEDNESDAYS

Happiness Hour: 11:30 a.m. An online class taught by Rabbi Pinchas Allouche that delves into texts and references culled from our traditions to address a relevant topic and draw uplifting life lessons from it. For more information or to join, visit cbtvirtualworld.com.

The Thirteen Petalled Rose: 1 p.m. An online Kabbalah class that studies “The Thirteen Petalled Rose” by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, focusing on the many foundational and transformational 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. virtual 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.

Torah Studies: Noon. Take a weekly journey to the soul of Torah online with Rabbi Yossi Levertov. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz,com

Lumch & Learn: Noon. Grab some food and learn online with Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin. Cost: Free. Tune in at: Facebook.com/ ChabadTucson. For more information, visit chabadaz.com

Words & Whiskey: 8:30 p.m. Join a free weekly, virtual learning session for men. To RSVP, email rmollenaz@gmail.com or call/text 310-709-3901.

Knit a Mitzvah: 1-3 p.m. On the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, check in with fellow knitters who are making items to donate as part of this Brandeis National Committee Phoenix chapter study group. For more information, contact Ronee Siegel at ronees@aol.com.

WEDNESDAYS, FEB. 3 - MARCH 10

Journey of the Soul: 7 p.m. Join Rabbi Mendel of the Jewish Learning Center for a new six-session course by the acclaimed Rohr Jewish Learning Institute that will answer a question which has occurred to every self-reflective person: What happens when we die? For more information or to register, contact Rabbi Mendel Vaisfiche at rabbimendel@chabadofscottsdale.org.

WEDNESDAYS, FEB. 3 - APRIL 7

The Lights of Rav Kook: 11 a.m. Learn the foundational roots of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook’s teachings and the soaring winds of his vision. Cost: $18. For more information, visit valleybeitmidrash.org.

THURSDAYS

Ladies Torah & Tea: 10:30 a.m. Learn about the women of the Torah with Mrs. Leah Levertov online. Cost: Free. Tune in at: ourjewishcenter.com/virtual. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Talmud - Maakos: 11 a.m. Learn with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov. Cost: Free. Tune in at: JewishParadiseValley.com/YJPclass. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

The Science of Everything: 11:00 a.m. Explore the most fundamental work of Chassidut: the Tanya, with Rabbi Boruch. Cost: Free. Tune in at: zoom.us/j/736434666. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Teen Discussions: 7-8:30 p.m. Learn with Rabbi Tzvi Rimler online, Cost: Free. Tune in at: cteen.clickmeeting.com/east-valley. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

THURSDAYS,

JAN. 14 - MARCH 25

Israel and the Middle East Through the Lens of Ever-Changing Events in the US, Israel and the Middle East: 12:30 -2 p.m. A Bureau of Jewish Phoenix course taught by Meir Jolovitz. An examination of the implications of the election and current events. Cost: $130. For more information or to register, visit bjephoenix.org/courses/ available-courses.

SATURDAYS

Saturday Mindfulness Gatherings: 9:30 a.m. Hosted by Hospice of the Valley. Join via Zoom. For more information and event link, visit vosjcc.org/j-at-home-adults.

SUNDAYS

Soul Study: 7:15 a.m. An online class exploring the secrets of the Tanya and Jewish mysticism, taught by Rabbi Pinchas Allouche. Cost: Free.

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

Chassidus Class: 9 a.m. Learn about the of the Chassidic movement with Rabbi Yossi Friedman. Cost: Free. Tune in using this link: ChabadAZ.com/LiveClass. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Passover Q&A: 7:30 p.m. Have a question related to Passover? Ask it here with Rabbi Mendy Levertov. Cost: Free. Tune in using this link: ourjewishcenter.com/virtual. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

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

Shabbat

FRIDAYS

Pre-Shabbat Kiddush Club: 6 p.m. Say kiddush with Rabbi Mendy levertov online. Cost: Free. Tune in here: ourjewishcenter. com/virtual. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Shabbat at Beth El: 11-11:45 a.m. Celebrate Shabbat with songs, blessings and inspirational teachings. Rabbi Stein Kokin from Beth El Congregation will lead us 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.

Welcome Shabbat: 11-11:45 a.m. Join the JFCS Virtual Center for Senior Enrichment each Friday for a soothing and inspiring program to welcome Shabbat. Each week a different guest host will lead the program with song and celebration. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse.

EVERY THIRD FRIDAY, JAN. 15-DEC. 31

Third Friday Shabbat: 7- 8 p.m. The Desert Foothills Jewish Community Association hosts a virtual abbreviated Shabbat service followed by a program. Contact Andrea at 480-664-8847 for more information.

Seniors

MONDAYS

Dance Fusion with Michele Dionisio: 11 a.m.-noon. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse.

Featured Presentation: 12:30 p.m. 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 full details visit sosaz.org/ virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at levi@sosaz.org.

TUESDAYS

Brain Games with Friends: 2-3 p.m. Challenge your brains while having fun. Experts believe that active learning helps maintain brain health by preventing loss of cognitive skills such as memory, reasoning and judgment. For more information or to register, visit vosjcc.org/j-at-home-adults.

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

WEDNESDAYS

Chair Yoga with Zoe: 11-11:45 a.m. A guided class in yoga without having to get down on the floor. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse.

FRIDAYS, JAN. 15-MARCH 5

Wise Aging: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. A Bureau of Jewish Education course taught by Nan Pollinger. Wise Aging is designed specifically to meet the social, emotional and spiritual needs of Jewish seekers entering second adulthood. Explore the tools and resources to age wisely through the lens of Jewish wisdom. Cost: $130. For more information or to register, visit bjephoenix.org/courses/ available-courses.

THURSDAYS

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

FRIDAYS

Adult Chair Ballet Class: Noon-12:45 p.m. Join Jennifer Cafarella and Elaine Seretis from Ballet Theatre of Phoenix as they teach a ballet class that will help improve strength, flexibility, movement and balance. No prior dance experience required. Presented by the JFCS Virtual Center for Senior Enrichment.

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

Musical Friday: 12:30 p.m. 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

Upcoming Special Sections

Passover

March 12, 19, 26

Show your support of the Jewish community by wishing them a Happy Passover!

March 12

Showcase your camp and educational offerings to families looking for the perfect fit for their children.

March

Say cheese

Princess costumes and more

Some at Martin Pear JCC's Allan J. Flader's Purim Parade showed off tiaras, while some wore costumes that covered them from head to toe.

By Grogger

of the incubator,” she said. Seeing her baby with so many wires and tubes was unsettling. “It was comforting to have that one thing that other babies had,” she said. “It felt like a bit of normal in a surreal situation.”

Temple Emanuel of Tempe ‘bagels’ members Lynn Obstein’s doorbell rang unexpectedly one Saturday morning in February. She opened the door to find a dozen bagels. “Oh, what a wonderful surprise,” she thought.

Temple Emanuel of Tempe congregants have been posting photos of being “bageled” for the last three months, so the surprise wasn’t total. Obstein saw the messages but wasn’t expecting her turn to come so quickly. And that little flash of surprise is what made it fun, she said.

In November, Temple Emanuel’s board started a bageling chain to maintain a sense of community for its membership. After months of being separated by COVID-19, surprising people with bagels and a cheerful note seemed like a fun and delicious way to keep connected.

Chelsey Falk, b’nai mitzvah coordinator at Temple Emanuel, split the synagogue’s membership list into 14 groups based on where members lived. One person in a group begins by sending a dozen bagels, two cream cheese containers and a note with a greeting and a list of instructions to another family on the list.

“Surprise! You’ve been bageled,” reads the note, which also explains how to bagel another family and reminds people to cross their name off the list to avoid being bageled twice. People are encouraged to post was an interview with Geraldine Brooks, a writer featured at this year’s book and author event put on by the Tucson Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee. Braun worked in the world of book publishing in New York before coming to AJP, and the event offered her the opportunity to dip her toe back into that world every year. She was gratified to cover it one last time. a picture on Temple Emanuel’s Facebook page with #TEOTgetsbageled.

“We are extremely thankful to Phyllis for her 25 years of service, award-winning journalism, strong work ethic and deep commitment to our community,” said Baker. Longtime readers, like Jane Myerson, chair of a new Northwest Tucson Jewish Community group, said the end of AJP is a huge loss. “It filled a very important need in the community,” she said. Myerson also highlighted its coverage of local events and milestones. “It was a way to celebrate being Jewish in the Greater Tucson area,” she said.

This treat isn’t just about having something good to eat. It’s a way to let people know “we’re still thinking of you even though we’re not able to see you,” said Falk. Some people don’t even want the bagels, but everyone has enjoyed the surprise, she said.

Falk started her position six months ago, and because of COVID, has been unable to meet people in person.

“It’s been such a nice thing, because I’ve met so many people and families,” she said. Her mother-in-law was also surprised to learn there were fellow congregants living nearby.

“We’ve been finding all kinds of people,” Falk said.

Obstein agreed.

“We’re a very spread-out community and it’s cool to know there are so many people nearby,” she said.

The project is fun, and using bagels also gives one the opportunity “to feed peoples’ souls,” Obstein said.

“Maybe that sounds corny, but you feed people in more ways than one,” she said. “It lets you know you’re part of something that’s bigger than yourself.”

Obstein also praised Temple Emanuel’s COVID programming in general. “It’s such a hard time and they’ve really risen to the occasion — now, we’re almost more connected.”

Obstein didn’t waste any time in finding the next family and bageled them the next morning.

Her husband dropped the bagels on the doorstep, and by the time he reached his car and turned around, the bag, full of bagels and cream cheese, was already gone. JN

“Just putting events in the calendar doesn’t create community like the Post created it.” Baker, a Tucson native, is sympathetic to the community’s disappointment.

“I deeply appreciate the paper’s important place in our community, and anticipate continuing to provide the same essential stories through different means,” she said.

Horowitz believes a transition to new ways of highlighting community events marks an evolution rather than an ending.

“I am looking forward to evolving the way that we interact with our community through new communication vehicles,” Horowitz said.

“The pandemic has asked us to innovate in so many different spaces, and communications is one of them.”

Blumenberg, too, is hopeful that success lies ahead for whatever comes next in terms of sharing news and events with the community. But losing “a great institution” like AJP still stings.

“I’m just sad,” she said. JN

Jonathan Aaron Pear, age 52, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, with his family surrounding him and as a beautiful sunset painted the sky. He was born on Dec. 11, 1968, in Hartford, Connecticut and enjoyed growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts, Binghamton, New York, and Tampa, Florida before settling in Arizona. Jonathan was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend and brought happiness into the lives of all he encountered.

He graduated from The University of Florida and spent his early career in hospitality management, which lent itself perfectly to his engaging and friendly personality and unmatched work ethic. He and his wife, Jamie, moved to Arizona in 2001 where he began a career in finance and then real estate and created strong relationships through his professional life always the first to lend a hand. Jonathan married his loving wife, Jamie, on March 30, 1996, after meeting as teenagers. They experienced countless adventures, created lasting memories together, and shared the joy of raising their two children, the light of their lives, Samantha and Tyler.

Jonathan will be remembered for his ambition and hard work, his wit and sense of humor, and his kind heart and warmth. Jonathan worked diligently each day to make the world around him brighter. He helped buy and sell homes to many in the Valley and provided opportunities for individuals to start new, wonderful lives in the home of their dreams. Jonathan had a beautiful outlook on life and his smile lit up a room and humor brought laughs to those that surrounded him. Jonathan treated his friends and family with love and kindness and his big heart will be greatly missed and his legacy will be honored and remembered by his family.

Jonathan was preceded in death by his father, Martin. He is survived by his wife, Jamie, their two children, Samantha and Tyler, his mother, Beverly, and his siblings, Ian (Rachel), Rachel (Jonathan) and Sara (Evan), as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held on Sunday, Feb, 7, 2021, at the Mt. Sinai Cemetery. To honor Jonathan, donations can be made to the Martin Pear JCC at (mpjcc.org/support) or the The Jonathan Pear Farm - PE’AH, Shir Hadash in Israel (shirhadashjerusalem.com/donation).

Jewish News is accepting nominations from our readers for our annual Best of Jewish magazine.

This year, we’ll focus on the best healthcare the area has to offer, from doctors and nurses to pharmacies and hospitals.

Is there a dentist or physical therapist you think deserves plaudits?

How about an extra caring surgeon or psychologist?

Nominations will be accepted for individuals and organizations, big hospitals and small health care facilities.

Nominations close March 16

To submit a nomination, please send an email to editor@jewishaz.com, including the name of the nominee and no more than 300 words explaining why this person or entity should be honored. Nominations will be anonymous and confidential, but we may use the description you send us in the magazine.