Jewish News, Nov. 4, 2022

VALLEY OF THE SUN JCC TURNS 20

The J’s annual gala marks its 20-year presence on the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus

PILGRIMAGE TO MEET POPE FRANCIS

Rabbi John Linder recently traveled to Vatican City to meet with Pope Francis

Local women gather for the ‘Power of the Purse’

MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR

On the evening of Oct. 26, 150 women gathered for the “Power of the Purse” at a sprawling estate at the base of Camelback Mountain. They came together to celebrate the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix’s Women IN Philanthropy’s first event in more than three years.

Decorative flourishes reflected both femininity and the evening’s theme. As guests were ushered outdoors, into the backyard of DeeDee Vecchione’s home, they were welcomed to stop for photos at a giant flower wall in hues of pink. Purse-shaped glass vases adorned the tables and in addition to the white leather chairs and sofas on the patio, there was also pink and gray velvet seating in a grassy area.

The evening began with Rachel Hoffer, incoming board chair of the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix (CJP), greeting the Federation’s Lions of Judah and sharing the fact that there are 18,000 members across North America and Israel who have donated more than $200 million to The Jewish Federations of North America. Lion of Judah members commit to an annual contribution of at least $5,000 for work in creating social justice, aiding the vulnerable, preserving human dignity and building Jewish identity.

The next speaker, Leah Bold Mondlick, the chair of Women IN Philanthropy and a board member of CJP, shared a little bit about herself and her family. She met her husband at a Federation event, took Jewish Baby University classes with the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix, is the recipient of PJ Library

AZJHS keeps Holocaust history alive with immersive exhibits

MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR

On the anniversary of Kristallnacht, Nov. 9, the Arizona Jewish Historical Society (AZJHS) will unveil a new, original exhibit, “Stories of Survival: An Immersive Journey through the Holocaust.” The exhibition will be open through Aug. 3, 2023.

Part of the new exhibit features The USC Shoah Foundation’s “Dimensions in Testimony,” a 3D life-size “holographic-like video” of Oskar Knoblauch, a local Holocaust survivor. Available in only 12 locations worldwide, this technology allows visitors to have a “virtual conversation” with Knoblauch as he answers questions and shares his story.

“I feel like we’ve gone from the 19th century to the 22nd century overnight,” said Rabbi Jeffrey Schesnol, associate director of the AZJHS.

The interactive technology was created and produced by the USC Shoah Foundation and local film

director Josh Kasselman. Shot at Glendale Community College and using a green screen, Knoblauch spent an entire week, Monday through Friday, six hours each day, providing answers to hundreds of questions.

“I had a fulfilling and quite memorable childhood until 1933, when at the age of 8, my life was shattered by the onset of Nazism. Hitler spread propaganda that Jews were a horrible, dirty and evil race. My family was none of these and I hope people can learn from my experience,” said Knoblauch in a press release for the exhibit.

Knoblauch’s likeness will answer serious SEE AZJHS, PAGE 3

Elder abuse — never let your guard down

Elder abuse can include physical, emotional and sexual abuse and, in many cases, financial exploitation.

See page 17

Oskar Knoblauch during the taping of his “Dimensions in Testimony” interview at Glendale Community College.

books and their children attend Jewish preschool. About her 2-year old daughter, she added that they are “raising a future Lion of Judah.”

Mondlick also explained that the evening had been put on by all women vendors, before sharing the new vision, mission and values of the CJP, created after the integration of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix and the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix in March 2021. The new vision of the CJP is to be an engaged, vibrant and secure community rooted in Jewish values; its mission is to energize and sustain Jewish life and leadership throughout Greater Phoenix, in Israel and around the world; and its values are to be welcoming, caring, collaborative, responsible and impactful.

“To be able to see 150 women and be together after not gathering for three years is amazing,” Hoffer told Jewish News. “We have been working behind the scenes on the integration of the Federation and Foundation moving into CJP. I am excited to launch it with this group of strong, passionate, intelligent women who make a difference in our community and around the world.”

Mondlick shared similar feelings with Jewish News. “For the first event in three years introducing Women IN Philanthropy with CJP, we wanted to make it impactful and meaningful — to gather with these women to cultivate a stronger Jewish community together.”

Rabbi Emily Segal, senior rabbi of Tempe Chai in Phoenix and co-president of the Women’s Rabbinic Network, shared thoughts with the group before reciting Shehechiyanu

“Spaces for women coming together with other women is something so core

personally,” she said before the blessing.

“I know the power of women and Jewish women coming together for tzedakah and to create change and support each other.

I am so grateful to be welcomed into this special community in Phoenix and I know that this is not only the first gathering of Women IN Philanthropy for the Center for Jewish Philanthropy but also the first gathering for women post-COVID in this way.”

The keynote speaker was Amy Hirshberg Lederman, an award-winning author, nationally syndicated columnist, Jewish educator and attorney. She practiced law for 14 years until she decided to follow her “true Jewish passion,” which is education and inspiring others. She also served as assistant North American director of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School for adult Jewish learning and as the director of the Department of Jewish Education and Identity for the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona.

Gail Baer, vice president of philanthropy and community engagement for the CJP,

2022 Phoenix Jewish News

introduced Lederman and said, “The litmus test for me for a speaker is when you not only enjoy the speaker for the night but the days, weeks and years after you remember little tidbits of what you learned from that evening.”

Lederman opened her talk by inviting all the women to investigate the content of their purses because “women reveal aspects of their identity from what they have in their purse.” She also shared that the late Queen Elizabeth would send secret messages to staff via her purse, like switching it from one arm to the other if she wanted a conversation to end.

She then talked about the Jewish women that came before those in the room, shared stories of her mother and grandmother and introduced women from the Torah and their roles in history.

“None of us would be the Jewish women we are today without the women who came before us and influenced us,” said Lederman. “The women you are thinking of, and my grandmother and my mother, aren’t all that different from

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the biblical women of valor. Even though there are thousands of years between then and now, between the women of the biblical age and the women our age, these women had very well-defined and circumscribed roles in the tradition of Jewish women.”

Lederman said the women in the Torah had identities much clearer than present-day women. Women today must juggle work, family and community responsibilities. But it is also an “amazing

time for Jewish women.

“Today we say, and with great pride, a woman’s place is everywhere, yes, in the house but in the White House, in the House and Senate, in the Supreme Court, in space as astronauts, in board rooms as CEOs of the world’s largest corporations,” she said.

She ended her talk by encouraging all the women in the room to find “what is calling you at this point in your life.” She said to find something in the Phoenix Jewish community that would make an impact and be meaningful and then find

the people who care about those same things and join them.

“Everyone here shares something really powerful and special. We share a bond, a connection like no other, simply because we are Jewish and we are women,” said Lederman.

“Every generation of Jewish women receives a different call. But what never changes is the Jewish woman’s unwavering commitment to answer it.” JN

questions, from those pertaining to his experience during the Holocaust to whimsical ones, such as “What’s your favorite food?” to which he replies, “Peanut butter.” In between questions, the life-sized image of Knoblauch sits in a chair and fidgets, moving his hands and eyes as if you were sitting across from him having a real-life conversation.

The exhibit’s second immersive and educational experience will feature the award-winning, virtual-reality film “The Last Goodbye.” Visitors will don an Oculus Quest virtual-reality headset and become immersed inside the Nazi death camp Majdanek in Poland with Pinchas Gutter, the only member of his family of four to survive the Holocaust.

“It’s a 16-minute film that enables people to experience what the Majdanek concentration camp was like,” said Schesnol. “From the surrounding areas to the barracks where people slept, the gas chambers, ovens — all of it. We had people taking it for a test drive and they were in tears. It’s powerful.”

These two exhibits will also become part of the new Holocaust & Heritage Museum, set to break ground by the summer of 2024, on the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center campus.

The museum will be 18,000 square feet, which for a Holocaust museum is considered small. Still, with virtual reality

and telegraphic technology, they can deliver the message in a small space and achieve what had previously taken large areas to accomplish.

“If you put on an Oculus Quest headset and sit in a swivel chair, you are occupying about four square feet but you’re experiencing what takes acres,” said Schesnol.

“We really want to be ahead of the technological curve. I think this technology is going to be how people experience museums in the future,” said Dr. Lawrence Bell, executive director of the AZJHS. “You want young people to learn about the Holocaust and you have to present it in a way a young person learns.”

There’s another piece of technology that Schesnol said still needs to be funded and is not included by the architect in the plan yet but is something he has begun discussing. It would include an immersive art experience similar to the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit currently in Scottsdale. In this exhibit, the paintings of Scottsdale artist Robert Sutz would be projected and moving all around the visitor, creating a constantly changing art gallery.

“This place is going to be one of a kind,” said Schesnol. “There won’t be another Holocaust museum in the world that has what I call the trifecta of immersive technology: The holographic

technology, the VR technology and the immersive theatrical. We are two-thirds of the way already, so we’re moving in the right direction.”

The design firm they are using is Gallagher & Associates. Their projects include the ANU-Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv, National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia and the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix.

They have raised $7.1 million and anticipate the project will cost $18 million.

“We started out at $15 million but with inflation of construction costs and some of the technology we are employing, it now looks more like $18 million, which is another way of saying it’s a million ‘chais,’” said Schesnol. He is referencing the numerical equivaent of the Hebrew word for life, chai, which is 18.

As much as tourists and people outside of Arizona will come to see the museum, Bell said they are building it for the Greater Phoenix community. “The idea is that local people visit and hear stories of local survivors to build that emotional connection to the events of the Holocaust.”

He mentioned that Tim and Susie Ernst funded the holographic image of Knoblauch and if enough resources become available, he would like to record other local survivors.

“Who do I want to come here? Young people,” said Bell. “It’s great if older people come, and we really appreciate that but we are really building this for the younger generations.”

“It’s not just about learning the lessons of the Holocaust and it’s not just about making the world safer from racism, prejudice and antisemitism. It literally will affect our society and our culture,” said Schesnol. “This is so exciting and probably the most important work I’ll ever do in my life.” JN

For more information, visit azjhs.org.

Visitors with Oculus Quest headsets viewing “The Last Goodbye” that transports viewers inside the Nazi death camp Majdanek in Poland. COURTESY OF THE AZJHS

AZJHS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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

‘POWER OF THE PURSE’

Local NAACP takes a stand against Kanye West’s antisemitism

MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR

The Maricopa Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) stated in a release Wednesday that the recent antisemitic comments made by Kanye West “are unacceptable and will not be condoned by our organization.”

The antisemitic comments (that have been deleted) began via a tweet on Oct. 8: “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE. The funny thing is I actually can’t be antiSemitic because black people are actually Jews also. You guys have toyed with me and tried to blackball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”

This tweet followed West’s Paris Fashion Week appearance on Oct. 3 in a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt. The phrase was adopted by white supremacist and NeoNazi groups in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, which began in 2013.

Dr. Karen Hardin, president of the Maricopa County Branch NAACP, said she was motivated to send the statement after watching the news coverage about the banner hanging off of an overpass on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles that read, “Kanye is right about the Jews.”

“See his comments … it’s fundamentally antithetical to the mission of the NAACP,” said Hardin. “I’m not into hip-hop culture and don’t keep up with Kanye West. It motivated me to review what was going on and what he was saying. What motivated it is standing in solidarity with other like-minded allies.”

The Maricopa NAACP’s statements also pointed out that some people had condoned or dismissed West’s comments, “because they like his music, or because he is perceived to be suffering from a ‘mental illness’” and said this defense “is damaging, divisive and very concerning.”

Hardin reiterated that his statements are harmful “regardless of his perceived mental illness, it has the potential of creating more hate and more violence against Jews or anybody. Folks who have antisemitic feelings also have anti-black, anti-gay, anti-female — so this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Paul Rockower, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Phoenix shared a statement with the Jewish News: “The JCRC thanks the Maricopa County Branch NAACP for its condemnation of Kanye West’s repeated antisemitism. Their statement was profound and meaningful. It is gratifying that stalwart friends in the

African American community stand with us against hate and demonstrate, once again, that we do not face this challenge alone.”

Jay Tinsley, a member of the Phoenix Black-Jewish Cohort whose wife and children are Jewish, shared that this episode of antisemitism hit him hard.

“As I become proximate with other people in the Jewish community, the fear for them [increases] as well as having a better understanding of how all these episodes impact them and have impacted them, through the course of human civilization,” he said. “I feel like I need to step up, I should have always been stepping up, but this one in particular, I feel like I need to step up.”

Tinsley said in the past he would “awkwardly shy away” from having a conversation when somebody would share pro-West talk or defend him.

“I can’t ignore that person anymore,” he said. “I have to speak up and say, ‘You are saying the wrong thing — that is incorrect.’ I need to call people out. I cannot just excommunicate these people from my life anymore. I need to let them know that this is not all right. I need to say it out loud.”

He hopes that other people in the community, “the silent majority who believe in the goodness of everyone,” will stand up and make their voices heard for what’s right.

The NAACP statement also shared facts about World War II, the Holocaust and included a list of the other groups “persecuted for their perceived racial and biological inferiority.”

In light of this historical context, as well as an increase in antisemitic incidents in Arizona and the rest of the nation, the statement concluded, “it is imperative for the Maricopa County Branch of the NAACP to take a stand against Kanye West’s hateful anti-Semitic comments or actions and his uninformed rhetoric in general. Because, in the words of the late Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and human rights campaigner, ‘To forget a Holocaust is to kill twice.’” JN

This article was written on Oct. 27 and may not reflect story developments that have occurred since then.

A screenshot of the now-deleted antisemitic Twitter message. COURTESY OF TWITTER

The J’s Anniversary Gala

Honorees

Joel Kramer

Lifetime Leadership Award

Lanny Lahr

Habonim (Builder) Award

Nicole & Joshua Perilstein

Maya Schulder Rising Star Award

Valley of the Sun JCC’s annual gala will have ‘a little bit of everything’

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

From the moment people walk in the doors of the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center (The J) on Saturday, Dec. 3, they will be met by an eclectic coterie of entertainment. Scattered throughout the building, attendees will find an electric violinist, aerialists hanging from the ceiling, contortionists inside bubble balls, mentalists and a sevenpiece band as they sip cocktails and enjoy appetizers before sitting down to dinner.

“There will be something for everyone,” said Lynette Stein, director of special events and community relations for The J. “The J is diverse and we cater to an inclusive environment.”

The J’s annual gala marks its 20-year presence on the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus. Approximately 600 people have already reserved a ticket for the big night.

CEO Jay Jacobs said attendees should expect a great party.

“My favorite part is how the community comes out for it,” he said. This is always a night he wants people to enjoy rather than

feel obligated to come.

With all the exciting performers, “it’s going to be a very neat night,” he said.

The party won’t end after dinner and the award ceremony; there will be live music and dancing.

“Anyone who comes will enjoy it because we’ll have a little bit of everything,” he said.

Stein is also looking forward to the award presentation portion of the evening and “making the honorees feel as special as they truly are to our community,” she said.

Two of the awards this year are being given for the first time.

Joel Kramer will receive the Lifetime Leadership Award for his instrumental history of service to The J, along with his passion, commitment, mentorship of younger generations and an ability to recruit board members.

“We feel so lucky to have him in our community,” Stein said.

Lanny Lahr will receive the Habonim “Builder” Award, the other new award, for his tremendous work and leadership on the campus’ capital campaign from 1999

to 2002. The J is the largest tenant on the campus, which includes more than a dozen other Jewish agencies. Twenty years after its creation, more than a million people have visited the campus, according to The J.

Nicole and Joshua Perilstein are the fifth recipients of the Maya Schulder Rising Star Award, named for Maya Schulder, who was only 15 when she died during a trip to Israel. “She was a young, bright-shining light lost too soon,” said Jacobs. “The award, named in her memory, is presented to a rising star who gives their time and talent to help transform lives within our J community.”

When the Perilsteins received word about their award, they were on a family vacation in a remote area of Colorado. Someone on The J’s development team FaceTimed them.

“We were worried we wouldn’t be able to get good enough reception to take the call,” Nicole said, via email. “My husband and I were both working with them on several different projects, so we thought it was a working call. We had no idea! It

was fun to get this call while we were with family because they got to hear it the same time we did.”

Stein said that Nicole was instrumental in raising funds for The J’s early childhood center and making people feel comfortable and safe in coming back after COVID-19. Meanwhile, Josh helped in every aspect of The J’s golf tournament.

The annual gala is The J’s largest fundraiser and the money is used for scholarships for financial assistance and to fund programs and services.

“We feel very privileged to be able to honor such worthy individuals in our community every year, especially this year on our emerald anniversary,” Jacobs said.

Stein agreed.

“Anyone coming to the gala will find something; whether they’re here for the honorees, the entertainment or their friends, they will walk away with the feeling that this community is special.” JN

Registration is required by Nov. 18. To purchase a sponsorship and register for the 2022 Gala, visit vosjcc.org/gala22.

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Tucson reinvigorates its JCRC with new and full-time leadership

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Jews in every community across the country are being pummeled daily by news of antisemitism in politics, in pop culture and in recent memory — Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life massacre just marked its fourth anniversary on Oct. 27.

Jewish communities want to know someone has their back. That is as true in Tucson as it is in Los Angeles, New York and every small and large city in between.

It’s one reason the Jewish Community Relations Council in Southern Arizona (JCRC) just engaged Lynn Davis as its full-time director after years of depending heavily on the free labor of council members and volunteers.

Since 2016, JCRC’s directorship has been part-time, one of many hats worn by the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center’s (TJMHC) executive director.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a model that seemed to work, according to Eric Schindler, TJMHC’s board president.

For the last couple of years, however, the JCRC wasn’t receiving the recognition and funding it deserved, Schindler told Jewish News.

“We always looked up north (JCRC of Greater Phoenix) with a little bit of envy where there were more dedicated dollars, independence and a full-time director,” he said.

Now, thanks to additional funding from Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona (JPSA), a grant from the Rosenbluth Family Charitable Foundation and some assistance from TJMHC’s programming and administrative budget, Davis will have a diversity of resources and independence to focus 100% of her time and energy on the needs and values of the local Jewish community.

A community-wide survey a few years ago showed that people want more Jewish education for youth and adults, better care for seniors and vulnerable populations isolated from participation in the Jewish community and meaningful social justice and action.

In other words, Tucson Jews want to enrich Jewish life in Arizona’s southland, and Davis, who has lived in Tucson for 30-plus years, has the chops to make it happen.

She was the executive director of an arts education nonprofit before becoming the arts and culture director of the Tucson Jewish Community Center, where her passion and experience dovetailed in the Jewish communal world and allowed

her to promote Jewish values and build community partnerships.

A dozen years ago, she also worked at the University of Arizona DNA Shoah Project, an effort to reunite Holocaust survivors and their descendants via a global DNA database.

She’ll be able to call on all of that experience in her new role. It’s a big part of why she was hired.

In its search for “the strongest and best person to combat antisemitism and build community relations,” Schindler said the search committee met “several talented people from around the country” but Davis stood out due to her “amazing emotional intelligence, her ability to build coalitions and to listen.”

Davis knows how to “deepen and repair relationships” in Tucson’s Jewish community and with those outside of it who still share its values, he said.

Mo Goldman, JCRC’s chair, agreed.

“She’s been in Tucson so long she understands the dynamics of our community better than someone from outside, and the strong relationships she’s already built make it easier for her to step into this role and take on challenging issues,” he said.

Antisemitism is one of the main challenges, Goldman said. “We’re seeing considerable increases in antisemitic tropes, even from political leaders.”

But that won’t be the only thing.

“It’s incumbent upon the Jewish community to be involved in human rights issues,” he said. “Tucson is a hotbed of those issues since we’re near the border and we need good leadership and someone who can talk to different communities.”

That works for Davis. Though she will continue to work out of TJMHC, which will provide administrative and programmatic support, she is excited to be able to leave her desk behind and get out into the community.

Leading the JCRC

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Lynn Davis became the full-time director of the Jewish Community Relations Council in Southern Arizona on Oct. 17. COURTESY OF LYNN DAVIS

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is about connecting many disparate groups, Davis said.

“There are all the flavors of the Jewish community to start with and then we will move outside of that and build partnerships and outreach to other community groups and interfaith organizations, rebuilding our southern Arizona Jewish community network,” she said.

Tucson’s Jewish community faces a host of challenges right now, Davis said, and one will be narrowing her focus to

determine what is possible, where the greatest needs are and how to engage them meaningfully.

Dealing with local acts of antisemitism is something she will definitely address and already there are conversations beginning with law enforcement and security agencies. She’s also working on renewing robust relationships with JCRC, Jewish Federation and Anti-Defamation League colleagues throughout the region and nation.

One of those colleagues is Paul Rockower, the executive director of

JCRC of Greater Phoenix.

Rockower is excited to work with Davis and said she would play a vital role in Tucson’s Jewish community.

“It’s best for a Tucson voice to manage Tucson affairs, and more importantly, it helps increase the bandwidth of Jewish community professionals in Arizona,” he told Jewish News.

Having Davis as a full-time leader of Tucson’s JCRC “puts the Jewish community in a significantly better position to get through precarious times,” he said.

Davis said she is eager to focus on “very

compelling issues and challenges facing our community right now in a roll-upyour-sleeves way.”

She’s already spoken with a number of people involved in the early days of Tucson’s JCRC and looks forward to hearing more about its accomplishments and legacy.

She started her job a mere two weeks ago and said she’s already “figuring out our why and the hows and whos and whats that are to come. It’s an exciting time — not for reinvention but for reinvigoration.” JN

Sybil Yastrow, 86, was a force for public education and philanthropy

SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER

Sybil Yastrow, teacher, advocate for public education and philanthropist, died Wednesday, Oct. 26, at home in Scottsdale. She was 86 years old.

She was born in Indiana and spent most of her professional life in Illinois, where she was a force for strengthening public education from the time she graduated from Northwestern University and began teaching first grade.

Her list of accomplishments grew exponentially as she went on to school administrative roles and won two terms in office as Lake County, Illinois’ regional superintendent of schools.

Shelby Yastrow, her husband, told Jewish News campaigning for that political position was one of “the most inconsistent things” she did. Sybil was a Democrat but lived in a Republican county and though the retiring superintendent encouraged her to run and offered his support, he said she would have to run as a Republican.

“‘I can’t do that,’ she told me,” Shelby said. “I told her it’s only a label and you really have something to offer the students.”

She won two terms handily and became the first woman and the first Jew to hold the office. After she left the job in 1991, Edward Gonwa, her successor, told the Chicago Tribune that she was “a true visionary and a born leader.”

Sybil also founded and led two national education organizations: Reading Recovery of North America, a literacy program for at-risk children, and the National Staff Development Council/ Learning Forward, a program that trains school staff and finds necessary resources.

Sybil was passionate about public school funding, even testifying before a U.S. Senate committee on the issue. In the early 1990s, when Lake County’s schools needed additional money to meet the needs of children from the local naval base, she met with then-Secretary

of Defense Dick Cheney, who agreed to help find it, according to Shelby.

She was also a guest lecturer and adjunct faculty member for Chicago’s National Louis University and Loyola University, in addition to serving on a host of boards and executive committees, such as United Way of Lake County and the Private Industry Council, a provider of job skills and employment for those in need.

Shelby and Sybil moved to Scottsdale in 1997, and though she was technically retired, she continued working in some capacity for both organizations she founded.

“She was always going to conferences and meetings,” Shelby said, adding that they have inundated him with condolences and tributes to Sybil.

In 2005, her son, Phil, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), and Sybil became a voracious fundraiser for and a trustee of the Arizona chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In 2021 she was awarded its MS Woman of the Year.

“Her passion to fight against the disease that affects her son, Phil, was an inspiration to others and she will be greatly missed by everyone in our organization,” Chris Marshall, Arizona-New Mexico chapter president, said via email.

“Sybil’s ambition was limitless,” Shelby said, so it was no surprise to him that in her later years, she took up weaving and became quite accomplished.

He enjoyed watching her with her socket wrenches as she took apart and adjusted her looms’ wires and pulleys. She spent countless hours designing patterns and wove tallit for the men in the family and a couple of the women.

Her proudest accomplishment was weaving the chuppah her oldest granddaughter was married beneath. It is now a tradition for the other grandchildren to use it at their weddings.

“Sybil never did anything by halves,” Shelby said. “If she was going to be a weaver, she would be the best one.”

Golf was probably the only thing she ever failed at, Shelby said. She tried to play because it was such a big part of her husband’s life. She accompanied him on golf trips even after she quit playing because, as she told him, “I can’t stand not being good at something.”

Still, he said Sybil indulged him in this and many things, including his shortcomings. Shelby credits her with his success as a law student and a lawyer. She even served as his guide on their many world travels.

The first time she journeyed overseas was to accompany him on a work trip to Paris. He had already made several trips there and hated it — he didn’t know the language, the city or who to trust. On their first morning, he pleaded with her to stay close to the hotel and be careful, but when he returned in the evening, she was gone. He was frightened, but suddenly, she flounced in, her arms full of packages and told him she had been to cooking school, had learned the metro system and was prepared to show him Versailles.

That was just Sybil in a nutshell — intrepid, smart and courageous.

That’s also how Rabbi John Linder described her to a packed house of mourners for her funeral service at Temple Solel on Friday, Oct. 29.

But of her many superpowers, empathy was her greatest, Linder said.

“When you were with Sybil, there was simply no one else in her gaze and in her heart other than you.”

Linder told Jewish News that while Sybil had many professional and philanthropic accomplishments, the most memorable thing about her was her kindness and how well she treated people, her family, her friends and her community.

That was evident in the words of the family she left behind.

Adam Silver, one of her 11 grandchildren, was overwhelmed with emotion as he spoke, telling people that one of the most wonderful things about his grandmother was her compassion and the way she accepted him even at his worst moments; “when I was least lovable, she didn’t judge me, she loved me through it.”

Steve Yastrow, the oldest of her four children, described her tremendous moral compass. He recounted that when an expensive bracelet went missing, she called the insurance company. When she found the bracelet a couple of years later, she tried to return the insurance money but the company told her to keep it. Instead, she gave the exact amount to charity.

“She was always figuring out how to do things better,” he said. “We called it Sybilosity.”

Phil Yastrow, another son, said his mom “had a magical power of inclusion. She made everyone feel like they were a part of things.”

Bob Silver, her son-in-law, said all you had to do to know Sybil was to hear her voicemail. She’d ask you to leave a message and then say, “I hope you have a perfect day.”

That’s who she was, he said. “She lived her life trying to make everyone’s day perfect.” JN

Israel must support Ukraine

Israel is under mounting pressure to take a side in Russia’s war with Ukraine. And the complications Israel faces are largely of its own making.

From the outset, it seemed natural that Israel would join Western, democratic nations in support of a feisty democratic Ukraine whose much larger enemy wants to wipe it off the map. But that’s not what happened. Instead, Israel’s nuanced responses to the war have disappointed the Ukrainians, angered the Russians and frustrated the United States and other Western allies.

Beginning with former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s quixotic offer to serve as the mediator of the dispute and continuing with Israel’s refusal to boycott Russia or to provide meaningful funding and military assistance to the Ukrainian army, Israel has been a Western outlier by failing to join the United States and its allies in their coordinated response.

Recently, however, following reports that Iran has started to provide Russia surface-to-surface ballistic missiles in addition to already deployed attack

drones, there has been mounting pressure on Israel to provide Ukraine with air defense systems and know-how, and even a call by Israeli government ministers to provide military assistance to Kyiv.

In addition, Ukraine’s president and prominent U.S. lawmakers have openly challenged Israel’s public neutrality, while

by side against the existential threat to its existence? Or with those who turn a blind eye to Russian terror, even when the cost of continued terror is the complete destruction of global security?”

Similar sentiments were voiced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who chairs the Senate subcommittee dedicated

ISRAEL’S NUANCED RESPONSES TO THE WAR HAVE DISAPPOINTED THE UKRAINIANS, ANGERED THE RUSSIANS AND FRUSTRATED THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER WESTERN ALLIES.

Russia has warned against a tilt toward embattled Ukraine.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky was direct in his challenge: “Isn’t it time for your state to choose who you are with? [Are you] with the democratic world, which is fighting side

The blight of Kanye West

According to rapper and fashion designer Kanye West (aka “Ye”), he lost “2 billion dollars in one day” when Adidas, the Gap and Balenciaga cut ties with him over a series of very public antisemitic outbursts last month. On Oct. 8, Ye tweeted that he was “going death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE” and claimed that he is the target of a “Jewish underground media mafia.”

It might be easy to blame Ye’s outbursts on his bipolar disorder. But mental illness is not an excuse for antisemitism. So, it’s important that his business partners recognize the difference between loose speech that might be tolerated and hate speech that cannot. Moreover, given West’s celebrity — he reportedly has more Instagram followers than there are Jews in the world — what he posts on social media makes a difference.

Adidas was West’s biggest business collaborator. His Yeezy clothing line reportedly accounted for 10% of Adidas’ revenue. Perhaps it was because of that impact that West boasted on a recent podcast that “I can say antisemitic things and Adidas can’t drop me.” But he was wrong, even if it took Adidas several

weeks to cut ties with West. Adidas made the right move. But its dithering gave critics time to look into the company’s own antisemitic past — including its Nazi founder and the company’s

to the Middle East, who told CNN: “Israel needs to get off the sidelines … I just don’t buy that countries like Israel need to play both sides. This is a moment where you have to take a side and you have to stand with the people of Ukraine.” In response, former Russian

President Dmitry Medvedev warned Israel that if it offered military assistance to Ukraine, it would seriously harm relations with Moscow.

Israeli public opinion is decidedly pro-Ukraine. But Israel’s security establishment sees Russia and Iran just over Israel’s border in Syria as the Jewish state’s first priority. Syria is Israel’s traditional enemy. Iran, which bolsters the Syrian regime, has vowed to destroy Israel. Russia is the gatekeeper, supporting Syria, working with Iran and, by controlling the skies, deciding how much freedom Israel has to attack the military buildup on the ground that can threaten Israel. And some analysts worry that if Israel sends weapons to Ukraine, Israel could find itself at war with Russianbacked forces or more sophisticated Russian air defense systems in Syria. We don’t minimize these concerns. They are real. But the escalating death and destruction in Ukraine demands that Israel do what it can to help and join with the rest of the Western democratic world in support of Ukraine. JN

agency and MRC film and TV studio, which announced it would not distribute a completed documentary about West. And lest anyone think the whole ugly episode was another celebrity melodrama

IT MIGHT BE EASY TO BLAME YE’S OUTBURSTS ON HIS BIPOLAR DISORDER. BUT MENTAL ILLNESS IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR ANTISEMITISM.

years, it is easy to forget that Jews are a small minority in this country. Growing antisemitism and the increasing willingness of some to act on their hate leaves us all vulnerable. We welcome all attempts to address the problem. One was provided last week by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who introduced a spoof product to cure antisemitism called, “Yentanyl” — a mashup of “yenta” and the narcotic fentanyl. If only the curse of antisemitism could be addressed in pill form.

participation in Germany’s World War II war effort. Today’s Adidas is not a Nazi company. And what Adidas was 75 years ago should not distract us from West’s outrages today.

Vogue magazine also cut ties with West. As did JPMorgan Chase, the CAA talent

that will soon be forgotten, a group of white supremacists made sure it would not, when they stood on an overpass above a Los Angeles freeway with a banner that read “Kanye is right about the Jews” and gave the Nazi salute. In the crisis overload of the last few

A NOTE ON OPINION

On a more serious note, Rabbi David Wolpe published a piece in Sapir Journal, arguing that Judaism “teaches us how we can grow past and heal the cleavages rending our culture.” Wolpe didn’t mention West, but his message about the importance of engagement and conciliation and the process of teshuvah/ repentance reminds us that reconciliation must be an intentional, mutual effort.

West is unrepentant and appears to have no interest in reconciliation. He deserves to be shunned. The world needs to block Kanye West on social media, and those drawn to his music should explore other talent. JN

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, Mid-Atlantic Media 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.

Calling Jewish voters back home keeps one transplant connected to her community

MARGOLIT SANDS

was transformative and will always be a part of me but growing up I never really understood what an important role Arizona played in the national political landscape. It was only when I was finally eligible to vote, but no longer living in Arizona, that I learned how impactful the votes in Arizona, and Maricopa County in particular, can be.

TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP PEOPLE CLAIM THEIR CLIMATE VOICE IN AN ELECTION, AND TO DO IT WITH MY BROADER COMMUNITY OF JEWS, WHO ARE DOING IT WITH THE SAME VALUES IN MIND.

this week, I’ve been trying to find ways that I, as a young Jewish person, can feel connected to my broader Jewish community. It feels like a moment where it is especially important to engage politically, and do so Jewishly, with other Jews. So I decided to volunteer with Chutzpah 2022, a climate-focused “get out the vote” campaign from Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action.

I grew up in Phoenix and Scottsdale, until my family moved to Nevada when I was in high school. I had my bat mitzvah at Temple Chai in Phoenix and I took the Arizona bus to Camp Hess Kramer most summers. My childhood in Arizona

As an adult, I’ve moved around a bit. I went to college in Massachusetts, worked a couple years in Colorado and now live in California, where I work in Jewish education and youth programming. It’s only now I realize how special it was to live in a place where my vote could have made a big difference. As a transplanted Arizonan, it felt like a full-circle moment to call back into the state, to call Jewish Arizonans and feel connected once more to my Arizona Jewish community.

My family still lives in Arizona — in fact, I was just back in Phoenix last week for my sister’s wedding. Weddings are a time for thinking about the future, so helping Jewish voters who care about the environment cast their vote for a sustainable climate future feels like a bit of an extra wedding gift.

And … it feels like it’s making a difference.

One of the first people who picked up the phone wasn’t sure if he could vote. He had had a felony conviction on his record and wasn’t sure if it had cleared.

It was my first-time phone banking with Dayenu but I knew there was information for formerly incarcerated people in the fact sheet they gave us. I gave him the info about where he could check to see if he could vote and the current laws about his situation. He was excited that he might be able to vote and we discussed how he could even go about voting early, if he was indeed eligible. I don’t know if he can vote, but at least he has some information and is a step closer to doing what he believes in. He was grateful and I felt I’d made a real impact.

Judaism asks us to respond to the injustices of the world and it has always been ingrained in me as a Jewish adult to repair the world. It felt deeply Jewish to volunteer to help people claim their climate voice in an election, and to do it with my broader community of Jews, who are doing it with the same values in mind.

Calling as part of a Jewish group not only raised my comfort level in making phone calls to strangers but it also helped the voters to whom we spoke. Those

Maricopa County needs smart justice, not more convictions

JENNIFER ALLEN AROZ | AZ MIRROR

Every day, prosecutors use vast discretion to decide who is charged with a crime and how severe those charges will be. Unfortunately, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) has used that power to create a legacy of seeking harsh convictions and excessive sentences for low-level crimes. In fact, Arizona’s prison population grew by 60% in twenty years despite a decline in actual crime — and Maricopa County was the top incarcerator.

The county attorney’s job is to seek justice, but more convictions and longer sentences are rarely the

people we reached sometimes heard us say we were from Dayenu and were willing to talk a little bit longer because they felt at ease talking to another Jew.

At the start of each shift, Dayenu organizes someone of esteem in the community to give a kavanah, or opening words of intention/blessing. On Oct. 25, the kavanah was from Eddie Chavez Calderon of Arizona Jews for Justice. He spoke about the Jewish value of shomrei adamah, being guardians of the Earth. It was a foundational piece of my Jewish upbringing, identity and values to take care of people and the planet. These hours volunteering, calling Jewish voters in Arizona who care about the planet, helped me to feel like I was a true Arizona shomeret adamah! JN

Margolit Sands is the youth program manager for Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco, Peninsula, Marin & Sonoma Counties in California.

For more information on Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action, visit dayenu.org.

To The Editor

Why is this publication so biased in favor of left wing ideology (“Arizona’s Republican candidates can’t shake charges of antisemitism,” Oct. 21, 2022) and the democrat party? Several pieces by Shannon Levitt are extremely slanted and rife with inaccuracies, inuendo and fallacious assertions. There are many Jews that identify more with moderate centrist and conservative values. How can Jewish News so blindly support candidates that support return to the JCPOA, have done nothing to secure the border and allow critical race theory and extreme gender ideologies to be taught in our schools? Do you allow your children or grandchildren to be indoctrinated with these divisive and nonsensical ideologies? I don’t! There are two sides (or more) to every issue. We are a small community with diverse points of view and if you’ll endeavor to be more balanced and stop this bias. I would hope that Jewish News will be more balanced in the future – otherwise you’ll be losing many subscribers.

IT FELT DEEPLY JEWISH

Margolit Sands COURTESY OF MARGOLIT SANDS

The staue of Lady Justice in Frankfurt, Germany.

Steven Winokur, Scottsdale

Make time for the timeless

have been a slow and terrifying death.

he rabbis teach us that there is no chronology in the Torah. Events may appear in any order; distances do not matter; time sequences do not exist. In physics we learn about Einstein’s theory of relativity, that if humans could travel the speed of light, we would find that there are no physical dimensions and no time. At the speed of light, the material world vanishes, only the world of non-dimension exists. God’s place is at the speed of light. There are no dimensions, no time. Therefore, everything occurs in God’s world simultaneously. Only in our world, an aberration of God’s perspective, do dimensions exist. That is why there is no chronology in the Torah. Life is what happens to you while you are planning out your life. Take this true story.

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to eke out a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could

JENNIFER ALLEN AROZ

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

answer. In fact, research consistently shows that higher incarceration rates do not decrease violent crime and could actually make communities less safe. This year, voters have the opportunity to elect someone who will reverse this legacy of mass incarceration, not perpetuate it — which is why our organization is focused on educating voters so that they know where candidates stand on key issues. Here’s how the next Maricopa County Attorney can prioritize smart justice and ensure everyone in the community is treated fairly.

Protecting doctors from criminalization for providing lifesaving abortion care

The uncertainty around Arizona’s abortion bans have caused confusion and distress — especially for doctors and the people who need care. Already, people have had to leave the state to access abortion care and doctors have been forced to temporarily close their doors at a moment’s notice.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

“I want to repay you,” said the nobleman. “You saved my son’s life.” “No, I can’t accept payment for what I did,” the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family hovel.

“Is that your son?” the nobleman asked. “Yes,” the farmer replied proudly.

Medical School in London and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming — the man who discovered penicillin.

Years afterward, the nobleman’s son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son’s name? Sir Winston Churchill.

If the Churchill/Fleming story is a little miraculous for you, consider the everyday tale: boy meets girl, boy asks girl out, girl refuses; boy meets same girl a second time in different circumstances, boy asks girl out, girl accepts, months later they are married. Have you heard a similar story? How often does history seem to have its own mind? People meet time and again, only to find that their destinies seem intertwined, regardless of the choices they make.

week’s Torah portion, Lech-lecha, we are reminded of the adventure that God asks Abram to go on. He must leave everything that he knows and go out into the unknown. This is scary, to put it mildly. But, like Abram, we can be comforted to know that God’s presence is always there. God’s presence is timeless as we move through our activities, and like Abram, our adventures.

“I’ll make you a deal. Let me take him and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he’ll grow to a man you can be proud of.” And that he did. In time, Farmer Fleming’s son graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital

People who are denied abortion are more likely to experience poverty, struggle to secure food and housing, and stay in contact with an abusive partner. If the next county attorney truly wants to make safety a priority, they will commit to using their prosecutorial discretion to keep abortion providers out of prison so they can continue to provide essential, lifesaving care.

Prioritizing marijuana expungement, so outdated charges don’t prevent people from getting a job or access housing

MCAO had a reputation for aggressively prosecuting people for marijuana possession up until voters legalized it in 2020. Those sentences are tied to a felony offense — making it significantly harder for anyone with a conviction to secure stable housing, get hired for a job, and access basic services.

When voters passed Proposition 207, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office took steps to help clear marijuana convictions. However, there’s still a long way to go to reverse decades of harsh prosecutions that have ruined too

The events of our material lives are chronological. We plan for them; we anticipate them; we think and believe they constitute the fabric of our lives. Day begins and upon waking we think about the events upcoming: What will I eat this morning? What will I accomplish at work today? What errands do I need to run? Who do I need to call? This appears to be our reality. It’s a go-go-go mentality. But beyond that reality exists a greater, larger reality: God’s presence.

Each year, as we go-go-go, as we travel forward and, yet, back to this

many lives. The next county attorney can right this wrong and process more expungement petitions so hard-working people can get back on their feet.

Our material lives, our daily schedules are linear, chronological, sensible. We have our joys and sorrows, our obligations and our responsibilities. We meet them and move on. But there exists another level, a level in which there is no before or after — only the eternal present. In that moment, ultimate significance intersects with the material now. We experience a glimpse of divinity; the eternal Presence enters the material now and we experience an unforgettable moment. As you move quickly through your schedule, make time for the timeless. JN

different sentences for the same crime because of how they look, where they live, or how much money they have.

A county attorney is accountable to their constituents, just like any other elected official. Increasing transparency by making all of the office’s sentencing data and decisions publicly available is an important step to ensure prosecutors are treating people fairly.

Voters can elect a county attorney who will seek real justice

Making sentencing data and policies transparent to improve accountability

Extreme policies and biased sentencing practices at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office have shattered trust for many. And data has already exposed MCAO’s history of prosecuting people differently depending on the color of their skin or their ZIP code.

Everyone deserves a fair trial and just sentencing, but some people receive

Incarcerating more people for longer periods of time does not prevent crime or improve safety. The county attorney can use their power to seek justice, without relying on excessive convictions or criminalizing people for their healthcare decisions, for the profession they hold, or the communities where they live.

Maricopa County voters must learn where each candidate stands on these key issues and decide if their positions align with community needs. Only then will we begin to see real justice in the criminal legal system and throughout the county.JN

Rabbi Jeremy Schneider is the spiritual leader of Temple Kol Ami in Scottsdale and vice president of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Phoenix.

PARSHAH LECH-LECHA GENESIS 12:1 - 17:27

RABBI JEREMY SCHNEIDER

Find area congregations at jewishaz.com, where you can also find our 2021 Community Directory.

GOD’S PRESENCE IS TIMELESS AS WE MOVE THROUGH OUR ACTIVITIES, AND LIKE ABRAM, OUR ADVENTURES.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S JOB IS TO SEEK JUSTICE, BUT MORE CONVICTIONS AND LONGER SENTENCES ARE RARELY THE ANSWER.

Support the community … take advantage of tax credits

LINDA ZELL

The holidays are quickly approaching, meaning it is time for giving gifts … and preparing for your year-end taxes. Arizona offers several tax credit programs that provide the opportunity for the community to take a dollar-for-dollar credit against their state tax liability and support nonprofit organizations. There are several different tax credits including the Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO), Private School Tuition Organization (STO), Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organizations (QFCO), Arizona Military Family Relief Fund and Public Schools. There is also a corporate private school tuition program that has its own requirements and deadlines. If interested in the corporate program, call a school tuition organization (STO), such as the Jewish Tuition Organization (JTO), or visit the Arizona Department of Revenue’s website at azdor.gov for more information. Funds raised through the Arizona tax credits support programs of each of the qualifying organizations. For example, the private school tuition program provides scholarships for children to go to schools that are the right choice

for their specific educational needs, the public school tax credit provides for field trips or afterschool activities and giving to qualifying charitable organization supports a range of programs depending on the organization.

Each tax credit has a maximum amount that varies, although you can take advantage of each of the credits for a total of more than $5,000. Taxpayers can divide their support within each category of tax credit but cannot exceed the maximum amount for that category. For example, the 2022 maximum amount for the private school tuition tax credit is $1,243 for individual taxpayers and $2,483 for married couples. A taxpayer can give the maximum to one STO or they can divide their support among several STOs, the total cannot exceed the maximum amount allowed for the private school tuition tax credit. Taxpayers can support causes that are meaningful to them through the tax credits without an additional cost to the family budget. The various qualified organizations and details for each type of credit can be found on the Arizona Department of Revenue’s website.

Will the new universal Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) vouchers affect the JTO, or STOs in general, because students cannot accept both ESA funds and STO scholarships? While families will have to decide whether an ESA voucher or an STO scholarship is in their best interest, STOs hope the community will still take the tax credit so other students who are not receiving ESA funds will continue to benefit from their generosity and be able to stay in the school that can meet their needs. The new ESA program does not affect the dollar-for-dollar tax credit that taxpayers can take to support education. Taxpayers will still be supporting families who have decided that attending a specific school is the best choice for their children.

East Valley Jewish Community Center, Gesher Disability Resources, Jewish Free Loan, Kivel Campus of Care, Jewish Family & Children’s Service and the Jewish Tuition Organization have a collaborative website at jewishtaxcredit. org that makes it easy for taxpayers to support these organizations. The Jewish Tuition Organization is a school

tuition organization, and the other five members of the collaborative group are qualifying charitable organizations. The group came together to make it easy for members of the community to be able to support organizations of choice at one time either through a brochure mailing that goes out at the end of the year or at jewishtaxcredit.org. The Qualifying Charitable Organization tax credit maximum amounts are $400 for individuals and $800 for married couples and as with the previous STO example, you can give the maximum to one organization or divide the amount among several of the organizations.

When you support a Jewish tax credit organization you impact the lives of members of your own community now and ultimately in the future, and you are choosing a cause that is meaningful to you. Consider giving a helping hand to a family or a person in need as you prepare your 2022 taxes and take the credit. JN

Linda Zell is the executive director of the Jewish Tuition Organization. For more information, visit jtophoenix.org or jewishtaxcredit.org.

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Pilgrimage to meet with Pope Francis

RABBI JOHN A. LINDER

We live our respective faiths most deeply by being in covenantal relationships with one another, bound by our shared humanity. For me, this was never validated more powerfully than during a recent, unexpected trip to Rome.

I was invited to join a delegation of 20 interfaith leaders and organizers from the West/Southwest Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) to meet with Pope Francis for a conversation in his residence in Vatican City. The IAF is a “network of broad-based institutional organizations building power to revitalize democracy for constructive social and economic change.” I embarked with the blessings of the leadership of Temple Solel, the Union for Reform Judaism, the Religious Action Center and the Central Conference of American Rabbis. At the beginning of our meeting, the Pope thanked us for inconveniencing ourselves to come and see him. Imagine that!

What ensued was a genuine dialogue — a 90-minute conversation in Spanish with lots of back-and-forth engagement.

(I was one of five non-Spanish-speaking leaders, fully participating thanks to headphones and a translator!). The encounter

was filled with many blessed exchanges about the joys and struggles of our work, affirming the central role faith institutions play in building community through the pursuit of justice, especially for those on the margins.

As we shared our community organizing experiences, we were all struck by how carefully Pope Francis listened. His humility profoundly moved me. He listens lovingly from a place of curiosity, openness and humor. He loves to smile and laugh! The Pope was just fun to be with!

The Pope heard us tell stories of organizing around our local issues. He was touched when hearing about how becoming a public person restores dignity and develops a sense of one’s agency. What really struck the Pope is that we were not talking about theory or ideology but rather real-life stories that described experiencing God through encounters with the other. The room was filled with kindred spirits.

Pope Francis stressed the importance of being with people, of paying attention to their reality, emphasizing what he referred to as “amor concreto,” concrete love.

and hearing injustice, acting for systemic change and being changed in return. He celebrated the value that we place

on leadership development and strategic action, of doing rather than complaining about what’s not being done, of acting without disparaging or demonizing. The

Rabbi Linder with Pope Francis.

POPE FRANCIS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Pope, though just learning about us, remarked that the IAF is “Good news for the United States.”

What profound validation for the local work of the Valley Interfaith Project (VIP), our IAF network affiliate. I feel great pride that Temple Solel has been a member of VIP for 15 years, acting together within a broad-based interfaith organization to carry the words of Torah into the real world. Throughout his Encyclicals and many writings, the Pope appreciates the radical nature of the Hebrew Bible as the foundation of Christian Scripture. He understands that it’s impossible to realize words of scripture without entering into the fray of the public square, without ruffling some feathers. He has never sought refuge in an ivory tower. Pope Francis, looking at each of us directly in the eye, said, “the only time you should look down at someone is when you are helping to lift them up.”

At the conclusion of our conversation, I presented Pope Francis with a leatherbound and gold-leaf Hebrew Bible. I said to him, through a translator, “Your Holiness, I have never been more certain that we stand on common ground.” The Pope got a kick out of it when I told him that my (almost) 94-year-old mother-in-

law inscribed the book the night before my flight to Rome.

I think about the unlikely paths that brought each of the 20 members of the IAF delegation together — paths paved by the common values of our sacred texts, which merged into a collective pilgrimage to Rome, to be touched by the presence

us recognizing that the ground upon which we stand as brothers and sisters is, indeed, holy ground. Now back home, we are strengthened by one another, interconnected through our respective faiths, emboldened and blessed by Pope Francis to continue our sacred work,

channeling the words of Micah, to “do justice, love goodness and walk humbly with your God.”

Rabbi John Linder is the spiritual leader of Temple Solel in Paradise Valley and a leader of the Valley Interfaith Project.

IAF delegation with Pope Francis.

COURTESY OF RABBI JOHN A LINDER

Elder abuse — never let your guard down

BOB ROTH

Iwill never forget the feeling of leaving our baby with a sitter for the first time. It was truly terrifying. Just reflecting back to those times makes my heart pound. As boomers, we can do a little celebration dance. Class trips, proms, frat parties, they are all in the rear-view mirror. But not so fast.

If you are fortunate enough to still have one or both of your parents, and are overseeing their care, don’t let your guard down. I share a deep concern for the physical, emotional and financial wellbeing of our aging adult population. Elder abuse is the elephant in the room that is very difficult to discuss.

Elder abuse can include physical, emotional and sexual abuse and, in many cases, financial exploitation that I will address in greater depth. Up to five million older Americans are abused every year, and the annual loss by victims of financial exploitation is estimated to be at least $36.5 billion. Elder abuse can happen to any older adult, and often affects those who depend on others for help with activities of daily living. The vast majority of elder financial abuse cases are most likely to be somebody the older adult knows: 54% are family members, 31% are care workers and 13% are partners.

Seniors may fall victim to a trusted friend or companion who exerts undue influence on their victims by overthrowing their free will. The perpetrator substitutes their nefarious financial goals to overtake the estate plan, much to the naïveté of the aging adult. This usually happens when our aging senior reveals a susceptibility

such as dementia, physical limitations, profound grief over the loss of a spouse or partner or the grief over the loss of independence.

Most often, the perpetrator isolates the vulnerable senior and drives a wedge between them and their family members. This increases the power differential leaving the victim even more vulnerable to the will of the abuser. It’s hard to imagine your father or your larger-thanlife grandfather could fall victim to a person or a scam. Often, this was the very person who taught you the importance of legacy planning.

Even those stoic older adults who were leaders in their industry or community become anxious, fearing abandonment. In these cases, it is not hard to see how our aging adults could fall for a sob story and open the coffers to regain their status of being the provider or the nurturer and feeling needed.

Victims of elder abuse may be reluctant to report abuse for fear of major consequences, like losing their independence if their only caregiver is found guilty of abuse and they’re forced into a care facility.

The above highlights that having a plan is of paramount importance as a first line of defense against elder financial exploitation — but certainly not the only defense.

SEE ELDER ABUSE, PAGE 18

MRMOHOCK/ADOBE STOCK

Bob Roth

COURTESY OF BOB ROTH

Ways to minimize the risk of abuse by family, friends and caregivers:

• Secure your valuables, such as jewelry

• Secure private financial documents (checks, financial statements, credit cards, etc.)

• Require receipts for purchases

• Monitor bank accounts and telephone bills

• Consider setting up automatic bill pay systems and transaction alerts

• Consider getting a locked mailbox, to limit access

• Do not let hired caregivers/helpers open your mail, pay your bills or manage your finances

• Never promise money or assets after you die in exchange for care now

• Never lend money or personal property to hired caregivers/helpers

• Don’t put persons other than your spouse/ life-partner on the title to your home

Remember the best defense is a good offense. Having trusted friends and advisors checking in on our seniors may provide fresh eyes to the situation.

Warning signs of financial exploitation:

• Sudden reluctance to discuss financial matters

• Sudden, atypical or unexplained withdrawals, wire transfers or other changes in their financial situations

• Utility or other bills not being paid

• New best friends and “sweethearts”

• Onset or worsening of illnesses or disability

• Behavioral changes, such as fear, submissiveness, social isolation, disheveled appearance, forgetfulness, impulsiveness, secrecy or paranoia (These may also be signs of health issues or dementia.)

• Sudden desire to change their wills, especially when they might not fully understand the implications

• Sudden increase in spending by family or friends

• Transfer of titles of homes or other assets to other people for no apparent reason

• Large, frequent “gifts” to caregivers

• Missing personal property

• Large, unexplained and unexpected loans taken out by elders, such as student loans

Despite elder abuse being prevalent, only one in 24 cases of abuse are reported to authorities.

If you or a loved one suspects that you are currently or were a victim of elder abuse, follow the steps below on how to report elder abuse.

How to report elder financial abuse

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, you can report suspicion of elderly financial abuse, even if it’s not confirmed. If you suspect someone you know — or yourself — is a victim of elder financial exploitation, take these steps to report it:

• If the suspected victim is in immediate danger, call 911 or the local police for help.

• If the suspected victim is not in immediate danger, call the Adult Protective Services (APS) number: 1-833-401-0832. You will be prompted to enter your ZIP code so you can be transferred to the APS program in your county to file a report.

• If the suspected victim is in a longterm care facility, such as a nursing home or assisted care home, contact a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in your state. Ombudsmen advocate for long-term care residents and are trained to help (az.gov).

• Financial exploitation often involves legal issues. To find a lawyer that specifically works with elder law, refer to this consumer resources directory from the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org)

• If you believe you’ve become a victim of fraud, contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-822-372-8311. This hotline, launched by the U.S. Department of Justice, will provide you with a case

manager to help guide you through recovery, including filling out an FBI report.

• A great local resource for seniors that reside in the State of Arizona is the Task Force Against Senior Abuse (TASA)/ Arizona Attorney General (azag.gov). I have personally served on this task force for the past 13 years, and I am continually shocked and dismayed at the number of cases that are brought to the Arizona Attorney General’s office. Unfortunately, the cases keep coming and exploitation is happening more today than it was 13 years ago.

Elder abuse, and more specifically financial exploitation, can happen to anyone. Some of you may recall that back in 2011 famous actor Mickey Rooney came forward to tell the world that he was victimized by his stepchildren. No one is completely immune to this type of crime. Always keep your guard up, never let it down for anyone. If someone out of nowhere comes into a friend or a loved one’s life, you should question their motives, and if it seems or sounds too good to be true then you should be suspicious and believe that it is too good to be true. JN

Bob Roth is the managing partner of Cypress HomeCare Solutions.

Coping with the loss of a loved one

ELLIE SCHWARTZBERG

Coping with the loss of a loved one can be one of the toughest challenges many of us will face. And when one loses a spouse or a significant other, this grief can be compounded. Although loss is a natural part of life, one may still feel overwhelmed and struggle to deal with these new circumstances. For most, the sadness will diminish over time but taking the time to grieve is an essential part of the process.

We are naturally resilient and most of us can cope with a loss and, over time, can move on with our lives. But everyone reacts differently to death. Research shows that most people recover from loss on their own with time, especially if they have a strong support system. It is important to remember that there is no “normal” amount of time for someone to grieve.

For many years, licensed counselors and other mental health professionals believed that processing grief followed a predictable pattern. That once you were through the grieving process, you had reached closure and could move on.

Experts now understand that each person processes grief differently and coping with grief does not follow a particular pattern.

As a licensed professional counselor, I work with individuals experiencing loss. What follows are some strategies that I have found helpful when coping with the loss of a loved one:

• Talk about the death of your loved one with friends and other members of the family. Let others know it is OK to talk to you about it.

• Accept your feelings. People will experience all kinds of emotions after the

death of a loved one and all are normal.

• Take care of yourself. Eat well, exercise and get plenty of rest.

• Celebrate the lives of your loved ones.

Counseling professionals including clergy, can understand the importance of how culture and religion can impact how you handle a loss. These professionals will be sensitive to your traditions and will work with you to establish a plan that best fits your personal needs.

Grief has many possible faces and can express itself in many different ways. Remember, you are your own person with

your own life experiences and relationship with the one who died. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You may benefit from talking with a licensed professional counselor who can help you cope, understand and accept your feelings and help you navigate through the grief process. JN

Ellie Schwartzberg is vice president of Older Adult and Jewish Community Services at Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS). Individuals with questions about counseling may contact Ellie at Ellie.Schwartzberg@jfcsaz.org. For more information about JFCS programs and services, visit jfcsaz.org.

Ellie Schwartzberg COURTESY OF JFCS

Featured Event

THURSDAY, NOV. 10

The Great AZ Challah Bake

6-8 p.m. Join The Shabbat Project Arizona at Menachem Mendel Academy, 6140 E. Thunderbird Road, Scottsdale for a challah bake hosted by Tziporah Gelman. Event also includes a Shabbat Dip Demo & Tasting by the 2016 Arizona Home Top Chef Winner and Guy’s Grocery Games contestant, Jordan Urnovitz. For more information, visit shabbatprojectaz.org.

Events

FRIDAY, NOV. 4

Little Chef Klezmer Band: First Friday Live at the Garfield: 6-8 p.m. Join Phoenix’s newest klezmer band for First Friday live at the Garfield outside at the Little Chef Diner, 924 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. Enjoy Yiddish dance music and food, drinks and ice cream. For more information, visit jewishphoenix. com/events/little-chef-klezmer-band-firstfriday-live-at-the-garfield/.

SATURDAY, NOV. 5

Gesher Disability Resources Gala: 6:3010 p.m. Join Gesher Disability Resurces for their annual gala at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. The evening’s events include a game of Gesher Kahoot, online auction, member event videos and interviews, a raffle drawing and a live auction. For more information, visit gesherdr.org.

Muppet Late Night: 7-10 p.m. Kids in grades 7-12 can join Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley’s Youth at 3400 N. Dobson Road, Chandler for a late-night Muppetthemed adventure including sushi, a DIY painting activity, DMC’s and more. For more information, visit tbsev.org.

SUNDAY, NOV. 6

Israeli Film Series: Online, all day. Join the East Valley Jewish Community Center for their online film series. Watch “Lost Mothers,” an intimate and intense story of four biological mothers who gave up their babies for adoption and now confront their past in a unique support group, while embarking on a life-changing journey to reunite with their estranged children. For more information, visit evjcc.org/film/.

Jewish Speed Dating Event: 1-3:30 p.m. Join Shalom Phoenix at Chompie’s Restaurant, 3212 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix for a Jewish Speed Dating Event for those between the ages of 50 to 65. For more information, visit signupgenius.com/ go/5080f4aa9af2ba5fe3-funspeed.

MONDAY, NOV. 7

Mitzvah Monday: 1-2:30 p.m. Join the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701

N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale in The J Kitchen to bake cookies for patients and their families at Hospice of the Valley. For more information, visit vosjcc.org.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16

My Mother, The Nazi Midwife and Me: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Join the Phoenix Holocaust Association for an online discussion with Gina Roitman, an award-winning writer, poet and a second generation survivor. For more information, visit phxha.com.

Whip Up Thanksgiving Side Dishes: 5:307:30 p.m. Join Chef Robyn at the Ina Levine Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale and learn how to make different sides for your Thanksgiving feast. Registration required by Nov. 11. For more information, visit vosjcc.org.

SUNDAYS

BAGELS: 9-11 a.m. Join the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, for Bagels And Gabbing Every Last Sunday of the month in-person. Grab a bagel and a cup of coffee 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 apm. activecommunities.com/valleyofthesunjcc/ Activity_Search/1787.

MONDAYS Mahjong: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Join the East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler in-person for mahjong. This program is intended for players with prior experience and for those who have received the COVID-19 vaccination. Masks will be required. Cost: Free. For more information and to register, visit evjcc.org/mahjong. For further questions, call the EVJCC at 480-897-0588.

THURSDAYS

Storytime at Modern Milk: 9:30 a.m. Join Modern Milk, 13802 N. Scottsdale Rd, #163, Scottsdale for an in-person storytime for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. We will integrate favorite 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

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.

Chassidus Class: 9 a.m. 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. 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.

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 chabaoupdaz.com.

MONDAYS

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.

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.

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.

TUESDAYS

Let’s Knit: Starting at 1:30 p.m. Share the pleasure of knitting, crocheting, etc. and help others with a project or pattern. Can’t knit? We can teach you! Every level welcome. We will be sitting outside the social hall inside the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Cost: Free. For more information, visit 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.

WEDNESDAYS

History of the Jews: 11:00 a.m. Learn the Jewish journey from Genesis to Moshiach online with Rabbi Ephraim Zimmerman. Cost: Free. Tune in here: zoom. us/j/736434666. For more information, visit chabadaz.com.

Torah Study with Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley: 11 a.m.-noon. TBS of the West Valley’s weekly virtual 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. The goal is to achieve an understanding of what the text is and what it can teach us in the contemporary world. For more information, contact the TBS office at (623) 977-3240.

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.

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

Lunch & Learn: 12:15 PM. Grab some food and learn online with Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin. Cost: Free. Tune in on Zoom by emailing info@ChabadTucson.com. For more

CALENDAR

information, visit ChabadTucson.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.

Knit a Mitzvah: 1:30 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.

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.

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.

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.

Mindfulness Gatherings: Noon. 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.

The Science of Everything: 4 p.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.

SATURDAYS

Saturday Mindfulness Gatherings: 9:30 a.m. 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.

Middle Eastern Percussion - Beginner

Level: 12:45-1:45 p.m. Join One World Dance and Music Studio, 3312 N. Third St., Phoenix to learn the fundamentals of Middle Eastern rhythms on tabla/doubek (drum), riq (tambourine) and zills (finger cymbals). Cost: $20 per class. For more information, visit oneworlddanceandmusic.com.

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

Shabbat

FRIDAYS

In-person services: Congregation Beth Israel is holding services in the Goldsmith Sanctuary limited to 100 people, excluding clergy and staff. Members and guests must be fully vaccinated (two weeks since your last vaccination) and wear a mask. Children may attend and must be able to wear a mask for the duration of the service. 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. To make your reservation, contact Gail Gilmartin at 480951-0323 or at ggilmartin@cbiaz.org.

In-person services: Temple Chai is holding Friday evening (5:30 p.m. nosh, 6:15 p.m. service) and Shabbat morning (varying dates and times). For more information, contact Sheana Abrams at (602) 971-1234 or sabrams@templechai.com.

In-person services: Congregation Or Tzion is holding Friday evening (6 p.m) and Shabbat morning (9:30 a.m.) services indoors. 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.

Baby & Me Shabbat: 9:30 a.m. on the first Friday of the month. Join the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix for this free program for parents and their little ones to welcome Shabbat. For more information, visit bjephoenix.org.

Tot Shabbat in the Park: 9:30 a.m. Free totShabbat every Friday morning at Cactus Park. Shabbat music, toys and a meaningful pre-school Shabbat experience. Is it your child’s birthday? Sponsor a Shabbat for $36. For more information and to register, visit playdatesbydesign.com/upcoming-classes.

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.

Erev Shabbat Service: 5:30 p.m. 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.

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.

Kabbalat Shabbat and/or Shabbat morning service: 6:30 p.m. on various Friday nights and 10:00 a.m. on various Saturday

SEE CALENDAR, PAGE 23

Upcoming Special Sections

Charitable Giving

November 18

December 2 & 16

Educate readers on how nonprofits make a difference in our community and reach contributors ready to make year-end giving choices.

November

An interfaith experience

The Arizona Interfaith Movement held its Experience Interfaith celebration on Oct. 27. More than 20 faiths were represented, including Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and more.

Holiday lessons

Temple Chai Rabbi Emily Segal teaches Early Childhood Education kids about Sukkot.

Meeting the Israeli president

Last week, Jewish Federation leaders met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Washington, D.C. to discuss the JFNA General Assembly (Oct. 30-Nov 1). Among them was the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix’s own Rachel Hoffer, incoming board chair and the 2022 General Assembly co-chair. COURTESY OF JFNA

Bringing smiles to kids

Arizona Jews for Justice’s Eddie Chavez Calderon, left, and Dr. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz brought Halloween costumes and new clothes to refugee children on Oct. 21.

COURTESY OF ARIZONA JEWS FOR JUSTICE

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.

Tucson Challah Bake

Chabad of Tucson drew many happy bakers to its annual challah bake in September. COURTESY OF

COURTESY OF KAROLYN BENGER

mornings. Congregation Kehillah invites you to join Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman and cantorial soloists Erica Erman and Scott Leader either in person or via Zoom. For dates, visit congregationkehillah.org/event/. Register by emailing info@congregationkehillah.org. For safety reasons, please register ahead of time.

In-person Third Friday Shabbat: 7-8 p.m.

The Desert Foothills Jewish Community Association hosts a Shabbat service followed by a program. Contact Andrea at 480-664-8847 for more information.

Seniors

MONDAYS

Tai Chi with Brian Stevens: 10-10:30 a.m.

Tai Chi and Qigong are health practices that incorporate a form of ancient Korean healing martial arts known as DahnMuDo, which produces an overall limitless state of being, through focused movement and focused breathing. Experience a renewed sense of being, boost your immune system and enjoy doing so in this virtual class. For more information and to register, visit jfcsaz. org/events/. Contact CSE Director Jennifer Brauner at seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org or 602343-0192 with questions.

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.

Sip & Schmooze: 11 a.m. Sip on kosher coffee or tea, enjoy a homemade pastry and Schmooze with great company every second Monday of the month at Luci’s Barn at the Orchard, located at 7100 N. 12th St., Phoenix. RSVP Appreciated: chani@ sosaz.org or (602) 492-7670. For more information, visit www.sosaz.org.

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.

Brain Fitness: 1-2 p.m. Join Toby Lazarus in this virtual brain fitness class, which works to engage the brain in innovative ways in a variety of cognitive areas and can help increase mental acuity. Word play, puzzles, memory games and problemsolving activities are employed to enhance your brain power. Cost: Free. For more information and to register, visit jfcsaz. org/events/. Contact CSE Director Jennifer Brauner at seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org or 602343-0192 with questions.

TUESDAYS

Zumba Gold with Adriana Padilla: 9:30-10:15 a.m. This virtual class is perfect for active older adults who want a modified Zumba class with lower-intensity. Class focuses on all elements of fitness: cardiovascular, muscular conditioning, flexibility and balance. Come to this virtual class ready to sweat, and prepare to leave empowered and feeling strong. For more information and to register, visit jfcsaz. org/events/. Contact CSE Director Jennifer

Brauner at seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org or 602-343-0192 with questions.

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.

Israeli Folk Dancing Series: 1:15-2:15 p.m. from Aug. 16-Sept. 20. Join the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale for a variety of Israeli and other folk line dances. This workshop is open to all levels, no prior dance experience of any kind is necessary. For more information, visit vosjcc.org.

WEDNESDAYS

Fitness Fun with Zoe: 10-10:45 a.m. In this virtual class, do some light chair exercise with optional weights. Class follows a format of a warmup weight free movement, optional weights, then a cool down. Some standing options, however all moves can be done sitting. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse. Contact CSE Director Jennifer Brauner at seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org or 602-343-0192 with questions.

Chair Yoga with Zoe: 11-11:45 a.m. Grab a chair and sit down for a 45-minute chair yoga class with Zoe! Yoga is beneficial to mind, body and spirit. Prior to class, please let Zoe know if you have any limitations in order for exercises to be modified. No prior yoga experience required. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse.

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

Welcome Shabbat: 11-11:45 a.m. Celebrate Shabbat virtually with songs, blessings and inspirational teachings. For more information and to register, visit jfcsaz. org/events/. Contact CSE Director Jennifer Brauner at seniorcenter@jfcsaz.org or 602-343-0192 with questions.

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. 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

MILESTONES OBITUARY

LOIS MARK

Lois Mark of Phoenix died Oct. 21, 2022. She was 86.

Lois is survived by her brother, Gary Grossman of Delray Beach, Fla.; her daughter, Lisa Mark of Los Altos, Calif.; her son, Andrew Mark of Scottsdale; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Services were held graveside on Oct. 24, 2022, officiated by Rabbi Bonnie Koppell and arranged by Sinai Mortuary of Arizona. Donations in her name can be made to the American Heart Association (heart.org).

BAR MITZVAH

ARIK LEV SCHURE

Arik Lev Schure will become a bar mitzvah on Nov. 5, 2022 at Temple Kol Ami. The son of Anat and Adam Schure of Phoenix, Arik has an older sister, Ayden, and two cats and one dog.

Arik’s grandparents are Agi and Fred Goldman of Phoenix and Diane and Bob Schure of Cave Creek.

For his mitzvah project Arik currently volunteers with the Miracle League of Arizona, a baseball league for individuals with developmental disabilities. He has truly felt a connection while volunteering and plans to continue on with this organization for months to come.

A student at Sonoran Foothills School, Arik enjoys playing baseball, basketball, flag football, video games, hanging out with friends and playing more baseball. JN

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Patricia Ann Sands Lieberman Bruner (Pat Bruner), age 81, passed away on October 19, 2022 in Glendale.

Pat was born on November 19, 1940, in Pittsburgh, Pa. to James Davidson Sands and Elizabeth Jane Osborne. Pat is predeceased by the love of her life, husband Robert (Bob) Wayne Bruner, as well as her parents. She is survived by her sister Sarah White (Jim); her three children Helen Ranney (Wayne), Richard Lieberman (Amy) and Peggy Kraus (Sean); eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a large extended family.

Pat had a love for and was always involved in music, but especially found joy in conducting religious services as a cantorial soloist for various temples and congregations. She also taught Torah study classes and encouraged people from all denominations to attend so that all may learn from each other. She was foremost grateful for her family, her faith and her many friends.

A celebration of life will be held in 2023.

To contact the family regarding any information, please email shirjoy441@gmail.com. Donations in honor of Pat may be made to Smile on Seniors (smileonseniorsaz.com or 602-492-7670) or Hospice of the Valley (hov.org/donate/ or 602-530-6900).

Lois Joan (Menter) Zachary, 78, of Phoenix, passed away with dignity and grace of heart disease on October 26, 2022.

She is survived by her husband, Edward; son, Bruce Zachary of Phoenix; daughter, Lisa Fain (David) of Mercer Island, Wash.; sister, Joyce Baron (Wayne Nyberg) of Palm Coast, Fla.; brother-in-law, Seth Zachary (Nancy) of Greenwich, Conn.; sister-in-law, Carol Levine of Corvallis, Ore.; granddaughters Talia Fain and Emily Fain and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was blessed with ability, compassion, intelligence and the love of so many friends and colleagues throughout the United States and other parts of the world.

Contributions in her name can be made to The Arthritis Foundation (arthritis.org) or WISH at Banner Health Foundation (give.bannerhealth.com/wish).

ON THE ISSUES

ABORTION

Marsh has been very public about protecting women’s access to the healthcare they need and will work to keep the government out of the decisions made between a woman and her doctor.

ECONOMY

Christine Marsh has worked hard to support Arizona’s economy during this tough time, has supported key investments in Arizona’s infrastructure, and has worked to get our schools the funding they need. As a 30-year veteran English teacher, she understand that our future requires an educated workforce.

GUNS IN SCHOOLS

As a mother of a police officer, Marsh supports all measures that will keep our communities and children safe – including prohibiting adults (except for trusted School Resource Officers) from having loaded guns on or near school property. Additionally, she even brought Republicans and Democrats together to fight illegal fentanyl, which has torn apart too many Arizona families. (1)

1)https://kjzz.org/content/1688246/arizona-state-sen-christine-marsh-praises-passage-fentanyl-testing-bill

ENDORSED BY FIREFIGHTERS

CHRISTINE

MARSH

30 YEAR ENGLISH TEACHER & 2016 AZ TEACHER OF THE YEAR. 2 YEARS IN AZ SENATE

PAID FOR BY SOLUTIONS FOR ARIZONA WITH 18% FROM OUT OF STATE CONTRIBUTORS. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE.