TRAVEL | 16
SPECIAL SECTION | 14
THE BIRTHPLACE OF ELVIS
SENIOR LIFESTYLE There’s no such thing as “free” with genetic testing
Take a trip to Graceland
JULY 12, 2019 | TAMUZ 9, 5779 | VOLUME 71, NUMBER 33
Not just summer camp: Volunteers reflect on Camp Swift NICK ENQUIST | STAFF WRITER
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or nearly 40 years, Camp Swift has continued to provide economically disadvantaged youth with the opportunity to experience overnight summer camp. For many of the mostly Jewish teen and young adult volunteers, the camp is an opportunity to build leadership skills and create meaningful relationships. “At the end of the camp, when we’re sending the kids to go home, I’ve seen the most macho, stone-cold, big guys break down,” Swift volunteer Kara Sherman said. “Because the relationships that are established between all levels of staff with these campers are so emotional that it’s not just a surface-level camp.” The Swift Youth Foundation holds its Camp Swift program in two weeklong sessions every summer at Swift Youth Foundation Camp Daisy and Harry Stein. This year’s first session Executive Director Kaylie ended in May and the second session will begin on Medansky. July 31 and end on Aug. 4. Campers range from ages 8 to 11 and are predominantly from the Hispanic, African American and Native American communities of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Sherman — who just completed her first year of college — has volunteered for four years at the weeklong camp and has attended six sessions. Sunnyslope High School senior Alexis Hatch is now in her third year as a volunteer for Swift. She found being a volunteer and team member
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Interfaith concert brings Jewish and African American communities together NICK ENQUIST | STAFF WRITER
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ate last month, two communities came together to share and express spirituality through music. Called “A Celebration of Spirit: Strengthening Our Common Bonds Through Music and Faith,” the gathering, sponsored by the Arizona Jewish Historical Society and Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, took place on Sunday, June 30 at the church, and featured religious music from both Jewish and African American traditions. The intention was to encourage SEE CONCERT, PAGE 3
From left: Temple Solel cantorial soloist Todd Herzog, Temple Kol Ami cantorial soloist Emily Kaye and Temple Solel Rabbi Emily Langowitz singing together at “A Celebration of Spirit: Strengthening Our Common Bonds Through Music and Faith” concert on Sunday, June 30.
Working with our schools State Rep. Alma Hernandez has a personal connection to policing on public school campuses. The Jewish Latina lawmaker worked closely with Gov. Ducey’s office to create a comprehensive training plan for law enforcement assigned to public schools. Will the bipartisan plan be only the first of more to come? Read Page 4 for more.
SEE SWIFT, PAGE 2
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