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Rabbi Rony Keller Scottsdale Jewish educator brings returns to Valley new Israel insights home after as senior rabbi at JNF-USA mission Temple Solel JOSH BOOTZIN | STAFF WRITER
JOSH BOOTZIN | STAFF WRITER
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s it celebrates its 60th anniversary, Temple Solel in Scottsdale is looking forward to continued growth and service to the Jewish community under the leadership of a new senior rabbi: Rabbi Rony Keller. A South Florida native, Keller received two bachelor’s degrees in religion and psychology from the University of South Florida before earning a master’s degree in Hebrew letters and Jewish education, as well as his rabbinical ordination, from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. Keller is a familiar face to many in the Valley, having spent 13 years at Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) in Scottsdale as an associate rabbi and director of education before spending the last nine years at Congregation B’nai Israel in Boca Raton, Florida. “Having Rabbi Keller back is wonderful not only for Temple Solel, but for the greater community as well,” said Peter Pishko, Temple Solel’s executive director. “He knows our community, he knows the local clergy and we’re thrilled to have him.” Keller said he considered many openings across the country, but when the opportunity presented itself at Temple Solel, it made his decision much easier. “When the possibility at Solel opened up, it was an overwhelming excitement and a ‘yes’ from the whole family,” Keller said. He explained that each step in the interview process increasingly convinced him that Solel was the right place for him and his family. “I don’t think most interviews work that way. They usually get more stressful and you have to do more work,
The American delegation for the 2026 JNF-USA Educators’ Mission to Israel.
COURTESY OF MOLLY ZEDECK/JNF-USA
M
embers and staff of Congregation Or Tzion in Scottsdale had been encouraging the synagogue’s education director, Andre Ivory, to take part in Jewish National Fund USA’s (JNF-USA) Educators’ Mission to Israel for a few years before the timing finally worked out this summer. SEE MISSION, PAGE 3
Freedman’s a fan Robert Freedman was named 2021’s “Fan of the Year” by the Arizona Cardinals and recently the organization recommended him to appear on “Good Morning America.” See page 6. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT FREEDMAN
SEE SOLEL, PAGE 2
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about her Judaism with her fellow council members and speaking out for her rights CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and beliefs. about her Judaism with her fellow council SOPHIE said JonSTERN Meyers, director of ADDPC. She already has some practice at but this was the opposite. Every step was CONTINUED FROM 1 members and speaking out for her rights “Our hope is PAGE to create and promote advocating for herself. just a little bit kinder and warmer and beliefs. opportunities for people to be embraced, and “One time, I was in class and someone said Jon Meyers, director of ADDPC. more thoughtful. We couldn’t have been She already has some practice at become part of the community and find called me the R-word “Our hope is to create and promote advocating for herself.and I told him not more welcomed and more loved all the equitable opportunities wherever they to. The teacher was in the hallway and opportunities for people to be embraced, way through,” Keller said. “One time, I was in class and someone might live,” he said. another student repeated the word,” she become part of the community and find called me A proponent of cross-denominational the R-word and I told him not Meyers first came to know Stern said. Rather than letting the situation go, cooperation, Keller was a member of the equitable opportunities wherever they to. The teacher was in the hallway and through her mother, Amy Silverman, who she told her theater teacher, who was able Boca Raton Interfaith Clergy Association might live,” he said. another student repeated the word,” she read her personal essays about raising a to intervene. during his previous role, and he also Meyers first came to know Stern Rather than letting the situation go, daughter with Down syndrome on KJZZ, said. “If someone has a disability, saying served for three years as president of the through her mother, Amy Silverman, who she her theater teacher, who was able National Public Radio’s Phoenix affiliate the told R-word is like saying the F-word,” Board of Rabbis of Greater Phoenix when read her personal essays about raising a to intervene. station. said. he was at CBI. daughter with Down syndrome on KJZZ, Stern “If someone has a disability, saying Meyers was so captivated by the essays While performing in the musical He described the Board of Rabbis as National Public Radio’s Phoenix affiliate the R-word is like saying the F-word,” that he reached out to Silverman, and the “Hairspray,” she had another occasion a “great organization. People want to station. Stern said. two became friends. to tangle with the offensive word, which volunteer and be a part of the work, and Meyers was so captivated by the essays While performing in the musical That’s how Stern first learned of the appears in the script. in 2022 that sort of connectedness doesn’t happen that he reached out to Silverman, and the she had another occasion Sophie Stern at her high school graduation open council seat, but there’s no doubt “Hairspray,” COURTESY OF SOPHIE STERN “That’s really bad and my friend said everywhere.” two became friends. to tangle with the offensive word, which she earned her position, Meyers said. it on stage. I was not OK with that, so I Heart Can’t Even Believe It: A Story of Keller said one of the things he Rabbi Rony That’s how Stern Keller leading services.first learned of the in the script. COURTESY OF TEMPLE SOLEL Sophie Stern at her high school graduation in 2022 To become a council member, Stern appears to the director and told her it was Science, remembered appreciating about the open council seat, but there’s no doubt went COURTESY OF SOPHIE STERN Love and Down Syndrome,” “That’s really bad and my friend said had to apply and demonstrate that she had a bad word foracceptance people with disabilities, Phoenix Jewish community compared feels love and from the He she saidearned he would attend Meyers Board of her position, said. already Silverman’s book about her daughter. it on stage. I was not OK with that, so I something valuable to contribute, he said. but she wouldn’t take it out,” Stern said. Heart Can’t Even Believe It: A Story of to other places was how connected the Rabbis congregation. meetings now member, that he’s Stern To becomeagain a council When Gesher’s speakers’ bureau, Damon to the director and told her it was Science, Love and Down Syndrome,” “She’s on the council because she“It’swent She let her mother know about the clergy were to the common goal of back in a really great outpouring of town. had to apply and demonstrate that she had a been Brooks & Associates, was asked to find bad word for people with disabilities, Silverman’s book about her daughter. deserves to be on the council,” he said. andemails they and werebaked able to convince attracting Jews to the synagogue, no phoneconflict calls and goods Keller arrived at TempletoSolel during he a said. something valuable contribute, she wouldn’t take it out,” Stern said. a speaker about Down syndrome for an Stern is creating a life and career asgalore,” a buthe director of the need to remove the When Gesher’s speakers’ bureau, Damon matter which one. said. transitional period congregation. “She’s on for thethe council because she theShe let her mother know about the event this spring, Hummell first asked member of her community, which makes Brooks & Associates, was asked to find word from the script. Keller looks “All of us are on the same team, which Both its down senior to rabbi andthe associate rabbi deserves be on council,” he said.Further conflict andthe theyroad, were able to convince Silverman to speak, thinking Stern might her a great addition. a speaker about Down syndrome for an “My friend Al was next to me when is to get Jews to the shul,” he said. “And retired, growing theneed clergy staff the be and its cantorial asoloist relocated Stern is creating life and career asforward a the to director of the to remove too young. Stern graduated from McClintock I told the director and he gave me the event this spring, Hummell first asked if it’s not this shul, because we might not out ofmember alongside him and expanding youth state. of her community, which makes word from the script. They decided instead that Stern should biggest hug ever and said that he loved Silverman to speak, thinking Stern might match up, go somewhere else and check participation. K e High lher l e r a cSchool h a r aaddition. cin t eTempe r i z e d last s o year m uand c h now great “My friend Al was next to me when tell her own story; it’s a real bonus that attends Glendale Community College, me so much,” Stern said. Sadly, Al died be too young. it out.” currently serves on transition as an “excitingfrom challenge.” Stern graduated McClintockKeller I told the director andthe henational gave me the she is not afraid of public speaking. a focus on dance. She is a regular in ay car crashfor on Oct. 24,National 2021. They decided instead that Stern should He said he likes to feel that he can pitch The with advisor board Jewish congregation three High School inlost Tempe last trusted year and now biggest hug ever and said that he loved “It’s not the same when someone performer at Detour Company Theatre, “That was hard; it’s very hard to get tell own story; it’s a real bonus that his own synagogue to a potential member, community Fund-USA’s Rabbis Stern for Israel, and he so far replaced only attendsleaders, Glendale Community College, me so much,” said. Sadly, Al died tries her to tell a person’s story for them,” a Scottsdale theatre company for adults emotions out and I was very, very upset,” she is not afraid of public speaking. but if it doesn’t feel right, or if they’re by Keller. hopesintoa car increase education firston work I’m She hoping with“The a focus dance. is ato regular crash Israel on Oct. 24, 2021.and Hummell said. with intellectual, developmental and she said. “It’s not the same when someone on the fence, he can also recommend do is to travel to it’s Israel at Solel. just create stability,” he said. Theatre, “I opportunities performer at Detour Company “That to was hard; very hard to get Additionally, helping people with Onto theberecent anniversary of his death, tries to tell a person’s story for them,” other synagogues in town while feeling want physical Solel-centric. It should to createdisabilities. the sense that we’re in for thisadults“I want a Scottsdale theatre company emotions out and I was very, very upset,” disabilities jobs was one of the reasons In fact,I’m when attended her first Sternus,” made asaid. cake“We andhave tooktoitbeto the Hummell find comfortable that the other clergy are together, said. be about he hereStern fordevelopmental them, and I’m withthat intellectual, and she said. for acquiring the bureau. Unemployment council meeting January, she couldn’t crash site. returning the favor. In this way, he works not planning Additionally, helping people with connected; we recent have to make sure thedeath, goinginanywhere.” physicalon disabilities. On the anniversary of his the disability community is upwards wait to tell people of her involvement with “I don’t how Ifor did it without in to decrease the rate of Jewish community congregation feelsknow good, anyone disabilities find jobs was one of the reasons This especially means ensuring b’nai In fact, when Stern attended her first Stern made a cakeand and took it to the of 75% and of that percentage, 75% are Detour and share information about its crying. I’m so proud of myself,” she said. members who are not affiliated with a mitzvah that wants join this fabulous, kind and for acquiring the bureau. Unemployment families are comfortable council meeting in January,heading she couldn’t crashto site. *Best of Magazine ready, willing and able to work — but upcoming shows. Amy Hummell, executive director of synagogue or community center. wonderful congregation, thatI we into upcoming in the disability*Annual community is upwards wait to tellcelebrations. people of her involvement with Directory “I don’t know how did make it without haven’t been given the opportunity, “There’s no question that she is going Gesher Disability Resources, agreed that “That’s what I really liked about Directory this **Annual feel at home.” “Change difficult, but I about am them of 75% and of that percentage, 75% are Detourcan andbeshare information its crying. I’m so proud of myself,” she said. said. **Best of Magazine to forward thrive,” Meyers said. mission “She’s verySince Stern istemple a good fityet fortoADDPC because Hummell community,” Keller said. “The the has hire a new Rabbi Keller’s *Bestprimary of Magazinelooking ready, willing and able to work — but upcoming to shows. Amy Hummell, executive director of “People have it in them to speak up but gregarious and passionate about the of her ability Keller to self-advocate. goal is to take care of your own place, and vision cantorial soloist, is bringing in for Temple Solel as we enter haven’t been given the opportunity, “There’s no question that she is going Gesher Disability Resources, agreed that **Annual Directory things that matter to her.” Hummell co-hostedJewish a book event don’t know how, and often they’re not but the WWW.JEWISHAZ.COM secondary goal is we have to get this new Dan Nichols, rock Pishko said. said. “She’s very to era,” thrive,” Meyers Stern is aa well-known good fit for ADDPC because Hummell said. cheered on. Sophie has family support with Meyers a few years ago for Stern looks forward to sharing insights Jews affiliated.” musician and composer, to help lead “MyWWW.JEWISHAZ.COM Keller started onand July passionate 1, and he said he the “People have it in them to speak up but gregarious about of her ability to self-advocate. don’t know how, and often they’re not things that matter to her.” Hummell co-hosted a book event WWW.JEWISHAZ.COM OFFICE HOURS has family support Stern looks forward to sharing insights with Meyers a few years ago for “My cheered on. Sophie HEADLINES ...........................................2 SOPHIE STERN
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Ivory boasts more than 20 years of Jewish education experience in communities in Los Angeles, Toronto and Phoenix, having served the Phoenix Jewish community for the last decade as camp director at the East Valley Jewish Community Center, director of youth education at Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley and as an educator with the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix. Ivory, who also directs the Roz Goodell Religious School at Congregation Or Tzion, recently joined a group of 24 Jewish educators from across the United States for eight days of hands-on, experiential learning on how to help inspire the next generation of Zionists. On this trip, sponsored by JNF-USA and Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss), Ivory connected with fellow educators, gained new resources to help bring meaningful Israel education back to the United States and learned about the many impactful JNF initiatives taking place from the Gaza envelope to areas in northern Israel. “Bonding with fellow educators, exploring how we love Israel and translating that into relevant, engaging programming in our classroom means so much to the communities we serve,” Ivory said. “This mission showed that Israel education goes beyond pushkes (blue boxes) and pedagogy and shows the importance of people and partnerships. Partnering with Jewish National Fund-USA as we bring our communities closer to Israel is essential to how we function.” Ivory has visited Israel three times before on organized trips, but none of them were specifically for educators, and this was his first JNF-USA-sponsored trip. Upon his return, he identified four key takeaways from his experience. First, Ivory appreciated witnessing “the incredible work and partnerships that JNF is building all across Israel to help different types of communities.” One example was seeing the construction of a hospital in Kiryat Shmona that aims to provide proper medical care in areas of northern Israel. The group’s itinerary also included visits to JNF-USA 9/11 Living Memorial outside of Jerusalem, as well as the Sderot Indoor Recreation Center and GrooveTech in the Eshkol region, both secure facilities where children can play despite the threat of rocket attacks.
The educators visited the planned site for the World Zionist Village, currently under construction in Be’er Sheva, and they toured the Muss campus in Hod HaSharon, where they experienced the school’s educational methodology and volunteered alongside students to prepare lunches for Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers. Ivory’s second major takeaway was what he learned from spending time traveling around the country with fellow educators from across the United States. Ivory’s peers hailed from a variety of educational environments, and he relished the many meaningful discussions they had about how to facilitate conversations and educational moments about Israel within American communities, “especially in a post-Oct. 7 world where our communities are dealing with ever more complex conversations about Israel,” he said. As part of the trip, Ivory and his American peers participated in the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL-JNF) Worldwide Education Seminar as representatives of the United States among more than 200 educators from 26 countries. Ivory recalled conversations with Jewish educators from Argentina, Canada, South Africa, France and many more places. “It was wonderful to connect with people from all over the world to see what their challenges are and what their successes are,” Ivory said. He said one of the privileges of attending the seminar was to share every experience, from the hotels and meals to engaging with guest speakers, with other educators from all over the world. Ivory described the seminar as “a shared moment of wonderful Jewish community. Traveling around the country, seeing similar sights, experiencing Shabbat together or just sitting and hearing speakers and then being able to converse about these things afterward was a unique experience; one I’ll definitely never forget.” Having lived and worked in the Jewish community in Toronto, Canada, for a few years, Ivory’s conversations with the Canadian educators were especially memorable, “just hearing their perspective about communities that I used to interact with and the difficulties with antisemitism within larger Canadian cities.” Ivory’s third takeaway incorporated the many tools he gained from JNF staff on how to execute educational opportunities and foster connection within his community. Back at home, participants continue to
work with JNF-USA professionals to raise awareness of the organization’s programs and opportunities among their students, including running programming that uses lessons learned from JNF-USA’s educators’ trip and encouraging students to spend a semester abroad at Muss or travel to Israel with an organized JNF-USA trip. “My synagogue was definitely supportive of me participating in this, and I felt incredibly honored to have been accepted to go,” Ivory said. “It was an amazing, very unique experience.” Ivory’s last major takeaway came out of “upgrading our context of what’s really going on in Israel at the moment so when we come back to our communities, we can discuss Israel with updated information, having seen and experienced it for ourselves,” he explained. “We became more accurate primary sources, instead of engaging with Israel solely through articles, social media or what we see on television.” Ivory noted that the JNF programs he witnessed went beyond Oct. 7 and wartime relief, affecting “almost every part of Israeli society.” This includes engaging with non-Jewish communities, such as a woman named Basma Hino, who owns a kosher Druze restaurant in the village of Julis in northern Israel. “She’s an IDF widow who decided to turn her energies into helping to support current soldiers and their families, so she serves home-cooked meals to 400 soldiers a day, and JNF partially supports her efforts,” Ivory said. The most memorable and moving experience of the trip to Ivory was visiting the site of the Supernova music festival. “Not only does JNF support the work and upkeep of the memorial that is there, but it was personal for me, and that site has significance to our congregation,” he said. He also couldn’t wait to share his experience scribing a letter in a Torah to honor the people who were directly affected by the events of Oct. 7 with members of his congregation. “I encourage Jewish educators from across Arizona and beyond to consider participating in the JNF educators’ mission,” Ivory said. “I think it is important for us as Jewish educators to have these discussions about how we educate about Israel, to go and update your reference points and also to reignite your love for the state of Israel.” JN
upcoming High Holy Day services. “We’re so blessed and lucky to have him coming, and he’ll be a great partner for me for the High Holy Days,” Keller said. “He’s very soulful; he’s a good Jew and a good human.” The upcoming services mark a special anniversary for Temple Solel as the congregation comes together to celebrate 60 years since its establishment by 12 indi-
viduals living across the Greater Phoenix area in 1966. “Many congregations are not in a position to celebrate a 60th anniversary, so we feel very fortunate,” Pishko said. “It is wonderful to celebrate 60 years of Temple Solel together as a community.” “Everyone I’ve talked to not only loves to come here and loves Solel, but they love to be part of the work of Solel,” Keller
said. “It’s a huge honor to get to be at a shul that is so well put together, and that is celebrating all these years here in town.” Keller said he’s excited and ready to go. “When you feel supported and loved in the work, it makes everything easy.” JN
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Mother and daughter go from corporate careers to community cornerstone MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR
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hen Lisa Eskenazi opened Dandelion Home + Gift eight years ago, she envisioned more than a retail store. After decades in technology recruiting, she wanted to create a neighborhood boutique where customer service and personal connections would be as important as the merchandise. Today, that vision has become a family business. Three years ago, Eskenazi’s daughter, Lexie Rindler, left a corporate recruiting career at Deloitte & Touche to join her mother full time. Together, they operate the Scottsdale boutique, which recently relocated from McCormick Ranch to a larger space in the Kierland Village Center on the southeast corner of Greenway Parkway and 64th Street. “We wanted to double the size of the store and have better parking,” Rindler said. “I joined my mom after working in corporate America, and I love it. It has a much better vibe.” The move also allowed the business to expand its inventory of gifts, home décor, clothing, jewelry and products created by Arizona artisans. The family used to live in Seattle, where Eskenazi made and sold vintage pedestal dishes under the company name “Dandelion,” so she kept the name when she opened the store. Rindler, who oversees operations and marketing, said the boutique’s emphasis on customer service has helped distinguish it from online retailers and large chain stores. “We’re old school,” she said. “We greet people when they walk in. If they need help finding a gift or another size, we’re there to help.” Eskenazi credits much of that philosophy to her years working at
Nordstrom in Seattle in the 1980s, where she learned that every customer should be treated like a guest. “They were the key to customer service,” she said. “They used to say, ‘When a person enters your department or your store, it’s like a person entering your home.’ So, I treat them as if they’re guests in my home.” The business has relied heavily on repeat customers, particularly during Arizona’s slower summer months. “Our regulars are what keep us going,” Rindler said. “I’m very thankful for the locals and the people who stay in town during the summer.” She pointed to a recommendation posted by a customer on the neighborhood social media platform Nextdoor that generated attention and introduced dozens of new shoppers to the store. She also mentioned that people will post about the store on Instagram or Facebook. “Someone made a shout out to their girlfriends in their mahjong group and that brought in like 10 ladies,” she said. Another hallmark of the boutique is its commitment to supporting local artists. The store carries work from painters, potters, jewelr y makers and Native American artisans throughout Arizona. “Because we’re local, we like to support other local artisans,” Rindler said. Plus, if someone is looking at a particular piece, she and her mother like to share about the artist or how they discovered their work. The boutique has also expanded its selection of Judaica, including mezuzot, tzedakah boxes, hamsa décor and Hanukkah gifts. Rindler said customers have told her that they appreciate seeing Judaica in the store. “I’ve always worn either a hamsa or a
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Mother-daughter duo, Lisa Eskenazi, left, and Lexie Rindler, are the owners and operators of Dandelion Home + Gift in Scottsdale. COURTESY OF DANDELION HOME + GIFTS
Jewish star. I’m out and proud about being Jewish. I always have been. And I think other people should be, too,” said Rindler. She said that the family currently doesn’t belong to a synagogue because her father is Ashkenazi and her mother is Sephardic, and it’s hard to find a place to cater to both ethnicities. But she said the traditions from both sides are “super alive.” “I speak fluent Spanish because my mom’s side spoke Ladino, which is the Sephardic language.” She said that her mom’s father passed away when she was in seventh grade, and he wanted her to learn Spanish, so she did. “That’s a big part of our story, that all people are welcome here,” Rindler said. Like many independent retailers, Dandelion Home + Gift has faced challenges, including an economic downturn following the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re always thinking about how to attract new customers and keep the existing ones coming back,” Eskenazi said. She also said carrying one-of-a-kind items that you won’t find on Amazon and focusing on service and relationships are key. “You can buy a candle anywhere,” Eskenazi said. “You can buy a T-shirt anywhere. But you can’t buy service anywhere.”
JEWISH NEWS
Some of the Judaica available at Dandelion Home + Gift. COURTESY OF DANDELION HOME + GIFTS
The store also maintains consistent hours, a commitment Eskenazi believes demonstrates reliability to customers. “If my hours say we’re open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and it’s slower than slow, we’re not going to close,” she said. “We’re here for you. We’re not here for us. We’re part of a community, and I know customers depend on us.” For both women, working together has become one of the most rewarding parts of the business. “Working with my best friend. That’s the best,” Eskenazi said. Rindler agreed, adding that owning a neighborhood boutique has given her an opportunity to become more connected to the community than she ever felt in corporate America. “I meet different people every day,” she said. “Some days, I want to go home and cry because people tell me their life story, and a lot of times people have had hard lives. But besides that, I just love being a part of the community because when you’re a shop owner, you’re there for people’s lifecycle events.” JN For more information, contact 480-494-5279 or visit facebook.com/dandelionhomeandgift or Instagram @dandelionhomeandgift.
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HEADLINES LOCAL
Special education instructor and diehard Cardinals fan represents the team on ‘Good Morning America’ JOSH BOOTZIN | STAFF WRITER
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obert Freedman, a special education instructional assistant at Washington High School in Phoenix and the Arizona Cardinals 2021 Fan of the Year, was recently invited to appear on “Good Morning America” (GMA) for his community service in honor of Disability Pride Month. Born 11 weeks premature at just one pound and 10 ounces, Freedman received special education through the third grade. Now in his early 40s, he has served as a mentor and role model for high school students like him for more than a decade. “It’s special to give back and be a positive mentor for people, just like there were positive mentors for me,” Freedman said. “I want to make going to school a positive experience for people so they can know someone cares for them, wants them to be successful and believes in them.” Freedman’s father brought him to his first Cardinals game in 1993, when he was just 9 years old. Just over a year later, his father died in a car accident. Ever since,
Freedman has said that attending games helped him feel closer to his father. He became a season ticket holder in 2007, and he hasn’t missed a home game since. In 2021, the Cardinals named Freedman Fan of the Year, making him eligible to be considered for the National Football League’s Fan of the Year, but he was not chosen among the other 31 finalists. Freedman said he never expected to win either the Cardinals’ contest or the national one, but “it felt like I was a special part of the football team.” Earlier this summer, Freedman received a text from the GMA team that they’d like to have him on the show, and they asked permission to visit his school to film him in his element. After accepting, he found out that the Cardinals organization recommended him for the show due to his involvement with the inaugural Cardinals Climb, a charity event for the Arizona Cardinals Foundation that brought thousands to State Farm
Beth El Cemetery Memorial Service The community is invited to attend a Memorial Service Sunday, September 20th at 9:00 a.m. Beth El Cemetery • 2300 W. Van Buren Rabbi Nitzan Stein-Kokin will officiate. For information please contact Eli Barzilai 602-944-3359 ext. 110 Cemetery@bethelphoenix.com
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AUGUST 28, 2026
Robert and Mickey Freedman visit the “Good Morning America” studio in New York City.
Stadium in Glendale earlier this year to support individuals and families living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In just one day, the Cardinals helped raise $2 million. “It was very cool to see all walks of life come together at the event,” Freedman said. “They raised millions of dollars for the special needs community. It was very positive, and I look forward to it next year.” The second annual Cardinals Climb is scheduled to take place in February 2027. Freedman had a lot of praise for the Cardinals organization. “They’re a wonderful organization,” he said. “I like how they’re involved in the community and going to games is always a fun experience, win or lose. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people over the years as a diehard fan, both employees and players.” After filming at his high school, GMA flew both Freedman and his mother, Mickey, out to its studio in New York City for two nights, all travel and hotel expenses paid. Freedman appreciated that his mother got to go with him and be on TV. “She’s been there with me since day one of my life, so it was cool to be there with her,” he said. During the studio interview aired on July 16, Freedman enjoyed a number of surprises, starting with getting to see his students interviewed for a national television segment. He was also surprised by video messages from current Cardinals tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. “It was a nice surprise from Trey and Marvin, because I remember seeing both of them get drafted, and I’ve been following them both since they became Cardinals,”
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COURTESY OF ROBERT FREEDMAN
Freedman said. Another highlight was getting to meet GMA co-anchor Michael Strahan after watching him play many years ago, and then seeing him as an analyst for “Fox NFL Sunday.” “It was an experience of a lifetime,” Freedman said. While in New York, he visited the 9/11 Memorial & Museum because he had never seen the completed exhibit, and it meant a lot to him to pay his respects. As a longtime Cardinals fan, Freedman has been present for some of the franchise’s standout moments over the last few decades. A few of his favorite games that he’s been able to see in person include the 2009 NFC Championship when the Cardinals made their first Super Bowl, which he described as “a dream,” in addition to an overtime playoff victory over the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 10, 2010, and a game in 2020 where the Cardinals won on a Hail Mary to DeAndre Hopkins to beat the Buffalo Bills. His favorite current player is safety Budda Baker, who has been with the team since 2017, and a few of his favorite past players include quarterback Kurt Warner — “he’s a very inspirational person” — and linebacker Dennis Gardeck, whom he got to know personally. “The Cardinals are a world-class organization,” Freedman said. “Everyone on the Cardinals is valuable, from the front office staff to the employees, the players, the coaches and the fans. We all win together.” JN Watch Freedman’s interview on “Good Morning America” here: https://www.goodmorningamerica. com/video/134813578.
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RELIGIOUS LIFE TORAH STUDY
Coming home is the first step in our journey RABBI EMILY E. SEGAL PARSHAH KI TAVO: DEUTERONOMY 26:1-29:8
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his is a season of beginnings and endings, comings and goings. The school year is beginRabbi Emily E. Segal ning for students and COURTESY OF RABBI EMILY E. SEGAL teachers; parents are hugging their kids as they say goodbye on move-in day at college campuses. We are returning from vacations and settling back into the rhythm of the year, and in just a couple of weeks, the High Holy Days will bring us to the end of 5786 and into 5787. And in our Torah, with each passing week, we draw closer and closer to the end of the scroll, nearer and nearer to the moment when, on Simchat Torah, we will begin our story anew. Fittingly, within Ki Tavo, which is our Torah portion for this week, we find a phrase that may well sound familiar to our
ears: “Baruch atah b’voecha, baruch atah b’tzeitecha. Blessed are you in your coming and blessed are you in your going.” This phrase is commonly used as a closing blessing at the end of worship services and it has also become a part of the traditional T’filat Haderech traveler’s prayer, recited when someone is embarking on a journey. In these circumstances, this phrase takes on the meaning of a blessing or a prayer, rather than a simple statement: May you be blessed in your coming and may you be blessed in your going. Or perhaps: As you were blessed in coming, so may you be blessed in going. The rabbis of old wonder at the order of this phrase, as coming is listed before going. This seems counterintuitive, given that you first have to depart on your journey before you can arrive at your destination, or before you can return home again. You must depart before you arrive, and you must depart before you can return. Compare this to the order of a similar verse, Psalm 121:8. The final verse of the often-chanted psalm, Esa Einai:
“Adonai yishmor tzeitecha u’voecha meiatah v’ad olam. Adonai will guard your going and your coming now and forever.” In Bava Metzia 107a, the Talmud asks why, in this Torah portion, we find coming before going, suggesting that this verse refers to our lifespan. When we are born, we come into this world, and when we die, we depart. The great medieval French commentator Rashi notes that the greatest blessing is to leave this world just as you enter it, pure and without sin, interpreting this verse to mean: As you were blessed without sin as you came into this world, so may you be when you depart. The modern commentator Nechama Leibowitz disagrees with this interpretation, noting that in our Torah portion, Moses speaks to the entire community rather than to any one individual. In Ki Tavo, the Israelites are poised to enter the Promised Land. Therefore, Leibowitz interprets our verse to refer to the journey of the Jewish people. For the Israelites, coming home to the Land of Israel is the first step in our journey as a people; it may be the end of the book of Deuteronomy, but it is the beginning of our great history.
SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING AUGUST 28 - 6:40 P.M. SEPTEMBER 4 - 6:31 P.M. SHABBAT ENDS AUGUST 29 - 7:35 P.M. SEPTEMBER 5 - 7:25 P.M. Find area congregations at JewishAZ.com, where you can also find our 2026 Community Directory.
What a powerful idea: coming home is the first step in our journey. Before we can truly embark on any new path, we must come home into ourselves, grounding ourselves in our identity and what is truly important to us. This is what this season in our Jewish calendar is all about: the month of Elul, Selichot, Rosh Hashanah, the ten days and Yom Kippur bring us home. This is the time to turn and return to our community, to each other, to God and inward to ourselves. In this season of beginnings and endings, of coming and going, of turning and returning, may we each find the space and time to come home. There may we find peace, wholeness and blessing, and may we bring these with us on our journey into the new year ahead. JN Rabbi Emily E. Segal is the senior rabbi of Temple Chai in Scottsdale and serves on the boards of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Women’s Rabbinic Network as the liaison between the organizations.
OPINION
Commentary
A consultant was fired for telling Jewish leaders to avoid the term ‘Zionism.’ But did he have a point? ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL | JTA
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communications consultant was let go by the Jewish Federations of North America the first week of August for saying something that a number of Jewish leaders and thinkers have been saying for years: Maybe Jews and supporters of Israel should be more tactical about using, and not using, the word “Zionism.” Matthew Berger, who had been hired by the umbrella group to head a new strategic communications project, was speaking to members of JFNA’s Young Leadership Cabinet on Tuesday, Aug. 4, in Minneapolis, about effective messaging about Israel. Among his recommendations, according to a slide he showed during the presentation, were “showcase diversity,” “focus on the common enemy” and “avoid ‘Zionism.’” (Quotes around Zionism included.) The slide, shared with the conservative Jewish news service JNS by an unnamed attendee, was the focus of a JNS article on Aug. 5. In response, a JFNA spokesperson reaffirmed that the umbrella group is “proudly Zionist.”
“This slide was part of a discussion about what data shows to be effective messaging in today’s polarized political environment and should not be taken to imply anything else,” Niv Elis, JFNA’s associate vice president for external communications, told JNS. Within hours of its publication, after the JNS story was shared on social media by various pro-Israel users, JFNA ended its contract with Berger, who had been hired to head Project Halo, a JFNA effort to help federation leaders “counter antisemitism and anti-Zionism” in their communications. “The presentation at our National Young Leadership Cabinet Retreat was not prepared by Jewish Federations of North America, but by a Project Halo consultant, and does not represent our approach to Zionism,” according to a statement by JFNA that Wednesday morning. Elis declined to comment to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency beyond sharing the statement. In an interview with JTA on Tuesday, Berger, who worked as a reporter for JTA
from 2000-2006, declined to comment on either JFNA or the presentation in Minnesota. But he did share his thoughts on the uses and misunderstandings surrounding the word “Zionism.” “My purpose as a communicator is to use messaging to advance a goal. If the goal is to raise awareness of antisemitism and build allyship, then we have to understand the word ‘Zionism’ is being misconstrued,” said Berger, the former executive director of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. “And we can either spend our energy trying to define it and fix that or use language that people are going to understand to open doors to engagement.” The controversy might suggest that Berger had somehow violated a Jewish communal taboo, when in fact numerous Jewish organizations and commentators who are emphatically Zionist are noting how the term itself is sowing confusion. Like Berger, they are not questioning the tenets of Zionism — the right of the Jewish people to self-determi-
nation in their historic homeland — but its rhetorical weight. The Anti-Defamation League regularly tracks how “Zionist” is deployed as an antisemitic slur. The American Jewish Committee’s “Translate Hate” glossary notes how using “Zionism” and “Judaism” interchangeably “blames Jewish people for the actions and policies of the State of Israel.” “‘Zionist’ is increasingly used as a defamatory code word for Jews, in order to disguise antisemitic narratives,” according to “Reclaim Zionism,” a website launched by German-based Jewish NGO WerteInitiative. “This deliberate or unconscious distortion fuels hostility and creates a social climate in which Jewish life is questioned or threatened.” JN This article has been edited for space. To read it in its entirety, visit jewishaz.com. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
A NOTE ON OPINION
We are a diverse community. The views expressed in these opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of the officers and boards of the Jewish Community Foundation, Center for Jewish Philanthropy, Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, Cleveland Jewish Publication Company or the staff of Jewish News. Letters must respond to content published by 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 8
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Honey Pomegranate Mandelbrot LEAH KOENIG | THE NOSHER
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ong before pomegranates became known as a healthy superfood — linked to everything from improving cardiovascular health and reducing cholesterol to preventing cancer — they were a mainstay of Jewish cuisine. Named in Deuteronomy 8:8 as one of the seven agricultural species cultivated in ancient Israel (along with wheat, barley, grapes, figs, olives and dates) and mythologized to contain 613 seeds in every fruit (to correspond with the number of mitzvot/ commandments given to the Israelites by God), pomegranates are, without doubt, one of Jewish tradition’s most well-known, sacred and celebrated foods. As a symbol of fertility and love, the pomegranate shows up multiple times in the Jewish canon’s most famous love poem, “The Song of Songs.” For example (4:3): “Your lips are like a crimson thread; your mouth is lovely. Your brow behind your veil [gleams] like a pomegranate split open.” Not surprisingly, given its connection to love, the red, spherical fruit also regularly shows up as an artistic theme on ketubot, challah covers and other marriage and family-focused Judaica. Pomegranates’ peak season generally falls somewhere in the autumn around the High Holidays, making them the perfect accompaniment to Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) or the harvest holiday of Sukkot. Some families hang the red orbs in their sukkahs as decoration. Others incorporate their juicy red seeds into both sweet and savory dishes — everything from pomegranate-glazed chicken to salads speckled with the lush, bright red seeds. In that spirit, this mandelbrot recipe drizzles the traditional Ashkenazi almond cookies (the name translates from Yiddish to “almond bread”) with a bright pink pomegranate glaze. The sweet-tart glaze adds color and personality to the light and crispy mandelbrot and helps an otherwise
These classic Ashkenazi cookies are updated with High Holiday flavors.
humble cookie stand out on the dessert table. A generous pour of sweet, golden honey folded into the batter also adds to these cookies’ appeal and makes them a lovely plus one to any High Holiday spread.
Honey Pomegranate Mandelbrot
Makes: About 2 dozen cookies Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (35 minutes active) Ingredients: • 1½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for shaping • ½ teaspoon baking powder • ½ teaspoon baking soda • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt • ½ cup unsalted butter or vegan butter, softened • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided • ¼ cup mild honey • 2 large eggs • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract • ¾ cup roasted, unsalted almonds, chopped
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For the glaze • ¾ cup confectioner’s sugar, plus more if needed • 1½ tablespoons pomegranate juice, plus more if needed Instructions: Make the cookies Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. In a stand mixer or using a handheld electric mixer and a large bowl, beat the butter and ¼ cup of the sugar together on medium speed, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until pale and creamy, 2-3 minutes. Add the honey, eggs and vanilla and beat to combine. The mixture might look curdled at this point, but will smooth out when you add the flour. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in two stages, beating on low until just combined and a soft dough forms. Fold in the almonds with a spatula. Divide the batter into two equal
mounds on the baking sheet, leaving at least 2 inches of space in between the mounds. Using lightly floured hands, pat and press the batter into long, flat rectangles (about 9×4 inches and ½ inch thick). Bake until puffed and deep golden brown, about 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool for about 1 minute. Slice both of the rectangles vertically down their middles. Then, slice them horizontally into 1-inch-wide pieces. Turn the pieces on their sides and sprinkle evenly with 1 tablespoon of the remaining sugar. Bake for 10 more minutes, then remove the baking sheet again. Flip the pieces to the other side and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Bake until the cookies are firm, 5-10 minutes more. (Be careful not to overbake them – they continue to crisp up as they cool.) Remove from the oven and set the baking sheet on a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to the racks to cool completely. Make the glaze Sift the confectioner’s sugar into a medium bowl. Add the pomegranate juice and stir to form a thick but pourable glaze. If the glaze is too thick to drizzle, stir in a little more pomegranate juice. (Likewise if it is too runny, stir in a little more sifted confectioner’s sugar.) Generously drizzle the tops of the cooled cookies with glaze and set cookies back on the racks to allow the glaze to set.
Note: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge or freezer for longer. JN
This story originally appeared on The Nosher.
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SPECIAL SECTION HIGH HOLIDAYS
From fake burps to reverse tashlich, new children’s books bring the High Holidays to life PENNY SCHWARTZ | JTA
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bumper crop of new kids’ books about the High Holidays is hitting shelves in 2026, surprising close observers of Jewish children’s literature. “It is unusual for multiple Sukkot books to be published in the same year, especially of consistently high quality. It’s very exciting,” said Heidi Rabinowitz, a Jewish librarian and host of the “Book of Life” podcast, which describes itself as “a podcast about Jewish kidlit (mostly).” Rabinowitz noted with appreciation that one of the books was coming from a mainstream secular press, rather than from the smaller boutique presses that tend to release books about Jewish holidays. She offered a possible explanation for the surging interest in the harvest holiday in particular: “Sukkot is family- and environmentally friendly, and I think that is a big part of its appeal.” But the new books showcase a wide range of Jewish traditions and values, from apologizing for Yom Kippur to engaging with tashlich on Rosh Hashanah. They also feature communal celebrations, festive foods and, well, fake burps. Here’s what’s new on shelves for the season:
“Rosh Hashanah: Square-Circle-Star!: A First Shapes Book” Joy Nelkin Wieder Pictures by Aura Lewis Abrams Appleseed; ages birth to 3 Preschoolers will enjoy finding shapes in their favorite Rosh Hashanah traditions with this large-format board book – square bites of honey cake, a round swirl of challah, the curves of the shofar and even apple slice semicircles.
New Jewish children’s books released for the High Holidays in 2026 include ones about awe, tashlich and apologizing for burping. COMPILATION COURTESY OF JEWISH TELEGRAPHIC AGENCY
“The Sweetest Rosh Hashanah: Festivals of the World”
Mara Bergman Illustrated by Aura Lewis Candlewick Press; ages 4-8 As Rosh Hashanah approaches, Ellie looks forward to a visit from her relatives and her favorite cousin, Lara. But last year, Lara was bossy and borrowed Ellie’s cherished paint set and didn’t return it. This year, Ellie decides to hide all of her favorite toys. When Lara arrives with a handmade Rosh Hashanah card, the cousins apologize for their misdeeds
Celebrate Rosh Hashanah with a delicious dinner! O pe
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Enjoy a traditional menu featuring brisket, roasted chicken, fresh challah, and more. Gather with loved ones and welcome the new year with a meal
and embrace. Mara Bergman’s sweet story is accompanied by Aura Lewis’s large, bright illustrations that include a multiracial family.
“Stella’s Special Recipe: A Rosh Hashanah Story” Melissa Stoller Illustrated by Valerya Milovanova Kar-Ben Publishing; ages 2-8 Stella is eager to help her mother prepare her family’s special stuffed cabbage for Rosh Hashanah — a wellworn recipe that includes extra touches
from both her grandmothers and her mother. She and her mom gather the fresh veggies from their garden — cabbage and tomatoes and eggs from their chickens. What can Stella add? Her creative idea is perfect for a sweet new year.
“Diving Deep on Rosh Hashanah: Reverse Tashlich for a Better World” Rachelle Burk Illustrated by Craig Orback Intergalactic Afikomen; ages 4-10 This children’s book illustrates a relatively new Jewish tradition that has
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SPECIAL SECTION HIGH HOLIDAYS
“IT IS UNUSUAL FOR MULTIPLE SUKKOT BOOKS TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE SAME YEAR, ESPECIALLY OF CONSISTENTLY HIGH QUALITY. IT’S VERY EXCITING.” HEIDI RABINOWITZ
gained wide traction in recent years: reverse tashlich. It recounts the story of Ed Rosenthal, who — years after watching “The Underworld of Jacques Cousteau” and dreaming of one day seeing the wonders beneath the sea — snorkeled in the Red Sea after hiking in Israel. As a rabbi at a college in Florida, he created the “Scubi Jew Club” for his students to share his passion. At a service for tashlich, the Rosh Hashanah tradition in which Jews cast symbols of their sins into bodies of water, a student suggested instead clearing the water of trash to make a cleaner, better world for the start of the Jewish year. Now, synagogues across the country and world include a reverse tashlich in their High Holiday plans. The title comes from the team behind “The Space Torah,” an award-winning depiction of a Jewish astronaut’s journey with a miniature Torah.
“Awe! It’s Everywhere”
Chana Stiefel Illustrated by Susan Gal Scholastic; ages 4-8 In Chana Stiefel’s simply worded, lavishly illustrated book, young readers can experience awe, in perfect time for the Days of Awe — another term for the period from the start of Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur. Awe can be small or miraculous, according to the book, which features mesmerizing illustrations including a double-page spread that unfolds to reveal the waterfalls of Yosemite National Park.
“I’m Sorry for the Bagel Burps: A Yom Kippur Apology”
Jacob Sager Weinstein Illustrated by Jason Kirschner Rocky Pond Books; ages 5-8 In this story optimized for children with a penchant for the gross, a young boy and his older brother have a spat when the older one calls him a baby because he’s not old enough to fast on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. In turn, during synagogue services, the young boy teases back. By story’s end, they apologized for their hurtful words and are back to their playful ribbing — all involving fake burps. Jason Kirschner’s cartoon-style illustrations match the levity of the moment.
“The Sukkah Hop”
Barbara Lerman-Golomb Illustrated by Talia Drigues Green Bean Books; birth to 4 Kids will have a hoot bopping along with a multi-generational procession of families and friends as they visit each others’ sukkahs in this book that illustrates the popular community tradition of the sukkah hop. Barbara Lerman-Golomb’s simple, rhyming verse comes alive in Talia Drigues’ colorful illustrations.
“Build a Sukkah With Me”
illuminated by Sophia Vincent Guy’s sparkling illustrations, a young girl and her family build a seasonally decorated sukkah. Drama builds when a storm knocks down their beloved structure. Neighbors of all backgrounds come to the rescue and return the scattered sukkah parts in parade-like fashion. They all pitch in to rebuild the sukkah, which becomes a truly welcoming space for all.
“A House With No Door: A Sukkot Story”
“The Art of Jewish Joy: Crafts and Activities for Celebration and Connection”
Katie Moss Illustrated by Orit Magia Green Bean Books; ages 4-8 Katie Moss creates a delightful sukkahbuilding story around a catchy, simple rhyming verse, using only three words that are easy for kids to repeat. Orit Magia’s cartoonish illustrations bring the pages to life.
Amy Fellner Dominy Illustrated by Rotem Teplow Kar-Ben Publishing; ages 2-8 Join a young boy and his kitty as he explores the simple outdoor hut his family is building for Sukkot. In a stunning pairing of Amy Fellner Dominy’s sparsely worded verse and Rotem Teplow’s beautiful illustrations, young children join in the boy’s wondrous observations of his sukkah. A lovely connection with the meaning of the holiday.
“Our Spectacular Sukkah”
Sidura Ludwig Illustrated by Sophia Vincent Guy Candlewick Press; ages 4-8 In Sidura Ludwig’s heartwarming story,
Amanda Kingloff and Suzy Ultman Chronicle Books; ages 3 and up Children of all ages and their grownups can kick off the Jewish New Year with a creative spark with this engaging collection of activities for Jewish celebrations. This 224-page, how-to compendium is chock full of brightlycolored illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions. More than 50 pages are devoted to the Jewish High Holidays, with ideas for New Year’s greeting cards, hand-held silhouettes and dipped apple slices. JN
Complimentary High Holiday Tickets
“A Purr-Fect Sukkot”
Jenna Waldman Illustrated by Erica J. Chen Apples & Honey Press; ages 3-7 The youngest kids will have fun along with a family of kittens who gather branches for the hut’s open roof, decorate their sukkah with paper chains, shake the lulav and enjoy a festive holiday meal.
Our members are sponsoring a limited number of High Holiday Tickets as a way of introducing our warm and friendly active adult congregation to the community. Please call
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We look forward to observing the High Holidays with you this year!
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SPECIAL SECTION HIGH HOLIDAYS
Classic Tzimmes SHERI SILVER | THE NOSHER
T
zimmes has always been one of those dishes that feels like a hug from the past. It’s cozy, a little sweet and full of nostalgia — the kind of food that instantly makes me think of family holidays and a table full of favorites. If you’ve never had it before, tzimmes is a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish dish made with a mix of root vegetables (usually big chunks of carrots and sweet potatoes), dried fruits like prunes and raisins, and sometimes a drizzle of honey or a pinch of warm spices. It shows up most often at Rosh Hashanah, since the sweetness is meant to symbolize the hope for a sweet new year. Like so many traditional recipes, there are endless ways to make it. Some versions include meat, others get mashed into a smooth casserole and a few go in a brighter direction with apples or pineapple. Everyone seems to have their own take — but the one I come back to again and again is simple and classic. Just chunky carrots and sweet potatoes baked slowly with prunes and raisins until they’re tender, glossy and perfectly sweet without being too much. It’s a family favorite and one of those dishes that always makes an
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HEA HEAVENL VENLYY HALLAH by Andra Karnofsky Giftpack includes 1 lb. sweet, whole wheat or traditional white round hallah with or without golden raisins, 8 oz. jar of golden honey, a shiny red apple and a personalized New Year’s card.
appearance on our holiday table, no matter what else we’re serving. One of the best parts about this recipe? It’s super forgiving. You can make it ahead (a couple of days in the fridge, or even weeks in the freezer), and it reheats beautifully. Honestly, it’s one of those holiday dishes that takes the stress down a notch because it’s ready when you are. And as a bonus, this version is naturally vegetarian and dairy-free, which makes it easy to share with just about anyone at the table. Simple, comforting and holidayready — exactly what tzimmes should be!
Classic Tzimmes
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • ½ teaspoon kosher salt • ¼ teaspoon black pepper • 1 cup orange juice
Ingredients: • 2 pounds of carrots, peeled, trimmed and cut into ½-inch-thick slices • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks • 1 cup prunes (or dried apricots, or a mix) • ½ cup golden raisins • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish. Place the carrots, sweet potatoes, prunes and raisins in a large bowl. Drizzle with the oil, then add the brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Pour in the orange juice and toss again to coat. Transfer to your prepared baking dish, cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour
Serves: 4-6 Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes (15 minutes of prep)
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AUGUST 28, 2026
COURTESY OF SHERI SILVER
30 minutes, stirring once or twice. The vegetables should be tender and the sauce thickened into a glaze. Serve warm.
Notes: To refrigerate: Cool the tzimmes completely, then cover and refrigerate for up to three days. Reheat, covered, at 325°F until warmed through. Add a splash of orange juice or water if needed. To freeze: Cool completely before freezing in an airtight container for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat, covered, at 325°F until hot, stirring once or twice. JN This story originally appeared on The Nosher.
L’Shana Tova! High Holy Days with Rabbi Stein-Kokin and Cantor Sarah Bollt Join us for traditional and family services, community events, and tikkun olam! Tickets On Sale Now Visit www.bethelphoenix.com/holidays for schedule of services and more!
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This classic dish is simple, forgiving and easy to make ahead.
480.625.8187 | kalie.petrovsky@mculinary.com | mculinary.com Beth El Phoenix
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Understanding the Valley’s Jewish community The Arizona Faith Network presented its Community Hero Award 2025 to Detective Mike Hillman of the Phoenix Police Department on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Hillman was recognized for his role in the department’s Community Engagement Bureau. Paul Rockower, left, and Alan Zeichick, right, presented the award to A big group of Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley members gathered together early last month to Several Valley rabbis gathered together with members of the Greater Phoenix Board of Rabbis on Hillman. COURTESY OF ALAN ZEICHICK Jewish News’ inaugural class ofShabbat” 18are Under 50 to meet fellow honorees. Clockwise from left, Balon, Denise Kaye, Andre Ivory, Rabbi Barbara and Jerry Lewkowitz symbolically shoveled some build the temple’s sukkah. COURTESY OF TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM OF THE EASTGeoffrey VALLEY Greater Phoenix Board of Rabbis pictured at TheDec. New Shul, preparing for the High Holidays and learning with backgrounds New Shul6. Rabbi Elana Kanter. Thursday, Nov. COURTESY OF GREATER PHOENIX BOARD OF RABBIS Beth Tefillah’s “Mishpachti Tot on gathered Friday, 12, brought together more than 30 people from diverse and Jewish denominations. The event featured a Shabbat sing-along, Kiddush and Temple Emanuel of Tempe celebrated its 50th anniversary with aJennifer gala, “Golden Jubilee: Cheers to the Next 50 Years Celebration,” on MayOF JEWISH NEWSCarmen Aviva Funke, Andrew Gibbs, Adam Metzendorf, Wiliam Koslow, Starrett, Allison Kierman, Ian Sachs and Sarah Kader. COURTESY at Veterans the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center’s Berkowitz, left,Copper and Jon Green were on TEFILLAH Maya Jewishdirt War State 619 recently delivered COURTESY OF RABBI ANDY GREEN Shabbat dinner. COURTESY OFhonored CONGREGATION BETH 9, at the Oakwood-Iron Oaks Country Club in Sun Lakes. COURTESY OF KANE PHOTOGRAPHY LLC Andrea Cohen, center, thanked the members of Salk AZA (a boy’s groundbreaking on Thursday, 5.Rosemary OFservice BARBARA LEWKOWITZ At Maidenhead Synagogue in England, Abrami, a Mendy Levertov, left, and hisJune wife, Leah, at Jonathan’s On Jan. 18,Kavod Congregation Beth Tefillah held aCOURTESY women’s wellness 1Rabbi with the Awards, inwith appreciation of their and Jewish War Veterans Post 619 Julian Wyatt, left,filled presents Dustin Delcoure of Phoenix VA From left to the right, Mona Morstein, Dennis Checkoway, Helene Marcia Simon, Len Krich, Rabbi Levi Suzanne Gaker andCommander Joepacked Temple Chai members proudly together inCamp theinPhoenix Pride Parade ineach October in(held support of at theone LGBTQ+ The Temple Chai “Bereavement Cart,” drinks, snacks, hygiene items, Members of Brandeis Phoenix Adult Summer enjoyed breakfast and other’s company ofLevertov, the community. 60 activities offered Todd Herzog, right, and Colton Rahav, left, took part in From left, Esther Allouche, Sapirwalked Cohen (held hostage Gaza forSparaga, 55 days), Sasha Trufanov hostage Volunteers with Smile On Seniors more than 800 Purim packages for seniors in2025 Nina Docent Holocaust Targovnik, Donna survivor Harris right, Charlotte gave sits a with tour Adelman her of Congregation father talked atbenefit to the teachers Beth Israel’s Hall of Violinist Moshe Bukshpan performed at Chabad’s “An Evening Ellen Shulman Tuckman, right, and Helena Feldman Nathan chapter of BBYO) for hosting a bake sale tothe the Center Arizona State Senator Lauren Kuby, left, presented aretirement legislative member of Beth Emeth Congregation in Sun City West, isabout picWalk at Chaparral Park in Scottsdale on Feb. 1.at Funds raised by day at CIVANA Wellness Resort and Spa in Carefree. Attendees dedication to strengthening the community of Temple Beth voluntary services and Dr. Courtney Baker, chief of organizational health and excellence the Phoenix VA, Scherzer exercise and socialize enjoying Smile On Seniors' Chai Pins Bowling event on April 2.on OF BRANDEIS COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS contingent included Michael andwhile Iris Fox, Nora and Steve Perlmutter, Olivia Kaufman, Amanda and Joseph Garcia, Jeremiah, Nicki, Sophie, and handmade blankets and other comforts to VA Medical Cenduring its summer camp session that included games, tours, dining and more. COURTESY NATIONAL COMMITTEE PHOENIX CHAPTER Hamilton High School student Larah Flavier interviewed Jules On April 22, the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center Congregation Beth Tefillah’s Passover concert and BBQ last in Gaza for 498 days) and Rabbi Pinchas Allouche at Congregation Beth Tefillah’s Annual Gala communities across the Valley. From left to right, Ellen Underwood, Benita Sonabend, Toby Schultz, Since the fall semester began at Arizona State University (ASU), Chabad at Arizona State University Director Rabbi Shmuel Tiechtel (pictured wearing a blue shirt) gathers with college freshmen at a welcome Jewish War Veterans Post 619 members display a few of the 250 Fame museum her recently Awards on March released Dinner 16 to survival in members November, memoir the where at Cactus the she Phoenix Chapter was presented Holocaust of ORT. Tikkun Olam Together, Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix’s mother-daughter service group, spent time on March Yvel, jewelry company from Israel owned by Isaac Levy, had Inspiration” on June 14 at Chabad of Phoenix. Chabad is holding Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley member Nancy Urbach was the keynote speaker at the temple’s interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Day May 27, from left to right, Lou Rich, Trudie Camponovo, Jan Bell, Rabbi Levi Levertov, Joe Scherzer, Arizona Jews for Justice hosted campers from Shemesh Day Camp for ato morning of film, learning and celebrated the 69th anniversary of their b’nai mitzvah ina On Sunday, Nov. 9, awelcomes group of teachers gathered for ato Institute-led retreat and workshop atHoward Temple Kol Ami in Scottsdale. Jewish War Veterans Copper State Post 619 raised more than On Wednesday, April 9, the Valley of the Sun JCC Intermediate Pickleball League finished nine-week tournament. For one day every week, Scottsdale’s Congregation Beth Tefillah members mixed it up for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix Camp Scholarship Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix hosted its annual Latino Jewish Seder last month to bring together the Jewish proclamation honoring Ruth Place, aJews first-of-its-kind model tured holding a copy of the Jewish News. She is standing with Scottsdale’s Rabbi Soundbath Volunteers Bureau Center Levi of Jewish Levertov for attendees gather Congregation Jewish Education for Philanthropy pose athe photo Or for of Tzion Phoenix aon Greater group Tuesday, of hosted Greater police Phoenix’s aJuly game at Phoenix officers the 15 Hebrew night while Center (CJP) in Smile making High mid-October for brought Jewish On CAREaVAN meals together Philanthropy for and “Shabbat people took awarded its local community in of with need winners Greater teens aits at Cop” to partners an Phoenix with California, event event aFriendly, poster in Women co-hosted in December June. where saying In they Philanthropy’s by “This to Arizona spent discuss is an 12 Jews new Award days “Reset data for in the Justice about & ReLos Sheryl Employees Shopping The Center and bags Richard of for the line Jewish Quen Center tables Philanthropy enjoy at for Beth Jewish the El benefits of Philanthropy Greater of waiting visiting Phoenix to of abe Greater Tuscan filled (CJP) Smile Jewish On War Seniors Veterans “It’s Not Just State Lunch” Post program 619 members on Feb. and 4Martin-Springer featured representatives aSeniors’ presentation from its by partnering cardiologist organizations Dr. Daniel Storch pose in with honor coffee of American collected Heart atand itsa luxury Recent The Greater high Phoenix school graduates, Jewish Film who Festival all attended board members, preschool who together were at available, the Valley met of on the Sunday, Sun Jewish March Community 15, at the home Center, of gathered Robert Nagle for aAward.” (second picture Happy to make her contribution Jewish War Veterans Copper Jewish War Veterans, Copper State Post 619, donated garden supplies to be used by the Phoenix VA Medical Center during therapy for patients Several staff members of the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix traveled to Los Angeles in January for the Jewish Federations Cookie Shifris was presented Arizona for Justice’s Justice participants at the walk benefit The Friendship Circle, run by the from left to right, Monica Sonnenklar, Jolene Kuty, Sara AbelTemple Kol Ami legacy donors showed up in force to celebrate at the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix’s Life & Legacy event From left, Marvin and Sandra Finkelstein, Rabbi Levi Levertov, Herb Spiwak, Ethel Schmall, Sharon and Ilene Kornblue Shalom of the West Valley in Sun City. with 250 bus passes for needy veterans. passes will be distributed by VA social workers throughout As part of Temple Chai’s celebration for its 50th anniversary, former clergy returned on April 24-25 for the Legacy of Leadership Shabbaton. Zachary Kaplan, Andrea Cohen, Rabbis Emily and Scott Segal and their children, Sammy and Ezra Segal, Joshua and Isaac Guterman and Cantor ter. Pictured from left are Dan Tilsner, Gabe Forsberg, Michael Congregation Beth Tefillah’s Babyccino, aphoto mommy and me group hosted by Dr. Abigail Gewirtz, during its recent weekly On March 28, over 250 members of Congregation Beth Israel, colleagues, family and friends of Rabbi Stephen Kahn gathered to honor and recognize More than 1,500 people celebrated the first-ever Fountain Hills Jewish Heritage &over Food Festival on Jan. 25 with athe klezmer band, aSchool hands-on Jews ofits Color Initiative (JOCI) CEO Ilana Kaufman stopped in Wyatt, Commander for Jewish War Veterans Post 619, for his moved annual Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration inside for Israel’s month in Scottsdale. Watching the Super Bowl with Smile on Seniors. Seated from left are Michael and Elaine Thirteen Hamilton High Airsandwiches, Force JROTC students recently attended a Post 610 Jewish War Feb. 15. Cohen and Trufanov were guest speakers at the gala. COURTESY OF CONGREGATION BETHKates, TEFILLAH Hana Lange, Joyce Heitler and Jessica Sharkey. COURTESY OF SMILE ON Chabad at ASU has held a series of welcome events for students to ASU dinner in August. COURTESY OF CHABAD AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY city bus tickets that the Post isMarch donating to the VA Medical Center with Pictured Association’s the Maricopa from Education left County to right, Committee's Bar Harris, Association Lori “Back-to-School Mangel, Public David Lawyer Night of the for 8 preparing sweets and making keepsake art projects at Ryan House, afuture, Phoenix-based nonprofit that provides specialized care for booth at the Scottsdale Art Week in at WestWorld Scottsdale. various celebrations to mark 50 years in Arizona. program. She how her family members save about 200 relatives and friends from Nazi Germany in 1930s. Suzanne Gaker and Marilyn Jacks enjoyed goodies hot off the grill at the annual Smile On Seniors BBQ. service. They made more than 250 100 hygiene bags, 60 dog food bags and 80 snack bags February. Nathan traveled from New Orleans to join Tuckman Sheryl Ochayon, from Israel’s Yad Vashem, taught at the workshop. COURTESY OF BJORN KRONDORFER $17,000 at 10 Fry’s locations in the East Valley over Veterans Day during the course of the competition, participants played six games. Harriet Colan, longest tenured full-time employee at the Valley of the with various costumes at the Purim Party in March. Program. Their efforts will help CJP send hundreds of local campand Latino communities to share traditions, stories and meaningful conversations aof Passover Seder. community recovery program for survivors of sexual assault, to Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI) Cohort 10 mentees Karri Bernstein, Barbara Rosenberg, awho long-time member of the congregation in the new and Angeles Valley’s NowGen, for the area, New Jewish ashared volunteering program Year” community. event of the and on CJP learning Sunday, will for host Sept. about Jewish additional 7.helped the Philanthropy impact groups the fires of inGreater the had on Phoenix. the and community. welcomes Pictured any local with Jewish the teens groups is Rabbi to COURTESY COURTESY register Daniel COURTESY OF OF ARIZONA CONGREGATION for OF Sher, JEWS SMILE the FOR ON whose OR JUSTICE SENIORS next TZION vineyard Phoenix with hosted food DJ (CJP) in to October. Artifex, pass packed out to beach those shared bags in how need filled his at with Thanksgiving life summer and COURTESY music OF goodies SHERYL during were QUEN Month. 2nd Annual Pictured Coffee from Drive left for to right, U. S.Center Vets-Phoenix. Dennis Checkoway, Front row, Suzy from Magier, left Joanne to right, Greenspan-Archangelo, Matthew Severin, Sheryl Ron Rockwell, and Zaneta Les Kinsey, Ruff, Robin Bob Howard, and Len Balon, Nancy in row, their far graduation left) to celebrate gowns the or shirts accomplishments reflecting the of colleges this year’s they festival. will be This attending was the in the fall. 30th year and more COURTESY than OF VALLEY 13,000 OF THE SUN tickets JEWISH COMMUNITY were sold. CENTER State Post 619 Memorial Day weekend Poppy Campaign at Fry’s recovering from substance abuse. Left to right, Carol Tucker, Army veteran who isfestival’s aFeb. VA Peer Support Specialist (meaning that she has dealt of North America regional gathering. Back row from left are Kaylie Medansky, Kay Campanella, Sarah Ben Harush, Jennifer Starrett, Richard Champion Award for Excellence in Service & Character inSENIORS late Levertovs, which provides programs and support to families of son, Gaby Israel, Chaya Marasow and Mollie Glovinsky enjoyed on Wednesday, April 2. COURTESY OF CENTER FOR JEWISH PHILANTHROPY OF GREATER PHOENIX Vicki Diamond at Smile on Seniors’ “It’s Not Just Lunch and Heart Health” event on 5. COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS COURTESY OF TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OF THE WEST VALLEY the year to veterans needing transportation. COURTESY OF JEWISH WAR VETERANS POST 619 Pictured from left, Cantor Emerita Sharona Feller, cantorial student Lucy Greenbaum, Cantor Ross Wolman, Cantor Tanya Greenblatt, Rabbi Tanya Greenblatt. AZ Jews for Pride is a program of the Center for Jewish Philanthropy Greater Phoenix, headed by Andrea Cohen. Achey, Penny Craft and Bob Howard. Jason L. tries a new painting technique at Gesher Disability Resources Tuesday meeting. Gewirtz is a child psychologist and spoke about mindful parenting. COURTESY OF CONGREGATION BETH TEFILLAH the rabbi’s 30th anniversary of his rabbinic ordination. Pictured from left, Isabel Kahn, Rabbi Stephan Kahn, Gabrielle Kahn and Ethan Kahn. challah-making workshop, an immersive scribe experience, a shofar factory, matzah bakery, Jewish craft booth and more. COURTESY OF CHABAD OF FOUNTAIN HILLS Tucson at the University of Arizona, the African American Museum inclusion in the 21st volume of Imprints of Honor. Here she is 78th birthday. COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS COURTESY OF CONGREGATION BETH TEFILLAH Janet Lottman and Leslie and Brad Levy. COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS Veterans’ meeting to learn about their time in the service. Each cadet paired up with a vet to hear their A group of Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley members stand in front of the sukkah they built for this year’s Sukkot celebration. both new and established, and they love to display their apprecifor distribution to veterans who need transportation. Pictured Year M.D., Teachers” award. Ellen Tuckman on Thursday, and Aug. Robin 14. Balon. COURTESY OF DR. DAVID TUCKMAN children with life-limiting conditions. COURTESY OF THE CENTER FOR JEWISH PHILANTHROPY OF GREATER PHOENIX Pictured from left is Levy, Leesa Weisz, who hosted a preshow reception COURTESY OF MOSHE BUKSHPAN COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS for unhoused individuals in the community. COURTESY OF ARIZONA JEWS FOR JUSTICE at Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale, where they both took weekend. Pictured from left are JWV veteran Gabe Forsberg, Sun Jewish Community Center, and pictured in a lavendar t-shirt, shows off her second-place medal. COURTESY OF VALLEY OF THE SUN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER COURTESY OF ESTHER ALLOUCHE ers to Jewish camps across North America. COURTESY OFFILM KASSIDY PINELisa individuals National Council of Jewish Women Arizona (NCJW AZ) President DeLuca and Brooke Khazanovich partnered with Evolve Hadassah England. The two have been friends for 73 years. meeting community on Jan. was 15. devastated by the Palisades Fire. COURTESY COURTESY OF CHAI THE OFMilberger CENTER CENTER OF BUREAU FOR FORJEWISH JEWISH OF JEWISH PHILANTHROPY PHILANTHROPY EDUCATION OF OF GREATER GREATER GREATER PHOENIX PHOENIX PHOENIX for its forever annual a PJ Library changed “Turkey Phoenix after Train” performing (a event. program at of the CJP) Nova COURTESY giveaway. music OF BARBARA festival LEWKOWITZ on Ellen Stutman, and David Michelle Tuckman. Jameson, Sean Eggerstedt and Gabe Forsberg. Back row, left to Gail right, Alex Gualdoni, Jean and Al COURTESY Hunter. OF SMILE ONAMERICA SENIORS COURTESY OF GREATER PHOENIX JEWISH FESTIVAL Marketplace in Gilbert is Chandler resident Josephine Thomas, with substance abuse herself); Gabe Forsberg, VA representative for JWV Post 619; andBaer. Dustin Delcoure, director for VA Voluntary Services. Kasper, Andrew Gibbs and Koppell, Rich Solomon. Front row from left are Sheryl Press and COURTESY OF JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH January from Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz. COURTESY OF ARIZONA JEWS FOR JUSTICE with special needs. COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS a private sound healing, catered kosher luncheon, complimenEmily Segal, Rabbi Bonnie Rabbi Mari Chernow, Rabbi Bill Berk, rabbinical student Levi Gettleman and Rabbi Peter Levi. COURTESY OFCOURTESY TEMPLE COURTESY OF JEWISH WAR VETERANS POST 619 Color in Motion program in July. Watching the process is Stacy Rosenthal, OF SARA WATERMAN COURTESY OFCOURTESY TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OFbe THEPHOTOGRAPHY WEST VALLEY of Southern Arizona and the Tucson Jewish Museum &OF Holocaust pictured getting his autograph for her book. story soOFthey could later to share itJWV with fellow cadets. COURTESY OFPHOENIX POST 610 JEWISH WAR VETERANS COURTESY OF TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OF THEable WEST VALLEY ation formembers the organization. COURTESY OFand CHABAD AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY from left are Ronald Ribstein, Eve Wagner Stuart Davis. COURTESY OF COURTESY HOLOCAUST NINA ASSOCIATION TARGOVNIK for Yvel, and Connie and Jay Krupin. COURTESY OF GEORGE WEISZ turns reading from their Torah portion. COURTESY OF DONNA HARRIS JWV volunteer Dawn Quinn and donor Bri Armijo. COURTESY OF CENTER FOR JEWISH PHILANTHROPY OF GREATER PHOENI Civia Tamarkin at the third annual “You Are Worthy” fundraiser to host a women’s self-defense class. WLI alum Meghan Jalowiec and COURTESY OF ROSEMARY ABRAMI October 7, 2023. Pictured COURTESY is CJP’s OF CENTER Schlicha FOR JEWISH Sapir PHILANTHROPY who OF introduced GREATER PHOENIX COURTESYOF JEWISHWAR WAR VETERANS COPPER STATE POST 619 6. Stuart and Maria Davis welcomed Josephine’s COURTESY JEWISH VETERANS COPPER STATE POST 619 tary spa treatments, pool time and four Torah-based workshops. COURTESY OF KANE PHOTOGRAPHY LLC directorCenter of programs standing, and as part at of Gesher her tourDisability to COURTESY help shape JOCI’s future efforts OFResources, JEWISH WAR VETERANS COPPER STATE POST 619 COURTESY OF JEWISH WAR VETERANS POST 619 COURTESY OF JEWISH WAR VETERANS breakfast on 23 at Scottsdale Methodist Church. incoming Cohort 11April Tally Iskovitz also attended. Pictured left DJ Artifex to amentee crowd of more than United 200 people. donation. COURTESY OF JEWISH WAR VETERANS COPPER STATE POST 619 COURTESY OF GESHER CONGREGATION BETH TEFILLAH Jason’s caregiver, sitting. COURTESY OF DISABILITY RESOURCES regionally and across the country. COURTESY OF JEWS OF COLOR INITIATIVE OFFOR NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN ARIZONA to right, Karri Bernstein, Lisa DeLuca, Meghan Jalowiec, Tally Iskovitz COURTESY OFCOURTESY THE CENTER JEWISH PHILANTHROPY OF GREATER PHOENIX Valley residents Wendy and Wayne and Brooke Khazanovich. of the Giving TreeCOURTESY OF WOMEN’S and LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Laskin have been building their Power,Michael Jewish entrepreneur, Dispensary founder Beth El Congregation held its “Mitzvah Day” on Thursday, Dec. 25. The congregation hosted 132 people from all over the Lilach ValleyMazor to have Kruk, veteranowner services and program coordinator for Soldier’s sukkah for over 35 years. They are of the pre-roll brandBest Sneakers, $10,000Julian giveaway in February. Here, she presents Tikkun Olam Together, a aprogram of Smile Seniors hosted “Chai Pins lunch after packing more than 1,000 lunches and hygiene kits to pass outOn to people in need. COURTESY OF BARBARA LEWKOWITZ Friend,hosted right, apresents Wyatt, Jewish War Veterans Post pictured in for front of it Philanthropy with Jewish a giant check for $10,000 to militarywith veteran, Matthewcertificate Sabo. the Center Bowling” eventJewish in early summer. Pic619 commander, a graduation earned for completing News and their dog, Goldie Lox. Smile on Seniors hosted its On March 11, Valley Beit Midrash of Greater Phoenix, worked to tured fromof left are David Termine, a year of service dog training with his dog, Baxter.COURTESY OF LILACH MAZOR POWER Leo, one the newest members COURTESY OF WAYNE LASKIN Jewish Active Mature Adults welcomed Rabbi Ed Feinstein for support the Bureau of Jewish Susan Hall, Janet Lottman, Sherri COURTESY OF JEWISH WAR VETERANS POST 619 of Temple Chai, wears a hard hat Bea The On Tuesday, Center Eisenberg for July Jewish and 15, Steve Beth Philanthropy El Hechler Phoenix brunch social on Feb. 23. the Hammerman Family Lecture Education of Greater Phoenix’s During Israel Independence Day inForeman, Andrea Malkin, Len Krich during the Phoenix synagogue’s are of and Greater pictured Arizona Phoenix enjoying Friends staff Temple of and Homeless board Beth Pictured are a t Co n services g re g a tfrom i at o Drive. nits Oleft r Tz i oRabbi nAna in Passover Food Mothers terfaith on April 17, and Dave Shooten. groundbreaking new home. Rand and Marcy Lewis hold up a Shalom members received ofthree the took West pallets part Valley’s inof the shelf-stable Sundae Jewish Spence, Linda Michael Scottsdale. Feinstein lectured on and daughters packaged holiday Dana Evan Kaplan ofLober, Temple COURTESY OF SMILE ONBeth SENIORS COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS Jewish News inside the Hebrew Funday Federations food and Welcome hygiene of Redemption: items North Back from and America Convoy Open and Nancy Mendelsohn, An“The Shankbone The candles and greeting cards, and Shalom of the West Valley, left, with Congregation ofHuron, St. Thomas in House General of Hope party Assembly inSilvey, on Port Sunday, inPassover Washington, Sept. Michigan. 14. drea Peter and Irene Inside Story of Passover.” Pictured added them to the food Sapir Tiram, senior community shlithe Virgin Islands, the second COURTESY OF TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OF THE WEST VALLEY D.C. Volunteers Nov. 16-18. handed Pictured the from donated left Baron, Isy and Benita Sonfrom left, Feinstein, Cheryl Frank packages that were delivered a few cha (Israeli emissary), who described On Feb. 16, 15 women from Congregation Kehillah oldest synagogue in the Western are items Nicole out Myden, tothe people Danielle living Gross, on the abend, David Termine and Hammerman, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly days before start of the holiday. the emotions and perspectives comin Cave Creek gathered at a private home to pack About 35 people sat on the floor Hemisphere. COURTESY OF MARCY LEWIS Andrea street in Cohen, Phoenix. Charlene Green, Dave Shooten. Yanklowitz, Or Tzion Rabbi Andy COURTESY ANDREA the COHEN ing fromdark Israel(representing during theOFongoing In mid-September, PJ Library, a program of the feminine hygiene products for Women4Women. in the COURTESY OF BARBARA LEWKOWITZ Alan Gold, David Brown, Rachel COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS Green and Stan Hammerman. tensions and fighting with Iran.grief) Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater PhoeIn an hour and a half they filled 465 bags to be physical expression of deep Hoffer,COURTESY GailTEMPLE Baer, Andrew Gibbs, COURTESY OFOF RABBI GREEN BETH SHALOM THE ANDY WEST VALLEY nix, hosted a weekend family camp. PJ Library distributed to homeless and low-income women. for the reading of Eicha (the Book Sarah Langert, Richard Kasper and COURTESY OF CONGREGATION KEHILLAH Program Director Marcy Lewis is pictured in the of Lamentations) at Beth El Phoenix Pnina Levine. center of the photo surrounded by children paron Tisha B’Av. COURTESY OF HERSHL WEBERMAN ticipants, one who is holding Jewish News. COURTESY OF THE CENTER FOR JEWISH PHILANTHROPY OF COURTESY OF CENTER FOR JEWISHand PHILANTHROPY OF GREATERCare PHOENIXNetwork brought the joy of Chanukah to patients and Rabbi Moshe Levertov, right, the Jewish Beth El Phoenix a Friendsgiving luncheon for Arizona Friends of Homeless in honor ofas their work On Nov. 13, Jerryhosted Lewkowitz, center, thanked the Phoenix Children’s Hospital for being chosen its 2025 PHOENIX Carol Kadet, left, and Judy Rosen were installed as newatco-presidents of the Brandeis NationalGREATER CommitJewish War Veterans Post 619 set up poppy tables Fry’s staff at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. He is pictured with Phoenix Children’s Hospital Director of Spiritual to support Phoenix’s most vulnerable populations. It was by Beth Social Action Legacy Society Honoree. Pictured with Lewkowitz are organized his grandson KyleEl’s Thompson, left, Committee, and Steven tee Phoenix Chapter at the chapter’s Spring Luncheon and Installation on dining April 16. From left to right, Linda Leebove, Toby Weinstein and Erika enjoyed together during Jewish Diamondback fans enjoy Jewish Community Day atMorgenstern Chase Field event on Sunday, Aug. 10. Marketplaces where volunteers collected donations from generous Care Javi COURTESY visited OF JEWISH CARE NETWORK About 50Casas. seventh-grade students frommeetup St. John Vianney Catholic School in Goodyear Temple whose member Barbara Lewkowitz is pictured speaking to the audience. COURTESY OF BETH ELright. PHOENIX Schnall, senior vice president andRabbi chief director of development Phoenix Children’s Hospital, COURTESY OF BRANDEIS NATIONAL COMMITTEE PHOENIX CHAPTER the Smile on Seniors JulyLyla 15Day restaurant event. COURTESY OF SMILE ON PHOENIX SENIORSStephen COURTESY OF CENTER FORRabbi JEWISH PHILANTHROPY GREATER From left John Linder, Kahn, Cantor Noa Shaashua, Jeremy Schneider, Cantorfor Ross Wolman and Rabbi Emily Segal shoppers over the Memorial weekend. Pictured JWV Raya Sandler, right, and Katz were among those who Post gave Purim treats, mishloach manot, to Congregation Or Tzion Rabbi Andy Green was recently announced as the new president the Greater Beth Shalom of the West Valley on Monday, Dec. 1.is Rabbi Danaaway Evan Kaplan, right, unrolled theRabbi Torah COURTESY of OF BARBARA LEWKOWITZ To celebrate Israel’s holiday of love, Tu B’Av, Risa Mallin (standing, far right) used a Center for Jewish Beth El Phoenix donated nearly 500 take a photo after leading the Reform Shavuot and Yizkor service. COURTESY OF RABBI JEREMY SCHNEIDER 619students Judge Advocate Ron Siegel. COURTESY OF JEWISH WAR VETERANS POST 619 senior living communities for Tikkun Together’s mother-daughter service group on Sunday, March 2. community Phoenix Holocaust observed International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a presentation Phoenix Board of Rabbis Executive Committee. The new committee is pictured from left: Rabbi Mindie for to lookAssociation at. From left areOlam St. John Vianney Catholic School Principal Doug Weivoda, Father Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix Gather Grant to celebrate her love of hermac friendscheese and mahjong. boxes and more than COURTESY OF SARAH KATZ by Georgia Hunter, author of “WeKimber Were the Lucky Ones.” Pictured fromof left are‘n Hunter, Sheryl Bronkesh, Snyder, co-treasurer; Beth El Congregation Rabbi Nitzan Stein-Kokin, vice president; Green; Congregation Brian Kennedy, Campus Minister Chamberlain and Kaplan. Benita Sonabend leads athe demonstration, “In the KitchenSusan with Benita,” for participants of Smile Pictured back row, left tocooking right, Sue Cynthia DuBrow, Padilla, Ellen Underwood, Vicki 100 children’s books to Vista Colina Smile on Seniors’ “Not Just Lunch andCohen, Fun” event with gameshow host Scott Faver had big turnout. Temple Beth Sholom of East Valley congregants celebrated Simchat Torah this fall at aFISCHPAN, the Chandler Leslie Feldman and Busy Philipps. COURTESY OF DANIEL INVOKE VIDEO Beth Israel Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin, secretary; and Temple Kol Ami Rabbi Jeremy Schneider, immediate COURTESY OF TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OFup THE WEST VALLEY In February, more than 700 people from all over Greater Phoenix participated in this year’s Jonathan’s Walk4Friendship. On Mitzvah Day, Jan. 11, Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Brotherhood members cleaned weeds, Erez Kessler, left, with Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan celebrated Purim with the Temple Beth Shalom of the On Seniors on Feb. 24. COURTESY OFnew SMILE ON SENIORS Cabot, Gloria Scarf, Barbara Goldstein, MaryJane Sandler, Nancy Mendelsohn and Mallin. Front row, left Family Shelter Phoenix for Pictured from left are Jackie Black, Stephanie Shink, Barbara Allyn, Chani Levertov, Bari Myden, Judy Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, left, invited Barry and Barb Zemel to place the mezuzah on the space synagogue. COURTESY OFin TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM OF Purim. THE EAST VALLEY past president. Not pictured is Rabbi Mark Bisman, co-treasurer. COURTESY OF RABBI ANDY GREEN The event raised close to $87,000 for kids with special needs. COURTESY OF FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE dead bushes and trash that had accumulated on the temple’s grounds. Pictured from left to right, are West Valley congregation during Shabbat services on Feb. 27. COURTESY OF TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OF THE WEST VALLEY to right, Arlene Raskin and Anita Evers. COURTESY OF THE CENTER FOR JEWISH PHILANTHROPY OF GREATER PHOENIX COURTESY OF BARBARA LEWKOWITZ Zuchman, Marcia Simon andofBaila Spevak. COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS during theofgrand reopening the Shalom Pantry in Scottsdale onpacked Mayand 6. care The Pantry and Kindness Carole Berkowitz in Smile OnCopper Seniors It’s Not Just Lunch FunShalom on May 6, Jon led gameshow Members Jewish War Pierre Veterans (JWV) State Post 619 packages, to by be shipped to Paul Sirrine, Daveparticipates Katz, Flatowitz, Richard Bass, Russ Robbins, Marty Kret and Green. Closet provide food, clothinginand essential items to low-income families and individuals throughout the host Scott Faver. COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS military personnel stationed remote areas overseas, for Support the Troops (STT) at the Ahwatukee COURTESY OF BERNIE ARUM community.Center. From left, Anne Teplitsky, JWV; Mary Williams, STT; COURTESY ARIZONA JEWS FOR JUSTICE AND VALLEY BEITJWV. MIDRASH Recreation andOFJulian Wyatt, commander left, Marvin Kline, Roth, Marci Beliak, DavidDaring Weinstein, Mark and Susie Magier, Sharonat Cohn, One of Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley’s youngest Author Judy Laufer shared stories from From her book, “Choices: TheLori True Story of One Family’s Escape to Freedom” with students Gila COURTESY OF JEWISH WAR VETERANS COPPER STATE POST 619 PatHolocaust Singer andRemembrance Tina Firetag areDay. pictured at Smile on Seniors’ “Not Just Lunch and Music” event onOFTuesday, congregants celebrated and showed off some personality in the Bend High School on Jan. 27, International COURTESY JUDY LAUFER Arthur Levine, center, the this newly named presidentenjoy of Brandeis University with of the The Bureau ofco-presidents Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix’s Jewish Baby University students held up their copies of Jewish NewsCOURTESY during their last Jan. 8. OF SMILE ON SENIORS Chandler temple’s sukkah fall. Members of Congregation Lev Shalom in Flagstaff a chilly evening in mid-August. Brandeis National Committee Phoenix Stephanie Klopperr, left,ofand Joyce Steinberg at SHALOM the class the Fall 2025 series. LEV COURTESY OF LINDA FELDMAN COURTESY OFChapter TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM OF THE EAST VALLEY COURTESY OF CONGREGATION On Feb. 14, Temple Beth Shalom chapter’s annual Book & Author Event on Feb. 23 in Scottsdale. COURTESY OF BRANDEIS NATIONAL COMMITTEE PHOENIX CHAPTER A delegation from the Desert States chapter of Jewish National Fund-USA, which includes Arizonans, of the West Valley hosted “Music Every month, the women of Congregation Beth Tefillah’s Book Club delve into Jewish literature from attended theTogether, 2025 Global for in Hollywood, Florida. COURTESY OF its JEWISH NATIONALevent FUND-USA Through the Decades.” Pictured are Tikkun part Conference of the Center forIsrael Jewish Greater Phoenix, held kickoff aroundOlam the world, reading fiction, non-fiction and Philanthropy everything inofbetween — all through a Jewish lens. costume award winners Jon and in September. The group decorated tzedakah boxes to collect donations at their upcoming Pickleball with COURTESY OF ESTHER ALLOUCHE Beck Green dressed as a menorah before the Marlene Green, who were dressed Purpose event in April. COURTESY OF CENTER FOR JEWISH PHILANTHROPY OF GREATER PHOENIX/TIKKUN OLAM TOGETHER review was staged in More than 450 people came out to hear from author MitchChanukah Albom ofmusical “Tuesdays withthat Morrie” fame. He as Gomez and Morticia Addams from December. OFJEWISHNEWS Three generations of theFamily” Laskin was speaking at a Valley Beit Midrash event promoting his new novel, “Twice.” Albom, right,COURTESY is introduced the 1960s “The Addams family traveled Temple Chai,COURTESY Temple Solel, Temple Kol by Rabbi Dr. Yanklowitz. OF RABBI DR. SHMULY YANKLOWITZ television show. to Cooperstown, From left, Dr.Shmuly Lawrence Green,State Issy Lifshitz and Alan Bulman bring tradition togetherness to the Jewish War Veterans Copper 619 provided robotic pets, designed by and recreation therapists, to Isy Sonabend helped assemble New York,OFto watch Jack play in a Ami and Congregation Beth Israel, four COURTESY TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OF THE WEST VALLEY Jewish War Veterans Copper State Post 619 (JWV) recently donated $3,500, plus collected over 800 table at Smile On Senior’s BLT Men’s Social (bagels, lox and tefillin). COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS dementia patients at Phoenix VA Medical Center. Pictured from left are VA Voluntary Services Specialist Phoenix resident Geoffrey On Tuesday, Feb. 25, Temple Kol Ami’s board of trustees bicycles thatbaseball were ontournament a Gonsher family's Pictured Colton Rahav leads young families as they sing Shabbat songs at Congregation Beth Tefillah’s Mishpachti week-long Valley Reform synagogues, gathered Jerry Lewkowitz, right, presented Alma Hernandez with the Lewkowitz Family Rising Leader Award at Gloria Bold, board first vice president and programs committee chair, presented Temple Beth Shalom of Benita Sonabend, left, and Pinki Lifshitz demonstrate how to prepare black bean chocolate cake and Congregation Beth Tefillah’s youth directors, Rabbi Yisrael Eden Kumer, led aSaturday, leadership training for Tucson Smile Jewish Leah Levertov on Jews War from Seniors Veterans for left congratulated Justice hosted are Dr. Post hosted an Sarah 619 impromptu her Past Nicholas, “Havdallah Challah Commander lunch Dr. Bake Against Linda for its Chuck committee Benaderet, Hate” members Wolin inand early for in Dr. and July. putting Sara August his Pictured son, Palestrant together after Marine on an the and act Seargent another left of Dr.Retreat vandalism side Kathryn “Kids Ken ofFestival the Wolin, Mega Hunt at taa On March 12, Arizona Jews for Justice hosted Temple Chai’s mitzvah group, where volunteers made over A group of Jewish women gathered for Congregation Beth Tefillah’s Wellness Women’s on May pairs of socks for veterans at Catholic Charities MANA (Marine, Army Navy, Air Force) House. The facility Temple Solel hosted its annual fundraiser, “Solelebration,” on Feb. 8., and Penny Craft receiving pets from JWV 619 members Jules Wyatt, Nancy Stutman, Gabe Forsbeg, Judy author Ruth Rotkowitz sold copies of her two Holocaust novels at the Desert Foothills Book and son, Aaron, tracked down unanimously voted to extend Cantor Noa Shaashua’s wishlist when the Jewish Care Tot Shabbat. The program will take place before Shabbat every month. COURTESY OF ESTHER ALLOUCHE withhis teams from allHolocaust over the U.S., Valley together late last month for Tashlich, the Anti-Defamation League Desert’s Conference on Antisemitism in Tempe on Friday, April 11. the West Valley Recognition Awards on April 24 to temple members who have gone “above and beyond” tahini bread for Smile on Seniors “In the Kitchen with Benita” series on Feb. 25. COURTESY OFVETERANS SMILE ON SENIORS teens while hiking in Phoenix. The goal was to empower the teens to lead fun and engaging activities Brendish. Jewish ble visit Challah are the Molly lawyer’s Bake” Lone The Roth, four Sailor in office. August. women Tzipi Monument Marsa, presented Carol on a a trip Taus, breast to Alan Washington, cancer and awareness Susan D.C. Polson. symposium Seated at on Congregation COURTESY the COURTESY right OF OF LEAH JEWISH side LEVERTOV WAR Beth of the Tefillah table POST 619 350 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the unsheltered community. Not all of the volunteers that 12-13 at CIVANA Wellness Resort and Spa in Carefree. Participants enjoyed sound healing, yoga, desert Two days before attending the Remdistributes 200-300 pairss of socks monthly. Pictured from left to right, Rachael Masch-Perez, MANA Lynn Ruskin ofhonored Glendale stands in front of the Jerusalem in with Prague, Czechia. Rabbi John and Nancy Linder onSynagogue their 17(letter years of leadership of WAR the Paradise Lifelong friends from Camp Ramah in California traveled this summer a total of 250 other rising Wolin and Chuck Wolin. COURTESY OF JEWISH POST 619 in mid-October. COURTESY OFVETERANS RUTH ROTKOWITZ Halle Mondlick was the bride (letter Q) and Eli LaRue the groom U) in the preschool wedding the café where Geoffrey’s father contract for five more years. COURTESY OF TEMPLE KOL AMI Network brought the joy of Chanukah andHall Mexico. Pictured from on a Jewish tradition where participants COURTESY OF KASSIDY PINE this year. Pictured with Bold, far left, arewith Carol Zingale-Dandoy, Judy Lori Baker, Michael Zager, forOct. younger kids. COURTESY OF CONGREGATION BETH TEFILLAH are Ellyn 26. Klein, David Weinstein, Sharon Cohn and Henri Benkiel. COURTESY COURTESY OF TUCSON OF ESTHER ALLOUCHE participated are pictured. COURTESY OF ARIZONA JEWS FOR JUSTICE hiking, Kabbalah teachings and sessions Rebbetzin Esther Allouche and Israel’s marathon champion, brance Day atCanada Symphony last month, Arizona House community engagement coordinator; Jean Milberger, DAR Gila Butte Chapter regent: and Jay Violinist Moshe Bukshpan, far right, performed with other musicians atinSirrine, the Jewish Community of Sedona COURTESY OF LYNN RUSKIN congregation. COURTESY OF TEMPLE SOLEL high seniors and Poland with Ramah Israel. COURTESY OF ALISON FEINBERG theschool letters Q Valley and Uto atIsrael Congregation Beth Israel Chanen Preschool Scottsdale. COURTESY OF ANNE MONDLICK stood for a photo withJack his fellow to patients at Laskin, Phoenix Children’s left, Matthew Laskin of symbolically throw breadcrumbs or Fran Richter proudly shows off her Jewish News in Marilyn Meyerowitz and Paul Sirrine. Award winners not heat pictured are Warren Bentkover, Marty Kret and COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS Beatie Deutsch. COURTESY OF CONGREGATION BETH TEFILLAH Members of Chabad of Fountain Hills escaped the Valley for a cool Shabbaton in Pinetop-Lakeside. Governor Katie Hobbs invited Charlotte Adelman Hershorlin. JWV member. COURTESY OF BRANDEIS NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAPTER and the Verde Valley. COURTESY OFPHOENIX MOSHE BUKSHPAN Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan and clergy from four Sun City churches Tony Holocaust education director of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, right, facilitated “Our American soldiers after the 1944 OF JEWISH NETWORK and Wayne OFCARE WAYNE LASKIN pebbles COURTESY into the water as they recite Jerusalem while participating in the Authentic Israel KarenFusco, Carnow. OFCOURTESY TEMPLE BETH OF WEST VALLEY OF SHALOM CHABAD OFTHE FOUNTAIN HILLS to her officeHospital. to talk aboutLaskin. herCOURTESY newCOURTESY memoir. Hobbs led a Thanksgiving Interfaith Service onmonthly Nov.daughter 21.Chai Pictured from Pastor Greg Emery, Rev. Ann Utke, Parents’ with Vivian Klein the Ullman, of the lateleft: Holocaust survivor Gerda Weissmann liberation of Paris. Aaron holds the On Stories,” Seniors members enjoyed Pins Bowling event on 28. Pictured from left to prayers ofJan. repentance and forgiveness. Volunteer program. COURTESY OF FRAN RICHTER posted on her official Instagram a photo of the Smile East John Valley Jewish Community Center Camp Rimon campers in Chandler enjoyed a special visit from the Rev. Maroni, Rev. Mark J. Makowski and Kaplan. COURTESY OF TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OF THE WEST VALLEY Klein, at the Tempe History Museum on March 27. COURTESY OF TONY FUSCO The Center of Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix staff members took aphoto break with from his the grandfather daily grind to right, original Marcia Simon, Dennis Checkoway, Susan Hall, Len Krich, Dave Shooten, Jim OF Hall, COURTESY TEMPLEHelene CHAI/RABBI Sparaga, BONNIE KOPPELL meeting. COURTESY OF GOVERNOR KATIE HOBBS’ INSTAGRAM Chandler Fire Department during week of camp. COURTESY OF EAST VALLEY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER hang out for an afternoon at Top Golf. Pictured in the back row, from left, of arethe Mala Blomquist, Charlene David in front café. Termine and Andrea Malkin.the first COURTESY OF SMILE SENIORS On Tuesday, April 29, Congregation Beth Tefillah (CBT) member Eleanor Gross L.C.S.W. ledONCBT’s Green, Rachel Johnson, Tricia Jones, Leah Berenson, Sheryl Press, Andrew Gibbs, Amichai Richard On Sunday,group Sept. 7, Chai’s Kulanu (Anti-Defamation program) committee hosted Anthony COURTESY OFStout, BARBARA LEWKOWITZ Susan Roberts brought anLeague issue of the Jewish News to thecultivating Shanghai Babyccino inTemple a mindful parenting session about releasing self-imposed limitations while Kasper and Nicole Myden; front row, from right, are Andrea Cohen, Sarah Langert, Sheryl Quen, Kay Fusco, director ofpersonal Holocaust education the Arizona JewishinHistorical He spoke to approximately JewishatRefugees Museum China. ItSociety. is a museum commemorating the inner peace and growth. COURTESY OF CONGREGATION BETH TEFILLAH Zach and AllieMarcy Romo float in the Dead Sea with a copy of Jewish News during their third trip with Honeymoon Harriet Colan, officeLewis, manager atLipson, the Valley ofTiram the Sun Jewish Community Center, from right, led OFa 50 Campanella, Jodi Sapir and Joan Hosey. COURTESY OF CENTER people about making. the perpetrators of therefugees Holocaust and theintenacity of during survivors. COURTESY OF SANDY KRAVETZ Jewish who lived Shanghai World War II after fleeing In March, Smile On Seniors hosted “It’s Not Just Lunch and Pickle Making.” Tables were full of seniors practicing the art of pickle in Israel. COURTESY OF AMANDA GARCIA group VOSJCC members JEWISH PHILANTHROPY OF GREATER PHOENIX on a day trip to the English Rose Tea Room in Carefree in February. Europe to escape. COURTESY OF SUSAN ROBERTS On Sunday, 23, Temple Solel hosted itsmeets annualmonthly. Women’sRecently, Passoverthey Seder. anCOURTESY evening ofinspirCOURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS OF HARRIET COLAN Temple SolelMarch women’s group, Sisters of Solel, hadItawas brunch and hike the ituality, song and shared tradition led by Solel Rabbi Debbie Stiel and including the vocals of Tamara Participants enjoyed Smile On Seniors Purim Extravaganza on March 3. Seated from left toaof right, Ed and Thursday, April 24, several organizations recruited volunteers for “Reading Names” on McDowell Sonoran Preserve. FromJewish left inindividuals the frontMoms row areof Jillthe Resnick, HeleneValley, Weitzenkorn, Reva Steinberg, On Sunday, April 6, 14 NowGen-aged (22-45) came together for a nature walk through the Luana Patterson, left, president of Blue Star Southwest accepts donation of Michelle Jameson, Director ofTefillah U. S. Vets -Phoenix, accepted 163Post cans ofMark coffee collected by The Arizona Center Jews for for Jewish Justice Philanthropy recently began of Greater its initiative Phoenix to hosted provide Judith volunteer Ra’anan, opportunities of the and first programs hostages In late July, Women’s Leadership Institute Cohorts 9happily and 10Copper came together toone kick off the year with a Lieberman. This special Seder weaves together the rich of Jewish heritage with the voices and On May 6, Congregation Beth in Scottsdale held atapestry Torah dedication in honor of the Israel Defense Sande Mitchell, Jacqueline and Mark Dlatt, Marvin Kline, Shelley Greenberg and Wolff. Standing Bob Howard, left, vice commander of Jewish War Veterans State 619 (JWV), presented an Yom HaShoah. Leah Berenson ofwere the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix is pictured here Lois Bell, Rose Rastrelly and Vicki Miles. From left inWar the back row are Joanna Garrison, Mary Ann Bloom, Reach 11 Recreation area. There snacks, drinks, friendship and beautiful weather for the hikers. This From left, Freeman Rosenblum, Alan Nathan, Glenn Miller, David Rosen, Keith Rezendes, Beverly Nathan Shirley $1,500 from Julian Wyatt, Commander of Jewish Veterans Copper State Post 619. Blue Star Moms Pictured from left to right, Max and Andrea Greenspan and Phyllis and Michael Weinberg enjoyed Gloria Bold, right, and Meredith Weisman-Amaral were honored with Kavod Awards on March 7the in and Israeli Supreme Court Justice Daphne Barak-Erez visited Arizona in early February. The justice is pictured On June 15, Smile On Seniors held atheir “Summer Restaurant Meetup” at Kitchen 18of in Scottsdale. Pictured In November, the Jewish Care Network of Arizona, established by Rabbi Moshe and Sashie Levertov, Jewish Friends War shared Veterans, an epic Post Shabbat 619. dinner Pictured and mahjong from left night, are John complete Hermann, with homemade Jameson, Nancy food, wine, Stutman desserts and taken at senior by Hamas centers on in Oct. Greater 7, 2023, Phoenix who to was foster released a sense after of two community weeks. She while shared engaging her story seniors of resilience, in handshappy hour and mixer. More than 30 women attended. COURTESY OF WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE The Arizona Pictured Jewish State from women’s University left are circle Susan students of the and Chabad Alan gather Polson Jewish for a and welcome Center Hana of back and Mesa Norman bash held at a Chabad Kahn. pre-Rosh The at Hashanah ASU. foursome event are enjoying where Ron Dermer, far left, Israeli politician and diplomat who served as the Minister Strategic Affairs from On April 12, Arizona Jews for Justice hosted Shevet Shemesh, the Israeli Scouts of Arizona, where Standing from left, Susan Friedman, Karen Kass and Sherry Salzman; seated left, Bonnie Green experiences of women. Forces and civilian heroes who gave lives on Oct. 7 and thereafter. Pictured from left to right, Claude from left to right, Rabbi Levi Levertov, Neil Morrow Robin Wolff. COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS U.S. Representative David Schweikert (AZ-01), who is running for Governor of Arizona in the 2026 election, left, Leslie Levy, Jacquie Black and Elaine Kates enjoyed the Smile On Seniors Super Bowl Party. Award of Appreciation to Katie Sawyer, manager of Chandler Dunkin’ Donuts, in recognition of the store’s Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, left, of Valley Beit Midrash introduced Rabbi Dr. Dalia Marx, far right, for Past President of her theare, Phoenix Association Sheryl right, with author Lois Lowry, From left, Sarah Rubin, Marilyn Rubin and Judy and Steve Goldston visited Amsterdam’s historic reading the names of people murdered during the Holocaust. Lauren Mishlove, Rabbi Debbie Stiel, Joy Weber andJennet Kirkpatrick. COURTESY OF RABBI DEBBIE STIEL event was part of a NowGen Gather Grant where community members can apply to host a gathering to Rosenblum are pictured at Smile on Seniors’ “Deli Night” event on Jan. 29. COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS is a nonprofit support and service organization for mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers and female Smile On Seniors March 13 Shabbat dinner held in Phoenix. COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS appreciation of their service to Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley in Sun City. far right and with from Holocaust left, attorneys Sam Saks, Jami Bronkesh, Goldman and Nina Targovnik. from left to right, Steve Rosenbaum, Ellen Rosenbaum, Tami Rubinstein, Rabbi Levi Levertov, Debra hosted volunteers to cook 100 meals in under 90 minutes to help those facing food insecurity after the Charles and laughter. Gerson. Pictured from left are Sheri Schreck, Debbie Ater, Meryl Rose, Nancy COURTESY OFTurell, JEWISH WAR Sheryl VETERANS, Quen, POST 619 survival on activities. and strength with the Valley’s Jewish community. COURTESY OF CENTER FOR JEWISH PHILANTHROPY OF GREATER PHOENIX they Smile crafted On Seniors’ resin trays Lag B’Omer for holiday. BBQ in May. COURTESY COURTESY OF CHABAD OF CHABAD COURTESY ATCOURTESY ARIZONA JEWISH OF CENTER STATE SMILE UNIVERSITY ON OF SENIORS MESA 2022 until 2025, pictured with Rabbi Pinchas and Esther Allouche. Dermer was a guest speaker at they made 400 lunch bags, 250 sandwiches and dozens of hygiene kits to be distributed to unhoused and Joan Baratz celebrated Shabbat on April 24 with Smile On Seniors. COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS OF TEMPLE SOLEL Amiel, Abby Kaplan, Dr. David Kaplan R’ Pinhas Nissanoff. The Torah was dedicated by Amiel. was one of several people running for office who spoke at a dinner to members of the Jewish Women’s COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS continued support for JWV programs and veteran outreach in the Chandler community. her presentation, “Praying about the Unspeakable: Liturgy and Ritual as Response to Crisis” on Feb. 3 holding up the article about her in the Jewish News at the event featuring her best-selling book “Number Portuguese synagogue atmilitary theJewish start ofexperience. a Uniworld Jewish Heritage-themed Rhine River cruise arranged COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS create their own meaningful COURTESY OFTHE LEAH BERENSON legal guardians of active personnel, veterans and reserves. COURTESY OF JEWISH WARBETH VETERANS COPPER STATE POST 619 COURTESY OF TEMPLE SHALOM OF WEST VALLEY COURTESY OF NINA TARGOVNIK Salins, SuzyinSchweitzer, Howard Kornblue and Ilene OFJUSTICE SMILE ON SENIORS government shut down. COURTESY OFCOURTESY RABBI MOSHE LEVERTOV Julie Friedman, Andi Friedman and Miller. OF MERYL ROSE COURTESY OF ARIZONA JEWS FOR FACEBOOK Congregation Beth Tefillah’s inPenny February. COURTESY OFCOURTESY CONGREGATION BETH TEFILLAH individuals the community. COURTESY OF ARIZONA FOR JUSTICE COURTESY OF WAR VETERANS STATE POST 619 COURTESY OF CONGREGATION BETH TEFILLAH Conservative Forum (JWCF) atGala Maggiano’s Little Italy Kornblue. in Scottsdale on March 8.JEWISH COURTESY OFJEWS MINDY FRANKLIN at Beth Phoenix. COURTESY OFCOPPER VALLEY BEIT MIDRASH the Stars.” COURTESY OF MARCY LEWIS by MyraEl Orkin. COURTESY OF STEVE GOLDSTON
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SUNDAY, AUG. 30 Rosh Hashanah Bee & Honey Factory: 3-4 p.m. North Mountain Visitor Center, 12950 N. 7th St., Phoenix. Join Chabad of Moon Valley for a Rosh Hashanah experience: meet a real beekeeper, enjoy a beekeeping demonstration and children can craft their own honey jar. Registration is required. For more information, visit jewishmoonvalley.com/honey. Events FRIDAY, AUG. 28 Shabbat Live!: 5-6 p.m. Congregation Beth Tefillah, 6529 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. Join CBT for a Shabbat experience for families with children ages 10 and under. Includes live music, dinner, Shabbat sing-along and new programming for elementary-aged children. For more information, visit bethtefillahaz.org/event/tot-shabbat4.html. Tailgate Shabbat: 5 p.m. Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. Join Or Tzion for games, a kosher BBQ and Shabbat services. $12 for adults, free for children under 13 and new congregants. For more information, visit otaz.org/tailgate. Kabbalat Shabbat Ma’agalim & Dinner: 5:45 p.m. Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. Join Beth El for a musical prayer service for all ages. Cost: $25 per person, $60 per family of four. For more information, visit bethelphoenix.com/event/shabbat. SATURDAY, AUG. 29 Simchat Shabbat: 12-1 p.m. Online and in person at Temple Emmanuel of Tempe, 5801 S. Rural Road, Tempe. Join Gesher Disability Resources for “a no shush service” at which all expressions of prayer are welcome. For more information, visit gesherdr.org. SUNDAY, AUG. 30 Rosh Chodesh Tishrei Women’s Gathering & Sound Bath: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Abundant Space, 7610 E. McDonald Drive, Suite C, Scottsdale. Join Congregation Beth Tefillah for Kabbalistic study and a vibrational sound bath to prepare for the new year. $18 per person. For more information, visit bethtefillahaz.org/ event/RoshChodeshTishrei. Free Birds Event: 5-7 p.m. Desert Rock Winery & Distillery, 7302 E. Helm Drive, Suite 1002, Scottsdale. Join Congregation Or Tzion’s Generation X social club for an evening of drinks, food and live music. Cost: $38 per person. For more information, visit otaz.org/ freebirds. MONDAY, AUG. 31 Women’s Resin Honey Jar Workshop: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Location provided upon registration. Join Chabad of Moon Valley for a workshop to create a resin honey jar for Rosh Hashanah. All materials and light refreshments included. Cost: $25 per person. For more information, visit jewishmoonvalley.com/events/ womens-resin-honey-jar-workshop. TUESDAY, SEPT. 1 Or Tzion Men’s Club Football Fantasy Draft: 6-8 p.m. Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. Join Or Tzion for an evening to drink, snack and draft. For more information, contact Michael Feinberg at mifeinbe@yahoo.com. 14
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Becoming a Mother: 6:30 p.m. Chabad of Scottsdale, 10215 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join Chabad’s Jewish Women’s Circle for a presentation by speaker Ariella Kamen, who received a rare uterus transplant to become a mother. Also includes a Rosh Hashanah experience with bites, traditions and keepsakes. For more information, visit chabadofscottsdale.org/jwc. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2 Lunch & Fraud Prevention: 12 p.m. Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join Smile On Seniors for lunch and a presentation by Detectives Minera and Price from the Phoenix Police Department’s Financial Crimes Detail, U.S. Secret Service CFTF. RSVP required by Aug. 31. For more information, visit sosaz.org. High Holiday Bootcamp: 7 p.m. Location provided upon registration. Join Chabad of Moon Valley for a three-part High Holiday Bootcamp that will give you the background, meaning and practical understanding to enter each holiday feeling prepared and connected. For more information, visit jewishmoonvalley.com/events. THURSDAY, SEPT. 3 Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism, Anti-Israelism: 1-2 p.m. Online via Zoom. Join Valley Beit Midrash with co-sponsors Temple Solel and Arizona State University Jewish Studies for a virtual presentation by Dr. Marc Dollinger offering historical background into each category and outlining the points of debate in this highly-contentious subject. For more information, visit valleybeitmidrash.org. SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 L’eil Selichot Concert: 7:30 p.m. Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. Join Beth El for an elevated musical prayer service featuring melodies with Cantor Sarah Bollt and poetic contributions by Rabbi Nitzan Stein-Kokin. For more information, visit bethelphoenix.com/event/selichot. SUNDAY, SEPT. 6 Celebrate Through Art: Jewish Holiday Symbols Workshop!: 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join VOSJ for a hands-on art workshop creating meaningful holiday-themed artwork. $25 VOSJ members, $36 nonmembers. For more information, visit valleyofthesunj.org. Café Europa: 1 p.m. Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N. 56th St., Scottsdale. Join the Phoenix Holocaust Association for an afternoon of socializing for Holocaust survivors, their families and friends. For more information, visit phxha.com/events-2.
Meetings, Lectures & Classes SUNDAYS Chassidus Class: 9 a.m. Online. Learn about the Chasidic movement with Rabbi Yossi Friedman. Use this link: ChabadAZ.com/LiveClass. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Jewish War Veterans Post 210: 10 a.m. the first Sunday of the month in Central Phoenix. Any veterans, friends of veterans or if you just want to meet a vet, all are welcome. For more information, contact Michael at c365michael@yahoo.com. Anxiety in the Modern World: 6 p.m. Online. Learn the secrets of the Torah for living stress-free in the current environment with Rabbi Boruch of Chabad of Oro Valley. Cost: Free. Use this link: zoom.us/j/736434666. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. MONDAYS Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework, Desert Cactus Chapter: 10 a.m. The Oasis at Sagewood, 4555 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. The guild meets on the third Monday of the month, adjusted when necessary to accommodate Jewish holidays. For more information, visit pomegranateguild.org. Mahjong: 1:30-3:30 p.m. East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Come play mahjong each week. For all levels. Cost: Free; registration required at evjcc.org/mahjong. Living Through Loss: 4:30-6 p.m. the first and third Monday of each month. Online via Zoom. Join the Deutsch Family Shalom Center at Temple Chai for a Jewish bereavement support group. For more information, contact shalomcenter@templechai.com or 602-9711234, ext. 253. Ethics of Our Fathers: 7 p.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Zalman Levertov. Use this link: bit. ly/2Y0wdgv. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Quotable Quotes by our Sages: 7 p.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov. Use this link: JewishParadiseValley.com/ class. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Partners in Torah: 7:30 p.m. Online. Join a growing group of inspired learners with Project Inspire. Cost: Free. Use this link: us04web. zoom.us/j/3940479736#success, password is 613. For more information, email Robin Meyerson at robin@projectinspireaz.com. Learning to Trust in God: 7:30 p.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Yossi Friedman. Use this link: ChabadAZ.com/LiveClass. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Torah & Tea: 7:30 p.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Yossie Shemtov. Cost: Free. For
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more information, visit Facebook.com/ ChabadTucson. Single Parent Zoom: 8 p.m. First and third Monday of every month. Join The Bureau of Jewish Education’s Family University single parents’ group for those looking to form friendships and build their support system with like-minded people. For more information or to register, visit bjephoenix.org/ family-university. TUESDAYS Let’s Knit: 1:30 p.m. Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Share the pleasure of knitting, crocheting, etc. outside the social hall in the campus. Can’t knit? They will teach you! All levels welcome. Cost: Free. For more information, visit vosjcc.org. Grief Support Group: 4 p.m. Beth Emeth Congregation of the West Valley, 13702 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West. All are welcome to this support group for anyone experiencing grief or any kind of loss. Cost: Free. For more information, call 623-5847210 weekdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Maintaining an Upbeat Attitude: 7 p.m. Online. A class exclusively for people in their 20s and 30s, learn how Jewish Mysticism can help with your attitude with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov. Use this link: JewishParadiseValley.com/YJPclass. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Torah Studies: 7:30 p.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Mendy Levertov. Use this link: ourjewishcenter.com/virtual. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. WEDNESDAYS My Baby and Me: 9-10 a.m. Temple Chai Early Childhood Center, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. Join Temple Chai ECC for a weekly gathering for families with babies up to 12 months. Cost: Free. For more information, visit tcaz.shulcloud.com/event/ my-baby-and-me-playgroup.html. Torah Study with Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Online. Weekly study group explores that week’s portion and studies different perspectives and debates the merits of various arguments. Intended for adults, Torah study is open to students of all levels. For more information, contact the TBS office at 623-977-3240. Happiness Hour: 11:30 a.m. Online. Class taught by Rabbi Pinchas Allouche that delves into texts and references culled from our traditions to address a relevant topic. For more information, visit BethTefillahAZ.org. Lunch & Learn: 12 p.m. Online. Grab some food and learn with Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin. Use this link: Facebook.com/ChabadTucson. JEWISHAZ.COM
CALENDAR Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadtucson.com. Torah Study with Chabad: 12 p.m. Online. Take a weekly journey of Torah with Rabbi Yossi Levertov. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. The Thirteen Petalled Rose: 1 p.m. Online. Kabbalah class that studies “The Thirteen Petalled Rose” by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, focusing on the many concepts of Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism and applying them to everyday life. For more information, visit BethTefillahAZ.org. Grief Support Group: 5-6 p.m. Online via Zoom. Therapist Susan Charney MSW, LCSW, leads a grief support group every first and third Wednesday of the month virtually for individuals experiencing the loss of an adult child or sibling. In lieu of any fees for these sessions, donations to Temple Solel are appreciated. For more information, contact susancharneycounseling@gmail.com. History of the Jews: 7 p.m. Online. Learn the Jewish journey from Genesis to Moshiach with Rabbi Ephraim Zimmerman. Use this link: zoom.us/j/736434666. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. JACS: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Online. Zoom support group for Jewish alcoholics, addicts and their friends and family on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Cost: Free. For more information, email jacsarizona@gmail. com or call 602-692-1004. THURSDAYS Ladies Torah & Tea: 10:30 a.m. Online. Learn about the women of the Torah with Mrs. Leah Levertov. Use this link: ourjewishcenter. com/virtual. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Talmud - Makkos: 11 a.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Shlomy Levertov. Cost: Free. Use this link: JewishParadiseValley.com/YJPclass. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. The Science of Everything: 11 a.m. Online. Explore the most fundamental work of Chassidut: the Tanya, with Rabbi Boruch. Use this link: zoom.us/j/736434666. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Torah Study with Rabbi Lev Ettelson: 11 a.m. Beth Emeth Congregation of the West Valley, 13702 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West. Join Rabbi Ettelson for a discussion of the weekly Torah portion. For more information, call 623584-7210 weekdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mindfulness Gatherings: 12 p.m. Online. Hosted by Hospice of the Valley via Zoom. Cost: Free. To join by phone, dial 1-253-2158782, meeting ID 486 920 2119#, to get the Zoom link or for further questions contact Gill Hamilton at ghamilton@hov.org or 602-748-3692. Weekly Mahjong: 1-3 p.m. Temple Solel, 6805 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. Join Temple Solel each Thursday afternoon for mahjong. Lessons available for beginners. Cost: Free. RSVP via email to dottiebefore@gmail.com so they know how many tables to set up. Torah Portion Class: 7 p.m. Online or in person. Chabad Lubavitch of Fountain Hills, 16830 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills. Join Rabbi Mendy Lipskier for a discussion of the weekly parshah and gain new insights to the Torah. For more information, visit jewishfountainhills.com.
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Teen Discussions: 7-8:30 p.m. Online. Learn with Rabbi Tzvi Rimler. Use this link: cteen. clickmeeting.com/east-valley. Cost: Free. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. SATURDAYS Saturday Mindfulness Gatherings: 9:30 a.m. Online. Hosted by Hospice of the Valley. To join by phone, dial 1-253-215-8782, meeting ID 486 920 2119#. To get the Zoom link or for more information, contact Gill Hamilton at ghamilton@hov.org or 602-748-3692. Book Discussion: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Online. Join Or Adam Congregation for Humanistic Judaism on the third Saturday of every month for a book discussion. For more information and to register, contact oradaminfo@gmail.com.
Shabbat FRIDAYS Tot Shabbat: 9:30 a.m. Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix monthly for music, parachute play, crafts and a family Shabbat experience. For more information, visit bjephoenix.org. Shabbat Morning Service: 10 a.m. Ina Levine Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join Congregation Shomrei Torah for a traditional/egalitarian service led by Hazzan Bernard Savitz with kiddush following service. Zoom available. For more information, visit cstaz.org or contact 602-376-4392. Welcome Shabbat: 11-11:30 a.m. Online. Celebrate Shabbat with the JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Each week a different guest host will lead the program with song and celebration. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse. Shabbat at Beth El: 5:45 p.m. on Zoom; 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix or livestreaming at tinyurl.com/beclivestream. Celebrate Shabbat with songs, blessings and teachings with Rabbi SteinKokin and Cantor Sarah Bollt. For more information or to join, visit bethelphoenix.com. Erev Shabbat Service: 5:30 p.m. Online. Rabbi Alicia Magal will lead a service livestreamed for members of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley. Cost: Free. For more information and to obtain the Zoom link, visit jcsvv.org/contact. Shabbat Service: 5:30-6:30 p.m.; Oneg at 5 p.m. Temple B’rith Shalom, 2077 Brohner Way, Prescott. Join Temple B’rith Shalom for a musical and spiritual Shabbat service. For more information, visit brithshalom-az.org. Shabbat Services: 5:30 p.m. nosh, 6:15 p.m. service; morning service has varying dates and times. Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. For more information, contact Joan Neer at jneer@templechai.com. Pre-Shabbat Kiddush Club: 6 p.m. Online. Say Kiddush with Rabbi Mendy Levertov. Cost: Free. Use this link: ourjewishcenter. com/virtual. For more information, visit chabadaz.com. Shabbat Services: 6 p.m.; 9:30 a.m.; followed by a light Kiddush lunch. Beth Emeth Congregation of the West Valley, 13702 W. Meeker Blvd., Sun City West. For more information, call 623-584-7210 or visit bethemethaz.org. Shabbat Services: 6 p.m.; 9:30 a.m. Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St.,
Scottsdale. Services are also livestreamed at otaz.org/livestream. For more information about services, events and membership, visit congregationortzion.org or call 480-342-8858. First Friday Shabbat Services: 6:15 p.m.; Oneg at 7:15 p.m. Valley Unitarian Universalist, 6400 W. Del Rio St., Chandler. Join Congregation NefeshSoul for Friday night services the first Friday of each month in the sanctuary building of Valley Unitarian Universalist. For more information, contact Jim Hoffman at 480-329-3316. Shabbat Services: 6:15 p.m.; 10 a.m. Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N. 56th St., Scottsdale. Services held in the Goldsmith Sanctuary. Participants must pre-register by Thursday at 5 p.m. Priority will be given to members first and then guests. If there are more requests than available seats, a lottery system will be used. For more information or to make a reservation, visit cbiaz.org/ shabbat-services. Kabbalat Shabbat and/or Shabbat morning service: 6:30 p.m.; 10 a.m.; dates vary. Congregation Kehillah, 5858 E. Dynamite Blvd., Cave Creek. Join Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman and cantorial soloists Erica Erman and Scott Leader either in person or via Zoom. For safety reasons, please register ahead of time. For dates, visit congregationkehillah. org/event/. Register by emailing info@congregationkehillah.org. Shabbat Services: 7 p.m. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City. Services are followed by an Oneg. Services are live-streamed on YouTube. For more information and to get the YouTube link, visit tbsaz.org or call 623-977-3240. Shabbat Services in Sun Lakes: 7-9 p.m. Sun Lakes Chapel, 9240 E. Sun Lakes Blvd. North, Sun Lakes. Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation conducts Reform Shabbat services on the second Friday of each month. New members welcome. For more information, call 480-612-4413 or 480-580-1592. Shabbat Services with Beth Ami Temple: 7 p.m. Services held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, 4027 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley. Join Beth Ami Temple Rabbi Alison Lawton and Cantorial Soloist Michael Robbins as they lead Shabbat services twice a month. For more information, visit bethamitemple.org.
Seniors MONDAYS Fitness Xpress Series with Zoe: 11-11:30 a.m. Online. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Workout features weight and band exercises as well as yoga poses. Exercises will be demonstrated standing, but can also be done sitting in a chair. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse. Sip & Schmooze: 11 a.m. milk + honey, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Sip on kosher coffee or tea, enjoy a pastry and schmooze every second Monday of the month. RSVP appreciated to chani@sosaz. org or 602-492-7670. For more information, visit sosaz.org. Featured Presentation: 12:30 p.m. Online. Join Smile on Seniors Mondays and Wednesdays to learn from a variety of presenters about topical issues, like Q&As with medical professionals, entertainers and lectures. Cost: Free. For more information, visit
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sosaz.org/virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at levi@sosaz.org. TUESDAYS Movie Discussion Group: 11 a.m. Online. Join Smile on Seniors on the third Tuesday of every month hosted by Issy Lifshitz. Cost: Free. For full details and the movie of the month, visit sosaz.org/virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at levi@sosaz.org. WEDNESDAYS Fitness Fun with Zoe: 10-10:45 a.m. Online. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Workout features light chair exercises with optional weights. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse. Chair Yoga with Zoe: 11-11:45 a.m. Online. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. 45-minute chair yoga class. No prior yoga experience required. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse. THURSDAYS Memory Cafe: 10-11 a.m. first Thursday; 1-2 p.m. third Thursday. Online. Presented by Jewish Family & Children’s Service. Program for those with changes in their thinking or memory, mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder, along with their care partners. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/our-services/ older-adult-services/memory-cafe/. In the Kitchen with Benita: 12:30 p.m. Join Smile on Seniors on the fourth Thursday of every month for some delicious cooking or baking fun! Cost: Free. For full details, visit sosaz.org/virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at levi@sosaz.org. FRIDAYS Welcome Shabbat: 11-11:30 a.m. Online. Celebrate Shabbat with the JFCS Virtual Center for Senior Enrichment. Each week a different guest host will lead the program with song and celebration. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse. Sit or Stand Ballet Class: 12-12:45 p.m. Online. Presented by JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment. Jennifer Cafarella Betts and Friends from Ballet Theatre of Phoenix teach this class. Grab a chair or you can stand next to a chair or counter. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jfcsaz.org/cse. Musical Friday: 12:30 p.m. Online. Join Smile on Seniors on the first Friday of every month for a musical presentation. Cost: Free. For full details visit sosaz.org/virtual or email Rabbi Levi Levertov at levi@sosaz.org. JN
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