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AZJHS honors Candidates address Jewish community community concerns at JCRC forum leaders at Heritage Award Gala MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR
MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR
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he Arizona Jewish Historical Society will honor husband and wife Mel Kessler and Gail Fisher at its Nov. 8 Heritage Award Gala, recognizing their decades of community service as the organization prepares to open the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center and the Guzman Family Center: Celebrating the Enduring Light of a People. Talli Dippold, president and CEO of the AZJHS, said that honoring Kessler and Fisher was an easy decision for the board. “Given their long history in the community, particularly in Tempe, and that Mel was an interim executive director when the organization needed some assistance — it was a very natural fit,” she said. Kessler, who moved to Arizona from Queens, New York, in 1969, joined the AZJHS’ board in 2010. “I tried to leave the board several times and kept being told, ‘No, not on your life,’” he joked. He now serves as an honorary board member. “Mel is very humble. He is a giver. He’s a pillar of the community. He does so much for other people,” said Dippold. “Whatever you need, Mel will go and take care of it. I’m so excited for him and Gail to be the center of attention.” She said that when she first started at the AZJHS, Kessler made sure she was listed on every bank account and document. She said they ran all around town, and there were even times when Kessler drove to her apartment to have her sign paperwork. “He was really a guide by my side in the first couple of months when everything was chaotic,” said Dippold. SEE AZJHS, PAGE 2
Republican candidate Jay Feely answers questions asked by Brian Democratic candidate Dr. Amish Shah answers questions asked by Geoff Kordansky at the “Voices and Votes” candidate forum on Oct. 11. Balon at the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS event held at Congregation Beth Tefillah on Oct. 11. COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS
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epublican Jay Feely and Democrat Dr. Amish Shah are both running for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District (AZ01), but the two have another connection: More than 16 years ago, Feely was a placekicker for the New York Jets while Shah served as an emergency and airway management sideline physician. However, neither recalled meeting the other at the time. Feely and Shah spoke to the Jewish community on Oct. 11 at Congregation Beth Tefillah in Scottsdale
during “Voices and Votes,” a candidate forum hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix (JCRC). The forum brought the two candidates together to discuss issues important to the Jewish community, including rising antisemitism, the U.S.-Israel relationship and growing political polarization. Current Republican Rep. David Schweikert has SEE CANDIDATES, PAGE 3
Working on water One of Scottsdale City Council member Solange Whitehead’s priorities is water security for Scottsdale. See page 9. PHOTO COURTESY OF SOLANGE WHITEHEAD
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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 CONTINUED FROM 1 members and speaking out for her rights Kessler said his involvement with the “Our hope is PAGE to create and promote advocating for herself. beliefs. AZJHS has given him an opportunity opportunities for people to be embraced, and “One time, I was in class and someone said Jon Meyers, director of ADDPC. She already has some practice at to contribute to something larger than 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 himself. equitable opportunities wherever they to. The teacher was in the hallway and opportunities for people to be embraced, “One time, I was in class and someone “It is really very special,” he said. might live,” he said. another student repeated the word,” she become part of the community and find called me the R-word and I told him not He said one of the projects he helped Meyers first came to know Stern said. Rather than letting the situation go, equitable opportunities wherever they to. The teacher was in the hallway and advance began more than a decade ago, through her mother, Amy Silverman, who she told her theater teacher, who was able might live,” he said. another student repeated the word,” she when the organization explored expanding read her personal essays about raising a to intervene. Meyers first came to know Stern Rather than letting the situation go, its facilities to display Holocaust-related daughter with Down syndrome on KJZZ, said. “If someone has a disability, saying through her mother, Amy Silverman, who she her theater teacher, who was able artwork by local artist Robert Sutz. The National Public Radio’s Phoenix affiliate the told R-word is like saying the F-word,” read her personal essays about raising a to intervene. concept later evolved into a much larger station. said. daughter with Down syndrome on KJZZ, Stern “If someone has a disability, saying undertaking. Meyers was so captivated by the essays While performing in the musical National Public Radio’s Phoenix affiliate the R-word is like saying the F-word,” “After the Legislature passed a law that he reached out to Silverman, and the “Hairspray,” she had another occasion station. Stern said. mandating the teaching of the Holocaust, two became friends. to tangle with the offensive word, which Meyers was so captivated by the essays While performing in the musical genocide and hate to seventh through That’s how Stern first learned of the appears in the script. that he reached out to Silverman, and the “Hairspray,” she had another occasion Sophie Stern at her high school graduation in 2022 12th graders, the project significantly openandcouncil seat, but there’s no doubt COURTESY OF SOPHIE STERN “That’s really bad and myOF KELSEY friend said Mel Kessler Gail Fisher. Talli Dippold COURTESY HALE two became friends. to tangle with the offensive word, which changed to us building a Holocaust COURTESY OF THE ARIZONA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY she earned her position, Meyers said. it on stage. I was not OK with that, so I That’s how Stern first learned of the appears in the script. Heart Can’t Even It: A Story of Sophie Stern at her highBelieve school graduation in 2022 education center,” said Kessler. Toknew become a council member, Stern time, and it wasn’t always easy, but Susan went Guzman, madeand a $500,000 to thewho director told her it was Science, open council seat, but there’s no doubt COURTESY OF SOPHIE STERN Love and Down Syndrome,” “That’s really bad and my friend said The law was passed by the Legislature it washad to apply and demonstrate that she had necessary.” preserve the a badgrant word to forhelp people with disabilities, she earned her position, Meyers said.matching book about her daughter. it on stage. I was not OK with that, so I Silverman’s and then-Gov. Doug Ducey signed it into valuable to contribute, he said. Shesomething said visiting an education center building. but she wouldn’t take it out,” Stern said. Heart Can’t Even Believe It: A Story of To become a council member, Stern When Gesher’s bureau, Damon to the director and told her it was Science, Love speakers’ law in 2021, stating that public schools and engaging “She’swith on survivors’ the council because sheThe went and Down Syndrome,” experiences restored be known She let synagogue, her mothertoknow about the had to apply and demonstrate that she had Brooks & Associates, was asked to find a bad word for people with disabilities, Silverman’s book about her must teach students about the Holocaust can leave deserves to impression be on the council,” he said. daughter. a lasting in ways that as the Guzman Family Center, conflict and they were will ablecontain to convince something valuable to contribute, he said. but she wouldn’t take it out,” Stern said. a speaker about Down syndrome for an and other genocides at least twice between reading Stern is history creatingalone a life and career asa adedicated When Gesher’s speakers’ bureau, Damon about may not. gallery celebrating Jewish the director of the need to remove the “She’s on the council because she She let her mother know about the event this spring, Hummell first asked the seventh and 12th grades. Revised in of will her community, which makes Themember center use interactive history in Arizona and the contributions of Brooks & Associates, was asked find word from the script. deserves to be on the council,” he said. conflict and they were able to convince Silverman to speak, thinking Sternto might 2024, the law now requires instruction technology her a great addition. to let visitors engage with the Phoenix Jewish community. The two a speaker about Down syndrome for an “My friend Al was next to me when Stern is creating a life and career as a the director of the need to remove the be too young. to last at least three school days, or the recorded Stern graduated from McClintock survivor testimonies, preserving buildings will be attached, “a celebration I told the director and he gave me the event this spring, Hummell first asked member of her community, which makes word from the script. They decided instead that Stern should equivalent, on each of the two separate their experiences High School infuture Tempe last year and now generations. of thebiggest old and theever new,” to loved Silverman hug andaccording said that he to speak, thinking Stern might her a great for addition. “My friend Al was next to me when tell her own story; it’s a real bonus that occasions. Glendale Community College, Thisattends AI-powered video conversation Dippold. me so much,” Stern said. Sadly, Al died be too young. Stern graduated from McClintock I told the director and he gave me the she is not afraid of public speaking. For Fisher, the center represents an technology, with acalled focus“Interactive on dance. Interview,” She is a regular“We’re really local a car crash focusing on Oct. 24,on 2021. They decided instead that Stern should High School in Tempe last year and now in biggest hug ever and said that he loved opportunity to make history tangible for lets people “It’s not the same when someone performer at Detour Theatre, converse withCompany a recorded Holocaust survivors, on the resilience ofto get tell “That was hard; it’s very hard own story; it’s a real bonus that attends Glendale Community College, me so much,” Stern said. Sadly, Al died tries her young people. tell a person’s story for them,” a Scottsdale for adults version of Esther theatre Basch, company affectionately individuals who came to Phoenix with veryupset,” she istonot emotions out and I was very, very afraid of public speaking. with a focus on dance. She is a regular in a car crash on Oct. 24, 2021. A Phoenix resident since 1955, Fisher knownwith Hummell said. intellectual, developmental as the “Honey Girl,” even though and little and built incredible lives, and their she said. “It’s not the same when someone performer at Detour Company Theatre, “That was hard; it’s very hard to get spent 30 years teaching high school she died Additionally, helping people with physical disabilities. in 2025. legacy will in this community fordeath, tries Onlive theon recent anniversary of his to tell a person’s story for them,” a Scottsdale theatre company for adults emotions out and I was very, very upset,” disabilities English and said she understands the jobs was one of the reasons In fact, when Stern attended her first “We hear about all the challenges of AI many Stern generations,” Dippold. made asaid cake and took it to the Hummell find said. with intellectual, developmental and she said. importance of getting the message of the and technology, for acquiring the bureau. Unemployment council meeting in January, sheone couldn’tThecrash but I have to say that AZJHS site. plans to complete the helping people with physical disabilities. On the recent anniversary of his death, in Additionally, Holocaust across to young people. the disability community is upwards of thewait benefits of people technology that we are with project “I bydon’t August 2027, to tell of herisinvolvement know howwith I dida itsoft without disabilities find jobs one of the reasons In fact, when Stern attended her first Stern made a cake and took it to the of 75% and of that was “The center will present a wonderful able toDetour percentage, 75% are make sure we’re capturing the beginning that month and an andthat share information about opening its crying. I’m so proud of myself,” she said. for acquiring the bureau. Unemployment council meeting in January, she couldn’t crash site. *Annual opportunity for students *Best to visit with voices,upcoming of Magazine willing and able Directory to work — but wisdom, words celebration scheduled for shows.and experiences of official opening Amy Hummell, executive director of ready, in the disability community is upwards wait to tell people of her involvement with “I don’t know how I did it without parallels either in their English classes or the survivors,” been **Best given of theMagazine opportunity, said Dec. 5, 2027.Disability Resources, agreed that haven’t “There’s noDippold. question that she is going Gesher **Annual Directory of 75% and of that percentage, 75% are Detour and share information about its crying. I’m so proud of myself,” she said. in their social studies classes,” she said. said. Alongside the Holocaust education he hopes AZJHS to thrive,” Meyers said. “She’s veryKessler Sternsaid is a good fit forthe ADDPC because Hummell *Best of Magazine ready, willing and able to work — but upcoming shows. Amy Hummell, executive director of “I think this is something whose time center,gregarious “People have it in them to speak up but Phoenix’s and first passionate synagogue, about built the will continue to to grow and make a of her ability self-advocate. haven’t been given the opportunity, “There’s no question that she is going Gesher Disability Resources, agreed that needed to come. I knew and**Annual worked with Directoryin 1921 as that Temple Israel and meaningful impact throughout the event don’t know how, and often they’re not things matterBeth to her.” Hummell co-hosted a book to thrive,” Meyers said. “She’s very Stern is a good fit for ADDPC because Hummell said. so manyWWW.JEWISHAZ.COM dedicated teachers who felt that then Congregation Beth Israel, is being Phoenix community. cheered on. Sophie has family support with Meyers a few years ago for “MyWWW.JEWISHAZ.COM Stern looks forward to sharing insights “People have it in them to speak up but gregarious and passionate about the of her ability to self-advocate. this is a worthwhile way to spend their restored with support from Nestor and SEE AZJHS, PAGE 4 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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“ISRAEL IS NEVER THE AGGRESSOR. THEY HAVEN’T BEEN SINCE 1948. THEY ALWAYS RESPOND TO THE ATTACKS ON THEM.” JAY FEELY
“THE SECURITY OF ISRAEL IS NOT UP FOR DEBATE. WE MUST KEEP ISRAEL SAFE.”
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held the seat since 2023 but decided not to seek reelection; he ran for Arizona governor instead but did not make it past the primary. AZ01 is one of only 18 House seats in the country listed as a “toss-up,” according to the independent, nonpartisan Cook Political Report, and its outcome could help decide control of the U.S. House. Tim Eckstein, treasurer of the JCRC, introduced the event and said, “We believe a community that wants to live safely, freely and openly needs strong democratic values and informed civic participation. That means listening to the people who ask for our votes and hearing in their own words where they stand on the issues that matter to us. We are not here to endorse anyone. We’re here to make sure our community has direct access to the candidates and that the candidates hear from us.” The candidates were both asked the same questions, including the values that drive their public service; the steps they would take to combat hate; their strategic vision for how to address U.S.-Iran relations; how they felt the U.S. should approach its relationship with Israel; and their strategies to foster collaboration once they get to Congress. Brian Kordansky, a JCRC board member, presented questions to Feely, and fellow board member Geoff Balon posed questions to Shah. Asked what values would guide his work in Congress, Feely described public service as a commitment to putting others first. “The core of why I wanted to get into politics was to be somebody who is a man for others,” he said. Feely, a former NFL player and broadcaster who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, pointed to his volunteer work throughout his football career and his efforts to support community organizations in Arizona, including House of Refuge in Mesa, which provides transitional housing to families experiencing homelessness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, JEWISHAZ.COM
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Feely and his son launched a program called “Food Fighters,” purchasing meals from local restaurants and delivering them to healthcare workers as a gesture of appreciation. “You should not be going to D.C. to enrich yourself,” he said. “You should be going there to represent your constituents and create a better future for our kids and grandkids.” Shah, an emergency medicine and sports medicine physician who served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2019 to 2024, traced his commitment to service to an act of generosity that helped his family come to the U.S. He recounted how two brothers who owned a diamond shop in India rescued a man who collapsed in the heat. That man later sponsored Shah’s mother to come to the U.S. to study engineering. Shah said the story taught him the impor tance of helping others and ensuring that children have opportunities to achieve their goals. “I got into public service because I wanted to pay that forward,” he said. On the topic of antisemitism, Shah said that elected officials must use their public platforms to reassure Jewish communities that their concerns are taken seriously. “First, let’s say it unequivocally, antisemitism is wrong, and it must be condemned wherever it appears,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of funding security measures for synagogues and other nonprofit institutions. “One of the things that I know that this community cares a lot about is to make sure that there are nonprofit security appropriations that we can bring home to make sure that all places of worship remain safe,” he said. “I think it is really important that we make sure we back it up, not just with words, but hopefully with actions, meaning bringing home dollars to make that happen.” Feely criticized antisemitism on college campuses and said students should feel comfortable expressing their faith, including wearing Jewish symbols. “We should make sure, whether it’s financial penalties or other measures that we can do as a federal government, that if you’re not going to create spaces that
are safe for individuals, like you’re seeing on these college campuses, that you have penalties involved in that,” he said. Feely also discussed a trip to Poland and Israel that shaped his perspective. During the visit, he toured Auschwitz and other concentration camps, traveled to areas near Israel’s borders with Syria, Lebanon and Gaza, and encountered Jewish refugees from Ukraine who were making aliyah. Those experiences, he said, reinforced his support for Israel and his understanding of the security threats facing the country. “Israel is never the aggressor. They haven’t been since 1948. They always respond to the attacks on them,” he said. “My experience over there certainly had a dramatic effect on me and the way in which I view this entire issue. I believe that one party is standing on the side of Israel, and one party is standing on the side of the terrorists. And when you have Hamas and Hezbollah and this aggression and their desire to destroy the country of Israel and the Jewish people, then you must be very clear about where you stand. And you know exactly where I stand.” Feely said the U.S.-Israel relationship should include economic, military and technological partnerships. Shah said that he would always support Israel’s defensive capabilities, including the Iron Dome missile defense system and efforts to destroy Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis to stop the terror network that is part of today’s Middle East. “The security of Israel is not up for debate,” he said. “We must keep Israel safe.” Both candidates agreed Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, but they differed in their assessments of the Trump administration’s military actions and the path forward. Feely said sanctions and, if necessary, military action must remain options to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. “I don’t want to be in a war,” Feely said, noting that he has two brothers serving in the military. “I don’t want to see my brothers go over and be in these foreign wars, but I also don’t want to see
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“Given the environment that we’re currently living in with conflict and everybody opposing everybody else, it’s time for people to realize that we all need to pull together, help each other and watch out for each other,” he said. “This is a legacy that will last for generations and have a significant impact not only on youth but parents, too, entire families,” said Fisher. Kessler and Fisher’s commitment to community life extends beyond the AZJHS. Both have been active in Tempe’s civic and cultural life, and they began their partnership through their work with the Tempe Library Advisory Board. Kessler was a founding member of Temple Emanuel of Tempe, the Reform congregation that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. He remains an active member, and his grandchildren represent a third generation connected to the congregation. “It’s something that has been a desire of mine to ensure that Tempe has a Jewish community going into the future, which is why I stayed involved and have helped with it so much,” said Kessler. He said that when the synagogue was first being established, the immediate goal was simply to get it started. He did not imagine then how long it would continue
or how many generations would become part of its story. Fisher, meanwhile, has maintained a strong connection to arts and cultural organizations through her leadership with the Tempe Ar ts and Culture Commission (formerly Tempe Municipal Arts Commission), Friends of Tempe Center for the Arts and currently serves as national president of the National Society of Arts and Letters. The gala will celebrate their decades of shared commitment to service and dedication to the community. Dippold described the evening as both a look back at the people who helped build the organization and a preview of the work ahead. Attendees will hear updates on the campus project and celebrate the organization’s history. “I always see these galas as an opportunity to give back something to the community,” she said. “This is a celebration of the community members who helped build what we have up to this point. And looking forward, it’s a thank you to those who came before us and an opportunity to honor the local Jewish community and the local Holocaust survivor community.” JN For more information about the gala, visit azjhs. org/heritage-gala-2026.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
the greatest sponsor of terror in the world have a nuclear weapon.” Shah recalled a visit to Israel in 2019 with a bipartisan delegation of Arizona lawmakers, during which Israeli officials briefed the group on regional security threats and Iran’s network of allied militant organizations. “In that regime, they have chanted ‘Death to Israel’ and ‘Death to America’ again and again, and they threaten us, they threaten our allies. It’s not OK,” he said. “I disagree with the Trump administration in how this has been, in my opinion, bungled,” he said. “Our objectives were to get the nukes. Now, we understand that those nukes are buried somewhere in one of the sites under some rubble. I want to make sure that material is secured, and it is never used against the United States, Israel or any of our allies. I don’t think that objective has been achieved.” Shah went on to cite the continued existence of Iran’s governing structure, disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, higher energy costs and the loss of American service members. Although he generally does not agree with Republican policy, Shah pointed to his record in the Arizona Legislature as evidence of his willingness to work across the aisle. He cited endorsements from Republican lawmakers, including former House Speaker Russell “Rusty” Bowers, and recalled opposing the “defund the police” movement. Shah earned endorsements from multiple Arizona law enforcement unions, including the Combined Law Enfor cement Associations of Arizona and the Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Office Deputies Law Enforcement Association. If elected, Shah said he hopes to join Congress’ “Problem Solvers Caucus,” which brings Democrats and Republicans together to work on bipartisan issues. “You can always find something to work with them on that really moves things forward for the American people,” he said.
Feely said that there’s too much partisanship in this country when it comes to politics. “You don’t have to hate somebody that believes differently than you,” he said. He said when he is out canvassing and sees a Shah sign on someone’s home, he’ll go up and knock on the door. He admitted that sometimes the person won’t talk to him. “The majority of the time, by the end of the conversation, I might not change their views, but they’ll thank me for being willing to talk,” he said. “Because you can’t think that we’re going to make a change in this country if you’re not willing to listen first, have conversations and show mutual respect.” The forum concluded with a reception that gave attendees a chance to speak with Feely, Shah and other candidates for local and statewide offices, including Alexander Kolodin, Solange Whitehead, Carine Werner, Kimberly Yee, Raoul Zubia, Tammy Caputi, Pamela Carter and Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. Nancy Brandl, who attended at a friend’s invitation, praised the format and the opportunity to continue conversations after the forum. “It’s absolutely needed,” she said. Attendee Robin Rubenstein shared, “I wanted to come and hear them in person to make my own determination as to how they would be in Congress; to get a feel for who they are and what they are like.” And Rick Baltman said he was happy to see that both candidates were pro-Israel and felt that either candidate would also take the fight against antisemitism to Congress. “Whoever wins, the Jewish community of Arizona will be well represented,” he said. JN For more information, visit jcrcphoenix.org. Jewish News does not endorse any political candidate and welcomes the opportunity to interview any Jewish candidate running for office.
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Board Members mbers mbers dard Board Members Board Members Board Members Members Members 40-CLASS SERIES d Members 40 Talmudic Stories Every Jew Should Know Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz Tuesdays @ 10 am PT
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Chair: Dr. Jacqueline Founding Chair: Treasurer: Secretary: Past Chair: The Parable of the Can Our People In-Person in Las In-Person in Chair: Dr. Jacqueline Founding Chair: Treasurer: Carole Zeichick Carole Zeichick Secretary: Past Chair: Chair: Chair: Chair: Jacqueline Chair:Chair: Dr. Jacqueline Dr. Jacqueline Dr. Jacqueline Dr. Dr.Shobin Jacqueline Founding Chair: Founding Founding Chair: Founding Chair: Founding Chair: Founding Chair: Chair: Treasurer: Treasurer: Treasurer: Treasurer: Carole Treasurer: Zeichick Treasurer: Carole Carole Zeichick Carole Zeichick Carole Zeichick Secretary: Carole Zeichick Zeichick Secretary: Secretary: Secretary: Secretary: Secretary: Past Chair: Past Chair: Past Chair: Past Chair: Past Chair: Past Chair:Heal? The Urgent Vegas &Jacqueline Virtual Scottsdale &Dr. Noah Good Samaritan: Stan Hammerman Dr.Chair: GaryDr. Friedlander Schenkein Steve Shobin SnyderDavid Lieberman Stan Hammerman Friedlander Schenkein Steve Dr. Noah SnyderDavid Lieberman Virtual Stan Hammerman Stan Stan Hammerman Hammerman StanAntisemitic Stan Hammerman Stan Hammerman Hammerman Friedlander Dr. Gary Dr. Gary Friedlander Dr. Friedlander Gary Dr. Gary Friedlander Schenkein Dr. Gary Friedlander Friedlander Schenkein Schenkein Schenkein Schenkein Schenkein Biblical Roots ofSteve Steve Shobin Steve Shobin Steve Shobin Steve Shobin Steve Shobin Shobin Dr. Noah SnyderDr. Noah Dr. Noah SnyderDr. Noah SnyderDr. Noah SnyderDr. Noah SnyderSnyderDavid Lieberman David David Lieberman David Lieberman David Lieberman David Lieberman Lieberman vs. Need to Address Mackler Mackler Building Peace OneMackler Chair: Dr. Jacqueline Founding Chair: HistoricallyPast Carole Zeichick Secretary: Chair: Antisemitism Treasurer: Accurate Jewish Collective Mackler Mackler Mackler Mackler Mackler Encounter at a Time Stan Hammerman Interpretations Dr. Gary Friedlander Schenkein Steve Shobin Dr. Noah SnyderDavid Lieberman Trauma Rabbi Marc Gitler Mackler
Shanah Tovah from Rabbi Shmuly and Shanah Tovah from Rabbi Shmuly and Shanah Shanah Shanah Shanah Shanah Tovah Shanah Tovah Tovah Tovah from Tovah Tovah from from Rabbi from from from Rabbi Rabbi Rabbi Shmuly Rabbi Rabbi Shmuly Shmuly Shmuly Shmuly Shmuly and and and and and and Shanah Tovah from Board Rabbi Shmuly and the VBM & thethe VBM Board & Staff!! the VBM the the VBM the VBM the Board VBM VBM Board VBM Board Board & Board Board Staff!! &&Staff!! &Staff!! &Staff!! Staff!! &Staff!! Staff!! the VBM Board & Staff!! Yehuda Stolov & Abier Abd Al-Daim
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Valley Beit Midrash wishes everyone shana tovah, a happy filled with joyinvite and love. We invite Valley Beit Midrash wishes everyone a shana tovah, a happy new year filled new with year joy and love. We Valley Beit Valley Midrash Valley Beit Valley Beit Midrash wishes Valley Beit Midrash Valley Beit Midrash everyone wishes Beit Midrash wishes Midrash everyone wishes aofeveryone shana wishes everyone wishes atovah, shana everyone a shana everyone aatovah, happy shana aour shana aanew tovah, happy shana a tovah, happy year anew tovah, happy filled anew year happy awith new year happy filled joy new year filled with and new year fiwith lled love. joy year filled with and joy We filled and with love. joy invite with and love. joy Weand joy love. We invite and love. invite We love. invite We We invite invite to join us in pursuit improving lives intovah, communities through transformative learning and action. 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We invite Hanukkah: Theology No Weren’t Supposed howinto youour can plugthis intoyear: our work this year: Here’s how youHere’s can plug work A Talmudic Longer Suffices to Use: A Short ZEICHICK FAMILY Strength for the The Courage tohow Here’s you how Here’s Here’s you how Here’s can how you Here’s plug how you Here’s can into can you plug our how you plug can into work you can plug into our this can plug into our work year: plug work into our this into work our this year: our work year: this work this year: this year: year: to join us in pursuit of improving lives in communities through transformative learning and action. with us atclasses. our upcoming classes. Wepluralistic have multiple pluralistic offerings 1. Learn with us atLearn our upcoming We have multiple off erings each week andeach week and Reading History of Amulets, LECTURE: When Journey Be1. Fully Present 1. 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Thursday, Dr. Richard Hidary each week and Katz Banned Rituals Twice options options forTuesday, both options options for virtual both for options both or options for virtual in-person both for virtual or both for virtual in-person or both learning. virtual in-person or virtual in-person or learning. in-person or learning. in-person learning. learning. learning. 1. Learn with us at our upcoming classes. We have multiple pluralistic off erings 2. Serve with uswith and Arizona volunteer withfor Arizona for Justice tomost help vulnerable uplift the most vulnerable Dec.Jews 3, 2026 2. Serve with us1, 2026 and volunteer JusticeJews to help uplift the Dec. 2. Serve 2. with 2. Serve us Serve 2.- 8:30 and with Serve 2. with volunteer us 2. 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Serve withmembers us and volunteer with Arizona Jews for Justice to helpDec. uplift the most vulnerable 1:00 -young 2:00 pm MT 1:00for - opportunities 2:00 pm MT and young out you forfellowship internshipopportunities or fellowship for teens and adults. 7:00if- 8:30 MT lookingor 3. Reach out if3.youReach are looking forpmare internship teens adults. ofare our community. 3. Reach 3. members out 3.Reach if3. Reach you out 3. Reach out ifwould 3.Reach you looking ifout Reach you are ifout are you looking for out ifAZ internship looking you are if you looking for aretell internship for are looking or internship looking for fellowship internship fororinternship for fellowship orinternship opportunities fellowship or or opportunities fellowship oropportunities fellowship foropportunities teens opportunities for and opportunities teens foryoung teens for and teens for adults. and young teens forand young teens adults. and young adults. and young adults. young adults. adults. Monday, Scottsdale, We thrilled you about ourfellowship leadership development programs. We would be thrilled to tellbeyou moretoabout ourmore leadership development programs. Dec. 21, 2026 Reach out if be you are looking for internship or fellowship opportunities for teens and programs. young adults. We3.would Webe We would thrilled would We would We to thrilled be We tell would thrilled be you would to thrilled be more tell to thrilled be you tell to thrilled about you more tell to more you tell our to about you tell more leadership about you more our about more our leadership about development leadership our about leadership our development our leadership development leadership programs. development development programs. development programs. programs. programs. 1:00 - 2:00 pm MT 4. Become a By Legacy donor. By joining the Jewish Education Society of Valley Beit Midrash 4. Become awould Legacy donor. joining the Jewish Education Legacy SocietyLegacy ofprograms. 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By joining the Jewish Education Legacy Society of Valley Beit Midrash you you ensure willaVBM will you ensure ensure you will hasVBM you ensure will the VBM will ensure has ability VBM ensure has the to VBM the has ability provide VBM ability has the toto has ability the provide engaging tothe ability provide toability provide engaging tolearning engaging provide to provide engaging learning opportunities engaging learning engaging learning opportunities learning opportunities and learning opportunities save opportunities and lives opportunities and save inand save our lives and save lives inand save our lives insave our lives in our lives our in our Nietzsche & you Genesis in the What the Qur’an In-Person &inVirtual communities for many years come. communities for manyVBM years tothe come. you will ensure has ability to provide engaging learning opportunities and save lives in our American Intellectual Antisemitism: Contemporary Age of AI: A Really Says About communities communities communities for communities many communities for years communities many for many to for years come. many for years many to for years come. many to years come. to years come. to come. to come. We will hope this yearyears will be a time renewal that weJudaism will experience many joyful We hope year be amany time of renewal and of growth andand thatgrowth we willand experience many joyful Jewish this New Story of Jews, The Anti-Jewish Movement Tearing communities for to come. We hope We this We hope year hope We this will hope We this year be We hope year this awill hope time this year will beof this a year be will renewal time a year be will time of awill be renewal time and ofabe renewal time growth ofa renewal time and of renewal and and growth of renewal and growth thatand growth weand that growth will and that growth experience we and that will weand and will experience that we many that will we experience will we joyful many will experience many experience joyful many joyful many joyful many joyful joyful Philosophy Consciousness theexperience Torah Through Our Universities moments together in the year ahead. moments together in the year ahead. We hope this year will be a in time renewal andahead. growth and that we will experience many joyful moments moments together moments moments together inmoments the together moments year together in the together ahead. in the year together year the ahead. inofyear the ahead. in the year ahead. year ahead. Dr. Daniel Rynhold Zilbergerts Rick Sopher and Dr. Shai Davidai moments together in the yearMarina ahead. Abdulla Galadari
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Development & Dean Director: Outreach Coordinator: Program Manager: Senior Jewish Educator: AndrewDevelopment Porwancher Feb. 11, 2027 President & Dean President Operations Director:Operations Outreach Coordinator: Program Manager: Dr. Senior Jewish Educator: Schnytzer Development Development Development Development Development Development President &Shmuly President Dean President & President Dean Operations &President Dean & President Dean Operations & Director: Dean Operations & Dean Operations Director: Outreach Operations Director: Operations Director: Coordinator: Outreach Director: Outreach Director: Coordinator: Outreach Coordinator: Outreach Coordinator: Outreach Coordinator: Coordinator: Program Manager: Program Program Manager: Program Manager: Program Manager: Program Manager: Manager: Senior Jewish Senior Educator: Senior Jewish Senior Jewish Educator: Senior Jewish Educator: Senior Jewish Educator: Jewish Educator: Educator: Associate: 1:00 - 2:00 pm MT Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Alix Cramer Brandon Nahsonhoya Karri Bernstein Thursday, Associate: Rabbi Marc Gitler Rabbi Dr.President Alix Cramer Brandon Nahsonhoya Karri Bernstein Rabbi Marc Gitler Development & Dean Operations Director: Outreach Coordinator: Program Manager: Senior Jewish Educator: Associate: Associate: Associate: Associate: Associate: Associate: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Rabbi Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Rabbi Dr.Yanklowitz Shmuly Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Dr. Shmuly Alix Cramer Alix Cramer Alix Cramer Brandon Alix Cramer Alix Nahsonhoya Cramer Alix Brandon Cramer Brandon Nahsonhoya Brandon Nahsonhoya Brandon Nahsonhoya Brandon Nahsonhoya Nahsonhoya Monday, Karri Bernstein Karri Karri Bernstein Bernstein KarriShulamit Karri Bernstein Karri Bernstein Bernstein Rabbi Rabbi Gitler Rabbi Marc Rabbi Marc Gitler Rabbi Marc Gitler Rabbi Marc Gitler Marc Gitler Gitler Thursday, Jan. 28,Marc 2027 Shulamit Monina Monina Yanklowitz Associate: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Alix Cramer Brandon Nahsonhoya Karri Bernstein Rabbi Marc Gitler Feb. 8, 2027 Shulamit Monina Shulamit Shulamit Monina Shulamit Monina Shulamit Monina Shulamit Monina Monina Jan. 21, 2027 1:00 - 2:00 pm MT YanklowitzYanklowitz Yanklowitz Yanklowitz Yanklowitz Yanklowitz Monina Yanklowitz 7:00 - 8:00 pmShulamit MT 10:00 - 11:00 am MT
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Scott’s Generations to close after 37 years in the Valley MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR
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n Oct. 1, Scott’s Generations announced it would close its doors and serve its final meals on Sunday, Oct. 25. Until then, the Snyder family invites longtime customers, friends and community members to “stop by, enjoy a favorite meal and share a few memories.” In a statement posted on its website, the Snyder family said, “To everyone who has eaten at our tables, ordered from our deli counter, trusted us with a family celebration or simply stopped in for a cup of coffee over the past 37 years, thank you. It has been an incredible privilege to serve this community. The restaurant may be closing, but the relationships, stories and memories created here will always be part of our family.” The restaurant was founded in 1989 by father and son Gene and Scott Snyder. Gene previously owned a deli in the Hillside neighborhood of Queens, New York, and envisioned bringing a piece of New York to the Valley. Since its opening, Scott’s Generations has served kosher-style deli cuisine, from homemade soups, salads, knishes, meats and cheesecake to East Coast smoked fish specialties flown in fresh weekly. “Opening a Jewish deli in an area that really didn’t have a whole lot of options at the
KRISTALLNACHT
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time was important to them,” Ross Snyder, a third-generation partner, said about his father and grandfather. He said they always carried products specifically for the Jewish community that other delis in town didn’t handle and still don’t. “We know that it’s going to leave a gap.” The deli earned accolades from Jewish News over the years, including being voted as having the “best knish” in 2004. It earned many nominations in Jewish News’ annual Readers’ Choice contest, including this year for best Jewish deli. Jewish News also covered its Rosh Hashanah offerings in 2018, and the salami shortage in the Feb. 11, 2005 issue, when other delis lamented that they could not procure Hebrew National beef, Scott explained they had plenty because they were a distributor. What began with two men and a desire to bring an authentic New York deli experience to the desert grew into a Phoenix institution, serving generations of families. For nearly four decades, Scott’s Generations has been known for its traditional Jewish deli favorites, especially its overstuffed sandwiches. Ross began working behind the counter and later joined his father in carrying on the
The three generations of the Snyder family that have run Scott’s Generations since 1989. COURTESY OF SCOTT’S GENERATIONS
business as it moved to its current location on Glendale Avenue. Scott’s Generations operated for 28 years at 5555 N. Seventh St. in central Phoenix before moving to 742 E. Glendale Ave. in January 2017. “I grew up in the business. I was standing on a milk crate behind the cash register at 5 years old,” said Ross. After Gene’s passing on Jan. 6, 2015, and as they planned the move to Glendale Avenue, Ross became more involved in the business. He remembers Scott’s Generations always being part of the Jewish community. “I can think back to many b’nai mitzvah and special events that we’ve done for almost every synagogue,” he said. “As a matter of fact, after we made the post about closing, I got text messages directly from a couple of the synagogues’ executive directors with
well wishes and kind words for my dad’s next chapter.” Ross said his father has always done wholesale food distribution and brokerage, so he’ll focus on that, and Ross owns an event management and production company that will be his primary focus. “He has been doing this for quite some time — 37 years — and wants to spend more time with family and friends,” said Ross about his father. “It’s time to make a shift.” “This restaurant has been part of our family for nearly four decades, but somewhere along the way, our customers and employees became part of that family too,” said Scott in a statement. “We have watched kids who came in with their parents grow up and bring in children of their own. We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, holidays
NOVEMBER 9–10, 1938
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OCTOBER 23, 2026
JEWISH NEWS
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HEADLINES LOCAL
Arizona Faith Network works to ensure a safe, peaceful and fun Election Day JOSH BOOTZIN | STAFF WRITER
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oordinated by the Arizona Faith Network (AFN), Jewish, Christian and Muslim faith leaders across the Valley released a joint letter on Oct. 7 calling for safe, accessible and peaceful elections next month. The letter, titled “A Shared Call from Arizona Faith Leaders for a Faithful and Peaceful 2026 Election,” explicitly rejects using religion to justify political violence. Among the 10 signers are Rabbi Andy Green, president of the Greater Phoenix Board of Rabbis; John P. Dolan, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix; and Mahbubur Rahman Maruf, imam at the United Islamic Center of Arizona. The letter emphasizes that people’s responsibility to one another outweighs political differences, and the faith leaders urge everyone to protect voters and election workers, reject intimidation and exercise patience while lawful election processes are underway. “These leaders come from different traditions and serve people across the political spectrum, but they agree on something essential: every voter deserves to cast a ballot safely and without fear,” said Rev. Dr. Katie Sexton, executive director of AFN. “Faith should never be used to justify violence. Our role is to help our communities lower the temperature and remember that we are bound to one another.” To prepare for Election Day, AFN has hosted a series of election-protection training events since May 2026 for peacekeepers
and poll chaplains, of which Sexton estimated more than 200 will be at election sites on Nov. 3. Temple Chai in Scottsdale hosted one of the training sessions on Oct. 6. “We decided, as a congregation, to become involved in these important interfaith efforts because we believe that it’s a Jewish value to do what we can to protect everyone’s rights to full participation in our democracy and in our country,” said Temple Chai Rabbi Emily Segal. The training was hosted in partnership with Arizona Jews for Justice, a program of Valley Beit Midrash (VBM), which aims to train the next generation of Jewish social justice leaders to combat antisemitism and stand up for all vulnerable populations. “Multifaith gatherings are so important because our society is so divided and people are showing up on screens but not in person,” said Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, president and dean of VBM. “In addition, I think there are a lot of threats to democracy right now and people are afraid to participate, so us finding ways to make voting safer and more accessible, but also more joyful, feels really important right now.” With more than 30 people attending in person and online, poll peacekeepers and chaplains learned the most important things to know to ensure that an election site runs efficiently and lawfully. Peacekeepers were trained to stay at least 75 feet away from buildings and to help a prospective voter who was turned away
without a provisional ballot. They learned how to judge which types of political demonstrations are allowed and when to report disruptive behavior. “AFN is an interfaith network that works to bring people of different faith traditions across the state together to build relationships, and also to de-escalate any violence or conflict and work for the common good,” Sexton said. “A lot of people are afraid right now because we’re so politically polarized and there’s been a lot of political violence, especially in Arizona, being a very diverse political state, so going to a site that has peacekeepers will help folks know they can go and vote safely and there are folks there watching out for everyone to make sure they have fair and free access to vote for whoever they want.” Peacekeepers and poll chaplains work to prevent political violence at the polls, and they also help to build a sense of community among neighbors by offering free food and engaging people in celebrating the democratic process. “In every faith tradition, we are called to work to improve the world that we’re in and to hold one another up, so I think people are motivated by their faith traditions to show up in a way to help build community,” Sexton said. In addition to peacekeeper training, AFN’s Faithful Voter Arizona program features voting celebrations, virtual rallies and its “The Vote Is Sacred” bus tour, helping to build unity across different political,
and countless milestones together. That is what makes closing this chapter so difficult.” Customers seem to be having a difficult time too, as many shared their comments on the restaurant’s Facebook page after the announcement was made on social media: “I’m so very sorry to lose just about the last decent Jewish-style deli in town. The only place I can get kasha knishes.” “This is heartbreaking. Scott’s has been a part of our families’ simchas/life for many, many years!” “So sad to see you all go! Scott’s was a staple of my childhood!” “OMG. This can’t be happening. It’s the BEST corned beef and pastrami in Arizona. And where will I get my belly lox?” “No! I grew up going to Scott’s! The best food in the state! Thank you for giving me fond memories with my family!” “You have been part of our Hanukkah family traditions for many years. Thanks for the memories! I’m hoping you can share your brisket and your gravy recipes with me.” Ross noted that many of the comments
on Facebook and Instagram seemed to come from customers who mentioned specific Jewish foods or traditions. “The Jewish community is foundational to how we’ve been able to stay in business for 37 years, and we certainly don’t take that for granted. Obviously, closing was
not a decision that we made lightly, but all things come to an end, and it was time for a change. All we can do is say thank you to a phenomenal Jewish community for supporting us all these years.” JN
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Rev. Dr. Katie Sexton leads an AFN peacekeeper and poll chaplain training at Temple Chai in Scottsdale. COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS
ethnic and cultural groups. Additional training takes place in person and online throughout October, and the bus tour will visit Phoenix on Oct. 27, Tucson on Oct. 29 and Flagstaff on Election Day, Nov. 3, for community voting celebrations. “Voting is an act of joy,” Sexton said. “Especially in a politically charged, partisan world where we’re taught to be divided, voting brings us together and it’s good for our community, so get out and vote.” “We call upon the Jewish community, whether they’re to the left, to the right or independent, to get out there and show leadership at a time when society really needs it, particularly in Arizona where we can make a difference,” said Yanklowitz. JN For more information, visit arizonafaithnetwork.org.
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7
RELIGIOUS LIFE TORAH STUDY
On protecting family relationships RABBI DR. SHMULY YANKLOWITZ PARSHAH LECH-LECHA: GENESIS 12:1-17:27
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o much happens in Parshah LechLecha — from God’s call to Abraham to go to an unknown R a b b i D r. S h m u l y land, to Abraham Yanklowitz and Sarah’s dealings COURTESY OF RABBI DR. SHMULY YANKLOWITZ with Pharaoh, to the institution of circumcision — that one crucial dynamic can easily be overlooked: the relationship between Abraham and his nephew Lot. When Abraham and Sarah leave on their famous journey, they take Lot with them. By Genesis 13, however, tensions arise as the hill country cannot support Abraham, Lot and all their flocks, herds and tents. Consequently, Abraham’s cattle herders quarrel with Lot’s. To avoid tearing the family apart, Abraham tells Lot to separate from him. He allows Lot to choose the prime, wellwatered land, described as being “like the garden of the Lord,” and they part ways amicably. This seems like an excellent solution — until war breaks out, Lot’s land is invaded and Lot himself is taken captive. Upon hearing this, Abraham, despite their
separation, quite literally goes to war for his nephew. This ancient story can teach us a great deal about how we live our family lives today. First, Abraham and Lot show us that it is okay for family members to maintain necessary distance. Sometimes, separation is what preserves a relationship. Even within a household, it is not necessarily healthy for family members to spend every minute together. Yet, when Lot is in trouble, Abraham drops everything to fight for his nephew. We see both the value of independence from one’s family and the responsibility we have toward our family members. Space and separation can be beneficial, but we also have a duty to help when we are needed. It is relatively easy to think about the spiritual work we can do to repair ourselves and the wider world. Some of the most difficult work, though, involves repairing our families. The story of Abraham and Lot reminds us of the importance of maintaining positive family relationships. Research from Cornell University shows that over one in four American adults are estranged from a family member. In many cases, these broken bonds damage the lives of everyone involved.
What can we do about this? In the 17th-century ethical work “Shenei Luchot HaBerit,” Rabbi Isaiah HaLevi Horovitz suggests that, like Abraham, we must work on our relationships before they are broken. He writes, “One must make great efforts to avoid personal strife. If a quarrel is in the offing, one must immediately strive to remove the cause of such quarrel.” Why the urgency? In Horovitz’s view, one disagreement “gives birth” to another. He therefore holds up Abraham as an ideal example of someone who resolved a conflict before it got out of hand. Amid the tensions between their cattle herders, Abraham could have told Lot there was no room for him or insisted on taking the best land for himself. Instead, he ends the conflict by allowing Lot to choose his land. Every family experiences tensions, but the growing trend of distancing ourselves from family needs to be reversed. In the Torah’s worldview, family has always been central. Amid today’s loneliness epidemic, it is perhaps more important than ever to remember our ancestors’ cherished moral priorities. Abraham and Lot offer us a helpful model for caring for family members even when we need some distance. It is not all
SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING OCTOBER 23 - 5:27 P.M. OCTOBER 30 - 5:19 P.M. SHABBAT ENDS OCTOBER 24 - 6:21 P.M. OCTOBER 31 - 6:14 P.M. Find area congregations at JewishAZ.com, where you can also find our 2027 Community Directory.
or nothing. You do not need to live on the same street as your parents to be a responsible son or daughter. At the same time, one rarely benefits from never speaking to, visiting or caring for a family member at all. We should view our family members — even extended family, as in Abraham and Lot’s relationship — as people to whom we have obligations. When a nephew or cousin calls for help, it is different from a stranger calling. We must be there for all who are in need, but we also need people we can count on. Family is often the best, and sometimes the only, system we have for meeting this need. There is a middle ground between dysfunctional closeness and painful, distant family relationships. By proactively strengthening family bonds and doing the often-difficult work of repairing ties after distress, we can move a little closer to the model of family demonstrated by Abraham. JN Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the president and dean of Valley Beit Midrash and the author of 30 books on Jewish ethics.
OPINION
Commentary
My relative defined ‘genocide.’ Honoring him means scrutinizing Navi Pillay’s Israel findings. JOSEPH LEMKIN | JTA
W
hen I see the word “genocide” in a headline, I read it with a particular sense of responsibility. Raphael Lemkin, the Polish Jewish lawyer who coined the term and fought to establish it as a crime under international law, was my relative. His name gives me no special authority to decide a legal case. It does give me a responsibility to insist that a word created to protect human beings remain anchored in evidence and law. That is why Navi Pillay’s appeal to defend international justice deserves a serious response. In an Oct. 12 interview with The Associated Press, the newly named Nobel Peace Prize winner urged support for the international legal system. She also chaired the U.N. commission that concluded Israel committed genocide in Gaza, a conclusion Israel rejects. I agree that international law needs
defending. But defending it requires scrutiny of those who invoke its authority. A Nobel Prize cannot settle a disputed legal conclusion. Neither can a government’s denial. Raphael Lemkin helped give the destruction of human groups a name and build a framework to prevent and punish it. The Genocide Convention, adopted in 1948, protects national, ethnic, racial and religious groups. Its protections belong to everyone. That universality depends on precision. Genocide requires evidence of prohibited acts committed with the intent to destroy a protected group, in whole or in part, as such. The definition encompasses more than killing. It includes serious bodily or mental harm and deliberately imposed conditions of life calculated to bring about a group’s physical destruction, among other acts. Intent is essential. It can be established
through evidence of conduct and circumstances; perpetrators need not leave a written confession. But devastation alone does not automatically establish the particular intent genocide requires. Nor does a declared military objective automatically disprove it. Pillay’s commission says it found that intent. A serious challenge to its conclusion must engage its evidence and reasoning. The questions are how the evidence establishes an intent to destroy Palestinians as a group, how competing explanations were assessed and how statements by officials were connected to decisions and conduct. These are questions about the basis for a grave conclusion. Asking them is part of taking international law seriously. The distinction between a commission’s finding and a court’s judgment also matters. An investigative report can document atroci-
ties and contribute important evidence. It is not interchangeable with a judicial determination. The world deserves to know who reached a conclusion, through what process and under what standard. A convention dedicated to prevention cannot become an instruction to intervene only after the destruction is complete. For Jewish readers, this debate reaches far beyond legal terminology. The Holocaust gives it a particular resonance for Jews, but the convention’s protection was never intended to belong to us alone. 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
OCTOBER 23, 2026
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SPECIAL SECTION ELECTIONS
Whitehead makes water security, public trust priorities for Scottsdale MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR
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or Scottsdale City Council member Solange Whitehead, water conservation is more than a municipal policy issue. “Growing up Jewish and half Israeli, cherishing water was in my DNA,” Whitehead said, describing water conservation as both a practical necessity and a spiritual and ethical obligation. Whitehead’s environmental advocacy helped launch her political career. After moving to Scottsdale, she first became involved in a movement led by local preservation advocates seeking to conserve approximately 30,000 acres of land. Her involvement deepened when a proposal emerged to build the Desert Discovery Center, an education and tourism complex, in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve using tax dollars without a public vote. Whitehead opposed the project, arguing that public land purchased or protected for preservation should not be repurposed without residents’ approval. She and other Scottsdale residents joined together with plans to change the city charter and flip the council majority, and both plans worked. In November 2018, voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposition to allow development projects inside the preserve and elected Whitehead to the Scottsdale City Council. “So, we have a city charter now that never again can four people on council change the use of the preserve without a public vote,” she said. “And I’m still on council eight years later.” Currently serving her second term on the Scottsdale City Council, Whitehead has won election to a third four-year term, which begins in January 2027. Whitehead was the only candidate to exceed the vote threshold in the primary and therefore won outright. The other candidates for the remaining two council seats are incumbent Barry Graham, Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Raoul Zubia. Whitehead is endorsing Zubia. Beyond protecting the environment, Whitehead’s priorities include restoring residents’ voices in city government and securing Scottsdale’s long-term water supply. Whitehead’s interest in water stretches back decades. She said she once wanted to become a sewage engineer, and she has followed with particular interest Scottsdale’s efforts to develop advanced water purification technology that turned wastewater into drinking water. “We produced drinking-quality water, but it wasn’t yet approved by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality,” she said. “We were the test case. We were the leaders in the nation, and in the world for this. I always say my proudest moment as a council member was when our sewage was a
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New York Times headline.” The article, “Would You Drink Wastewater? What if It Was Beer?,” appeared in a July 2023 issue of the New York Times and explored how water utilities and craft breweries were teaming up to turn purified, recycled wastewater into beer to help people overcome the “ick factor.” “It was because we were producing such pure water from sewage that we had a Gilbert brewery brewing beer with our recycled water for years,” Whitehead said. She said the plan had been to start blending the additional recycled water into the current supply next year until political rhetoric came into play using terms like “toilet-to-tap” and calling her “Sewage Solange.” In June, the Scottsdale City Council eliminated more than $100 million in water project funding, blocking completion of direct-tap delivery of purified water from Scottsdale’s Advanced Water Purification (AWP) facility and other water projects. “Adam Kwasman and Barry Graham have used political rhetoric and they’ve undermined trust in our facility, they’ve defunded a number of our water projects and they’ve eliminated staff to look like we have a surplus, when the city is spending millions on onetime water sources that may be less reliable and more expensive.” One of the sources would be bringing in groundwater from the West Valley. “That will take millions of dollars and years to bring to Scottsdale. And groundwater isn’t renewable.” Scottsdale’s adopted five-year Water Strategic Plan was designed to diversify the city’s water portfolio, reduce reliance on the Colorado River and maintain a secure, affordable supply. However, Whitehead said that the funding cut would further delay the recycling purification process at AWP, which is the city’s most cost-effective and secure source of new water, and could double treatment costs while embroiling the city in an extended regulatory battle. According to the City of Scottsdale’s website, roughly 70 to 75% of the city relies on water from the Central Arizona Project (CAP) and CAP water comes from the Colorado River. Whitehead said statewide reductions in Colorado River water could reach 30%, with potentially deeper cuts possible depending on future conditions. The precise effect on Scottsdale remains uncertain, but she believes the city must prepare now. A broader water portfolio, she explained, could include recycled water and watertrading arrangements involving other regions and agricultural users. “We’re spending down our water financial reserves, without becoming more water
secure,” she said. “We have a water challenge, but we have the technical ability to come out with more water security for the future. We just need the political will to deliver a water future that better manages this precious resource.” However, Whitehead’s concerns extend beyond water policy to how City Hall makes decisions. She said Scottsdale historically benefited from close communication between residents and elected officials, with many of the city’s most successful initiatives originating as ideas from the community. Now, the public comment section at the beginning of council meetings has been eliminated. “Those are the canaries in the coal mine,” she said. “They tell us what’s going on before it becomes expensive or dangerous.” She said the council is also disregarding people’s priorities by eliminating the sustainability plan, which included programs to tackle rising heat, conserve water and add more shade. “The sustainability plan was canceled without a public hearing and despite hundreds
of people writing, saying, ‘Please don’t do this,’” she said. “We are changing ordinances, policies and stopping projects midconstruction without a public meeting, without a work study on council to show that there’s data supporting the change and public benefit supporting the change.” She also worries about losing institutional knowledge as experienced city employees leave or are removed from their positions. Whitehead said Scottsdale has lost expertise in several public works areas, weakening the city’s ability to plan and deliver services. Her priorities moving forward are water, putting residents first, rebuilding the municipal workforce, restoring the city’s ability to provide what she described as “simply better service” and getting Scottsdale’s finances back on track after what she called an expensive couple of years. “The most important thing I can do is restore, and build on, public trust,” she said. JN For more information, visit solangeforscottsdale.com.
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SPECIAL SECTION ELECTIONS
Kolodin campaigns on election changes in secretary of state race JOSH BOOTZIN | STAFF WRITER
A
lexander Kolodin, a lawyer with more than a decade of experience with election-related lawsuits and currently serving as the representative for Legislative District 3 in the Arizona House of Representatives, is hopeful that he can improve the state’s election processes (and residents’ confidence in them) as the Republican Party’s candidate for secretary of state in Arizona. As an attorney, Kolodin has openly criticized Arizona’s election processes and challenged the outcomes of state election results in both 2020 and 2022, but was unsuccessful. According to documents released in 2023 by the State Bar of Arizona, regarding his role in lawsuits pertaining to the 2020 election, Kolodin violated prohibitions on “conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice” and bringing “a proceeding, or assert or controvert an issue therein, unless there is a good faith basis in law and fact for doing so that is not frivolous.” The State Bar placed Kolodin on probation for 18 months and required him to
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OCTOBER 23, 2026
complete several legal programs, most of them relating to the ethical requirements for lawyers, including one on the filing of “meritorious claims” and another on “fairness to opposing parties and counsel.” However, Kolodin can claim multiple full or partial legal victories against the incumbent secretary of state, Adrian Fontes, in the past few years, including “when (Fontes) tried to give an illegal instruction to voters that could have jeopardized their voice,” Kolodin said. In that Arizona Supreme Court case, Arizona Public Integrity Alliance v. Fontes (2020), the court ruled that Fontes, then serving as Maricopa County recorder, acted unlawfully by including a new instruction with mail-in ballots on how to correct a ballot that was filled out incorrectly. Kolodin said he “won Arizona voters a right that had never been recognized before, which was that every voter now has the authority to challenge an unlawful act by an elections official. I’m very proud of that.”
Prior to the 2026 primary elections, Kolodin joined forces with The Oversight Project to represent the Pima County Republican Party in a lawsuit challenging multiple provisions in Arizona’s Elections Procedures Manual (EPM). Revised every two years, the most recent EPM was written by Fontes and approved by Gov. Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes, all Democrats. Judge Michael Liburdi ruled that most of the challenged EPM provisions were constitutional but sided with The Oversight Project in blocking one that prohibited people at polling places from “wearing clothing, uniforms or official-looking apparel intended to deter, intimidate or harass voters.” Liburdi noted that the rule was “overly vague,” and that inhibiting the right to political speech should require a more concrete rule that does not place the challenge of discerning whether clothing is intimidating and whether there is an intention to harass in the hands of election officials. “Today, The Oversight Project secured an outstanding election integrity victory in our Arizona litigation against unconstitutional provisions of secretary of state Fontes’ Election Procedures Manual,” said spokesman Marshall Yates in a statement to the Arizona Mirror. “A federal court agreed to block Arizona election officials from enforcing a vague ‘Apparel Rule’ designed to dissuade law enforcement and military voters from voting in person.” As a member of the state Legislature, Kolodin has authored and helped pass bipartisan election reform packages designed to protect Arizona voters and improve election processes. In February 2026, Kolodin sponsored House Bill 2022, signed into law by Hobbs, to ensure that Arizona’s election timeline adheres to federal standards, protect the voting rights of Arizona residents serving overseas and speed up the state’s election results. While the closer 2022 and 2024 primary election races took multiple days to confirm, major races in 2026 were all called within 24 to 36 hours. Kolodin, whose family belongs to Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale, also didn’t feel that it was right for Jewish students to have to pay a mandatory student activity fee to fund groups that spread antisemitism on campuses, so he wrote and sponsored HB 2178 in 2024 to protect students of every faith from having mandatory student activity fees fund certain activities that act against their faith. “Now students can choose instead to
JEWISH NEWS
Rep. Alexander Kolodin.
COURTESY OF ALEXANDER KOLODIN
contribute that to a general fund for nonpolitical university-wide events if they would prefer to do that,” he said. “I’m very proud of my track record, and I think it distinguishes me from the incumbent of the office.” Kolodin said he decided to run for secretary of state partly because of feeling the need to clean up the perceived messes created by Fontes, but he also sees the task through the lens of the Jewish value of tikkun olam. “In general, when you’re an expert in something and you see that it’s being done wrong in the government, you feel an urge to go in and fix it,” Kolodin said. “I know that we could run Arizona’s elections to a world-class standard, but Mr. Fontes, because he repeatedly refuses to follow our laws, and because he really doesn’t know what he’s doing in that office, continues to screw things up.” Kolodin criticized Fontes for being unable to secure his systems from external hacks, refusing to properly maintain voter rolls, leading to a drop in public confidence and being unable or unwilling to properly test the equipment, causing polling places to shut down, voters having to wait in line for hours and potentially missing their right to vote due to needing to leave for work or family duties. Kolodin also accused Fontes of taking steps to make it easier for noncitizens to register unlawfully, including allowing someone to use a Social Security number to register to vote, even though people do not need to be U.S. citizens to obtain one. HCR 2001, sponsored by Kolodin and added to the ballot for November’s general election, seeks to confirm that voters can only vote for one candidate for each position and that they must provide government-issued identification when voting (including for absentee and mailin ballots), as well as prohibiting foreign nationals from influencing Arizona elections. SEE KOLODIN, PAGE 12 JEWISHAZ.COM
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OCTOBER 23, 2026
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SPECIAL SECTION ELECTIONS
‘Democracy is not a spectator sport’: Jewish volunteers connect with voters MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR
“I
joined you for this event in 2022, and I joined you when you did it in 2018. So, I’m just going to say it here, you’re my good luck charm,” Gov. Katie Hobbs told the volunteers gathered over Zoom for a phone bank event on Oct. 6, organized by the Arizona chapter of the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) and Copper State Victory. Copper State Victory is a coordinated campaign effort by Arizona Democrats to reelect Gov. Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Attorney General Kris Mayes, as well as to support down-ballot legislative and congressional candidates. The calls the 60 volunteers made that evening were to Jewish Democrats. Debra Stein, Arizona chapter lead and JDCA board member, said, “The Jewish vote is significantly larger than the margin that has historically decided who wins elections. At JDCA, we mobilize and make sure Jewish voters vote, and we’ve already made over 400,000 direct voter contacts, and we aim to make two million by Election Day.” Hobbs is the first Arizona governor endorsed by the JDCA (in 2022 and 2026), and Stein shared other firsts: “She’s the first Arizona governor to establish an advisory council on Jewish affairs and is with us in the fight against growing antisemitism and hate crimes against our community.” Over the past four years, Hobbs also signed a budget that included $5 million to help secure religious organizations deemed to be at high risk of terrorist attacks or targeted hate crimes; she signed HB 2779 (2024) to strengthen requirements for Holocaust and genocide education in public schools; and she signed HB 4117
(2026), which defines legal penalties for those impeding or obstructing people’s access to houses of worship. During her remarks, Hobbs spoke candidly about her upbringing in a workingclass family in Tempe, describing periods of financial hardship, her family’s reliance on public assistance and the foreclosure of her home during the Great Recession. “I ran for office because I was a social worker,” said Hobbs, who worked with homeless youth in Phoenix and helped run a large domestic violence shelter before entering politics. “I saw too often our elected leaders failing the people who I was working with and not fighting for the right things,” said Hobbs. “I realized that if you can’t change policy, you have to change who’s making it. And so, I ran for office.” Judy Schaffert became politically active after retiring in 2020, 10 years after Hobbs first ran for office. Although she has worked with several Democratic groups, she said working with the JDCA “feels like family” and that the organization nurtures its volunteers. She tries to participate in phone banking about once a week during election season. “I know that you can do it more than once a week, but I don’t have the bandwidth for that. I want to come with enthusiasm each time,” she said. She said she enjoys calling Jewish voters because usually they are happy to talk to another Jew who has the same interests as them. “It’s like talking to distant family,” she said. “I think they get the sense that you really do care about them because, naturally,
we identify with each other a bit more than the average voter.” Andy Kunsberg, a Tucson resident who participated in the phone bank while vacationing in Hawaii, has been making calls since Mark Kelly’s first U.S. Senate campaign. For him, calling Jewish voters feels distinctly different from other forms of political outreach. “It’s the difference between night and day because you’re calling your own community,” he said. Kunsberg described it as a game of “Jewish geography,” where people discover mutual acquaintances or connections through family, friends and community involvement. “You sometimes are talking to people that know people that you know, and it becomes a conversation rather than ‘hello, goodbye,’” he said. He said the people he spoke with shared the same enthusiasm as when Joe Biden ran for president. “When people start getting these ballots, they’re going to be standing in line to turn them in because they’re excited to vote.” Stein agreed that she is also seeing the enthusiasm. “The amount of people who are new to making calls, I haven’t seen this since 2020,” she said. “We’re the strongest faith-based voting bloc for Democrats, and our vote makes a difference.” Kunsberg added, “Just remember one thing: democracy is not a spectator sport. You have to get out there and work. Except when you’re in Hawaii for two weeks, but I will come back fired up, trust me.” Early voting began the day after the
KOLODIN
If elected, Kolodin plans to prescribe proper testing and certification requirements for election equipment, provide oversight to counties and write lawful election procedures rather than using the ballot as an activist platform for a particular party. Beyond the election duties of the position, Kolodin also plans to process Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings for small businesses more expeditiously. “Small family businesses in the state have been waiting for six or more months for their UCC filings to be processed, but (Fontes) can’t seem to get it done in a timely fashion, and this is costing Arizona small businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars each month in some cases,” he said. Kolodin also pointed out the number of polling places has declined in Arizona over the past few decades, causing residents to drive 15 miles in some cases, even in
Maricopa County, which has resulted in voters choosing to abstain. Arizona used to have many more houses of worship serving as voting centers, but those have declined as well because of a lack of security funding. “If you’re an early voting location where you have to make that commitment for 28 days, very few houses of worship, certainly Jewish ones, have the resources to do that, especially with the particular threats that the Jewish community is under,” Kolodin said. If elected, Kolodin wants to facilitate a grant program to help houses of worship provide security so they can serve as polling locations. “If we could make more Jewish communities feel comfortable providing part of their facility as a voting location, we could give our fellow Arizonans more exposure to Jews and to our community in a very
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In August, the America First Legal Foundation took Fontes to court for the wording he used in the ballot measure for Prop. 144, Voter Identification and Citizenship Voting Requirements Amendment, but the Arizona Supreme Court ruled in a split decision that Fontes’ description was not misleading. Because the verdict was not unanimous, Kolodin believed that multiple judges found that Fontes would intentionally lie to voters about the content of the measures they were going to vote on. “This is not a guy who our country or our state can have confidence in to properly administer our elections, and that’s something I’m really passionate about fixing,” Kolodin said. 12
OCTOBER 23, 2026
JEWISH NEWS
Gov. Katie Hobbs spoke to volunteers with the Jewish Democratic Council of America and Copper State Victory before a phone bank event. COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS
event, and Hobbs urged volunteers not to take any vote for granted. “We are one of seven swing states that will decide the next presidential election. Donald Trump continues to make it clear that this governor’s race is a priority for him. He wants Andy Biggs in office to advance his MAGA agenda and to oversee the 2028 presidential election,” said Hobbs, referring to her Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs. “In 2020, we had a free and fair election because I defended the will of Arizona voters as secretary of state. If Andy Biggs becomes governor, Arizona would be the first swing state with an election denier in charge. Every single vote, and every single Arizonan, is going to count in this race.” JN For more information, visit jewishdems.org. Jewish News does not endorse any political candidate and welcomes the opportunity to interview any Jewish candidate running for office.
positive way,” he said. “The act of voting is something that makes us feel good, and when you have a shul that serves as a voting location, it associates those positive feelings with the Jewish community. “I want to make sure that we’re protecting Arizonans of every faith, and I think that’s an important point of distinction between us,” Kolodin said of his opponent. “Arizonans deserve a secretary of state who’s going to respect every vote and every voter, regardless of party. I am that person. I want to serve my state. I want to give us elections again that not only we can be proud of, but that our kids and grandkids will be proud of.” JN For more information, visit alexforaz.com. Jewish News does not endorse any political candidate and welcomes the opportunity to interview any Jewish candidate running for office. JEWISHAZ.COM
COMMUNITY
Partners with PJ Wisdom and wine Tashlich time Working together Rachel Rapoport, director of community partnerships at PJ Cooking and caring Bites and insights Serving up kindness BLT time Library, spoke at the PJ Library Partner Dayetrog at the Ina Levine Cohort kickoff Shaking the lulav and David Weiner, far left, spoke Steven and Ellen Weiss Members of Congregation Or Tzion in Scottsdale cast theirwhere sins away during tashlich at140 Scottsdale’s Park. Members the BoardCare of Rabbis of Greater Phoenix gathered to prepare for the High Holidays at Temple Chaithen in Scottsdale with visiting scholar, On Oct. 11,of the Jewish Network held a cooking session 30 volunteers cooked meals thatChaparral were distributed to people Smile On Seniors welcomed Pinki Lifshitz,with left, and Paula Rudnick for the COURTESY OF CONGREGATION OR TZION
Jewish Community Campus on Aug. The event gathered about their philanthropic endeavors at27. the Center Jewish Rabbi Dan Medwin, fourth from left.Justice COURTESY OFpartnered RABBIANDYGREEN On September 15, food Arizona Jews for volunteers overnight oatsfull for of thelearning, unsheltered community. AJJ Rob Goldman, left,Beth and Rick Steiman enjoy afor morning facing illness and insecurity. COURTESY OF THE JEWISH CAREand NETWORK first “Bites & Insights” gathering. The women refreshments, new Women’s Leadership Institute members of (AJJ) Cohort 11 kicked made off themore year than with 450 a weekend retreat connection, fun mahjong. Gloria Bold, Temple Shalom ofenjoyed thewho West Valley first vice Jewish professionals inPhoenix’s the community work with children. Philanthropy of Greater Ben-Gurion Society Wisdom & with the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix, Uri L’Tzedek and Repair The World for this event. COURTESY OF ARIZONA JEWS FOR JUSTICE of connection, conversation and tefillin at Smile On Seniors friendships and meaningful conversation. COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS COURTESY OF WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE president, holds the Jewish etrog, lulav, hadass and aravah during Sukkot COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS Wine event on Sept. 1. COURTESY OF THE CENTER FOR JEWISH PHILANTHROPY OF GREATER PHOENIX “BLT: Bagels, Lox and Tefillin” event on Sept. 6. COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS services. COURTESY OF TRACY TEITELBAUM/TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OF THE WEST VALLEY
Lunch and learning From left to right, Terri Rimer, Janet Lottman and Vicki Diamond connected over lunch and learned how to stay one step ahead of fraud at the recent Smile on Seniors event “It’s Not Just Lunch and Fraud Prevention” on Sept. 2 held at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus in COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS Scottsdale.
Taking Secretsshape of the stage is underway as the Construction
Hilton Family Holocaust Education Participants in the Brandeis Phoenix Center moves closer to becoming a Adult Summer Camp were treated place where visitors can encounter to a behind-the-scenes tour at the Holocaust history through Peoria Center for the Performing Arts. testimony, artifacts and education. COURTESY OF BRANDEIS NATIONAL COMMITTEE PHOENIX CHAPTER COURTESY OF THE HILTON FAMILY HOLOCAUST EDUCATION CENTER
Fraud prevention West Valley Jewish Expo Members the Phoenix Police Department’s Financial CrimesofDetail and the U.S.Rabbi SecretShlomo Service Ceitlin Cyber From left,ofRabbi Dana Evan Kaplan of Temple Beth Shalom the West Valley, Fraud TaskSurprise Force discussed ways avoidLev becoming a victim of Emeth fraud atCongregation a recent SmileofOn Seniors of Jewish (Chabad) andtoRabbi Ettelson of Beth the West event. Valley From left to right, Sergeant Levertov, Detective MineraCOURTESY and Detective Price. gathered at the West Valley Sears, JewishRabbi Expo Levi on Oct. 11. OF TEMPLE BETH SHALOM OF THE WEST VALLEY COURTESY OF SMILE ON SENIORS
Being better humans
Sept. 2, community members Susan and Steve Kaufman A new perspective Gesher gets Sukkot a grantOn Nailed it! Celebrating volunteered on Arizona Jews for Justice’s (AJJ) “Let’s Be
Five pieces from artist’s Daniel 2024 show, “Went With TheCommunities Flow” with Five15Arts arts Gesher Disability Resources received a Better grant from the Sprouts Healthy Foundation to Rabbi Gavriel Goetz, far left, andFriedman’s Yeshiva High School ofWomen Arizona students use extra materials the Humans” bus withIN Brandon Nahsonhoya, AJJ’s outreach The Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix’s Philanthropy (WIP) hosted afrom Sukkot collective are now onatdisplay inschool thewhich “Desert Perspectives” exhibit at left, the Scottsdale Museum of support Cooking Smart with Gesher, willSchool build on its Eating Healthy with Gesher program that construction going on high to build a tree COURTESY OFthan YESHIVA110 HIGH SCHOOL OF ARIZONA coordinator (not pictured). They served more people with program for 80 women atthe Pardes Jewish Day inhouse. Scottsdale. From Ellen Weiss, WIP chair; Contemporary Art.cooking, “Desertkitchen Perspectives” will run (WLI) until 5, Rosenthal, 2027. COURTESY OF DANIEL FRIEDMAN teaches hands-on and food safety skills. Stacy director of programs, food, water andSept. essential resources. COURTESY OFWLI ARIZONA JEWScenter, FOR JUSTICE Jamie Kornbluth, Women’s Leadership Institute chair; Rabbi Emily Langowitz, executive accepted the grant check. WIP director; and Denise Kaye, Lion of Judah chair. COURTESY OF GESHER DISABILITY RESOURCES director; Rachel Rabinovich, COURTESY OF ASHLEY KORENGOLD PHOTOGRAPHY
This COMMUNITY page features photos of of community members This photos members This COMMUNITY COMMUNITY page page features features photos of community community members around the Valley and the world. Submit around Submit photos and each around the the Valley Valley and and the the world. world. Submit and details details photos and photos details each week toeach Time to make the sandwiches Sukkah building Game night Fellows and family Preparing for the new year week by week to to editor@jewishaz.com editor@jewishaz.com by 10 10 a.m. a.m. Monday. On Sept. Cindy Kleiman, standing, center, inWest theEttie black shirt, and friends made more than 100 Members of the Temple Beth Shalom of the Valley worked on the roof ofsandwiches the sukkah From left9,29, to right, Helene Finke, David Finke, Zilber, Norm Karson Marc Staman joined the editor@jewishaz.com byMonday. 10 a.m. Monday. On Sept. Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz welcomed theBrotherhood Arizona Jews forand Justice teen fellows into his and guests on Sunday, Aug. 30, led by TheArizona JewishJews Community of Sedona (JCSVV) held an Elul workshop forvolunteers members for for Justice (AJJ) to and passthe outVerde to theValley unsheltered community. Kleiman’s group before services on Sept. 25. Shown in the photo are Richard Bass, Max Allen and Michael Phoenix Holocaust Association a members-only game night in July.Eric Fisher, COURTESY OF PHOENIX HOLOCAUST ASSOCIATION family’s sukkah forFriday, an evening offor connection and conversation. COURTESY OF ARIZONA JEWS FOR JUSTICE Rabbi Not Alicia Magal, standing. monthly with AJJ. are OF SHALOM ARIZONAOFJEWS Zager. pictured Bob Koch and Dave Katz, who also assisted. COURTESY OF COURTESY TEMPLE BETH THE FOR WESTJUSTICE VALLEY 14 OCTOBER 2, 2026 JEWISHAZ.COM JEWISHAZ.COM JEWISHAZ.COM
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JEWISHAZ.COM SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 13 OCTOBER 9, 17 SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 25 OCTOBER 23, 2026 13
CALENDAR
Featured Event SUNDAY, NOV. 1 2 p.m. Location provided upon registration. Join Chabad of Fountain Hills for a presentation by Moishy Korf on the connection between coffee, Jewish history, Halachah and Kabbalah. For more information, visit jewishfountainhills.com/coffee. Events SUNDAY, OCT. 25 Challah-Ween: 9-11:30 a.m. Congregation Or Tzion, 16415 N. 90th St., Scottsdale. Join Or Tzion’s Roz Goodell Religious School for a celebration of everything challah. For more information, visit congregationortzion.org. Bagels & Beyond: 9-11 a.m. Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join VOSJ for a program for adults 55+ featuring author Malka Daskal. For more information, visit valleyofthesunj.org. Dots of Inspiration: 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join VOSJ for this hands-on workshop introducing participants to the technique of building images through carefully placed dots of color. Cost: $35 VOSJ members, $50 nonmembers. For more information, visit valleyofthesunj.org. Distorted Images of the Holocaust: Holocaust Distortion in Central and Eastern Europe from a Social-Psychological Perspective: 10-11:30 a.m. Online via Zoom. Join Arizona State University Jewish Studies for a presentation by scholar and psychologist Michał Bilewicz on narrative distortion concerning the Holocaust. Cost: Free. For more information, visit jewishstudies.asu.edu/PublicPrograms. MONDAY, OCT. 26 The Big Reveal: 12:30-2 p.m. Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix. Join Brandeis National Committee Phoenix Chapter for the announcement of who the authors will be at its annual Book & Author Event, held March 1, 2027. For more information, visit brandeisphoenix.org. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28 2026 Murray and Sabina Zemel z”l Educators Conference on the Holocaust and Genocide: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Location provided upon registration. Join the Phoenix Holocaust Association for a free, full-day professional development conference designed to support Arizona educators in teaching about the Holocaust and other genocides. Cost: Free. For more information, visit phxha.com/educate. FRIDAY, OCT. 30 Choir Shabbat: 5:45 p.m. Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. Join Beth El for a Kabbalat Shabbat service with music by Cantor Sarah Bollt and the Beth El Choir. Potluck meal to follow. For more information, visit bethelphoenix.com/event/choir-shabbat. SUNDAY, NOV. 1 Tikkun Olam Together Kickoff Project: 1-3 p.m. Location provided upon registration. Join Tikkun Olam Together, the mother/daughter volunteer program of the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix, to create care kits and help Shalom Pantry, a program of Valley Beit Midrash. Register by Oct. 23. For more information, visit phoenixcjp.org/tot. 14
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TUESDAY, NOV. 3 A Taste of Shabbat Women’s Event: 7:30 p.m. Chabad of Ahwatukee, 3961 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix. Join the Jewish Women’s Circle to prepare and taste Shabbat recipes with Chaya Minsky. For more information, visit chabadahwatukee.com. THURSDAY, NOV. 5 The Talmudic Tale of the Toasty Heels: A Debate over Gendered Giving: 10-11 a.m. Online via Zoom. Join Valley Beit Midrash with co-sponsor Temple Emanuel of Tempe for a virtual presentation by Noam Zion, emeritus at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem where since 1978 he has been a senior research fellow and educator. For more information, visit valleybeitmidrash.org. JNF-USA Men’s Event: 5:30-9 p.m. Location provided one week prior to event. Gather with fellow Israel supporters at this community event while hearing how Jewish National Fund-USA uplifts the land and people of Israel. For more information, visit events.jnf.org/e/dsmens. FRIDAY, NOV. 6 Tax & Legal Seminar: 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Location provided upon registration. Join the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix and the Arizona Community Foundation for an educational and networking opportunity for estate planning attorneys, CPAs, insurance agents, CFPs and other financial-planning professionals. For more information, visit acf.cventevents. com/event/taxlegal26/summary.
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. on 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 stressfree 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 Online Weekly Parshah: Women’s Torah Study: 9-10 a.m. through Dec. 7. Online via Zoom. Join the Women’s Leadership Institute’s founder, Rabbi Elena Kanter, for an exploration of the weekly parshah. Participants will receive a commentary sheet for reference during class. For more information, visit womenlearning.org/ courses.
Character Development in Our Lives Today: 10-11:30 a.m. Nov. 2, 9 and 16. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City. Join Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan to explore the character strengths that help people flourish: curiosity, perseverance, kindness, hope, wisdom, gratitude and humor. For more information, visit tbsaz.org. 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 602-971-1234, 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. 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 likeminded people. For more information or to register, visit bjephoenix.org/family-university. TUESDAYS Tuesday Morning Talmud: 10-11 a.m. through Dec. 8. Online via Zoom or in person. Location provided upon registration. Join the Women’s Leadership Institute’s Rabbi Emily Langowitz for a Talmud class for learners of all levels interested in seeing how these ancient texts continue to offer wisdom for our 21st-century lives. For more information, visit womenlearning.org/ courses. 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 on the campus. Can’t knit? They will teach you! All levels welcome. Cost: Free. For more information, visit vosjcc.org. CPR Certification Course: 4-5:30 p.m. Nov. 3 and 10. Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Students ages 10-18 can learn CPR, AED and
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The Caffeinated Rabbi: The Secret Jewish History of Coffee
first aid in this two-day course. For more information, visit valleyofthesunj.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 623-584-7210 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, 6025 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. 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. 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. 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 JEWISHAZ.COM
CALENDAR 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. 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. 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. Women and Gender in Judaism: 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 29, Nov. 5 and 12. Temple Chai, 6025 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. Explore Judaism’s surprisingly complex and nuanced understanding of gender, gender roles and sexuality with Rabbi Emily Segal. For more information, visit tcaz. shulcloud.com/form/WomenandGender.
SATURDAYS 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. JN
Two Adjacent Plots in the Jewish Section at Green Acres.
Significantly discounted from current sales prices. Owner will share transfer costs with the buyer. Contact Glenn Lippman either at 602-885-2069 or lipberry2@gmail.com
Francie Deborah Levinsky Francie Deborah Levinsky (née Lander), 74, passed away at her home in Phoenix on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. Fran was a loving wife and mother. She had the ability to bring joy to anyone she came across and could befriend every stranger she met. Fran was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1951 to “Bud” and Arlene Lander. She met her husband, Alan, in 1971 in Chicago, and they were married shortly after. They moved to Phoenix to start a family, and Fran worked as a bookkeeper. Fran was an avid supporter of local music in Phoenix. She was a fixture at local shows for many years, becoming a band mother to many local musicians and bands in the Phoenix music scene. Fran is survived by her husband, Alan; sons Barry and Nathan; her brother, Alan Lander, and her sister-in-law; and nieces and nephews.
Allan Kleinman Allan Kleinman, 82, of Tempe, formerly of Oak Park, Michigan, and Alexandria, Virginia, passed away September 17, 2026. Allan is survived by his wife, Anne; daughters Jennifer (Joel) Kaye and Jodi (Adam) Burke; and his four grandsons, Zachary, Jacob, Benjamin and Drew. Allan found immense joy in his 57-year marriage to his wife, Anne, and his love of University of Michigan football. Donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan and the Diabetes Network of Arizona.
MILESTONES BAR MITZVAH HENDRIX GABRIEL LIEBERMAN Hendrix Gabriel Lieberman will become a bar mitzvah on Nov. 21, 2026, at Temple Solel. He is the son of Tamara and Mark Lieberman of Scottsdale. Hendrix’s grandparents are Kathy and Gary Lieberman of Mesa; and Danielle and Todd Clark of Tucson. For his mitzvah project, Hendrix is volunteering at both St. Vincent de Paul’s Urban Farm in Mesa and the food kitchen at Valley Beit Midrash. A student at Cocopah Middle School, Hendrix enjoys playing club soccer, piano and fishing. JN
Helga Ruth Day
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS LEXI ISABELLE LINN Lexi Isabelle Linn was born on Oct. 6, 2026, at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center. She weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces. She is the daughter of Lance Linn and Ilana Zorfas of Phoenix. Grandparents are Melanie and Gregg Linn of Scottsdale; and Nancy and Mark Zorfas of Peoria. JN BROOKLYN PEARL ARQUEROS Brooklyn Pearl Arqueros was born on Oct. 14, 2026, at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center. She is the daughter of Benjamin Arqueros II and Lisa Arqueros of Scottsdale. They are so excited to welcome Brooklyn Pearl into this beautiful Jewish community. JN
Bette Mae Epstein Bette Mae Epstein, 88, peacefully passed away on Oct. 10, 2026. Her family was with her in the days leading up to her passing. She was born on July 4, 1938, in Yonkers, New York, to Louis and Jeanette Becker. She was raised in Yonkers with her sister, Elanor, became an accomplished ballerina in her teens and was a cheerleader at Yonkers High School. At 18, she met Larry Epstein, who was in the United States Air Force. They married in 1957, when Bette Mae was 19. Larry and Bette Mae, along with their two children, moved to Phoenix in 1961. They were lifetime members of Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale, and for many years, Bette Mae was an active member in Hadassah. She also volunteered at the Kivel Thrift Shop through the Kivel Auxiliary Board. She was active at her children’s school, Madison Simis Elementary, directing the school musicals and teaching ballroom dancing to eighth graders. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Bette Mae is survived by her daughter, Roni Zeman (Bob); son, Howard Epstein (Christine); grandchildren Ashley Cunningham (Chris), Hilary Gordon (Scott), Rachel Epstein and Ben Epstein (Laura); great-grandchildren Emily and Jackson Cunningham and Blake and Taylor Gordon. A family graveside service was held on Oct. 15. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either of two charities founded by family members: Arizona Housing Fund (arizonahousingfund.org) and Barks of Love (barksoflove.org). JEWISHAZ.COM
Helga Ruth Day (geb. Schreiber), a Holocaust survivor, died at home on Sept. 20, 2026, at the age of 91. Helga was born in Berlin, Germany, on Aug. 2, 1935. She was 3 years old at the time of Kristallnacht, and 8 when she watched German SS officers beat her mother and then take her Oma from the apartment and load her on a flatbed truck. Her Oma was taken to Theresienstadt and then to Auschwitz, where she was later murdered. Helga and her parents sought shelter in various locations and were ultimately hidden in a brewery by a night watchman who was a family friend. Helga was 10 at the time of the last Berlin bombing, hiding in a locked cellar, when invading Russians, fighting the Nazis, burned the building to the ground. They escaped only by breaking through a common wall. After several years in a displaced persons camp, Helga and her parents arrived in the U.S. in 1951. Helga was 16 when she started high school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as a junior with almost no formal schooling since age 7, and knowing no English. She earned a Bachelor of Science in microbiology at Carnegie Mellon University and a fellowship and master’s degree at Syracuse University. Helga worked as a research microbiologist for a Detroit pharmaceutical company, and later for laboratories, another pharmaceutical company and a hospital, ultimately retiring from the Arizona Department of Health Services. Helga and her family moved to Phoenix in 1977, and she is survived by her husband, Don, of more than 61 years; son, David (Rachel); daughter, Tamara; granddaughters Helene, Hannah and Carly; and great-granddaughters Avery and Rylee. Helga is remembered as a devoted mother, loving wife and Oma; generous and giving; spontaneous and clever; always putting others before herself; and someone who built a special life. Helga was a member of Sukkat Shalom Synagogue in Berlin, Germany, and Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale.
JEWISH NEWS
OCTOBER 23, 2026
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CommonSense results for District 4
Carine Werner worked with both parties: Protect School Choice Invest in Law Enforcement $1.4 billion in Tax Cuts No New Taxes on Groceries
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New Childcare Tax Credit
That’s Proven Leadership
Vote Carine Werner for State Senate
Early Voting BEGAN Oct 7th || Election Day: Nov 3rd Paid for by Carine Werner. Authorized by Carine Werner. 16
OCTOBER 23, 2026
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