HEADLINES | 6
SENIORS | 12
ELECTION LOSS
WORLD-FAMOUS CLASSMATE
Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer loses primary to an election skeptic
Scottsdale Holocaust survivor, Rebecca Siegel, went to school with Anne Frank
AUGUST 9, 2024 | AV 5, 5784 | VOLUME 76, NUMBER 23
From belonging to inclusion: CJP series seeks to open door to wider community SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER
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any Jewish professionals would like to welcome a broader coalition of Jews into their organizations and religious communities and let them know they really do belong there. In an effort to make their pitches more effective, the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix (CJP) is connecting local leaders with four groups representing those Jews who have heretofore had their voices marginalized. “Our goal is to be more inviting and to make sure that our programs and events are welcoming. We want to increase the visibility of just how diverse our community really is,” CJP Director of Community Engagement Jennifer Starrett told Jewish News. The big challenge is whether organizations can be flexible and open enough to move past their preconceptions of certain Jews and their intersectional identities. Thus, a critical first step is coming to the table with an open mind. That was the message from Adam Pollack, chief program officer of 18Doors, a Jewish organization whose mission is to empower people in interfaith relationships. Pollack led “Creating a Space for Belonging” in June, the first presentation in CJP’s four-part virtual series. Pollack told viewers to throw out preconceptions, come with an open mind and “ask questions — don’t hold back.” He reminded them that they were “in a space of learning” and shouldn’t be afraid of looking foolish.
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ASU Chabad rabbi sees ‘true Jewish unity’ in Israel, talks challenging climate on campus SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER
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month before Oct. 7, one survey of Jewish college students found that almost one in three had witnessed or experienced some form of antisemitism on campus. Flash forward to May 2024, after pro-Palestinian protests and encampments had rocked campuses across the country, and more than half of Jewish students have reported feeling less safe at school. These campus tensions and student fears have weighed heavily on the mind of Chabad at Arizona State University Executive Director Rabbi Shmuel Tiechtel for months. They were certainly top of mind when he traveled to Israel July 10-14 to participate in this year’s Chabad on Campus International’s annual conference. “There was no question in our mind that this year’s convention must be held in Israel. The campus shluchim (emissaries) are facing unprecedented challenges, and with that comes the need for an unprecedented response,” said Avi Weinstein, COO of Chabad on Campus International. Two hundred campus rabbis from 14 countries met over four days to exchange ideas about how to support their students amidst one of the most challenging college climates they’ve ever faced. “We’re in a unique situation,” Tiechtel said. “Our students knew about antisemitism, but most of them never experienced it like this in their lives. Our job is to teach them how to stay strong, stay resilient, stay secure and how not to let challenging SEE CHABAD, PAGE 3
Rabbi Shmuel Tiechtel, left, and Dr. Danny Abelev at the COURTESY OF CHABAD AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY Kotel.
Mazel Tov! At 80, Karen Shapiro celebrated her first bat mitzvah at the bimah of the synagogue she helped found. See page 14. PHOTO COURTESY OF ZACK KANE
SEE CJP, PAGE 2
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INTERNATIONAL
Jewish Dems showcase new energy with Israel wins 3 medals — including a gold — in historic day at Paris Olympics Zoom call for Harris and six-figure ad buy
ISRAEL
Israel braces for another Iranian attack, with defense axis still being assembled