HEADLINES | 5
ART | 9
HELPING OTHERS
‘STEAMY’ DEBUT NOVEL
Rebbetzin Rachel Isaacs participated in a mental health fellowship offered by the Orthodox Union
Tucson author Jessica Elisheva Emerson’s novel about wife swapping comes out in September
AUGUST 23, 2024 | AV 19, 5784 | VOLUME 76, NUMBER 24
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A mezuzah Jewish Community Day with to provide the Diamondbacks is big hit continuity for Jewish domestic T abuse victims MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR
SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER
A
lex Shapero witnessed the emotional response of Jewish victims of domestic abuse to seeing a new mezuzah on their doorpost and immediately understood two things. The first is that a symbol as simple yet powerful as a mezuzah can demonstrate continuity and the strength of community for people fleeing abusive situations. The second is that there were probably “a lot more Jews out there in the same boat,” he told Jewish News. Shapero is the program director for MyZuzah, a national organization that aims to unite and protect the Jewish community by providing kosher and fair-trade mezuzahs for every Jewish home worldwide. This summer, MyZuzah partnered with Let’s End Abusive Households (LEAH), a program of Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona (JFCS) to benefit Jewish survivors of interpersonal and domestic violence. In 2022, Shapero listened to two recipients tell their stories of abuse and how receiving a mezuzah from his organization made them feel the support of their religious community, and a sense of normalcy after surviving the terrible turmoil of an abusive situation. That prompted him to apply for a grant to get their kosher mezuzot into the hands of abuse survivors. It took less than 18 months to receive requests for more than 300. “Most orgs are good at offering shelter, food and security for these survivors, but they don’t have as much
here is no question that the Arizona Diamondbacks are having a great season. They are currently ranked second in the National League West, and the crowd of more than 29,000 on Sunday, Aug. 11 at Chase Field in Phoenix cheered them on to another victory as they won 12 to 5 over the Philadelphia Phillies. The Jewish community also had reason to celebrate as Sunday was Jewish Community Day with the Diamondbacks, hosted by the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix (CJP) in partnership with nearly 30 local organizations. Members of the community gathered in a private area and enjoyed giveaways, sign making, crafts with PJ Library, a photo backdrop for pictures and tables where they could meet and mingle. Jennifer Starrett, director, community engagement for CJP, said this was the organization’s second year From left, Diamondback’s mascot Baxter the Bobcat, Holocaust survivor Herbert Marx, Leslie Feldman, executive director of the Phoehosting the event. nix Holocaust Association and her daughter, Olivia. “The biggest difference between last year and this year COURTESY OF PHOENIX HOLOCAUST ASSOCIATION was the community area,” she said. “Last year, our tables were spread out throughout the ballpark. This year, we to spring training in Surprise. The reason for coming to the game on Sunday was were all together in one room, which really made it feel twofold. like a community. We saw so many people hanging out “We are here today to support the Jewish community,” and enjoying the different activities we had for them.” said Leslie Beckhoff. “And because it’s my birthday,” Sisters Leslie Beckhoff, Karen Reiss and Debbie Beckhoff enjoy attending baseball games and often go SEE DIAMONDBACKS, PAGE 3
Talking about teeth COURTESY OF DR. SHOLOM FIALKOFF, DR. LISA BIENSTOCK, DR. STEVEN LEBOWITZ, DR. YAIR WHITEMAN, DR. JOSH RAIFFE AND DR. STEVEN H. GOLDSTEIN
Valley dentists share advice on keeping your pearly whites healthy. See page 13.
SEE MEZUZAH, PAGE 2
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