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Sierra Vista Public Library hosted “Walk with Holocaust Survivors” exhibit
Nancy and Bob Kravetz share tips on ‘a successful and healthy marriage’
NOVEMBER 8, 2024 | CHESHVAN 7, 5785 | VOLUME 77, NUMBER 3
Tempe interim rabbi highlights importance of community in transition year SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER
T
emple Emanuel of Tempe welcomed Rabbi Jonathan Biatch, its interim spiritual leader, at the beginning of July. The recently retired Madison, Wisconsin rabbi officially ended his time at Temple Beth El before moving to Arizona to take up his new, albeit temporary, post following the departure of Rabbi Cookie Lea Olshein. As it happens, his wife is also serving as an interim rabbi for a synagogue in Kenosha, Wisconsin, not far from their old home. As Biatch neared retirement, he realized he was simply not ready to stop working, and an interim pulpit seemed like the perfect way to keep doing the work he loves without a long-term commitment, he told Jewish News. In Tempe, he will likely discover both the benefits and liabilities of leading a Jewish community on an interim basis. Should this year go well, he will probably pursue more such opportunities with his family. “I really like working and I like what I do,” Biatch said. “This is a challenging profession, and doing it on an interim basis gives you a different look into how a community is ready, or is readying itself, for its next settled rabbi. That’s the challenge.” Arnold Bedak, Emanuel’s president, also started his role in July. So far, the transition has gone very well, he told Jewish News. “We’re excited to have Rabbi Jonathan, and he’s brought great energy to our community,” he said. “We know he’s the interim rabbi, but we’ve really embraced
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Maricopa County approves $2 million for Phoenix Holocaust center SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER
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n Wednesday, Oct. 23, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors announced that it had approved funding for the new Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center, bringing the total amount raised to more than $35 million for a $40 million campaign. Maricopa County Board of Super visors Vice Chairman Thomas Galvin, who has been vocal about his concerns over rising antisemitism in the country and state, allocated $2 million from his portion of the Maricopa County Community Solutions to the center. “The Holocaust was an image of the Soaring Gallery that will house the ‘Upstander Hallway’ in the new Hilton Family atrocity, and it is important An Holocaust Education Center. COURTESY OF MOTLEY DESIGN GROUP VIA ARIZONA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY that we teach our children, and future generations, about what occurred to make sure it never happens again,” said Galvin in a press release. Each county supervisor is allowed a certain amount of Community Solutions Funding each year. The individual chooses to direct funds to the project, or projects, that he or she believes will advance Maricopa County’s strategic goals, as well as provide a benefit to the public. SEE CENTER, PAGE 3
Shooting at Tempe DNC office A grand jury indicted Jeffrey Michael Kelly who was arrested for his involvement in four separate incidents of political violence. See page 6. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEROD MACDONALD-EVOY/ARIZONA MIRROR
SEE TEMPE, PAGE 2
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