HEADLINES | 6
SPECIAL SECTION | 15
VALLEY OF THE SUN JCC TURNS 20
PILGRIMAGE TO MEET POPE FRANCIS
The J’s annual gala marks its 20-year presence on the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus
Rabbi John Linder recently traveled to Vatican City to meet with Pope Francis
NOVEMBER 4, 2022 | CHESHVAN 10, 5783 | VOLUME 75, NUMBER 4
Local women gather for the ‘Power of the Purse’ MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR
O
n the evening of Oct. 26, 150 women gathered for the “Power of the Purse” at a sprawling estate at the base of Camelback Mountain. They came together to celebrate the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix’s Women IN Philanthropy’s first event in more than three years. Decorative flourishes reflected both femininity and the evening’s theme. As guests were ushered outdoors, into the backyard of DeeDee Vecchione’s home, they were welcomed to stop for photos at a giant flower wall in hues of pink. Purse-shaped glass vases adorned the tables and in addition to the white leather chairs and sofas on the patio, there was also pink and gray velvet seating in a grassy area. The evening began with Rachel Hoffer, incoming board chair of the Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix (CJP), greeting the Federation’s Lions of Judah and sharing the fact that there are 18,000 members across North America and Israel who have donated more than $200 million to The Jewish Federations of North America. Lion of Judah members commit to an annual contribution of at least $5,000 for work in creating social justice, aiding the vulnerable, preserving human dignity and building Jewish identity. The next speaker, Leah Bold Mondlick, the chair of Women IN Philanthropy and a board member of CJP, shared a little bit about herself and her family. She met her husband at a Federation event, took Jewish Baby University classes with the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix, is the recipient of PJ Library
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AZJHS keeps Holocaust history alive with immersive exhibits MALA BLOMQUIST | MANAGING EDITOR
O
n the anniversar y of Kristallnacht, Nov. 9, the Arizona Jewish Historical Society (AZJHS) will unveil a new, original exhibit, “Stories of Survival: An Immersive Journey through the Holocaust.” The exhibition will be open through Aug. 3, 2023. Part of the new exhibit features The USC Shoah Foundation’s “Dimensions in Testimony,” a 3D life-size “holographic-like video” of Oskar Knoblauch, a local Holocaust survivor. Available in only 12 locations worldwide, this technology allows visitors to have a “virtual conversation” with Knoblauch as he answers questions and shares his story. “I feel like we’ve gone from the 19th century to the 22nd century overnight,” said Rabbi Jeffrey Schesnol, associate director of the AZJHS. The interactive technology was created and produced by the USC Shoah Foundation and local film
Oskar Knoblauch during the taping of his “Dimensions in Testimony” interview at Glendale Community College. COURTESY OF THE AZJHS
director Josh Kasselman. Shot at Glendale Community College and using a green screen, Knoblauch spent an entire week, Monday through Friday, six hours each day, providing answers to hundreds of questions. “I had a fulfilling and quite memorable childhood until 1933, when at the age of 8, my life was shattered by the onset of Nazism. Hitler spread propaganda that Jews were a horrible, dirty and evil race. My family was none of these and I hope people can learn from my experience,” said Knoblauch in a press release for the exhibit. Knoblauch’s likeness will answer serious SEE AZJHS, PAGE 3
Elder abuse — never let your guard down Elder abuse can include physical, emotional and sexual abuse and, in many cases, financial exploitation. See page 17 MRMOHOCK/ADOBE STOCK
SEE ‘POWER OF THE PURSE’, PAGE 2
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