Arizona is one “Jew friendly” place for Jewish children, families and adults. There are so many amazing resources that an article can’t possibly cover them all – it takes a Resource Guide to do justice to the plethora of programs, agencies and schools that make Jewish life so rich here. (Download the Resource Guide from our website now!)
Linda Feldman, the director of family education at the Bureau of Jewish Education, believes Arizona programming for Jewish families rivals that of the bigger U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Feldman notes: “We have fabulous Jewish preschools which offer infant care starting at 6 weeks of age. FYI – Los Angeles does not even offer this as their Jewish preschools usually start at 2 years of age – no infant care.” Feldman pointed out that most Arizona schools also try to work with parents in need.
While there are generally fees for participating in the BJE classes, “No one is turned away for inability to pay,” says Feldman, adding that the BJE’S annual Passages Lecture Series raises funds for the BJE.
BJE programs cater to all ages and stages from Jewish Marriage University for engaged, serious couples and recently marrieds to Jewish Baby University for expectant parents. There’s also Training Wheels, cycling through the Jewish year to help young families explore the year’s holidays, and Baby and Me Shabbat, a free program offered the first Friday morning of each month to encourage families in the celebration of Shabbat. This fall the BJE is offering several special parenting classes including “The Blessing of a B Minus” and “The Blessing of a Skinned Knee,” two courses based on Dr. Wendy Mogel’s popular books.
Parenting classes are offered through many synagogues, JCCs, Jewish Family & Children’s Service and the Deutsch Family Shalom Center at Temple Chai, which provides programming and services for everyone in the Jewish community. The Shalom Center recently offered a parenting support group entitled “Learning to Take Care of Your Child with Special Needs.” They are planning more parenting programs this coming year.
For college students, there’s Hillel at Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. Hillel provides Jewish college students an opportunity to meet peers, attend religious and social programs and connect to the ASU Jewish community.
Rebecca Weinstein, development director of ASU’s Hillel Jewish Student Center, believes Phoenix and Tucson are “Jewish friendly” cities. “ASU is the largest public university in the country, so out of 70,000 students, we estimate at least a Jewish population of 3,500. U of A is an even more Jewish campus.”
Weinstein says, “The students who participate in Hillel events are generally here all the time, planning events, outreaching to other students or just spending time at the building making Jewish connections.”
Most Hillel programs are free for students. There are occasional fees for elaborate meals or programs that require materials (e.g., crafts).
