Alex Stoken graduated from Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee last month. This young man has already achieved a long and distinguished resume. He not only graduated with a Diploma of Distinction from the STEM Academy as valedictorian, he also amassed numerous prestigious awards from both his high school and outside agencies. His school, part…
It is hard – perhaps impossible – for most of us to imagine a day without enough food to eat. From time to time we’ll declare “I’m starving!” followed by devouring a meal of our choice and settling back with a satisfied sigh. Yet for too many in our country, not having enough to eat…
Family donates $20 million to name school for centenarian music lover Alan and Daveen Fox wanted to give Alan’s father, Fred Fox, a unique gift for his 100th birthday. They wanted to honor him in a very significant way, because he is so special to them and to many others. When they sat down with…
The composition of today’s senior population has changed from generations past. People are living longer, maintaining their interests or expanding to new areas, and staying sharp and involved. Yet the seniors, many of whom were called Boomers just yesterday, still have special needs that are unique to them. Nearly two years ago the Jewish Federation…
For over 16 years, Ted Kort was the executive director of the Jewish National Fund in Arizona. In that capacity he moved the organization from one known largely for “selling trees” to become a major force for raising money and support for the myriad of environmental concerns facing Israel. While Ted never thought his road…
Tucson J Special Needs Counselors Emily and Adina make sure Audrey is included in the summer fun. Inclusion is a term we’re hearing more and more of these days. It connotes open, welcoming arms, an acceptance of differences and a way to celebrate the uniqueness in each of us. The National Inclusion Project has partnered…
Cantor Janece Cohen of Congregation Or Chadash in Tucson is receiving a doctorate of sacred music, honoris causa, from Hebrew Union College on May 9 at Music of the Night, a dinner dance being held in her honor. Bestowed in recognition of her 25 years of service as a congregational cantor, the award is a…
How does one maintain his orthodoxy in a non-Orthodox world? Not just generally speaking in terms of being an Orthodox Jew in a secular America, but specifically in the world of theater, where Friday night openings are the norm and full-day Saturday rehearsals are a given. Todd Salovey, associate artistic director at San Diego Repertory…
Jewish living in the Valley has followed several geographic shifts, mirroring the general population migrations. One need only look at the location of “North” High School on Thomas Road – now considered to be nearly downtown – to see how things have shifted. During the 1960s-1990s, a large segment of the Phoenix Jewish population lived…
After completing “Schindler’s List” in 1994, Steven Spielberg was inspired to found the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation with the goal of capturing video testimonies from Holocaust survivors before their stories would be lost forever. Spielberg’s celebrity and visibility helped bring to light numerous stories that had never been told; in turn, these…
