When I don’t sleep, I get cranky, irritable and downright irrational. Unfortunately for my family, that happens more often than I’d like to admit. Impulsive behavior, difficulty focusing and emotional reactivity in an adult aren’t likely to trigger an immediate trip to the doctor, resulting in a prescription to treat ADHD. But the 2014 Sleep…
Emily Bear, hailed as a 13-year-old piano prodigy, has been called the next Mozart. She composes, orchestrates and performs in a wide variety of styles. After spending time with Emily, Quincy Jones remarked, “With the ability to seamlessly move from classical to jazz and bebop, she shows as much musical prowess as pianists/ composers twice…
While those of us in the Valley and southern Arizona were lamenting the heat and preparing for monsoons, up in the cool climes of Flagstaff a joyous event was taking place. On Aug. 15 Greer Harrison Hanson was celebrating becoming a bat mitzvah through Chabad of Flagstaff. Making the day even more special is the…
You’ve spent years learning the alef bet, months studying your Torah portion and countless hours completing your mitzvah project … you’ve earned the right to celebrate! For many freshly minted Jewish “adults,” that means a glamorous party full of glitz and glitter. Others want another shot at a favorite activity of their youth (which in…
It’s been nearly 10 years since Rhonda Ross came up with the idea. She had been to many parties, bar and bat mitzvahs, etc., and realized that “at the end of the day, it’s all a blur.” Enter PictureThisAZ. “We started in 2005 with one photo booth,” she explains. Rhonda now has six photo booths…
The 2014 annual Mitzvahs & More Expo was held Aug. 24 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas. More than 400 attendees strolled among 50 unique event professionals exhibiting such varied party planning services as catering, specialty desserts, table top decor, DJ’s, live entertainment, fashion, flowers, invitations, jewelry, linen, personalized party favors, photo booths, photography,…
Many students are required to complete a mitzvah project, but the challenge is in finding a project that will be meaningful and truly connect the students to a great cause in Israel. We spoke with Michael Leventhal, executive director of the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind. He says, “Many students are drawn to…
The bid is $36 … do I hear $37? There’s $72 from the Gold- blums in Cave Creek … and yes, $180 from the Stein family … do I hear more? Ladies and gentlemen, I have $360 from the Izenstarks in Peoria … going once, going twice, sold for $360! That’s a lot of cash…
For the past 25 years Ruach Hamidbar-Spirit of the Desert, the Valley’s Renewal congregation, has built a large community sukkah filled with tapestries, glittery fabrics and thousands of lights. It takes a few weeks to design and execute and is set up in Rabbi Sarah Leah Grafstein ‘s large back yard in Scottsdale. “We are…
I often hear from single people that one of the most difficult things for them to witness is an older couple walking hand-in- hand. It’s not so much the romance they wistfully lament, but the implied companionship that this couple shares. If you’re not having much luck securing this type of relationship, and since friendship…
