Beliefs about marriage and divorce are part of our culture. However, some statements may only be myths that are so often repeated that the populace begins to believe in their veracity and, thus, they become part of the collective consciousness. Let’s examine seven of these so-called truths, while recognizing these are gross generalities and there…
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…
Gifts such as the one the Fox Family has given to the UA can make dreams come true for students and faculty alike. As government support to the universities in Arizona dwindles, the private sector has an opportunity to step up and make a real difference. Here’s another example: Danny Katzen’s mother passed away in…
Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho is quoted as saying, “The power of storytelling is exactly this: to bridge the gap where everything has crumbled.” Tempe resident Caleb Winebrenner could not agree more. Steeped in drama and theater since high school, the seventh-grade English and drama teacher is also a performance artist – a storyteller who draws…
There were three big surprises over the last month. Not necessarily in this order, the first was the almost weeklong storm and cold spell in mid-April, only the third such occurrence since records have been kept. Some Shalom Aleichem-inspired web pranksters launched a convincing story claiming the Chief Rabbinate had miscalculated the Jewish calendar, and…
As soon as the Purim holiday ends, Israeli children start preparing for their next big day. It’s a different sort of holiday, one that “fires” their imaginations for weeks. Of course, we’re not talking about Passover here. What kid is going to get all excited by holiday preparations that chiefly call for the cleaning of…
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…
While you’re studying during Shavuot, you may want to include a new book by local author, poet and public speaker Barbara Mark-Dreyfuss. Remember Always is a short book of original poems presented as a “lens of connecting with our past, present and future in a spiritual way like no other.” Barbara has often been asked…
Far from being a “new” cliché, those of us over 55 are not living the same way our parents and grandparents did in their senior years. Many of us are far more physically fit and active. With that in mind Stacy Wasserman decided to create L’Dor V’Dor (From Generation to Generation), a nonprofit organization created…
