Andre Ivory has had a fire in his soul for Judaism since his teens. That fire, coupled with an intense curiosity, set him on a course of self-discovery that dramatically altered his life. Since converting at age 20 and becoming a bar mitzvah at age 33, Ivory has fine-tuned his passion for Judaism into a rewarding career as a Jewish educator, bar and bat mitzvah tutor, and now outreach coordinator for the Phoenix Bureau of Jewish Education.
This affable, engaging and energetic man was youth director for Congregation Beth Tzedec in Toronto and now holds that same post at Temple Beth Shalom in Sun City West. He perpetually seeks new avenues to promote Jewish education and ethics; so much so that Ivory jokes about his life being “full of moving parts.”
As BJE outreach coordinator, Ivory hit upon a novel idea to tap into the passion of young professionals in their 20s and 30s. The lofty concept of tikkun olam (repairing the world) has intrigued Ivory since he was a teen. Based on that idea, he dreamed up ACT, a philanthropic group minted a year ago. The acronym stands for action, connect and think.
“I wanted to create something that didn’t replicate other great organizations around the Valley,” says Ivory. “I have always been enthralled with the idea of saving the world through g’milot (giving and doing) and avodah (serving God) since I was a teen. One of the aspects about Judaism I love the most is that Judaism is not just based on faith but on actions as well.”
Some of ACT’s noteworthy programs include Rebuilding Together, where volunteers work with low-income homeowners on home improvement; the Paint-a-Thon for homeowners who need help painting; and Helping Hands, where volunteers distribute water and sandwiches to the homeless. Ivory says one popular program is for volunteers to provide dinners at Ronald McDonald House for parents of children who are being treated at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. A recent event boasted a menu of salmon, couscous salad, steamed vegetables, house salad and brownie desserts for more than 30 resident families.
In August, volunteers went to bat for Phoenicians battling the brutal summer heat. It is no secret that the heat can be a life-or-death issue; to combat the dangers of heat stroke and illnesses associated with dehydration, ACT volunteers distributed cold water, fruit and other supplies to those in need.
“I think the Phoenix Jewish community is only at the tip of its potential,” says Ivory. “We have the ability as a whole to have a huge impact on the city and state we live in. We have wonderful professionals within the community with the best interests in mind for everyone. I’m delighted that the bureau is looking to expand ACT and make it the service-learning component of the bureau, thereby creating volunteer opportunities for all ages.”
Ivory was born in Los Angeles as the youngest of five siblings; he never envisioned the life he would have years later as a dynamic Jewish professional educator and motivator. The quintessential round peg in a square hole, Ivory was raised in a Lutheran/Baptist family but was surrounded by Jews in his neighborhoods, schools and ice hockey teams.
“I began my exploration when I was in my teenage years,” he says. “My dad died when I was 13, but I remember he wanted us to have a strong backbone and good ethical compass.” That philosophy became the primordial one that shaped Ivory’s life. “I played ice hockey for over 25 years and coached the game for 17 of them,” he says. “I was a ‘rink rat’ and I had a lot of great role models; many were my coaches who happened to be Jewish.”
In addition to his coaches, a lot of the players were Jewish, as were his friends and girlfriends. At 17, Ivory’s quest for deeper spirituality led him to a comparative religions class in which a teacher sparked his burgeoning curiosity about world religions.
“I questioned what spiritual foundation I wanted to have,” he says. “I explored Buddhism, but when I talked to friends about what they did as Jews, every question led to more questions. I became increasingly curious about every aspect of Judaism – so curious that I’d ask friends to invite me to Shabbat dinner and take me to services.”
In his senior year of high school, Ivory became convinced he would convert to Judaism. “It felt like I was going up the ladder,” he says. “Everything became more and more clear. One thing was the fact that Judaism is not just a religion based on faith, but a religion based on actions – particularly tikkun olam. It really was a home run issue with me. I was fascinated by our responsibility to take care of each other and take care of the world. I was very at home with the idea, and still am to this day.”
To learn more about ACT or to become one of Andre Ivory’s mitzvah warriors, email andre.ivory@gmail.com or call him at the Bureau of Jewish Education at 480-634-8050, ext. 1302.
