Dec. 1
“Looking for Magic.” This inspirational play written by Beverly King Pollack is a semi-autographical story about one family’s experiences with HIV/AIDS. See page 74
Dec. 3
Valley Beit Midrash Panel: Reinvigorating Hanukkah. 7 pm at Temple Solel, 6805 E McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley. $18 suggested donation. 60o2-445-3112
Prescott Center for the Performing Arts presents “Sylvia,” a modern, romantic comedy about a marriage and a dog. Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan after 20-years of raising children in the suburbs. Greg has found a dog in the park – or the dog found him – bearing only the name “Sylvia” on the name tag. A street-smart mixture of lab and poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. Show runs through Dec. 20. 928-445-3286
Arizona PBS premieres new “Doc Martin” Series and Specials. The seventh season of the international hit series “Doc Martin” comes to Arizona in January, but Arizona PBS will provide a sneak preview at 8:30 pm. Shot on location in the picturesque seaside village of Port Isaac, the new season preview includes behind-the-scenes special “Doc Martin – Seven Grumpy Seasons”. azpbs.org
Dec. 4
J Holiday Boutique and Fair. 8 am to 4 pm Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Unique gift items, crafts, cookie decorating and kid’s art activities. Special one-day-only deals on membership, personal training, Pilates and more. 480-483-7121, ext. 1290, or membership@vosjcc.org
Dec. 5
Latkes & Vodkas at Congregation Anshe Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson. Enjoy a variety of gourmet latkes and toppings, five different martini samplers and decadent dessert bar. Non-alcoholic beverages and a beer & wine cash bar available. Must be 21+. $18 per person with paid RSVP by Dec. 2; $25 per person at the door. , 5550 E Fifth St., Tucson. 503-745-5550
Dec. 6
Israel Center Hanukkah. 4 pm at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road. Free. 480-634-4900, ext. 1109, or shahare@vosjcc.org
First night of Hanukkah menorah lightings. See page 48
“The real story” of Hanukkah: It involves events that resonate to this day – gross inequality and religious coercion. Join us for a special class where we will explore the texts/history behind this holiday, after which attendees are invited to stay and participate in our Religious School Hanukkah Family Workshop. 9:30 am at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St., Tucson. 503-745-5550, ext. 225
Dec. 6-7
Modern Israel Symposium: Israel’s Place in the Changing Middle East features former Israeli ambassador Dr. Itamar Rabinovich, Professor Asher Sussare and other internatonal experts. In the Grand Ballroom of the Student Union at the University of Arizona. Registration required: uafoundation.org/NetCommunity/events/2015sbsmodernisraelsymposiumdinner
Dec. 6-14
HANUKKAH: Light the first candle Sunday evening, Dec. 6. The holiday continues through Dec. 14, but the last candle on the Hanukkah menorah is lit the evening of Dec. 13.
Continue a 10-year-old Hanukkah tradition: Come and help the new owners of the living Saguaro Hanukkah Menorah light this giant, natural menorah. Each night at 6 pm, except Friday at 5 pm. At the Miller’s home (formerly the Kline’s) at 9802 N 46th St., Phoenix.
Dec. 6
Pre-Hanukkah Menorah Workshop. Chabad of the Northwest Valley partners with event host The Home Depot (6160 W Behrend Dr, Glendale) to give children chance to craft a menorah form supplies available at the store. No charge; Parents must accompany children. RSVP: 602-375-2422 or info@ichabad.org Dec. 7
Hadassah Monday Afternoon Book Club. Repeats at 1 pm each Monday. For location arougheti@aol.com or 602-863-2240
Hadassah board installation and Hanukkah Party featuring homemade latkes, applesauce and doughnuts. 6:45 pm at Temple Solel, 6805 E McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley.
It’s Not Just Lunch – Hanukkah Celebration. Join us for a noon scrumptious lunch and celebrate Hanukkah in style while munching on potato latkes and jelly doughnuts. Presented by Smile on Seniors at Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 602-492-7670 or chani@sosaz.org
VBM Lecture: Judaism & Islam: Some Historical & Halachic Perspectives” by Rabbi Dr. Marc Shapiro. 7 pm at Temple Chai, Phoenix. $18 suggested donation. 602-445-3112
Dec. 8
Hanukkah Sing-a-long for Terrific Tuesdays (seniors) at 11:30 am at the East Valley JCC, 908 N Alma School Road, Chandler. 480-897-0588 or evjcc.org
Lung Institute Open House. Join us for our Open House at the Scottsdale Lung Institute Clinic, 8377 E Hartford Dr., Ste120, Scottsdale. 855-434-9235 or lunginstitute.com/JewishLife
Dec. 9
Cardoza Society Hanukkah Party at the Arizona Historical Society. 5:30 o 8 pm at 122 E Culver, Phoenix. Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and the Arizona Jewish Lawyers Association for a Hanukkah celebration for Jewish legal professionals. Appetizers, beer, wine and networking. $18. RSVP by Dec. 2: jewishphoenix.org
Dec. 11
Annual Hanukkah Celebration of Congregation Merkaz Ha-Iyr at its new Shadow Rock campus, 12861 N Eighth Ave., Phoenix. Festivities begin with a pre-service nosh at 6 pm, followed by a short and festive Shabbat Service at 6:30 pm, and then dinner and activities for kids. 480-414-5213 or congregationmerkaz.org
“Jewish Pioneers of the Valley.” See page 89
Family Hanukkah Party with Or Adam Congregation for Humanistic Judaism (The Human Side of Judaism Beyond God). 6:30 pm at the Cutler Plotkin Jewihs Heritage Center, 122 E. Culber St., Phoenix. 480-663-7788 or oradaminfo@gmail.com
Dec. 12
Arizona PBS hosts community event offering first-look at final season of “Downtown Abbey.” See the first hour of the final season three weeks before the Jan. 3 premiere when PBS hosts a “Big Sip” tea party at 12:30 pm at Arizona PBS Studio A on the ASU Downtown Campus, 555 N Central Ave., Phoenix. azpbs.org
Dec. 13
Jewish Heritage Night at the Phoenix Suns game. See page 48
Hanukkah menorah lighting at Westgate Entertainment District. See page 48
Instructional Pickleball Clinic. Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing racquet sports in the country. It is easy and fun for beginners, but can develop into a fast-paced game for more advanced players. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Free. 480-483-7121, ext. 1290, or membership@vosjcc.org
Dec. 15
Latkes, Vodkas, and Start-ups: A Chai-Tech Hanukkah Celebration offered by the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix Business and Professional Group. 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Uber Phoenix, 201 E Washington St., 17th floor, Phoenix. Jewish engineering and technology professionals enjoy networking and a panel discussion regarding start-ups. Includes appetizers and cocktails. $18. RSVP by Dec. 8: jewishphoenix.org
Let’s Design. Noon-1 pm. Learn everything you need to know about interior design from Bonnee Gruber IDS, IFDA. Topics change every month. Participants are encouraged to bring photos and floor plans 480-483-7121, ext. 1213, or harriet@vosjcc.org
Let’s Knit. 1-3 pm at the Valley of the Sun JCC, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join us in The J Café to share the pleasure of knitting and to help others with projects and patterns. Can’t knit? We will teach you. Want to try the newest techniques? We will show you. 480-483-7121, ext. 1213, or harriet@vosjcc.org
Dec. 17
VBM presents The Uses & Misuses of Gentile Wisdom and Culture: On being a cosmopolitan, but not colonized minority. Rabbi Aryeh Bernstein leads this 7 pm program at Temple Chai, Phoenix. 602-445-3112
Dec. 18
Smile on Seniors Shabbat Dinner. 602-492-7670
Dec. 21
Dan Fellner, a three-time Fulbright Scholar to Eastern Europe, will lecture about Jewish life in that region at 1 pm at Sun City’s Temple Beth Shalom, 12202 N. 101st, Sun City. His talk is made possible by the Arizona Humanities AZ Speaks program. Arizona Humanities is an independent nonprofit organization and the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Free lecture; lunch before lecture is $8. RSVP by Dec. 14: call 623-977-3240
The Three Biggest Challenges Facing the Jewish World Today. Presented by Valley Beit Midrahs at 7 pm, at Temple Chia, Phoenix. 602-445-3112
Jan. 7
Brandies University on Wheels. See page 69
Jan. 11
Crystal Bridge at the J Grand Opening. ACBL sanctioned games. 9-11:30 am Supervided play; new players welcome. Noon-3:30 pm Duplicate games. 480-483-7121, ext. 1213
