Through March 31
Exhibit: “The World Knew: Jan Karski’s Mission for Humanity” at the Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E Culver St., Phoenix. 602-241-7870 or azjhs.org
Through April 3
“Fiddler on the Roof” at Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-776-8400 or azbroadway.org
March 3-6
Learning weekend with Rabbi Dr. Simcha Raphael. 7 pm March 3: Exploring Jewish Views of the Afterlife at Temple Solel, 6805 E McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley; 7 pm March 4: Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night – Moses’s Death in Torah and Midrash at Temple Chai, 4645 E Marilyn Road, Phoenix; and 10-11:30 am March 6: Jacob’s Deathbed Wisdom – Practical Guidelines for Conscious Living and Dying. $18 suggested donation.
602-445-3112 or valleybeitmidrash.org
March 4
Women’s Philanthropy Ignition! luncheon. 11 am at the Scottsdale Hilton Resort, 6333 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Join guest speaker Jane Weitzman, executive vice president of Stuart Weitzman, for an inspirational afternoon as the renowned fashion industry leader and philanthropist shares her insights on making a difference worldwide. $65. jewishphoenix.org/ignition
Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital at Musical Instrument Museum. See page 68
March 4-5
Hillel at ASU sponsors Hillel Shabbat across the valley. During this Shabbat, students or other Hillel representatives will speak to local congregations about Jewish life on the ASU campus and their involvement in Hillel. Participating congregations are: Beth El Congregation, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Beth Tefillah, Temple Emanuel of Tempe, Temple Kol Ami, Congregation Kehillah, Temple Solel, Congregation Or Tzion and The New Shul. For more information, contact Steve Goldstein, Steve.Goldstein@sackstierney.com
March 5
Read it & Meet book discussion at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson. The book selection is The Unamericans by Molly Antopol. Discussion at 12 noon – 1:30 pm. 520-887-8358 or caiaz.org
Johnny Mathis 60th Anniversary Concert 7pm at Celebrity Theatre, 440 N 32nd St., Phoenix. Tickets $39-$133. 602-267-1600 or celebritytheatre.com
March 6
Schmooze Singles Hike and Brunch. Meet at 9 am at the Gateway Loop, 18333 N Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, for a 4.5-mile moderate hike. Bring plenty of water and snacks. Brunch will follow at Wildflower Bread Company, 15640 N Hayden Road, Scottsdale (Frank Lloyd Wright and the 101). RSVP at facebook.com/azschmooze
Israeli author Yamit Armbrister. See page 88.
March 7
Stories of Elijah the Prophet: From the Hebrew Bible to the Shtetls of Eastern Europe. Join Rabbi Stephanie Aaron and Handmaker residents to hear some colorful stories about Elijah the Prophet. 1-2 pm. Free and open to all. Café at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging, 2221 N Rosemont Blvd., Tucson. RSVP to Nanci Levy at nlevy@handmaker.org
March 8
Panel – Spiritual Perspectives on Death, Dying and The Afterlife at 7-9 pm features facilitator Rabbi John Linder and panelists Sandy Rife, Rabbi Pinchas Allouche and Rabbi Micah Caplan. $18 suggested donation. Congregation Or Tzion, 9096 E Bahia Dr., Scottsdale. 602-445-3112 or valleybeitmidrash.org
March 8-13
“Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding” an Off-Broadway show staged as a festive celebration with audience participation. Times vary. Ticket prices $60-$74. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N Arizona Ave., Chandler.
480-782-2683 or chandlercenter.org
March 9
Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix’s 75th Anniversary Kickoff and Awards Celebration. See page 76.
March 9 & 16
Not Your Grandchildren’s Purim from 7-9 pm at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St, Tucson. Rabbis Robert Eisen and Ruven Barkan will delve into what Purim is really about and why it is so important to reclaim its form and function as adults. It’s not all hamantaschen and groggers! $18 for two-week series plus non-perishable food donation to Community Food Bank. RSVP by March 7. 520-745-5550 or caiaz.org
March 11
This is Jewish Food? Who Knew? Cooking demonstration and book signing with Amelia Saltsman. See page 88.
March 11-14
Scottsdale Arts Festival, a weekend-long celebration of creativity with 170 jury-selected artists. 10 am-6 pm on Friday and Saturday and 10 am-5 pm on Sunday at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and Civic Center Park. scottsdaleartsfestival.org
March 12
Invest in Yourself! Health and Wellness Expo at Black Mountain Elementary School, 33606 N 60th St., Scottsdale. Features inflatables, stage performance, activities for the whole family, face painting, interactive booths and super heroes. 9 am-2 pm. Free. 602-996-6300 or shapeupus.org
Simchat Shabbat Special Needs Services for those with disabilities and their families. Sponsored by the Council For Jews with Special Needs. Free. 12 noon -12:45 pm at Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 N 56th St., Scottsdale. 480-629-5343 or sherri@cjsn.org
March 12-13
Tucson Festival of Books will take place on the beautiful University of Arizona campus. Admission and parking are free. 9:30 am-5:30 pm. tucsonfestivalofbooks.org
March 13
Hadassah Mah Jongg Tournament at Skyline Country Club, 5200 E Saint Andrews Dr., Tucson. There will be prizes for the top three scorers, plus each round winner is awarded a prize! Check-in 9:30 am, play begins 10 am sharp, prizes awarded at 2:30 pm. $40 includes game and lunch; checks only. Registration mandatory by March 4. Contact Phyllis Harris, 520-707-5519 or montague1@comcast.net
Cactus Kosher Hot Dog Day hosted by Beth Emeth Congregation Men’s Club at Beth Emeth Congregation, 13702 W Meeker Blvd., Sun City West. Open to the public. 11 am-2 pm. $5 for a quarter-pound Hebrew National hot dog, can of soda, chips and condiments. 623-584-7210
Spring Fling carnival and vendor fair from 11 am-2 pm at Beth El Congregation, 1118 W Glendale Ave. Phoenix. Rides, games, kosher food and shopping. Buy your wristband to enjoy all of the activities, including lunch, by March 10. Only individual tickets, not wristbands, will be for sale at the event. Each wristband is $20. 602-944-3359 or
bethelphoenix.com
Passages lecture series: Nancy Spielberg: Above and Beyond the film and producer’s comments on the WWII pilots who helped create the Israeli Air Force. 6:30 pm at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Center, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. $18. 480-634-8050 or bjephoenix.org
March 14
Brandeis National Committee, Phoenix Chapter, Book and Author Luncheon. See page 63.
Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau: Life and Leadership Celebration. See page 88.
March 15
Leon Gildin Lecture at the Virginia Piper Creative Writer’s House at Arizona State University Temp campus. The author of The Poems of H. Leivick and Others: Yiddish Poetry in Translation will discuss Yiddish, the poets, where their poetry came from and read some of the translations at 1:30 pm. 480-965-6018 or piper.asu.edu
“Sharing America: The Future of Muslim-Jewish Relations” VBM film screening and talk with Rabbi Yehuda Sarna. 7 pm at Congregation Or Tzion, 9096 E Bahia Dr., Scottsdale. $18 suggested donation. 602-445-3112 or valleybeitmidrash.org
March 17
VBM Learning Series at The New Shul, 7825 E Paradise Lane, Scottsdale. Participants will study Jewish texts in-depth using hevruta (partner) study as well as group setting. 7:30-9 pm. $18 suggested donation. Register at valleybeitmidrash.org
March 18
Family Shabbat service and dinner at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E 5th St., Tucson. 5:45-8:30 pm. $25 per family (2 adults and up to 4 children); $10 per person. RSVP by March 14. 520-745-5550 ext. 224 or edasst@caiaz.org
Cohon Award presentation. See page 88.
March 19
Hadassah Shabbat Zachor the annual commemoration Shabbat for the founding of Hadassah, 104 years ago. At Congregation Young Israel, 2443 E 4th St., Tucson. Services: 9:30 am-12:30 pm. Sponsored by Desert-Mountain Region President, Cathy Olswing. RSVP to her if you plan to attend colswing@hadassah.org
Targum Shlishi helps discern how to apply Torah in our world today with regard to important and critical issues. This month’s topic: gun control and Jewish law. Free. 12 noon pm at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St, Tucson. 520-745-5550 or rabbi@caiaz.org
March 20
“Body & Soul: The State of the Jewish Nation” See page 89.
“Be Well, Stay Well … Here’s How!” See page 89.
March 22
Ethical Will Writing Workshop 9 am-12 pm at TMC Senior Services/El Dorado Medical Center, 1400 N Wilmot Road, Tucson. Presented by Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona. Open to all. Free. Light refreshments served. 520-795-0300 ext. 2213 or jfcstucson.org/ethical-will
March 23
Purim Palooza – party and Megillah reading. Free fun, food and drinks beginning at 5:05 pm. Come dressed in costume and enjoy bounce houses, carnival games, prizes, street artists, popcorn and cotton candy for the kids; hurricanes and beer for those 21 and up. Pasta dinner with sides at 5:55 pm; Megillah reading at 6:36 pm; costume parade and hamantaschen. “After Party” 7:30-9 pm with DJ and ice cream bar. Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St, Tucson. 520-745-5550 or caiaz.org
March 24
Purim Party at Chofetz Chayim, 5150 E 5th St., Tucson. Fun for everyone starts at 5 pm. 520-747-7780 or tucsontorah.org
Chai Tech 2016 business and social networking event at the offices of Weiss Brown, 6263 N Scottsdale Road, #340, Scottsdale from 5:30-8 pm. Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix Business & Professionals Groups for an evening of networking for Jewish professionals and students in the information and technology fields. $18 professional; $10 student. Register by March 18 at jewishphoenix.org
March 25
Jewish National Fund Annual Breakfast for Israel. See page 37.
JNFuture Shabbat in the Desert at David and Gladys Wright’s house, 5225 E Camelback Road, Phoenix. 5 pm VIP cocktail hour and tour; 6 pm Shabbat program and dinner. $36-$72. RSVP by March 15 at jnf.org/shabbatinthedesert or contact Leila Nouri at lnouri@jnf.org, 480-447-8100 ext. 932
Shabbat Under the Stars at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E Fifth St, Tucson. Intimate Shabbat service in the Rabbi Arthur Oleisky Courtyard. 5:45-6:45 pm. 520-745-5550 ext. 230 or caiaz.org
March 29
Jewish Patagonia bus trip co-sponsored by Hadassah and Jewish Federation Northwest. For more information, call the Jewish Federation Northwest at 520-505-4161
VBM Learning Series at Temple Solel, 6805 E McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley. Participants will study Jewish texts in-depth using hevruta (partner) study as well as group setting. 7:30-9 pm.
$18 suggested donation. Register at valleybeitmidrash.org
