ANDI MINKOFF By Shannon Levitt Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the word “testing” has generally called to mind a painful nasal swab, fears of a positive result and possible quarantine. But long before COVID, Andi Minkoff and her late husband, Sherman, realized what a very different kind of testing could offer their Jewish…
By Amy Hummell Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) was formed in 2009 when the Jewish Special Education International Consortium got together for their annual meeting. Two of the members presented the idea of selecting a specific month for all communities to raise awareness and share resources on the topic of disability. Becca…
By Michael C. Johnson The extent that we can assure that every American child receives a relevant and contemporary education today will dictate the health of our economy, our global standing and the general welfare of our society for the remainder of this century. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer such a guarantee, not…
For more than a quarter of a century, the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival (GPJFF) has celebrated Jewish culture through film, bringing an exciting lineup of films to Arizona, honoring Jewish traditions and heritage. From Feb. 10 through Feb. 27, the 26th Annual Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival will screen films showcasing the best of Jewish…
Photo: Monte Moore is the exclusive artist for The Mandalorian Collection for Thomas Kinkade Studios. By Jessica Gonzalez Artists from throughout Arizona, the Western United States and even the world will transform the desert of North Scottsdale into Arizona’s premier venue for collecting fine art during the 10-week Arizona Fine Art EXPO beginning Friday, Jan….
Photo: Rabbi Yossie Shemtov of Chabad Tucson, volunteer Bill Pozez and Handmaker Executive Chef Claire Wilmouth load up a car with kosher meals made at Handmaker to be delivered to members of the Tucson community through their partnership with Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona. By Nanci Levy Recently members of the Southern Arizona community who…
When you’re young, you may find yourself cramming everything you can into each minute of your day. Yet, as you age and enter retirement, you get to enjoy one of life’s greatest gifts: a slower pace. And while your calendar might be clearer than it once was, this is actually an incredible thing. Why? It…
Photo: Modeling an innovative approach to comprehensive care, the Dementia Care and Education campus is located at 3811. N. 44th St. in Phoenix. By Gillian Hamilton, MD, Ph.D. and Maribeth Gallagher, DNP, FAAN It may come as no surprise that the incidence of Alzheimer’s (and other dementias) is extremely high in Arizona, one of the top…
By Rabbi Jeffrey Schesnol Tu B’Shevat is the New Year of the Trees, Rosh Hashanah Haaitzim in Hebrew, or Jewish Arbor Day. Tu B’Shevat occurs in late January or early February, the eleventh Hebrew month of Shevat, this year beginning Sunday, Jan. 16 at sunset. The minor holiday of Tu B’Shevat translated means the fifteenth…
Photo: Handing out smartphones at a staff appreciation event at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging. By Nanci Levy Every year Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging honors its “tenured” staff, staff members who have been working at Handmaker for more than five years. This year 50 staff members were honored. More than half of…
