Robyn Schwager Joins Foundation Legacy Team
Robyn J. Schwager has joined the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona as a legacy officer. She was the development director for the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation for six years, and prior to that was an active community volunteer for Catalina Foothills School District, Tucson Hebrew Academy, Satori schools, Congregation Young Israel and Bet Shalom. “A strong legacy team combined with donor support is central to accomplishing our mission of empowering individuals and families today to invest in a stronger Jewish and global community for tomorrow,” said JCF CEO Tracy Salkowitz. “With Robyn’s arrival, our dedicated Legacy team has grown to four, which translates to even better support for our donors, potential donors and their professional advisors.” Founded in 1975, the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona is an affiliated agency of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. jcftucson.org | 520-577-0388
Donna Sanders, Gail Glazer new co-presidents of Na’Amat Chapter
The Hatikvah Chapter of Na’amat USA, located in Scottsdale, installed its new board leadership on May 20 with new Co-Presidents Donna Sanders and Gail Glazer. Also joining the board are Julia Libling, Luping Perkins, Wendy Blum, Jane Neely, Marcia Solochek and Fredda Simon. Na’amat USA advocates on behalf of issues relating to women’s rights, the children’s welfare, education and the U.S. Israel relationship. Donna: 480-299-3888, donnasanders@iglide.net | Gail: 301-440-3303, jg.glazer@gmail.com | naamat.org
Anshei Israel Hires Cantorial Soloist
Congregation Anshei Israel has appointed Nichole Chorny as cantorial soloist. In this new role, Nichole will be responsible for conducting congregational services and will coordinate and/or conduct life-cycle events and the B’nai Mitzvah program in collaboration with Rabbi Robert Eisen. She also will develop and coordinate educational programs and worship services for CAI’s religious school, youth and young families. Nicole has a bachelor’s in music education from the U of A. Nichole has been involved at CAI since becoming a Bat Miitzvah, and has worked in the CAI community since 2006. Nichole will continue as the tefillah (prayer) and music teacher in CAI’s religious school and as director of the choirs. She is the 2012 recipient of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt National Award for “Excellence in Jewish Education.” Located at 5550 e Fifth St., CIA is the largest Conservative Synagogue in Tucson. caiaz.org
Cantor Raina Sinclair to Retire from Temple Kol Ami
At Temple Kol Ami of Scottsdale’s annual Meeting May 4, Cantor Raina Sinclair announced her plan to retire on Dec. 31. Cantor Sinclair is the longest serving, active synagogue clergy member in the Valley. In 1994 Raina joined the congregation to provide music and visual arts programing for students of Gan Yeladeem, the TKA preschool and charter school. Soon thereafter, she became the congregation’s first cantorial soloist. “Personally, it is impossible to overstate the admiration I have for Raina and her husband Bill, or my debt to them both for their guidance, advice and support since I started three years ago,” says Kol Ami Senior Rabbi Jeremy Schneider. “She has been a huge help to me as we shape our vision going forward.” templekolami.org
Attorney Hope Kirsch Keynotes Teacher Awards Luncheon
Hope Kirsch, managing partner at Kirsch-Goodwin and Kirsch, was the keynote speaker at the May 12 Fulton Homes Teacher of the Year Award Luncheon. Hope was a New York City Special Education teacher and administrator for nearly 20 years before becoming a lawyer. In 2006 she founded the firm with her sister;
she specializes in education and special education issues as well as insurance coverage and defense. She is recognized as an expert in school responsibilities and regulations about bullying. Her keynote talk was entitled “Before I Was in the Courtroom, I Was in the Classroom: An Educational Journey.” Attendees included the teachers who received Fulton Homes Teacher of the Week Awards during the year. Teachers are nominated by students and/or parents. Teacher recognition resumes in the all. nominate teachers at knixcountry or fultonhomes.com.
Barton Lee Now Rabbi Emeritus
Long-time rabbi of Arizona State University Hillel, Barton Lee, has spent 42 years as head of the Jewish Student Center in Tempe. He recently sent out a farewell and blessing to his students past and present as he moves into his position as rabbi emeritus. Hillel executive Director Debbie Yunker Kail had much praise for Rabbi Lee. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to have had the opportunity to learn from Barton over the past year. His community connections and dedication to every individual student’s story is a model for me in my work and serves as an inspiration to us all. He’ll always have a space here at Hiillel.” hillelasu.org.
Business Ins & Outs welcomes submissions of news items about businesses and Jewish organizations including new leadership, retiring leaders and new facilities. Send your business news brief of up to 250 words, along with a photo, to Arizona Jewish Life Associate Editor Janet Arnold at janet.arnold@azjewishlife.com.
