Julie Zorn has joined the Tucson Jewish Community Center as the agency-wide Jewish culture specialist, a newly established position. The goal of the position is to enhance all JCC departments with Jewish culture, identity and feeling. Julie’s first assignment in her new role is “Shabbat Shmoozings,” a weekly blog consisting of Jewish stories from around the “J,” event “Chappenings,” and plenty of useful resources. (tucsonjcc.org/blog/).
Julie has served as music teacher and songleader teaching both secular and non-secular music for the last eight years in the Tucson community. She is a graduate from the University of Arizona and holds an early childhood education certification from UCLA. “Miss Julie,” as she is affectionately called among Tucson youth in her programs, is a two-time recipient of the Gerald and Marion Gendell Excellence in Jewish Education Award and is the mother of two children. Julie and her husband, known as “Shabbat Scott,” perform music throughout the Tucson Jewish community.
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After conducting an extensive national search, the Jewish Community Foundation Board of Directors has selected Richard Kasper as the president and chief executive
officer of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix effective Nov. 25. He replaces Stuart Turgel who retired in June after leading the foundation for seven years. Kasper brings more than 20 years of experience in law, non-profit governance, community building and philanthropy. Most recently he was a partner with Ryan Rapp & Underwood PLC, where he provided legal counsel to numerous secular and Jewish nonprofit organizations, individuals and companies. Previously he worked as the Arizona regional director for the Anti-Defamation League, vice president of professional services at the Arizona Community Foundation and as an attorney at Fennemore Craig P.C. Kasper began his lay involvement in the Jewish community with the Wexner Heritage Program, a two year intensive adult education program for Jewish volunteer leaders. He has served on the boards of the Jewish Community Foundation, Jewish Federation and Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, and he was involved in the JCC/Federation merger. Kasper also served on the foundation’s Professional Advisory and Grants committees. “It was exciting to find a local individual that understands our community and has a vision and passion for its future. Rich’s professional experience combined with his extensive volunteer leadership roles position him to transition to this role seamlessly,” says Foundation Chair W. David Weiner. The foundation is the largest resource for Jewish philanthropy in the Greater Phoenix area with more than $40 million in endowment assets. Last year it awarded 954 grants totaling more than $3.8 million to 381 charitable organizations.
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In at Temple Emanuel of Tempe is Beth Olson, long-time resident of the East Valley. Beth joins the staff as their executive director after serving as education director for Childsplay, an award-winning, Tempe-based professional theater for young audiences. As executive director of the temple, she will interface with all aspects of temple life, working with the staff, clergy and members. Beth moved to the East Valley with her family shortly before her own bat mitzvah, which was held at Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley. Her daughters, who are now 16 and 22, attended day camp at the East Valley JCC and also became b’not mitzvah through Temple Beth Sholom. Beth says she is excited to find a position that enables her to use her skills in communications, promotions and expansion within the Jewish community. She adds, laughing, “The office is even closer to my home than Childsplay!” During her nine years at Childsplay, Beth developed new programming that increased participation threefold to 1,500 students per year. She managed educational programs including field trips, school tours and Childsplay Academy, which reaches hundreds of children each year. Prior to working at Childsplay, Beth was a staff writer at the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. She received her B.A. in
secondary education with an emphasis in English and an M.B.A. with an emphasis in leadership from Arizona State University.
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When Alison Johnston joined the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center as its new chief operating officer, she brought with her years of executive level expertise and a strong reputation and talent for turning around organizations. She works in partnership and under the guidance of President and CEO Stuart Wachs. Prior to accepting this new role July 29, Johnston worked in both for-profit and nonprofit arenas. Most recently, Johnston was the executive director of Ballet Arizona, where she successfully raised more than $2 million to complete the organization’s new facility. Johnston also was COO of PetSmart Charities and chief administrative officer for the Wildflower Bread Company. She spent 12 years with Citigroup Latin America and the Caribbean, holding various senior-level positions and also held marketing and operations positions with Banco de Venezuela International, Chemical Bank, Lane Bryant and Anne Taylor. She holds an M.B.A. in marketing and a B.A. in journalism. “It’s a great honor for me to join the VOSJCC as the new chief operating officer,” says Johnston. “This is a unique opportunity to use my business skills and my passion for fitness, education and programming to make a valuable and positive impact in our community. Additionally, having been raised in a Jewish home, I am inspired by the work and focus of the JCC as well as the opportunity to reinforce and return to my roots.” Johnston resides in Scottsdale with her husband James, son Trevor and two rescue dogs, Josie and Day-Z. The VOSJCC (vosjcc.org) is located at 12701 N Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale.
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Tucson JCC set to expand
With commitments of $3.9 million bringing the Tucson Jewish Community Center to 85% of its capital campaign goal, the center will begin phase one construction in the first quarter of 2014, announced JCC CEO Todd Rockoff. The 2013/2014 “Growing with Southern Arizona” capital campaign is raising funds to renovate and expand the JCC facility for underserved families, specifically children and older adults. “We are excited to reach the 85% mark,” says Rockoff. “This accomplishment allows the JCC Board to authorize construction of the first phase of the project, which will renovate and expand our sports and wellness facilities and increase our programming options with more classes and healthy living activities.” The 100,000-square-foot JCC facility, located at River Road and Dodge, was built in 1989. Open to Jewish and non-Jewish residents, it serves more than 150,000 people annually. “After 24 years of vigorous use by our members and the general public, we have reached maximum capacity for people and programs,” says Rockoff. “The capital campaign will ultimately allow the JCC to meet the needs of more Southern Arizona families by providing high-quality early childhood education, after-school and summer camp programs, assistance and programs for people, including children, with special needs, health and wellness activities and arts and cultural opportunities.”
