Jewish Tucson: Welcoming newcomers and those interested in connecting to Tucson’s Jewish community!
Join us for brunch and a chance to connect with local synagogues, organizations, and agencies.
We will also have Cheri’s Desert Harvest joining us with a variety of all natural jellies and other locally made, kosher goodies, indigenous to the Sonoran Desert, to taste.
RSVPs appreciated! Contact Ori Parnaby at 299-3000 x241 or [email protected]
NEW! “So You Think You Can Dance?” Bring the whole family for our Simhat Torah celebration, starting with appetizers, Caesar salad, deli platters, fruit & more (alcohol will be offered). At 6:13pm, share in CAI’s traditional Hakafot as we celebrate with Israeli singing and dancing, and refreshments (there will be a children’s holiday-related activity in another room). Get a guided tour from Creation to Mt. Sinai as the Torah is completely unrolled to encircle all who attend! THERE IS NO CHARGE TO ATTEND DINNER; however, reservations are required by Oct. 2.
The celebration continues with a festive service geared toward families with children. At 9:30am, the Sifrey Torah are taken out of the Ark. The children parade behind, then go up on the Bimah and are blessed.
NEW! In the Cantor Falkow Lounge, we offer a special program for children to include stories, singing, seriously silly snacks and shenanigans with Rabbi Ruven Barkan. We’ll then rejoin the congregation, followed by lunch in the Rabbi Breger Hall (a potato bar with Russet & sweet potatoes & lots of toppings, an array of salads, & sweets). THERE IS NO CHARGE TO ATTEND LUNCH; however, reservations are required by Oct. 2
The evening includes a wine, cheese and dessert reception; Havdallah program “Areshet S’fateinu … May the Words of our Lips … Translating Prayer into Song”; the changing of the Torah covers and a moment to honor our Minyan; followed by the opening service to the High Holy Days, Selihot, at 10:00pm. No charge; however, reservations are requested by Sept. 19.
Even if your loved ones are not buried in CAI’s Cemetery, you are encouraged to participate in the service and pay your respects to your dearly departed. The 30-minute service includes a special booklet of prayers.
Please join us in honoring Kathryn Unger for her community leadership, and more than two decades of support for JFCS of Southern Arizona.
With a passion for “Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world) and “Tzedakah” (acts of kindness and justice), Kathy has selflessly dedicated her time and energy to support Jewish organizations, and the under-served diverse populations of our community. She is the Past Chair of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona Board of Directors, and has served on the Boards of Directors of JFCS of Southern Arizona and the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona.
The speaker for the event is CNN analyst and author David Gregory, a sought-after speaker on politics, world affairs, and now faith since the release of his book “How’s Your Faith? An Unlikely Spiritual Journey.” Over the last 25 years, David Gregory’s career in journalism has taken him across the country and around the world. He is a CNN political analyst, and host of his podcast which features interviews with newsmakers and thought leaders. During his 20 years at NBC News, David served as the moderator of Meet the Press for six years, and was chief White House correspondent during the presidency of George W. Bush. In his book, David writes about his life and quest to deepen his faith.
The emcee is Stella Inger, an Anchor with KGUN 9 in Tucson.
Event steering committee members include:
Barbara Befferman Danes
Heather Caine, Chair
Fred Fruchthendler
Carole Levi
Eric Mellan
Jill Rosenzweig
Betty Anne Sarver
Liz Weiner-Schulman
The East Valley JCC and the City of Chandler will host the annual Klezmer Fest from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, at the East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler.
Lively and upbeat, klezmer is the traditional Jewish folk music of Eastern European Jewish communities. Over time, the style of music has grown to include instrumental music, Yiddish vocal music and modern fusion music that combines klezmer with world music such as Afro-pop, rock or hip hop.
This music festival will also include a Yiddish Experience that includes workshops and lectures focusing on topics such as genealogy and the Yiddish language. In addition, there will be children’s activities, such as inflatables, face-painting and a petting zoo, as well as kosher pizza and salads available for sale by Brad’s Mobile Pizza Oven.
Local bands include Jerusafunk, a nine-piece ensemble from Phoenix that blends traditional klezmer music with American Funk and other world music genres, such as jazz, salsa and samba; the Rural Street Klezmer Band of Temple Emanuel of Tempe that plays traditional Jewish soul music inspired by Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Yiddish theater and American jazz; Zaftic, whose rich and succulent sound is a mixture of Turkish, Arabic, Baroque, Irish and jazz; and Klezmerkaba, an 11-piece band from Tucson whose repertoire consists of klezmer pieces steeped in Eastern European tradition, as well as familiar Jewish, Yiddish and Israeli pieces from different eras and ethnicities. The festival will conclude with a massive jam session featuring all the musicians.
Tickets are $15 adults, $5 children up to age 12.
Visit evjcc.org/klezmerfest.
As the Phoenix Pride Parade approaches on October 22nd, Temple Chai members are donning Jewish Pride t-shirts and getting ready to join the procession. They’re holding a special pride Shabbat on October 20th and invite all to join in the festivities.
Folks can CLICK HERE to sign up. Friday 10/6 is the deadline for t-shirts. As always, Temple Chai working to be sure that everyone with accessibility issues will be cared for.
Temple Chai core leadership team: L to R Michelle White, Jesse Goodsell, Cat White, Cantor Ross Wolman.
