Let’s Knit
Tuesdays, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23 – 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Valley of the Sun JCC – 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale 85254
Share the pleasure of knitting and crocheting. Help others with projects and patterns. Can’t knit? We’ll teach you. No reservations required. For more information, contact Harriet at 480.483.7121 ext. 1213 or harrietc@vosjcc.org.
This adult education series provides our community an opportunity to share what we know and to learn about/from others. Each week offers a different keynote speaker, followed by refreshments & socializing.
“What We Need to Know About … Islam, Mormonism & Catholicism” with keynote speakers:
Feb. 10 – Dr. Watheq Alobaidi, Muslim Community Center of Tucson presents “What is Islam?”
Feb. 17 – President Cole Thies, Mormon Church, Tucson Stake presents “Mormons: A Bird’s Eye View”
Feb. 24 – Bishop Gerald Kicanas, Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson presents “Brothers and Sisters in Faith”
RSVP needed by Feb. 8.
Congregation Anshei Israel presents the third annual “Wisdom of Jewish Tucson” adult education series on Wednesdays, February 10, 17 & 24, 7:00 – 9:00pm. The program this year provides an opportunity for greater understanding and for interfaith conversations. It also allows the sharing of what we know and to learn about / from others regarding their faith, traditions and what they teach about peace, compassion and respect for fellow human beings. The more we know about our friends and neighbors, the more comfortable we will be with ourselves. Open to the community, each week offers a different keynote speaker, followed by refreshments and socializing.
This year’s topic: “What We Need to Know About … Islam, Mormonism & Catholicism” with keynote speakers:
Feb. 10 – Dr. Watheq Alobaidi, Muslim Community Center of Tucson presents “What is Islam?”
A well-known scholar of Islamic jurisprudence, Imam Alobaidi will discuss the pillars of Islam, its Abrahamic foundation, the teachings of the Quran, and the importance of being kind and compassionate to our family, friends and neighbors of all faiths.
Feb. 17 – President Cole Thies, Mormon Church, Tucson Stake presents “Mormons: A Bird’s Eye View”
With the Church since 1990 and having served in several positions, President Thies currently oversees several wards (congregations) in east Tucson. In his presentation, he will outline the basic doctrines, history and organization of the Church, as well as explain daily life for its members and how being a Mormon influences one’s world view.
Feb. 24 – Bishop Gerald Kicanas, Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson presents “Brothers and Sisters in Faith”
Very involved in community life, youth programs and education, and social action, Bishop Kicanas is the seventh and current Bishop of Tucson. In his presentation, he will discuss our common roots and the ways that we share faith in God.
3-week series: $18 per person PLUS food donation for the Community Food Bank. Reservations needed by Feb. 8. Visit www.caiaz.org or call Michelle at 745-5550, ext. 225.
For more information about the program or CAI, call Rabbi Robert Eisen at 745-5550. Congregation Anshei Israel, located at 5550 E. 5th Street is the largest Conservative synagogue in Tucson, continuing to serve Southern Arizona since 1930.
“Why We Keep Going Back to Auschwitz-Birkenau: The Confluence of the
Jewish, Buddhist and Human Experience”
A Lecture by Reverend Francisco Genkoji “Paco” Lugoviña and Reb Shir Yaakov Feit
Thursday, February 25 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
At the Tucson J
Tucson, Arizona – January 22, 2016 – The Tucson Jewish Community Center is pleased to present a joint lecture by Reverend Francisco Genkoji “Paco” Lugoviña and Reb Shir Yaakov Feit on February 25 from 6 – 9 p.m. This lecture is free and open to all.
The lecture, presented by both speakers, will explore the confluence of Jewish, Buddhist and the human experience in song, story and silence.
For the last 25 years, people from 100’s of countries around the world have been making a pilgrimage, sponsored by the Zen Peacemakers, to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. The retreats, started by Roshi Bernie Glassman, are based on the foundational tenets of the Zen Peacemaker Order: Not Knowing, Bearing Witness, and Loving Action.
These retreats are an opportunity to connect with a place where the extremes of human experience were present. Even in Auschwitz, there were many moments of kindness in the midst of horrendous situations and horrific conditions. Participants experience the Place as Teacher. From observation and non-judgment, the hollowed grounds have become a place to reconnect with lost parts of ourselves, and of humanity — in all its beauty as well as with all of its ugliness.
About Reverend Francisco Genkoji “Paco” Lugoviña
Rev. Francisco Genkoji “Paco” Lugoviña is an ordained Buddhist priest in the Zen Peacemaker Order (descended from the Soto Zen Lineage of Japan); is a member of the Zen Peacemaker Circles and Peacemaker International; and is the founder of the Hudson River Peacemaker Center-House of One People in Yonkers, New York.
In his public life, Francisco Lugoviña has been committed to the Charter School movement for the past 15 years as founding member of the Board of Trustees of Family Life Academy Charter School and the John Lavelle Preparatory Academy Charter School. He served as chairperson for both institutions and is credited with being a visionary and developer of the successful schools. Mr. Lugoviña has guided the development of other charter schools – including the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health & Science Preparatory Charter School. For more information visit www.pacozen.com, www.zenpeacemakers.org.
About Reb Shir Yaakov Feit
Shir Yaakov is a singer, composer, designer, producer, teacher and dad. He engages Jewish, multi-faith, and non-affiliated people around the world, building spiritual communities, facilitating and inspiring communal music, and helping people connect with their inner wisdom and truth. He works in formal and informal educational settings as a spiritual leader, teacher and musician.
In 2014, Shir started Kol Hai: Hudson Valley Jewish Renewal, an intentional community in New York’s Hudson Valley. Kol Hai’s Shabbat and Holiday gatherings draw upon Shir’s extensive experience as a musician, and reflect his unique ability to blend ancient and emerging wisdom to create a spiritual cultural Judaism that is contemporary, alive and innovative.
Shir has recorded and released four albums of original music and co-founded and performs with The Darshan Project. He served as Creative and Music Director of Romemu, New York City’s largest Renewal synagogue; Director of Engagement at ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal; ritual consultant for Eden Village Camp; visiting faculty at AJR-NY, the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and JTS; a member of the Zen Peacemaker Order; and a Rabbinic Student in the ALEPH Ordination Program. shiryaakov.com
About the Tucson JCC
Tucson JCC (The Tucson J) employs more than 200 people on its 110,000 square foot campus. For more than 60 years the The Tucson J has provided a warm and welcoming environment for various groups from the entire community. There are boundless opportunities to balance your physical, mental, and emotional self. The J has something for everyone including a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center; cultural arts programs; early childhood education enrichment programs; a wide variety of adult classes; and a sculpture garden and rotating art gallery showcasing the work of local and national artists. The J is also a catering and event rental facility.
Phone: 520-299-3000 I 520-529 0373, www.tucsonjcc.org
Jewish Family & Children’s Service hosts the Better Tomorrow Luncheon form 11:45-1:15 on Feb. 26 at the Arizona Biltmore.
For more information visit jfcsaz.org or call 602-279-7655.
Join us as Jordan Wiley-Hill, storyteller and founder/director of The Mindfulness Education Exchange, guides participants in how to deepen their relationship with the service, raise their prayer experience, and develop practices and understandings for everyday life.
Yoga Training Program with Joseph Lauricella, ERYT 500
Yoga Immersion-“The Yoga Practice”
Journey into the wonderful world of yoga! This program is designed to educate while transforming body and mind. Build a solid foundation for your personal practice and create a powerful shift in your life. Completion of this 4 week intensive allows students to put these 40 hours of training towards becoming a nationally Registered Yoga Teacher.
February 20 – March 13
Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-4pm
$450/$395 members
Yoga Instructors are Welcome!
Go to www.TucsonJCC.org to sign up
Or call 520-299-3000 x 251 if you have questions.
Kids Night Out & Overnight – Luau
Sat., Feb. 27 – 6-11 p.m.
Valley of the Sun JCC – 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale 85254
The J’s fun-filled kids nights allow parents to enjoy special time while their children experience Hawaii! Kids have fun with luau arts, activities, limbo contest and the movie Lilo & Stitch! Grades K-5. M: $25; NM: $35 for 11 p.m. pick up |M: $50 and NM: $60 for overnight with breakfast. For more information, contact 480.483.7121 ext. 1275 or youth@vosjcc.org.
Trivia Night Benefiting the VOSJCC ECC
Sat., Feb. 27 – 7 p.m.
Valley of the Sun JCC – 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale 85254
Test your trivia knowledge with a little friendly competition and prizes. The evening includes cocktails, dinner, desert, raffles and live and silent auctions to the benefit the early childhood programs of the VOSJCC. For reservations and information, visit vosjcc.org/trivia night.