And the annual Feddys go to…
The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona will honor its 2015 award winners at the Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration at 7 pm May 7 at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E River Road.
Heading the list of honorees are Women of the Year Audrey Brooks and Donna Moser, and Man of the Year Steve Kippur, three deeply admired leaders. Audrey and Donna, affectionately known as “the sisters,” moved to Tucson from Milwaukee and immediately established themselves as tireless and inspirational leaders. They co-chaired the Jewish Federation Campaign and Women’s Philanthropy efforts for four years running. They have also traveled to Israel and Europe on the federation’s behalf on several occasions. Steve Kippur is completing his term as chair of the Tucson Hebrew Academy, which he undertook immediately after serving as chair of the University of Arizona Hillel Foundation. He too has visited Jewish communities around the globe on behalf of the federation, most recently Morocco and Israel. Audrey, Donna and Steve have each additionally served on the federation board of directors.
Dana Goldstein and Andrew Isaac will receive the Gary I. Sarver Young Woman and Young Man of the Year Awards, which include stipends to be applied toward an Israel mission or attendance at the General Assembly of The Jewish Federations of North America.
The winners of the 2015 Meritorious Service awards are Amy Beyer, Ariella Mollen, Rabbi Richard Safran, Jim Wezelman and Jeff Wortzel. The Ben and Betty Brook Community Professional of the Year is Bryan Davis, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of JFSA and interim executive director of the Jewish History Museum.
Special Recognition Awards will be given to Barry Friedman, Ray Davies, Rabbi Thomas Louchheim and Beth Alpert Nakhai for their work with the Jewish History Museum and Holocaust Education.
The Ben and Sally Smith Memorial College Youth Award will be presented to Jamie Nora Oko and Alyssa Silva. Matthew Landau will receive the Judaic Educator Award.
The Meyer and Libby Marmis Humanitarian Award winner is Literacy Connects, a Tucson nonprofit serving children and adults through literacy and arts programming, which creates solutions to many of society’s most persistent problems.
The Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration will also feature the election and installation of the Federation’s 2015-2016 board of directors and recognition of outgoing leaders Kathryn L. Unger, board chair, Jane Kivel, women’s philanthropy campaign chair, and Audrey Brooks and Donna Mosier, campaign co-chairs.
The $5 cost includes refreshments. The co-chairs of this year’s annual meeting are Melissa Goldfinger and David Plotkin. The awards committee was chaired by Rosie Eilat Kahn. RSVP to 520-577-9393 or visit jfsa.org.
Documentarian on hand for SW premier of “The Return”
Adam Zucker, acclaimed documentarian, will be present for the Southwest Premier of his new documentary “The Return” showing at 7 pm May 19 at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center. “The Return” is the fascinating story of four young Polish women who were raised Catholic, only to discover in their teens they were actually Jewish. The film is co-sponsored by the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival and Generations After: Descendants of Holocaust Survivors in Greater Phoenix.
Along with the film’s quartet of dynamic 20-somethings, Zucker invites audiences to explore a tiny but growing sector of young Poles attempting to pioneer an authentic Jewish identity with little knowledge of their long-buried ancestry in a country still regarded as a “Jewish graveyard.”
Zucker embarked on his five-year journey of making “The Return” after reading a story in the New York Times about the renewed interest in Jewish culture among non-Jewish Poles, in particular the Festival of Jewish Culture in Krakow, an event programmed and attended by non-Jews. This concept of philosemitism – an interest in, respect for and appreciation of the Jewish people, their historical significance and the positive impacts of Judaism on the world – is explored in the film, and modern-day Poland is suffused with it.
“Poland, the country where so many Jews were killed or had to flee during the war, is not what you’d expect today. Surprisingly, it’s one of the more welcoming countries for Jews in all of Europe,” says Zucker, who gained critical notice with his 2007 documentary, “Greensboro: Closer to the Truth,” a film which dealt with the affects of the 1979 murder of five people by the Ku Klux Klan.
“In filming The Return over four years I was constantly struck by how Jewish life is accepted there,” continues Zucker. “At the same time, the struggle by younger Jews trying to figure out what Jewish identity can mean in Poland today was poignant, dramatic and powerful.”
Zucker will conduct a post-film question and answer session with the audience.
The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival is celebrating its 20th year of providing quality independent films about Jewish culture to the community. Generations After is the Phoenix area organization for children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors.
The Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center is home to the Arizona Jewish Historical Society and is located at 122 E Culver St. in downtown Phoenix.
Tickets $10, ($5 for students with ID); RSVP: 602-753-9366 or gpjff.org.
Pomegranate Guild Judaic Needlework hosts national convention in Mesa
Members of the Desert Cactus Chapter of the Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework are busy putting final touches on the 2015 Convention, being held for the first time in the Valley. More than 100 women from states such as Georgia, Michigan, New York, Nevada and more will be joined by members from as far away as Calgary for “Desert Journeys,” May 30-June 2 at the Hilton Phoenix/Mesa in Mesa. Every moment is filled with workshops unveiling new patterns and techniques, demonstrating creative new concepts and reinforcing the tried and true.
“We’re very excited that over half of the participants have also registered for our special field trips,” says Chapter President Ellen Lerman, who is co-chairing the convention. On June 1, many members are opting to take a “Walk in the Sonoran Desert,” in the South Mountain Park Preserve, led by Canadian snowbird Trudy Cowan, the other co-chair. “The temperature is expected to be only about 75 at 7 am, so we’re confident everyone will have a great time,” Ellen says.
On June 2 the other trip is called “American Indians to Jewish Settlement: People of the Southwest” and includes a tour of the Heard Museum plus a visit to the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, which are located near each other in downtown Phoenix.
The keynote speaker on May 31 will be Marcie Lee, a well-respected teacher and child development consultant. Her topic will be “Juicy and Seedy: The Pomegranate in the Hebrew Bible and Jewish Art.” The remainder of the time will be filled with 32 workshops offering 25 different classes. Dietary laws will be followed at all meals. “In fact we’ve created different centerpieces to delineate milk and meat,” says Ellen.
The Pomegranate Guild began in New York in 1977 and has blossomed throughout the States and many other countries. Members study the history of Judaic ritual objects in order to embellish their work with authentic symbols and motifs. Their art can take the form of knitting, quilting, paper piecing, weaving, beading and even stained glass. Through their efforts they hope to perpetuate their Jewish heritage for generations to come, “thereby fulfilling our Judaic teaching ‘As my father planted for me, so shall I plant for my children.’ (Talmud).”
While the majority of the members are women between 40 and 80, men occasionally join. “We are thrilled that we have a number of members who are bringing their daughters or granddaughters as well,” says Ellen. Ellen credits her committee of dedicated members with helping to make the convention preparations go so smoothly.
For additional information, visit pomegranateguild.org.
Jewish Free Loan to honor first director
The Jewish Free Loan was established in Phoenix in the late 1940s and formally organized as a corporate entity in 1950. At that time it was housed in the JCC building at 17th Avenue and Maryland. Today it is the agency where anyone in the Jewish community in Greater Phoenix can turn. The agency prides itself on being able to help people help themselves by making interest-free loans.
The community is invited to the 65th Anniversary Annual Meeting on May 6 at Chaparral Suites, 5001 N Scottsdale Road. The evening begins with hors d’oeuvres and desserts at 6 pm, with the program at 6:30 pm. Selma Fiel, JFL’s first executive director, will be honored with the Presidents’ Award. The award was established in 2007 to honor those who encourage Jewish continuity and reflect the values and principles of Jewish Free Loan. It recognizes service and leadership that enables Jewish individuals and families to improve their lives and achieve greater stability with regard to their long-term well-being.
Selma was the first paid staff member of JFL in 1996. As the first executive director, she was instrumental in transforming JFL from a grassroots, volunteer-run program into a professional agency dedicated to the needs of the community. After 12 years with JFL, Selma retired in 2008. “The impact of Selma’s work, vision and dedication continues to be felt today,” says Associate Executive Director Ellen Sacks.
Also on the agenda is the announcement of this year’s new Named Loan Fund donors, Randi and Alan Jablin, Talia and Mitch Katz, Cheryl and David Senkfor, Leonard Senkfor, and Randy and Steve Weiss. There will also be special recognition of out-going board president Barrett Silver and of recently retired development director Terri Swirnoff.
Cost is $36. RSVP: 602-230-7983 or jewishfreeloan.org.
Shearim Torah High School for Girls to honor two couples
Shearim Torah High School for Girls will hold its annual fundraising event at 7 pm on May 27 at the Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N Central in Phoenix. This year’s event will honor Debbie and Ezra Zilcha for their outstanding service to the school and the community, announced president Arlene Glaser.
The Zilchas have been devoted to the growth of Jewish organizations in Phoenix with a particular focus on Jewish educational institutions. Debbie served on the founding board of Shearim, which is the only Jewish high school for girls in Arizona. She also served as the PTA president for the school’s first two years. In addition to her commitment to Shearim, Debbie served on the board of the former King David School. She is currently active at the Torah Day School. Ezra served on the founding board of the Yeshiva High School and on the board of Young Israel of Phoenix. He currently serves as vice president of Ohr HaTorah Congregation.
The Zilchas’ oldest daughter, Leoni, was one of the four pioneering students at Shearim. Since her graduation in 2010, Leoni has studied at Me’ohr Bais Yaakov Teachers Seminary in Israel. She earned a bachelor degree in business management from Touro College. The Zilchas’ second daughter, Mayah, is a member of the Shearim Class of 2015 and hopes to attend seminary in Israel next year.
The Legacy of Life event will also honor Robin and Charlie Meyerson as Shearim’s Parents of the Year. The Meyersons are supporters of Shearim, where their daughter, Raina, will graduate with the Class of 2015. Robin recently completed volunteer service as a member of the Shearim board of directors.
During the Legacy of Life dinner there will be a raffle for a San Diego vacation and an art auction. Tickets for this year’s event are $125 and may be purchased by contacting the Shearim office
602-324-3406.
