ISRAELI AUTHOR shares story
On Sunday, March 6 at 3 pm, Friends of Israel Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation and the East Valley Jewish Community Center will present Yamit Armbrister, author of One Moroccan Woman, Between Egypt to Canaan and The Daughter of Ouzel. The Israeli Department of Education recently added One Moroccan Women to the list of most recommended books for high school students.
Inspired by actual events from 1951, One Moroccan Woman is the story of Tamar Ben Zaken who is forced, due to strife between Moroccan Jews and Muslims, to emigrate to Israel under very challenging circumstances. Armbrister will review the Moroccan situation from which Tamar fled and describe the challenges she and her family faced arriving in Israel in the early 1950s. She will also compare Tamar’s experience to those of Jews making aliyah in more recent times. She will share stories that were passed down within the family, which were beyond the scope of the book.
The event is free and open to the public. Chapel Center, 9240 E Sun Lakes Blvd N, Sun Lakes. Light refreshments will be served. sunlakesjewishcongregation.org.
THIS IS JEWISH FOOD? WHO KNEW?
The Tucson Jewish Community Center is partnering with the Tucson Festival of Books to welcome author and chef Amelia Saltsman for a special cooking demonstration and tasting in The Tucson J’s new demonstration kitchen from 2 to 4 pm on Friday, March 11 at 3800 E River Road, Tucson. Tickets are $15 for the demonstration and tasting or $35 with a signed cookbook, The Seasonal Jewish Kitchen. The tasting menu includes savory matzoh brei with smoked salmon, Iraqi charoset and chocolate salted almond meringues. Call The J for reservations by March 7 at 520-299-3000 or tucsonjcc.org. Seating is limited.
There’s more! On Sunday, March 14, Saltsman joins local culinary all-star Janos Wilder and other Tucson Festival of Books cookbook authors to create a one-of-a-kind dinner at Wilder’s new Carriage House. This special dinner is a fundraiser for The J. Please contact Wilder for more information at janos@janos.com.
CHIEF RABBI ISRAEL MEIR LAU: LIFE AND LEADERSHIP CELEBRATION
Hear the remarkable story of the everyday heroes who inspired a child survivor of Buchenwald to rise to become the chief rabbi of Israel. Rabbi Lau has met with six U.S. presidents, three popes, Queen Elizabeth II, the Dalai Lama and many other world leaders, sharing his vision of empowerment and dignity with communities across the globe. Monday, March 14 marks the chief rabbi’s first visit to Arizona for an unforgettable gathering of inspiration, community, and honor. The event is hosted by Ahavas Torah: The Scottsdale Torah Center with a VIP reception at 6 pm ($250) and program starting at 7:30 pm ($54), at Chateau Luxe, 1175 E Lone Cactus Dr., Phoenix.
For tickets contact 480-467-4593 or rabbilauaz.com.
COHON AWARD PRESENTATION
On Friday, March 18, Rabbi Abraham Cooper will officially be presented the 2015 Cohon Award at 7:30 pm, at Temple Emanu-el, 225 N Country Club Road, Tucson. As associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Rabbi Cooper champions the cause of klal Yisrael, the global Jewish community. You’ll see his name as one of those who negotiates with heads of state on behalf of the Jewish people. He also designs exhibits, like the UNESCO exhibit of Jewish history, values and connection to the land, which recently opened at the Vatican, commemorating 50 years of positive Catholic-Jewish relations. templeemanueltucson.org or cohonaward.com.
NCJW EVENT PROMOTES WOMEN’S HEALTH
The National Council of Jewish Women Arizona Section (NCJW) will host a women’s wellness workshop, “Be Well, Stay Well … Here’s How!” on Sunday, March 20 from 9:30 am to 3 pm at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale.
The event features sessions on nutrition and fitness, pain and stress management, communicating effectively with doctors, advocating for your insurance rights, as well as the Jewish perspective on taking care of the body, mind and spirit. $25 per person includes a healthy box lunch. Reservations required by March 11: 480-502-6996, ncjwclaire@cox.net or BJEphoenix.org (click on NCJW tab).
FILM FESTIVAL
TO SCREEN “BODY & SOUL: THE STATE OF THE JEWISH NATION”
The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival and Bureau of Jewish Education will co-host a community screening of the documentary film “Body and Soul: The State of the Jewish Nation” on Sunday, March 20, at 7 pm at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale.
Gloria Z. Greenfield’s documentary presents a comprehensive examination of the broad and deep connections between the Jewish people and the land of Israel. World-renowned historians, archaeologists, political scientists, religious leaders and international law and media experts trace the evocative evolution of the 3,000-year-old relationship between Jews and our homeland. A question-and-answer session will take place immediately after the film.
Tickets are $11 in advance and $13 at the door. bjephoenix.org or 480-634-8050.
TO LIFE, L’CHAIM GALA TO ACKNOWLEDGE JOAN AND MORTON SITVER
Beth El Congregation presents the To Life, L’Chaim Gala honoring Joan and Morton Sitver for their many years of dedicated support of Beth El and the greater Jewish community. The gala dinner and dance will take place on Sunday, April 10, at 5:30 pm at Beth El Congregation, 1118 W Glendale Ave., Phoenix.
Joan serves on the boards of the Bureau of Jewish Education, Phoenix Holocaust Survivors’ Association, and the Beth El Women’s League. Mort is a retired U.S. magistrate judge, who volunteers weekly at ICM Food and Clothing Bank.
Reservations are due by March 25. Call Anne Schafer at 602-944-3359 ext. 109 or visit bethelphoenix.com/events/gala-fundraiser.
MARLEE MATLIN HEADLINES JFCS 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Award-winning actress and social activist Marlee Matlin will be the keynote speaker for Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona’s 75th Anniversary Celebration of Caring. She will speak to the theme of “Live Generously: Healing the World, One Person at a Time,” which reflects the work of JFCS. The event will also honor the pioneer families and past board presidents whose individual and collective vision created and sustained JFCS as a valuable counseling and community services resource for Tucson and Southern Arizona.
Though Matlin lost her hearing when she was 18 months old, she never let her challenges dictate her future or deter her dreams. At 21, she became the youngest recipient of the Best Actress Oscar for her debut performance in “Children of a Lesser God.” In 2007, she starred on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. In 2011, as a finalist on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice, she raised a record $1 million dollars for charity in one day. Matlin guest stars on the Peabody Award-winning ABC Family series “Switched at Birth.” In the fall of 2015, Matlin made another first with her Broadway debut in the revival of “Spring Awakening.”
The 75th anniversary celebration takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 10 at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, 3800 E Sunrise Dr., Tucson. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, call 520-795-0300, ext. 2238, or visit jfcstucson.org/donate/celebration-of-caring.
