Henry Winkler headlines Celebration of Caring
The Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Southern Arizona’s fifth annual Celebration of Caring is “An Evening with Henry Winkler” presented by The Jim Click Automotive Team and Mel and Enid Zuckerman. The benefit begins with a reception at 5:30 pm and dinner at 7 pm, April 14, at The Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa in Tucson. KGUN 9 anchor Stella Inger will emcee the event.
Henry is an actor, author, producer and director. He was born to German-Jewish immigrant parents who came to the United States in 1939, narrowly escaping the Holocaust. He attained a bachelor’s degree from Emerson College in 1967 and a master of fine arts degree from the Yale School of Drama in 1970. He received an honorary Ph.D. in Hebrew Literature in 1978 from Emerson College. After appearing in numerous commercials and in the movie “The Lords of Flatbush” in 1974, he was cast as Arthur Fonzarelli in the long-running sitcom “Happy Days.” After 10 years as Fonzie, Henry moved into directing and producing and re-invented himself as an actor in the 1990s and 2000s in such shows as “The Practice” and “Arrested Development.”
In addition, Henry is a well-accomplished author of children’s books, having sold more than 2 million copies of his series Hank Zipzer, the World’s Greatest Underachiever, based on his own early struggles with dyslexia.
His associations include honorary chairman of United Friends of the Children; founding member of the Children’s Action Network; co-host of the annual Cerebral Palsy Telethon; national chairman of the annual Toys for Tots campaign; and the first national honorary chairman of the Epilepsy Foundation of America. He serves on the National Committee for Arts for the Handicapped; Special Olympics; and the Los Angeles Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival for Children. His efforts have been recognized by many prestigious organizations including B’nai B’rith. He received the United Nations Peace Prize and Women in Film’s Norma Zarky Humanitarian Award, which was presented to both Henry and his wife, Stacey, for their tireless efforts and devotion to the “improvement of the human condition.” Henry also received the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Artes et des Lettres, the French Government’s highest honor.
For 74 years, Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Southern Arizona has helped people of all religious and ethnic origins meet their full potential by restoring well-being, cultivating self-sufficiency and strengthening family life through quality social and behavioral health services. While not a faith-based organization, the agency’s staff and board members are guided by the Jewish values of healing the world (tikkun olam) with loving kindness (chesed) through just and charitable deeds (tzedakah).
For tickets and sponsorship information, go to jfcstucson.org or call Patty Varela at 520-795-0300, ext. 2238.
Chai Tech – Calling all techno-nerds
The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix is creating a new networking group to reach out to those working in the technology fields. Chai Tech will have its kick-off event on April 30 at 6:30 pm at Toasted Cork, 4301 N Civic Center Plaza in Scottsdale.
“We’re looking for Jewish professionals of any age who work with technology in some capacity,” says chair Jon Basha. “Everyone from specialized developers who work in data centers to college grads (or dropouts) writing code for a startup, to people who studied Computer science or IT, to someone who uses salesforce to collect customer information for their company, to someone who orders bulk on Amazon for their business, to a nontechnical person who manages technology folks.”
According to Jon the group will be “hosting a variety of events to discuss technology trends and opportunities in the field and to be ‘plugged in’ to the Jewish tech community.” The events will include social gatherings, panel discussions, outings, happy hours and “some surprises too.”
Federation’s Business and Professionals Division has two other active networks: the Cardozo Society for legal professionals and the Real Estate and Finance Division. The B & P Division is chaired by Eliot Kaplan, a partner at Squire Patton Boggs, an international legal practice, and is staffed by Amanda Garcia, development associate at the federation. They foresaw a clear need for an additional group to accommodate those in technology, which is generally recognized as the fastest growing industry in the world. By establishing kindred networking groups Federation hopes to grow both active involvement as well as donations.
RSVP for the Chai Tech kickoff event to 480-634-4900, ext. 1202, or [email protected].
Mimuna celebration: Experience
Moroccan tradition April 12
The majority of American Jews have Ashkenazic roots, meaning their ancestors came from countries such as France, Germany, Eastern Europe and Russia. But a significant number of Jews are Sephardic, with roots from Spain, Portugal, North Africa and the Middle East. Each geographic group has its own customs, traditions and, of course, foods! (See Arizona Jewish Life, March 2015 for Sephardic Passover dishes for example.)
Mimuna (or Mimouna) is a traditional celebration of Moroccan Jews and one of Israel’s most festive holidays; in fact, it became a national holiday in Israel in 1966. Held on the night after the last day of Passover, Jews of Morocco create fancy sweet treats as a symbol of friendship, hospitality and care for the community. The holiday is generally celebrated with outdoor parties, picnics and barbecues. Moroccan homes are opened to the community with tables decorated with sweets, jams, flour with five fava beans, fish and wheat, symbolizing happiness, peace, fertility and the end of Passover. The main dish is mofletta (mufleta), a thin crepe made from water, flour and oil and is generally eaten warm, spread with butter, honey, syrup or jam. Fruits, especially oranges, apples, almonds and nuts are also eaten. Zaben (white almond nougat) marozia (fried raisins with nuts) and mazun (fruit jam) feature prominently, as does mint tea.
The Weintraub Israel Center and Temple Emanu-El in Tucson present Mimuna 5775, Israeli-Moroccan Family Party on April 12, 12:30-2 pm at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N Country Club Road in Tucson. The current WIC shilcha, Oshrat Barel, is from Morocco, which adds to the fun and authenticity of the festivities.
The afternoon will include Moroccan music, henna tattoos, belly dancing, making Moroccan cookies, plus a lunch of pizza, salad and Moroccan treats: mufleta, sfinge, homemade cookies and marmalades, topped off with mint tea. $10 Temple and JCC members, $12 nonmembers, $5 students in advance; $12 at the door. Children under 13 free. Call 520-327-4501 for tickets.
templeemanueltucson.org
Try a Tri: Family Triathalon at the Tucson JCC
Focused on introducing multi-sport to the next generation, the Tucson Jewish Community Center and Tucson Medical Center will present a fun triathlon for the whole family on April 19 7:30-11:30 am at the J, 3800 E River Road in Tucson.
A noncompetitive, participatory style triathlon, this event will let young people get their feet wet in multi-sport. Unlike most other kids’ tris, adult mentors like a parent, friend or coach can register for the event to swim, bike and run with their youth. Multiple distances are available to reach the widest range of participants. Mentors are encouraged to help their youth choose the appropriate distance for their age and ability.
Younger children, who must be accompanied by their mentor, (about ages 3-6) can enter a shorter distance triathlon: 25 yard swim/.5 mile bike/.25 mile run. School-age children (about ages 5-12) can choose a mid-distance: 50 yard swim/3 mile bike/.5 mile run. Older children, teens or adults (recommended over age 12) can choose the Super Sprint distance: 200 yard serpentine swim/5 mile bike/1 mile run. All adults who wish to bike or run in the event must register.
This is a participatory event; no timing, no age group awards, just good, healthy fun. All participants will receive a swim cap, an event t-shirt, a ‘dog tag’ metal of participation and the cheering-on from family and friends. The intent is for everyone to enjoy a healthy day together and leave with a smile.
Prices range from $25 to $75, for individual, mentor or family registration. Tu Nidito Children and Family Services is the official beneficiary of the event with $5 of each registration fee going to support their services, dedicated to supporting children impacted by serious medical conditions and death.
To register and learn more, visit tucsonjcc.org or call 520-299-3000.
