As a Rabbi, I am often asked, “How do we know something was meant to happen?” And I always answer softly, “If… it happened.” There is a concept in Chassidic thought that teaches us about Divine Providence- “Hashgacha Pratis”. This belief underscores that G-d has a master plan for our lives on a macrocosmic and on a microcosmic level. It shapes our understanding that G-d is directing this world and our lives constantly. The situations in our lives are more than a string of happenstance. They are orchestrated, deeply and detailed, by G-d above. When something out of our hands occurs, there may b ..read more

Jeff Artzi For Jeff Artzi, it’s all about engagement. And hard work. And fun. Artzi, a Jewish community volunteer for more than 30 years, was installed as the chair of Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona at its Board of Trustees meeting on May 9. Before outlining priorities for his term, Artzi spoke about the challenges facing the Jewish community since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that provoked the ongoing war in Gaza. “We’re facing a time in our history as Jews and as supporters of Israel that is unprecedented,” Artzi told the board, citing anti-Israel protests in the streets and ..read more

Wearing a traditional flower crown for Shavuot. Photo courtesy of Yuval Malka Many know that I was born and raised in a moshav in the Golan Heights, northern Israel. But what does a moshav actually mean? According to Wikipedia, a moshav is “a type of Israeli village or town or Jewish settlement, in particular a type of cooperative agricultural community of individual farms pioneered by the Labour Zionists between 1904 and 1914, during what is known as the second wave of aliyah.” To me, a moshav means growing up in a small, close community surrounded by nature, trees, flowers, and fields. It me ..read more

Lev Metz and Tucson Hebrew Academy second-grade students prepare to plant THA’s new container garden on Tu B’shvat, Jan. 25, 2024. Photo courtesy of Lev Metz. Growing up in Los Angeles, Lev Metz preferred hands-on activities such as building the family sukkah to sitting in synagogue. Always a good student, he came to appreciate traditional text study alongside experiential education. He earned master’s degrees in Jewish education and Jewish communal service from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in LA. Now, as a teacher at Tucson Hebrew Academy, father, and community volunteer ..read more

In a poignant display of reconciliation and remembrance, German Defense Intelligence Liaison Officers, Lt. Colonel Bocklet and Colonel Busch, alongside their spouses, were warmly welcomed as special guests to the weekly meeting of Holocaust Survivors at Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Southern Arizona (JFCS). Holocaust Survivor, Wanda Wolowsky, of blessed memory, was instrumental in forging connections with German liaison officers before her passing. She desired to bridge the chasm of historical pain and foster a spirit of unity. Through intimate gatherings at her home, she extended ..read more

In mid-June, Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center (TJMHC) will hold a two-day conference designed to empower Southern Arizona educators to teach the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides. This in-person conference is presented in partnership with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Community of Holocaust Education Centers and will provide teachers with the tools they need to teach this important subject with confidence. TJMHC’s Educators Conference is free of charge for Southern Arizona teachers of all grades but will specifically target the needs of educators work ..read more

The Better Together website reads “Who said senior citizens and teens/tweens have nothing in common? Help teens in your community learn from the wisdom of elders and give senior citizens a chance to forge new connections.” Handmaker residents have had the opportunity to experience these connections with teens for the last two years, thanks to a grant from Better Together. Two years ago, Rabbi Cantor Emily Ellentuck from Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA), and Libby Bacal from B’nai B’rith Youth Organizations (BBYO) both applied for and received grants for four years of intergenerational programs with ..read more

The Tucson J is thrilled to officially announce Tucson as a host site for the 2025 JCC Maccabi Games ® — the world’s largest in-person Jewish youth sporting event. Returning to the Old Pueblo for the first time in 25 years, the Olympic-style sports competition will be held July 27 through August 1, 2025, and engage Jewish teens aged 12 to 16 in experiences that deepen Jewish identity and develop values and pride through healthy competition and sportsmanship. Tucson will also host JCC Maccabi Access featuring activities for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities during the sa ..read more

With the divorce rate still lingering around 50%, divorce affects many local families in our community. The many emotional, financial, and overall changes divorce brings leaves many unscathed by this adjustment. For some, the support of friends, family, and hobbies are useful tools to get them through. For others, however, the transition from married to single and “whole” to “broken” can have devastating effects which need additional support and guidance. For over 40 years, Divorce Recovery (DRI) has been providing the necessary support, help, and leadership to these individuals and families g ..read more

Miles Cooper Larcom will celebrate becoming a Bar Mitzvah on May 26, 2024. Miles is the son of Guy & Danielle Larcom, and brother of Jax. Miles’ grandparents are Shirley & Jerry (z”l) Strauss, Ruth & Donald Walker, and Richard Larcom. Miles attends Esperero Canyon Middle School where he plays percussion in the band and participates in school sports. Outside of school, Miles enjoys playing the piano, camping, SCUBA diving, all kinds of technology and spending time with his older brother, Jax, friends and family. Miles loves animals, especially his own four-legged BFF, Chewy. For his ..read more