ADL Arizona is gearing up for its annual Torch of Liberty Award ceremony, its flagship fundraising event to recognize and reward those who are doing the most good for the community.

After just a few months as the new individual giving officer for Ryan House, Tracy Leonard-Warner has been named executive director of the Valley nonprofit that provides care and programing for children and their families as they navigate life-limiting or end-of-life care.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix’s MEGA event, which kicks off the organization’s 2018 annual campaign, offered star power and honored some leading members of the Valley’s Jewish community.

Generations After, a program of the Phoenix Holocaust Survivors’ Association (PHSA), is being honored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix with its 2017 Belle Latchman Community Service Award

The Arizona Jewish Historical Society (AZJHS) will hold its 2017 Heritage Award gala on Dec. 2 to honor longtime supporters and Valley philanthropists Susan and Mark Sendrow and Nancy and Stu Siefer.

The Valley of the Sun JCC (The J) is honoring Jennifer and Steven Schwarz for their work in the community.

The Jewish National Fund’s (JNF) Arizona board of directors has a new president, and two of its members have been appointed to the national board.

Don’t call Lola Levine half-Jewish.

The local Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is honoring Paul Luna, president and CEO of the Helios Education Foundation, with its 2017 Torch of Liberty Award.

Last year, Valley Beit Midrash (VBM) launched its Teen Mussar Fellowship Program. VBM selected 10 outstanding teens in the community for a course of eight workshops focused on Jewish character development (mussar). The workshops began in fall 2016, and the fellows received a $500 stipend for…

Six young professionals recently earned their Orthodox rabbinical ordination (smicha) after studying for two years with Rabbi Sholom Skolnik at the Phoenix Community Kollel.

Scottsdale Post 210 of the Jewish War Veterans has installed Rochel Hayman as its new commander. She’ll replace outgoing Commander Michael Chambers, who is now the commander of the Jewish War Veterans Department of the Southwest. Hayman is the first female commander of Post 210.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has appointed Bob Roth, managing partner of Cypress HomeCare Solutions, to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging.

The board of directors of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix (JFC) has selected a new chair, two new board members and several new officers.

Jill Kessler, head of school at Pardes Jewish Day School, was honored at the school’s gala on Feb. 11 at the Chateau Luxe in Phoenix. About 400 people attended the event, which included a video tribute; a speech by Tim Eckstein, board chair; and a flash mob dance routine done by the teachers…

Shearim Torah High School for Girls will hold its 10th anniversary Legacy of Life Celebration 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at the Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave.

Joel Kramer will receive the Medal of Honor from the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix at the Federation’s donor appreciation and awards brunch at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale.   

Beth El Congregation will hold a Kiddush in honor of Cantor Sam Goldman for his decades of service to Beth El Congregation; he will become the synagogue’s cantor emeritus.

Sandy Rife of Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix has been honored by The Jewish Federations of North America’s National Women’s Philanthropy with its Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award. The award was announced at the 2016 International Lion of Judah Conference held Sept. 11-13 in Washington, D.C.

The Arizona Jewish Historical Society will present Derrick Hall, president and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks, with its 2016 Heritage Award on Nov. 12 at the Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix.

For Judy and Nathan Laufer, supporting Jewish causes is part of their DNA. As the children of Holocaust survivors who were assisted by their Jewish communities, they know firsthand how a helping hand can make a difference. 

Debbie Yunker Kail, executive director of Hillel at Arizona State University, is one of five Jewish educators who received The Covenant Foundation’s Pomegranate Prize.

The Arizona region of the Anti-Defamation League will honor Col. Frank L. Milstead, director of Arizona Department of Public Safety, with the Torch of Liberty Award at the organization’s annual Torch of Liberty dinner on Oct. 29 (see details box).