On Feb. 13, Emily Zappa, teacher and head of school at Desert Jewish Academy, received a special thank-you plaque and check for $250 from PayPal for being one of five local teachers who have made a positive impact on the community during a difficult year.
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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.
The 2019 Miss Rodeo Arizona Pageant in August was a nerve-racking time for 17-year-old contestant Shai Forman, who was competing for the 2019-2020 Miss Teen Rodeo Arizona title.
The owner of Cholla Cattle Co., Harvey Dietrich has been called “Arizona’s last Jewish cowboy.” But to only mention Harvey Dietrich’s work as a rancher would be telling half the story. He and his wife, Marnie Dietrich, have been a driving force for multiple communal organizations and charities.
Arizona Jews for Justice presents first ever Tzedek Award
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 family of Abe and Mitzi Friedman — including their children, Morris, Marna, Robin, Debbie and David — were honored by the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland (HAC) with its M’dor L’dor Award for their multigenerational achievements.
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.
Jane Jozoff, a partner in Donovan’s Steak and Chop House in Phoenix, has been named a trustee of the Friends of the Arava Institute of Newton Center, Massachusetts, by the Jewish National Fund.
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…
For the second consecutive year, the Arizona Jewish Historical Society (AZJHS) has received a grant from the city of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture.
Six young professionals recently earned their Orthodox rabbinical ordination (smicha) after studying for two years with Rabbi Sholom Skolnik at the Phoenix Community Kollel.
Michael Blaire, RPh, FIACP, of Diamondback Drugs in Scottsdale, has been named as a fellow by the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP), in recognition of his contribution as a specialist in the art and science of pharmacy compounding.
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.
The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix recently celebrated individuals, families and organizations that are making a commitment to the future of the Valley’s Jewish community.
Jewish Free Loan announced four new named loan funds at its annual meeting held May 11 at Temple Chai.
An interfaith organization with strong support in the local Jewish community has been honored by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce at its IMPACT Awards ceremony.
Valle del Sol will honor four mothers at its fifth annual Mom of the Year ceremony from 8:15-9:30 a.m. Friday, May 12, at the Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St. Honorees are Lin Sue Cooney of Hospice of the Valley, Elisa de la Vara of the Arizona Community Foundation, Marchelle Fran…
The Arizona Region of the American Jewish Committee is paying tribute to four local legal professionals at its annual Judge Learned Hand Awards luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix.
Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation will honor Lana Shagrin Oyer for her 25-year volunteer service as the music director at the Annual Music Service. This year’s service is open to the community and will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 10, at the Sun Lakes All Faiths Chapel, 9240 E. Sun Lakes Blvd.
Beth El Congregation will honor Dr. Leon and Evelyn Zeitzer at its L’Dor V’Dor Golden Gala, 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at Beth El Congregation, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. The gala will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the congregation’s building.
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.
The Anti-Defamation League of Arizona will honor SRP at its annual Torch of Liberty Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 10. SRP is the oldest multipurpose federal reclamation project in the United States, serving central Arizona since 1903, and supports key facets of Arizona’s nonprofit community, inc…
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.
Amanda Benros of Phoenix was one of nine outstanding high school students from around the country selected to receive the Sarah Rivkah and Dr. Bernard Lander zt”l Scholarship, presented jointly by Touro College and NCSY, the international youth arm of the Orthodox Union. The scholarships are…
Paulina Vazquez Morris was recognized as a Mom of the Year at Valle del Sol’s “Mom of the Year” breakfast event on May 6 at the Phoenix Convention Center. She has been involved with many civic and cultural organizations and currently serves on the boards of Goodwill of AZ and A.T. Still Univ…
The Arizona Jewish Historical Society will honor Shotsy Abramson at its 2016 annual meeting, 11 a.m. Sunday, May 15, at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, 122 E. Culver St., Phoenix.
Eddie and Lisa Pantiliat, founding members of Ahavas Torah, will be honored at the synagogue’s Life and Leadership Celebration on Monday, March 14.
Beth El Congregation will honor Joan and Morton Sitver at its upcoming gala, “To Life, L’Chaim,” at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 10, at the synagogue, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix.
Congregation Beth Israel will honor Terry Taubman, executive director emeritus, at its April 1 Shabbat service.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix will present Bob Silver with its highest recognition, the Medal of Honor, during the 75th Anniversary Kickoff & Awards Celebration at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. The a…
Chabad of Arizona will honor Greg Salitz at its 39th anniversary dinner on Sunday, Feb. 28, at the Orange Tree Golf Resort in Scottsdale.
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.
Dr. Martin and Joan Mollen will be honored by the Phoenix Community Kollel during the “Q,” a fundraising event to be held Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix.
Temple Chai will celebrate its 40th anniversary at its annual gala, 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at the synagogue, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix.
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.
Brandeis honors Sue Karp, Kathleen Witkin: The Phoenix Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee has named Sue Karp as the recipient of the Carol Kern Sustaining Leadership Award, which is given to a member of the Brandeis National Committee of Phoenix who has been involved for a minimum of…