Virtual reality isn’t just for gamers anymore. Doctors who believe it has the potential to create different auditory and visual sensations emulating the sensory experience of those who deal with dementia are also using it.

Capturing the “real and raw” moments of people dealing with fertility issues, Maya Grobel says her documentary, “One More Shot,” may be “sad at times, but we also didn’t want an hour and a half film where I’m just crying the whole time, so it is balanced with a good amount of humor, and we a…

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Rabbi Michael Lerner — author, teacher, spiritual leader and editor of Tikkun magazine — visited Phoenix on Thursday, Feb. 13, to share his insights into activism and to promote his new book, “Revolutionary Love.”

The 2019 Jewish Community Survey shows a growing population that is active in charitable giving and generally agrees about the importance of living an ethical and moral life but disagrees on issues ranging from attending Jewish schools to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Sunday, Feb. 23

A Jewish Night on Broadway: 3 p.m., Beth El Phoenix, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. A performance by Cantor Jonathan Angress and Broadway performer Micahel Bernardi. Tickets starting at $25. To purchase tickets, visit bethelphoenix.com/Jewish-Night-Broadway. 

On Feb. 1, Congregation Or Tzion honored Rabbi Micah Caplan at the 2020 Congregation Or Tzion Gala for 10 years “as our rabbi, our teacher, our friend.”

In continuing efforts to build and strengthen support for the Friends of Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), a first of-its-kind dinner will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona. Supporters in Arizona are looking forward to the inaugural seated dinner on Feb. 20, themed “A Night of Heroes.”  

On Feb. 9, the first Judaic lending library in Fountain Hills had its grand opening. The Zaidy Lipskier Library opened its doors in honor of the 25th yahrzeit of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Lipskier. It’s just one of many in the United States dedicated to his memory.

Saturday, Feb. 8

Community Concert with Ellen Allard: 6 p.m., Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. Havdalah and concert with area rabbis, cantors, soloists and community youth choir. Tickets: $12 for adults, $7 for children ages 4 to 17 and free for children under 4. Order ticekts by noon on Friday, Feb. 7. To purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/EllenAllardPhx.

Ellen Allard, the reigning “Queen of Jewish Children’s Music,” is bringing her joyful celebration of song to Temple Chai this week for a performance hosted by multiple synagogues. 

Jewish and Israel-related groups expressed mixed reactions to the Trump administration’s release of its long-awaited peace plan on Jan. 28. 

If you aren’t excited about the 24th Annual Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival running Feb. 9-23, you should be. This year, festival curators bring together 50 films, including 32 features and 18 shorts, in a schedule that spans two weeks and three theater locations. Some features are pair…

A bar or bat mitzvah is not the first momentous ritual in the life of a Jew, but it is, perhaps, the first personal and individual ritual a child gets to choose. For some, however, this choice carries with it unusual challenges that others never face. Now, Gesher Disability Resources, which …

FUSE Society, the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix’s newest group, is filling the gap in professional development programs for women.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego will speak to the National Council of Jewish Women of Arizona’s at their next meeting on Feb. 18 to discuss her agenda for women and families. 

The cast of "Americano!" rehearse at a reading of the musical.

A Scottsdale teenager is speaking up about Holocaust education in Arizona.

Menachem Mendel Academy’s downtown Phoenix campus is pictured on Thursday, Jan. 9.

Menachem Mendel Academy is launching a fundraising campaign to raise funds and awareness ahead of the school’s third year.

Starting this week, a new musical making its debut in Phoenix will touch on contemporary political events presented through the perspective of a young immigrant who did not know he was not an American citizen. “Americano!,” opening Jan. 29 at The Phoenix Theatre Company, tells the story of A…

Children at Beth Joseph Congregation tumbled, juggled and walked the tightrope this week in the second of eight classes ahead of a special Purim performance.

Israeli Movie Series: 3 p.m., East Valley JCC, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Screening of “Remember Baghdad,” a documentary about the untold story of Iraqi Jews, Iraq’s first wave of refugees. Suggested donation: $5. For more information, call 480-897-0588 or email events@evjcc.org. 

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This Community page features photos of community members around the Valley and the world. Submit photos and details each week to editor@jewishaz.com by 10 a.m. Monday.

On Sunday, Jan. 19, congregation members, rabbis, teachers, parents and former students crowded into the spacious home of Sheila Schwartz to thank Rabbi David and Odette Rebibo for their decades of service.

On Thursday, Jan. 16, a new Holocaust exhibit opened with a program at the Arizona House of Representatives that brought together students, Holocaust survivors and state legislators.

After 11 months and $10 million, The Palazzo has completed a major renovation that added a new restaurant, fitness studio and public spaces to the senior living community in central Phoenix.

It took three years to organize the performance of “The Diary of Anne Frank,” but according to organizer Sally Ginn, it was worth it.

“Who doesn’t want to hear about gangsters?” said Myron Sugerman. 

On Thursday, Jan. 23, Arizona Jews for Justice will present its first Partner in Justice awards to Rev. James Pennington, senior pastor of First Church UCC Phoenix, and Arizona State Rep. Isela Blanc.

This Community page features photos of community members around the Valley and the world. Submit photos and details each week to editor@jewishaz.com by 10 a.m. Monday.

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Before Rabbi David Rebibo arrived in Phoenix in 1965, the city’s Jewish population numbered about 10,000. There was no Jewish day school, those who kept kosher had to go out of town for kosher cheese and meat products, and Phoenix’s only Orthodox congregation, located downtown, had difficult…

Carlos Galindo-Elvira, the now-former regional director of the Anti-Defamation League of Arizona, announced his departure on Jan. 2 after three years with the organization.

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AZ Rep. Hernandez makes list of influential Jews

This month, Madrona Hospice & Palliative Care became the first hospice in the state to receive accreditation from the National Institute of Jewish Hospice.

It’s one thing to conduct a Shabbat service, but it’s something completely different to lead one of the country’s larger Shabbats.

For its second annual fundraiser, the nonprofit Kid in the Corner is doing what it does best: Breaking down the stigma that surrounds mental illness.

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Local author wins Moonbeam award for YA Holocaust book

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