Valley View

Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix is accepting applications for its 2018 Belle Latchman Community Service Award.

A major local corporation and four community leaders who work to improve the quality of life in the Valley will be honored at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Arizona Region’s Torch of Liberty Awards dinner on Nov. 1.

Jewish National Fund will hold its national conference next week in Phoenix, bringing together more than 1,000 JNF members as well as those interested in the work the organization is doing in Israel.

It’s a word many Jews do not know — anusim. In Hebrew it is best translated as the “forced ones,” those who were coerced by threats of violence, psychological stress or economic pressure into leaving their Jewish faith and converting to, usually, Christianity.

Last year’s Great Arizona Challah Bake, part of Shabbat Project Arizona, spawned a new local chapter of the national group Project Inspire, designed to connect Jews with each other and their heritage.

Mike G. is an alcoholic, and because his job often keeps him on the road, he’s attended AA meetings around the country. But when he’s in the Valley, he adds one more meeting, one where he feels he “can really let my hair down.”

Waving signs with the phrases “Shalom Josh” and “Chosen Rosen,” the Valley’s Jewish community is showing its pride for that rarest of NFL commodities — a Jewish quarterback. Rookie Josh Rosen not only is playing for the Cardinals, he already has taken his place as starting quarterback.

College is pressure cooker for many young adults, a time when they face isolation, depression, anxiety and other mental health and wellness challenges.

Nestor and Susan Guzman share a passion for social justice and for making positive change in the Valley’s Jewish community. So much so that the Arizona Jewish Historical Society (AZJHS) has taken note of their many contributions and will present the couple with its 2018 Heritage Award.

Events

Nick Enquist | Staff Writer

Re-election campaign signs for Republican U.S. Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona’s 6th Congressional District were defaced with red, spray-painted swastikas.

It’s tough to be a teenager. On top of academic pressure and the usual dose of teen drama, it’s become expected to be part of extracurricular groups. Luckily, the Jewish community has multiple organizations that teens can get involved with, from youth groups to travel programs. But where does one begin to look?

The Aug. 28 election was a big night for the Jewish community, as several Jewish candidates won their races and will move on to the general midterm election in November. A few of them shared their election-night experiences with Jewish News and talked about what their next steps will be as they campaign for November.

Faith Kessler was the only person from Arizona who went on the BBYO Spain Discovery high school youth group trip this summer. Spain Discovery is a two-week cultural travel opportunity for teens to explore Spanish cities and meet the Jewish communities there. Kessler, a senior at Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center in Phoenix, wrote this travelogue about her Spanish adventure. — Janet Perez

School is back in session, and Yeshiva High School of Arizona is one step closer to moving into its new location on North 12th Street and Glendale Avenue.

Like many Jews, Shari Ungerleider was tested for Tay-Sachs disease while she was pregnant with her first child, Evan. Tragically, the results were misread and Ungerleider was assured she wasn’t a carrier.

Events

Starting in November, students affiliated with Arizona State University will have the opportunity to try something new: visit Jewish communities around the world without leaving the Valley.

Whether it’s creating a national clothing line, running a unique restaurant/playspace in downtown Phoenix or teaching boxing, Steve Rosenstein has many irons in the fire — and that’s the way he likes it.

Every summer, Bruce and Barbara Goldberg of Phoenix escape the city’s oppressive heat by retreating to their Flagstaff vacation home. They love having their grandchildren visit for the summer, and are thrilled to give them the special treat of attending Northern Arizona’s only Jewish day camp, Camp Canyon, which emphasizes outdoor adventure.

One might have expected a somber tone at the Jewish National Fund’s “Gaza Border Crisis: The Trauma, the Damage, the Needs” town hall. However, despite the harrowing circumstances that were described and shown, there was a strong sense of strength, hope and gratitude displayed from the Israeli speakers.

Events

Jennifer Samuels doesn’t describe herself as a politician, but rather as a teacher with a wealth of experience who is willing to fight in the Arizona Legislature for a strong future in education.