If you asked Shlomo Pri-tal 30 years ago what his retirement would look like, he never would have imagined it would include making glass art.
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I am a Jewish educator at Pardes Jewish Day School, and my husband, Seth, is the cantor at Congregation Beth Israel. If you were to drive by our house during the month of Kislev, two things would become apparent: We’re the only Jews in our neighborhood and we really like large Chanukah decor…
The grand prize from last year's Gesher Disability Resources' gala is shown on the screen for all to see.
Gesher Disability Resources’ annual gala fundraiser will be virtual in 2021, just as it was in 2020. The decision was finalized at Gesher’s August board meeting.
Jewish learning is a lifelong journey and the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix is celebrating its dedication to teaching with a series of programs commemorating 50 years of existence.
Allison Summer spent the past year coming to terms with the “overwhelming lack of control” she felt personally, and despair she’s witnessed in her patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hanna Haimov will be making soup for the High Holidays — a lot of soup.
In my pediatric practice, I ask about bullying: “Are there any bullies or mean kids in your school?” or “Have you ever gotten picked on?” Parents will occasionally nod their heads, but children nearly always respond affirmatively.
A few months ago, my father-in-law was thumbing through my son’s new book about Judaism, which my aunt had sent him. That same weekend I was invited to a virtual seder with more than 20 people from across the United States and Israel.
Miriam Litzman’s preparation for the High Holidays looks a little different than most.
Two weeks ago, on July 18, our 85-year-old father began having weakness that completely sapped him of his energy — he could barely move. Less than 24 hours later, we called 911 as his weakness led to a fall. We thought this all could be connected to a cardiac issue. He had a complete work-up…
It was around 2007 when Rabbi Zalman Levertov, head of Chabad of Arizona, realized he had made a mistake.
It was Rosh Hashanah and Lauren Hendeles sat inside Congregation Beth Israel sobbing. “God, please hear my prayer. Please bless me with a child,” she prayed. It was 2017 and Hendeles was overcome with the physical, emotional and spiritual toll of unexplained infertility.
The immigration attorneys at Goldman & Goldman, PC in Tucson can relate to their clients — perhaps more than most.
Andrea Barth knows it’s summer when she feels hot in parts of her body she didn’t even know could register heat.
If not for his wife, Larry Cohen probably wouldn’t participate in Jewish life much, if at all. But Cindi Cohen, who isn’t Jewish, was adamant about prioritizing Judaism in their lives from the get-go. She incorporated Jewish elements in their wedding, raised a Jewish child and became an acti…
In the century or so since its founding as Israel’s first university, the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology has acquired a reputation as a driving force of Israeli innovation.
Susan Miller can finally move around without feeling like the Tin Man from the “Wizard of Oz.
Judi Gyory Missel grew up not knowing much about her extended family.
Rebecca Wolf remembers when she first learned about the Holocaust. She was about 8 or 9 years old and in Hebrew school.
“In A Different Key,” a documentary that tells the stories of various people on the autism spectrum, will debut in Arizona at the Sedona International Film Festival on June 15.
What do you do with 50ish unused yarmulkes from a wedding 25 years ago?
Laura Drachler had to hustle to finish one last task before she could drop off her kids at Congregation Beth Israel’s Camp Stein for the summer. On May 14, both Max, 14, and Zoe, 12, received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and by the time they arrive at camp, they will be fully protected.
Jim Stevenson and Madelyn Shulman stand under the chupah on Oct.18, 2020 with Jonathan and Jeremy Shulman holding the poles.
Susan Finks had such a great family vacation during the COVID-19 pandemic that she’s planning another one for next month.
Morgan Singer wasn’t planning to be a stay-at-home mom.
It’s a busy day in the emergency room when an elderly lady with advanced dementia and pneumonia is wheeled in by ambulance. She is at death’s door. I introduce myself to her two daughters as the emergency physician and notify them of their mother’s critical condition.
The world looks different now than in 2019 — the year Arizona State University published the first study of the local Jewish community since 2002. Still, its findings have major implications for Jewish organizations and synagogues looking to engage more of the community.
Karolyn Benger has a social media network — and she’s not afraid to use it. Benger, who is “deeply concerned about justice and women in Judaism,” said one positive application for the platforms is helping Jewish women finalize long-awaited divorces.
Ian and Alexa Sachs with their new twin son and daughter and dog.
To speak about infertility is taboo. It always has been and probably always will be. This is why we are sharing our experience.
Suzy Wortman lost Randy Wortman, her husband of 54 years, on Feb. 14, 2020.
Lani Harrison of Scottsdale is risk averse when it comes to her kids. But when she learned Moderna would be starting a trial for a children’s vaccine against COVID-19 in Phoenix, she didn’t hesitate to try and enroll her children, ages 8, 6 and 4.
Benjamin Doherty liked the small, intimate pod system that Shemesh Camp at Martin Pear Jewish Community Center created last summer as a measure of protection against COVID-19. As a kid who can get easily overwhelmed by the chaos of large groups, the camp’s shift away from bigger cohorts work…
B’nai mitzvah ceremonies have transformed during the COVID-19 pandemic from crowded affairs to limited gatherings of friends and family. Over the past year people have become used to watching a Haftorah reading via Zoom instead of inside a sanctuary.
Eva Markowitz, 11, hugged her grandparents for the first time in over a year the week before Passover.
Eddie Chavez Calderon lives his life two years at a time. The Arizona Jews for Justice’s campaign director’s status as a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is reevaluated on a two-year cycle.
Sarah and Seth Ettinger are expecting their second child, a baby girl, in May. Plans are already underway for their third.
Rabbi Dovie Shapiro of Chabad of Flagstaff hopes people realize they have the opportunity to wake up to a beautiful mountain view this Passover. And the bonus is they will only be a hop, skip and a jump from one of the seven natural wonders of the world: the Grand Canyon. The fact that the s…
Liza Golden knows how to throw a party. She threw a bash for about 130 people for her daughter’s bat mitzvah in 2014 and again for her son’s bar mitzvah in 2017.
As increasing numbers of people get vaccinated, pre-pandemic behavior is becoming more common. Still, Passover will be challenging for some this year, whether because they haven’t been vaccinated, they’re unable to travel or they’ll be separated from family and friends.
Next week I will make brisket and charoset and set the table with fine china. But this Passover will be very different than any other. It will mark the first that my mom, Thelma Kurzweil, will not be at my seder.
When I think of my childhood Passovers, I confess that my thoughts go to dessert. Funny how that works with me — I have such a sweet tooth. Unfortunately, those desserts were very underwhelming.
My grandchildren get excited by the Passover story.
Passover is a great opportunity for young children to get involved with the planning and preparation of the seder. While we’re still dealing with Zoom seders, here are some ideas to make the holiday fun for the whole family.
Passover is my favorite holiday. Every year I decorate the house with pictures of Egypt and Israel, paint “blood” on the door frame and create a multisensory experience to tell the Passover story. I have even been known to rewrite popular songs with Passover-themed lyrics and perform them fo…
Jared, our 41-year-old middle son, lives with us at home and is solely dependent on us for his care.
Celebrated at home, Passover, perhaps more than any other Jewish holiday, provides space for families to create their own customs and rituals.
Suzanne Treviño has been watching Friday evening services online since Congregation Beth Israel stopped offering in-person services due to COVID-19.
It's still March, but camp directors and other Jewish professionals are thinking about June's archery, kayaks and rope climbing. With summer camp slated to begin in approximately three months, staff are feverishly preparing for the challenge of operating during a pandemic.
