News

With shock and profound sadness, we extend our sincere condolences to Rabbi Yossi and Naomi Winner of Chabad at the University of Arizona on the sudden and tragic passing of their baby boy, Dovber, on Shabbat day, March 5, 2016.

A service will be held today - Sunday, 6:00 PM at Evergreen Mortuary & Cemetery - 3015 North Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ 85705. Burial will be in New York.

The family will be observing Shiva at the home of their grandparents Rabbi Zushe and Esther Winner - 321 Seabreeze Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224. They will be joined there by grandparents R' Yaakov Shlomo and Rivki Goldstein of Toronto, Canada.

A campaign has been set up with the goal to "allow these dedicated Shluchim the space to grieve and alleviate their financial responsibilities." Donate at youcaring.com/winner-family-534195.

המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים ולא תוסיפו לדאבה עוד
May G‑d comfort you, together with all mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

With broken hearts,

Rabbi Yossie & Chanie Shemtov - Chabad Tucson
Rabbi Yehuda & Feigie Ceitlin - Chabad Tucson
Rabbi Rami & Chani Bigelman - Chabad on River
Rabbi Ephraim & Mushkie Zimmerman - Chabad of Oro Valley

By Phyllis Braun, Arizona Jewish Post

A Jewish section has been established at Marana Mortuary and Cemetery, with Rabbi Ephraim Zimmerman of Chabad of Oro Valley overseeing religious aspects of the section.

"Until now Jewish burial was available in Tucson in two cemeteries, Evergreen and East Lawn. [The Marana management] figured I was the obvious choice, being the only rabbi that serves the Jewish community of Northwest Tucson exclusively," says Zimmerman, who adds that he is not involved in financial or administrative operations at the cemetery.

"We’re a new cemetery, a growing cemetery, and we thought it would be necessary to have something" for the Jewish community, says Doug Joseph, director of operations at Marana Mortuary and Cemetery, which opened in September 2011. It is located off I-10 on West Barnett Road.

The Jewish section will comprise about 300 graves, says Joseph, with 50 at a time being developed. Adjacent to the Jewish section is a section for "the spouses that are not Jewish and whoever would like to be buried there," says Joseph, who explains that people seeking to buy a plot in the Jewish section will be referred to Zimmerman first, to affirm they are Jewish according to Jewish law.

Zimmerman says he worked with the cemetery to arrange details about tahara (ritual preparation for burial) and using pine coffins. The Marana Mortuary and Cemetery offers a complete Jewish burial package, as do Evergreen Mortuary and Cemetery and East Lawn Palms Mortuary and Cemetery.

The rabbi notes that he continues to do tahara at Evergreen Cemetery, where he has been a member of the chevra kadisha or holy society, the group that performs tahara, since coming to the Tucson area in 2012.

All local rabbis may officiate at funerals at the Marana cemetery, says Zimmerman. The Jewish section was dedicated on Dec. 22, the 10th of Tevet on the Jewish calendar. The dedication was held on that day because participants must fast and the 10th of Tevet is already a fast day, Zimmerman explains.

"Consecrating or inaugurating a Jewish cemetery is a very old ritual, though it is a rather unknown procedure due to its very rare appearance in actual practice," says Zimmerman. A minyan is gathered; they recite special prayers while circling the section seven times. Using tzedakah boxes, they give charity at the conclusion of the service. Zimmerman explains that charity is given in seven categories, including clothing the poor, feeding the poor and Jewish education.

Zimmerman welcomes this new resource for Northwest Tucson.

"As the Jewish community continues to grow here in Northwest Tucson, I felt it was important that we establish our own Jewish cemetery locally. Burial (versus cremation) has been the Jewish choice throughout the ages and I am honored to be a part of bringing of this option to those interested."

Martha McSally, candidate for Arizona's 2nd congressional district and the first American woman to fly in combat, met this week with Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin, Outreach Director of Chabad of Tucson.

Expressing her support for Israel, she said: "As the only real Democracy in the Middle East, Israel is an amazing example for other countries in the region to follow and has flourished despite continuous and often existential threats. 

"It is vitally important that the U.S. and Israel maintain a close and strong partnership to defend our mutual vital interests and ensure that the security and defense of Israel is guaranteed well into the future."

Following her meeting with Rabbi Ceitlin at Maynard's Market in Downtown Tucson, McSally released the following statement on her Facebook page: 

"Having carried out multiple deployments to the Middle East during my time in uniform, I wanted to express my thoughts on the current conflict ongoing in Israel:

"I strongly believe the Jewish people have the intrinsic right to self-defense. I stand in solidarity with Israel and believe they should be defending their citizens from unprovoked rocket and tunnel attacks, and not from John Kerry and the White House. 

"Hamas is a terrorist organization funded by Iran. They have proven time and time again they are unwilling to cooperate, and, as I write this, have broken four cease-fires. It is impossible to come to the negotiating table when one side wants the other completely exterminated. 

"Israel wants to live in peace. They have shown good will in negotiating peace treaties with both the Jordanians and Egyptians. 

"Hamas has repeatedly called for the obliteration of the Jewish state. Their tunnels must be destroyed, their rockets eliminated, and Hamas must be disarmed and neutralized. I stand with Israel. Am Yisrael Chai."

Jack Parisi, an evangelical Christian pastor who became a rabbi, will speak as part of Chabad of Tucson's 2013 lecture series on Sunday, May 19, at 7 p.m. at Congregation Young Israel.

Parisi's life-changing journey began when he and his wife, Sally, co-pastors of a church in the Bible Belt of southern Oklahoma, were attempting to understand the roots of their faith.

"There were so many doctrinal discrepancies and so many unanswered questions," Parisi told the Jewish News in New Jersey, where he now lives. "With no one to turn to, we searched the Torah for answers."

Along with the Parisis, their congregants started keeping Shabbat. The church's main symbol was eventually removed, although not without challenges and threats. The Parisis converted to Judaism in 1998.

"We were told by our rabbis that now is the time to tell our story of commitment and mesiras nefesh [self-sacrifice] in order to inspire all Jews to increase their own commitment to Yiddishkeit," says Parisi, who was ordained as a rabbi in October 2010.

"It is important to us to make the beautiful Jewish people realize the gifts they were born with — the one true God, the true living Torah and each other," he says.

Rabbi Yossie Shemtov, regional director of Chabad of Tucson, says "The message of this lecture is most fitting, coming from the holiday of Shavuot when the Jewish people were entrusted with the keeping of the Torah."

Admission is $18. RSVP here

At Tucson's Israel Festival this Sunday, April 21, Chabad of Tucson will be focusing on the authentic and the classic.

8,000 people are expected to attend the celebration of Israel's 65 years of independence from noon to 6 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center at Dodge and River Roads.

There will be an emphasis on Israel's achievements in computing, medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, renewable energy and many other fields.

At the Chabad booth, rabbis will be offering men to engage in the Mitzvah of putting on Tefillin and saying a prayer for Israel and its people.

Also being offered will be a selection of classic and beloved Jewish story books for children, to be sold at discounted prices.

Chabad will also be inviting the festival's guests to attend upcoming events such as the Lag BaOmer Family Fun Day, reading of the 10 Commandments on Shavuot and an inspirational lecture by a former Evangelical Pastor.

Applications will be available on site for Chabad's "only boys" summer camp, the kiddie camp for boys and girls ages 2-5 and the Chabad Hebrew School.

For more info about the festival, visit www.IsraelFestivalTucson.org

Men's Farbrengen Night will be held this week to celebrate the Second Passover, highlighting the concept of a second chance.

A year after the Exodus, G-d instructed the people of Israel to bring the Passover offering on the afternoon of Nissan 14, and to eat it that evening, together with matzah and bitter herbs, as they had done on the previous year just before they left Egypt.

But some people who had become ritually impure, were not able to join and complained, "Why should we be deprived, and not be able to present G-d's offering in its time, amongst the children of Israel?"

In response to their plea, G-d established the 14th of Iyar as a "second Passover" (pesach sheini) for anyone who was unable to bring the offering on its appointed time in the previous month.

The day thus represents the "second chance" achieved by teshuvah the power of repentance and "return." In the words of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch, "The Second Passover means that it's never a 'lost case.'"

In Tucson, this day will be marked with an informal chassidic gathering characterized by niggunim (heartfelt songs), uplifting talk, inspirational stories, L'chaim and refreshments.

Chabad rabbis in Tucson will be leading the evening to be held Wednesday, April 24, at 8:00 PM at the home of Rabbi Shemtov.

Some Matzah will be served as well. Participants do not have to come dressed as the above photo...

Jewish boys and girls will be meeting this Monday, April 8, for another session of the kosher cooking club.

For a full hour beginning 5:30, children ages 5 to 11 will try their hand in the kitchen with the help of Feigie Ceitlin.

This time they will be creating their very own fruit smoothies and a salad bar with ingredients and dressings of their choosing.

Cost per child is $15. Reservation in advance in required at [email protected]

Chabad of Tucson will be launching a third season of the Torah Studies courses by the acclaimed Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) on Sunday, April 7 at 7:30 PM.

Presented by Goldie Shemtov at Cong. Young Israel, beginning April 7 and continue for 11 consecutive Sunday evenings, the courses explores Judaism's relevance in modern life.

Like all of Chabad's courses, this latest adult education offering is designed for people at all levels of Jewish knowledge. This class is for women only.

Some of the topics to be addressed are the Jewish perspective on realizing your true potential, human struggle, and the power of a single action.

Interested students are welcome to attend the first session free, without obligation to continue. The fee for the entire course is $45, which includes the course textbook. Cost for a single class is $8.

To enroll and for more info, call Chabad at 520-881-7956 or email [email protected]

Chabad rabbis have presented Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild with hand-made Shmura Matzah for Passover which begins Monday night, March 25.

Meeting at City Hall on Thursday, the rabbis updated the Mayor about their holiday plans to help Jews in Southern Arizona celebrate the holiday of freedom.

(Learn more about Shmura Matzah here)

Rabbi Yossie Shemtov and Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin of Chabad of Tucson are expecting some 150 people at their communal seder, held at Cong. Young Israel.

Rabbi Yossi Winner of Chabad at the University of Arizona will be hosting Jewish students on campus on both nights of Passover.

Rabbi Ephraim Zimmerman of the new branch - Chabad of Oro Valley will be holding his first public seder a the Hilton El Conquistador.

And Rabbi Rami Bigelman of Chabad on River Road, who was not present, will be hosting a seder as well.

Mayor Rothschild thanked the rabbis for their visit and for sharing with him some Torah thoughts about freedom and liberty.

U.S. President Barack Obama signed a proclamation declaring March 22, 2013 – the 111th anniversary of the birth of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson – Education and Sharing Day, USA.

Issued while he was making his first trip to Israel as president, the proclamation stated that the day "recalls the memory of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who taught generations of young men and women the importance of education and good character."

The president continued that the Rebbe's work "strengthened ties between people around the world, and his legacy continues to inspire the service, charity, and goodwill he championed in life."

"As we reflect on the example he and so many others have set," he wrote, "let each of us strive to better realize the values we share."

Emphasizing the importance of education to American society, the president said that: "We also know that learning does not stop when students leave the classroom. Whether at the dinner table or on the field, it is our task as parents, teachers, and mentors to make sure our children grow up practicing the values we preach."

Rabbi Yossie Shemtov, Regional Director of Chabad of Tucson, has noted that the Rebbe saw Education Day U.S.A. as a chance to shine the spotlight on an area that deserves more of our time and resources: Education."

"By education he didn't not merely mean the acquisition of knowledge or career training, but to the building of character, with an emphasis on moral and ethical values," Rabbi Shemtov said.

+ The full Proclamation

+ History of Education Day 

Blogger and photographer Sheva Givre is returning to her native city of Tucson to present a personal perspective on the holiday of Passover and its message of freedom.

The University of Arizona alum will be the guest speaker at Chabad of Tucson's community seder on the first night of Passover on Monday, March 25 at Cong. Young Israel.

A survivor of leukemia, Givre has her fair share of challenges. After a lengthy wait, she finally gave birth to three children - one of which has Down syndrome.

Her upbeat outlook on life, which she openly showcases on her blog My Shtub, has been an inspiration for many in the Orthodox Jewish community in Baltimore, MD, where she lives with her husband and children.

"When I had my daughter and when i was diagnosed with the big "C" I decided I was going to share my struggles, joys and fears. Why do it alone when there is an entire community willing to do be there with you every step of the way?"

Her message to fellow parents is "stop sweating the small stuff" and "have fun." "Just enjoy your kids, play with them and listen to them! They are amazing little people living under the same roof, enjoy them!"

At the seder in Tucson, Givre will be speaking about conquering adversity and overcoming personal challenges. "Passover is as much about breaking out of our boundaries and concerns as it is about our freedom from Egypt."

Leading the seder will be Rabbi Yossie Shemtov and Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin. All ages are welcome, regardless of affiliation or background.

The traditional yet casual evening will be complete with hand-baked Matzah, 4 cups of wine, songs and a delicious 4-course dinner in a warm atmosphere.

Adults, $36; children, $15. RSVP at 881-7956 or at www.ChabadTucson.com/rsvp

Additional seders by Chabad in Southern Arizona will be held for students at Chabad at the University of Arizona and for Northwest residents by Chabad of Oro Valley.

This past Sunday, almost 500 people attended the Purim parties, Megillah readings and activities organized by the four Chabad centers in Southern Arizona.

Children rode the ponies at Chabad of Tucson's Purim in the Farm, students made Hamentashen at the University of Arizona' Chabad center, delicious Chinese food was served at Chabad on River, and Chabad of Oro Valley had a party with a groovy 60's.

While large numbers of participants is impressive, what touched me most was a single participant.

Her name was Connie and she was hired to serve at our Farm-themed party. On her way over, she casually asked her mother if she had ever heard about a Jewish holiday called Purim.

Her mother replied, "Tell the Rabbi that your name is Chana and that you are named after your grandmother."

Connie knew she was nominally Jewish but knew nothing else about her heritage or her history. This was the first time she listened the Megillah.

She was deeply moved and you could only imagine the joy her grandmother felt in Heaven.

It does not take much to touch a soul and you do not have to be an outreach professional to do it. The next time you meet a Jewish person, try engaging them in a Jewish activity.

Check out some photos of the Purim events at our Facebook page.

 
Yale Zimmerman (center) with Jane Fonda (far right) and others during the acclaimed "FTA" 1972 tour 

Yale Zimmerman, piano player and composer, will be speaking at Chabad of Oro Valley's Wednesday night Kabbalah class.

Previously the Musical Director for Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland, he is now a Chassidic Rabbi that enjoys the tradition and depth of music.

Yale is an accomplished composer, who composed a song especially to be performed by his roommate Ben Vereen, accompanied Holly Near, singer and feminist activist, and toured together with Country Joe McDonald. Yale currently gears his expertise and incredible musical talent on Jewish contemporary and pop music.

Join us as Yale takes us on a meaningful (and humorous!) journey through music, tradition, and song. Get into the Purim spirit and sing along.

Wednesday night, February 20, 7:00 PM at the Jewish Federation Northwest. Enjoy an early taste of Purim with homemade Hamentashen!