Come Meet Rabbi Zimmerman

Oro Valley's new Rabbi, Ephraim Zimmerman will be spending Shabbos at Congregation Young Israel in Tucson' Sam Hughes neighborhood, before he moves into a new home.

Ephraim and Mushkie Zimmerman arrived this week to establish Chabad of Oro Valley, the first permanent synagogue and Jewish education center in the area.

His first acquaintance was to join the evening services held at the Rosenfield home, who are mourning after their mother, Jean, of blessed memory.

"This might seem odd, but I think it is very telling about Chabad's nature," said Rabbi Yossie Shemtov, Regional Director of Chabad Tucson, of Zimmerman's first stop at a Shiva home.

"Sitting Shiva is not only about grieving, it's also about celebrating the life of the deceased. And those coming to comfort the family are observing the Mitzvah of Ahavas Yisroel, offering love and kindness to a fellow Jew."

A Chicago native, Rabbi Zimmerman taught Judaic studies and headed its extracurricular activities at the Yeshiva High School of Tucson (which has closed since).

He told David Cutler, a lead supporter of the Yeshiva, that he saw his new role as Oro Valley's first full-time rabbi, a direct continuation of the educational work he's done in town in 2007.

Rabbi Zimmerman will be joining Shabbos morning services at Young Israel, 2443 E 4th Street, and making acquaintances at the weekly "special kiddush."