From the Desk of Brenda Landau | Director of Legacy Development, Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona
Last week, our community came together in a powerful display of Jewish pride and unity at the JCC Maccabi Games hosted by the Tucson J. Young athletes from across the country and around the world competed, connected, and celebrated their heritage—embodying the very values we read about in Parashat Vaetchanan.
In this parashah, Moses stands at the threshold of transition. Though he knows he will not enter the Promised Land, his focus is on the future. He urges the Israelites to remember their covenant with God and introduces the Shema, commanding us to teach our traditions diligently to our children. Judaism, Moses reminds us, is sustained not just by belief, but by intentional transmission—by preparing the next generation to carry the torch.
This message resonates deeply with our mission at the Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona and the legacy work of our Jewish Community Foundation. Just as Moses planned for a future he would not see, we too must invest in a Jewish future beyond our lifetimes. Our new Jewish Community Endowment Initiative is a bold step toward that goal. By creating lasting financial legacies, we ensure that our community organizations, synagogues, and schools continue to thrive. These endowments are more than financial tools—they are expressions of our values, our hopes, and our commitment to Jewish continuity.
The Midrash teaches, “A community is too heavy to carry alone” (Deuteronomy Rabbah 1:10), reminding us that sustaining Jewish life is a shared responsibility. No one person can ensure continuity—it takes all of us. Whether through a named fund, a tribute to loved ones, or a planned gift for future generations, each contribution helps build a vibrant Jewish tomorrow. Everyone can play a role in shaping our future. Just as the Maccabi athletes inspired us with their energy and teamwork, we are called to channel our own strength into securing the future of Jewish life in ways that are personally meaningful.
Let us honor Moses’ vision by embracing our role as stewards of tradition and builders of legacy. Together we can ensure that Judaism remains strong, meaningful, and enduring—for today, and for generations to come.
At the Tucson J, every week is filled with moments that reflect the spirit of who we are and why we’re here: children exploring Jewish values and making memories through play, teens stepping into leadership and taking on new challenges, adults gathering to learn, thrive, and build community. Our programs are more than just ways to fill up a calendar—they become ritual and create continuity, offering our community daily threads that tie us to one another and the generations before and after us. Jewish continuity doesn’t happen by accident. It lives in the stories we share, the values we pass on, and the spaces—like the J—where people of all ages can celebrate who they are, where they come from, and where they’re going.
After an incredible week hosting the JCC Maccabi Games and Access (which you can read about here and here in two reflections from people who participated and here from local media), we rolled right into back-to-school with new and old friends in Early Childhood Education and our JCare afterschool program.
Participants in our Disability Program Services Taglit program also returned to campus, after their staff participated in an in-service training that focused on the rollout of new vocational opportunities for participants coming soon (stay tuned for info about the new DPS JShop!).
This week and every week, the Fitness + Wellness Center is a prime place for people of all ages to explore new and favorite ways to stay active and healthy. From Noon Hoops to TRX, Swim School to Masters Swim, Tennis Clinics to Pickleball Open Play, and a plethora of Fall Youth and Adults Sports beginning in the week ahead and beyond, everyone can MOVE at the Tucson J! Because nourishing our minds is just as important as nurturing our bodies, and with back-to-school season here, we invite you to pick up a new art or language class—there’s so much to explore.
As we enter Shabbat, may we remember we are all connected and that each of us plays a role in shaping the future for ourselves, our community, and our people. Shabbat Shalom.
Reminders, Resources + Learning
Each week we share resources for more learning:
This week’s resources:
The Necessary Steps to Ready Ourselves for Repentance by Cantor Elizabeth Sacks (Reform Judaism)
Integrating Knowledge by Rabbi Neal J. Loevinger (My Jewish Learning)
Last week’s resources:
Is there a topic you’d like to learn more about? Email Jenn Selco with requests.
