Shavua Tov
In the coming days, as the sun rises over our beautiful Sonoran Desert, we approach the month of Elul—the doorway to our High Holy Days. Elul invites each of us to pause, take stock, and begin again. In Jewish tradition, this is a season for heshbon hanefesh, a “soul-accounting,” where we reflect on where we’ve been, mend what we can, and set intentions for the year to come. It is personal work—and it is communal work.
Maimonides teaches in Hilchot Teshuvah (3:4): “Wake up you sleepy ones from your sleep and you who slumber, arise” The call is both gentle and urgent: to awaken to our best selves, to return to our core values, and to one another. Our sages also read the very name Elul as an acronym from Song of Songs—Ani L’dodi v’dodi li (I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine)—a reminder that renewal happens in relationship and in community.
At the Tucson J, Elul’s spirit is alive in the ways we come together as a total wellness center, nurturing the whole person—body, mind, and spirit:
In the quiet rhythm of a morning lap swim, a yoga class, or a mindful stretch before a workout.
In children’s discovery and growth in our classrooms, in teens finding belonging and leadership, and in older adults staying strong and socially connected.
In cultural experiences that open hearts and Jewish learning that sparks meaning and purpose.
In our commitment to wellness that extends beyond physical health to emotional resilience, spiritual nourishment, and community connection.
We often describe the Tucson J as the town square of our community—a place where everyone belongs and some people join. Like any true town square, it is a crossroads: a place you can get to from anywhere and a place you can go anywhere from. Here, wellness is not limited to fitness, but encompasses lifelong learning, cultural creativity, friendship, service, and spiritual reflection.
This month, I invite you to use the J as a place of reflection and renewal. Take a contemplative walk through the Jill Rosenzweig Memorial Sculpture Garden, journal while sitting in the Garden of Hope, join a program that nourishes both body and soul, or gather with friends for conversation and intention-setting. Whether you dedicate a workout in honor of someone you love, step into a new art class, or volunteer your time, know that the J is here to support your journey toward wholeness.
Looking ahead, we are excited to deepen inclusion and access, expand programs that strengthen both health and spirit, and grow partnerships that serve the broad and diverse needs of our community. From early learners to older adults, from athletics and the arts to wellness and Jewish life, the Tucson J is where people of all ages and backgrounds find renewal, connection, and growth.
Listen to the meaningful words of Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge over Troubled Water as a reminder that it is our community that carries us through challenges with strength and compassion.
Hiney Ma Tov (Psalm 133) — “How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity.” For generations, Jews have sung these words at moments of celebration, learning, and prayer. Its simple melody and timeless message remind us that true joy is found not in isolation, but in connection. At the J, this spirit is alive every day—in the friendships formed in our fitness spaces, the laughter of children learning together, the conversations shared over coffee, and the support offered in moments of challenge. Hiney Ma Tov affirms that when we come together in community, we create wholeness, wellness, and blessing far greater than what we could achieve alone.
May this Elul help us listen more deeply, repair more bravely, and celebrate more fully.
Cochenu b’Achduteynu | כחינו באחדותינו | Our strength is in our unity.
Am Yisrael Chai | עם ישראל חי
Bring them Home Now I מחזירים אותם הביתה עכשיו
Todd Rockoff
President + CEO, Tucson J
