From the Desk of Rabbi Stephanie S. Aaron | Congregation Chaverim

Shabbat Shalom
Shabbat Shalom

From the Desk of Rabbi Stephanie S. Aaron | Congregation Chaverim

Parashat Lech L’cha, this year, 2025, 5786, we recognize that part of our Lech L’cha Jewish journey will always be, Zachor, Remembrance.  We remember where we began with those challenging words from The Holy One: Go for yourself, out of your country, from your birthplace, and from the house of your father, to the land that I will show you. Rabbi Menachem Creditor teaches that Lech L’cha is the Parashah where Abram is called to get up and go! How do you respond when you are called?. . .Torah demands that you stand for something in this fragile world of ours, by the way we interact, the way we see each other, the way we treat each other.

 

This week, the week we read Parashat Lech L’cha, is the 7-year Yahrzeit, anniversary of the massacre at the Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha synagogue in Pittsburg. It is also the week which began with The Center for Jewish Resilience at Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona hosting its inaugural Southwest Institute 2025, the daytime program, Protecting Students and Strengthening Schools; the evening program: Throughlines:  October 7 to Contemporary Antisemitism in America community-wide dinner program. Lech L’cha, both these outstanding programs involved we, as Jews, standing up and reaching out to our community and the non-Jewish community with a brave, bold call to stand up against antisemitism in whatever form it takes: these anti-s:  anti-Zionism, anti-Israel, and anti-Jews.

 

Several years ago, Rabbi Creditor wrote regarding Parashat Lech L’cha, “Friends, the world is on fire and the world is illuminated…we, as their descendants, must answer G-d’s ancient call to Abram and Sarai, and do what we can to bring light, to save each other and tend to our beautiful, fragile world.”  We must raise our voices in protest against the horrors of antisemitism in all of its forms. Shout it out! Raise your voice through email and conversation. Give one hundred percent of your attention and respond accordingly to what is happening to Jews here and around the world.  Never again is now; never again is now.

 

As we move into Shabbat, I invite you to read this poem, titled Tree of Life, by Marilyn Kallet, as we remember the Tree of Life.

 

With the blessing of Shalom,

Rabbi Stephanie S Aaron

This week’s Torah portion, Lech L’cha, marks the beginning of a sacred relationship—the covenant between God and the people—a promise built on faith, purpose, and shared responsibility. At the Tucson J, at the heart of our work lies our brit, or covenant, to our community, which is reflected in our mission and service pledge and carried out by our passionate and dedicated team. Just as Abram’s journey began with a call to “go forth,” we, too, are called to build and sustain a community rooted in wellness and belonging, walking together toward a future shaped by our shared goals and values. And we do this every day through meaningful, high-quality programs designed for people of all ages and identities. 

 

On Saturday, after over three weeks of conversation-starting, relevant, and creative experiences,  theatre dybbuk concluded it’s artist-in-residence with a powerful performance of Dracula (Annotated)at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre. The show was both visually stunning and intellectually stimulating; as we roll right into the 2026 Tucson J International Film Festival coming this January, we’re excited for more arts, culture, and community programming! Check out the trailer here!

 

Also Saturday evening, kids in our Parents’ Night Out program had a blast decorating cookies, getting their jump on in our bounce houses, eating pizza, and watching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Join us for the next one Saturday, November 15!

While Tucson J President + CEO, Todd Rockoff, in learning with colleagues and sharing his expertise at the JCC Association Board Meeting, a group of our C-Suite and Senior Leadership staff, traveled to Minneapolis for the JCC Association Professional Conference, the first since 2019. The team was also joined by Director of Teen Engagement, Davis Hubbell, who attended with a cohort of professionals as part of the Merrin Teen Fellowship. The group spent three days taking part in peer community sessions with others from across the Movement doing similar work, intensives covering topics related to leadership and inclusion, and labs that included “Fundraising 101: Storytelling that Builds Community and Inspires Giving” and “From Vision to Victory: Strategic Planning that Sticks.” The team returned to Tucson energized and eager to implement innovative ideas here at home! Check out some highlights here.

 

On Wednesday, we celebrated and thanked members of our Patron of Arts Society, whose generosity enables us to provide high-quality arts programming to our community at accessible costs, with an event at the Tucson Auto Museum! Patrons mingled in the midst of historical automobiles, noshed on delicious food, and heard about the impact they are making at the J from Board Chair, Caron Mitchell, and President + CEO, Todd Rockoff. 

 

And last but certainly not least, Disability Program Services, as part of their new JShop, launched a new initiative recognizing the intern of the week! Join us in congratulating Iris, who brings an infectiously positive attitude and encourages her teammates, is knowledgeable about JShop products and always eager to help, and demonstrates curiosity and excitement for learning new skills. You can learn more about the JShop and how to support here! 

 

As we enter Shabbat, we invite you to rest and connect so that you may “go forth” renewed for the week ahead!  

Reminders, Resources + Learning

Each week we share resources for more learning:

This week’s resources:

Last week’s resources:

Is there a topic you’d like to learn more about? Email Jenn Selco with requests.