From the Desk of Avey Hanshaw | Tucson J Board Member
This week’s Torah portion is parsha Yitro, telling the story in which Moses’ father-in-law (Yitro) visits Moses from Midian and notices that he is the only person who settles other’s disputes in the community. Yitro notices the flaws in this and helps set up a court of magistrates and judges, and later in the portion everyone gathers at Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments through Moses.
Usually the second half of this portion is focused on because of its grandeur and high religious importance, but I believe the first part is actually more relevant to our world today. On the surface, Yitro’s questioning of Moses’ system can be interpreted as worry for his wellbeing and burnout from constant work. While that is quite important, I bring up a different interpretation: how disastrous a closed mind can be. Before the court was installed, Moses was the only one to decide right from wrong for all people. In a way, we all somewhat think of ourselves as Moses. It’s easy for us to set the highest standard on our own opinions, values and overall selves while disregarding other philosophies. However, ideas like politics and morality are such spectrums that it’s impossible to find one solution for all people, which is why to this day Torah is consistently debated and discussed with different conclusions each time. If we are all Moses, there is no room for community or learning. This shabbat, I implore you to sit with yourself and think about your identity. Talk to your neighbors. Ask your family questions. Compromise. Perhaps we each carry a sliver of Moses within ourselves, but we can only reach our highest potential by coming together.
This week at the J offered many opportunities to come together and explore new ideas and perspectives, uncover new passions or parts of ourselves, and deepen existing interests. Our mission comes to life only in community—when we lean in to conversation, collaboration, and our collective stories, we grow as individuals each contributing to the strength and vibrancy of our shared present and future.
We began the week in celebration of Tu Bishvat with a PJ Library event Sunday at the beautiful gardens of Tohono Chul, surrounded by trees and nature. Families joined in a meaningful blessing for the trees—shared in English, Hebrew, and Spanish led by PJ parent, David—and spent the afternoon making grass heads, planting parsley, painting, creating with clay, and exploring more hands-on activities. The celebration continued in Early Childhood Education on Monday with a tasty Tu Bishvat Seder and story time. Later in the week, ECE took to the Sculpture Garden with our annual Love of Reading Month book character parade!
Making the most of the beautiful spring weather, the Stingrays Swim Team had a blast at the Sweetheart Meet! In a smaller, more fun-focused environment, the Stingrays were able to put together some great swims and fun relays! Swimmers had a few best times and a couple of Regional championship qualifying swims, but the highlight of the meet came from the mixed relays, a relatively new offering for swim meets, and the ‘Rays first time competing in them. As a result, the team walked away with three new team records!
The Tucson J team is also an important part of our J community. This week, CEO + President, Todd Rockoff, returned from the JCC Association Mifgash Executive Leader forum in Atlanta with colleagues from across North America, Israel, Budapest, Moldova and Estonia! The group learned about the JCC Association’s three centers of excellence: Talent, Jewish Peoplehood, and Innovation and Impact. They explored the power of storytelling, dove into real challenges and opportunities leaders are navigating, and talked about the need for both practical tools and deep connection within the movement. Here on campus, Tucson J leaders had the honor of meeting with Daria Pavlovschi, CEO of the Kedem Jacobs JCC in Kishnev, Maldova. The Tucson J has been in partnership with Kedem Jacobs, most recently bringing a delegation of teens to compete in last summer’s JCC Maccabi Games as part of Team Tucson. Daria explained the history of Jews in Moldova and the current landscape the work of her J exists in, before opening it up to the team for questions, conversation, and idea-sharing.
As we head into Shabbat, we’re grateful for the many ways this week reminded us of the power of gathering, learning, and growing together. May the stories and connections we shared carry us into a restful Shabbat and inspire the week ahead. Shabbat Shalom.
Reminders, Resources + Learning
Each week we share resources for more learning:
This week’s resources:
- How Do We Meet At Sinai? by Rabbi Amelia Wolf (Jewish Theological Seminary)
- Wisdom From The Margins By Rabbi Shimon Felix (My Jewish Learning)
Last week’s resources:
- Of Technology, Miracles and Radical Amazement Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger (My Jewish Learning)
- Can You Be Righteous? by Katia Bolotin (Chabad)
Is there a topic you’d like to learn more about? Email Jenn Selco with requests.
