Shavua Tov
With Purim now behind us, its message remains as powerful and relevant as ever. The story of Esther reminds us that the Jewish future has never been guaranteed, it has always depended on courage, unity, and the willingness of a community to stand together. In the face of Haman’s threat, the Jewish people chose collective responsibility, and through that unity we prevailed.
Now we turn our attention toward our next holiday, Passover, when we once again gather around our tables to retell the ancient story of our journey from slavery to freedom. Each year we read these words again, not simply to remember, but to learn. Our tradition teaches us that these stories are living texts, meant to guide how we face the challenges and opportunities of our own time.
The Haggadah reminds us: “In every generation, each person must see themselves as if they personally came out of Egypt.” This teaching is not only about memory; it is about responsibility. Every generation is called to shape the Jewish future.
That idea lies at the heart of Jewish Peoplehood, the collective sense of belonging, unity, and mutual responsibility that binds Jews together across geographic, cultural, and religious differences. It reminds us that wherever Jews live, we are part of a single unfolding story.
At the Tucson J, and throughout our broader Jewish community, we are working every day to nurture that story. Our goal is not simply to build programs or institutions, but to help create a vibrant Jewish community rooted in belonging, a place where every individual can see themselves as part of the Jewish people and where our shared responsibility for one another becomes real and tangible.
This vision is captured beautifully in the words of Oseh Shalom, when we pray: “Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu v’al kol Yisrael” May the One who makes peace in the heavens bring peace upon us and upon all Israel. It is a reminder that peace, unity, and community are not abstract ideals; they are something we must actively create together.
In moments of uncertainty, our tradition and our music remind us of our shared humanity. The song Prayer from the remarkable Broadway play Come From Awayspeaks of people from different places coming together with compassion and hope in the face of crisis. Its message resonates deeply with Jewish values: that when people open their hearts to one another,
community is strengthened and light emerges even in difficult moments.
And in The Prayer performed by Shiri Maimon and Andrea Bocelli, we hear a universal plea that reflects the Jewish spirit across generations—that we may be guided by wisdom, protected by compassion, and led toward a future of peace. It is a prayer for our children and for the generations who will inherit the world we help shape today.
Together, these messages, ancient and modern, remind us that the Jewish story has always been sustained by community. From the courage of Esther, to the liberation of Passover, to the songs and prayers that inspire us today, our strength has always come from standing together.
Thank you for being part of this shared journey. Your leadership, generosity, and partnership make it possible for the Tucson J to continue building a community where Jewish life flourishes and where every person feels they belong.
As we move toward Passover, may we continue to draw strength from our past, purpose in our present, and hope for the future we are building together.
Wishing you and your loved ones peace, meaning, and joy in the weeks ahead.
Wishing Shalom to all
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
