From the Desk of Davis Hubbell | Director of Teen Engagement
Acharei Mot/Kedoshim is a double parsha where it feels like everything is on the table – life, death, rules, holiness, relationships, justice. It doesn’t shy away from the messiness of being human, it leans right into it and says: that is exactly where holiness lives.
The opening of Parashat Acharei Mot/Kedoshim comes right after loss after the deaths of Nadav and Avihu. G-d cautions against entering the sacred space without proper authorization and lays out boundaries and guidelines for how to move forward with intention. There’s something real about that. Life doesn’t pause for us to figure everything out first. We are asked to keep going, but to do so with awareness and care.
Then we get to a core idea that sticks with me: “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your G-d am holy.” We are made B’tzelem Elohim, in the divine image of G-d. This line isn’t about perfection, it’s about how we show up: we are not peons existing to worship G-d but an extension of him and his holiness. Holiness here isn’t abstract or out of reach, it’s how we treat people, how we conduct business, how we speak, how we respond when things are hard.
This week’s double parsha makes me think of Mesillat Yesharim by Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. In it, Ramchal lays out this very structured path toward growth and holiness not as a one-time moment, but as a lifestyle. Step by step, trait by trait, choice by choice. It’s not giving us one big idea, it’s giving us a way of living.
There’s something grounding about that for me. When life feels chaotic or pulled in a hundred directions, it is helpful to have a framework to return to. Not rigid for the sake of being rigid, but accountable. Intentional. Knowing that how I act, even in small moments, fits into a bigger picture of the person I’m trying to be.
In my own life, I think about the spaces I’m in every day working with teens, building community, navigating personalities, expectations, and responsibilities. There are moments where it would be easier to let things slide, to not say something, to not step in, to not hold a standard. But this parsha reminds me that holiness isn’t passive. It asks us to be active participants in shaping the kind of environment we want to be part of.
What I appreciate in this week’s parsha is that structure. Not because it makes things easier, but because it makes things clearer. Holiness isn’t a destination, it is built in everyday choices, in being accountable to the way we orient our lives with intention.
Shabbat Shalom.
At the Tucson J, B’tzelem Elohim isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we do. From this foundational belief flows a vision of holiness as something we strengthen and build together through how we treat one another and ourselves—with dignity, empathy, and care. Everyone belongs here and we celebrate the unique spirit of each individual in our community by fostering wellness and connection through programs, events, and services intentionally designed with YOU in mind.
We began this week at the J with a community Yom HaZikaron Commemoration presented by the Weintraub Israel Center with support from many community partners and a committee of dedicated volunteers. Over 200 people gathered to honor the nearly 30,000 lives lost in defense of the state of Israel and victims of terror, hear from community leaders, and share stories and prayers. Guests were greeted by a beautiful display of Kalanit (anenome – the national flower of Israel) at the J’s entrance, created by community members two years ago in honor of the victims of October 7; the flowers symbolize memory, resilience, and sacrifice.
On Wednesday, we thanked our generous community of Patrons of the Arts with a special spring gathering at the Arizona Theatre Company! The group got an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Dracula production guided by Matt August, Kasser Family Artistic Director. Our Patrons provide crucial support for Arts programming here at the J, helping to ensure that not only are our offerings the highest-quality, but that they remain accessibly priced so everyone in our community can participate.
Also on Wednesday, our Disability Program Services participants, their families, and our outstanding staff enjoyed the perfect weather and an array of delicious snacks in the Jill Rosenzweig Memorial Sculpture Garden. The meeting was an opportunity to socialize, learn more about the J, and hear about the exciting things that await the program as we head into summer.
Just last night, this season’s Adult Volleyball League came to a close with a riveting championship game! Team CVB laid it all on the court but in the end took the L to reigning champs, Team Sonora. While the competition is often hot, it’s also friendly—Youth and Adult Sports at the J are open to all skill levels and are a great way to work on wellness goals while having fun and building community around shared interests! Check out what’s coming up here.
These moments reflect a community that remembers together, celebrates together, supports one another, and makes room for each person to show up as they are. Shabbat Shalom. Thank you for helping to make the Tucson J a place where connection, meaning, and belonging continue to grow.
Reminders, Resources + Learning
Each week we share resources for more learning:
This week’s resources:
- Parashat Achrei Mot – Kedoshim: How to be Holy by Sarah Rudolph (My Jewish Learning)
- Parshat Acharei Mot/Kedoshim: It’s All Commentary by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb (Orthodox Union)
Last week’s resources:
- Fire: Holy and Unholy by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
- Why Keep Kosher? by Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson (My Jewish Learning
Is there a topic you’d like to learn more about? Email Jenn Selco with requests.
