From the Desk of Jennifer Lorch Selco | Sr. Director of Jewish Living + Engagement ⋆ JCC Tucson

From the Desk of Jennifer Lorch Selco | Sr. Director of Jewish Living + Engagement

January 16, 2026

From the Desk of Jennifer Lorch Selco | Sr. Director of Jewish Living + Engagement

This week’s Torah portion, Va’era (Hebrew for “and God appeared”) recounts Moses and Aaron’s visit to the Pharoah where Moses (by way of God) turns the staff into a snake. We hear Moses tell Pharoah to “let my people go” and God sends the first seven of ten plaques after Pharoah’s heart is hardened (a result of both his own stubbornness and of God’s doing). Moses, wary of his speech impediment, with the encouragement from God and support of Aaron, continues to return to Pharaoh, pleading for the Israelites’ freedom.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, teaches in Lessons in Leadership: A Weekly Reading of Jewish Bible that “Defeats, delays and disappointments hurt. They hurt even for Moses. So if there are times when we too feel discouraged and demoralized, it is important to remember that even the greatest people failed. What made them great is that they kept going. The road to success passes through many valleys of failure. There is no other way.”

While failure is an important lesson in leadership, it’s also a valuable lesson in our everyday lives. Failure is challenging to accept because we don’t want to be wrong, we don’t want to miss the mark. As Albert Einstein, of blessed memory, said “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new” and “You never fail until you stop trying.” As we move into Shabbat and then into a new week, I invite you lean into your mistakes, to learn and to grow from them. May we all experience healthy failure, new growth and ultimately success.

Parsha Va’era also illuminates the importance of persistence; we see that change is not instant—it unfolds through determination, courage, and partnership. God hears the cries of the people and calls upon leaders and community alike to take action, reminding us that transformation happens when we show up, again and again, with purpose and hope. This message resonates deeply with our work at the J, where building a vibrant, inclusive Jewish community requires the collective effort of many hands and hearts, step by step, day after day fueled by our shared commitment and belief in what we are building together.

The Tucson J International Film Festival continued this week, with films and special programs highlighting Jewish stories of diversity, perseverance, and peoplehood. Join us for in-person screenings continuing through Sunday or catch any films you missed virtually—the online screening window is open through January 26!

In Early Childhood Education, kids planted parsley seeds and will learn about patience and what it takes to make something grow. Kids in JCare exercised their creative skills with a multi-media art project. And participants in our Disability Program Services department took a field trip to Adventure Coffee to get a behind-the-scenes look at how our special JShop Coffee Blend is roasted.

The Healthy Aging department hosted its first Aging + Social Connections class of the year, all about the importance of new and lasting friendships! Join us for the next session, Tuesday, February 3rd. These classes are free and open to anyone interested in healthy aging, whether that’s you or someone you love!

We are grateful to each person who shows up, participates, and helps bring our mission to life in ways both big and small. May this Shabbat offer a moment of rest and renewal, and may we enter the coming week inspired to move forward through our challenges, joys, and even our failures. Shabbat Shalom.