From the Desk of Johanna Shlomovich | Head of School, Tucson Hebrew Academy ⋆ JCC Tucson

From the Desk of Johanna Shlomovich | Head of School, Tucson Hebrew Academy

March 27, 2026

From the Desk of Johanna Shlomovich | Head of School, Tucson Hebrew Academy

In Parshat Tzav, we encounter a powerful and enduring image:

“Esh tamid tukad al hamizbe’ach, lo tichbeh” — A perpetual fire shall be kept burning on the altar; it shall not be extinguished (Vayikra 6:6).

The rabbis teach that this was not merely a physical instruction about maintaining a flame. It was a spiritual charge—one that speaks across generations. The fire on the altar required constant tending. Even though it was initially kindled by Divine fire, it was the responsibility of the kohanim to sustain it day after day, without interruption.

This partnership between Divine spark and human responsibility is at the heart of Jewish continuity.

Each generation inherits a sacred flame—a legacy of Torah, tradition, identity, and purpose. But that flame does not sustain itself. It must be nurtured, protected, and actively passed forward. Without intentional effort, even the brightest fire can flicker.

Today, one of the most powerful ways we tend that flame is through Jewish education.

A strong Jewish education does more than impart knowledge. It builds identity. It cultivates pride. It deepens connection—to our people, our history, our values, and our future. It equips our children not only to understand what it means to be Jewish, but to live it with confidence, meaning, and joy.

At Tucson Hebrew Academy, we see this sacred work every day. We see it in the questions our students ask, in the traditions they embrace, and in the leadership they begin to embody. We are not simply educating students—we are helping to ensure that the esh tamid, the eternal flame of the Jewish people, continues to burn brightly here in Tucson and beyond.

But like the fire on the altar, this work is a shared responsibility. It belongs not only to schools, but to families, to synagogues, to community members—to all of us. Each investment we make in Jewish education is an investment in continuity. Each moment we choose to strengthen Jewish identity is an act of sustaining the flame.

In a world that often pulls our children in many directions, we must be intentional about what we pass on. The Torah reminds us that continuity is not accidental—it is cultivated.

May we all merit to be guardians of this eternal flame. May we tend it with care, with commitment, and with love. And may we ensure that it burns even brighter in the generations to come.

Shabbat Shalom.

As we reflect on the call to keep the the eternal flame burning, we are reminded that Jewish continuity does not rest in any one place or person, but in the sacred chain that links us l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation. At the Tucson J, this responsibility is reflected in the community we build together across every age and stage of life, from Early Childhood Education to Healthy Aging programs. We are each both inheritors and stewards of this flame—called not only to receive its warmth, but to tend it, strengthen it, and pass it forward.

This week, kids in our School Days Out Spring Break program explored the concept of l’dor v’dor through the cultural tradition of making challah and learning about Oral Tradition. They talked about how, for thousands of years before the invention of the printing press and the widespread availability of written teachings, the words of the Torah and their subsequent commentaries were passed from parent to child, and from teacher to student through vocal repetition using “Trop”—recitation in a melodic and rhythmic manner to create a strong mnemonic device, allowing for easier memorization and retention of the teachings. Despite having many ways to pass down or stories and traditions, we still use Trop today!

On Thursday, we saw l’dor v’dor in action as Tucson J leaders and participants in our Disability Program Services department brought the story of Passover to life for kids in Early Childhood Education with our annual Story Walk. Through narration, song, and creative costumes and props, we celebrated our shared history and reflected on the meaning of freedom.

Every day, l’dor v’dor comes alive through movement and play as we build a culture of wellness for people of all ages. Across our fitness and sports programs community members spanning generations build strength—not only in body, but in connection to one another. We kindle that sacred flame when we pass down the values of perseverance, wellbeing, and belonging. Our Stingrays Swim Team is a great example of this; three of our swimmers just competed at the 8 and under championship meet in Phoenix. Mazel tov to Evie, Lilly, and Raegan who collectively brought home 7 top 16 finishes, 81% of them being new personal bests!

As we enter Shabbat HaGadol (the Shabbat before Passover), may we take pride in the many ways this sacred flame continues to shine brightly within our Tucson J community. Each story shared, each tradition practiced, and each connection nurtured affirms our commitment to strengthening our community today while ensuring a vibrant, meaningful tomorrow for generations to come. Shabbat Shalom.