From the Desk of Daniella Ironi | Weintraub Israel Center, Junior Community Shlicha
Last week, we mistakenly sent out the incorrect Shabbat message. Here is the message for Korach that was sent out last week. Below is the message that was meant for last week.
This week’s parsha Sh’lach tells the story of the twelve spies sent to explore the Land of Israel. When they return, they all see the same land, the same people, and the same challenges. Yet they come back with very different messages. Ten of the spies focus on fear and obstacles, while Yehoshua (Joshua) and Kalev (Caleb) focus on hope, possibility, and the value of the land itself.
One of the powerful lessons of this story is that sometimes what matters most is not what we see, but how we choose to see it.
This week at the J’s Summer Camp, we celebrated Israel Day and had the privilege of hosting the Tzofim Friendship Caravan. The teens who traveled here from Israel brought music, stories, and a piece of Israel with them. For many of our campers, meeting Israelis in person creates a connection that goes beyond pictures. It reminds us that Israel is a living, breathing community filled with people, culture, dreams, and challenges.
Like the spies, we all tell stories about what we experience. The question is: what perspective do we choose to share? Do we focus on fear and distance, or on hope and connection?
There’s a saying that whatever we shine our light on will grow. This week, may we choose to shine our light on connection, possibility, and community, helping to create a better tomorrow.
One of the pieces that always comes to mind when I read this parsha is an Israeli song called “Canaan” (כנען). Listen here. Its message resonates with me deeply and I hope that you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.
Another lesson we learn from parsha Sh’lach is that the future is shaped not by those who see only obstacles, but by those who have the courage to see possibility. While most of the spies returned from the Land of Israel overwhelmed by fear and the opinions of the majority, two chose a different path—one grounded in faith, resilience, and hope. As Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks taught, “Optimism is the belief that things will get better; hope is the belief that together we can make things better.” At the Tucson J, this vision of hope guides our work every day as we provide opportunities to move, learn, connect, and shape the future of the J together. We believe that growth comes through effort and the willingness to embrace challenges, even when the path feels uncertain.
This week at the J began on Sunday with our first of three Summer Nights at the J. Old friends connected, new friends were made, and between live music from Stef and the Articles, delicious BBQ catered by Asher, and fun in the pool, we were reminded of the joy found in being together. The vibrant, welcoming community we enjoy today did not appear overnight—it has been built through years of shared effort, participation, and commitment. We are grateful to the many people who make the J more than just a gym (though our facilities are truly amazing!) and embrace the opportunities to connect that make our campus such a special place. We hope you’ll join us for the next one, with live music from The Wayback Machine, July 26.
In Camp J and Early Childhood Education we are teaching Jewish values and cultivating a growth mindset every day. Our ECE learners spent time in the Shay Shay Community Gardenplanting zucchini, an experience that became a living lesson in care, responsibility, and patience. As they tended the soil and considered what it means to help something grow, they engaged with the Sheva Lenses that guide our program—seeing how acts of tikkun olam(repairing the world) and kedusha (holiness) can show up even in something as simple as planting a seed.
Meanwhile, our camper’s weekly virtue was Yetzirah (creativity) and they learned that sometimes the way to persevere is by thinking outside the box! Camp is all about trying new things, stretching skills, and building confidence. Some highlights from the week include: new Hockey and Water Polo chugim (choice activities), a surprise visit from a ventriloquist, and field trips to to Lucky Strike Bowling and Ben’s Bells. Among other activities, our Tiyul group of 6th-8th graders took an overnight trip to Flagstaff where they spent the night at the Molly Blank Jewish Community Center and headed up to Snowbowl for tubing, rock climbing, and a gondola ride to the mountaintop overlook. And in Gesher for middle- and high-school aged youth with disabilities, campers went to Color Me Mine for pottery painting, had a blast at the Children’s Museum of Tucson, and created self portraits!
May we continue to build a community where hope courage are not just ideas we hold, but practices we live—through learning, connection, and the ongoing work of growing together. Shabbat Shalom.
Reminders, Resources + Learning
Each week we share resources for more learning:
This week’s resources (for last week):
- Hope in the Darkness of Fear by Rabbi Vered L. Harris (reformjudaism.org)
- Being Vulnerable Is Being Strong by Rabbi Nechemia Schusterman (Chabad)
- The Power Of Perception by Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson (My Jewish Learning)
Last week’s resources (actually for this week):
- Crises of Leadership by Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky (My Jewish Learning)
- Korah Had Options and So Do We by Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay (Jewish Theological Seminary)
Is there a topic you’d like to learn more about? Email Jenn Selco with requests.
