Shavua Tov 19 Tamuz 5786

Shavua Tov

 

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, we also mark an extraordinary milestone in our nation’s history the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This semiquincentennial invites us not only to celebrate America’s remarkable journey, but also to reflect on the enduring relationship between the American experiment and the Jewish experience.

 

Few countries in history have provided the opportunity for Jewish life to flourish as the United States has. Since the earliest days of our republic, American Jews have been able to contribute to every aspect of our nation’s civic, cultural, economic, and military life while remaining proudly and authentically Jewish. The story of American Judaism is, in many ways, a story of gratitude for freedoms protected, opportunities embraced, and communities built.

 

That promise was captured beautifully in one of the most remarkable letters ever written by an American president. In 1790, President George Washington responded to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, assuring the fledgling Jewish community that the new nation would reject mere tolerance in favor of true equality:

 

“The Government of the United States… gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

 

He concluded with words that continue to inspire generations:

 

“May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the goodwill of the other inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.”

 

Those words remain among the clearest expressions of the American promise a nation where people of every faith may live openly, contribute fully, and belong completely.

 

The history of Jewish Community Centers is woven into that promise. JCCs emerged as places that helped newly arrived Jewish immigrants become Americans while preserving the richness of Jewish tradition, learning, and community. They were places where families learned English, built friendships, developed leadership skills, found recreation, and discovered that one could fully embrace both American citizenship and Jewish identity.

 

Today, that mission has evolved in an equally important way.

 

Our responsibility is no longer simply to help Jews become Americans. Rather, it is to help Americans remain deeply connected to being Jewish and to Jewish community. At a time when belonging cannot be taken for granted, the Tucson J continues to be what it has always aspired to be the town square of our community, where everyone belongs and some people join. Here, Jewish values are lived, friendships are formed, children discover who they are, older adults remain connected, families celebrate together, and our entire community experiences the joy of Jewish life.

 

Our connection to America has also been expressed through service. Since its founding in 1917, the Jewish Welfare Board (JWB), now a part of the Center for Jewish Peoplehood at JCC Association, has ensured that Jewish servicemen and servicewomen serving our nation never have to leave their Judaism behind. Through the extraordinary work of the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council, Jewish chaplains have provided spiritual care, pastoral support, religious resources, and a Jewish presence for members of the United States Armed Forces and their families during times of war and peace alike. Their service reminds us that patriotism and Jewish identity have long stood side by side.

 

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l reminded us that, “Freedom is sustained not by the state but by the moral habits of its citizens.” The work of institutions like the Tucson J helps cultivate those habits—kindness, service, responsibility, generosity, and community. They are the qualities that strengthen both our Jewish community and our American democracy.

 

Music has always helped tell the American story, and many of its most beloved songs were written by Jewish composers whose families experienced the promise of this country firsthand. Perhaps no song captures gratitude for America more beautifully than Irving Berlin’s God Bless AmericaWritten by an immigrant who arrived in the United States as a young Jewish refugee from Eastern Europe, the song is both a prayer and a profound expression of thanksgiving for a nation that gave his family refuge and opportunity.

 

Irving Berlin also gave us Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor inspired by Emma Lazarus’s immortal words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. Lazarus, herself a proud American Jew, transformed the statue into a beacon welcoming generations of immigrants seeking freedom and hope. Her words continue to remind us that America’s greatness has always been strengthened by those who arrived on its shores dreaming of a better future.

 

Neil Diamond’s America celebrates that same journey. While written generations later, it captures the courage, optimism, and determination of millions of immigrants, including countless Jewish families, who crossed oceans believing that America offered not only opportunity, but the freedom to live openly as themselves while contributing to something larger than themselves.

 

More recently, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton beautifully returned us to George Washington’s vision. In the song One Last Time, Washington sings of the hope that every citizen might one day “sit under their own vine and fig tree,” directly echoing both the Hebrew prophet Micah and Washington’s letter to the Newport congregation. It is a powerful reminder that the American ideal is ultimately one of peace, dignity, security, and shared responsibility a vision deeply rooted in the Jewish tradition itself.

 

As we gather this weekend with family, friends, and neighbors, may we celebrate the blessings of liberty, give thanks for those who have safeguarded it, and recommit ourselves to building a community worthy of the freedoms we have inherited.

 

As fireworks light the skies this Independence Day, may we also celebrate the light that has allowed Jewish life to flourish in America for nearly two and a half centuries. May we continue to strengthen our nation by strengthening our communities, our friendships, our institutions, and our shared commitment to one another.

 

Happy Independence Day

Cochenu b’Achduteynu | כחינו באחדותינו | Our strength is in our unity.


Am Yisrael Chai | עם ישראל חי

Todd Rockoff

President + CEO, Tucson J 

Shavua Tov 12 Tamuz 5786

Shavua Tov

One of the greatest gifts of Jewish tradition is that it rarely asks us to settle for a single perspective. Instead, Judaism teaches us to ask another question, to listen more deeply, and to recognize that wisdom often emerges when we are willing to see the world through more than one lens.

 

This spirit comes alive every day at the Tucson J.

 

In our remarkable Early Childhood Education program, our educators are guided by the JCC Association’s Sheva Framework, a philosophy that encourages children and all of us to explore the world through seven different lenses. These lenses are much more than an educational model. They are a Jewish way of understanding ourselves, one another, and our responsibility to the world. Increasingly, I find myself reflecting on how these lenses can guide all of us not only in our classrooms, but throughout every part of our agency and our community.

 

The seven Sheva lenses invite us to see the world in these ways:

 

Hit’orerut – Amazement & Gratitude: To approach life with wonder and appreciation, recognizing that awe is the beginning of learning and gratitude.

 

D’rash – Inquiry, Dialogue & Interpretation: To ask meaningful questions, engage in thoughtful conversation, and understand that wisdom grows through curiosity and dialogue.

 

Tikkun Olam – Repair of the World: To understand that each of us shares responsibility for repairing what is broken in ourselves, in our relationships, and in our community.

 

Tzelem Elohim – Divine Image: To recognize that every human being possesses inherent dignity and infinite potential because each person is created in the image of G-d.

 

Masa – Journey: To embrace life as a continual process of reflection, growth, return, and renewal rather than simply reaching a destination.

 

K’dushah – Holiness: To live intentionally, recognizing that ordinary moments become sacred when we bring our full presence to them.

 

B’rit – Covenant: To understand that our deepest sense of purpose comes through our commitments—to ourselves, our families, our community, and one another.

 

As I read these lenses together, I am reminded that they are not seven separate ideas. They are seven ways of looking at the very same world. One situation can be viewed through curiosity. Another through compassion. Another through responsibility. Often the wisest response comes not from choosing one lens, but from allowing ourselves to see through several.

 

Our tradition speaks directly to this. In Pirkei Avot (4:1), Ben Zoma teaches:

 

“Who is wise? One who learns from every person.”

 

Notice that the Mishnah does not say “one who teaches every person.” Wisdom begins with humility. It begins with listening.

 

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks expanded on this beautiful idea when he wrote:

 

“The dignity of difference is that each of us has something unique to contribute to the collective conversation of humankind.”

 

What a powerful lesson for our time. Whether we are serving members, teaching children, making strategic decisions, volunteering, leading, or participating in programs, we become stronger when we seek first to understand before seeking to be understood. Different perspectives are not obstacles to community they are one of community’s greatest strengths.

 

As I walk throughout the Tucson J, I see these lenses in action every day. I see teachers nurturing children’s curiosity. I see campers discovering confidence through new experiences. I see older adults sharing decades of wisdom. I see members encouraging one another in the fitness center, swimmers cheering each other on, tennis players building lifelong friendships, volunteers giving generously of themselves, and staff collaborating across departments. Each interaction offers another opportunity to learn from someone whose experiences are different from our own.

 

At the Tucson J, we often describe ourselves as the town square of Jewish Tucson a place where everyone belongs and some people join. A thriving town square is built upon conversation, respect, curiosity, and the willingness to see one another through lenses of dignity, possibility, and hope.

 

As we continue building an even stronger and more vibrant Jewish community together, may we never stop asking thoughtful questions, remaining open to new perspectives, and discovering the wisdom that exists in every person we meet.

 

Because perhaps the greatest lesson of the Sheva Framework is this: when we learn to see through different lenses, we begin to see each other and ourselves with greater clarity, greater compassion, and greater possibility.

This week’s musical selections beautifully echo this message of learning, community, and responsibility.

 

Children Will Listen from Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods reminds us that learning is never confined to the classroom. Children, and adults, are constantly shaped by the words we speak, the examples we set, and the perspectives we model. It is a gentle reminder that every interaction is an opportunity to teach, inspire, and nurture the next generation.

 

Peter Yarrow’s Light One Candle reminds us that even a single act of kindness, understanding, or hope can illuminate the lives of many others. Like the Sheva lenses themselves, each candle may seem small on its own, but together they create a light capable of transforming a community.

 

May we each continue to light candles of curiosity, compassion, and understanding and in doing so, help build a Tucson J and a Jewish community where every person is seen, every voice is valued, and every perspective enriches us all.

Cochenu b’Achduteynu | כחינו באחדותינו | Our strength is in our unity.


Am Yisrael Chai | עם ישראל חי

Todd Rockoff

President + CEO, Tucson J 

Shavua Tov 5 Tamuz 5786

Shavua Tov

 

As I walk around the J this summer, I am continually reminded that one of life’s greatest blessings, friendship.

 

I see it everywhere.

 

I see it among the campers at Camp J, building friendships that may last a lifetime. I see it among our counselors, many of whom once ran across these same fields and sat around these same camp circles as Camp J campers themselves. I see it among our friends participating in Taglit, discovering connections with one another. I see it at the Sarver Tennis Center, around our swimming pools, in our fitness center, and throughout every corner of our campus.

 

The sounds of the J are anything but the sounds of silence.

 

They are the wonderful sounds of community.

 

They are the laughter of children, the encouragement of coaches, the conversations between old friends, the introductions that become new friendships, and the joyful noise of people gathering. These are the sounds of belonging. They are the sounds of a community that cares for one another.

 

In Jewish tradition, friendship is not merely a pleasant addition to life it is essential to it. The Book of Ecclesiastes teaches:

 

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up the other.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

 

This value is beautifully captured in the song One Voice

 

And in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), we are taught:

 

“Acquire for yourself a friend.” (Pirkei Avot 1:6)

 

The rabbis understood that friendship is one of the foundations upon which meaningful lives and strong communities are built. We are not meant to journey through life alone. We are strengthened by one another, inspired by one another, and sustained by one another.

 

These values have been part of the Tucson J’s story for generations.

 

The sounds we hear today are echoes of the friendships and community connections that began decades ago at our beloved home on Broadway and Plumer. Those sounds were carried forward by families, volunteers, leaders, and staff who believed in the importance of Jewish community. They traveled with us to our remarkable campus at River and Dodge, where for the past 37 years they have continued to grow stronger with each passing generation.

 

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks often reminded us that Judaism is not built solely on individual faith but on relationships. He wrote that “community is where we learn to speak the language of ‘we.'” In a world that often emphasizes the individual, Rabbi Sacks taught that our greatest strength comes from our ability to build communities of shared responsibility, shared purpose, and shared hope.

 

Every day at the J, we witness that vision come alive.

 

When I think about the soundtrack of our community, I am reminded of beloved songs that celebrate friendship and togetherness. In Israel, Naomi Shemer’s timeless classic Lu Yehi became a song of hope, resilience, and connection during difficult times. Here in America, the Broadway songbook has given us enduring reminders of friendship, including Friendship from Anything Goes, a joyful celebration of the bonds that enrich our lives.

 

These songs, like our Jewish tradition, remind us that life is better when we walk together.

To our donors, board members, volunteers, community leaders, staff, members, and friends: thank you for helping create the sounds of community that fill our campus every day. Thank you for investing in relationships, in Jewish life, and in a place where friendships are formed across generations.

 

Together, we ensure that the sounds of the Tucson J the laughter, learning, celebration, caring, and connection continue to be heard for generations to come.

 

And finally, as we celebrate Father’s Day, I extend my warmest wishes to all the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures in our Tucson J family. Thank you for the love, guidance, and example you provide every day. As we honor you, I am reminded of the timeless message found in Cat Stevens’ beloved song Father and Son a reflection on the enduring bond between generations, the wisdom we share, and the love that connects us throughout life’s journey. Happy Father’s Day.


Cochenu b’Achduteynu | כחינו באחדותינו | Our strength is in our unity.


Am Yisrael Chai | עם ישראל חי


Todd Rockoff

President + CEO, Tucson J 

Shavua Tov 28 Sivan 5786

Shavua Tov

As we move through the rhythms of our lives balancing work and family, leadership and service, ambition and humility we are reminded of a timeless Jewish value: anavah (ענווה).

 

Often translated as humility, anavah does not mean diminishing ourselves or shrinking from our gifts. Rather, it means seeing ourselves clearly and honestly. It is the ability to recognize both our strengths and our limitations, understanding that each of us has an important role to play while appreciating that we are part of something larger than ourselves.

 

Jewish tradition teaches that balance is essential to a life well lived. Maimonides described the ideal path as the derekh ha’emtza’it, the middle way a life lived between extremes. Courage lies between recklessness and fear. Generosity lies between selfishness and excess. Humility lies between arrogance and self-negation. Through anavah, we find harmony within ourselves and in our relationships with others.

 

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks beautifully captured this idea when he wrote:

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”

When we find this balance or harmony, we become more present to our families, our friends, our colleagues, and our communities. We can lead without ego, serve without resentment, and celebrate our accomplishments without losing sight of the contributions of others.

 

At the Tucson J, we believe community is one of the most powerful forces for helping us cultivate this balance. Through fitness and wellness programs, Jewish learning, arts and culture, camps, volunteer opportunities, social gatherings, and meaningful relationships, we find opportunities to strengthen both ourselves and our connections to one another.

 

In a world that often pulls us toward isolation, distraction, or relentless striving, the J offers something different: a place where we can belong, grow, contribute, and renew ourselves. Here, we are reminded that our individual well-being and the well-being of our community are deeply intertwined.

 

This idea is beautifully reflected in the words of Psalm 133, which we sing in Hinei Ma Tov:

 

“Hinei ma tov u’ma na’im, shevet achim gam yachad.”


“How good and how pleasant it is when people dwell together in unity.”

Community is not simply where we gather; it is where we find perspective, purpose, and balance. It is where we discover that our lives are enriched when we share them with others.

 

The spirit of community and human flourishing is also reflected in Bob Dylan’s Forever Young, a song that offers blessings for a life of purpose, wisdom, integrity, and hope. Like the Jewish value of anavah, it reminds us that true success is not measured by status or achievement alone, but by the character we cultivate, the relationships we build, and the impact we have on others.

 

As we continue our shared work of building a vibrant Jewish future, may we strive for the wisdom of anavah the balance that enables us to live with purpose, compassion, confidence, and gratitude. May we recognize our unique gifts while remaining deeply connected to one another and to the community we are privileged to serve.

 

Our tradition reminds us:

 

“Who is honored? One who honors others.” (Pirkei Avot 4:1)

 

May we continue to honor one another by showing up, participating, caring, learning, and building community together.

 

Thank you for helping create a community where balance, belonging, and human flourishing can thrive every day.

Cochenu b’Achduteynu | כחינו באחדותינו | Our strength is in our unity.


Am Yisrael Chai | עם ישראל חי

Todd Rockoff

President + CEO, Tucson J 

Shavua Tov 21 Sivan 5786

Shavua Tov

As Broadway celebrates its biggest night tomorrow with the annual Tony Awards, I find myself reflecting on how often musical theater finds its way into these weekly messages. The Broadway songbook has long been one of my favorite escapes, and it is impossible to separate the history of Broadway from the contributions of Jewish composers, lyricists, performers, and themes that have shaped the American musical theater tradition.

 

A few years ago, the acclaimed revival of Parade won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Jason Robert Brown’s powerful score tells the story of Leo Frank and the realities of antisemitism in America. One of its most stirring songs, This Is Not Over Yet reminds us that hope and perseverance can endure even in the darkest moments.

 

The Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away tells the remarkable story of a small Newfoundland town that welcomed thousands of stranded travelers after September 11. In the hauntingly beautiful song Prayer, voices from different faith traditions are woven together, including the Jewish prayer Oseh Shalom “May the One who makes peace in the heavens make peace for us and for all Israel.”

 

Stephen Sondheim, one of Broadway’s greatest Jewish composers, received renewed attention when the revival of Into the Woods earned multiple Tony nominations. The song Children will Listen speaks to the sacred responsibility we bear for the next generation. Its message echoes a core Jewish value: that our actions, words, and choices shape the world our children inherit.

 

Tomorrow night, audiences will hear Caissie Levy, nominated for her portrayal of Mother in Ragtime. Her rendition of Back to Before captures the courage required to embrace change and venture into an uncertain future. The story of Ragtime, with its themes of immigration, identity, and belonging, resonates deeply with the American Jewish experience.

 

And no reflection on contemporary Broadway would be complete without Wicked, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The anthem Defying Gravity has become a modern declaration of courage, individuality, and moral conviction. This week I am sharing a special version performed in Hebrew by Israeli singer Shiri Maimon, demonstrating how a Broadway song can transcend language and connect audiences around the world.

 

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks taught that creativity is one of the most profound expressions of the human spirit. He wrote:

 

“To be a Jew is to be a creative artist. We are called on to become God’s partners in the work of creation.”

 

Broadway at its best invites us to imagine, create, empathize, and dream. It reminds us that stories matter, that music can elevate the soul, and that through creativity we participate in something larger than ourselves.

 

As we celebrate another Tony Awards season, may we continue to find inspiration in the songs, stories, and artists who challenge us to see the world not only as it is, but as it could be.

Cochenu b’Achduteynu | כחינו באחדותינו | Our strength is in our unity.


Am Yisrael Chai | עם ישראל חי

Todd Rockoff

President + CEO, Tucson J 

Shavua Tov 14 Sivan 5786

Shavua Tov

 

This morning, as we read Parashat Naso, we encounter one of the most beloved passages in the Torah: Birkat HaKohanim, the Priestly Blessing:

 

“May Adonai bless you and protect you.
May Adonai shine God’s face upon you and be gracious to you.
May Adonai lift up God’s face toward you and grant you peace.”
(Numbers 6:24-26)

 

For generations, these sacred words have reminded us that blessing is not merely something we receive it is something we share. The Priestly Blessing is offered in the plural, teaching us that God’s blessings are experienced most fully in community. We are blessed not only as individuals, but as a people connected to one another through purpose, responsibility, and care.

 

As I reflect on these words today, I am filled with gratitude for the blessing of serving our Tucson J community. Each day, I witness the power of connection, generosity, and shared commitment. I see it in the dedication of our staff, the vision and leadership of our Board of Directors, the countless hours contributed by volunteers, the generosity of our donors, and the enthusiasm of our members and participants who bring life to our programs and spaces.

 

The Talmud teaches:

 

“Who is rich? One who rejoices in what they have.”
— Pirkei Avot 4:1

 

By that measure, we are truly rich. We are blessed with a community that continually strives to strengthen Jewish life, care for one another, celebrate our traditions, and build a vibrant future together. Every program, gathering, act of kindness, and shared experience reflects the sacred work of community-building.

 

Another beautiful teaching reminds us:

 

“The one who blesses others is themselves blessed.”
— Proverbs 11:25

 

I am continually inspired by the many people who give of themselves to enrich the lives of others. Through your leadership, generosity, participation, and partnership, you help create a Jewish community where individuals and families can thrive, connect, and find meaning.

 

Another beautiful teaching reminds us:

 

“The one who blesses others is themselves blessed.”
— Proverbs 11:25

 

I am continually inspired by the many people who give of themselves to enrich the lives of others. Through your leadership, generosity, participation, and partnership, you help create a Jewish community where individuals and families can thrive, connect, and find meaning.

 

As I consider the spirit of blessing expressed in this week’s Torah portion, I am reminded of the Broadway song For Good from Wicked. Its message speaks to the profound impact we have on one another’s lives. None of us accomplishes our journey alone. We are shaped, strengthened, and uplifted by those around us. The relationships we build and the care we extend become blessings that endure far beyond any single moment.

 

I am also reminded of Naomi Shemer’s beloved Hebrew song  Al Kol Eilah(“For All These Things”), a prayer of gratitude for the gifts that enrich our lives and a plea to preserve what is precious. It echoes the spirit of Birkat HaKohanim, inviting us to recognize the blessings we have received and to be faithful stewards of the community we continue to nurture together.

 

This pairing creates a beautiful bridge between contemporary culture and Jewish tradition, with both songs centered on gratitude, relationships, and the enduring power of community.

 

Thank you for being part of this extraordinary community. Thank you for your commitment, your generosity, your leadership, and your faith in what we can accomplish together. The blessings we enjoy today are the result of countless individuals choosing to invest in one another and in the future of Jewish life.

May we continue to be a source of blessing for each other and for the generations that follow.

 

A Community Blessing

 

May our community be blessed with strength to meet challenges, wisdom to seize opportunities, and compassion to care for one another.

 

May our leaders be guided by vision, our volunteers by purpose, our staff by fulfillment, and our supporters by the joy of seeing lives enriched through their generosity.

 

May our children grow in confidence and Jewish pride, our families find belonging and connection, and our elders continue to share their wisdom and experience.

 

May the bonds between us grow stronger with each passing day.

 

May we continue to build a vibrant, inclusive, and caring Jewish community, rooted in tradition, inspired by purpose, and dedicated to creating a brighter future.

 

Cochenu b’Achduteynu | כחינו באחדותינו | Our strength is in our unity.


Am Yisrael Chai | עם ישראל חי

 

Todd Rockoff

President + CEO, Tucson J 

Shavua Tov 7 Sivan 5786

Shavua Tov

 

As we conclude the beautiful holiday of Shavuot, we reflect on the extraordinary moment at Sinai when the Jewish people received the Torah. Our tradition teaches that every man, woman, and child who left Egypt stood together at Mount Sinai and not only them, but also the souls of every past and future generation. In that sacred moment, Torah became the inheritance and responsibility of all Jews across all time.

 

There is something profoundly moving about knowing that joy, purpose, and belonging transcend generations. The experience at Sinai reminds us that Judaism is not only something we inherit; it is something we continually build together, generation after generation.

 

At the Tucson J, we strive every day to be that kind of place a home for everyone across generations. A place where children laugh and learn, where friendships are formed, where Jewish identity is strengthened, where community gathers in moments of celebration and support, and where memories become stories carried forward for years to come.

 

I often find myself asking: What is your JCC story? Perhaps it began in preschool, at camp, through fitness and wellness, at a cultural program, during a holiday celebration, or simply through finding connection and belonging here. Just as importantly, how can each of us help create JCC stories for future generations?

 

Being in and with community brings me tremendous joy and a deep sense of pride. This Tuesday morning, we will welcome more than 300 campers to the J, adding to the beautiful noise and vibrant mosaic of people who come together day in and day out at our J. Their laughter, energy, and excitement are reminders that Jewish community is alive, thriving, and filled with possibility.

 

Music, too, is a profound source of joy and connection. I am especially thrilled that this summer we will host a wonderful Summer Series of Concerts the J, bringing our community together through the power of music, celebration, and shared experience. Music has a unique ability to unite generations and lift the spirit. Songs like Seasons of Love from Rent remind us to measure life through connection, relationships, and shared moments of meaning. Make them Hear You from Ragtime calls upon us to ensure our voices, values, and stories endure for future generations. And beloved Hebrew songs Hinei Ma Tov remind us of the beauty and joy that come when a community gathers together in unity and fellowship “How good and pleasant it is when we dwell together.”

 

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks beautifully taught:

 

“Joy is the supreme religious emotion. The Torah is a celebration of life. Judaism is not a religion of guilt or fear, but of joy, joy in the world as God’s creation, joy in life as God’s gift, and joy in the covenant as God’s call.”

 

Rabbi Sacks also reminds us that revelation at Sinai was not experienced by a select few, but by an entire people across generations binding us together through learning, responsibility, memory, and hope.

 

As we move into the summer season, may we continue to create spaces filled with joy, learning, belonging, and connection. May we honor the generations who came before us while inspiring those who will follow. And may the J continue to be a place where every person can find their story within our larger community story.

 

Wishing you and your loved ones continued blessings, joy, and meaningful connection.


Cochenu b’Achduteynu | כחינו באחדותינו | Our strength is in our unity.


Am Yisrael Chai | עם ישראל חי

 

Todd Rockoff

President + CEO, Tucson J 

Shavua Tov 29 Iyar 5786

Shavua Tov

 

As we began the Book of Bamidbar this morning, we enter the wilderness together. The Hebrew word bamidbar means “in the desert,” but our sages also teach that the wilderness is not merely a place of emptiness it is a place of possibility. It is where the Israelites learned who they were, how they would journey together, and what it meant to build a sacred community rooted in responsibility, compassion, and hope.

 

In Parshat Bamidbar we read:

 

“The Israelites shall camp each with their standard, under the banners of their ancestral house; they shall camp around the Tent of Meeting at a distance.”


— Numbers 2:2

 

Each tribe retained its individuality, yet all gathered around a shared center. This image feels especially meaningful for us today. At the Tucson J and throughout our community, we come together from many backgrounds and experiences seeking comfort, support, friendship, belonging, and purpose. We gather not because we are identical, but because we share a common hope for connection and a shared future.

 

There is beauty in seeking. The wilderness reminds us that not every path is fully known, and not every answer is immediately visible. Yet in the journey itself we often discover unexpected gifts: new friendships, moments of understanding, acts of kindness, and opportunities for growth that enrich our lives in ways we never anticipated.

 

This spirit is beautifully captured in Sam Glaser’s song Bamidbar, which reflects the openness and possibility of the wilderness journey, and also in Stephen Schwartz’s Broadway song Beautiful City we hear:

 

“Out of the ruins and rubble,
Out of the smoke,
Out of our night of struggle,
Can we see a ray of hope…”

 

Like the Israelites in the wilderness, we continue building together creating a community grounded in compassion, learning, friendship, and love.

 

This Thursday evening, we will gather as a community at the J for our annual Tikkun Leil Shavuot  “All You Need Is Love.” Together we will learn, sing, reflect, and celebrate the gift of community and Torah deep into the evening.

 

I hope you will join me for this meaningful and joyful gathering.

 

Wishing you Shavuah Tov and a חג שבועות שמח,


Cochenu b’Achduteynu | כחינו באחדותינו | Our strength is in our unity.


Am Yisrael Chai | עם ישראל חי

 

Todd Rockoff

President + CEO, Tucson J 

Shavua Tov 22 Iyar 5786

Shavua Tov

 

As we celebrate Jewish Heritage Month, we are reminded of the extraordinary power of Jewish community not only in preserving our traditions, but in shaping a vibrant and meaningful Jewish future together.

 

At the Tucson J, we are proud to serve as the town square of Jewish life in Southern Arizona: a welcoming public square where everyone belongs, where relationships are built, where traditions are shared, and where Jewish identity flourishes in all its beautiful diversity. Some people join the J through membership, but everyone belongs at the J. It is a place where Jewish life is lived openly, joyfully, and collectively.

 

Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks beautifully captured this idea when he wrote:

 

“A strong society is built around strong communities.”

 

Every day, the Tucson J helps strengthen those connections across generations, backgrounds, and experiences by creating spaces where people gather for learning, wellness, culture, celebration, service, and friendship. In a world where isolation and division can feel overwhelming, the J stands as a beacon of belonging and shared purpose.

 

Jewish Heritage Month is also a celebration of the creativity, resilience, and spirit of the Jewish people. The arts and music have long helped tell the Jewish story and express our aspirations as a people.

 

The Broadway musical Rags, which tells the story of Jewish immigrants arriving in America in search of dignity, opportunity, and belonging, reminds us of the courage and hope that shaped generations of Jewish life in this country. Its music captures the journey from struggle to possibility and the enduring belief that community can help transform uncertainty into opportunity.

 

That same spirit of collective purpose is reflected in Leonard Bernstein’s powerful anthem Make our Garden Grow from Candide, which speaks to people coming together to build something lasting, hopeful, and life-giving. It is a vision that reflects the work we do every day at the Tucson J as we cultivate a stronger, more connected, and more vibrant Jewish community.

 

And that vision is beautifully echoed in the beloved Hebrew song Hinei Ma Tov, drawn from Psalm 133:

 

“How good and pleasant it is when people dwell together in unity.”

 

These timeless words remind us that Jewish life is strongest when it is shared when people gather in community, care for one another, celebrate together, and create spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and connected.

 

Thank you for all you do to strengthen Jewish life in Tucson. Your leadership, generosity, partnership, and dedication make it possible for the Tucson J to remain the heart of our community a place where Jewish life is vibrant, welcoming, and accessible to all.

 

Together, we continue to build a stronger, more connected, and more joyful Jewish future.

 

Happy Jewish Heritage Month,


Cochenu b’Achduteynu | כחינו באחדותינו | Our strength is in our unity.


Am Yisrael Chai | עם ישראל חי

 

Todd Rockoff

President + CEO, Tucson J 

Shavua Tov 15 Iyar 5786

Shavua Tov

 

As we continue the sacred journey of counting the Omer, tonight we arrive at the 31st day, Tiferet of Hod, the balance of compassion within humility.

 

This moment invites us to reflect not only on who we are individually, but on how we show up together. Humility in Jewish tradition is not about diminishing ourselves; it is about making space for others, for learning, and for collective strength. When we lead with humility, we become more open, more connected, and ultimately more powerful as a community.

 

Our shared work at the Tucson J is to strengthen Jewish community and create more vibrant Jewish life. That work is not diminished when we collaborate it is amplified. Working together, we do not give up power; rather, we gain strength. We deepen relationships, broaden impact, and embody the very values we seek to cultivate.

 

A teaching from Pirkei Avot reminds us:

 

“Who is honored? One who honors others.” (Pirkei Avot 4:1)

 

This wisdom speaks directly to Tiferet of Hod that true beauty (tiferet) emerges when humility (hod) is expressed through compassion, respect, and recognition of others. In honoring one another, we elevate the entire community.

 

This wisdom reflects Tiferet of Hod that true beauty (tiferet) emerges when humility (hod) is expressed through compassion, shared responsibility, and steady commitment. Each of us brings what we can, and together, we build something far greater than any one of us alone.

 

As we continue this Omer journey, may we embrace humility not as a limitation, but as an operating system for Jewish life one that allows us to listen deeply, act thoughtfully, and lead with integrity and care.

 

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel provides a moving reminder of being present for one another with compassion and grace.

 

Also the V’ahavta gives musical voice to our enduring obligation to care for one another and build community through love.

 

May tonight’s counting inspire us to lead with humility, act with compassion, and continue building a stronger, more vibrant Jewish community, together.

 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹמֶר

 

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to count the Omer

 

הַיּוֹם אֶחָד וּשְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם, שֶׁהֵם אַרְבָּעָה שָׁבוּעוֹת וּשְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים בָּעֹמֶר

 

Today is thirty-one days, which is four weeks and three days of the Omer

 

With gratitude for all you do to sustain and strengthen our community,


Cochenu b’Achduteynu | כחינו באחדותינו | Our strength is in our unity.


Am Yisrael Chai | עם ישראל חי

 

Todd Rockoff

President + CEO, Tucson J