Here at the Tucson J, we are continually inspired by those who, like Miriam, help carry our community forward—through acts of kindness, service, and quiet strength. As we gather this Shabbat, and reflect on the week behind us, we honor her memory by pausing to notice the “Miriams” among us and by recommitting ourselves to building a community rooted in belonging, connection, resilience, and hope. 

This week at the J, camp continued, with this week’s virtue of Hakarat HaTov or gratitude. Every week, but especially this week, we teach campers to recognize and appreciate the small moments that make each day special: a friend who saves them a seat for lunch, a counselor who offers encouragement during a challenging activity, or even a cool breeze during a hot afternoon. 

In Discovery, campers did a “Gratitude Grows Here” project where they created tie-dye flowers using coffee filters and washable markers, and discussed ways they can show gratitude for others, like sharing flowers with them! In Wilderness, just like how our people navigated their journey through the desert, campers learned about orienteering using a compass and map to get around. In Art, campers made handprint cacti blooming in a pot of their very own design to remind themselves of how gratitude, like water, helps good things grow. In Tikkun Olam, campers made a traditional Israeli dessert called Kadurey Shokolad and in cooking, campers made Super Muffins loaded with fruits and veggies—and celebrated their gratitude for healthy foods. Tiyul campers continued working on their ceramics and took field trips to the National Mercantile downtown and the Gaslight Theatre, but the highlight for Tiyul was the return of “Restaurant Wars.” This year, the competition was judged by local food celebrity and journalist Jackie Tran, as well as renowned Chef Christian Padilla.