From the Desk of Josh Shenker | Chief Operations Officer ⋆ JCC Tucson

From the Desk of Josh Shenker | Chief Operations Officer

December 2, 2025

From the Desk of Josh Shenker | Chief Operations Officer

This week’s Torah portion, Vayetzei, is filled with movement, transition, and growth. Jacob leaves home under difficult circumstances and journeys toward an unknown future. As night falls, he finds himself in a nameless place, with nothing but the ground beneath him and a stone to rest his head.

And then, he dreams. A ladder stretching from earth to heaven. Angels moving up and down. A moment of connection between the divine and the everyday—all while using a stone for a pillow.

After the dream, he wakes up, realizes the holiness of the moment, and the Torah tells us: “He took the stone…and set it up as a pillar.”

It’s the same stone.

The very object that was once just a place to rest his head becomes a monument. A marker. A reminder of revelation and transformation.

What changed? Not the location. Not the stone. Jacob changed. His awareness changed. And in doing so, the ordinary became sacred.

That same idea, of something ordinary becoming meaningful simply because we notice it, applies to our lives in so many ways. It reminds us that meaning doesn’t always arrive in big, dramatic moments. Sometimes, it’s about what we choose to do with what’s already in front of us; a relationship deepened or a space made welcoming. And sometimes, the meaning is already there and we just haven’t noticed it yet; a routine that quietly grounds us or a place that became home without us planning it.

We all have “stones”: the tasks we take on, the responsibilities we carry, the daily routines we move through.

The same can be said for places.

There are places we pass through…and then there are places that stay with us. Sometimes what starts as just a stop along the way becomes a part of who we are; not because we planned it that way, but because something unfolded there. A connection was made. A purpose was discovered. A life was built.

At the Tucson J, just as we learn about in parsha Vayetzei, we strive to turn the everyday into something meaningful. When we practice Hakarat HaTov—recognizing the good, a concept fitting for this Thanksgiving week—we cultivate the gratitude that turns the small and mundane into magic and miracle. Whether it’s a fitness class that becomes a source of strength, a hallway conversation that sparks connection, or an arts and culture program that helps someone feel less alone, the J is a place where ordinary moments become pillars of belonging, learning, and growth that shape our lives.

Among many meaningful moments shared this week at the J was Sunday’s PJ Library Musical Instrument Petting Zoo in partnership with the Civic Orchestra of Tucson. Families and kids of all ages gathered in the Baker Ballroom to listen to the musicians, move to the music, and learn about the different instruments that make up an orchestra.

Kids in Early Childhood Education prepared for Thanksgiving with a favorite J tradition: reading the book Stone Soup and making and enjoying their own Stone Soup with ingredients brought by the students. The story is a beautiful reminder of the value of generosity, the power of community, and the importance of team work—lessons even our littlest community members learn by experiencing life here at the J.

And throughout the week, our community connected over the Mahj jong table, in games of Canasta, on the court for Noon Hoops, in the cycling studio, and so much more. As we near the end of the year and embark on new journeys in 2026, we encourage you to find your joy at the J! We can’t wait to see what you explore and where you find meaning here.

As we enter Shabbat, may we continue to discover holiness in the spaces—and the community—we build together. Shabbat Shalom.