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
