Shavua Tov
This week has been filled with profound emotion and renewed hope. The images of twenty hostages returning home to their families after more than two years in captivity have moved us all deeply. We rejoice in their return and pray that those still being held, and those who have been killed, will be brought home soon—for proper burial, for closure, and for the healing of their loved ones.
Moments like these remind us of the power of community, of belonging, and of the sacred responsibility we hold for one another. At the Tucson J, our vision is to be the town square of the Jewish and broader community, a place where people of all ages and backgrounds come together in safety, connection, and shared purpose.
We are steadfast in our commitment to raising the level of Jewish joy and deepening the level of Jewish literacy. Both are essential to a vibrant and resilient future. Our tradition teaches us through the words Na’aseh V’Nishma “We will do, and we will understand.” Sometimes, understanding comes only through action. When we come together as a community to learn, to celebrate, to create, and to lift one another up, we discover not only what we can achieve, but who we can become—together.
The Torah teaches in Pirkei Avot (2:21):
“Lo alecha ham’lacha ligmor, v’lo ata ben chorin l’hibatel mimena.”
“It is not upon you to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”
Each of us is called to contribute to the ongoing work of building, healing, and understanding. We may not finish the task—but through our collective effort, we carry it forward.
This spirit is beautifully captured in the Hebrew song Olam Chesed Yibaneh “I will build this world from love.” It reminds us that every act of kindness, every gathering, every conversation adds to the foundation of a more compassionate world. At the J, each day we strive to build that world—brick by brick, heart by heart—through learning, wellness, and community.
And as Bridge Over Troubled Water reminds us:
“When you’re weary, feeling small, when tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all.”
That is what it means to be a community—to show up for one another in joy and in pain, to be the bridge when others cannot cross alone.
Celebrating Creativity: Theatre Dybbuk at the J
In that same spirit of creativity and connection, I invite you to join me for Theatre Dybbuk-in-Residence at the Tucson J.
We are hosting two culminating performances of Dracula (Annotated):
Friday, October 24 at 2:00 PM – HERE
Saturday, October 25 at 7:00 PM – HERE
Both performances will take place at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre.
Under the direction of writer and director Aaron Henne, and accompanied by a live musical score, a company of five performers explores the gothic tale of Dracula—uncovering the societal forces of fear, power, and identity in Victorian England that remain deeply relevant today.
You can Learn more about the residency or watch my PODCAST with Aaron Henne to hear how this project reflects the intersection of art, learning, and Jewish thought. Please share this opportunity with your friends and family—this unique partnership is yet another expression of our commitment to creative, thoughtful engagement with Jewish culture and the broader human story.
Looking Ahead: Learning, Resilience, and Dialogue
On October 29, in partnership with JPSA and the Center for Jewish Resilience, we are proud to launch something new for our community—the Southwest Institute, a space designed for honest conversation, validation, clarity, and connection.
Join us on October 26 for the Southwest Institute Dinner, where we will come together for an open and courageous dialogue about what we are all living through.
At the evening program, you’ll hear directly from:
Dr. Rachel Fish, a leading voice in Jewish and Israel studies who spent two decades on campuses helping families and students respond to antisemitism as it intensified. She will share practical tools for how to talk to our kids and families about antisemitism, how to recognize its shifting forms, and what we can do next.
A survivor of October 7, sharing their lived experience and its ongoing impact.
This gathering will be a meaningful opportunity to reflect, connect, and strengthen our collective resilience.
Then, on Sunday, November 2, 2025—the day before the 30th yahrzeit of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination—the Tucson J will host our Inaugural Z3 Conference, bringing together voices from across the Jewish world to explore unity, identity, and our shared future.
From 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, we’ll gather for breakfast and a morning of thoughtful sessions, dialogue, and bridge-building conversations. The cost to attend is $18 per person, and childcare is available upon request. If cost is a barrier, please reach out to Jennifer Lorch Selco at jselco@tucsonjcc.org.
The Z3 Conference brings Jews from across the political and religious spectrum together to explore Israel, Zionism, and the future of Jewish life. Z3@Tucson brings that spirit of dialogue to our own community—built by your JCC and shaped by the questions and voices that matter most here.
This program is proudly supported by the JCC Association of North America and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.
A Benediction of Hope
Olam chesed yibaneh —
I will build this world from love.
And you will build this world from love.
And if we build this world from love…
then God will build this world from love.
And when we stumble, when we are weary,
and the waters rise around us,
may we become for one another—
that bridge over troubled water,
steady, strong, and sure.
Cochenu b’Achduteynu | כחינו באחדותינו | Our strength is in our unity.
Am Yisrael Chai | עם ישראל חי
Bring them Home Now I מחזירים אותם הביתה עכשיו
Todd Rockoff
President + CEO, Tucson J
