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
