Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona

Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona Please "like us" to stay up to date on our news and events in our community.

Please "like us" at www.facebook.com/JPSATucson to stay up to date on our news and events around Southern Arizona.

Congratulations to 2026 Bryna Zehngut Mitzvot Award recipient Hannah Levin! Committed to the Jewish community and social...
03/19/2026

Congratulations to 2026 Bryna Zehngut Mitzvot Award recipient Hannah Levin!

Committed to the Jewish community and social justice, Hannah co-founded her school's Jewish Student Union, serves as President of Pima County Teen Court as well as Vice President of the Youth Health Action Team, has lobbied in DC as a member of the Jewish Latino Teen Coalition, and teaches 5th graders every Sunday at Kol Ami Synagogue.

In her own words: "Bryna Zehngut believed deeply in Jewish community. Receiving an award in her name is incredibly meaningful to me because Bryna herself is exactly who I want to be as both a person and a leader.”

Hannah is donating her award to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Mazel tov, Hannah!

Nominate a young woman for the award > https://jparizona.org/forms/zehngut-award-nomination

Get to know the Bryna Zehngut Mitzvot Award, one way we recognize extraordinary young leaders in our community.Founded b...
03/18/2026

Get to know the Bryna Zehngut Mitzvot Award, one way we recognize extraordinary young leaders in our community.

Founded by Karen Katz and Jane Ash to honor Bryna's legacy and inspire the next generation of Jewish women leaders, this annual award recognizes high school girls who live Jewish values through action.

Recipients receive a small monetary award symbolizing the 613 mitzvot that they can use to travel to Israel, create a Jewish program, or support a Jewish-nonprofit that’s close to her heart.

This year, committee member Sarah Singer joined Jane to present the award to two truly remarkable young women. Stay tuned to learn more about our recent winners!

Nominate a young woman for the award > https://jparizona.org/forms/zehngut-award-nomination

You probably have one of these: A conversation you keep circling but never quite step into. Maybe it's with your college...
03/17/2026

You probably have one of these: A conversation you keep circling but never quite step into.

Maybe it's with your college-age kid who sees Israel through a completely different lens now. Maybe it's a friend you've quietly stopped calling because the last talk went sideways and neither of you knew how to repair it.

For the Sake of Argument’s Robbie Gringras has guided 15,000 through this work, helping Jewish communities do something we rarely get taught how to do: walk straight into the hard conversations and somehow come out closer.

On March 22-23, he is coming to Tucson. Register for a session here > https://jparizona.org/for-the-sake-of-argument

Weintraub Israel Center

Get to know our Lions of Judah women, the movers and shakers making a difference in our community and beyond. Lions of J...
03/13/2026

Get to know our Lions of Judah women, the movers and shakers making a difference in our community and beyond.

Lions of Judah have been sustaining Jewish life in Southern Arizona and across the globe for 50+ years — and their recent luncheon was a reminder of just how much of this community runs through them.

Interested in becoming a Lion? Learn more > https://jparizona.org/get-involved/womens-philanthropy

260+ Tucson women in one room, celebrating Jewish pride and the impact we make together. That's Connections.We heard fro...
03/11/2026

260+ Tucson women in one room, celebrating Jewish pride and the impact we make together. That's Connections.

We heard from Tessa Veksler — first-generation American,
former UCSB student body president who faced antisemitism on campus and social media, and has remained committed to showing up loudly and unapologetically for the Jewish community.

We also recognized high schoolers Zoe Gordon and Hannah Levin with the Bryna Zehngut Mitzvah Award, young women who stand up for what they believe in.

Jewish Tucson's present and future are in great hands!

You made a difference for Tucson on Super Sunday! 35 volunteers 230 donorsThank you to our incredible community members ...
03/06/2026

You made a difference for Tucson on Super Sunday!

35 volunteers
230 donors

Thank you to our incredible community members who are dedicated to strengthening Jewish life in Tucson and Southern Arizona!

And thank you to our volunteers who poured themselves into this outreach with energy, laughter, and meaningful conversations. It was such a beautiful day with long-lasting impact.

03/05/2026

Do you know a Tucsonan making a big difference?

The Meyer and Libby Marmis Humanitarian Award recognizes the leaders and nonprofits creating meaningful impact for our local community.

The winner will be honored publicly and receive a $5,000 award to keep their mission moving forward.

Nominations are officially open.

Nominate a hero today > https://bit.ly/3Pi8K6O

Jewish Tucson shows up for each other. And if you were one of the nearly 700 community members who came to welcome Ambas...
02/27/2026

Jewish Tucson shows up for each other. And if you were one of the nearly 700 community members who came to welcome Ambassador Yechiel Leitner to Tucson, you felt it. And what a powerful, unifying evening it was.

The Ambassador shared the story of his son, Maj. Moshe Yedidya Leitner, who fell in battle, while the community dedicated a new Torah scroll in his memory. The room was completely still as community members of every age, background, and perspective gathered in shared respect, honest conversation, and a deep collective love for Israel.

In this stillness, we were reminded that our greatest strength is our community, and it’s beautiful when we come together.

02/25/2026

"We're not going anywhere."

Meet Tessa Veksler. First-generation American, Ukrainian-Jewish descent, former UCSB student body president, and our Connections speaker on March 8.

In the wake of Oct. 7, her social media posts reached millions and made her a target for vicious antisemitism. Her response? Step up louder.

"Turn pain into purpose. Turn fear into action. I still had so much to gain by speaking up for our people and our homeland."

Her advice: “Show up. Engage in an event like Connections because when you know you have community to back you up, you feel invincible.”

Sunday, March 8. Be there.

Register now > https://jfsa.ticketspice.com/connections-2026

Thank you to the 70 players, including many first-time attendees, who joined us for our annual Men’s Poker Tournament! S...
02/24/2026

Thank you to the 70 players, including many first-time attendees, who joined us for our annual Men’s Poker Tournament!

Some showed up ready to compete for a spot at the final table. Others came to reconnect with friends, meet new faces in our Jewish community, and support JPSA’s Young Men’s Group. No matter what brought you to the table, it was an incredible night for all.

Together, we raised funds for our Young Men’s Group! Events like the Men’s Poker Tournament will fuel future opportunities to build leadership, strengthen connections, and make a real impact in Tucson and beyond.

What did you love most about the tournament? Let us know in the comments!

Meet Avah Montgomery, a University of Arizona freshman whose college journey started before classes even began. During ...
02/20/2026

Meet Avah Montgomery, a University of Arizona freshman whose college journey started before classes even began. During FreshFest, she walked into Hillel for the first time and immediately felt at home.

"Every person I met seemed genuinely excited that I was there," Avah remembers.
The next day brought a Mount Lemmon adventure: hiking, activities, and bonding with fellow students through Jewish geography and laughter.

“It felt like I had been handed a key to an instant safe space — a built-in community I could turn to for support, connection, and belonging.”

Now, Hillel is her second home. Whether she's grabbing Wednesday bagels or attending Shabbat services, it's where she shows up as her full self.

This is the impact of Jewish community in Tucson, and why JPSA's support of Hillel University of Arizona matters so much.

B'nai Mitzvah mark the moment when Jewish teens become responsible for their own actions and step into Jewish adulthood....
02/18/2026

B'nai Mitzvah mark the moment when Jewish teens become responsible for their own actions and step into Jewish adulthood.

In Tucson, that journey includes a mitzvah project, a chance to answer the question: what will you do for the world?

Three Tucson teens recently showed what this looks for each of them:

Levi Finkelstein met with Holocaust survivors and created artwork to honor their stories and spread awareness.

Blake Zoey Belen organized a formal gown drive for Southern Arizona teens.

Ike Berkman performed piano concerts for Handmaker residents while raising funds for hearing accessibility.

Through these projects, our young people learn to lead with purpose, and we couldn’t be prouder of them!

Address

3718 E. River Road
Tucson, AZ
85718

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 3pm

Telephone

+15205779393

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share