2012 Summer - Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center

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Why We Give - The Kurs It’s all in the Family! by 10 There is a Hasidic saying, “Everyone should carefully observe which way his heart draws him, and then choose that way with all his strength.” This is certainly the case with the Kur family, Kimberly, Norm and boys Brian (9) and Ethan (7), who, over the years, have immersed themselves in Jewish giving. Born and raised in Philadelphia, it was Kimberly’s parents who encouraged her to get involved in the Jewish Federation. Kimberly recalls, “I immediately felt plugged in. I felt that sense of community, belonging and warmth that appealed to me.” It was a different feeling from the secular community work she had done previously, having deferred law school to work for a national activist organization focused on ending homelessness and poverty. During Kimberly and Norm’s courtship, Kimberly continued to take on new challenges as a board member of the Young Leader Council of the Philadelphia Federation. Soon after, Norm’s employment brought them to Arizona, where the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix immediately engaged Kimberly and Norm in local causes. Norm supported Kimberly in all her leadership roles, and as she became more involved, he learned by osmosis. Kimberly and Norm participated in many national and regional young leadership conferences, and Kimberly served on UJC’s National Young Leadership Cabinet. All the while Kimberly continued to assume new positions first as a member of the Federation’s Young Leadership Division Board and later the Women’s Philanthropy Board. By 2009, Kimberly was involved in full-time work, synagogue and the Federation, not to mention, raising two young boys. She was presented with the amazing opportunity to become a Wexner Fellow that year and participated with Norm in two of the summer institutes and engaged in an intensive two-year course of study with 19 cohorts. When it was time to complete the program with a mission to Israel, Norm stayed behind to help their oldest son Alisa B. Chatinsky JCC Director of Development transition through his first overnight camp experience, but was none-the-less inspired by the program and Kimberly’s dedication to the Jewish community and Israel. In 2010, Kimberly joined the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center board of directors. It was an easy transition because of the family’s involvement in the JCC since day one. “The J is our kids’ home away from home,” Kimberly explained. “The boys have been involved in almost every youth program which has given them a positive sense of self and the community,” she added. Brian shared that his favorite time at the JCC was “the alone time I get when mom and dad work out.” Brian also enjoys taking karate with Noel Washington every Tuesday and Thursday, while brother Ethan loves to play basketball. The boys have great pride in seeing their name listed as donors—for the original campus campaign, as charter members of the JCC and their picture on the Wall of Honor for Habonim Society donors. Kimberly and Norm have instilled the responsibility to give back. Brian and Ethan have a share/save/spend allocation process for their allowance to teach them tzedakah. They also participate as a family in donorschoose.org, an online charity to connect people to classrooms in need. Brian explained, “Some people need more than us. It’s fun to give.” The boys are also participating in tamhui, which stems from a medieval practice when Jews donated to a community collection plate, and those in need could take from the collection. At Congregation Or Chadash Religious School, they are designating portions of the collection for donation to five worthy charitable organizations. The Kur family is dedicated to the success of the new Jewish Community Association and the JCC. Kimberly is a member of the Association board of directors, and Norm, in addition to serving on the finance committee of their synagogue, serves on the JCC’s youth sports committee. They believe the Association is critical to building a welcoming, vibrant and sustainable Jewish community that strategically allocates resources to positively impact the lives of those in need. Drawn through the passion in Kimberly’s heart and Norm’s unwavering support, the entire family has been guided to Jewish philanthropy—strengthening our community, improving lives and teaching tzedakah.
Support the J with Your Annual Gift Help ensure financial stability and continuity for the future of our Jewish community with your annual gift. Scholarship Society | $10,000 + The Crystal Family Foundation Judith & Robert* Gottschalk & Family Platinum Members | $7,500 - $9,999 Donna & Joel Kramer Family Dottie & Murray Goodman Kathy & David Tinkelman Family Debra Berkowitz, Gary Weiss & Family Gold Members | $4,000 - $7,499 The Shirley Bielsky* Family Jean & Harold* Grossman Foundation Suzanne & Steven Hilton & Family Brooke & James Levy, Family Donor Fund Stacy, Bill, Samantha & Gabrielle Richman Fran & Al Sachs Penny & Robert Sarver & Family Sara, Bob, Adam & Jeffrey Silver Benée Hilton-Spiegel & Jay Spiegel Families Irit, Jonathan & Maya Tratt Silver Members | $2,000 - $3,999 Sandy & Edward Adler Yvette & Steven Arnold Candy & Joel Arthur Dan, Tiffani, Dylan, Emily & Riley Bachus Cindy & Adam Brooks & Family Dr. Yoon Cohen & Mr. Scott Cohen Amanda & Brian Donarski & Family Theresa & Arthur Ehrenreich Alison, Michael, Nora, Sadie & Joshua Feinberg Brenda, Jim, Megan & Courtney Fried Lois & David Goldman Stephanie & Adam Goodman Helen & Steve Gubin Anita & Jerome Gutkin Susan & Jonathan Harris Family Shari & Irwin Kanefsky Rich Kasper & Julia Rosen Family Kimberly & Norman Kur & Family Karen & Franklin Lewkowitz Phyllis & Len Miller Stephanie, Jeff, Ethan & Ella Mindlin Mintz-Delgado Family Colette & Benjamin Myers Family Karen, Rob, Arielle & Maia Nagle Diane, Steve, Danny & Jackie Ozer Elisa, Jonathan & Hailey Pinkus Jennifer & John Rawicz & Family Leiba & Danny Schwartz Shannon, Matthew, Zachary & Samantha Sonder Suzanne & Richard Swift & Family Mary & Larry Trachtenberg Donna & Rudy Troisi & Family Susan & Bill Levine Sheila Schwartz Barbara & Barry Zemel Nancy Waldman & Andrew Filipowicz & Family Stuart Wachs Family Gayle & Jay Weiss Jill & Lee Weiss Ann & Ted Zinman Matanah Society | $600 - $1,999 Vicki and Howard Cabot Sheila Corwin Peg & Neil Hiller Esther Sue & Robert Karatz Elaine & Michael Kates Sue Jaffee & Neal Kurn Sondra & William Myers Evelyn & Bob Patterson Joel Price & Judy Sussman Robert Roos Morton Scult Julee Landau Shahon * of blessed memory New Society Members For more information contact Alisa Chatinsky ext. 1203. www.vosjcc.org 11
Page 1 and 2: Center Valley of the Sun Jewish Com
Page 3 and 4: Contents In this Issue Departments
Page 5 and 6: Mickey Lit Reading Corner Seven yea
Page 7 and 8: A Gift of a Lifetime Highlights of
Page 9: Fitness & Group Fitness STOTT Refor
Page 13 and 14: J Gallery Yom HaShoah - Community D
Page 15 and 16: Tributes To: Susan & Steve Ference
Page 17 and 18: JPERKS Our JCC Membership JUST GOT
Page 19 and 20: HAIL FLOOD WIND FINOCCHIARO CONSTRU

2012 Summer - Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center

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