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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FEBRUARY 14TH
REMEMBER TO SEND LOVE TO ALL YOUR
FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
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Dear Members and Friends of Congregation B’nai Midbar,
We are deeply grateful for your ongoing commitment to your Congregation. Your membership and participation make everything we do possible, and we do not take that support for granted.
As many of you know, our 2026 annual membership commitment to the Congregation is $225 per person. This modest $27 increase per year will help ensure fair and competitive salary increases for our staff and cover our fixed costs. Planning now for financial sustainability will help us meet our needs for years to come. If you have any circumstances regarding a payment adjustment, please contact our Treasurer, Pam Weisberg, at 435-640-3058 or email pamcweisberg@xmission.com.
B’nai Midbar is a place of connection, learning, and support—and maintaining that vibrancy requires thoughtful investment in our people and our future. Never in our lifetime has there been a more important time for Jews to come together in community.
Thank you to so many members who have already renewed their annual commitment. If you have not yet renewed, please submit your 2026 membership renewal as soon as possible. Early payment helps us plan effectively and steward our resources responsibly as we look ahead to the coming year.
If you wish to become a new member, visit our website at www.bnaimidbar.com and complete the membership application, or contact me at 801-450-1116.
Membership renewal payment may also be made on our website, or you may mail your check to:
Congregation B’nai Midbar
PO Box 9223
Tucson, Az. 85738
Thank you for being part of B’nai Midbar and for helping to ensure our community continues to thrive.
With deep appreciation,
Joy Erickson
President, Congregation B’nai Midbar
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Calendar - by Esta Goldberg
If you have any questions about events/classes/activities, please get in touch with Esta at esda38@icloud.com or (520) 275-0821.
This calendar will be revised as details become available.
Shabbat Services: Feb. 20 - Educational Center
March 20 - Educational Center
April 17 - Parish Hall
Summer services. May 15 - Home of a congregant to be announced
June 19
July 17
Events/Classes:
February 2, Monday, Tu B’shevat. Lavender Farm. 1 pm
February 6, Friday, Holocaust Lecture, Eva FriednerParish Hall, 2 pm
February 14, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
February 25, Wednesday, Tour the Jewish Museum/Holocaust Center
Followed by lunch - RSVP Esta esda38@icloud.com
March 17 Tuesday Rabbi’s Class #3. 10 am. Judi Friedman and Jerry Lankin
April 1 - 2 Passover: First and Second Erev Wednesday - Thursday: Still in discussion for the Community combined Community Seder
April 14 Tuesday, Rabbi’s Class #4. Home of the Congregant. 10 am
-Still in discussion for the combined Community Seder-
HIGH HOLY DAYS SERVICES TO BE ANNOUNCED
If you have any questions about events/classes/activities,
Please get in touch with Esta at esda38@icloud.com or (520) 275-0821.
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Hello All,
Thank you to all the folks who participated in today's chant circle. It was a lovely experience for me and for all who came. Our theme was Self-Love, and the chants really spoke to that Kavanah.
There were ten of us, comprising folks from Saddlebrooke, Sun City, and other communities.
Here is a quote from one of our chanters, Gail Kerzner: "I must tell you how much I appreciate chanting today—especially the theme of self-love and the untangling. The timing was perfect, and I feel calmer today because of our session. I’ve been going through some challenging family stuff. I have more energy and the ability to focus on moving forward while trying to protect myself ."
Our next chant circle will be on Monday, February 23rd, at 3:00. Same place - my house. 14711 N. Alamo Canyon Drive in Sun City.
The theme will be Love...in honor of Valentine's Day. 💕
All love,
Eva
508-212-9460
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Sample of New Resource to Jewish Links
THE NOSHER
https://link.thenosher.com
26 Go-To Chicken Recipes for Shabbat Dinner
Here, you’ll find 26 of our best Shabbat chicken dishes for every mood, season, and level of culinary skill — whether you’re looking to keep it simple with one-pan chicken and potatoes, celebrate with Persian fensenjan or turn up the heat with za’atar fried chicken.
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Happy Birthday, Rita!
Rita Pollak celebrated her "80th" birthday in Boston with Rabbi Sandy, her children, grandchildren, family, and friends. What could be better?
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In our previous edition of the Jewish Link, you were introduced to Barry Gilbert, our new Vice president. We would now like to introduce you to Pam Weisberg, our new Treasurer, and Leslie Gordon, Communication - Public Relations
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Pam Crowe Weisberg
Treasurer
Pam Crowe Weisberg brings more than thirty years of executive leadership, strategic vision, and cultural stewardship to everything she does. She began her career in New York City’s fashion industry, starting in the prestigious Executive Training Program at Bloomingdale’s.
Pam went on to work with an impressive range of brands and organizations, including Christian Dior, Liz Claiborne, and others, while also building a reputation for discovering and championing designers who went on to build some of the most influential and successful companies in the global fashion industry.
Driven by a deep passion for art and history, Pam later earned a master’s degree in Museum Studies from the Fashion Institute of Technology, with a focus on textiles and costumes. In 2000, she and her husband, Jonathan, moved to Park City, Utah, where she served for many years as Executive Director of the renowned Kimball Art Center and Kimball Arts Festival, playing a key role in expanding the organization’s impact, visibility, and community reach.
Pam was subsequently tapped to serve as Executive Director of the Monterey History and Art Museum and its historic homes in Monterey, California, where she continued her work preserving cultural heritage and strengthening community engagement. She has also remained deeply involved in the arts through volunteer leadership, including service with the Utah Museum of Fine Arts and eventually as a docent for the museum. She has served on the board of a Utah-based dance company and the Utah Arts Council.
Pam has two grown daughters and four grandchildren.
In August 2025, as a recent widow, Pam relocated full-time to Tucson, where she enjoys swimming, hiking, yoga, Mah Jongg, studying Spanish, knitting, and traveling. She is excited to serve as Treasurer of B’nai MidBar and looks forward to making a meaningful, lasting impact in the community.
pamcweisberg@xmission.com
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Leslie Stewart
Communication - Public Relations
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Leslie Klipper Stewart moved to Saddlebrooke Ranch after thirteen years in Bend/Sunriver, Oregon. Before that, she lived in San Diego, CA, for over 30 years, where she was a college professor of communication and journalism at Miramar College.
Besides teaching college (which she loved), Leslie has also held corporate positions as a promotion manager for a mid-sized corporation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was an on-air intern at WGBH radio in Boston in the 70s. She worked in sales and as a copywriter. Additionally, she coached personal growth seminars in the 2000s.
Leslie is also an accomplished metalsmith and jewelry designer, and her work was sold in a gallery in Sunriver, Oregon.
Growing up in Winthrop, Mass. (a first-ring suburb of Boston), Leslie was raised at Temple Tifereth Israel. She graduated from Hebrew School there. The daughter of a Holocaust survivor, Judaism was respected and ingrained in her brothers and herself.
Leslie has a variety of skills honed by years of education and work experience. Among those skills are quantitative and qualitative data analysis, project management, people management, survey writing, design and analysis, strong writing skills, magazine and newspaper design, and a strong work ethic.
Additionally, Leslie was editor of The Highlander, the newsletter of the Cairn Terrier Club of America, for six years. She also served on the Cairn Terrier Club's board for 6 years. Furthermore, Leslie was the faculty advisor to the award-winning student newspaper of Miramar College, The Sage, for 28 years. She served on several hiring committees, Chair of Chairs, and won numerous awards for educational innovation.
Leslie will bring all this and more to the board. She is a hard worker, respects deadlines, and is creative.
lesliekstewart21@gmail.com
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We thank Eva and Amos Friedner for the lovely January Oneg in remembrance of their son.
February's Oneg will be sponsored by Bonnie Lasky and Irv Rothenberg to celebrate Bonnie's 83rd, Irv's 91st, and their 1st Anniversary.
Be sure to contact Marcia Gilbert - email: if you would like to sponsor an Oneg in celebration of a birthday, anniversary, loved one, or just because...... The Calendar has openings for September, October, November, and December.
Thank You Judi, for the Challah!
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It is a Jewish tradition to make a donation in memory of a loved one on their yahrzeit, in celebration of a birthday, or anniversary. Please donate online https://www.bnaimidbar.com/donation
or send your check to:
Congregation B'nai Midbar
P.O.Box 9223, Tucson, 85738
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION:
Pam Weisberg for Education Fund
Bill and Joy Erickson for Sherry Kaplan - MI SHEBEIRACH
Bonnie Lasky for Website/Jewish Links/Education Funds/Yahrzeits
Irv Rothenberg - Education Fund & Yahrzeits
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND RENEWED MEMBERSHIP:
RICHARD BAILEY, HYMAN BERAZNIK, SHEILA CATERRACCIO, SUE & HERB COHN, ROSALIND & SETH EISNER, JOAN ELDER, JOANN ELLISON, JOY & BILL ERICKSON, MARCIA & BARRY GILBERT, ESTA GOLDSTEIN, LESLIE WEISS-GORDON, JONATHAN HALPERN, LORNA MICHELSON, JULIE SIMON & KEVIN JOHNSON, GERI KAHN, HAL KIRMAN & EDITH HUGO-KIRMAN, GERRI & MIKE KOEN, SHELLY & RALPH KROCHMAL, FRAN PAKENHAM, BARBARA & JACK ROSENTHAL, BONNIE LASKY & IRV ROTHENBERG, STEVE RUSH, ANDREA & STEVEN SAHL, SUSAN AND RON SPANIOL, LESLIE STEWART, LORAINE LORAINE STILLMAN, PAMELA WEISBERG, HERB WEISS, EMERITUS RABBI SANDY SELTZER & RITA POLLAK, PIP & DAVID LOWE, SHARON FRIEDMAN, GAIL Kerzer
Please contact Pam Weisberg - Treasurer,
pamcweisberg@xmission.com, for questions or if there are any errors in the list.
You can pay your membership on the website https://www.bnaimidbar.com/donation
Or mail your check to: Congregation B'nai Midbar
P.O.Box 9223, Tucson, 85738
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FABUARY 2026 YAHRZEITS
We remember those who have gone before us.
Bertram Charles Braun, Father-in-law of Phyllis Braun
Sadie Cohen, Grandmother of Sue Cohn
Michael Cohen, Grandfather of Sue Cohn
Julia M. Cohn, Grandmother of Herb Cohn
Arthur S. Cohn, Grandfather of Herb Cohn
Ann Gallop, Mother of Barbara Dever
Mark Gallop, Father of Barbara Dever
Dr. Emanuel B. Fagman, Father of Rosalind Eisner
Susan Wehle, Sister of Eva Friedner
Ross Messer, Friend of Leslie Gordon
Augusta Koen, Mother of Mike Koen
Robert Kunzig, Father of Kim Kunzig Halper
Fred Mozin, Father of Linda Merritt
Donald Levine, Father-in-law of Randolph Myerson
Coleen Rothenberg, Wife of Irv Rothenberg
Fred Rothenberg, Brother of Irv Rothenberg
Sally Rothenberg, Mother of Irv Rothenberg
Lillian Soltz, Mother-in-Law of Irv Rothenberg
Edith Sahl, Mother of Steven Sahl
Charles Solomon Applebaum, Cousin of Leslie Klipper Stewart
For any additions or corrections, please contact Susan Spaniol: spaniol@att.net
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MAZEL TOV!
Bonnie Lasky/Irv Rothenberg 1st
Please send names to be posted to: Susan Spaniol spaniol@att.net
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MAZEL TOV!
January - Rita Pollak, 80th!
Joan Elder!
February - Bonnie Lasky, 83rd, Irv Rothenberg, 91st
Please send names to be posted to: Susan Spaniol spaniol@att.net
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MI SHEBEIRACH - CHESED
Seth Basker - Hal Kirman - Les Stellman, Leslie Stewart - Sherry Kaplan - Nate Einbund - Lorna Michelson - Dr. Fred Mittleman - Gary Greenbaum - Steve Rush - Pam Weisberg - Jeff Syden
Please send the names in need of healing to the
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The Jewish Link e-newsletter is brought to you by:
CONGREGATION B'NAI MIDBAR (people of the desert)
Our mission: The Congregation provides individuals of all backgrounds the opportunity to celebrate, practice, and learn from Jewish culture and religion in a welcoming and socially fulfilling environment.
2026 Board of Directors
Joy Erickson - President - Joyerickson4@gmail.com
Barry Gilbert - Vice President - Policy/Procedures/Strategic Planning/ Logistics/Security bsgcentral@gmail.com
Susan Kendel - Secretary, Chesed, Historical Records
susank4848@outlook.com
Pam Weisberg - Treasurer/Fundraising
pamcweisberg@xmission.com
Esta Goldstein - Educational, Membership, Special Events,
jsda38@icloud.com
Leslie Stewart - Public Relations/Communication
lesliekstewart21@gmail.com
Bonnie Lasky - Jewish Links/Website/Tech Team - Community Outreach bglasky@att.net
Herb Cohn - Parliamentarian - Summer Services
shofarman@aol.com
Committee-Teams-Coodinator(s)
Education Team - Esta Goldstein, Bonnie Lasky
Community Outreach - Rita Pollak ritaspollak70@gmail.com
Chesed Team - Susan Kendel, Esta Goldstein
Finance/Fundraising/Events Team - Pam Weisberg, Joy Erickson
Membership Team - Esta Goldstein, Jerry Lankin, Judi Friedman
News Reporter- Melanie Eubund meinbund@sbcglobal.net
Oneg Coordinator - Marcia Gilbert marciaegilbert@gmail.com
Rabbi/Religious Practices/HHDs Team - Susan talisman4648@gmail.com,
Alan Kravitz kravdoz@mac.com Leslie Gordon lesweiss47@yahoo.com
Consider volunteering for one of these important TEAMS!
Contact: Joy Erickson Joyerickson4@gmail.com
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Jewish Links Newsletter
Important Notice Regarding Subscription to the "Jewish Links"
If you or someone you know of someone who wants to receive this e-newsletter, they can quickly sign up online: https://www.bnaimidbar.com/
We do our best to proofread, but we don't always catch our mistakes. Let us know if we need to make any corrections. Thank you!
Jewish Links staff:
Leslie Stewart -
Bonnie Lasky - bglasky@att.net - PLEASE SEND ARTICLES, SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, PICTURES, CORRECTIONS, & CONCERNS.
Gail Kerzner - gkerzner@livepub.com
Send Membership Data to:
Sue Spaniol - Membership Liaison/Tech Team - membership data information, including Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Yahrzeits
We do our best to proofread, but we don't always catch our mistakes. Let us know if we need to make any corrections. Thank you!
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