THA Celebrates the Beginning of 50th Anniversary School Year

This article was previously published in the August 2023 AZ Jewish Post.

At Tucson Hebrew Academy’s (THA) Welcome Back family event on August 7, students shared their excitement for the 2023-24 school year:

“What’s great is that you know everybody [at THA], you can reach out to everybody, and everybody will always be there for each other if you need them.” (Judah, 4th Grade)

“It makes me feel really happy, like we’re all one big THA family. For me, [going to THA] means that I know a lot of people who are Jewish like me.” (Josie, 6th Grade)

On Friday, August 18, THA kicked off the year with the broader Tucson Jewish community at a 50th anniversary celebration community Shabbat dinner at the Tucson J. The catered event featured a live band, children’s programming, and a slideshow of THA students through the years. Head of School, Johanna Shlomovich acknowledged the unique moment in her welcome to a room of over two hundred people, “…our celebration today isn’t just about the past, it’s about the future. It’s about the students who currently grace our classrooms and those who will follow in their footsteps. Our school continues to be a place where curiosity is nurtured, where critical thinking is encouraged, and where values such as tikkun olam (repairing the world), chesed (acts of loving kindness), and ahavat yisrael (love for one’s fellow Jews) are woven into the very fabric of education.”

On November 5, THA will be celebrating all things Lions with a 50th Celebration Homecoming event and Alumni Happy Hour generously hosted by current THA parent, Mark Erman, at Ermanos Bar. Additionally, a local alumni brunch will take place Sunday, September 10 at the home of THA alum and THA Board Secretary, Zac Cohen ‘05. Further details on homecoming festivities to be announced in September.

Interested in sponsoring a 50th celebration event? Reach out to Head of School, Johanna Shlomovich at johanna@thaaz.org.