Handmaker: Tucson's Non-Profit Continuing Care Retirement Community

04/01/2026

Part of our preparation for Passover at Handmaker includes learning about the upcoming holiday. Staff had their training earlier this month, and in Around the World class today in Rubin AL, the residents had their turn!

Residents had way more than four questions about the holiday, especially about the foods that we can and cannot eat. And everyone enjoyed hearing the Passover story, especially since it was read by Rabbi Baruch Cohon!

We also learned about the upcoming Easter holiday, which is always celebrated around Passover. We talked about Holy Week, which began on Sunday with Palm Sunday, and read about the importance of each of the different days of Holy Week. Charla told us that she is going to her church for Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday.

It is so interesting to learn about different holidays and customs, and we all agreed that there are many more similarities than differences between the religions that we practice!

Whatever you celebrate, we wish you a happy holiday season!

03/31/2026

03/27/2026

Have you ever heard of “wet matzah”? Neither had we—until Rabbi Jesse and Rabbi Yosef introduced the idea at this month’s Better Together gathering, just in time for Passover!

Curious and ready to try something new, our residents teamed up with the wonderful students from Tucson Hebrew Academy for a hands-on afternoon of baking and connection. With just flour, water, and a pinch of salt, we mixed, rolled, and poked our dough before sending it off to the kitchen for a quick, high-heat bake. In just minutes—voilà! Soft matzah was born. Some pieces turned out thin and crispy, while others were more like warm, fluffy pita.

No matter the texture, much laughter and joy filled the room.

A heartfelt thank you to Irene for gathering all the supplies, to Rabbi Jesse for organizing such a meaningful experience, and to the students for bringing their boundless energy and enthusiasm to Handmaker. What a special way to welcome the season!

03/26/2026

The Great Room at Handmaker was full of activity today!

This morning, our CEO, Elie Pollak, spent time connecting with a large group of staff members. It was a wonderful opportunity for newer team members to meet him, while giving everyone a chance to ask questions and share in meaningful conversation.

In the afternoon, longtime favorite Ron Wagner delighted our residents with his signature saxophone sounds and familiar songs—always a highlight!

And as we look ahead to next week, the Great Room is already filling up with Passover foods, in preparation for the holiday, which begins next Wednesday evening!

03/25/2026

https://azjewishpost.com/2026/at-handmaker-passover-prep-begins-early/

Local | Passover At Handmaker, Passover Prep Begins Early Posted March 23, 2026 / Nanci Levy, Handmaker Community Outreach Coordinator Share via Twitter: At Handmaker, Passover Prep Begins Early Share via Facebook: At Handmaker, Passover Prep Begins Early Share via Email: At Handmaker, Passover Prep...

03/24/2026

Handmaker is hiring, come join our team!

We are hiring CNAs, LPNs, and RNs. Flexible schedules are available, as well as excellent benefits for our full-time staff.

Handmaker is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

For more information about job opportunities or to apply, go to our website: https://www.handmaker.org/contact/careers-at-handmaker

03/20/2026

Let Handmaker prepare your meals for Passover this year! Whether you'd like to order meals for your Passover Seders or dinner every night of Passover, Handmaker has some delicious options for you.

View menu options on our website at https://www.handmaker.org/about/dining-catering

Orders for the Seder meals must be placed by Friday, March 27th.

03/12/2026

Handmaker residents celebrated March birthdays at the monthly birthday party in the Grand Foyer this afternoon. They caught up with friends, listened to Scottie's melodious voice singing some of their favorite tunes, and enjoyed a delicious birthday cake baked by Carly. What a wonderful way to celebrate!

03/11/2026

It sure felt like spring at the Tucson Botanical Gardens today when a group of Handmaker residents went Out and About for their annual visit to spend time wandering the grounds of this beautiful spot.

Everyone enjoyed the colorful Frida Kahlo Gardens, which was new since we last visited. We were amazed by the exhibit of the Spring Ikebana Festival, showcasing the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging. Residents oohed and aahed over the many flowering aloes, trees, and bushes, enjoyed the art exhibits, and of course they delighted in seeing the butterflies!

Thanks so much to Monica and Kate for joining us, and to Ramon for getting us there and back safely. We look forward to our next visit!

03/10/2026

This Sunday Handmaker residents, family, and friends gathered in the Great Room for a Family Luncheon. Handmaker hosts these wonderful Family Luncheons twice a year in the Great Room so that residents can invite friends and family to dine on with them.

Thanks to Claire and the entire dietary department for putting together Sunday's luncheon, which got rave reviews!

A big thanks also to Shania and Ashely in the activity department for bringing residents to the Great Room, and to the managers who came out to serve!

03/06/2026

This morning was the last of a wonderful series of classical music lectures, given by Harvey Wolfe.

Harvey Wolfe is a cellist and was a member of the famed Cleveland Orchestra for 37 years.

We listened to Mozart, Handel, Beethoven and other greats. But the best part was hearing what Harvey had to say about the composers and the pieces, and watching him enjoy the music.

Thanks to the Brandeis group for arranging this wonderful series, and the many other lectures too!

If you missed Harvey this year, we hope to have him back next Spring!

03/05/2026

What a fabulous fun-filled Purim we had a Handmaker this year!

On Monday night, Erev Purim Congregation Chaverim joined us a for a Purim party in the Great Room. Rabbi Stephanie told the story of Purim, with lots of grogger noise, interspersed with Purim-related Beatles' songs that everyone enjoyed singing along to. Everyone then enjoyed some excellent Handmaker pizza, salad, and hamantashen.

On Purim, Tuesday morning, we had a wonderful group chanting the Megillah in the Great Room. Mel, Dan, Rabbi Baruch, Rabbi Howard, Rabbi Jeffrey, Marlene, Jon and Herb all did a fantastic job. We even were subjected to a few jokes throughout the reading. Those who attended enjoyed a delicious Handmaker kiddush afterwards, with Claire's amazing Hamantashen.

Thanks to everyone who came to Handmaker to celebrate Purim with Handmaker residents!

And much appreciation to Chabad Tucson, and the combined efforts of PJ Library in Southern Arizona and Tucson Torah Center for putting together and delivering Mishloat Manot for our residents too.