Natan Sharansky, left, the keynote speaker, Amy Charles and Steve Kippur were among more than 800 guests at the Israel Chai event.

Martha Lochert

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Operation Promise raises $155K

The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona hosted the Israel Chai fund-raising event Feb. 15 at Congregation Anshei Israel.

More than 800 people attended the event, which raised $155,000 for the Operation Promise campaign to help Ethiopian and Russian Jews in need.

The pledge of allegiance was led by Team Tucson, a group of Tucson High School for Jewish Studies students, who raise funds for local homeless teens.

Author and human rights activist Natan Sharansky was the keynote speaker.

Prior to the event, a dinner was held for major donors to the annual Federation/ United Jewish Appeal Campaign, which has raised $3.4 million from Tucson donors.

Attendees included Bruce and Jane Ash, Irving and Ruth Olson, Jeff and Fran Katz, Ruth and Ron Kolker; Jeff Timan and Robyn Kessler, Steven Lightman, Ron and Jennifer Grant, Irene Sarver, and Betty Anne Sarver.

Sponsors included Old Pueblo Traders, Compass Bank, Diamond Ventures and Larry Gellman of R.W. Baird.

UA grads, undergrads in vocal competition

The Opera Guild of Southern Arizona hosted the Third Annual Quest for the Best vocal competition March 5 at the home of photographer Louise Serpa.

Seventy people attended the event, which featured performances by both graduate and undergraduate singers at the University of Arizona.

Guests were given ballots to vote for their favorites, and $5,200 in prizes and awards were given out.

Winners in the graduate division went to, in order, Tami Huber, Martina Chylikova, Todd Strange and Tereza Jandura.

In the undergraduate division, top honors were taken by Rachel Kuhn, followed by Heather Ribblett, Ashleigh Guida and Kara Harris.

Marlys Beider and Julie Pernet donated additional cash prizes to other participants, including Chloe Hunter, Theresa Moreau, Nathan Kruger, Anushka Lee-Skorepa, Jon Patton and Maritza Martinez.

Opera Guild President Felicia Sanders May and co-chairwomen Suzanne Clark and Wendy Green welcomed guests including Linda Ratcliffe, Carolyn Russo, Katrin and Phillip Bramley, Lily Meijer, Corinne Milton, Patrick and Patricia Schifano, and UA School of Music faculty members Faye Robinson and Charles Roe.

Equine fund-raiser a success

Equine Voices Rescue and Sanctuary in Amado hosted the Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Recovery fund-raiser Feb. 18.

Six hundred people attended, including Susan Shields, Kyo Taylor, Rita and Richard Pomroy, Robert St. Pierre, Lauren Scheller and Susan Haney.

Activities included presentations, raffle, live and silent auctions, live music by the Andy Hersey Band, bake sale, educational tables and tag sale of English and Western tack.

More than $16,000 was raised to benefit the nonprofit organization, dedicated to the rescue and adoption of Premarin horses. It currently has more than 33 animals waiting to be adopted. To date, it has rescued more than 130 horses.

Founder Karen Pomroy oversaw the event with coordinator Carol Grubb,

The 60 volunteers included Patricia Madison and family, Jerry and Kathy Tucker, Lisa Ostazeski, Thomas Sutler and family, Alice Goodard, Jill Anderson, Joan Marum, Julia Faltin, Ginger Bellar and Chris Edwards.

Leukemia-lymphoma benefit

Colors Food & Spirits hosted the Tucson Divas Go Hawaiian benefit performance Feb. 25 to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program.

About $1,000 was raised by the nearly 100 people in attendance, including Eric Winters, Robyn Graskey, Linda Kasper; Matt Birnbaum, Jim and Kathy Thayer, Mary Jane Knapp, Ashley and Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bryan Mertzlufft and Molly Toole.

The benefit's host was female impressionist Vivika. Entertainers Tori Steele, Zamora D'Huni and Mikayela performed.