A key feature of Joseph’s story is its cast of characters, regular human beings who display an array of our yearnings, faults, vices, and dreams. We recognize the relationships among them because we’ve experienced them or witnessed them in our lives: favoritism, jealousy, abiding love, and reconciliation. 
    
The story of the son of Jacob—Yaacov, Israel—is structured very much like our western literature, including stories we’ve heard since childhood. It has a beginning, a middle, and a resolution. There’s a good guy, some bad guys who may or may not achieve redemption, and quite a bit of action. As written, it keeps us in suspense about what will ultimately become of our protagonist, Joseph, and his role in the future story of Bnei-Israel , The Children of Israel.

 

 

Rabbi Miri Fleming was born in Argentina and made Aliyah to Israel with her parents, where she lived for 30 years and completed all of her basic education. She served in the IDF on a kibbutz and later earned a BA in Psychology and Criminology from Bar-Ilan University. Rabbi Fleming originally came to Tucson with her former husband and their three children “just for a year to experience the American life,” but she fell in love with the city and has now lived there for over 40 years.

 

In Tucson, she returned to school and earned an MA in Art Education and a PhD in Education of the Gifted and Teachers’ Education from the University of Arizona. She taught at Tucson Hebrew Academy and later served as an administrator within Tucson Unified School District. Rabbi Fleming was ordained through the ALEPH Renewal movement and now serves as a “Community Rabbi,” offering spiritual support to Jewish individuals and families who are not affiliated with any of Tucson’s congregations.

 

She has a deep love for Tanach, especially the Torah, and has led Torah study groups for over 20 years at Congregation Or Chadash, Temple Beth Shalom in Green Valley, and most recently at Kol Ami. Rabbi Fleming lives with her partner Caroline and is a proud mother and grandmother—her children are now spread across the country, and she delights in her seven grandchildren. Since retiring, she has immersed herself in the arts, enjoying printing, painting, and collaging.

 

 

 

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