Rabbi's Reflections~ Awakenings What is your first thought upon awakening each morning? Ugh, it’s cold? Where’s the snooze button? There is another possibility. Jewish tradition suggests that we awaken with gratitude and acknowledgement that we have been granted another day in which to celebrate our lives.
If our very first expression is gratefulness (rather than seeing what’s wrong today or obsessing over how much we need to get done) then we step on to a path of blessing. We prepare ourselves for wonder. Gratefulness connects us up to the great flow of receptivity and generosity. When we begin the day in gratefulness, we step on to the path of love. ~ Rabbi Susan rabbi@brithshalom-az.org
P.S. I am always open to your thoughts and value the opportunity to discuss anything on your mind. Responses to Rabbi’s Reflections can be directed to rabbi@brithshalom-az.org.
TBS Calendar
This Week’s Calendar Thurs., Nov. 17 ~ 2:00pm Israeli Dancing; 3:15pm Choir Rehearsal; 6:00pm Celebration of Thanks Concert (see below) Fri., Nov. 18 ~ 6:00pm Shabbat Services Sat., Nov. 19 ~ 10:00am Torah Study Sun., Nov. 20 ~ 10:00am Sunday School, 3:00pm Social Action Zoom Mtg, 4:00pm Film in the Sanctuary Thurs., Nov. 20 and Fri., Nov. 21 ~ Temple Office Closed ~ Happy Thanksgiving!
Be sure to go to our website to view our calendar and check out all the wonderful events coming up!
TBS Board Meeting The next Board Meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 14 at 2pm at Temple B'rith Shalom. Board meetings are open to all members in good standing. If you would like to address the board or speak at the board meeting, please contact President, Trudy Steinhauer at trudysteinhauer@gmail.com no later than Monday, December 12 prior to the board meeting.
Adult Education
Upcoming Education Events:
Nov. 20 at 4:00pm: The Pickle Recipe (film) curated by Bill Cadwallender
Dec. 4 at 4:00pm: Flory’s Flame (film) curated by Bill Cadwallender
Dec. 11 at 1:00pm: Tikkun Olam and Kabbalah – Tom Brodersen
Monthly Yoga and Kabbalah ~ 1st Thursday of each month 10:00-11:00 continuing on Dec. 1. Mat, comfy clothes.
Mussar ~ Wednesdays 1:30-2:30 (Everyday Holiness by Alan Morinis required) 19 sessions. Nov. 30-April 19.
Discovering Judaism ~ Wednesdays 2:30-3:45 twice/month. Contact Rabbi Susan for a list of texts and the syllabus. Approx. 12 classes. Next class: Nov. 30 at 2:30pm.
Contemporary Jewish Fiction Book Club ~ 2nd Wednesday every other month at 11:00am Books selected by the group. Next meeting: Jan. 11 at 11:00am ~ Bee Season by Myla Goldberg
Prayerbook Hebrew for Adults ~ Every other Wednesday at 11:00am starting Nov. 30. Purchase this book: Prayerbook Hebrew for Adults by Nina Cardin. New and used copies available on Amazon. For those who can read the Hebrew letters.
TBS Adult Ed Monthly Sundays at 1:00pm with Rabbi Nina Perlmutter and Tom Brodersen! See the TBS Website’s Adult Education Page for the complete schedule (and see how the website is now updated often and full of need-to-know information.) https://www.brithshalom-az.org/adult-education.html
Lunch Bunch Torah Study with Carl Shulak at TBS Every Wednesday from 12-1:30pm Feel free to bring your own lunch but please no treif (pork, shrimp, etc). All are welcome to attend!
Social Action
Operation NoAZ: The Jewish Communities of Sedona and Flagstaff have invited us to join them in collecting winter coats to help the Asylum Coalition provide coats to asylum-seekers who are sent to relatives in the upper Midwest and New England with only sweaters and sweatshirts. Through November, we are collecting gently used or new winter coats for people of all ages. Bring them to TBS. Providing warmth is a mitzvah we can all perform.
TBS Compassionate Cooks TBS sponsors a meal on the last Sunday of the month for the women and children's shelter in Prescott. TBS Compassionate Cooks includes member and non-member volunteers. Annie Bernkrant currently coordinates the effort, sending an email with a menu about two weeks before the meal. Volunteers "reply all" to the group email with their contribution, so everyone knows which dishes are still needed. Volunteers cook or purchase their donation. Volunteers deliver their dishes to the shelter at 5:15pm on the appointed day.
You don't have to participate every month. If you would like to join in this worthwhile effort or have questions, email Annie at anniebernkrant@hotmail.com or call her at (928) 273-5202 before Nov. 14th so she can add you to the group email list. Our next commitment is for Sunday, Nov. 27, the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Social Action at TBS ~ Contact Gene Galazan to join our committee. ggalazan@msn.com
Composting vegetable and fruit scraps, flowers, egg shells and coffee grounds instead of landfilling reduces methane gas production and recycles nutrients back to the soil. Methane gas is a significant cause of global greenhouse gas emissions because it captures and retains heat longer than carbon dioxide. Landfills are the third largest source of methane gas emissions in the United States. In addition, compost improves Arizona's soil, which has been degraded by a 20-year drought. Drop off your compost material in a bucket in the sukkah TBS by 11AM on Saturdays and it will be taken to the Prescott Farmer’s Market.
Thank you to all who contributed to Team TBS's Alzheimer's Walk this year. We raised $5,058 for this important cause.
Dayenu Circle Meeting/Social Action at TBS The Dayenu circle has been created to open and welcome discussion and help find solutions to combat environmental concerns due to climate change. For more information and how you can help, please contact Gene.
Social Action/Dayenu Circle Meeting Sunday, November 20 from 3-4pm on Zoom
This week: Our Teen students participated in a state-wide effort to compose letters to Israeli Defense Soldiers who enlist from all over the world and often do not have family or friends in Israel. We received this thank you from the director of the program:
Dear TBS students, On behalf of Lone Soldiers, I want to thank you for your thoughtful Hanukkah letters. Every Lone Soldier I have spoken to tells me that these messages from young people around the world mean so much to them. Knowing that they are defending Israel for Jews around the world is meaningful and important to them. ~ Dr. Michael Cohen, Program Director
Social
TBS Gala ~ Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Prescott Lakes. Dinner, auctions, dancing, raffles, and live music with the Rob Ratner Band featuring Jessica Dreifuss. Tickets are only $115/person.
To make this event a success: 1. Plan to attend the event. 2. Invite friends/family to attend the event. 3. Think about who you know that would donate auction items to our event…either businesses you know or individuals. An example could be someone who has a vacation home they would make available, or a business you frequent who has merchandise or services to offer. Don’t be shy about asking!! 4. Think about yourself or someone you know that might be willing to sponsor several tickets or become a table sponsor to allow as many Temple members as possible to attend the event. 5. Buy raffle tickets….you could be a winner!! 6. Make a cash donation to the Gala.
It is up to all of us to help ensure a successful event. We are already working on the acquisition of auction items. If you have any questions, please contact Gloria Hershman at 928-778-0161 or misgloria@gmail.com
The Men of Temple B'rith Shalom Every Tuesday at 9am at the Wildflower Join the Men of TBS every Tuesday at 9am at the Wildflower restuarant here in Prescott. It's a wonderful opportunity to get to know the Men of TBS better over a cup of coffee and great conversation.
We'd like to thank everyone involved with the Strategic Plan Presentation and the delicious soup and salad meal that followed. What a wonderful evening!
Member News
Important Notice: We are now observing the Yahrzeits which occur within the week after. This week, we are observing the Yahrzeits which occur between November 19-25.
We will be saying Kaddish for the following people at Shabbat this Friday, November 18. These names have been taken from the member portion of our website. If you do not see your loved one's name and would like their name to be added to be said at services, please contact Jessica in the office.
Molly Abramson, grandmother of Suzi Abramson-Johnson Nicole Perrot, Sister-in-law of Mireille Perrot Marilyn Korpiel, wife of Joseph, mother of Stephanie Korpiel and Rachel Ellington. Jack Tarash, brother-in-law of Jay Bycer Ed Greenhill, friend of TBS Reva Kaufman, sister-in-law of Trudy Steinhauer David Kaplan, husband of Heather Kaplan, father of Miguel, Gabriella, and Lily Kaplan Paula Schanerman, mother of Brian Schanerman Arthur Ackerman, brother of Richie Ackerman Michael Kaufman, brother of Trudy Steinhauer Peter Lawrence Goldman, father of Wendy Porter, grandfather of Henrietta Porter Mildred Malyjurek, mother of Sue Aycock Mark Basch, son of Esther Basch, brother of Rachel Turet Bonnie Sperling, wife of Michael Sperling Linda Hochman, partner of Bill Cadwallender Daniel Glenn Luedke, son of Karin and Rod Luedke Gene Gertler, husband of Poco Gertler Joanna King, wife of Joseph King Ruthann Perlmutter, mother of Rabbi Nina Perlmutter Myra Nathenson, wife of Stephen Nathenson Judy O’Brien, daughter of Sally Contour
Purchasing a Yahrzeit plaque is a beautiful way to honor and remember our loved one's who have passed. If you would like to purchase a plaque, please fill out this form and return it to the temple office. We kindly ask for $200 per Yahrzeit plaque.
Important! Effective January 1, the cost to purchase a Yahrzeit plaque will increase to $360 per plaque. Be sure to order your loved one's plaques now while they're still $200 each.
Healing Thoughts for: Leo Strom, Elijah Escobedo, John Dealy, Estherly Allen, Mike Wolf, Hal Bierman, Esther Basch, Michael Friend, Brett Friend, Karen Friend, Arlene Brownie, Josiah Ramirez Jr., Jay Bycer, Karen Bycer, Joseph King, Sally Contour, Richard Brody, Scott Muirhead, Rabbi Nina Perlmutter, Sandra Lynch, and Roslyn Brownie.
If you would like to add or take off your name or your family member's name from the healing list, please call or email the office at 928-708-0018 or office@brithshalom-az.org.
Jewish Community Events
LOOKING FOR MOVIE MAVENS Like foreign films? Enjoy movie watching? Consider yourself a good judge of film quality? Would you like to participate in film selection for the Phoenix Jewish Film Festival?
Donate to Temple B'rith Shalom by buying your 2023 Mah Jongg cards! The price is $14 for a standard and $15 for a large card. The donation to TBS will increase as well. Please collect from your group and send a check to Laury Shayne at: 1636 Granite Springs Drive Prescott, AZ 86305
Give Back to TBS! We are so grateful for your kindness and generous giving to Temple B'rith Shalom. Your contributions help Temple B'rith shalom to thrive and ensure a home for Jews in the Quad City area.
If you would like to make a donation now, click here. Did you know you could can give back to TBS at no additional cost to you simply by shopping at Frys or Amazon Smile? For more information, click here.
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Purchase a Leaf on our Temple Tree of Life. Mark a special occasion in a beautiful way.