Rabbi’s Reflections ~ רוּחָנִיוּת I often wonder what “spirituality” really is. An article in Myjewishlearning.com offers some interesting ideas. Excerpted here:
The French philosopher Michel Foucault defined spirituality as “the search, the practice, the experience by which the subject operates on himself the transformations which are necessary to access the truth.”
Spiritual experiences are different for everyone. They are focused on practice and experience — rather than, say, text, dogma, or law (though all three can also be a site of spirituality). You can no more understand spirituality by reading about it than you can taste a recipe by reading a cookbook.
Spirituality focuses on transformation and truth. The best way to check the validity of a spiritual experience is to see what’s changed afterward. Am I kinder? Am I more aware of wonder? Am I more open to empathy?
Jewish spiritual practice, in particular, can often be social, communal, relational. From congregational prayer to marching for social justice (“praying with my feet” as Abraham Joshua Heschel once called it) to examining one’s ethical conduct (in the Jewish practice of Mussar, for example.)
Someone might say they feel close to God when they light Shabbat candles, or meditate, or hear the blowing of the shofar. Or Shabbat candles may arouse feelings of compassion or wonder, meditation a sense of gratitude, and the shofar a sense of connectivity to the primal rituals of the Jewish people.
Jewish spirituality utilizes Jewish tools and topics for spiritual practice. One could have a lovely spiritual experience lighting candles on Thursday night, but lighting them on Friday night grounds the experience in Jewish folkways, Jewish community, and the Jewish calendar. Ultimately, Jewish spirituality comes down from the mountaintop, back from the experience of the sublime.
As Heschel described so eloquently, that is where Judaism begins.
L'shalom, Rabbi Susan
TBS Calendar ~ לוּחַ שָׁנָה
Check out our website to view our calendar and discover the wonderful events coming up! View the TBS Calendar
This Week’s Calendar Thurs., Aug 24 ~ 11:00am Broken Tablets Study Group Fri., Aug 25 ~ 6:00pm Shabbat Service Sat., Aug 26 ~ 10:00am Torah Study Sun., Aug 27 ~ 9:30 Religious School; 3:00 Israel Trip Zoom Mon., Aug 28 ~ 4:30 Folksong Singalong Tues., Aug. 29 ~ 11:00am Mahjong; 1:00pm Choir; 2:00pm Yarn Yentas Wed., Aug. 30 ~ 12:00pm Lunch Bunch Thurs., Aug. 31 ~ 11:00am Broken Tablets; 12:00 New Year Vision Board Art Project with Suzy Curry Save the Dates: Tues., Sept. 5 at 7:00pm ~ Quad City Interfaith Choir Concert at Trinity Presbyterian Chuch. No charge. "Women of Courage" songs by local composer Mary Lou Prince. Rabbi Susan and Suzi Abramson-Johnson sing in this choral group open to singers through the area. TBS Board Meeting ~ ישיבת דירקטוריון The next regular Board Meeting is Wednesday,September 20 at 2pm at TBS. Board meetings are open to all members in good standing. If you would like to attend or speak at a board meeting, please contact President Deborah Plotkin by Monday, September 18.
Support TBS Shop our Judaica Shop! High Holiday Cards, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Cards, Mezuzot, Shabbat and Yahrzeit Candles, and so much more.
Selichot: Dinner and Service Saturday, September 9 at TBS. Potluck dinner at 5pm, services at 6pm. Sign up for the potluck HERE .
Please consider participating in this meaningful act of adding the names of your loved ones into the Temple B’rith Shalom Yizkor booklet. These names imbue the very foundation of our Temple with the love you have for those who have passed.
If you would like the names of your loved ones included in this year’s Yizkor Book, please either call Jessica in the office at (928) 708-0018 or fill out this form and return it to the Temple. As is customary, the cost will be $18 per person to have each loved one’s name listed or $180 for as many names as you wish to list. Please return this form by September 5. May their memories be a blessing.
Schedule of Services Selichot: Dinner and Service Saturday, September 9 at TBS. Potluck dinner at 5pm, services at 6pm. Erev Rosh Hashanah Services: Friday, September 15 at 6pm at The Event Spot. Rosh Hashanah Services: Saturday, September 16 at 10am at The Event Spot. Tashlich: Immediately following Rosh Hashanah services at nearby Fain Park Lake. Kever Avot: Sunday, September 24 at 10am. Join us at Heritage Memorial Cemetery as we remember our loved ones for a brief and meaningful service. Kol Nidre Services: Sunday, September 24 at 6pm at The Event Spot. Yom Kippur Services: Monday, September 25 at The Event Spot. Morning services at 10am. Minchah, Yizkor, and Neilah services at 4pm.
Watch for children's programming on both Rosh Hashanah morning and Yom Kippur morning. Children will be invited to join teachers for crafts and snacks during a portion of each service.
There will be afternoon programming available between the morning and afternoon services on Yom Kippur for anyone who wishes to attend. Stay tuned for further information.
Join us for our annual break-the-fast meal (potluck-style) directly following the conclusion of Yom Kippur services. The meal is open to anyone who contributes a dish to our potluck. There will be a sign-up sheet available early September.
Services will take place at: The Event Spot 6520 E 1st St Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
Are you unafiliated and interested in attending Temple B'rith Shalom's High Holiday Services?
The Board of Directors, Rabbi Susan Schanerman and Cantorial Soloist, Jessica Dreifuss are happy you have chosen Temple B’rith Shalom for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Temple B’rith Shalom is a small synagogue that supports spirituality and provides a strong Jewish presence in the Quad Cities. Financial support is essential for us to provide High Holiday services and spirituality to our members, our Jewish community and non-members.
The non-member ticket price for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is $125.00 per person per holiday. Children and College Students are welcome at no charge. If you decide to become a member at Temple B'rith Shalom by December 31, 2023, the cost of your ticket(s) will be applied to your membership.
To reserve your spot and obtain your tickets or for more information on membership, Please email or call the office at (928) 708-0018. We will be checking tickets at the door.
Adult Education ~ חינוך למבוגרים No charge for members
Lunch Bunch Tanach Study with Carl Shulak at TBS Every Wednesday from 12-1:30pm Feel free to bring your own lunch. All are welcome to attend!
Women's Book Group Upcoming Books and Dates ~ Wednesdays at 11:00am ~ Sept. 13 - The World to Come by Dara Horn Nov. 8 - And After the Fire by Lauren Belfer
Congregational Support ~ עֶזרָה
Mitzvah Circle ~ מצווה Contact Suzi Abramson-Johnson at 602-570-9688 to participate or to request assistance.
Social Action ~ תיקון עולם
Yarn Yentas knit and crochet scarves and hats for the Prescott homeless. Join us on Tuesdays at 2:00pm. We have yarn and needles and will teach you!.
Drop off your compost material (no plastic bags) in a bucket by the front door at TBS by 11AM on Saturdays and it will be taken to the Prescott Farmer’s Market.
Religious School ~ בית ספר דתי
Aug. 27 9:30-11:45 ~ Sunday School!
Folk Song Sing Along! Monday, August 28 from 4:30-6pm
Make your 5784 Vision Board! Thursday, August 31 from 12-2pm Join the Women of TBS and Suzy Curry for a fun afternoon of arts and crafts as we design and create our vision boards for the new year, 5784. Vision boards are a powerful way to put on paper all your goals, dreams, and desires for the upcoming year. If you prefer, you can also make holiday cards or both! All supplies, materials, and snacks will be provided.
RSVP to Jessica in the office at office@brithshalom-az.org or by calling 928-708-0018.
The Men of Temple B'rith Shalom Join the Men of TBS every Tuesday at 9am at the Wildflower restaurant here in Prescott.
Member News ~ חדשות חברים
Kaddish ~ קדיש We are saying Kaddish for the following people at Shabbat this Friday, August 25. We are observing the Yahrzeits of loved ones who have passed from August 26-September 1. We also remember those who have left us in the last eleven months. These names have been taken from the member portion of our website. If you do not see your loved one's name (family members) and would like their name mentioned at services, please contact Jessica in the office.
Wolf Lurie, uncle of Leith Baletin Irving Walter Felner, father of Rabbi Susan Schanerman Benjamin Yaffe, stepfather of Robin Frielich Muriel Littmann, mother of David Littmann Theda Barton Grossman, mother of Wayne Grossman Donald Gruen, father of Wendy Ratner Howard Zeimer, friend of Michael Sperling Michael Friend, brother-in-law of Laurie Reiner James Miller, uncle of Arlene Brownie Abraham Buryachenko, Father of Laura Men Elijah Escobedo, nephew of Karin Luedke Bernard “Red” Hollander, grandfather of Leslie Hollander Thelma Maurer, mother of Leslie Adler Eve Shulak, sister of Carl Shulak David Stockton, son-in-law of Arlene Brownie Dakota Hopp, relative of Arlene Brownie Juliet Jacobson, sister of Janet Rifkin Beth Susan Laxineta-Platt, aunt of Samantha Opperman Harriet Perlmutter, cousin of Steve and Sue Weiss Cem Goldsmith, best friend of Michael Sperling Edward Miller, uncle of Arlene Brownie Stanley Blacker, close friend of Trudy Steinhauer Leo Strom, brother of Karin Luedke Nicole Perrot, Sister-in-law of Mireille Perrot Jack Tarash, brother-in-law of Jay Bycer Reva Kaufman, sister-in-law of Trudy Steinhauer
Purchasing a Yahrzeit plaque is a beautiful way to honor and remember our loved one's who have passed. To purchase a plaque, please fill out this form and return it to the temple office. We kindly ask for $360 per Yahrzeit plaque. Yahrzeit Plaque Order Form
Healing Thoughts ~ מי שבעירך
Jim Frankel, Doris Cameron, Ted Symonds, Suzi Abramson-Johnson, Julie Gardner, Nancy Quitney, Brett Friend, Karyn Friend, J.J. Ramirez, Amy Snell Kingslinger, Mike Wolf, Rosario Maya, Fred Shulak, Brian Shrager, Estherly Allen, and Stephanie Byrd.
If you would like to add or remove 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.
Community News
FALL 2023- Community Ed- Yavapai College Intro to Jewish Studies This 7 week Community Ed class is NOT for credit, so there are no papers to be written--just good conversations!
Jewish civilization historically & in contemporary times. Secular & religious expressions of Jewish culture, concepts, and ideals; sense of human place, purpose, communal and personal life; influence of Jewish thought on other religious & secular cultures; anti-Semitism & other modern challenges will be discussed. Recommended (not required) books: Seasons of Our Joy, Way of Man; The Sabbath; Jewish History in 100 Nutshells.
Instructor: Rabbi Nina Perlmutter (Faculty Emerita, YC and Rabbi, Flagstaff Congregation Lev Shalom). IN PERSON & AVAILABLE VIA ZOOM.
Session B. Seven Wednesday afternoon classes Oct.4- Nov. 15. 2-4 pm Tuition: $135 TO REGISTER call 928-717-7755 or visit www.yc.edu/commed FOR MORE INFORMATION, call Rabbi Nina at 928-925-8172
Donations ~ תרומות
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? For more information, click here.
Tot Shabbat Shabbat, Jul 12th 9:30a to 10:00a Ages 0-5
A fun and lighthearted Shabbat Service for young children. There will be songs and prayers for children with parents/Grandparents
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Purchase a Leaf on our Temple Tree of Life. Mark a special occasion in a beautiful way.