Weekly Happenings at TBS

Rabbi's Reflections ~ חנוכה

Looking for new ways to celebrate Hanukkah this year? Here are some historical ideas.

In Morocco, Algeria and other North African communities, it was customary to hang the menorah on a hook in the doorway, beside the mezuzah. Putting the menorah near the mezuzah was thought to enhance the protection already offered by the mezuzah.

Jews in Romania, as well as Austria and other central European communities, scraped out potatoes, filling each potato space with oil and a wick to serve as the menorah. Rather than putting all eight out at once, each day they added another potato.

The Jewish community of Aleppo, which comprised mostly Sephardic Jews who had escaped the Inquisition, lit an extra shamash on each night of Hanukkah. Several explanations exist — some say that the second shamash was meant to honor God and acknowledge the divine intervention that brought them to safety. Others say the custom was a nod toward the non-Jews of Aleppo, who welcomed them as refugees. 

It is a mitzvah to place the hanukkiah at the entrance to one’s house on the outside, so that all can see it. However, Jerusalem winters are often wet and windy, so the community began crafting aquarium-like glass boxes to protect their flames. Inside, Jerusalem Jews put small cups of olive oil and lit a wick to correspond with each night.
.
During the Saturday night that falls during Hanukkah, after Shabbat ended, the Jews of Avignon open a new bottle of local wine in their homes and make a toast. Then, each family travels around their neighborhood to taste the wines chosen by their neighbors and to toast to the miracle of Hanukkah.

In some parts of Morocco, Jewish children spend the last day of Hanukkah going from house to house to collect the leftover cotton wicks that Moroccan Jews used in place of candles. At sundown, the wicks are ignited to create a large bonfire, and each community gathers to sing, dance and even leap over the fire.
​​​​​​​
L'shalom,
Rabbi Susan

TBS Calendar ~ לוּחַ שָׁנָה

This Week’s Calendar
Thurs., Nov. 30 ~ 12:00 Great Thoughts
Fri., Dec. 1  ~ 5:00 Oneg 5:30 Shabbat Service
Sat., Dec. 2 ~ 10:00 Shabbat Service
Sun., Dec. 3 ~ 9:30 Sunday School; 1:00 Golda Film
Tues., Dec. 5 ~ 9:00 Men of TBS at Wildflower organizational mtg. to plan TBS New Year's Day pancake brunch; 11:00 Mahjong; 1:00 Yarn Yentas; 1:00 TBS Choir
Wed., Dec. 6 ~ 11:00 Minyan Service; 12:00 Lunch Bunch

Save the Dates!

Sat., Dec. 9 ~ 11:00  ~ Hanukkah Storytime with Rabbi Susan at Prescott Valley Library. 

Sun., Dec. 10 ~ 1:00  ~ Jewish Artists & Art Collectors Who Made the Art World Modern with Tom Brodersen

Sun., Dec. 10 ~ 5:00 ~ Annual Menorah Lighting on the Prescott Town Square (Whiskey Row side). Sponsored by Chabad.

Sat., Dec. 24 ~ 2:00 ~ Brownlow Hike. See below.

Mon., Jan. 1 ~ 10:00 ~ Pancake Brunch Hosted by Men of TBS. Bring your board games and cards and let's celebrate the New Year! Details coming soon.

Sat., May 4 ~ TBS Shabbaton at Camp Stein. A full day of Shabbat activities and fun. Registration starts in January.

TBS Board Meeting ~ ישיבת דירקטוריון
The next regular Board Meeting is Wednesday, December 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, December 18. 

Kabbalatke ~ Fri., Dec. 8 at 5:30
(Kabbalat Shabbat and Latke Potluck)

Shabbat/Hanukkah Service followed by
a delicious potluck. 
Bring your menorah and 3 candles
(2nd night of Hanukkah)

Sign up To bring a dish for the potluck HERE .

We will be collecting checks and gift cards to Costco
or fast food restaurants for
The Coalition for Compassion and Justice

​​​​​​​We are looking for volunteers to help set up tables and chairs on Thursday, December 7 at 3pm. Please email the office if you can help. 

Please stay after our Kabbalatke Celebration to help clean up if you are able. 

Adult Education ~ חינוך למבוגרים
No charge for members

Women of TBS Present:
Rugelach Baking Workshop
At the home of Barbara Sussman
Friday, Dec. 1 at 1:00pm

Open to 8 women
RSVP to Barbara to sign up and for more details. Barbara's email is  bsussmanr@gmail.com. 

Beginning Hebrew Reading
Thursdays from 5:00-5:45
6 classes: Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28; Jan. 4
No fee but text required:
Learn Hebrew Today: Alef-Bet for Adults 
Register with Rabbi Susan: rabbi@brithshalom-az.org

Mahjonng at TBS
Interested in learning Mah Jongg, getting a refresher, practicing or playing?  All levels welcome. Classes will be taught by Leslie Adler, Allee Steinberg and Shari Brooks, 11am to 1pm Tuesdays at TBS. Please email 
shari@jbrookswa.com to indicate interest and your level of experience.

TBS Winter Hikes ~ Sundays at 2:00pm

*Sun., Dec. 24 ~ Brownlow Trail. 
Directions from Willow Creek near Fry’s:
Travel to Commerce Drive (in the direction of Embry-Riddle Riddle.)
Go north on Commerce Drive (the only direction possible.)
Travel  .8 mile.  The dirt parking lot is on the left. 
OR
Directions from Pioneer Parkway:
Travel south on Commerce Drive. Travel  .6 mile. The dirt parking lot will be on your right.  
​​​​​​​
*Sun., Jan. 28 TBA

Congregational Support ~ עֶזרָה

Social Action ~ תיקון עולם

Aiden and Tanner Balk's Entries!

Member News ~ חדשות חברים

Kaddish ~ קדיש
We are saying Kaddish for the following people at Shabbat this Friday, December 1. We are observing the Yahrzeits of loved ones who have passed from December 2-8. 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.

Zigmond Moses, brother of Janet Rifkin 
Carrie Steinhauer, grandmother of Trudy Steinhauer
Elana Goldberg, sister-in-law of Richard Jacobs and Blanche Berkowitz-Jacobs
Stanley Blacker, dear friend of Trudy Steinhauer
Jack Abramson, grandfather of Suzi Abramson-Johnson
Murray Schutz, uncle of Michael Sperling
Dave Contour, husband of Sally Contour
Walter Areinoff, father of Abby Areinoff-Harbicht
Mara Hollon, mother of Jessica Herst
Judith McIntyre, wife of William McIntyre
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
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

Healing Thoughts ~ מי שבעירך
 Edie Greenberg, Pedro Venturo, Michael Schlossmann, Gloria Hershman, Richard Jacobs, Bob Longoria, Doris Cameron, Ted Symonds, Nancy Quitney, Brett Friend, 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.

Donations ~ תרומות

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. 

TBS Website - https://www.brithshalom-az.org/

TBS Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/brithshalomaz

Are you interested in advertising on our website? Please contact Jessica in the office for more details.