Rabbi Yohanan Ben Zakai (1st century BCE) used to say: "If you have a sapling in your hand and they tell you, 'The Messiah is coming!' first plant the sapling and then go to greet him."
On this Tu B'Shevat, we contemplate this Talmudic statement from one of our sages and wonder what it means for us.
Perhaps if one stops planting, the Messiah will actually leave because our roles are interdependent. Without human striving, the Messiah is irrelevant.
If we do not fulfill our end of the b'rit (the partnership between us and God), Judaism teaches that God cannot do the work alone. We must take moral and spiritual responsibility for this world. Only then, will the world become whole.
Chag Sameach, Rabbi Susan
Apologies for omitting in last week's newsletter those who donated money and food at our Yom Kippur Services. We raised $3000 for local food pantries.
Thank you to those who are joining our Tikkun Olam Committee. Please let me know if you are interested.
Sunday School Students Celebrate Tu B'Shevat!
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., Jan. 25 ~ 12:00 Great Thoughts ~ How Good Do We Have to Be? by Harold Kushner Fri., Jan. 26 ~ 5:00 Oneg, 5:30 Shabbat Shira Service Sat., Jan. 27 ~ 9:15 Adult B'not Mitzvah Class; 10:00 Torah Study; 1:00 Jarz of Clay event Sun., Jan. 28 ~ 9:30 Sunday School; 2:00 Hike Tues., Jan. 30 ~ 9:00 MOB at Wildflower; 11:00 Discovering Judaism; 11:00 Mahjong; 1:00 Yarn Yentas Wed., Jan. 31 ~ 10:00 Chaverim at Panera; 12:00 Lunch Bunch
Upcoming TBS and Community Events: Feb. 18 ~ Mar. 3 ~ The 28th Annual Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival in three Valley theaters. Over 20 extraordinary Jewish films from around the globe. GPJFF for more information. See the flyer posted on our hallway bulletin board.
Tues., Feb. 27 ~ 11:00-12:15 ~ Discussion of the book Finding God by Rifat Soncino. Read the book in advance.
Tues., Mar. 12 ~ 11:00-12:15 ~ Discussion of the book Night by Elie Wiesel. Read the book in advance.
Sun., Mar. 17 ~ American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA) 2024 Hope Gala on Sunday, March 17, 2024. Featuring speaker Noa Tisby. Details HERE . TBS Board Meeting ~ ישיבת דירקטוריון The next regular Board Meeting is Wednesday, February 21 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, February 19.
New TBS Group! "Chaverim" Organizer and Contact: Annah-Mikayla Sexton "Chaverim" are congregants who live alone and want to meet to socialize, offer support, attend events together, and get to know one another.
Meet us for coffee weekly on Wednesdays at 10am at Panera.
Women of TBS Invites You to Line Dancing and Instruction Thursday, February 1 Arrive 5:45pm. Line Dancing is from 6-8pm Matt's Saloon located at 112 S. Montezuma St. in Prescott. Cost is $5 per person
Adult Education ~ חינוך למבוגרים No charge for members
Grief Group forming at TBS Led by Rabbi Susan If you have experienced a personal loss and might like to join a closed group that will meet twice/month for 4 months on Saturday mornings, please contact Rabbi Susan for more details.
Mahjong at TBS Interested in learning Mahjongg, getting a refresher, practicing or playing? All levels welcome. 11am to 1pm Tuesdays at TBS.
TBS Film Sundays at 1pm Feb. 4 ~ Avalon Starring Joan Plowright and Aidan Quinn. Themes of Jewish assimilation into American life, through several generations of a Polish immigrant family from the 1910s through the 1950s.
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 ~ 11:00am Mar. 13 - Judas by Amos Oz May 8 - The Heavens and Earth Grocery Store
Women of TBS Saturday, January 27 at 1:00pm Pottery painting at Jarz of Clay in Frontier Village. RSVP by Jan. 25 to Annah Mikayla at Laugheveryday4sure@gmail.com or 505 463-6316.
TBS Winter Hikes ~ Sundays at 2:00pm
*Sun., Jan. 28 Willow Lake Trail (no Dells climbing.) Sunny and level terrain. Parking is free at the lot on Britni Drive and Willow Lake. Approx 1/2 mile from the temple.
Congregational Support ~ עֶזרָה
Mitzvah Circle ~ מצווה Contact Suzi Abramson-Johnson at 602-570-9688 to participate or to request assistance. Mitzvah circle members send Condolence and Mi Shebeirach cards, visit folks in the hospital, and more. Do what you are comfortable doing to help congregants in need.
Social Action ~ תיקון עולם
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
Jan. 28 ~ Sunday School 9:30-11:45
THE MOB: Men of Brith Shalom Join THE MOB every Tuesday at 9am at the Wildflower to schmooze over a cup of coffee.
Member News ~ חדשות חברים
Kaddish ~ קדיש We are saying Kaddish for the following people at Shabbat this Friday, January 26. We are observing the Yahrzeits of loved ones who have passed from January 26 - February 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.
Gilbert Schwartzman, husband of Helen Schwartzman Selda Ellen, mother of Judy Baletin Rose Ecker Grossman, grandmother of Wayne Grossman Frances Zive, mother of Roberta Nackman Jack Frye, grandson of Richie and Claudia Ackerman Oscar Leon Greene, father of Richie Ackerman Beth Susan Laxineta-Platt, aunt of Samantha Opperman Natalie Bernice Plotkin, mother of Jeff Plotkin 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
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 Arlene Brownie, Julie Gardner, Vadim Vaynerman, Edie Greenberg, Pedro Venturo, Michael Schlossmann, Gloria Hershman, Richard Jacobs, Brett Friend, Amy Snell Kingslinger, Rosario Maya, Brian Shrager, and Estherly Allen. 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
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.
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Purchase a Leaf on our Temple Tree of Life. Mark a special occasion in a beautiful way.