Rabbi's Reflections ~ חג האהבה It has been suggested that this section of the newsletter be dedicated (occasionally) to answering your questions about Judaism. I am open to this idea if folks contact me with a question or two.
Question: Do Jews celebrate St. Valentine’s Day?
Response: Valentine’s Day was instituted by Pope Gelasius I in 496 C.E. to commemorate the martyrdom of St. Valentine. According to legend Valentine was a priest who was arrested following a theological debate about the merits of Christianity. He was buried on 14 February. But his martyrdom had nothing to do with love.
So, with sketchy info about its origins and a name that has "Saint" in it, what's the answer?
Rabbi Moshe Isserles (1520-1572) asked this question when debating Jewish celebrations of holidys initiated by non-Jews. "Are the activities consistent with Jewish tradition?"
I say yes! Cards and flowers are beautiful expressions that remind us that much of Judaism focuses on how we treat one another. Of course, treating one another with kindness and loving gestures should be part of our every day experience, But a special day is kind of nice, too.
“Only love gives us the taste of eternity.” Jewish Proverb
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., Feb. 8 ~ 12:00 Great Thoughts ~ How Good Do We Have to Be? by Harold Kushner; Fri., Feb. 9 ~ 5:00 Oneg, 5:30 Shabbat Service Sat., Feb. 10 ~ 9:15 Adult B'not Mitzvah Class; 10:00 Torah Study Sun., Feb. 11 ~ 9:30 Sunday School Tues., Feb. 13 ~ 9:00 MOB at Wildflower; 11:00 Hebrew Practice; 11:00 Mahjong; 1:00 Yarn Yentas Wed., Feb. 14 ~ 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. 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.
Adult Education ~ חינוך למבוגרים No charge for members
February is Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month! Since 2009, February has been "Jewish Disabilities Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month." The goals are to raise awareness, and encourage more inclusion in Jewish life.
We'll learn about this effort & relavant groups & brainstorm what we can do here. We'll reflect on some less-than-ideal history of attitudes towards disabilities in Jewish sources and celebrate how things have greatly improved over time. Then we'll learn to sign some familiar prayers! Taught by Rabbi Nina Perlmutter Sunday, February 18 at 1pm at Temple B'rith Shalom
Purim Choir! Are you interested in being a part of our groovy 60's themed Purim choir? Be one of the cool cats and come sing in our far-out choir! Email Jessica (office@brithshalom-az.org) if you're interested so you can be added to the TBS choir email list.
Mahjong at TBS Interested in learning Mahjongg, getting a refresher, practicing or playing? All levels welcome. 11am to 1pm Tuesdays at TBS.
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
TBS Hike ~ Sunday, Feb. 25 at 2:00pm
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
The Adult Center in Prescott is offering a new service called "Kids Kloset" to offer families clothing, shoes, developmental toys, books, diapers, and hygiene supplies. Donate new and "very gently used (clean, no holes)" items for children ages 0-12 during February. You can also donate funds. Make your check out to the Adult Center, write "Kids Kloset" on the memo line, and give it to Jessica or Heather in the office. Have questions? Contact Annie Bernkrant at anniebernkrant@hotmail.com or (928) 273-5202.
$10.00 Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for Kids Kloset: Wed., Feb. 28 from 5-6:30. Join Rabbi Susan at 5:00pm at The Center to enjoy a meal together as we make a difference in children's lives. The Center / 1280 E. Rosser Street Prescott, AZ 86301 www.adultcenter.org
TBS Compassionate Cooks TBS sponsors a meal on the last Sunday of the month for the women and children's shelter in Prescott. Volunteers cook or purchase their donation. Volunteers deliver their dishes to the shelter at 5:15pm on the appointed day. Email Annie at anniebernkrant@hotmail.com or call her at (928) 273-5202 before Sunday, February 11.
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
Feb. 11 ~ 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
Temple B'rith Shalom is thrilled to welcome our newest members: Lester Melnick Linda McPherson
Mazel Tov to all who are celebrating their anniversaries this month: 2 Richard and Claudia Ackerman 15 Samantha and Daryl Opperman
Temple B'rith Shalom wishes a very happy birthday to: 1 Roberta Nackman 16 Jeff Plotkin 4 Richard Adler 16 Brian Weingart 4 Dory Magnuson 18 Jaime Melnick 6 Elyce Ditchek-Goldberg 18 Branden Scoutos 8 Samara Van Wagner 19 Michael Charlap 10 Allee Steinberg 19 Estherly Allen 10 Tony Winkelman 22 Gloria Hershman 12 Joanne Brody 22 Currie Lee 12 Rachel Coy 23 Susan Zane 13 Bard Schatzman 26 Jay Bycer 14 Annie Bernkrant 29 Suzanne Solvet
Kaddish ~ קדיש We are saying Kaddish for the following people at Shabbat this Friday, February 9. We are observing the Yahrzeits of loved ones who have passed from February 9-15. 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.
Betty Rosenberg, mother-in-law of Roza Rosenberg Tamar Fox, mother of Steve Stern Dora Yaffe, step-grandmother of Robin Frielich Toby Pertcheck, sister-in-law of Janet Rifkin Eve Shulak, sister-in-law of Carl Shulak David Kaplan, husband of Heather Kaplan, father of Miguel, Gabriella, and Lily Kaplan Kenneth Shulak, son of Carl Shulak Fran Basch Russo, daughter of Esther Basch Nina Johnson Noble, sister-in-law of Suzi Abramson-Johnson Samuel Dolled, father of Rolene Attias 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 Rachel Coy, Arlene Brownie, Julie Gardner, Vadim Vaynerman, Edie Greenberg, Pedro Venturo, Michael Schlossmann, Gloria Hershman, Richard Jacobs, Mike Wolf, 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
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the donations we received in the month of January. We are so grateful and appreciative of your support!
GENERAL FUND: Laury Shayne- in memory of Joseph Stessel Leah Gilbert- in memory of father-in-law, Walter Gilbert Steve and Sue Weiss- in loving memory of parents, Marcus and Isabelle Weiss and nephew, David Frankel Jon Aries- in memory of mother, Marcia Carrocci Dot and John Jones- in honor of Rabbi Susan and Cantorial Soloist Jessica Chedva and Brian Weingart Rabbi Susan and Brian Schanerman Ferne Zabezensky- in memory of husband, Moshe Zabezensky Esther and David Littmann- in honor of Diane Shrager’s birthday
RABBI DISCRETIONARY FUND: Linda Patent- in memory of mother, Gwendolyn Patent, and aunt, Beatrice Claar
ONEG FUND: Robert Eaton- in memory of father, Robert Harrison Eaton
BUILDING FUND: Linda Patent- in honor of Deborah Plotkin’s communication and ongoing work to the TBS building.
A special thank you to those who hosted an Oneg in January: Al and Allee Steinberg Rabbi Susan and Brian Richie and Claudia Ackerman Suzy Curry
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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