Folks have been emailing me with questions about Judaism and I am delighted to respond. Feel free to contact me at rabbi@brithshalom-az.org.
Some interesting tidbits about Shabbat:
Angels come to our houses According to the Jewish mystics, angels accompany worshippers home from the synagogue after Friday night prayers. This tradition is the reason for the singing of Shalom Aleichem, which welcomes angels.
Some families light more than two candles As a rule, two candles are lit prior to Shabbat beginning on Friday night. These are understood to symbolize the twin biblical commands to remember (zachor) and keep (shamor) the Sabbath day. But it’s possible to light more. Some families have the custom of adding an additional candle for each child.
We get an extra soul on Shabbat According to the Talmud, God bequeaths us an additional soul — a neshama yeteirah — on Friday evening and takes it back on Saturday night. The idea is meant to convey that Shabbat is not just about physical rest and renewal, but spiritual elevation as well. Our capacity for connecting spiritually is enhanced on Shabbat through this additional soul. Shabbat is a foretaste of the World to Come According to the Talmud, the experience of Shabbat is a little taste of the World to Come. Shabbat is a way to experience in some small way what living in a world of perfect peace is like. This may also be why the Midrash states that the messiah will come immediately if all of the Jewish people were to observe one Shabbat perfectly.
Shabbat is considered more important than virtually every other Jewish observance. Shabbat is understood in the Talmud to be the day on which God was revealed to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. And it may also be the secret of Jewish survival. As the Hebrew essayist Ahad Ha’am famously wrote: “More than the Jewish people have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the Jews.”
L'shalom, Rabbi Susan
Israel: A simple guide to the most misunderstood country on earth by Noa TishbyWritten in lively, conversational prose, this book will appeal to those who would like to deepen their understanding of Israel but who shy away from scholarly texts. Class will meet on Saturdays at 9:15am on Mar. 16, 23; Apr. 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11. Contact Rabbi Susan to sign up.
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. 22 ~ 12:00 Great Thoughts ~ How Good Do We Have to Be? by Harold Kushner Fri., Feb. 23 ~ 5:00 Oneg, 5:30 Shabbat Service Sat., Feb. 24 ~ 10:00 Torah Study Sun., Feb. 25 ~ 9:30 Sunday School; 2:00 Hike Mon., Feb. 26 ~ 4:30 Folk Song Sing-Along Tues., Feb. 27 ~ 9:00 MOB at Wildflower; 11:00 Finding God by Soncino Discussion; 11:00 Mahjong; 1:00 Choir; 1:00 Yarn Yentas Wed., Feb. 28 ~ 10:00 Chaverim at Panera; 12:00 Lunch Bunch; 5:00 Fundraising Spaghetti Dinner at The Adult Center
Upcoming TBS and Community Events:
Sun., Mar. 3 ~ 1:00 ~ Adult Ed with Tom Brodersen (see below)
Sat., Mar. 9 ~ Tot Shabbat (Ages 0-5) 10-10:30 ~ Sanctuary. Songs and prayers for children and parents/grandparents.
Tues., Mar. 12 ~ 11:00-12:15 ~ Discussion of the book Night by Elie Wiesel. Read the book in advance.
Sun., Mar. 24 ~ 1:00 ~ Purim Spiel and Celebration. Dress in your favorite 60s garb ~ tie dye, peasant skirts, love beads, headbands, striped pants, etc. Please contact Rabbi Susan if you can bring some hamantaschen.
Sun., Mar. 31 ~ 12:15 ~ Israeli Dancing with Shira returns! TBS Board Meeting ~ ישיבת דירקטוריון The next regular Board Meeting is Wednesday, March 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, March 18.
Adult Education ~ חינוך למבוגרים No charge for members
Sephardic Jews; Past & Present Sunday, March 3 at 1pm Tom Brodersen, MSJS
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 Brownlow Trail ~ 3 mile hike. On Commerce Drive between Willow Creek and Pioneer Parkway. Look for the dirt parking lot just south of the pickleball courts.
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
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. 25 ~ Sunday School 9:30-11:45
Tot Shabbat (Ages 0-5) Sat., Mar. 9 10-10:30 ~ Sanctuary
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, February 23. We are observing the Yahrzeits of loved ones who have passed from February 23-29. 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. Sandra Wolf, sister of Mike Wolf Eli Josef Szajman, brother of Roza Rosenberg Robert Gilson, son of Carol Gilson Bunny Frankel, sister of Steve and Sue Weiss Elizabeth Mishkovsky, grandmother of Al Steinberg Daniel Glenn Luedke, son of Karin Luedke Alice Greene, mother of Richie Ackerman Pearl Pertcheck, sister-in-law of Janet Rifkin Harry Osofsky, grandfather of Rabbi Nina Perlmutter Ralph Pertcheck, brother-in-law of Janet Rifkin Estherly Allen, wife of Gene Galazan 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
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, and Brian Shrager. 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.
Ping Pong at TBS Tuesday, Apr 30th 10:30a to 12:00p come and enjoy a game of ping pong !
Ping Pong at TBS!
Tues., Wed., Thurs., mornings from 10:30-12:00
All levels welcome!
We have paddles and balls.
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Purchase a Leaf on our Temple Tree of Life. Mark a special occasion in a beautiful way.