Rabbi's Reflections ~ "The Old World is Not Coming Back"
Bari Weiss, editor of the Free Press and distinguished journalist spoke recently to Jewish leaders at The Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish American Organizations' recent conference: ‘Stand Together – an event of Unity, Strength, and Resilience."
Her speech is powerful and sobering. It deserves 15 minutes of your time. Let me know your thoughts after you hear her words. Email me directly at rabbi@brithshalom-az.org
Trudy Steinhauer, Immediate Past President My connection to “I Have a Little Dreidel”
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is a highlight of the Jewish calendar. As we long for the aroma of schmaltz, while grating mounds of potatoes, making sufganiyot and other fried foods for our days of dedication, the tune passed down from one generation to the next and a Hanukkah favorite begins to waft into our minds, reminding us of our childhood days ~ “I Have a Little Dreidel” written by Samuel E. Goldfarb. Samuel Goldfarb was born in Galicia, Poland in 1891. His father, a cantor and small business man, mother and family of 11 emigrated to the Lower East Side in NY where he was raised in a strictly traditional Hasidic family and grew up in a very musical family. Sam learned to read and play music and sang in local synagogue boys’ choirs. He soon earned a living playing theater piano in a Yiddish movie and vaudeville theater in NY. After graduating from Columbia, Sam worked as a choir conductor, accompanist, composer and arranger working with such local songwriters as Irving Berlin and George Gershwin. Over the years Sam trained generations of children in music, and directed adult choirs. It was during his tenure at Temple De Hirsch in Seattle that he wrote “I Have a Little Dreidel.” A dear friend of mine in Seattle related a story that when she was in the children’s choir, Mr. Goldfarb said to her, “We love you being in the choir, especially with all of your enthusiasm, but please, please sing very softly.” I moved from New York to Seattle in 1974 and attended Temple De Hirsch Sinai. I didn’t sing well and was never on key (my current status) but I did become good friends with Sam Goldfarb’s son Michael and his fiancé. I was invited to Michael’s wedding which is where I met Douglas Steinhauer and the rest, as they say, is history. Although I never had the honor of directly meeting Mr. Goldfarb, the Dreidel song has a special meaning for me.
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., Dec. 12 ~ 11:30 Hebrew Practice; 12:00 Great Thoughts Fri., Dec. 13 ~ 5:30 Shabbat Service Sat., Dec. 14 ~ 9:30 Tot Shabbat; 10:00 Torah Study Sun., Dec. 15 ~ 9:30 Sunday School; 12:00 Israeli Dancing; 1:00 Adult Ed with Tom Brodersen Tues., Dec. 17 ~ 9:00 Men of TBS at Wildflower; 11:00 Mahjong; 1:00 Crafters; 5:00 Adult Choir Wed., Dec. 18 ~ 9:30 Chaverim at Panera; 11:00 Mussar; 12:00 Tanach Today Discussion Group; 5:00 Board Meeting
TBS will be closed on Wed, Dec. 25 and Wed., Jan. 1.
Tuesdays 1:00-2:30 ~ Crafters ~ Bring your yarn, your Diamond Art, your wood working or painting, your card making supplies, crafts of any kind and join us for 90 minutes of good conversation.
Sun., Dec. 15 at 1:00 ~ Adult Ed: Jews in Early Prescott: From the Goldwaters to the La Guardias – Revised and Expanded. Presented by Tom Brodersen.
Sun., Dec. 22 at 1:00 ~ Hike at Brownlow Trail on Commerce drive between Willow Creek and Pioneer parkway.
Tues., Dec. 31 from 4-6pm ~ TBS New Year's Celebration. Bring an appetizer and a favorite board or card game. Sparkling cider toast to ring in 2025. Women's Book Group ~ Wednesdays at 11:00am Wed., Jan. 8 ~ The Jew Store by Stella Suberman (memoir) Wed., Mar. 12 ~ The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict (biography) Wed., May 14 ~ The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish (historical fiction)
Israeli Dancing ~ Sundays at 12:00pm Dec. 15
TBS Board Meeting ~ ישיבת דירקטוריון The next Board Meeting is Wednesday, December 18 at 5pm 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 16.
Kabbalatke is Friday, Dec. 27 at 5:30pm TBS's annual Hanukkah/Shabbat Celebration and Latke Potluck
Short Musical Service featuring the Adult Choir, MazelTones, and Children's Choir.
Contact Al Steinberg (uncleal81@gmail.com) if you can help set-up chairs & tables for Kabbalatke on Thurs., Dec. 26 at 3pm.
Special Announcements
Donate to Temple B'rith Shalom by buying your 2025 Mahjongg cards! $14 for a standard and $15 for a large card. Please collect from your group and send a check to Laury Shayne at: 1636 Granite Springs Drive Prescott, AZ 86305
Charitable Giving Dear Congregants: As 2024 draws to a close many of you may be considering your year-end donations. The Temple Finance Committee has developed a charitable giving document that may meet your needs. It explains in detail how to make a qualified charitable donation to Temple B'rith Shalom as a means of reducing a tax obligation. As always, any support is gratefully appreciated and continues our efforts for the many programs Temple B'rith Shalom provides.
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, offer rides, provide meals, and more. Do what you are comfortable doing to help congregants in need.
Note from Rabbi Susan - I hear often that your cards made a huge difference in people's lives. Please contact Suzi and perform this simple but powerful mitzvah.
Tikkun Olam ~ תיקון עולם
Co-Chairs Amber Caulkins and Allee Steinberg From the Talmud: It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it.
Feed Your Neighbors at Prescott Farmer's Market is looking for 4-5 volunteers on Sat., Jan. 4 from 9-10:15am to box produce. No heavy lifting required. If interested, contact Allee Steinberg at allee2295@aol.com.
Weekly: Compost pickup (no plastic bags) in the bucket by the TBS entrance by 11am Saturday morning. Contact Lee Nackman at roleenack@yahoo.com
Religious School בית ספר דתי Dec 15 Sunday School 9:30-11:45 Educating 27 children!
THE MOB: Men of Brith Shalom Join THE MOB every Tuesday at 9am at the Wildflower to schmooze over a cup of coffee.
Special Prayers ~ תפילות
Kaddish ~ קדיש We are remembering the following people at Shabbat this Friday, December 13. We are observing the Yahrzeits of loved ones who have passed from December 13-19. 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.
Jack Stern, father of Steve Stern Edward Miller, uncle of Arlene Brownie Leo Steinhauer, father of Trudy Steinhauer Josiah Andrew William Dahlin, son of Bill and Wynndi Dahlin Irving Lipkin, father of Annie Bernkrant Helen Gerber, mother of Sally Contour Beverley Shonholtz, mother of Carol Gilson Lee Shuman, grandmother of Georgette Lilley Diana Couch, relative to Arlene Brownie Janet Crayne, close friend of Barbara Sussman Justin Flaherty, brother of Gerry Flaherty-Tate Marilyn Gilson, mother-in-law of Carol Gilson Howard (Chaim) Sherry, father of Alan Sherry John Yeakley, husband of Marilynne Yeakley Arlene Fultonderg, cousin of Laury Shayne Esther Cohn, mother of Dana Cohn and founding member of TBS Shirley Brohner, founding member of Temple B'rith Shalom Kay Germano, aunt of Phil Johnson Randi Chenkin, cousin of Gail Punyen-Davis Ellen Mechanic Schlossmann, cousin of Suzi Abramson-Johnson David Leon Weiss, son of Sue Robyn Henry David Gellerman, ex-husband of Leslie Gellerman Howard Eugene Herst, father of David Herst, grandfather of Jessica Herst Richard Lilley, brother of James Lilley, uncle of Heather Kaplan Sari Benson, cousin of Brian Schanerman Robert Caulkins, uncle of Josh Caulkins Barbara Fischer Moses, sister-in-law of Janet Rifkin Julie Gardner, sister of Bill Dahlin Estherly Allen, wife of Gene Galazan
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
Charles Plotkin, Peggy McCauley, Laurie Reiner, Carl Shulak, Gloria Hershman, Jeffrey Snell, Mary Sussman, Sue Weiss, Linda Patent, Leslie Adler, Rachel Coy, Vadim Vaynerman, 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.
https://www.facebook.com/brithshalomaz
Follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/schanermansusan/
Purchase a Leaf on our Temple Tree of Life. Mark a special occasion in a beautiful way.