Rabbi's Reflections ~ חנוכה שמח The Hidden Light by Cyd Weissmann
Passed from every generation, these are rules for how to spark light in the darkest days, Kislev to Kislev:
Place the shamash first, then put candles right to left. Make sure to light them left to right.
Three blessings you will sing on the first night, only two for the rest of chag.
Don’t work while the candles shimmer. Place the hanukkiah so all can see. Light the hanukkiah before
This year, I discovered a hidden light passed from every generation, seeing it only when I needed it most: the sivivon flickers, too. Spinning, I try so desperately to imagine: Nes Gadol Haya Sham. A Great Miracle Happened There.
בשלום Rabbi Susan
Cleaning your menorah after Hanukkah: Place a paper towel on a cookie tray and lay your menorah down on the towel. Heat on low in the oven. The oil will melt onto the paper towel and look as good as new.
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. 26 ~ 11:30 Hebrew Practice; 12:00 Great Thoughts; 5:00 Choir Rehearsal Fri., Dec. 27 ~ 10:00 MazelTones Band Rehearsal; 5:30 KABBALATKE!!! Sat., Dec. 28 ~ 10:00 Torah Study Sun., Dec. 29 ~ Sunday School on Winter Recess Tues., Dec. 31 ~ 9:00 Men of TBS at Wildflower; 11:00 Mahjong; 4-6 Appetizers and Board Games Wed., Jan. 1 ~ TBS Closed for New Years Day 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)
TBS Board Meeting ~ ישיבת דירקטוריון The next Board Meeting is Wednesday, January 15 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, January 13.
Kabbalatke is Friday, Dec. 27 at 5:30pm TBS's annual Hanukkah/Shabbat Celebration
Signup deadline is Thursday, Dec. 26 at noon. Collecting cash, checks, or gift cards to Frys or Fast Food restaurants for The Coalition for Compassion and Justice
Short Musical Program 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 1pm.
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 Jan. 5 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 27. We are observing the Yahrzeits of loved ones who have passed from December 27-January 2. 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.
Cem Goldsmith, close friend of Michael Sperling Denise Sigworth, relative of Janet Rifkin Traute Gorny, mother of Esther Littmann Michael Miller, brother of Arlene Brownie Ronald Ira Ratner, brother of Rob Ratner Paula Shulak, wife of Carl Shulak Louie Pertcheck, relative of Janet Rifkin Leon Banen, father of Leah Gilbert Barbara Davidson Moses, sister-in-law of Janet Rifkin Arnold M. Arnold, father of Shari Brooks Diana Couch, relative of 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
Karyn Friend, 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, 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.
Discovering Judaism Thursday, Jan 16th 1:30p to 2:45p Discovering Judaism is an introductory course on Judaism. 1:30-2:45 from October 17 through March 27. Contact Rabbi Susan for the schedule and curriculum. There are books to purchase.
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Purchase a Leaf on our Temple Tree of Life. Mark a special occasion in a beautiful way.