1. Why don't we read Torah on Friday nights like we did at my old Temple? Traditionally, Torah is read on Saturdays at shul. Reform Temples in the early 20th century adopted the custom of reading on Friday nights because so many of their congregants were immigrant laborers who were forced to work on Saturdays. But, the authentic Friday night service is meant to be concise and joyous. The tradition is to welcome Shabbat with song, psalms and traditional prayers before returning enjoying Shabbat dinner with family and friends.
2. Why are your sermons short? Studies show that the average adult attention span when listening to a talk is around 10 minutes. And, because we have Torah study on Saturdays and many study groups during the week, it is my goal to encourage those who want to learn more to join us then.
3. How does the bowing work for the Barechu? During the Barechu (sung right after the kids lead the Chatzi Kaddish) the tradition is that the prayer leader bows and chants first and then the congregation responds with the same type of bow and the rest of the prayer. There are other bows during the service but we do those together. This is a call and response moment in the service. And a physical way of showing respect for God.
4. Why do we bow in 2 directions during Lecha Dodi (welcoming the Sabbath Bride)? There are lots of explanations from the tradition. At TBS, some congregants: Bow to the left while saying the first bo’i challah. Bow to the right while saying the second bo’i challah.
Other questions? I'd rather address them in writing than interrupt our joyous Friday night services to explain so feel free to email.
בשלום Rabbi Susan
25 Years of Giving Come and Join the Celebration Sunday Lunch & Fiddler on the Roof Performance
The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Prescott invites you to attend its celebration of 25 Years of Giving. Come and break bread with us at the Prescott Resort and then attend the Fiddler on the Roof performance at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center at Yavapai College.
Fiddler on the Roof is an enduring musical masterpiece by the dynamic song writing pair of Bock and Harnick that opened on Broadway in 1964 and ran for more than 3,000 performances. As arguably one of the greatest Broadway plays with a Jewish theme, the Foundation believes the upcoming performance of Fiddler on the Roof is an ideal event to celebrate our Jewish community and the Foundation’s accomplishments.
The Jewish Foundation has set aside a block of sixty complimentary tickets for congregants of Temple B’rith Shalom for the gala luncheon and this exciting musical performance.
The complimentary luncheon and free performance tickets can now be reserved by contacting the office at Temple B’rith Shalom at office@brithshalom-az.org or calling 928-708-0018. The luncheon and theater tickets are available on a ‘first come, first serve basis’ and are limited to two tickets per family. The ‘physical’ tickets will be available for pickup from the Temple office beginning Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
*The complimentary pre-performance luncheon at the Prescott Resort and Conference Center begins at 12:30 PM on the day of the Fiddler on the Roof performance (Sunday, April 6th). The luncheon will finish up by 2:15 PM—giving everyone plenty of time to get to the theater for the 3:00 PM performance!
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. 6 ~ 11:00 Short Story Discussion; 12:00 Great Thoughts; 4pm MazelTones Rehearsal; 4:45 Choir rehearsal Fri., Feb. 7 ~ 5:30 Shabbat Service ~ Shabbat Shira featuring the music of Debbie Friedman! Sat., Feb 8 ~ 9:30 Tot Shabbat; 10:00 Torah Study Sun., Feb 9 ~ 9:30 Sunday School; Go Team! Tues., Feb 11 ~ 9:00 Men of TBS at Wildflower; 11:00 Mahjong; 11:30 Discovering Judaism; 1:00 Crafters Wed., Feb 12 ~ 9:30 Chaverim at Panera; 11:00 Mussar; 12:00 Tanach Today
Hazeltine Theater (formerly PCA) Presents Driving Miss Daisy February 22 at 7pm. 208 N. Marina St. Prescott. $35.88 per ticket. Tickets athttps://www.the-hazeltine.com/. If you purchased your ticket before Jan. 17, it was open seating. If purchased after Jan. 17, it was assigned seating. If attending the show, Contact Barb Sussman at 520-954-5219 or bsussmanr@gmail.com.
Fresser's Dinner! ~ February 27 at 5:30pm at Ciao Bella Italian Restaurant in Prescott Valley. RSVP to Diane Shrager at 520-269-0545.
Women's Book Group ~ Wednesdays at 11:00am 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)
Short Story Group~ Next class Thursday Feb. 6 at 11:00am. Purchase The Oxford Book of Jewish Stories (available used for less than $10)
Trees in Jewish Teachings & Practices Sunday, February 16 at 1:00pm Presented by Rabbi Nina Perlmutter.
Save the Date! Passover Seder Sunday, April 13 at 5pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Prescott. We are looking for volunteers to help our chair, Si Osgrove, set up and take down our Passover Seder. If interested, please contact Si Osgrove at 631-223-9806 or siwriter@icloud.com.
TBS Board Meeting ~ ישיבת דירקטוריון The next Board Meeting is Wednesday, February 26 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, February 24.
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, offer rides, provide meals, and more. Do what you are comfortable doing to help congregants in need.
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.
Next meeting: Sunday, Feb. 23 at 11:30am.
February project is supporting PASS: Prescott Area Shelter Services. PASS provides temporary shelter to women and women with children. Guests can stay for up to 90 days. The needs of PASS are great - from personal items to cleaning supplies to household items. A list of suggested items to donate will be available at the temple. Donated items can be brought to TBS throughout the month of February.
Monthly: Prescott Area Shelter Services Dinner. Volunteers cook or purchase their donation and deliver their dishes to the shelter at 5:15pm on the appointed day. Email Annie or call her at (928) 273-5202 before Sunday, February 9.anniebernkrant@gmail.com
Religious School בית ספר דתי Feb. 9 Sunday School 9:30-11:45 Educating 28 children!
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: Rachel Schuck and Family Shira Hudson
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 in February to:
1 Roberta Nackman 4 Richard Adler 4 Dory Magnuson 5 Zona Girardin 6 Elyce Ditchek-Goldberg 7 Carol Flinner 8 Samara Van Wagner
10 Allee Steinberg 10 Tony Winkelman 12 Joanne Brody 12 Rachel Coy 13 Bard Schatzman 14 Cindy Jeitler 14 Annie Bernkrant 16 Jeff Plotkin 16 Brian Weingart
18 Jaime Melnick 18 Branden Scoutos 19 Hayden Barnes 20 Stuart Mills 22 Gloria Hershman 22 Currie Lee 23 Susan Zane 29 Suzanne Solvet
Special Prayers ~ תפילות
Kaddish ~ קדיש We are remembering the following people at Shabbat this Friday, February 7. We are observing the Yahrzeits of loved ones who have passed from February 7-13. 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. Robert Harrison Eaton, father of Robert Eaton Wilbur Reed, father of Janice Reed Robert Zive, father of Roberta Nackman Betty Rosenberg, mother-in-law of Roza Rosenberg Eve Shulak, sister-in-law of Carl Shulak Tamar Fox, mother of Steve Stern Dora Yaffe, step grandmother of Robin Frielich Estherly Allen, wife of Gene Galazan Toby Pertcheck, sister-in-law of Janet Rifkin Charles Pollack, uncle of Linda Frankel Wendy Grace, cousin of Shira Hudson 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, 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
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
Tom Reiner, Claudia Ackerman, Mark Gray, Suzi Abramson-Johnson, Karyn Friend, Charles Plotkin, Peggy McCauley, 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
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: Shirley Goldstein Ferne Zabezensky- In memory of husband, Moshe Zabezensky Tom and Peggy McCauley- In honor of Richard and Claudia Ackerman Jon Aries- In memory of mother, Marcia Carrocci Jeff and Shari Brooks Ruth and Steve Stern- In honor of Richie and Claudia Ackerman Jeff and Shari Brooks- In honor of Richie and Claudia Ackerman Anonymous Judie Hale Leah Gilbert- In memory of father-in-law, Walter Gilbert Mark Watkins and Steve Kurtz- For the speedy recovery of Claudia Ackerman Sheri Schoenwald- In honor of Richie and Claudia Ackerman Al and Allee Steinberg- In memory of Margaret Longoria and Elizabeth Mishkovsky Sheila & Ed Chadroff- In honor of Richie and Claudia Ackerman’s 50th wedding anniversary Marcia & Michael Geller- In honor of Richie and Claudia Ackerman’s vow renewal Karen and Michael Roberts- In honor of Richie and Claudia Ackerman’s vow renewal Trudy Steinhauer- In honor of Richie and Claudia’s 50th wedding anniversary vow renewal Roni and Marshall Rosen- In honor of Richie and Claudia’s 50th wedding anniversary The Resto Family- In honor of Richard and Claudia Ackerman’s 50th anniversary vow renewal Chong A Ware- In honor of Richard and Claudia Ackerman Al and Allee Steinberg- In honor of Richie and Claudia’s 50th anniversary Deb and Jeff Plotkin- In honor of Richie and Claudia’s 50th anniversary
BUILDING FUND: Jim and Mindy Rubin- In honor of Richie and Claudia Ackerman’s 50th anniversary
BROHNER RELIGIOUS SCHOOL EDUCATION FUND: Pam Jones and David Hess- In memory of mother, Marge Jones Nomi Freed- In honor of the 50th anniversary and vow renewal of Richie and Claudia Ackerman Jim and Mindy Rubin- In memory of Charlotte Ciment, mother of Mindy Rubin
A special thank you to those who hosted an Oneg in January: Deb and Jeff Plotkin Karen Bergman Ed Greenberg Liora and Thalia Bensmiller Danny, Shannon, and Abby Kowalsky
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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