1. Why is there so much Hebrew in the service? During much of the 20th century in the US, Reform congregations were very conscious of a desire to assimilate into the greater, Christian culture. One way they did this was to eliminate centuries-old traditions from Shabbat Services. You might find the rabbi wearing a robe (like a minister), many men not wearing a kippah, a choir singing songs in English that sounded like hymns, and a service that had very little Hebrew because that was a foreign language that might engender antisemitism.
In the 1980s and beyond, the Reform movement has rediscovered some of the traditional ways. Hebrew has become valued as the language of prayer in most synagogues. Readings in English and a sermon in English remain standard but mainstream Reform congregations do not look like they did decades ago - perhaps when you were growing up. My family was very Reform in practice but my father insisted that we belong to a Conservative synagogue because Reform did not feel authentic to him. If he were alive today, he would feel very different.
We include at least 4 readings in English at every service and occasionally an English-language song is sung and of course the sermon is in English. To counter feelings of confusion, the current prayer book offers transliteration, literal translation, and even interpretive prayer. There is something for everyone.
2. Why is the service the same every week? Jewish communal prayer follows a set liturgy. Unlike many Christian denominations, we pray certain prayers in a specific order in the service. The Shema always follows Ahavat Olam. Mi Chamocha has its own unique spot that follows the V'ahavta. The service is cleverly designed to bring us to places of joy and also places of reflection. You can go to any synagogue in the world on a Friday night and know what is coming next. I love that aspect of Jewish prayer.
That said, we vary the melodies, the sermon, and the readings each week. And, your personal prayers to God are yours to individualize as you feel called to do so. You bring as much to the service as the service leaders do and if you feel that it's too routine or even boring, I challenge you to you to look within and discover how to bring the service alive for you.
בשלום Rabbi Susan
25 Years of Giving Come and Join the Celebration Sunday Lunch & Fiddler on the Roof Performance 17 tickets left!
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. 13 ~ 11:00 Short Story Discussion; 12:00 Great Thoughts Fri., Feb. 14 ~ 5:30 Shabbat Service Sat., Feb 15 ~ 10:00 Torah Study Sun., Feb 16 ~ 9:30 Sunday School; 11:00 Grief Group; 1:00 Rabbi Nina Adult Ed Tues., Feb 18 ~ 9:00 Men of TBS at Wildflower; 11:00 Mahjong; 1:00 Crafters; 5:00 Choir rehearsal Wed., Feb 19 ~ 9:30 Chaverim at Panera; 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! ~ Thurs., 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. 13 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 is available at the temple. Donated items can be brought to TBS throughout the month of February.
Religious School בית ספר דתי Feb. 16 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. There is no extra cost or commitment, just a lot fun! Come check it out.
Special Prayers ~ תפילות
Kaddish ~ קדיש We are remembering the following people at Shabbat this Friday, February 14. We are observing the Yahrzeits of loved ones who have passed from February 14-20. 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.
Fran Basch Russo, daughter of Esther Basch Nina Johnson Noble, sister of Phil Johnson Henry Knapp, father of Carol Flinner Selda Ellen, mother of Judy Baletin Samuel Dolled, father of Rolene Attias Sarah Osofsky, grandmother of Rabbi Nina Perlmutter Frances Zive, mother of Roberta Nackman Gwendolyn Patent, mother of Linda Patent Marilyn LaRose, mother of Melanie Taylor Margaret Longoria, mother of Allee Steinberg 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
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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