A fan of Sex and the City, I recall the episode in which Charlotte first decides to convert. Driven by her love for Harry Goldenblatt, Charlotte approaches a rabbi who rejects her three times. While the scene in the show had more drama (and way better fashion) than is typical, the reality is that Judaism considers only those who are honestly and meaningfully seeking to join the community.
The tradition of rejecting a potential convert traces back to the Book of Ruth. After her Israelite husband dies, Ruth is told three times by her mother-in-law to return to her people. From this emerged a tradition of refusing a convert three times.
But it is not only out of a purity of belief that Jews have held back on trying to convert their neighbors. It is also, to some extent, about a lack of capability. For most of Jewish history, Jews simply didn’t possess the means to persuade others to become Jews. So while Christians and Muslims conquered and occupied wide swaths of territory, Jews were almost always the occupied, and as such were not permitted to missionize or seek converts, often on threat of death.
In modern times, the increasing numbers of Jews in interfaith relationships has led some Jewish leaders to be more proactive about asking people to convert. As Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, said in 2005: “It is a mitzvah to help a potential Jew become a Jew-by-choice.”
What do you think? בשלום Rabbi Susan
Gesher Honey TBS Fundraiser Send bottles of honey with Rosh Hashanah greetings to family and friends.
Send pure kosher, local Arizona honey to loved ones which will include your personalized message, a Rosh Hashanah blessing card, a 6oz jar of pure raw Desert Bloom honey, and a wooden honey dipper. Order now and your gift will be sent to the recipient in time for the High Holidays.
$18 per gift FREE Shipping until August 10! When ordering in the drop down selection, scroll all the way down to select Temple B'rith Shalom Enter Coupon Code: FREE for free shipping Order Now: Sweeter Together Gesher Honey Website For help with ordering, please click here: Gesher Honey Ordering Instructions Additional Questions? Contact Ruth Stern at 805-657-7444
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., July 17 ~ 11:00 Short Stories; 12:00 Great Thoughts Fri., July 18 ~ 5:30 Shabbat Service Sat., July 19 ~ 9:30 Tot Shabbat; 10:00 Torah Study; 4pm Song Circle Sun., July 20 ~ 1:00 Rabbi Nina Adult Ed Tues., July 22 ~ 9:00 Men of TBS at Wildflower; 10:00 Mussar; 11:00 Mahjong; 12:00 Tanach; 1:00 Crafters
Wed., July 23 ~ 9:30 Chaverim at Panera, 5:00 Board Meeting
Women's Book Group ~ Wednesdays at 11:00am Sept. 10 ~ Eternal Life: A Novel by Dara Horn Open to Women and Men! Nov. 12 ~ The Labyrinth of Exile: A Life of Theodore Herzl by Ernst Pawel
Song Circle ~ Saturday, July 19 from 4-5pm at TBS (outside weather permitting) Easy chants and songs that create musical and spiritual harmony. All voices welcome. Bring an outside chair or use a TBS folding chair.
Rabbi Nina ~ Sunday, July 20 at 1:00pm. "Women Over Time in Jewish Life & Teachings." We’ll discuss debates & changes that have resulted across the Jewish spectrum.
Guided Tour of Sharlot Hall Museum led by S.H. Docents Esther Littmann & Laurie Reiner ~ Wed., August 13 10:00-12:30 (Optional Lunch afterwards at Frank's Restaurant in Park Plaza.) PARK at Summit Street lot, on Gurley St., McCormick St., or City Parking Garage on Granite St. FEE:$15.00 adult; $13 senior 65+ or free to S.H. members. Check made out to Sharlot Hall Museum or bring exact cash. RSVP: Esther Littmann: esther_littmann@hotmail.com or 248-534-5874 by Wed., August 6. QUESTIONS: Laurie Reiner: lareiner@gmail.com or 760-560-8050 WEBSITE: https://www.sharlothallmuseum.org
TBS Board Meeting ~ ישיבת דירקטוריון The next Board Meeting is Wednesday, July 23 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 Temple President, Heather Balk (President@brithshalom-az.org) by Monday, July 21.
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.
Tikkun Olam Summer Planning Meeting ~ Sunday, July 27 from 10 am to 12 pm. We will determine which organizations to support for the coming year, plan out education programs and discuss yearly goals. If you are interested in attending the meeting please email Amber (arcaulkins@gmail.com ) to be added to the contact list.
Help Clean TBS's Adopt-A-Street! TBS has participated in Prescott’s Adopt-A-Street program for over 40 years (Gurley Street from Cortez to San Carlos once a month). I'm looking for someone to take over from me. You can clean it monthly or coordinate volunteer congregants to take turns. This is a low impact, enjoyable activity. Please contact me at roleenack@yahoo.com or 928-717-0813. Thanks, Lee Nackman
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, July 18. We are observing the Yahrzeits of loved ones who have passed from July 18 - 24. 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. Ruth Steinhauer, mother of Trudy Steinhauer Bernard Adler, father of Rich Adler Max Steinhauer, grandfather of Trudy Steinhauer Irv Oppenheim, father of Mitch Oppenheim Harris Allen, brother-in-law of Gene Galazan Rhona Saffer, loved one of Barbara Sussman Aaron Joseph Burke, brother-in-law of Elyce and Bruce Goldberg Mark Gray, partner of Annah-Mikayla Sexton Peter Jeffers, cousin of Linda Patent Esther Basch, mother of Rachel Turet Susan Gall, mother of Shannon Silvas Sue Robyn, wife of Currie Lee Carol Gilson, mother of Dawnielle Gilson Kaye Ellen Tarnow, mother of Lauren Van Drome, grandma of Izzy Escalante Arnold “Arnie” Dolled, brother of Rolene Attias, uncle of Heather Balk Yechezkal Zalman Ben Ya’akov, father of Jeff Plotkin Libby Mills, wife of Stuart Mills, mother of Allison Stahl Barbara Fruchter, mother of Alan and Amy Fruchter Craig Russell Parry, cousin of Mitch Oppenheim Pilad Torres, daughter-in-law of Arlene Brownie Carl Shulak, partner of Sally Contour 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 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
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 Arlene Brownie, Michael Sperling, Richard Brody, Claudia Ackerman, Peggy McCauley, Gloria Hershman, Bruce Hershman, Mary Sussman, Sue Weiss, Leslie Adler, Mike Wolf, Amy Snell Kingslinger, and Rosario Maya.
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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Purchase a Leaf on our Temple Tree of Life. Mark a special occasion in a beautiful way.