Chai Lights
Vol. 42 No. 10
Av/Elul 5775
August/September 2015
High Holy Days
2015 - 5776
Worship With Us
Rabbi Mari Chernow
Cantor Ross Wolman
Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
Every Friday - Nosh
5:30 pm
Every Friday - Kabbalat Shabbat
6:15 pm
Every Saturday - Shacharit
10:00 am
Light Kiddush Following
First Friday of Every Month
Tot Shabbat
5:00 pm
Save the Date!
S’lichot Exhibit on
“Before I Die, I Want To...”
Saturday, September 5
8:00 pm, Temple Chai
Art Exhibit, Dessert, Havdalah and Service
Senior Staff
Joe Miller, Excutive Director
Mary Passell, Director, Early Childhood Center
Ariela Ben-Dor, Interim Director of Education
Sharona Silverman, Director, Deutsch Family Shalom Center
Erin Wynn, Director of Youth and Family Programming
Board of Directors
Debbie Blyn, President........................................................................debbie@blyn.net
Helen Holden, VP Administration..........................helen.holden@sackstierney.com
Mark Feldman, VP Finance...............................................mark.feldman@yahoo.com
Anita Eisenhart, VP Education.............................................anitaeisdo@aol.com
Joe Berman
Lori Berman
Greg Cohen
Judi Glass
Michael House
Lisa Kaiser
Alan Isaacson, VP Programming.........................................................simcha@cox.net
Ron Fischler, VP at Large - Governance...................................... [email protected]
Barry Kipnis, VP at Large - Fundraising.................................barrykipnis@gmail.com
Ginny Keller, Immediate Past President
Steven Kopp
Brett Kurland
Rich Rose
Eric Rosenberg
Steve Sanders
David Sandweiss
Temple Chai
4645 E. Marilyn Road
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Tel: 602-971-1234
Fax: 602-971-5909
www.templechai.com
Temple Chai Inspires and Ignites Robust Jewish Life
Chai Lights is published by Temple Chai. For information or with questions, contact Sheana Abrams at 602-971-1234.
Temple Chai is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism
For up-to-date informa on about events, classes or programs, please check our website at
www.templechai.com or contact the temple office at 602-971-1234
2 | Chai Lights | August 2015
Board of Directors President
Dear Fellow Congregants,
Last month I spent a wonderful Shabbat at URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa, California. Shabbat at camp is a special
and unique experience. As Rabbi Rick Jacobs (President of the URJ) recently wrote in a le er to synagogue presidents,
“Kabbalat Shabbat in the woods is enchan ng. We wear white, yet the energe c dancing, enthusias c singing, and
feeling of being carried away brings Shabbat into vivid Technicolor. It’s a wholly different experience than Shabbat back
home.”
While immersing myself in the beauty of Shabbat at camp, I was able to reflect on the power of our youth programs at
Temple Chai. While synagogue life is not camp, at Temple Chai special rela onships are created between our youth and
our staff, our kids make life-long friends, and there are many moments to experience Jewish life.
Here in Arizona, there are many opportuni es for our teens to connect with Temple Chai and build life-long rela onships:
• Our 7th – 12th graders are invited to be madrichim (teaching assistants) in our religious school and set a posi ve
example for our younger students.
• TCTY is our high school youth group. It provides fun, community, leadership and learning opportuni es for our
teens. We have one of the strongest and most ac ve NFTY youth groups in North America!
• Chai School is religious high school for 8th – 12th graders. It includes our confirma on program for 10th graders,
and an introduc on to the skills our students will need for their Jewish life while in college.
For our younger members, in addi on to Religious School, we offer:
• TCTY Jr., our youth group program for 6th and 7th graders. It provides programming specifically for this age group
and introduces them to the world of NFTY.
• A new Youth Choir! Watch for an announcement from Cantor Wolman regarding this fun opportunity for 3rd – 6th
graders.
• Our Early Childhood Center is strong and growing!
A strong youth program is vital to the ongoing strength and viability of a synagogue. I am proud of the opportuni es and
programs offered at Temple Chai.
L’shalom,
Debbie Blyn,
President, Board of Directors
Save the Date!
Temple Chai’s Annual Gala
Celebrating Our 40th Anniversary
Saturday, January 23, 2016
and honoring
Frank & Diane Blake and Howard & Sharona Silverman
Two couples with deep roots and deep involvement in our community
Gala Chairs
Bruce Selin - Nona Siegel - Jack and Debbie Waitkus
We hope you will mark your calendars and plan to join us for this wonderful evening
Ques ons? Contact Joe Miller, Execu ve Director at [email protected] or
Sheana Abrams at [email protected]
August 2015 | Chai Lights | 3
Welcome Cantor Ross Wolman
Hey Temple Chai! Our me together so far has been deeply fulfilling for my family and me and it has been a joy ge ng to
know so many Chainiks. The year will be packed with great things and I am thrilled to share a preview of what is to come:
Kabbalat Shabbat
Joyfully, we welcome Shabbat with song and prayer, story and thought. We will be joined by guest musicians, singers,
and teachers.
Shabbat Shacharit
This is the best kept secret at Temple Chai. We are reinvigora ng Shabbat morning with a balance of tradi on and
innova on. Join us for spirit, song, quiet, and learning.
Adult Choir
Under the direc on of our masterful director and pianist Dan Kurek, our choir li s us on the High Holy Days and at
various services and events throughout the year. Love to sing? Join us!
Kol Chai: Temple Chai’s Youth Choir
Kol Chai means Voice of Chai. All 3rd-6th graders are welcome to join. We rehearse Sundays a er Religious School 12:00
- 1:00 pm. Singers will get 1 free item from the Chai Café to snack on before rehearsal. We will perform throughout the
year. Reach out if your child loves to sing!
Energizing the B’nai Mitzvah Program
With the help of our Rabbis and tutors, our Bar/Bat Mitzvah program is moving forward with innova ons while focusing
on the most important element: our students. Together we are crea ng an atmosphere where our students can nourish
their minds with Torah, their souls with spiritual prac ce, and the world through Ɵkkun olam (repairing the world).
Religious School on Sundays
Pirkei Avot 1:6 teaches – Make for yourself a teacher and you will acquire a friend.
Through music, story, fun, and study, we strive to make Judaism meaningful and real for our students. I will spend
my Sundays with the children to enlighten their eyes to Torah and open their hearts to our heritage. Our teachers’
dedica on is remarkable and we will have a wonderful year together.
TCTY Songleaders
Our high school songleaders are a gi and I was impressed with them during my audi on. I look forward to leading with
them and teaching them the cra throughout the year.
Events for Dads
I am a father of three young children. This is a complex and exhaus ng me in my life and we will create opportuni es
for dads to get together for fun, learning, and crea ng community throughout the year.
Social Ac on: Tikkun Olam
Temple Chai has a strong history of suppor ng those in need through giving me, money, and kindness. I am looking
forward to working with our Social Ac on team to create meaningful opportuni es this year. And I am really excited for
Peanut Bu er & Fluff!
That is just a sneak peak at the work I’ll be doing this year. Feel free to drop by my office and introduce yourself.
You can also reach me: [email protected] or 602-971-1234 x214
Shanah Tovah Um’tukah – a great and sweet year for everyone.
Cantor Wolman
4 | Chai Lights | August 2015
High Holy Days
August 2015 | Chai Lights | 5
B’at Mitzvah - August
August 22
ShoŌim
10:30 am
Sedona Jerome , daughter of
Paula Weitzenberg & Eric Jerome
Has your Child Turned 11?
It’s time to set a
Bar/Bat Mitzvah date!
Contact Joan Neer at 602-971-1234
or [email protected] for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah date.
Do You Need a Place
to Celebrate Your Simcha?
We have beautiful ballrooms and a courtyard at
Temple Chai that can accommodate up to 300 guests with
or without a dance floor.
Early Childhood Center
Tot Shabbat
Tot Shabbat
Friday, September 4
5:00 pm, Temple Chai
Back to School Night
Wednesday, August 19
For more informa on about ECC events, contact Mary Passell
at [email protected]
Religious School
First Day of Jewish Journey
(tradiƟonal opƟon)
Sunday, August 23
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
First Day of Yom Echad
(one-day opƟon)
Sunday, August 23
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
First Day of Chai School
Sunday, August 23
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
For more informa on, contact the Religious School Office at
[email protected]
Youth Engagement
TCTY Opening Event
Saturday, August 29
5:00 pm, Temple Chai
To reserve space for a Kiddush Brunch/Luncheon or Party,
contact Sheana Abrams at 602-971-1234 or
[email protected]
2015-2016
TCTY Board
Co-Presidents - Abrie Berkowitz & Max Stein
Programming VP - Samara Walker
Social Action VP - Jœy House
Religious & Culture VP - Max Cohen
Membership VP - Ethan Blyn
Communications VP - Hannah Miller
6 | Chai Lights | August 2015
For more informa on about TCTY Events, contact Erin Wynn
at [email protected]
Shalom Center - Programs for August
Caring for Our Loved Ones: A Jewish Support and
Resource Group for Families and Caregivers
Monday, August 24
7:00 – 8:30 pm, House
Healing Handiwork
No mee ngs in September
Please join us Sunday, October 11
Contact Nona at [email protected] for more
informa on on the group.
Hope for Today
Tuesday, August 18 and 25
3:30 – 4:30 pm, House
Spiritual program of recovery for those who suffer from
the debilita ng effects of chronic pain and chronic illness,
based on the Twelve Steps of AA.
Contact: [email protected].
JACS: Support Group for Jewish Alcoholics, Addicts, and
their Friends and Family
Wednesday, August 19
7:30 pm, Ina Levine Jewish Community Center, 2nd floor
Conference Room Call the Shalom Center for more
informa on or email [email protected].
Kni ng with Kavannah
No summer mee ngs
Living Through Loss
Monday, August 17
4:30 – 6:00 pm, House
People of the Book Group
Thursday, September 17
2:00 – 3:30 pm, House
Join us to discuss The Golem of Hollywood by Jonathan
and Jesse Kellerman. RSVP to the Shalom Center.
Shacharit Medita on Service
Saturday, September 19
11:15 am, House
Sit and Be Fit Chair Yoga
Monday, August 17
1:30 - 2:15 pm, Small Sanctuary
For all ages and abili es.
The Clothing Lives On… Project
Assists Temple Chai bereaved families in sor ng and
dona ng their loved ones’ clothing and accessories.
Interested in parƟcipaƟng or want more informaƟon?
Contact Amy Kahn at: [email protected].
Working From Home – A Networking and Conversa on Group
Join us for monthly networking and conversa on at coffee houses around the Valley for a cup of tea or coffee
(on behalf of the Shalom Center). Bring your computer or a book if you want to stay awhile.
Thursday, August 20, 10:00 - 11:00 am, Coffee Planta on (Shea & 74th St.)
RSVP to the Shalom Center.
For informa on on any of the above programs, please contact the Shalom Center at 602-971-1234 or
[email protected] or [email protected]
Adult Education
Torah Study
Save the Date!
Leviticus:
Studying the middle before we start
again at the beginning...
Valley Beit Midrash
and Temple Chai
Welcome
Sundays, 9:45 - 10:45 am
Rabbi David Wolpe
(At Temple Chai when Religious School is in session or in a
private home during the summer)
Exploring the book of Levi cus, one verse/word/le er
at a me.
Sunday, October 11
7:00 pm, Temple Chai
followed by dessert recepƟon
Intro to Judaism
For ongoing start dates, call the Temple office or go to www.urj.org to register.
For more informa on about dates and registra on, contact Joan Neer at 602-971-1234, ext 291 or [email protected]
August 2015 | Chai Lights | 7
Todah Rabah
Temple Chai Funds
General Fund
In Honor of
Lori Bruggeman’s Bat Mitzvah
Joe and Marcia Unell
In Memory of
Sara Dembowski
Peter and Helen Woog
Joe Jarred
Mike and Julie Bobier
David Rubenstein
Judith Berman and Leonard
Epstein
Darcy and Eric Breault
Terry and Mar n Brown
Rabbi Erica Burech
Howard and Vicki Cabot
Congrega on Hagivot
John and Diane Eckstein
Ellie Gersten
Mindy and Alan Ginsberg
David Grain
Lisa Kaiser
Adi Kalika
Paul and Linda
Kirschenberg
Alan and Sheryl Klayman
Michael and Dona
Kornreigh
Nancy Kreimer
Florence Kulekofsky and
Richard Merkin
Jeff and Lenore Kulliver
John and Susan Pringle
Mary and John Sco
Bernard and Libby Weiner
Daniel Suchoff
Ellie Gersten
Laurel Greiman
Ken Vastola
Rabbi Chernow’s Discre onary
In Apprecia on of
Rabbi Chernow
Diana Suchoff
Jim and Sue Fischer
Howard Luber
Barry and Deborah Wiss
In Memory of
Sara Dembowski
Jay and Lois Berman
Louis Epstein
Susan Miller
Johanna Freedland
Shirley Glickman
W. Z. Goldberg
Paula Ross
Selma Kreitman
Steve and Illiana Sanders
Louis Levy
Gerald and Sandra Levy
Carmine Mango
Bert and Ada Levin
8 | Chai Lights | August 2015
Dick Ohm
Allan and Emmy NewDelman
Sam Rosenfield
Ben and Barbara Liss
David Rubenstein
Sylvia Mintzer
Samuel Sandys
Syd and Faye Sandys
Rabbi Koppell’s Discre onary
In Apprecia on of
Carol and Charles Knoppow
Lee and Ellen Eisinberg
Rabbi Koppell
Alvin and Cris na Perelman
In Honor of
Judith Engelman and Harry Rubinoff
Laurie Steen, Benjamin Steen
and Joe Gold
The Birth of Helena Ruth Rubenstein
Folmer
Jacob and Sophia Chemirs
Rick and Natalie Levy
Mort and Nancy Lippman
Audrey Shulkin
Saraly Whitefield
In Memory of
Joseph B. Cohen
Joel and Sheryl Sherman
Ruth Flax
Davvid Flax and Sandra Kane
Sara Newman
Joe and Carol Newman
Edward Pla
Lisa Pla
Harry Rockoff
Sharon Dunn
David Rubenstein
Flora Abramson
Phil Johnson and Suzi Abramson
Johnson
Ken and Leah Alper
Myra Baum
David and Traci Blackstone &
Family
Jacob and Sophia Chemirs
Francine Coles
Beth Crandell
Mark and Ruth Du Bois
Larry and Sherri E kin
Evelyn Feibusch
Bruce and Caryn Frank & Family
Barbara Gerber-Krasner
Judi Glass
Beth and Alayna Isaacs
Alan and Randi Jablin
Mar n and Wendy Kaye
Ruth Klein
Irv Krenitz and Bernice Antonos
Mar n and Willa Laderman
Rick and Natalie Levy
Howard and Lisa Luber
Murry and Bobbi Malin
Lore a Mangel
Alan and Judi Max
Joyce Opria
Alvin and Cris na Perelman
Anita and Bernard Pollack
Seymour and Sandy Rife
Mark and Jan Shore
Audrey Shulkin
Howard and Sharona Silverman
Eric and Hope Slepian & Family
Michael and Marilyn Starre
Laurie Steen, Benjamin Steen
and Joe Gold
Errol and Berry Sweet
Joe and Marcia Unell
Arnie and Merle Weiner & Jason
and Sharon Fisher
Saraly Whitefield
Stephen and Jeanne Winograd
Barry and Deborah Wiss
Debbie Zivot and James Patrick
Dave Shulkin
Audrey Shulkin
Jerry Shulkin
Audrey Shulkin
Lena Weiner and Fannie Friedman
Bernard and Libby Weiner
Abraham Weinstein
Neal and Lori Weinstein
Robert Whitefield
Saraly Whitefield
Helen Wilner
Bill and Alice Krauss
Rabbi Emeritus Bill Berk
In Memory of
Cecelia Gurevich
Ida Kats
Minnie Pla
Lisa Pla
Cantor Emerita Feller
In Apprecia on of
Daniel Feller
Barry and Deborah Wiss
In Honor of
Cantor Sharona Feller
Temple Chai Choir
In Memory of
Denise Daskal
Marilyn Crantz
Daniel Suchoff
Norman and Carol Janoff
Adult Educa on
Wishing a Speedy Recovery to
Eddie Katz
Kavannah Chavurah
Center for Tzedakah and Social
Jus ce
In Memory of
Robert Morgan
Michael and Marcy Dulberg
Deutsch Family Shalom Center
In Apprecia on of
The Sweat Lodge Ceremony
Laurie Steen, Benjamin Steen
and Joe Gold
In Honor of
The Birth of Helena Ruth Rubenstein
Folmer
Beth and Alayna Isaacs
Marla Suchoff Mendelsohn
Diana Lunin
Sophia Berman’s Bat Mitzvah
Phil Johnson and Suzi AbramsonJohnson
Todah Rabah Cont’d
Ilana M. Solomon Fund for Special
Needs Children & Their Families
In Memory of
Philip Brodsky
Lore a Mangel
Ida Gilbert Brodsky
Lore a Mangel
Sonny Pergament
Evelyn Feibusch
David Rubenstein
Jim and Sue Fisher
Zach and Rebecca Garre
Andrea and Norm Spector
Daniel Suchoff
Michael and Marilyn Starre
Phil Johnson and Suzi AbramsonJohnson
Josef and Mona Brody
Paula and Marlan Fender
Thomas and Sandra Lewis
Diana Lunin
Andrea and Norm Spector
Linda Valen ne
Leslie and Ma hew Weisner
April and Jay Yablonsky
Ruth Zeiden
David and Barbara Mayl
Efrem Melnick Fund For Senior
Educa on
In Memory of
Efrem Melnick
Je a Melnick
Elisa Lane’s Healing Series
Wishing a Speedy Recovery to
Andi Maron Weiss
Eric and Hope Slepian
Religious School
In Honor of
The 2015 Confirma on Class
Eric and Hope Slepian
Sam and Esther Rosen Israel
Scholarship
In Memory of
Serge Mandell
Rick and Natalie Levy & Family
Stan Kleiner Mitzvah Garden
In Memory of
Sheldon Levine
Mary Levine
Temple Chai Early Childhood Center
In Memory of
Herman Ray
Gary and Inge Mallis
Mary Stark
Richard and Karen Stark
Youth Scholarship
In Honor of
Holly’s Bat Mitzvah
Joe and Marcia Unell
In Memory of
Daniel Suchoff
Rick and Natalie Levy
Temple Chai
Endowment Founda on
Freida and Robert Feinberg Family
Learning Center
In Memory of
Sol Crandell
Lois Kneeter
In Honor of
Seth Hoffman
Eric and Hope Slepian
In Memory of
Samuel Cohen
Raymond and Kathy Solomon
Freedman Family Torah
In Memory of
David Rubenstein
Marlyne Freedman
Shirley and Al’s Passover Pantry
In Memory of
David Rubenstein
Mark and Cecille Schwartz
Lauren Kaye Memorial
In Memory of
Kevin Gheen
Louis and Hope Dolce
Ask me. I’ll tell you…
By Sandy Rife, Mt. Sinai Cemetery
What is the proper garment for
burial?
Jewish tradition recognizes the
equality of death. It demands that
all Jews be buried in the same type
of garment. Wealthy or poor, we
are all equal before God. A white
shroud, handmade of linen, cotton or
muslin, symbolizes simplicity, purity
and dignity. Shrouds have no pockets;
therefore they carry no material
wealth. Only the soul is important.
A man is often then wrapped in his
Tallit, with one of the fringes cut,
symbolizing that religious obligations
are no longer required of the
deceased. In modern times, a woman
might also be buried with a Tallit.
For information, call Sandy at
480-363-3854
Sukkot - Lulav and Etrog
Each day of Sukkot we take the Lulav and Etrog and wave it gently in every
direc on to show that God is truly everywhere.
If you are interested in purchasing a Lulav and Etrog for Sukkot, we will be
ordering the Deluxe set, which includes an Israeli Etrog, Lulov (palm branch)
with its palm holder, Hadassim (myrtle branches) and Arovoth (willow
branches).
The cost for each set is $45
To place your order, please contact Sheana Abrams before September 4 at
602-971-1234 or [email protected]
August 2015 | Chai Lights | 9
Adult Community
Chesed
The Tree of Life
Women’s
Programming
Watch for Details of Upcoming
Bat Chai Events in the Fall
For more informa on about Bat Chai events, contact
Joan Neer at [email protected]
Senior
Programming
Watch for details of upcoming
Dor L’Dor events in the Fall
For more informa on about Dor L’Dor events, contact
Sheana Abrams at [email protected]
Trees are important to our tradi on. Leaves
for this tree may be purchased for $180 to
honor a person or a family, to celebrate an
anniversary, friendship, birth, wedding, a
bar/bat mitzvah, or in memory of a loved
one.
Memorial Plaques
A memorial plaque is a wonderful way to honor the
memory of a loved one. The cost for a Memorial Plaque
is $360 for Temple Chai members and $500 for
non-members.
To purchase a Leaf or Memorial Plaque, contact
Sheana Abrams at 602-971-1234 or [email protected].
Tzedakah Box
Clothing, toiletries and household items are
always appreciated by Interfaith Coopera ve
Ministries (ICM) - Collec on bin is in the
temple office.
Thank you all for contribu ng via our
Tzedakah Box. Dona ons are used monthly by
the Center for Tzedakah and Social Jus ce to
help congregants in need. Please consider adding to the
Tzedakah Box.
Contact Donna Hodax at [email protected] if you have any
ques ons or sugges ons for the donated funds.
Coming to the Temple for a
class or mee ng?
Consider bringing “Just 3 Things.”
Just 3 Things (J3T) provides food for youth
transi oning out of the foster care system.
The J3T Food Pantry is a program of Jewish
Family and Children’s Services that teaches
youth to become self-sufficient by helping
them obtain a GED, find a job and locate an apartment.
“The Clothing Lives On...” Community Project
con nues to assist Temple Chai bereaved families in
sor ng and dona ng their loved ones’ clothing and
accessories.
Interested in par cipa ng or want more informa on?
Contact Amy at: [email protected]
10 | Chai Lights | August 2015
A J3T bin is conveniently located by the doors of the Small
Sanctuary at Temple Chai.
Please contact Holly Packer at [email protected]
with any ques ons or for more informa on visit our
website at www.jusƩhreethings.org.
Temple Chai’s Judaica Shop
is ready for High Holy Days!
Stop by to see our beautiful assortment of
apple & honey sets, shofarot,
challah platters/covers
and so much more.
Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Sundays during Religious School
and by appointment after 4:00 pm
To schedule an appointment or for more information contact Joan Neer
at 602-971-1234 ext 291 or [email protected]