FEBRUARY 2010 / SHEVAT – ADAR 5770
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6
“Kehillah” means community
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FROM BOB LIEBMAN
Have you seen our new location yet? People who have say they love it – a bigger space than where we were, yet warm & comfortable, with room for Kehillah to continue to grow.
Two Kehillah events took place this past weekend: our first-ever New Member Appreciation party, and our participation in the JNF Tu B’Shevat community walk. If you missed one or both, don’t despair – become a member now, and you’ll have a whopping 11 months to prepare for next year’s member appreciation party! And if you didn’t walk, you can still thank a Kehillah member who did by making a “post-walk” sponsor pledge. (Read more below, under Social Action.)
Our next event is our Purim “Vaudeville, Variety & Talent Show – Silent Auction, Too!” If you think the title is something, wait till you see the show! Read on to see how you can be part of it, and for everything else that’s happening at Kehillah. Shalom!
FEBRUARY CALENDAR
KABBALAT SHABBAT
Friday, February 12, 7:30 pm
Services are at our new location, 18010 North Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, 85032 (across from Moon Valley Nursery; click here for map: http://tinyurl.com/yl4amtj)
TORAH STUDY
Saturday, February 20, 10:30 am, at the home of Sherry Siegel, 1033 E. Northern Ave., Phoenix 85020. Please RSVP in advance to Sherry at 602-999-2586.
PURIM CELEBRATION
Saturday, February 27, 6:30pm
Our spirited Megillah reading this year will incorporate Kehillah’s “Vaudeville, Variety & Talent Show – Silent Auction, Too!” We are looking for short acts of all kinds, so set your inner performer free! Magic tricks, joke telling, singing, dancing, creating balloon animals … If you’re willing to do it, we want to put you in the show. (Talent is welcome, but not required.) If you plan to be an audience member only, please come in costume or masked.
Rehearsals will be held on Sunday, February 14 and Sunday, February 21, both at 11:30am, at the Villa Serena Clubhouse, 7155 E. McDonald Drive, Scottsdale. Call Ceil at 480-367-9072 or e-mail Amy Wasserman at [email protected] to get your act into the show. You don’t have to attend rehearsals to be in the show… but it couldn’t hurt!
For the silent auction, please drop off your white or green elephant items* on February 14 at the rehearsal, at Kabbalat Shabbat services on February 12, or at Torah Study on February 20. Items may be of any value; money raised will be donated to Kehillah.
*What’s a white or green elephant item? Something around your home that has some worth, even if you don’t want it any longer. An extra coffee maker, for example, or some art that just doesn’t feel right any more….
UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR
SECOND ANNUAL PASSOVER INTERFAITH SEDER
Friday, March 26, 2010
Put this date on your calendar now! Last year’s Seder was a great success and we will again join with New Vision Center for a reading of Kehillah’s copyrighted Interfaith Haggadah (written by Rabbi Sharfman) and delicious catered meal. If you would like to help plan and design this event, please call Ceil Siegel at 480-367-9072 or the Kehillah office, 602-369-7667.
INTERGENERATIONAL SHABBATON
SAVE THESE DATES!
Friday, April 23 – Saturday, April 24, 2010
(Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, April 23 at 6:30 pm – Shabbaton continues through Havdalah, Saturday the 24th.)
At Kehillah’s first intergenerational Shabbaton, the creative and talented Lesley Hafalia and Alan Hirsh, along with Rabbi Sharfman, will lead us in programs and activities to enhance our Shabbat experience. This event is multigenerational, but you don’t need to have someone from every generation to sign up.
Watch for more details and sign-up opportunities in a future issue of Connections.
SHARE YOUR SKILLS WITH KEHILLAH
Many of you may want to help Kehillah in ways other than simply being a member. You may have experience or skills of which Kehillah is unaware but which would greatly help Kehillah to fulfill its Core Values of serving its members and the community. If you are willing to become a more active participant, we are seeking members to add to the Board of Directors, the Advisory Committee and other ad hoc committees.
Please let me or Bob Liebman, Kehillah President, know of your willingness to become more involved.
Contact us at [email protected] or 602-369-7667. Thank you.
Reisa Miller, Advisory Board
Kehillah Nominating Committee and Special Projects
SOCIAL ACTION
Thank you to all who walked or sponsored walkers in the JNF Tu B’Shevat community walk. A complete list of walkers and sponsors will be published in the March issue of Connections. It’s not too late to sponsor a walker; contact Amina at [email protected].
Haiti Action: We know many of you have already donated to organizations of your choice to help the people of Haiti. Their needs will be long-term, and it’s anticipated that donations will drop off as people’s thoughts turn elsewhere. If you would like to explore how Kehillah, as a group, can assist Haiti in the coming months, please contact Amina.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL / Youth
APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE 2010 ANNE FRANK “TEENS MAKE A DIFFERENCE” COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix announces its 8th annual Anne Frank “Teens Make a Difference” Community Service Award for young men and women. The purpose of the award is to recognize the outstanding volunteer achievements of Jewish youth and enhance community awareness of their contributions.
The award recipient will receive a gift of $613, corresponding to the 613 Mitzvot. In addition, the recipient will receive an award certificate, letter of recognition, and acknowledgement by the Jewish Federation. Applicants must be enrolled in high school. Previous applicants are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must provide reference information for all listed volunteer activities. Activities may be for any type of volunteer organization within the Jewish or non-Jewish communities. Applicants selected as semifinalists will be interviewed as part of the award process. Applications must be postmarked or e-mailed by February 12, 2010. For more information or to obtain an application, please call 480-634-4900, x1119 or visit www.jewishphoenix.org.
ADULT EDUCATION
Our next class meetings are February 9 and February 16. Additional information and materials will be provided separately to current Adult Ed students. If you are not currently a Kehillah Adult Ed student but would like to explore attending, please call us at 602-369-7667 and ask to speak with Rabbi Sharfman.
IN OUR COMMUNITY
Condolences
to Alan Hirsh on the loss of his father, Robert, on January 2nd. Services were held in Las Vegas.
Mazel Tov
To Jonathan Seeliger and Rebekah McCarthy on the birth of their daughter, Capitola Seeliger.
THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS
To Jules Sarnoff, who generously gave her time and expertise as a professional painter to New Vision Center on behalf of Kehillah. You can reach Jules at her company (which specializes in faux finishes and Venetian plaster) at [email protected].
To Reisa Miller for an incredible amount of work with Ellen Lerman updating our address, e-mail & phone lists.
Thanks to those who helped create our beautiful Membership Appreciation party: Cathy & Alan Michels for hosting; Cathy along with Ceil Siegel for taking charge of planning; and Reisa Miller for photography.
***If you have any change in your email or mailing address or phone number,
PLEASE call the office and let us know! 602-369-7667***
LOCAL PROGRAMS OF INTEREST
The Phoenix Suns are holding a Jewish Community Night on February 21.
Watch for more information by email.
The 14th Annual Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival
Saturday, February 20 through Thursday, March 4, 2010
Congregation Beth Israel, 10460 North 56th Street @ Shea, Scottsdale
Scottsdale: Harkins Camelview 5, 7001 E. Highland Ave.
Chandler: Harkins Crossroads 12, 2980 E. Germann Rd.
$30 per person for Opening Gala, $9 per adults/$5 for students on all other dates
GALA OPENING FILM AND RECEPTION- $30.00/ticket
Saturday, February 20th, 7:30 pm,
Congregation Beth Israel, Scottsdale
The fourteen-year-old Phoenix Jewish Film Festival and the five-year-old East Valley Jewish Film Festival have officially merged, making a powerhouse in area film festival entertainment. A total of ten films will be shown at two geographically spaced venues — Harkins Chandler Crossroads off Route 202 and the Harkins Camelview 5 in Scottsdale. Guest speakers include Jack Baxter, “Blues By The Beach” Dr. Michael Rubinoff, Professor of Film and Media studies at ASU, Dr. Murray Henner, Professor Embry-Riddle Univ., Prescott, patent attorneys Ira Schwartz and Jay Rubin, and Rabbi Daniel Bouskila from Westwood, California.
For more information and advance ticket sales, go to www.gpjff.org or call 800-838-3006
GALA 2010, an evening of Dinner, Dancing, Live and Silent Auctions Honoring Rabbi Maynard Bell,
Area Director of the Arizona Chapter of the American Jewish Committee.
Saturday, March 6, 2010, at PARDES Jewish Day School, 3916 E. Paradise Lane, Phoenix, 85032
For more information go to pardesschool.org/gala2010 or call 480-991-9141
Pardes Jewish Day School was founded by our own Rabbi Sharfman; Kehillah of Arizona is a proud ‘partner congregation’.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS
Kehillah Fund
From Earl & Barbara Sharfman
in memory of Richard Mills, brother of Cathy Michels
in memory of Robert Hirsch, father of Alan Hirsch.
Mazel Tov to Dan and Evelyn Simon on moving into their new house.
From Lois Kotin
From Robin Koehler
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
From Sherry Siegel
in memory of Cathy Michel’s brother, Alan Hirsh’s father, and Lindsay Gilbert’s grandfather
Mazel Tov on the arrival of Capitola Seeliger, daughter of Jonathan Seeliger and Rebekah McCarthy
Names of those who sponsored Kehillah walkers in the JNF Tu B’Shevat walk will be listed next month.
FOR THE LOVED ONES IN YOUR THOUGHTS
The Kehillah Memorial Board is available to you to honor loved ones who have passed away. Our beautiful, lasting remembrance is on display at every service, just inside the sanctuary doorway. Engraved brass plaques are $180 each. Please contact the office to discuss your needs.
A REMINDER FROM OUR RABBI
I am available to you in times of joy and sadness.
Please let me know when I can extend timely support and comfort to you and your family.
– Rabbi Sharfman
SAVE THESE DATES – KEHILLAH 5770 CALENDAR
Kabbalat Shabbat/Holidays/Events
All at 7:30 pm unless otherwise indicated
Friday, February 12 Kabbalat Shabbat
Saturday evening, February 27 Purim Celebration, 6:30 pm at New Vision Center
Friday, March 12 Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, March 26 Second Annual Interfaith Seder
Friday, April 9 Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, April 23 Kabbalat Shabbat, 6:30 pm, Shabbaton continues through Havdalah, Saturday the 24th.
Friday, May 14 Kabbalat Shabbat
Tuesday, May 18 Erev Shavuot service (Ten Commandments) and Yizkor
Torah Study
Saturday/Shabbat mornings at 10:30 am at host homes
Saturday, February 20
Saturday, March 20
Saturday, April 17
___________________________________________________________
******March Kehillah Connections Deadline: Friday, February 19th at noon******
Kehillah of Arizona
Bonnie Sharfman, Rabbi
Bob Liebman, President
Ceil Siegel, VP for Partnership Development and Program
Evelyn Simon, VP for Hospitality
Sherry Siegel, VP for Administration and Secretary
Dan Simon, Treasurer
Lindsay Gilbert
Warren Miller
Jonathan Seeliger
Amy Wasserman
Ellen Lerman, Office Manager
Kehillah Connections is published monthly except for July. Please send notices, photos, event or calendar information, volunteer opportunities, etc. to Ellen at [email protected] or mail them to the address below.
Kehillah of Arizona, Inc. is a duly incorporated 501(c)(3) under IRS law. Contributions are tax deductible. Checks may be made out to Kehillah of Arizona and mailed to the address below.
To receive Kehillah Connections monthly and other Kehillah news, please send us your e-mail address. We promise not to sell or give out that address.
Kehillah of Arizona
Mailing Address: 10810 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. 102-308, Phoenix, AZ 85028
Meeting Address: 18010 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85032
Phone: 602-369-7667
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.kehillahofarizona.com