Search Results

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley has a very small religious school, which allows us to provide individual attention. Our team of volunteer teachers from our community work with students under the guidance of the rabbi. Families of our religious school students are involved in the temple. Religious School Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley reopened its religious school in 2023, as part of the congregation's wish to create a multi-generational community. We welcome students from the entire West Valley. Kindergarten is free! Our small school allows us to provide individual attention. We have a team of volunteer teachers from our community who work with students under the guidance of the rabbi. Families of our religious school students are actively involved in the religious and social life of the Temple, including attending services on Friday nights. Our Temple is committed to providing a warm and caring environment for all students to explore their spirituality. We aspire to inspire each student to develop a love of Jewish learning and provide the opportunity for them to participate actively in Jewish ritual and holiday observances. Learning is both individualized and personalized. We also want to help each student to feel emotions related to the biblical stories and ritual acts they are learning about. Our educational experience is not just about learning facts but is centered on what those facts can and do mean for us as human beings. We also engage them with a series of values based on Professor Martin Seligman’s positive psychology. Temple Beth Shalom offers study opportunities leading to confirmation at a minimum age of 15, and bar and bat mitzvah at a minimum age of 13. As part of the confirmation process, the older kids will study advanced material dealing with various themes across Jewish studies. We're trying to build a distinctly Reform approach to Judaism that emphasizes personal religious autonomy while at the same time emphasizing the vibrancy and seriousness of religious commitment. With the limited hours available, American religious schools cannot teach students as much as they would really need to become highly educated Jews. What we do hope to do is to inspire them to want to continue their education into their college years and far beyond. Please contact the TBS office at 623.977.3240 for further information.

From canned goods to cereal, Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley members make donations as part of the "Can Do" monthly campaign to benefit the Valley View Community Food Bank. Drop off your donations in the Temple lobby. Community Projects From canned goods to cereal, Temple members make donations as part of the "Can Do" monthly campaign to benefit the Valley View Community Food Bank. Temple members are also collecting pop tabs from aluminum cans for the Ronald McDonald House. Drop off your donations in the Temple lobby.

To be a devoted Reform Jew is to do many things. One of the most important is to work toward making the world a better place. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's Social Action Committee enables us to work together as a community to try to help the lives of at least a few people. Social Activities To be a devoted Reform Jew is to do many things. One of the most important is to work toward making th e world a better place. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley offers many ways to make new friends, celebrate and support one another through good times and bad, and volunteer to help the Temple and the entire community. So cial Action Committee : We work together as a community to try to help the lives of at least a few people. For example, we have been supporters of the Valley View Community Food Bank in Sun City since it was founded in 2007. Brotherhood: Our Brotherhood was established in 1979 at Temple Beth Shalom to promote fellowship and service to the Temple. Toward that goal, the Brotherhood sponsors Temple fundraisers and social events. Sisterhood : All women Temple members are invited to join the Sisterhood. First-year Temple members receive a complimentary membership to Sisterhood. Chavurah: Temple Beth Shalom members with similar interests get together to share communal activities and Jewish learning. Community Projects : From canned goods to cereal, Temple members make donations as part of the "Can Do" monthly campaign to benefit the Valley View Community Food Bank. Caring Committee: Our Caring Committee specializes in building connections with our congregants and their immediate family members during times of health crisis and beyond. Book Club : The TBS Book Club meets by Zoom the third Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m. Most books are Jewish-related fiction and non-fiction, but not always. Grief Group : Are you experiencing grief or depression? The grief group meets monthly (except during the summer) at the Temple for all members and non-members. For more information, the Temple office at 623.977.3240. A Jewis h Community for a Better You and a Better Worl d

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's Bar and Bat Mitzvah program for children is a multi-year program based on a commitment by parents and the child to engage in worship and study resulting in a public demonstration of what the child has learned about Judaism, our prayers, and basic Hebrew. Bar/Bat Mitzvah Confirmation About While providing a course of study for a child to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah after age 13 is a basic religious education program at TBS, like many other Reform congregations we also recognize that many of our adult members never had the opportunity to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah as a child. Our program for children is a multi-year program based on a commitment by the parents and the child to engage in worship and study that results in a public demonstration to the congregation of what the child has learned about Judaism, our prayers, and basic Hebrew in order to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. However, the commitment does not end there: it extends for another two years of a different type of learning in order to prepare the youth for Confirmation. The adult B'nai Mitzvah program is a one-year program of concentrated study similar to that of the children, but with different texts and individual study. This one-year program culminates with a service at which time each adult who completes the program becomes a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's service guide provides access to the music and teachings of our service. Our prayer book, Mishkan T’filah, can also be accessed by clicking the button on the web page. Jewish Humor Temple Beth Shalom offers interfaith course about Jewish humor Jewish humor will be explored in an interfaith course offered at Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave. in Sun City, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. April 3, 10 and 17. Led by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan, participants in this three-part course will tell and analyze jokes dealing with Jews and Judaism from a number of different perspectives. They will look at jokes that deal with mother-in-laws, antisemitism, animals and pets, neighbors, synagogue life, food and cooking, vacations, priests, ministers and rabbis, money and banking, and all aspects of life. There will be many jokes focusing on the American Jewish condition from World War II until the present day. Everyone will have an opportunity to offer sample humorous offerings from their own repertoire. Cost: $20 for TBS members and $35 for non-members. Temple Beth Shalom has coupon books for adult education courses that can be used for any four courses through May 2025. Price is $65 for members and $120 for non-members. To register, call the Temple Office at 623-977-3240 between 9 am and 3 pm Monday to Thursday. Deadline for registration and payment of course fee is noon March 31.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's service guide provides access to the music and teachings of our service. Our prayer book, Mishkan T’filah, can also be accessed by clicking the button on the web page. Jewish Humor Temple Beth Shalom offers interfaith course about Jewish humor Jewish humor will be explored in an interfaith course offered at Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave. in Sun City, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. April 3, 10 and 17. Led by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan, participants in this three-part course will tell and analyze jokes dealing with Jews and Judaism from a number of different perspectives. They will look at jokes that deal with mother-in-laws, antisemitism, animals and pets, neighbors, synagogue life, food and cooking, vacations, priests, ministers and rabbis, money and banking, and all aspects of life. There will be many jokes focusing on the American Jewish condition from World War II until the present day. Everyone will have an opportunity to offer sample humorous offerings from their own repertoire. Cost: $20 for TBS members and $35 for non-members. Temple Beth Shalom has coupon books for adult education courses that can be used for any four courses through May 2025. Price is $65 for members and $120 for non-members. To register, call the Temple Office at 623-977-3240 between 9 am and 3 pm, Monday to Thursday. Deadline for registration and payment of course fee is noon March 31.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's service guide provides access to the music and teachings of our service. Our prayer book, Mishkan T’filah, can also be accessed by clicking the button on the web page. High Holy Days 5785 Join Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley for uplifting High Holy Days services Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley is welcoming non-members to participate in its beautiful High Holy Days services. Cost to attend all services will be $200 per person, and tickets are required for all events. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Reservations can be made by calling the Temple office at 623.977.3240 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Tickets can be purchased online by going to the Temple's Zeffy account. Call the Temple office to learn how to make an online purchase. High Holy Days services will be conducted by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan and Cantor Baruch Koritan. Here is a message from Rabbi Kaplan: All of us at Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley are actively preparing for what we hope will be a spiritually uplifting and vibrant High Holy Days. We have a new prayer book, “Mishkan Hanefesh,” which addresses profound issues of The human condition. We welcome guests as well as members. We have set aside sets of the new prayer book for all of our guests so that everyone will be able to participate in the communal spiritual experience. We pray that we may gain wisdom and understanding and be able to conquer fear and despair. Our goal during these prayer services is nothing less than to light up the universe with the joy of wholeness, of freedom, and of peace. The High Holy Days are a time when Jews who have become alienated from Judaism return to their community and so we welcome all those who have disaffiliated over the years to return to the synagogue if only for one or two services. I think many people who grew up with terribly long and monotonous High Holy Day services will find that the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur prayers that we now offer are far more emotionally relevant and intellectually coherent. Let me wish you a Shanah Tovah, a wonderful year of many blessings. L’shanah tovah tikateivu v’teichateimu may you be inscribed and sealed for blessing in the Book of Life. We pray for a year of health, a year of accomplishments, and a year of Love. And let us say, Amen. Rosh Hashanah starts on Oct. 2 and commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates on Oct. 12 in the Yom Kippur holiday, also known as the Day of Atonement. The Temple Beth Shalom Sisterhood's Break the Fast will be at about 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12. Call the Temple office at 623.977.3240 to make reservations by Oct. 8. Cost is $20 per person with no charge for children 12 and younger. For security reasons, tickets must be presented for admittance to all services and are non-transferrable. Doors will be locked 15 minutes after services begin. For everyone’s safety, PLEASE, no backpacks or purses will be allowed. You can utilize a clear purse or clear plastic bag. Otherwise, please leave your items in your car. There will be a security guard onsite. 2024/5785 High Holy Day Services Schedule Join us for the uplifting and beautiful High Holy Days services conducted by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan and Cantor Baruch Koritan at Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City. Tickets are required for all events. Available for Non-Member Guests Tickets for 2024 High Holy Day Services are available to non-members. Contact the Temple office at 623.977.3240 from 9:30 a.m.– 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday to arrange to purchase non-member tickets, which cost $200 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Questions: Email the Temple office at templebethshalomaz@gmail.com . 2024 High Holy Days Services Schedule * Ending times are approximate Saturday, Sept. 28 Pre-Selichot Sisterhood Oneg and Discussion: 6 p.m. Selichot: 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 Erev Rosh Hashanah: 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct.. 3 Rosh Hashanah Morning Service: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 Creative Rosh Hashanah service in the TBS Biblical Gardens: 5 p.m. Tashlich potluck dinner: 5:30 p.m (Call the Temple at 623.977.3240 to register.) Friday, Oct. 11 Kol Nidre: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 Yom Kippur Morning Service: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Yizkor Service: 3:30 p.m. Yom Kippur Afternoon Service: 4:30 p.m. Neilah (Concluding) Service: 5:30 p.m. Sisterhood Break the Fast following concluding service: 6:15 p.m. (Call the Temple at 623.977.3240 for reservations.) For security reasons, tickets must be presented for admittance to all services and are non-transferrable. Doors will be locked 15 minutes after services begin. For everyone’s safety, PLEASE, no backpacks or purses will be allowed. You can utilize a clear purse or clear plastic bag. Otherwise, please leave your items in your car. There will be a security guard onsite.

All women Temple Shalom of the West Valley members are invited to join the Sisterhood. First-year Temple members receive a complimentary membership to Sisterhood. TBS Sisterhood All women Temple members are invited to join the Sisterhood. First-year Temple members receive a complimentary membership to Sisterhood. WE:  Are a group of Jewish women supporting our Temple.  Are an active, friendly group offering many opportunities for women.  Share our many talents and interests.  Provide activities that enable caring and bonding experiences.  Maintain the Judaica Boutique .  Send Yahrzeit reminders.  Provide Bereavement “Meal of Consolation.”  Raise funds all year to benefit Temple Beth Shalom through our many activities.  Meet the third Monday of each month from October through May.  Sponsor the Oneg Shabbat after the Friday night service. Dues are $25 per year. For more information, contact the Temple at 623.977.3240 or email the Sisterhood at tbssisterhoodconnection@gmail.com .

Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan, Cantor Baruch Koritan and Temple Beth Shalom proudly open their arms to all in the West Valley who may be interested in Jewish approaches to spirituality and community. We are a caring and compassionate Reform Jewish congregation. Rabbi Holocaust Torah This Czech Memorla Sifre Torah is on loan to Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley. Describe your image Holocaust Torah This Czech Memorla Sifre Torah is on loan to Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley. 1/14 Our Holocaust Torah Scroll Our Holocaust Torah is a “saved scroll”, recovered after World War II from a destroyed community in Europe. We have become shomrim (guardians) of this Torah and we are honored to have it in our congregation. It is housed inside our ark and is used during services and special celebrations. Our scroll comes from the Memorial Scrolls Trust, MST #1234, (the repository for saved scrolls) at the Westminster Synagogue in London, England. It was recorded by the Jewish Museum in Prague as having been collected from Caslav-Kolin. It is an Orphan scroll form an unknown town in Bhoemia and Moravia. For more information see “The Jewish Sights of Bohemia and Moravia” by Jiri Fiedler, published in 1991. The author notes the following: Caslav is a town in Bohemia, 70km ESE of Prague. Up to the mid-19th century only one Jewish family was allowed to reside in Caslav. When the Jews were granted civic equality under law in the mid-19th century, Jews from the neighboring villages started to move to Caslav. Temple Beth Shalom member Lee Shedroff visited the Synagogue in Caslav when it was restored in 2012. Lee was the caretaker of a small scroll, which he returned to the Memorial Scrolls Trust in London in 2024. The small scroll had been used during Temple Beth Shalom special events over the years. Czech Holocaust Celebratory 60-Year Commemoration Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image Describe your image 1/3 Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley members participated in the Czech Holocaust Torah Celebratory Commemoration in 2024 at the Culver Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center in downtown Phoenix. Temple Beth Shalom's Czech torah was part of the commemoration along with members of other synagogues and their Czech torahs. The Czech scrolls are survivors and silent witnesses. They represent not only the lost communities of Bohemia and Moravia but all those who perished in the Shoah. The commemoration marked 60 years since the torahs were rescued from a warehouse in Prague and sent to London's Westminster Synagogue. About the Memorial Scrolls Trust The Memorial Scrolls Trust is responsible for 1,564 Czech Torah scrolls worldwide. These torahs were gathered from synagogues throughout the region by Nazi officials. The scrolls were rescued from the Holocaust by the Prague Jewish community and were brought to Westminster Synagogue, London, in 1964. Today, thanks to the work of the Memorial Scrolls Trust, these scrolls have been allocated on permanent or long term loan to synagogues, and take a message of hope, continuity and resilience to every corner of the globe.The Trust is a global center for learning, remembrance, and community. For more information, visit www.memorialscrollstrust.org . View the Nazi Transport List of the Caslav Jewish population to Terezin. Click on the image below to view a slideshow with four pages of names. Caslav Transport List Pg. 1 This is a list of people who were transported from Kolin during the Holocaust. Caslav Transport List Page 2 This is a list of people who were transported from Kolin during the Holocaust. Caslav Transport List Pg. 4 This is a list of people who were transported from Kolin during the Holocaust. Caslav Transport List Pg. 1 This is a list of people who were transported from Kolin during the Holocaust. 1/4

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's Judaica Boutique stocks a lovely selection of cards, holiday items, candles, jewelry, mezuzahs, tallits, and other gift items. The boutique is open prior to Shabbat services on Friday evenings and by appointment during other times. Temple Beth Shalom Judaica Boutique About Us Located in Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's main lobby, we stock a lovely selection of cards, holiday items, candles, jewelry, mezuzahs, tallits, and other gift ite ms. The Boutique is open prior to Shabbat services on Friday evenings. During the week the office staff will be happy to open the shop for your purchases. For more information, call the Temple at 623.977.3240.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's calendar of events is displayed.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's Torah discussions are held every Wednesday on Zoom. Known as the "people of the book", Jews value education, and the value of education is strongly embedded in Jewish culture. Our discussions are led by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan as well as volunteers. Torah Discussion on Zoom Torah discussions are on hiaitus in July and will resume on Aug. 6. Torah discussions are held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday on Zoom. Known as the "people of the book", Jews value education, and the value of education is strongly embedded in Jewish culture. New participants are always welcome to our free and lively study of the weekly portion of the Torah. Our discussions are led by Rabbi Kaplan as well as volunteers. Each week, we address essential questions from the Parsha and debate the opinions of Jewish interpreters throughout the ages. With each session we ask two basic questions: "What do es the Torah portion say about the controversial topic of the week?” and “What meaning can this portion have for us?” Please contact the TBS office to register for the discussions if you have not previously done so. Phone 623.977.3240 or email templebethshalomaz@gmail.com a nd a copy of the weekly text will be emailed to you.