Aug. 20-26, 2018 / Elul 5778  
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Thank you . . .
for joining us this past Friday for Kabbalat Shabbat and our Welcome Back Wine & Cheese Open House!  
If you are receiving Connections for the first time, that means you signed in and requested that we send you information -- or you asked Renee to add you to our newsletter list.  

Please contact us if you have any questions about Congregation Kehillah. You can reach Rabbi Sharfman and our Administrator, Renee Joffe, by calling us at 602-369-7667 or by email. We welcome your questions and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Please click on underlined items throughout this newsletter for more information and to RSVP.
THIS WEEK______________________________________
   Thursday, August 23
   6:00 p.m.
   S&V Urban Italian, 9343 E. Shea Blvd., Ste. 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
  
   All women of Kehillah and their guests are welcome! Click here for more information.
   Please RSVP to Renee by August 22. 

   Thank you to all the women who contributed women's hygiene products at our last WNO get-together!
   Items were donated to Women4Women. This will be an ongoing effort, along with our bra collection. 
  YEP!
  Sunday, August 26
  9:30 a.m.-12:00 noon  
    
   
  The next YEP! session after this one is September 16. See below for the complete YEP! schedule.  
UPCOMING______________________________________
SELICHOT
Saturday, September 1
Refreshments at 6:30 p.m.
Havdalah at 7:00 p.m., followed by program
 
Selichot is a spiritual practice (not a holiday) that helps us prepare intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually for the High Holy Days. It is when we first hear phrases from our most moving and powerful High Holy Days prayers; when we first hear parts of some beloved High Holy Days melodies; when we "dress up" our Torah, changing the cover from its everyday garb to holiday white. Join us for this beautiful and inspiring evening; please RSVP by August 24.
  Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
  Sunday, September 2
  10:00 a.m.
 
  At the home of Allison Levine; click to RSVP .
  Book Group meets on the first Sunday of most months; dates and locations may change, so please click here for updated information (including our complete fall reading list!) and to get on the Book Group email list. Open to all Kehillah adults and their guests.
movie-tickets3.jpg
  Sunday, September 16
  Late morning/early afternoon
   
  Movie Time meets on the third Sunday of most months; click here for updated information and to get  
  on the Movie Time email reminder/update list. Open to all Kehillah adults and their guests.
  WOMEN'S NIGHT OUT - Sip, Shop & Schmooze
   Sunday, October 21

   2:00 p.m.

 
   Who says Women's Night Out can't enjoy an afternoon event!?
                               Please save the date and watch this space for more information.
  WISE AGING
   Wednesday, October 24

   1:00-2:30 p.m.

 
   See information about this new Kehillah program here.
CELEBRATE KEHILLAH!
10th Anniversary & Building Dedication
Friday, December 7
Sunday, December 9 
Keep your calendars open for this not-to-be-missed weekend celebration!
 
Friday, December 7
Shabbat - a very special, festive musical service along with a Chanukat Ha-bayit (the dedication of our new home) and a celebratory Oneg.

Sunday, December 9
9:30-11:00 a.m.
YEP! KEHILLAHversary Chanukah Celebration!
YEP! families will learn about Congregation Kehillah and Chanukah while competing for a special grand prize!
 
"Adults only" evening party, featuring a lively trivia challenge (fun to play or just cheer from the sidelines) and refreshments.
WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS
Please join us in welcoming

Marc and Debbie Melhado and their daughter, Ally
Rachel Isgar and her daughters, Ally and Caroline

We look forward to getting to know you!
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES
Corrections and Additions
Belated happy first birthday to birthday_balloon_confetti.jpg

Aaron and Leah Katz (August 16)
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
We want to know your thoughts in answer to this question...

Why be Jewish?
 
We'd love to hear from you and your family members on this age-old question. Please send us your thoughts as often as you like!
HIGH HOLY DAYS 5779
A note from Renee:

Wow! Rosh Hashanah is just a few weeks away!
 
Rosh Hashanah  begins Sunday evening, September 9. Once again, we have been busy working with Rabbi Sharfman, the choir and wonderful, devoted, hard-working volunteers under the direction of Jane Neely to make these High Holy Days awe inspiring. We will be holding two services once again this year for Rosh Hashanah  morning and Yom Kippur morning. As our synagogue continues to grow, we are striving to provide a comfortable and meaningful experience for all our congregants.
 
SELICHOT
Saturday, September 1, 6:30 p.m.
Our Selichot program helps prepare us intellectually, emotionally and spiritually for the High Holy Days. Please see the Selichot section above and RSVP by August 24.

ROSH HASHANAH     
Sunday, September 9, 7:30 p.m.  
One service for the entire congregation 
Monday, September 10, 8:45 a.m.
Early service for our families with YEP! students in grades 2-8.
This is not a children's service, but a service for families. 
Monday, September 10, 10:45 a.m.
Main service                                                        
 
YOM KIPPUR
Tuesday, September 18, 7:30 p.m. - Kol Nidre
One service for the entire congregation
Wednesday, September 19, 8:45 a.m.
Early service for our families with YEP! students in grades 2-8.
This is not a children's service, but a service for families.
Wednesday, September 19, 10:45 a.m.
Main service
Wednesday, September 19, 3:00 p.m. - Afternoon Service/Yizkor/Neilah/Havdalah  
One service for the entire congregation
Break the Fast follows at the conclusion of Havdalah  
(Sponsorship opportunities are available; please contact Renee.)
Reservations are required for Break the Fast; please RSVP by September 5.


 I invite you to share this High Holy Days season of teshuva (return) with Congregation Kehillah - returning to community, hope, possibility, G-d, prayer, love, and the best that is in each of us. Your presence and participation will enhance our Holy Days, and we, in turn, hope to provide you with a truly meaningful, uplifting, inspirational and transformative High Holy Days experience.
~ Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman
          

All Kehillah members in good standing or who have made arrangements for dues payments receive tickets for the High Holy Days as part of their membership. Still need to make your dues payment arrangements? No one is turned away due to financial constraints! Adjustments can be arranged through a confidential call to our office phone, 602-369-7667. You will be treated with absolute respect and discretion.

Yizkor Book

Payment must be received at least 10 days prior to the holidays.



Holiday email

Tickets will be mailed through USPS a few weeks before  
Rosh Hashanah. When you receive your tickets, please
examine them carefully; they will indicate which
services to attend, based on what we believe to be
the best fit for you and your family.
If you have any questions, please call Renee, 602-369-7667. 
 
Please note that mail should be sent to our post office box address:
Congregation Kehillah
21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. 1630 #439
Phoenix, AZ 85050

You may also use our secure website link  to pay by credit card.

We look forward to sharing the High Holy Days  
with you and your family.

NEW "WISE AGING" WORKSHOP
WiseAging
Introducing our new workshop series this fall
Wise Aging , developed by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, is a dynamic program   for those of us facing the challenges and opportunities of this later   stage of our lives.  This interactive course will explore tools and resources to age wisely through the lens of Jewish wisdom.
   
Based on the book Wise Aging: Living With Joy, Resilience  
and Spirit, by Rabbi Rachel Cowan and Dr. Linda Thal, the  
course centers on a series of discussions and opportunities for meaningful conversations. Kehillah congregant Ellin Chariton has been trained by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality as a Wise Aging program facilitator, and will conduct the course.
 
Topics will include 
  • becoming one's authentic self;
  • conducting a life review;
  • revitalizing and nourishing healthy relationships;
  • cultivating qualities of soul;
  • practicing forgiveness;
  • learning to live with loss, change, and death; and
  • creating relevant rituals, cultivating wisdom, leaving a legacy. 
This interactive course will enable each of us to  explore positive ways to navigate this chapter of our life's journey and find meaning and joy in the   process.
 
Wise Aging will span six  sessions,   starting Wednesday, October 24, from 1:00-2:30 p.m., and is  limited to nine participants. The fee is $36/person. Each participant  will need to purchase a copy of Wise Aging, available at Amazon and elsewhere.  

To participate, please contact Ellin at ellinchariton@gmail.com  or 714-504-0955 by Monday, August 24. Remember, space is limited!  
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First day at YEP!
Where learning is serious fun
 















 















LANDSCAPING
Coming Soon!  
A beautiful, low maintenance outdoor environment for our congregation and the animals that visit it!

With some financial support and a little muscle from our Kehillah family, we're confident we can get there.
Irrigation
The irrigation system will be installed on the west side of the building, where we have water and electricity.
Gravel
The property will be fully gravelled for a neat appearance and to
reduce weeds.
 
Plants 
Hardy, low-maintenance plants will provide color and shade.
Patio
To facilitate outdoor education and create a stable foundation for years of sukkahs.


Storage Shed
A place for chairs, seasonal items and other hazarai that nobody needs cluttering up the main building.

We need your help!
Please support us via our "Donate" tab on our website.

to help!
BACK TO SCHOOL SOCIAL ACTION
Join the SUPPLIES FOR SUCCESS Drive 
and make a difference in students' lives!

It's not too late to provide students with brand-new backpacks filled with   schoolbus-rear-sm.jpgschool supplies. We are partnering once again with   Arrowhead Elementary School  and   Grandparents Raising Grandchildren   (a program of Duet ). To do this, we need your help!  

How to get involved 
Buy and donate items from the list below or send a donation!  (Your donations are tax-deductible!)  

You can...  
    
    >  Bring your donations to Kehillah events and leave them with the volunteer leader, who will make sure your donations get to our Social Action chair, Paulette Fraenkel.

    >  Make checks payable to Congregation Kehillah, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. 1630 #439, Phoenix, AZ 85050. Please reference "Supplies for Success" on your check. 
    >  Donate online.   For "Fund," select "Social Action." In "Message" box, type "Supplies for Success."
 
Thank you!  

pencil.jpg  
ADULT EDUCATION
Welcome to Judaism:  
A Course for Beginners 
& Those Who Love Them
 

Rabbi Sharfman will be teaching this introductory course through the BJE (Bureau of Jewish Education).  

The course will provide a foundation in the basic tenets of Judaism: History, holidays and observances, life observances, life cycle events, theology, prayer, and communal life will be explored through Jewish texts, beliefs, and customs.   T his course is open to non-Jews, non-Jews with their Jewish partners, and Jewish adults interested in further exploring Judaism.

Classes will be held on Mondays, October 22 through December 17*, from 6:30-7:45 p.m. at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Cost: $36.

*Oct 22, Oct 29, Nov 5, Nov 19, Nov 26, Dec 3, Dec 17  

Register here or contact the BJE 
at 480-634-8050 or jewished@bjephoenix.org.

FAMILIES, JOIN US IN ISRAEL IN 2019!
Come to Israel with us in 2019!  
May 27-June 10, 2019*    
 
Is visiting Israel with your family on your wish list?  
Well, now is the time to make it happen!     
 
Rabbi Sharfman is busy planning a wonderful family trip to Israel  Imagine early summer in Israel -- and you can do Bar/Bat Mitzvahs in Jerusalem while we are there!   
 
*Non-stops to and from LAX on El Al: Leave from LAX mid-day May 27 (Memorial Day) and return to LAX June 10 (morning).

 
Kids and adults will have a great time discovering the beauty, culture, history, and modernity that is unique to Israel. Fellow travelers of all ages find Rabbi Sharfman's joy delightfully contagious; and her ability to relate and share her knowledge is unmatched. Rabbi lived in Israel for many years and was a licensed tour guide there!     
 
We can't wait to share this experience with your family, so let us hear from you! Email Renee to let her know you'd like to receive Israel trip updates.  
OUR KEHILLAH FAMILY
We send prayers of healing to . . . 
Masha bat Fanya
Beracha bat Esther 
Marcia Schneider
Pamela Miller
Barbara Berniker
Arlene Maletta
Irma Gottlieb
Bonnie Karfeld
Jennifer Schaeffer
Davie Glaser
Meir ben Chanah 
Kimberlie Rich
Jeff and Denise Noll  
Shmuel ben Chaim
Mary Beth Pratt (Miriam Elisheva) 
HaRav Shlomo ben Rut
Kitty Nagy  
David Stern
Howard Glick 
Gittel bat Deborah 
Colleen Carney 
Shoshanna bat Phyllis 
Gedalya Nachum bar Bayla Rivka 
Rose Sobel,  
    mother of Bruce Sobel  
Judy Sahid, 
    sister of Cathy Michel
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I am available to all Kehillah members in times of joy and sadness. Please let me know when I can extend support and comfort to you and your family.
~ Rabbi Sharfman
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Kehillah's "Helping Hearts and Hands" (HHH) volunteers are  
ready to assist you with life's complexities. Click here to find
out how HHH can help you -- and how you can volunteer
to become part of Kehillah's caring brigade. 
  
 
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Our new Memorial Board 
Thanks to a generous donation from Dan and Evelyn Simon, in honor of Evelyn's birthday, a second Memorial Board is now hanging in our sanctuary. Now is the time to order your engraved plaques to honor your loved ones who have passed away. For a donation of $360, individual names, with dates of birth and death, will be engraved on a plaque and added to our board. This fee includes a listing in our annually published   Yizkor  Book distributed on Yom Kippur and at yizkor services on our festivals. Click here for the Memorial Board form . If you have any questions, please   contact Renee .
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS
General Fund  
Honey Yellin
 
Trees Planted in Israel
A tree was planted in Israel by Honey Yellin in memory of her cousin, Richard Lehr  
 
Memorial Plaques
Ellin Chariton
Francine Ebersman
Marsha Joffe and Renee Joffe 
Did you know . . .
that it is customary to donate at the time of Yizkor or when Kaddish is recited in memory of a loved one? It is also customary to make a donation when given an aliyah (honor) during a service.

Jewish Philanthropy: The Concept of Tzedakah is a much-admired practice throughout the world. "In Jewish tradition, tzedakah requires the donor share his or her compassion and empathy along with the money. Judaism teaches the belief that donors benefit from tzedakah as much [as] or more than the recipients."

You can find out more about the roots and practices of Jewish philanthropy at Learning to Give.  
Your donations in any amount are genuinely appreciated. 
Please help support Congregation Kehillah by donating to Kehillah's various funds  
-- to celebrate, honor, remember, give thanks, to assist, or simply to do tzedakah.  
You can donate through our website in any amount or send a check. Congregation Kehlllah is a 501(c)(3) organization; donations are tax-exempt to the fullest extent allowable by law. (Please consult with your tax adviser.) 
General Fund 
Caring Fund 
Torah Fund 
Social Action Fund
Gottlieb Music Fund 
Education Fund 
Oneg & Hospitality Fund 
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund 
Bookplates  
Memorial Plaques 
You can also plant trees in Israel directly through Kehillah, shiny-tree-button.jpg  
and Jewish National Fund will send a certificate out on your behalf.  
Each tree is $18 and a portion of your donation stays with Kehillah.  
Contact Renee for more information or to place your tree order. 
Here's another great way to support Kehillah:   
celebrate with an Oneg!  
Sponsoring an Oneg is a great way to celebrate your lifecycle events
and other wonderful news with your Kehillah family.
For 2018-2019, we are aiming to have every Oneg sponsored. 
To reserve your Oneg, please email Renee
or call her at 602-369-7667.
OF INTEREST ELSEWHERE
Fund. Meet residents of Gaza border communities and hear their stories. Monday, August 20 at Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus. Registration at 6:00 p.m.; program from 6:30-8:00 p.m. For more information, contact Ashley Iwahashi at aIwahashi@jnf.org or 480-447-8100, ext. 952. 
Jewish Marriage University, for engaged, serious, and newlywed couples, begins September 30. Contact the Bureau of Jewish Education for more information.
Jewish Baby University, for expectant Jewish and interfaith parents, begins September 9. Contact the Bureau of Jewish Education for more information.
Fall Exhibits at the Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center
October 7, 2018 -January 23, 2019: "Sustainability - Tikkun Olam - Repairing the World": The Art of Seven Renowned Artists
February 3, 2019-March 22, 2019: "Violins of Hope: Amon Weinstein - The Man Behind the Music": A Photographic Exhibition by Daniel Levin
April 7, 2019-August 27, 2019: "Mid-Century Phoenix"
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CompleteScheduleKabbalat Shabbat   |    Torah Talk   |   YEP!
_________________________________________ 
 
Shabbat candles
KABBALAT SHABBAT
and B'nai Mitzvot 

Kabbalat Shabbat begins on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.  
 
Sept. 9 (Sun.)   
  Erev Rosh Hashanah 
Sept. 10 (Mon.) 
  Rosh Hashanah 
Sept. 18 (Tues.)   
  Kol Nidre
Sept. 19
(Wed.)   
  Yom Kippur
Sept. 28
  With oneg in the Sukkah
Oct. 12
Oct. 13 (Sat.)
  Carter Toppel Bar Mitzvah
Oct. 26
Oct. 27 (Sat.)
  Carly Resnick Bat Mitzvah
Nov. 9, 16
Dec. 7
  10th Anniv/Dedication weekend
Dec. 21

2019 
Jan 11
  Alex Abrams Bat Mitzvah: Pre-services oneg at 6:15, services at 7:00 p.m. followed by regular oneg
Jan 25
Feb. 8, 22
Feb. 23 (Sat.)
  Naomi Fox Bat Mitzvah
Mar. 8, 22
Apr. 12, 26
May 10
  Honoring mothers
May 17
June 14
  Honoring fathers 
TORAH TALK
   
Torah Talks are held most months on Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, at Kehillah members' homes. We take a break for summer and resume after the High Holy Days. 

Torah learning continues through the year with Rabbi's weekly Shabbat message and candle lighting reminders.

Questions? Please direct them to Ellen Lerman. We'll post our schedule soon!   
YEP!  
  Youth Education Program 

YEP! sessions are held on Sundays during the school year from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon unless otherwise noted.

Read about YEP! here. Questions? Please contact Renee

Aug. 26
Sept. 16

Sept. 30
  In the Sukkah, with congregation
Oct. 14, 28
Nov. 4, 18
Dec. 2
Dec. 9  

  KEHILLAHversary Chanukah Celebration (10th Anniv/Dedication
weekend)
Dec. 16

2019 
Jan. 13, 27

Feb. 3, 24
Mar. 10, 24
Apr. 14, 28
May 5, 19


IN EVERY ISSUE

QUICK-LOOK CALENDAR      
 

Thursday, Aug. 23
Women's Night Out

Sunday, Aug. 26
YEP!

Saturday, Sept. 1
Selichot

Sunday, Sept. 2
Book Group    
 
Sunday, Sept. 9 
Erev Rosh Hashanah 

Monday, Sept. 10
Rosh Hashanah
 
Sunday, Sept. 16
YEP!  
Movie Time
 
Tuesday, Sept. 18
Kol Nidre

Wednesday, Sept. 19
Yom Kippur
 
Friday, Sept. 28
Kabbalat Shabbat
 
Sunday, Sept. 30
YEP! (in the Sukkah, with congregation)
 
Sunday, Oct. 7
Book Group  
 
Sunday, Oct. 21
Sip, Shop & Schmooze  
 
Wednesday, Oct. 24
Wise Aging 

Friday-Sunday, Dec. 7-9
Celebrate Kehillah!
10th Anniversary & Building Dedication
      
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Information for Seniors 
 
The Senior Concierge Project (through Jewish Family and Childrens Service) can provide information and help with socialization, education, transportation, home care, living facilities, legal assistance and more for those over age 60. Contact Janet Arnold, Senior Concierge, at 480-599-7198 or janet.arnold@jfcsaz.org.
 
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Send your news to Connections

Please send your news or photos to Renee in the Kehillah office before Shabbat for the following Monday's issue.
 
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Need a hand?  

Need a ride to services or to an event? Have an odd job that might need an extra hand or two? Give Men of Kehillah a shout! MOK members are ready to help out. Email Rich Fox
at phoks1@hotmail.com.   
 
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Remember "Mom"!  
Reminder: There are hungry neighbors and families experiencing food insecurity throughout the Valley, throughout the year -- even if we can't always see it. Our food collection bin for   Mom's Pantry is always in our lobby. 
Please bring food donations whenever you come to Kehillah.   
   
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Congregation Kehillah Leadership 

Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman
Rich Goldman, President
Renee Joffe, Administrator

Board of Directors:
Gil Blumenthal,
  Immediate Past President
Rich Fox,
  Member at Large and
  Brotherhood President
David Goldfarb,
  Member at Large and
  New Building Chair
Leslie Goldman,
  Programming Chair
Arlene Maletta,
  Hospitality Co-Chair
Ilene Malka,
  Education Chair
Jane Neely,
  Hospitality Co-Chair
  High Holy Days Chair
Paul Stein,
   Member at Large

Additional Support:  
Paulette Fraenkel,
  Social Action
Stephanie Kirklin,
  OLC Director 
Paul Lavin,
  Finance Manager
Vicki Mardell,
   Membership Co-Chair
Elaine Schiff,
   Membership Co-Chair
Judith Clancy,
    Helping Hearts and
    Hands Co-Chairs
Davie Glaser,
    Helping Hearts and
    Hands Co-Chairs
Ellen Lerman,
  Torah Talk and Special  
  Projects
Leona Garza,
   Movie Time
Sherry Siegel,
   Newsletters and Book
   Group

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We love hearing from you!

If we don't respond to your email within 24 hours, it means we did not receive your message. Please call us at 602-369-7667.
 
We take a technology break for Shabbat and Yom T ov. If you have an emergency during these times, please leave a message on the Congregation Kehillah phone and we will get back to you. O therwise, we ask that you please call or email us after the Sabbath or holiday ends.
 





































































 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 






































































































































































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Congregation Kehillah   
602-369-7667
info@congregationkehillah.org    |     congregationkehillah.org
5858 E. Dynamite Blvd., Cave Creek, AZ 85331

Mailing Address: 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. 1630 #439, Phoenix, AZ 85050