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Week of December 4, 2017 / Kislev 5778
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Save the Date
for our
Building Dedication Weekend
December 9-11, 2018
Don't buy theater tickets, plane tickets or sporting event tickets!
Join us for our Building Dedication Weekend
and celebration of Kehillah's 10th anniversary.
It will be a weekend of events with something for all ages...
inspirational, joyous, and meaningful as we celebrate our past
and look forward to our future.
Event Chairs are Paul and Margie Stein
Watch for more information!
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THIS WEEK____________________________________
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YEP!
Sunday, December 10
9:30 a.m.-12:00 noon
The next YEP! session after this one is Sunday, January 7 -- but first, be sure to come to our special Chanukah Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, December 15!
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 BOOK GROUP
Sunday, December 10
10:00 a.m.
at the home of Ilene Riffle
All Kehillah adults and their friends are welcome to attend.
Read ahead:
January 28:
Another Country, by James Baldwin
February 25: the subject is Winston Churchill - read anything about him or written by him
March 25:
The Garden of Evenings Mists, by Tan Twan Eng
For general questions about the Book Group and to RSVP for any meeting, please contact Sherry Siegel at [email protected].
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UPCOMING_____________________________________
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CHANUKAH KABBALAT SHABBAT
Friday, December 15
5:30 p.m. - Latke Nosh and Chanukah candle lighting
6:00 p.m. - Services, starting with a processional to welcome our Torah to our new home
Join the entire congregation, including
YEP! families, for delicious potato latkes, lighting candles for the 4th night of Chanukah, a special Torah processional, and Chanukah music with YEP! students.
We look forward to seeing you at this special Chanukah Kabbalat Shabbat!
Your RSVP for the latke nosh is a must so we can prepare without being wasteful. Please RSVP to Renee by December 8.
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TORAH TALK
Saturday, December 16, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 noon
at the home of Ilene Riffle
Relationships, leadership, a blueprint for life .... it's what Torah is all about. Become part of an ongoing 4,000-year-old conversation when you join us for Torah Talk, one of Kehillah's most-loved traditions. It's a morning filled with questions, conversation, and laughter. Best of all, no prior knowledge is needed. All are welcome. Please RSVP by Thursday, December 14 to Ellen at [email protected].
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MOVIE TIME
Sunday, December 17
late morning/early afternoon
Save the date, and watch for details!
We get together to see a movie the third Sunday of most months, and we'd love you to join us!
The movie, time and location are chosen closer to each date.
You are always welcome to come even without an RSVP, but if we expect you we can let you know if there are any changes and try to save seats. To receive final details for our movie plans, and to offer your suggestions, get on our Movie Time email list by sending your name and email to Marilyn Morris at [email protected]; or call her at 602-494-2800.
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GIRLS' NIGHT OUT
Monday, December 18
6:00 p.m.
Save the date, and watch for details!
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"GELT WITHOUT GUILT" and MORE CHANUKAH NEWS
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Here's a special chocolate-flavored message
from Rabbi Bonnie:
We are proud and excited to share with you that we are spending more money this year on our Chanukah chocolate gelt, and we encourage you not to save money, either!
Kehillah gelt this year will be certified 'Fair Trade.' You heard me talk about this at  Passover, and it's so important that I want to share it again. After all, who doesn't love chocolate (even if it doesn't love us back)? When you come to realize how that chocolate got to your store and into your home, you'll find it less tasty.
Why do we need Guilt-Free Gelt as we celebrate the Festival of Lights? Child and forced labor have been well documented in the cocoa industry. But purchasing fair-trade products ensures that the supply chain is free of forced labor and that farmers were paid a sustainable price for their cocoa. I'll talk about this more on Chanukah.
Kavannah Before Eating
Shared by Dasi Fruchter, Director of Tav/Food Justice Community Engagement, Uri L'Tzedek
God, the One who does justice in the world and promotes a world of justice, may it be known that I am consuming something that was produced through just means, as I strive to obey the Torah law of "do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord" (Deut. 6:18).
In the same way that this food item was prepared according to the upright tenets of Jewish law and tradition and in just and ethical working conditions, may the rest of the world eventually prevail with justice as it is written, "To repair the world under the sovereignty of the Lord".
I appreciate and acknowledge those workers who have labored to bring this food to my table. May it be known that I commend those who have made conscious efforts to produce or buy this food in an upright way.
May they be blessed with the ability to do many more upright deeds and be partners with the Creator in making the world a more just place, as it is written, "The wicked man earns illusory wages, but he who sows righteousness has a true reward". (Proverbs 11:18)
May your Chanukah be full of light, and may your actions help bring light to others!
Love,
Rabbi
ONLY 25 SONORA MENORAHS LEFT!
Chanukah is coming to Carefree!
A 6 ft. Chanukah menorah will be lit at 5:30 p.m. each night of Chanukah. If you're interested in attending or leading the lighting ceremony and reciting the blessings (except for the Sunday night of Chanukah), please let Renee know and she will give you more details.
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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES
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YOM HULEDET SAMEACH!
December 1 - Sandy Barnett
December 2 - Francine Ebersman
December 3 - Ella Fleet
December 6 - Adam Katz
December 8 - Lilly Green
Arabelle Friedman
December 9 - Deborah Lieberman
December 11 - Lesley Hafalia
December 12 - Leona Garza
David Fabricant
December 13 - George Rosenberg
December 14 - Ilene Riffle
Mort Berkowitz
Sandra Krisch
December 16 - Ryder Toppel
Sheryl Kirshenbaum
December 19 - Rachel Scheinerman
Jeannie Budenbender
December 20 - Craig Scheinerman
December 21 - Karen Thursby
December 22 - Henry Fleet
Merri Zohar
December 24 - Joanna LeBlang
December 27 - Emelia Merritt
December 29 - Dan Sommer
Alex Abrams
Payton Fleet
MAZEL TOV!
December 18 - Keith and Loren Yaksin
December 29 - Jonathan and Rebekah Seeliger
If you have a December birthday or anniversary and your name is missing, please email [email protected] so we can update our records.
To make a donation in honor of birthdays, anniversaries, "Our Kehillah Family" mentions or any other reason, please use this link or contact us directly.
Thank you!
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Our Caring Committee's new name is Helping Hearts and Hands. Co-chaired by Judith Clancy, Ilene Riffle, and Davie Glaser, Helping Hearts and Hands is available to help with the needs within our community. Several  people have already volunteered to help, and we welcome any additional volunteers. Initially, we will be addressing these needs:
o Developing a Virtual Medical Equipment list
to be made available for loan
o Visitations/Calls at home, hospital or rehab
o Providing meals
If you have any durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, canes, walkers, crutches, etc.) at your home that is not being used and would let someone in need borrow them, please contact Ilene Riffle ([email protected] or 480-338-9790).
We are compiling a list of equipment that members can borrow. The equipment will not be housed at the synagogue but rather stay in your home until a need arises. When a need arises, the person in need will be matched with a person who has the equipment to borrow. We can help facilitate the transfer of equipment as well.
If you wish to volunteer to be contacted to make a meal or to provide visits/calls to those in need, please contact either Ilene Riffle concerning meal preparation or Judith Clancy (602-524-2750) concerning visitations/calls.
Thank you!
Ilene Riffle
Judith Clancy
Davie Glaser
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Pajama/Book Drive!
This holiday season, Congregation Kehillah is hosting another Pajama/Book
 Drive to benefit the children served by the Arizona Chapter of the Pajama Program.
We hope that you will join us in making a positive difference in the lives of our State's vulnerable youth.
The Pajama Program is a national charity that provides new pajamas and new books to children in need (newborn to age 18), with the goal of providing them with a warm and nurturing bedtime environment.
For many of these kids, who are often in the foster care system or other transitional living environments, these items are sometimes the only new things that they receive, and represent care and comfort.
Donations made to the Arizona Chapter are distributed to many different Receiving Organizations (group homes, shelters, etc.) throughout Arizona. Any donations of new fall/winter pajamas (size newborn through teen/young adult sizes) and/or new children's and teen books would be greatly appreciated!
Bring your new, unwrapped pajama and book donations to YEP! sessions, GNO, Bros and Kabbalat Shabbat services through December 15, 2017.
If you prefer to make a monetary donation, please make checks payable to Pajama Program, AZ Chapter and mail to Congregation Kehillah, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. 1630 #439, Phoenix, AZ 85050. (Your donations are tax-deductible).
For more information about the Pajama Program, visit
www.pajamaprogram.org
or contact Kehillah member Lesli Friedman at 602-577-8355. Thank you in advance for your generous donations!
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Kehillah's "Helping Hearts and Hands" volunteers are ready to assist you with life's complexities.
Contact Renee at [email protected] or 602-369-7667.
HIPAA PRIVACY RULE:
Hospitals won't notify us about your stay, nor will Jewish chaplains visit or share your information with us unless you specifically give permission and request that they do so. Rabbi Sharfman and Congregation Kehillah want to support Kehillah members - so many emotions and issues arise during illnesses requiring hospitalization. Please call the office and give us your name, hospital name/room number and any health details you can share to enable us to be responsive to you and your needs.
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We send prayers of healing to . . .
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Meir ben Chanah
Leona Garza
Ethan Miller
Joe Ettinger
Gail Harkavy (Tova bat Shoshana)
Carol Newman
Kimberlie Rich
Jeff and Denise Noll
Gary MacMilla
Marsha Joffe
Shmuel Ben Chaim
Mary Beth Pratt (Miriam Elisheva)
Mark Engelsman
HaRav Shlomo ben Rut
Kitty Nagy
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Bonnie Karfeld
David Stern
Howard Glick
Gittel bat Deborah
Tom Bartkus
Sandy Myslis
Colleen Carney
Shoshanna bat Phyllis
Gedalya Nachum bar Bayla Rivka
Olivia Adair Steele
Stisha Steigmann
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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THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS
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Oneg & Hospitality Fund
Leslie Goldman, Lin Katzenstein, Renee Joffe, Ilene Malka and Margie Stein, in honor of Francine Ebersman's 60th birthday
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Your donations in any amount are genuinely appreciated.
You can help support Congregation Kehillah and express your core values by making donations to Kehillah's various Funds - to celebrate, honor, remember, give thanks, to assist . . . or simply to do tzedakah.
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General Fund
Caring Fund
Torah Fund
Social Action Fund
Gottlieb Music Fund
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Education Fund
Oneg & Hospitality Fund
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
Adopt a Prayer Book
Memorial Plaques
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You can also
plant trees in Israel directly through Kehillah, 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.
Supporting Kehillah and expressing your Core Values is easy! You can
donate on our website in any amount or send a check. Congregation Kehlllah is a 501(c)(3) organization; your donations are tax-exempt to the fullest extent allowable by law. Please consult with your tax adviser.
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Oneg celebrations
Sponsoring an Oneg is a great way to celebrate your lifecycle events and other wonderful news.
To reserve your oneg,
please contact Renee at 602-369-7667 or
[email protected]
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We Remember: A Home For The Holocaust Art of Robert Sutz
The Arizona Jewish Historical Society has launched a capital campaign to establish a permanent gallery for the artwork of Robert Sutz, whose award-winning work includes life masks, portraits, and recorded testimonies of Holocaust survivors, liberators, and righteous gentiles. (A portrait of Kehillah founding member Irma Gottlieb is among Sutz's work.) For information about the project or to make a donation or pledge,
click here or contact AJHS at 602-241-7870.
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Kabbalat Shabbat <>
Torah Talk <>
YEP!
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KABBALAT SHABBAT
Kabbalat Shabbat begins on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
December 15 - Nosh (5:30 p.m.) followed by Chanukah Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:00 p.m.
January 12 - Nosh
(5:30 p.m.) followed by Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:00 p.m.
January 26
February 9 & 23
March 9 & 23
April 13 & 27
May 18
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TORAH TALK
Torah Talks are held Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon at congregants' homes. Please RSVP to Ellen Lerman at [email protected] by the Thursday before each Torah Talk so hosts can prepare.
December 16
January 20
February 17
March 17
April 17
May 20 (Sunday) - Congregational Shavuot
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YEP!
Youth Education Program
YEP! sessions are held on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon unless otherwise noted. Schedule listed below is subject to change.
December 10 - THIS WEEK
December 15 (Friday) - YEP! participates in Chanukah Kabbalat Shabbat
January 7 & 21
February 11 & 25
February 28 (Wednesday) - Picnic and Purim, 6:00 p.m.
March 4 & 25
April 8 & 22
May 6
May 20 - Shavuot for YEP! and Congregation
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QUICK-LOOK CALENDAR
For details, please see the corresponding items on the left.
Sunday, Dec. 10
YEP!
Book Group
Tuesday, Dec. 12
First night of Chanukah
Friday, Dec. 15
Chanukah Kabbalat Shabbat - 4th night
Saturday, Dec. 16
Torah Talk
Monday, Dec. 18
Girls' Night Out
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Last night of Chanukah
Do you have information for Connections?
Please send your news or photos to Renee in the Kehillah office before
Shabbat for the following Monday's issue.
Need a hand?
The Kehillah Brotherhood
is here to help you.
Need a ride to services or to an event? Have an odd job that might need an extra hand or two? Give the Brotherhood a shout! Email Rich Fox at [email protected].
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 [email protected].
Congregation Kehillah Leadership
Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman
Rich Goldman, President
Renee Joffe, Administrator
Board of Directors:
Rich Fox,
Member at Large and
Brotherhood President
David Goldfarb,
Member at Large and
New Building Chair
Leslie Goldman,
Programming Chair and
Girls' Night Out Co-Chair
Arlene Maletta,
Hospitality Co-Chair
Ilene Malka,
Education Chair
Jane Neely,
Hospitality Co-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, Davie Glaser,
Ilene Riffle,
Helping Hearts and
Hands Co-Chairs
Ellen Lerman,
Torah Talk and Special
Projects
Marilyn Morris,
Movie Time
Sherry Siegel,
Newsletters and Book
Group
We love hearing from you!
If we don't respond to your email within 24 hours, it means that we did not receive your message.
Please call us at 602-369-7667.
Please note that our staff takes a technology break for Shabbat and Yom T
ov...except for emergencies.If your email is of an urgent matter, please call the Congregation Kehillah phone. O
therwise, we ask that you please call or message us after the Shabbath or holiday ends.
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Congregation Kehillah | 602-369-7667
5858 E. Dynamite Blvd.
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
MAILING ADDRESS: 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. 1630 #439, Phoenix, AZ 85050
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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