March 23-29, 2020 / Adar-Nissan 5780
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Connections
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Please click on underlined items throughout this newsletter for more information and live links.
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Please see GOING FORWARD and RABBI'S MESSAGE in this newsletter for information about changes and updates as we move online during this difficult time.
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For the next few weeks, Congregation Kehillah is an online synagogue. We encourage you to read through this issue of
Connections to learn about changes we are making.
Please know that we are here to answer your questions or hear your suggestions for connecting and learning during these unprecedented times. We are Kehillah and we are here for one another.
In the days ahead, we will be inviting you to participate in
Kehillah Connect, a series of short classes, messages from Rabbi, Kabbalat Shabbat, Passover preparation, and chats for all CK members. We'll also have a special online version of YEP!
To participate, please
download Zoom. Zoom is a free videoconferencing and online meeting platform (for your computer or phone) that has received consistently positive reviews from users. We've chosen Zoom because it offers excellent quality and because many people find it easy to use. Don't despair! If you need assistance with Zoom, we can help you.
And as always, if you are on your own or in need of other kinds of help, please
contact us and we will do our best to help.
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Here is a 2:13 minute video message from the Rabbi
https://youtu.be/YZnOnT5ojWc
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RABBI'S MESSAGE__________________________________
Dear Friends,
I hope you enjoy these beautiful Sephardic Shabbat songs on the first video sung by Erica and Jared.
Yedid Nefesh:
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| Kabbalat Shabbat Songs: Yedid Nefesh and Ki Eshmera Shabbat |
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Yedid Nefesh
is one of the hymns of Kabbalat Shabbat (like Lecha Dodi...) attributed to the sixteenth century Sephardic kabbalist, Rabbi
Elazar ben Moshe Azikri
(1533-1600). Rabbi Azikri taught about the intense love one must feel for Gd and that is reflected in this hymn whose title means "my soul's beloved", i.e. Gd. The first letters of each of the verses make up the four letter name of Gd (the
tetragrammaton/the yod-hey-vav-hey).
The lyrics of Ki Eshmera Shabbat are attributed to
Rabbi Abraham ben Meir ibn Ezra (Tudela 1092); this melody is from the Yemenite tradition. The initial words mean: If I observe Shabbat, Gd will protect me.
Torah blessings:
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| Torah blessings! |
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The second video teaches how to chant the Torah blessings. If you start to learn them now, you'll be ready when we resume in-person to services!
Shabbat Shalom with love,
Rabbi Sharfman
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Blessings for noshing!
With so many of us working from home and having the kids home as well, we find that we are noshing a bit more
�� Here is Erica with the Blessings for snack, fruit, vine, and veggies...
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| Blessings for snack, fruit, vines, and veggies |
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LOOKING TO REACH OUT? LOOKING TO HEAR FROM OTHERS? 
Rabbi has been calling every congregant (she will not forget you - it's just taking some time). Not instead of, but in addition to, please let us know if you would like to volunteer to call other congregants to 'check in' or if you would like to receive a check-in call. We will not give out your contact information without your permission.
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RESTAURANTS TO SUPPORT
We are thrilled to be partnering with these two local restaurants who have offered to donate back 10% of sales to our members who mention Congregation Kehillah at the time of ordering. This is a great opportunity to support local restaurants and your synagogue.
 Brad's Kitchen in
Scottsdale: Here is a link to their Take Out menu:
And here is a link to their Pizza Kit:
http://bradskitchenazco.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Pizza-Kit-Flyer.pdf
Shogun is available for take-out and delivery. Their entire lunch and dinner menus are currently available to us. They also are offering curbside pickup during this time. Here is a link their menu: https://phxshogun.com/menu/
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KABBALAT SHABBAT
Friday, March 27
5:30 p.m. (Please note the time change.)
This week we will be coming into your homes via Zoom (
https://zoom.us/
) beginning at 5:30 pm. This will be a shorter than usual service featuring Rabbi, Erica and Scott. The Power Point slides will be viewable to you to follow along if you don't have your own copy of Gates of Prayer for Shabbat and Weekdays. Candle lighting, Kiddush and Motzi will take place at the end of the service so you can kindle yours at home prior to sitting down to your Shabbat dinners.
A Zoom link with be sent to all congregants later this week and you will be asked to RSVP to Renee. For our non-members who receive our Connections and wish to view our Kabbalat Shabbat, please message Renee,
[email protected]
for this link. We are limited on the number of participants. Thank you for your understanding.
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YEP!
Sunday, March 29
We are so excited to see our students via Zoom (
https://zoom.us/
) this week. Each class will have their own assigned time to log in. Please watch for a special email with complete details.
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MOVIE TIME.............................................................
Since Movie Time isn't meeting, here's an option:
Chaiflicks is a new streaming service dedicated entirely to Jewish films.
FOR LOVERS OF JEWISH ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE
Exclusive access to their library of movies, television series and documentaries from world-renowned Actors, Directors and Filmmakers.
They are offering a FREE one month trial. You can click on the link below............
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A call to action
For the next few weeks let's make our Social Action Project "A Call to Action." Congregants can make sure family, friends and neighbors who are elderly, living alone, or who are disabled are checked on and have all they need to get by. A friendly call can make all the difference.
For example: If you are going to the store ask if you can pick up something for a person who may be homebound.
If you can shop, do errands, or just make some calls, let the Kehillah office know so that we can let our congregants know that help is available.
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Passover food drive 
Kehillah has always supported the community-wide Passover food drive, which continues through March 30th.
JFCS is also accepting monetary donations.
Click here for the flyer and complete information.
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We send deepest condolences to.........
Rachel (Josh) Barkley and Morgan and Sadie on the passing of their grandfather and great grandfather, Sam Batt, who passed away on March 19 in Chicago at the age of 99.
Refaeinu . . .
Yosef Dov ben Rachel Feyga, father of
Jackie Shore
Sandra Krisch
Rebekah Boucher, mother of
Feli Van Deman
Mark Solow
Steve Kanefsky
Frances Schneeweis LeRoy, mother of Scott LeBlang
Stanley Rosen,
father of Robin Rudin
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Cathy Michels
Ethan Miller, son of Reisa Miller
Abbott Miller, son of Reisa Miller
Hinda
Sterling
, sister-in-law of Reisa
Miller
Da
vie Glaser
Kimberlie Rich, sister of Pamela Miller
Rose Sobel,
mother of Bruce Sobel
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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.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
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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.)
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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
Bookplates
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.
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Here are other great ways to support Kehillah
Normally, we'd invite you to 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 2020, we are aiming to have every Oneg sponsored. To reserve your Oneg, please
email Renee or call her at 602-369-7667.
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But while we're currently not gathering, and you are (we hope!) spending most of your time at home during the next few weeks, remember to use Amazon Smile when you buy on Amazon.
You can sign up for Amazon Smile and choose Congregation Kehillah as your charity. It's simple, costs nothing, and Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase price to Kehillah.
Here's how to sign up:
Visit smile.amazon.com and select Congregation Kehillah
. That's it! After you're signed up, shop on Amazon by visiting smile.amazon.com (your Prime account goes with you) and continue as usual. The website
will remember you selected Congregation Kehillah, and every eligible purchase you make at
smile.amazon.com
will result in a donation.
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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.
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Rabbi thought you might like to take a tour of this museum. Let us know what you thought about it.
Virtual Museum Tour of the National Museum of American Jewish History
Enjoy the Museum with Google Arts and Culture. Walk through our galleries, organized by floor, and interact with artifacts up close.
Start your tour here:
https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/national-museum-of-american-jewish-history
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Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center has canceled all public cultural and educational programs for March. The office and museum gallery will remain open and previously scheduled private events will continue. For more information, contact the Center.
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AZ Friends of Magen David Adom has canceled its March 30th event featuring
the Director of Magen David Adom's Blood Center.
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_________________________________________
 Kabbalat Shabbat |
Torah Talk |
YEP!
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Please see GOING FORWARD and RABBI'S MESSAGE, at the top of this newsletter, for information about changes as we move online during the pandemic.
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SERVICES
Kabbalat Shabbat
B'nai Mitzvah
Kabbalat Shabbat begins on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
March 27
April 17
May 1 - Bar Mitzvah of Noah Sunshine-Barinbaum, 6:30 p.m.
May 15
June 12
June 13 - Bar Mitzvah of Ryan Heller, 10:00 a.m.
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TORAH TALK
Torah Talks are led by Rabbi Sharfman (except where noted) and are held monthly on Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. They are among Kehillah's most-loved traditions -- mornings filled with questions, conversation, and laughter as we explore that week's Torah portion. No prior knowledge is needed to enjoy Torah Talk; all are welcome. For more information,
contact Ellen Lerman.
April 4
May 2 (
depending on weather)
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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. Please
use this registration form. Questions? Please contact
Renee.
March 29
April 5
April 19
May 3
May 17
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Congregation Kehillah
602-369-7667
Mailing Address: 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. 1630 #439, Phoenix, AZ 85050
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Friday, March 27
Kabbalat Shabbat
Sunday, March 29
YEP!
Saturday, April 4
Torah Talk
Sunday, April 5
YEP!
October 19-Nov. 2
Kehillah's Fabulous Trip to Israel
Information for Seniors
The Senior Concierge Project (through Jewish Family and Children's 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 Rees, Senior Concierge, at 480-599-7198 or [email protected].
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
Remember "Mom" and the other women!
Reminder: There are hungry neighbors and families experiencing food insecurity throughout the Valley, throughout the year -- even if we can't always see it. And there are women who can't afford basic feminine products. Our food collection bin for
Mom's Pantry is always in our lobby, and our Kehillah Cares bag for
women4women tempe is in our ladies' room.
Please bring food
and toiletry donations whenever you come to Kehillah.
Congregation Kehillah Leadership
Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman
Gil Blumenthal,
President
Scott Leader,
Cantorial Soloist
Renee Joffe,
Administrator
Board of Directors:
Rich Goldman,
Immediate Past President
Joseph Ettinger,
Member at Large
Henry Fleet,
Member at Large
Rich Fox,
Member at Large
MOK President
David Goldfarb,
Member at Large
Building Chair
Leslie Goldman,
Member at Large
Arlene Maletta,
Member at Large
Hospitality Co-Chair
Ilene Malka,
Education Chair
Jane Neely,
Member at Large
High Holy Days Chair
Hospitality Co-Chair
Dr. Bruce Sobel,
Member at Large
Dan Sommer,
Member at Large
Paul Stein,
Member at Large
Additional Support:
Scarlett Allison,
Caring Committee
Amy Bessen,
Webmaster
Rick Cohen,
Book Group
Paulette Fraenkel,
Social Action
Leona Garza,
Movie Time
Dr. Stephanie Kirklin,
OLC Director
Ellen Lerman,
Torah Talk and Special
Projects
Vicki Mardell,
Membership Co-Chair
Reisa Miller, Sherry Siegel
Newsletters
Mark Solow,
Finance Manager
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 Tov.
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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Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved.
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