October 5 - October 11, 2020 /Tishrei 5781
Sukkot Intermediate Days, October 5 - 8
Erev Shemini Atzeret, October 9
Yizkor/Shemini Atzeret, October 10
Erev Simchat Torah, October 10
Simchat Torah, October 11
The office will be closed on Sunday, October 11th.
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Click here to sign up for Kehillah newsletters, including Connections
Forward Connections to a friend
 As we keep striving to find new ways to stay connected to one another, we have started a private Facebook Group. Only members can join this group and we will be able to chat with other congregants through this venue. If you have Facebook, please become friends with Renee, https://www.facebook.com/renee.joffe/. Questions? Email Renee, [email protected].
Please click on underlined items throughout this newsletter for more information and live links.
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 Dear Congregants and friends,
We wish to thank everyone who joined us for our Selichot, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. The positive feedback has been most appreciated as the delivery of our HHD services using YouTube required a monumental effort of creativity and production for our small congregation. The services were inspirational, particularly hearing the voices of our choir which helped us feel as if we were in the sanctuary with Rabbi Sharfman. Several new elements, such as screening photos of the smiling faces of our congregants lighting candles, were added to the HHD services as a vehicle to help our community feel connected. The addition of photos of our loved ones to the Yizkor services has begun a new Kehillah tradition.
The High Holy Days may be over, but our busy schedule continues. Our extremely interesting Sukkot program yesterday, presented by an Israeli tour guide, took us virtually to Israel in the footsteps of the biblical Sukkot.
It is at this season that most synagogues do their annual appeal. We elected to forgo the President's address and the "ask" that typically accompanies that address for a more direct approach. Our message is simple - we need your financial support! We may not be in our building, but expenses continue and some have increased. Your donations are essential to Kehillah's ongoing stability. Thank you in advance.
Thank you to those who have already donated to our General fund, Rabbi's Discretionary Fund or any of our other funds. Also, thanks to those who sent in gift cards and checks for Mom's Pantry. Your support is essential and genuinely appreciated! You can donate through our website here: https://congregationkehillah.org/product/donation/
We look forward to continuing to bring you religious services, YEP! and creative programs online until it is safe to return to our building. Your support the past several months as we have made this transition has been amazing. Thank you!
Finally, for those of you who have Machzorim, please keep them since they may be needed next year. Also, since the Machzorim contain God's name, they should not be destroyed.
Here are some quotes taken from our FaceBook Group page regarding the High Holy Days:
"Simply put, services were beautiful, well done, very moving and meaningful, and extremely emotional for me so it was a good thing I was in the privacy of my own home. Yasher koach (sp?) to all who made it possible. There aren't enough words to express my thanks for such an extraordinarily beautiful production."
"Very beautiful and moving service. Hats off to all especially Rabbi Bonnie. Thank you."
"I echo all who praised the services. Thank you Rabbi, Renee, et al for meaningful and inspirational Days of Awe. Can't imagine the amount of work that went into this."
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 BOOK GROUP Monday, October 19 1:00 p.m. via Zoom
We'll be discussing The House of Broken Angels, by Luis Alberto Urrea.
You don't have to be a regular to enjoy Book Group; you can join in for any book you like, any time. Book Group is open to all Kehillah adults and their guests. To get on the Book Group mailing list or to RSVP and receive your Zoom meeting information, please email Rick.
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 WELCOME TO JUDAISM
Monday evenings
October 19 through November 16,
5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Cost: $50
Are you interested in learning about Judaism? This is the place to do it! Jews and Non-Jews are all welcome to learn with Rabbi Bonnie.
This introductory course provides a foundation in the basic tenants of Judaism. Among areas covered are: History, Holidays and Observances, Life Cycle, Theology, Prayer, Israel and Communal Life.
This will be a virtual class through The Bureau of Jewish Education. There will be no charge when Congregation Kehillah members sign up by emailing to Renee here.
You can also sign up here: https://www.bjephoenix.org/course-events/2020/10/19/welcome-to-judaism
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 NOW EVEN YOU CAN MAKE MASKS!
All you need is a sewing machine, a pair of scissors, and some pins. We give you a complete kit with an easy-to-follow pattern and the material. Even beginners can sew these masks! And when you take a kit - one kit or as many as you want - you'll become part of the faith-based community effort called AZ Masks for Medical Workers. This project will deliver a whopping 600,000 masks to Arizona hospitals. Kehillah has committed to making 100 masks between September 18-October 18. We can do this, and you can do this! Contact Ellen Lerman at [email protected] to get your kit(s) or for more information.
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PHOTOS, WE WANT PHOTOS!
Did you enjoy seeing the photos of your Kehillah friends & their families? Do you wish you had sent in some photos?
It's not too late. We'd like to incorporate more in our services and events so send in some of your favorites now for inclusion in the future. It's a great way for members, new and old, to put names to faces.
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Sarah Bayla bar Miriam v' Yitzchak and Yosef Dov ben Rachel Feyga, mother and father of Jackie Shore
Marilyn Morris
Joe Ettinger
Arlene Maletta
Sandra Krisch
Stanley Rosen, father of Robin Rudin
Cathy Michels
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Ethan Miller, son of Reisa Miller
Abbott Miller, son of Reisa Miller
Hinda Sterling, sister-in-law of Reisa
Miller
Davie Glaser
Kimberlie Rich, sister of Pamela Miller
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
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Rabbi Sharfman's Discretionary Fund
Rob Gartenberg - in honor of the beautiful YOUTUBE High Holy Day services
Amina Hochberg - thanking Rabbi for the wonderful High Holy Day services
Allison family - with gratitude for our beautiful High Holiday Services via YouTube
General Fund
Barry & Janet Bernell - for Yom Kippur
Jen, Josh & Avi Schaeffer - in honor of the beautiful High Holy Days, especially Erica's moving voice
Caring Fund
Feli Van Deman - in honor of her friend Annette
JNF Trees in Israel Scarlett Allison & Family - in honor of Alexa Hendricksen's Bat Mitzvah
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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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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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JNF TREES IN ISRAEL
Please consider planting a tree in Israel for any occasion. Contact Renee and she will place the order on your behalf. Trees cost $18 per tree and a portion of all sales benefit Congregation Kehillah.
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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, remember to use Amazon Smile when you buy on Amazon.
We've raised $45.81 in donations through the Amazon Smile program between April 1 and June 30, 2020.
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:
. 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.
ANOTHER WAY TO USE AMAZON SMILE!
Good news! AmazonSmile is now available in the Amazon Shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones.
AmazonSmile customers can now support Congregation Kehillah in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.- Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
- Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings'
- Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
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 SOJOURNER NEEDS...
The Center, which helps women escape abuse and domestic violence, is in desperate need of women's underwear, sizes 6, 7, and 8. If you are able, you can order these online at Amazon, and Sojourner and Kehillah will benefit. They can be sent to Sojourner Resource Center, 2330 E. Filmore Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006.
Please add the following items that are desperately needed: bath and hand towels, either new or gently used. Sojourner thanks us for the masks Ellen Lerman has made and were donated.
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The Arizona Jewish Historical Society is pleased to introduce a new
online seminar in our
Surviving Humanity (Reframing America) Series:
"It Was A Beautiful September Day"
Friday - October 9th, 10:00 a.m.
Speaker:
911 Survivor, Brian Branco
RSVP Required to receive your
Online information
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Because nothing says "Living Well" better than engagement in the Arts!
Due to circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), participation for all Creative Aging classes will be online through the digital platform, ZOOM. If you have any questions, please contact Janet Rees at (480) 599-7198 or [email protected].
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 Kabbalat Shabbat | Torah Talk | YEP!_________________________________________
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SERVICES
Kabbalat Shabbat
B'nai Mitzvah
Kabbalat Shabbat, via Zoom, begins on Fridays at times listed below.
October 16: 5:30 p.m.
November 6: 5:30 p.m.
November 20: 530 p.m.
December 4: 5:30 p.m.
December 18: 5:30 p.m.
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TORAH TALK
Torah Talks are led by Rabbi Sharfman (except where noted) and are held monthly on Saturday mornings beginning at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom (for the time being.)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.
October 31
November 14
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YEP!
Youth Education Program
During the school year, YEP! sessions are held on Sunday mornings. See body of Connections for summer programs via Zoom. Read about YEP! here. Questions? Please contact Renee.
October 18
November 8 & 22
December 6 & 13
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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, October 16
Kabbalat Shabbat
Sunday, October 18
YEP!
Monday, October 19
Book Group
Saturday, October 31
Torah Talk
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 we are able to come back to Kehillah.
None of that is possible at the moment, but Mom's Pantry accepts donations on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are located at 13440 N. Cave Creek Road in Phoenix. Call 602-992-0083 for other times.
Congregation Kehillah Leadership
Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman
Gil Blumenthal, President
Scott Leader, Erica Erman
Cantorial Soloists 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. Otherwise, we ask that you please call or email us after the Sabbath or holiday ends.
Don't miss any of our emails...
Please make sure that periodically you check your Spam and Junk folders for emails from [email protected]. Some of the emails we send out have several links for you to click on for resources. Depending on your individual computer settings you may have not received these emails in your inbox.
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Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved.
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