"E-Chai!" Newsletter
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20 Av August 21, 2008
Service Tag blue 65% 

Friday, August 22

21 Av 5768

6:15 pm: Kabbalat Shabbat 
D'var Torah - Ginny Keller
  

Saturday, August 23

22 Av 5768

8:45 am: Shacharit - Small Sanctuary

(Please bring a can of food for the Paradise Valley Food Bank) 
8:45 am Bat Mitzvah
Abby Anderson
10:30 am Bar Mizvah
Charles Schreibman
 
Mazel tov to their families! 

D'vrei Torah blue tag 65%
 

22 Av 5768

Eikev                                 Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25        Haftarah, Isaiah 49:14 - 51:3
    
For more information about this week's Torah portion click here.

We Remember Them Tag 65%

Gerald Alexander
~Husband of Miryam Salter
 
Jerry Mervis
~Father of Faith Katz
 

Mazel Tov Blue Tag 65%

~Ilene Singer and Abe Lijek on the birth of their grandson Henry Nathan Senoff

~Julie and Brian Serbin on the birth of their son Jack Abner.  Grandparents are Susan and Harold Magalnick
 
~Susan and Harold Magalnick on the birth of their granddaughter Alexa Reyna Magalnick
 
~Joan Brodsky and Michael Neer on their engagement 
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community

Valley Beit Midrash
 
Join us for a series of panel discussions in preparation for the High Holy Days 
 
Wednesday, September 10
Does God Care? 
We are told that God observes us for an entire year and judges us based on our actions. Is God really watching?
Panel: Rabbi Mari Chernow (Temple Chai), Rabbi Yonah Gross (Young Israel of Phoenix), and Rabbi Darren Kleinberg (KiDMa)
 
Wednesday, September 17
Evolving Jewish Rituals.  Observances for the High Holy Days have changed over centuries. Who should decide what is outdated and what should stick?
Panel: Rabbi Mari Chernow (Temple Chai), Rabbi Elon Sunshine (Har Zion Congregation), and Rabbi Darren Kleinberg (KiDMa)
 
Wednesday, September 24
Jew and Gentile.
Is our primary responsibility as Jews to the Jewish people or should we care for our fellow human beings without distinction?
Panel: Rabbi Mari Chernow (Temple Chai), Rabbi Yonah Gross (Young Israel of Phoenix), and Rabbi Darren Kleinberg (KiDMa)
 
All sessions:
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Temple Chai
Mollen Social Hall, Aleph
  • $50 fee for all 3 sessions
  • Scholarships available
For information contact Joan Brodsky at jbrodsky@templechai.com or 602-971-1234 ext. 203. Click here for full ad.
 
community
 
Due to the current economic crisis, the Jewish Free Loan has granted a 45% increase in new loans in the past year. The Jewish Free Loan provides interest-free loans to members of the Jewish Community who are at least 18 years of age and residents of Arizona.
 
By "clicking here", a borrower can access an application and view frequently asked questions and answers. In less than a decade, over a million dollars in loans have been provided.  Funds are available for business development, debt consolidation, adoption, education, families in crisis as well as medical and emergency needs.
 
For more information or to speak with one of our client service coordinators call 602-230-7983 
 

Temple Chai is currently seeking an Interim Executive Director

Job Description:
The Executive Director is responsible for sustaining and promoting an environment of leadership, support, knowledge and direction that is required to accomplish the mission, goals and objectives of Temple Chai and all of its operating programs. The Executive Director's job is to manage and oversee financial, building, administrative and security operations of the Temple in an effective and efficient manner consistent with the values of Temple Chai and Reform Judaism. He or she reports to the Board of Trustees through the President and works closely with relevant committees of the Board. As a member of the senior staff, the Executive Director participates in all aspects of Temple life and policy making. For more information please visit: www.templechai.com. 
This Week at Chai
Board of Directors
Religious School Registration
High Holy Days
Adult Hebrew
ECC
Shalom Center Programs
TCTY - Movie Night
Chai Kids - Big Bash
Rabbi Mari 


 
I'd like to share with you the Dvar Torah that I gave last Shabbat.  As we turn toward healing and hope, the staff and I wish you a meaningful High Holy Day season and a Shana Tova, a happy and healthy new year.

For those of you who are new to Temple Chai or have no idea what I'm talking about, I apologize and invite you to return to your Shabbat experience.  I'm going to address the situation in which many of us find ourselves and the hurt that runs through our community.

We have a lot to talk about.

I haven't seen most of you in 6 weeks. I have literally travelled north, south, east and west since I saw you.  I spent three weeks in Israel learning and I can't wait to share new teachings with you.  And many of you have been in and out of town, or started new projects, jobs or schools since we've seen each other. And  meanwhile, back here at home, here in our spiritual home, we find ourselves in a very painful and difficult situation. 

So, yes, we have a lot to talk about. But I want to change our language right now and say that we have a lot to listen about.

There is a phrase that appears several times in our Torah portion - it is a phrase you know well because it is the very core of our tradition-   Shema Yisrael.  Hear, Israel. Israel, listen.  
This is a time to listen and to witness. To bear witness to the fact that everyone's experience of recent days, months and years is valid.  To listen without judging.  To listen without arguing.  To validate, to honor, to listen.
 
Our staff sat together this week.  The feelings in that small room were as diverse as any you can find in this congregation.  And yet, we agreed that we were going to sit and listen to each other.  What we found is that even though we have widely varied perspectives on what brought us to this moment in time and on all of the people and events involved - what we found is that we were able to listen with mutual respect.  And we walked away not knowing where the congregation will go next.  Not knowing any details about the High Holy Days or the rest of the year or how we will solve upcoming challenges.  But we walked out of there knowing for certain that we care deeply about each other.  And knowing for certain that we care deeply about this community. 
 
I do not minimize the gravity of this situation.  We are facing nothing short of a tragedy.  And when an entire community faces tragedy we can, if we want, try to figure out who is to blame.  We can say that someone took too much power for him- or her-self, we can try to root out a person or a group we see as the source of the evil, we can, with an affect of certainty tell everyone how one destructive person brought down a wonderful community.

But it is just not that simple.  Read Gittin (55b-56a) and try to figure out the one factor that led to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.  Was it two old enemies who couldn't set aside their grudges?  Was it a group of rabbinic leaders who were too concerned with politics to stand up against cruelty? Was it hunger for power? Revenge?  Worship of money? The answer of course - is yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.  It was all of those things and more. 
There is a flip side to saying that no single person is responsible.  And that is that we are all responsible.  Every single one of us.  That's why confession in the Jewish tradition is always in the plural.  Forgive us.  Pardon us. We have sinned.  We are all responsible. A community does not become broken without contributions from many, many people.
   
Nor, by the way, does it heal without inner work on everyone's part. I was reminded this week by a friend and teacher of mine that I don't need to spend any more of my time, not another second, worrying about anyone else's personal work, anybody else's spiritual curriculum.   I can only make my own actions more ethical, more honorable, more rooted in Jewish values.  And if you're thinking to yourself, Thank God, she is finally telling those other people what they need to hear, then I'm probably talking to you. 
This is the time of year my friends.  The High Holy Day season began on Saturday night with Tisha B'av.   This is the time for inner scrutiny, to take a serious look at ourselves and work on what isn't right.

And it is the time to fix relationships.  To apologize, to ask for forgiveness, to commit to not making the same mistakes again.  Some of us, I realize, are not ready.  We are too stricken with grief, anger, shock.  If you find yourself in that position, I only ask that you honor your pain.   Live in it for a while because it won't just go away.  Find someone who will, just by listening, bear witness to it. I can only pray, that it eases soon and that your trust, hope and wholeness are restored.

For the rest of us, we have work to do.   A lot of people have asked me to call for an end to the emails that are flying back and forth.   And I agree - I desperately want them to stop.  One reason is that email makes it virtually impossible to Shema Yisrael - to listen.  We can say things over email with no accountability.  We don't see the other person's face. We don't hear their tone.  If we are seeking to deepen listening and understanding we cannot use a medium that invites misunderstanding. 
  
But I'm not calling for silence.  I'm calling for another type of communication entirely - and that is Teshuva. 

And I don't mean back-handed, Teshuva like "I'm sorry that at one time I thought you had something important to say - I'm sorry that I didn't tell you off sooner - I'm sorry you twisted my words around." 

Here is what I mean:

I am sorry - hear me say this - I am so sorry for anything that I have done - to worsen the divisiveness in our community. And I ask for your forgiveness. 
 
If that sounds familiar, if you, like me, can say that, even if you didn't mean to, that there was a time when you made things worse.  If you, like me, maybe even just once said something you shouldn't have said, or enjoyed a story that wasn't yours to hear.  If you, like me, have been quite certain that your perspective is the only truth there is, then I ask you now, I ask all of us to turn inward and to take responsibility.  And, we have to do better next time.  If you can find it in you to do teshuva, I promise, we are listening.
 
This Shabbat is called Shabbat Nachamu.  The prophet Isaiah calls out Nahamu, Nahamu Ami, Yomar Eloheichem.  Comfort, oh, comfort my people, says your God. 
 
We are going to be OK.  I don't know exactly what it will look like and I don't know how we are going to get there. I do know that we have tremendous strength, courage and compassion in this community.  I know that we have a deep love of Torah, Tikkun Olam and Jewish living. I also know that we have done hard things before and we can do it again.   I am here.  I am listening.  The clergy and staff we are here.  We are listening. 
 
Nahamu, Nahamu Ami.

I pray from the bottom of my heart for comfort, hope and healing for us all. 
message 

  

Your Board of Directors will be adding a note to each echai to keep you informed and updated about what we're doing.  We also want you to know that we are here to listen to your ideas and concerns.  To make this easier for you, we have added a new email address at Temple Chai for you to contact us:  Board@templechai.com.  Communication will be an important part of how we proceed.
 
We are very excited that Rabbi Mari Chernow has agreed to be our interim Lead Rabbi.  Combined with our leadership of Rabbi Evon Yakar and Cantor Peter Halpern we have a dynamic and learned team in place that will continue to guide and teach us. 
 
Behind the scenes, we are working on the process to hire an interim senior administrator. High Holy Days preparations are ongoing, including the addition of a completely new sound system in our sanctuary. Bob Leventhal from the Alban Institute will be facilitating discussion meetings on Sunday, Aug. 24th and Monday, Aug. 25th. If you would like to participate in one of these sessions, please call Deb Karel at 602-971-1234 ext. 205. The process to hire a new senior Rabbi will take shape after the conclusion of the Alban process.  In short, we have a lot of work to do and are progressing in a methodical and thoughtful manner.  We welcome your thoughts.

Religious School 
 
 

Religious School Registration for 2008-2009

 
Register now! For additional forms Click here or stop in the school office.  Questions? Call Sherie, Erica or Debbie at 602-971-4832.
 
New Family Orientation
 
Sunday, August 24
3:30 pm
Mollen Social Hall 
 
Back to School Orientation and Ice Cream Social 
PK - 6th grade
 
Sunday, August 24
4:15 pm
Mollen Social Hall
 
Class lists will be available at this time.
Temple Chai Header 
Membership Update and High Holy Days
request  form
 
The holidays are almost here! If you haven't yet sent back the membership update and High Holy Days request form; please do so now.  Deadline is September 5 for Yizkor Book and New Years card.
 
Thanks!
Adult Hebrew 
 
 
 
Adult Hebrew
 
Sundays, during religious school.

Beginning Hebrew 9:30 - 10:45 am - room SCA 911, taught by Gayle Djavadi. Teaches the basics of reading and writing. If interested contact, Gayle at 602-595-2684.

Intermediate Hebrew 10:45 - 12:00 pm - room SCA 911, taught by Gayle Djavadi. Starts where the beginning class ends and teaches the liturgy of the Shabbat Morning Service. Reading fluency and prayer Hebrew is emphasized. If interested, contact Gayle at 602-595-2684.

Conversational Hebrew 11:00 - 12:00 PM taught by Malka Kagan. This class will teach vocabulary, common phrases and basic conversation used in Israel.

There is no charge to members except the cost of any textbooks:  $50 for non-members plus books.

Parent/student classes are also available for 4th grade. Registration for this class is through the religious school office at 602-971-4832.
ECC Header 
 
 
 
Hi Everyone!
 
It was a wonderful week in the Childhood Center.  A full staff, 100 children and happy families ... who could ask for more? We are fortunate to have a new playground (and as soon as it is cool enough we can play on it!) additional afternoon enrichment classes and soon to start Shabbat and Me and Tot and Me classes. It is going to be a great year and we all appreciate the continued support of the Temple staff, the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and all of our fabulous families. Todah rabah!
 
L'Shalom,
 
Debbie and the Staff of the ECC
Ongoing Programs
Shalom Center Events for the week of
August 21 - August 28
 
Tai Chi 
Monday, August 25
1:30 pm
Mollen Social Hall, Aleph
 
Caring for Our Loved Ones
 
Monday, August 25
7:00 pm
Youth Lounge 
 
 
JACS: 
 Meeting for Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons and Significant Others
 

Wednesday, August 27

7:30 pm

Youth Lounge
 
This group meets every Wednesday evening.  It is safe, secure, anonymous and private.
 
 
Contact:

Shalom Center

602-971-1234 ext. 280 

ssilverman@templechai.com

 
Barness Center for Social Justice and Tzedakah
 
High Holy Days Food Drive

Start saving your non-perishable foods and cans for the Annual High Holy Days Food Drive.
  
 
Pennies for Peace 

Our penny drive continues.  Please bring your pennies to the Temple lobby.  More information is available at penniesforpeace.org and threecupsoftea.com.
   
Contact:
Liz Bornstein
602-971-1234 ext. 206
lbornstein@templechai.com
 

TCTY3 

 
 
TCTY Movie Night
 
 
Monday, September 1 
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Youth Lounge
 
Bring your kosher style dinner and we'll provide the snacks! Questions? Contact Erin Purvin at 602-697-2363 or tcty@templechai.com.
 
 
 
 
 
Big Bash at Temple Chai
 
Sunday, September 7
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Mollen Social Hall 
  
Calling all 3rd - 6th grade students and their families!  Join us for a A BIG BASH at TEMPLE CHAI!  Say hi to your advisors and Rabbi Yakar, schmooze a little, laugh a lot and have a blast. Cost: $25 per family.  RSVP by September 4! Questions? Call Joan Brodsky at 602-971-1234 ext. 203 or jbrodsky@templechai.com.
 
Chai Cafe 
 
 
 
"Chai Cafe"
plans to open for the year starting September 7.  Come and enjoy your favorite pastry breakfast in the courtyard and stay around for lunch with a delicious kosher hot dog or tasty grilled chicken sandwich.  All proceeds support the religious school programs.  We're always looking for additional help on Sunday mornings.  Please stop by and see Bruce Selin or Frank Blake to offer your time.
 
Mention this ad on the 7th and receive a free soda or coffee with the purchase of a bagel or lunch item. 
Board of Directors 
 
Alan Spalter, President                                      
Ginny Keller, VP Community                       
Julie Serbin, VP at Large                                                                
Brad Weintraub, VP Education                  Deborah Mislove              
Alan Appelman                                            Michael Neer 
Beth Crandell                                                Jonathan Ruzi 
Ginette Daniels                                             Barbara Shapiro
Malcolm Loeb                                               Randi Sherman 
Marilyn Starrett, Past President                 Joan Zecherle              
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