The Value of Community
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The Value of Community M ost of us first learned about a strange new Community gives us strength, love, and support to handle virus back in February 2020. Of course, no one these times. There’s a hunger for Jews to be together and knew how far reaching it would become, and to be part of a sacred Congregational Community, a just how much our lives would be affected, community that creates meaning and joy. turned upside down in fact. By March it had As you continue to support and nurture this Community by become a major pandemic, COVID- 19. We renewing your membership and with your ongoing were thrust in to changing our daily routines and work financial support, please know we value you as our Temple habits. We had to rethink our travel, shopping, education Solel family. Your additional generosity and personal protocols, as well as all of our social interactions. Initially support is very much appreciated. We rely on your there were no guidelines, and of course, no rule books to support, enabling us to remain the strong Community you follow. The world was forced to adjust. can turn to for your connections, friendships, celebrations Fast forward to the present. We at Temple Solel, sprung in and comfort. We need your partnership more now than to action, bonded together, and along with continued ever. This support is vital to our future and will further numerous Zoom and phone meetings, faced the ever sustain us as a Community. Thank you for committing to us changing challenges head on! As a result of the as we work through these challenges together. We know professionalism and commitment by our Clergy, Staff and we can count on you! Lay Leadership, our regular programming and Just as you continue to commit to us, we will continue communications have continued, almost seamlessly. A big committing to navigating new ways of bringing creative thank you goes out to everyone involved in making that and innovative opportunities that create a sense of happen. We remain sensitive to the needs of our belonging, a belonging to the Temple Solel Community. congregation, and are focused on making sure we are taking care of you, our congregants, and our spiritual On behalf of our Clergy, Temple Staff, and the Board of family. This is what your Community does. We take care of Trustees, we thank you for your continued support. These one another. We will continue to work hard to ensure we challenges will bring us together even more and provide the opportunities that nourish your spiritual and strengthen our bonds. religious needs. We will continue to check in with you, deliver meals, and offer various help needed, in as many Our High Holidays will look different this year. Our Clergy ways possible. and Staff are working extra hard planning very special experiences for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. You will We’ve all had to learn new ways of communicating with see new and creative ways to celebrate within our homes. each other. We’re in new territory. I’m excited to say our Please watch for additional communications as details congregational support for these adjusted virtual moves unfold. I look forward to sharing the High Holidays with all has been phenomenal. We thank you for your continued of you. support as we weather these uncertain times together. We have a lot to be thankful for. We have each other and From the Feldberg Family to your Family, Shana Tova u’ a solid Community that will continue to lift and comfort Metukah. each other. Best wishes for a sweet New Year of Blessing, Health and Being connected to a greater cause, something bigger than Peace. ourselves, can help us with the many challenges we Doreen Feldberg sometimes find ourselves facing. Being connected to Temple Solel President THE MISSION OF TEMPLE SOLEL IS TO BE A VIBRANT, INCLUSIVE AND ENGAGED REFORM COMMUNITY, GROUNDED IN RELATIONSHIPS AND DEEDS, AND ELEVATED BY SHABBAT AND TORAH. 2 September 2020 / Elul 5780 - Tishri 5781 The “Go To” List at Temple Solel Call Temple Solel at 480.991.7414 and refer to extensions below. Birthdays/Anniversary Information ........... Joan Giannini .................... [email protected] ............... ext. 127 Building Rental/Facilities............................ Jacquelyn Null ................... [email protected] ...................... ext. 128 K’hilot ......................................................... Jacquelyn Null ................... [email protected] ...................... ext. 128 Committee Participation ............................ Jacquelyn Null ................... [email protected] ...................... ext. 128 Donations ................................................... Joan Giannini .................... [email protected] ............... ext. 127 Dues Adjustments ...................................... Peter Pishko ...................... [email protected] ................ ext. 124 Dues Payments/ Billing Issues .................... Joan Giannini .................... [email protected] ............... ext. 127 Illness/Caring Community .......................... Jelena Santiago ................. [email protected] .............. ext. 126 Meeting Scheduling/Calendar ................... Jacquelyn Null ................... [email protected] ...................... ext. 128 Membership ............................................... Peter Pishko ...................... [email protected] ................ ext. 124 Pathfinder Questions ................................. Peter Pishko ...................... [email protected] ................ ext. 124 The Solel Preschool .................................... Mary Ann Bloom ............... [email protected] ............. ext. 163 Rabbinic Scheduling ................................... Jelena Santiago ................. [email protected] .............. ext. 126 Raker Religious School ............................... Tobee Waxenberg ............ [email protected] ......... ext. 123 Volunteers .................................................. Jacquelyn Null ................... [email protected] ...................... ext. 128 Yahrzeit Information .................................. Jelena Santiago ................. [email protected] .............. ext. 126 KOL HAKAVOD/MAZEL TOV WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Avery Crossman, temple member and President of the Board Allan and Barbara Friedman at Home Fur Good, a no-kill animal shelter in North Phoenix. Avery Helene Weitzenkorn was recently featured in the June/July issue of the Phoenix magazine as a “Do-Gooder” for her work in animal advocacy. September 2020 / Elul 5780 - Tishri 5781 3 Temple Solel Journey through the High Holy Days 2020 - 5781 Elul, Selichot, Rosh Hashanah, Ten Days of Repentance, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, & Simchat Torah Dear Temple Solel Family, In the pages to follow are Temple Solel’s Journey through the High Holy Days, 2020-5781. As our biblical ancestors conceived in Torah, and the rabbis elaborated, there is more to the High Holy Days than Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The full arc of the High Holy Days stretches from Elul through Simchat Torah. While New Year’s and the Day of Atonement are our primary destination, the steps that lead to the destination and our focus after we leave, are equally important. Allow that full arc to strengthen the divine spark in your soul and to sustain you on the holy journey ahead. Elul: The month of Elul is filled with pearls. We will receive daily offerings reinforced by four weekly themes, summoned by the call of the shofar. Tuesday’s Meditation will direct our breath around those themes of God, Love, Understanding, and Listening. Wednesday’s Lunch & Learn, taught by master teacher and Israeli tour educator Uri Feinberg, will invite us to reflect as Americans through the lens of the State of Israel. Each Friday, our clergy team will offer a Shabbat video message in words and music. And on September 12 Rabbi Stiel will lead a special Selichot program, followed by a comforting Selichot service inviting us to seek and extend forgiveness. Tzedakah: As we think of others by offering tzedakah before entering the sanctuary, so do we approach the holidays by giving to the most vulnerable in our community with our High Holy Days Food Drive. Giving to others enriches ourselves. Services: We have engaged a professional production company to enhance the congregation’s virtual experience for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. To ensure security, everyone must register for access to services. Multiple camera angles and enhanced sound will bring you closer to the live clergy and musicians. You can follow the written prayers on a split screen. Recordings made through the summer will allow you to hear and see the choir, aliya honors, and special readings. Other than Yom Kippur afternoon no service will be longer than 75 minutes. Contemplation and Mingling: Between services you may enjoy thoughtfully created transitions: community holiday greetings, Israel video tour with Uri Feinberg, Israel photographs and music, and stunning nature footage from world-renowned cinematographer Louis Schwartzenberg, accompanied by Cantorial Soloist Todd Herzog. On Rosh Hashanah afternoon and at the conclusion of Yom Kippur everyone can enjoy a “virtual mingle” with clergy, staff, and fellow congregants. Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is Aseret Yemei Teshuvah—the Ten Days of Repentance. Rabbi Steven Bob will lead a special Lunch & Learn entitled “The Book of Jonah and the Meaning of Yom Kippur.” Sukkot and Simchat Torah: The holidays