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Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley celebrates Shabbat every Friday night with a joyous service at about 7 p.m. to about 8:15 p.m., led by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan and Cantor Baruch Koritan, followed by a Oneg. Most prayers are in English so a worshiper with minimal Hebrew can participate actively. Friday Night Shabbat Services Watch Friday April 18th Shabbat Service Watch previous Friday Evening Shabbat services on Temple Beth Shalom's YouTube channel. Join us via Zoom or sign up to attend services at the Temple by calling 623.977.3240. We celebrate Shabbat every Friday night with a joyous service at about 7 p.m. which runs to about 8:15 p.m., followed by an Oneg. Our Shabbat services are led by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan and Cantor Baruch Koritan. Most of the prayers we read are in English so a worshiper with minimal Hebrew should be able to participate actively. Many of the prayers that are sung are in Hebrew and our prayer book provides transliterations of 100% of them. The services are snappy and upbeat. We want to pray to God with reverence and sincerity but we also want to mix in a little bit of levity and humor. We read the Torah every Friday night. Sometimes the rabbi reads a short excerpt and simultaneously translates it into English, while at other times he attempts to chant and summarizes the biblical story after finishing. We have a Torah processional preceding the reading and the rabbi likes to give one of our two smaller Torahs to children to carry around the sanctuary. The rabbi speaks extemporaneously from notes rather than reading from a prepared text. He likes to come down from the bimah to better communicate and interact with all of us in the pews. Sometimes he engages us extensively in discussion and other times he delivers remarks stressing a particular point about Judaism and connecting it to the contemporary world. We sing Debbie Friedman’s Misheberach song every Friday night as part of our regular prayers for healing. Some of us may believe God can heal us and others may believe that marshaling the combined spiritual power of many people can create miracles. Either way, we want to focus our thoughts and bring forth our emotions in a determined effort to bring healing and wholeness to our friends and family, our community and nation, and ourselves as well.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's weekly Friday Shabbat service using the Reform Mishkan T’filah prayer book is led by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan and Cantor Baruch Koritan. One Saturday morning a month, a small group meet for an informal participatory Shabbat service lead by Rabbi Kaplan. Prayer Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's weekly Friday Shabbat service using the Reform Mishkan T’filah prayer book provides our worshipers with an opportunity to set aside sacred time for engaging with God through prayer and reflection – spoken and sung – and the reading of the Torah. Led by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan and Cantor Baruch Koritan, our members are afforded the opportunity to participate in the service through reading prayers, blessing the lighting of the Shabbat candles, reciting the blessings before and after the reading of the Torah, or carrying the Torah during the Torah service. Services begin at 7 p.m. throughout the year. One Saturday morning a month, a small group meets at a member’s home for an informal participatory Shabbat service lead by Rabbi Kaplan. A guitarist sometimes accompanies Rabbi Kaplan during services. The service includes an abbreviated Shabbat liturgy, readings, and singing, followed by a potluck brunch and socializing. Watch April 18th Shabbat Service

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12201 N. 101st Ave. in Sun City, Arizona is a caring Jewish Reform Synagogue led by Rabbi Dana Kaplan. We connect to people in a meaningful, generous and mature manner with as much warmth and kindness as possible. Welcome to Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Come as you are. Discover who you are. We are a caring and compassionate Reform Jewish congregation. We connect to people in a meaningful, generous and mature manner with as much warmth and kindness as possible. We serve the entire West Valley, including all the Sun Cities, Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Peoria, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Surprise, Tolleson, Tonopah, Youngtown and Waddell. Watch Friday April 18th Shabbat Service on YouTube Register for Holocaust Remembrance Day Program on April 24 Register for May course about resilence Learn about Shabbat rituals in May course See how you can help with our Community campaigns Stand in Solidarity with Israel: How you can help PRAY WITH US Join us for Friday evening Shabbat services and monthly Saturday morning services. Read More EVENTS Come celebrate Jewish holidays with us and join the fun with special events like hoedowns. Read More EDUCATION Learn with us through our adult education, religious school and scholar-in-residence programs. Read More About Become a Member Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley invites EVERYONE — Individuals, couples, and families — to be a part of our congregation. Fill Out TBS New Member Application Learn More Donations Through our portal, you can make a donation in honor of a Yahrzeit, an anniversary, birthday or another special occasion. Your support is greatly appreciated. Donate Now

On one Saturday morning of every month, a small group gathers for prayer, conversation, and good food. Sometimes we have a guitar player who leads the service with Rabbi Kaplan and we read together and sing enthusiastically. After about an hour, we make kiddush and we enjoy a potluck brunch. Saturday Morning Shabbat Service Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley has monthly informal Saturday Morning Shabbat service and discussion at 10:30 a.m. It is followed by a potluck Kiddush brunch. For more information, visit tbsaz.org.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's Chanukah celebrations go on for several nights at the Temple and into the communities. Our special events celebrating Jewish culture like the Klezmer Band Jewish Folk Music concert draw visitors from all over the Phoenix area. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Has Something for Everyone! Come join in the fun! Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's Chanukah celebrations go on for several nights at the Temple and into the communities. Our special events like the Klezmer Band Jewish Folk Music concert draw visitors and annual Golf Classic from all over the Phoenix area. These are a few examples of the Temple's joyous events. April 24: Holocaust Remembrance Day at TBS May 5, 12 and 19: Resilence: Passionate Power of Perseverance course May 8, 15 and 22: Shabbat Soul: Shabbat Rituals and their Meaning course For everyone’s safety, PLEASE, no backpacks or purses will be allowed at events at Temple Beth Shalom. You can utilize a clear purse or clear plastic bag. Otherwise, please leave your items in your car. There will be a security guard onsite. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) program will be from 3-4:30 p.m. April 24. Reservations are required. Fill out this form on tbsaz.org or call the Temple office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 623.977.3240. MORE DETAILS Sign up for the three-part course, "Resilence: Passionate Power of Perseverance" offered May 5, 12 and 19. MORE DETAILS Register for "Shabbat Soul: Shabbat Rituals and their Meaning" course offered May 1, 8 and 15. MORE DETAILS

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's service guide provides access to the music and teachings of our service. Our prayer book, Mishkan T’filah, can also be accessed by clicking the button on the web page. Shabbat Soul Temple Beth Shalom offers interfaith course about Shabbat rituals In a three-part course, Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan will cover mystical, philosophical and legal interpretations behind Sabbath practices and prayers. Persons of all faiths are invited to attend this popular interfaith series, which will be from 10-11:30 a.m. May 1, 8 and 15 at the Temple, 12202 N. 101st Ave. in Sun City. “Jews gather together every Friday night or Saturday morning to perform certain rituals and to pray and sing in honor of the Sabbath. We have heard that we receive an extra soul at the beginning of the Sabbath and return it to God after the Sabbath ends,” Kaplan said. “We sing about accompanying the Shabbat bride. And we know that the mystics went out into the fields of Sefat in order to welcome her. We see women cover their eyes and make circular hand motions before blessing the Shabbat candles.” Cost: $20 for TBS members and $35 for non-members.To register, call the Temple office at 623.977.3240 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday –Thursday. Deadline for registration and payment of course fee is noon April 29.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's service guide provides access to the music and teachings of our service. Our prayer book, Mishkan T’filah, can also be accessed by clicking the button on the web page. Shabbat Soul Temple Beth Shalom offers interfaith course about Shabbat rituals In a three-part course, Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan will cover mystical, philosophical and legal interpretations behind Sabbath practices and prayers. Persons of all faiths are invited to attend this popular interfaith series, which will be from 10-11:30 a.m. May 1, 8 and 15 at the Temple, 12202 N. 101st Ave. in Sun City. “Jews gather together every Friday night or Saturday morning to perform certain rituals and to pray and sing in honor of the Sabbath. We have heard that we receive an extra soul at the beginning of the Sabbath and return it to God after the Sabbath ends,” Kaplan said. “We sing about accompanying the Shabbat bride. And we know that the mystics went out into the fields of Sefat in order to welcome her. We see women cover their eyes and make circular hand motions before blessing the Shabbat candles.” Cost: $20 for TBS members and $35 for non-members.To register, call the Temple office at 623.977.3240 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday –Thursday. Deadline for registration and payment of course fee is noon April 29.

At Temple Beth Shalom, we celebrate Jewish religious holidays like Passover with meaningful rituals. We also commemorate national holidays like Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Thanksgiving. On Christmas Eve, we sometimes go out to a Chinese restaurant in Jewish fashion. Yom HaShoah Program April 24, 2025 Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) program will be from 3-4:30 p.m. April 24 at the Temple, 12202 N. 101st Ave. in Sun City. Members of the public are invited to attend this solemn program. Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, is observed as Israel's day of commemoration of the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust by Nazi Germany and its collaborators, and for the Jewish resistance in that period. Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan will lead the program and Cantor Baruch Koritan will sing. Featured speaker will be Nancy Urbach, whose grandfather went to Germany and rescued 200 relatives and friends from the Nazis. In addition, four members of the TBS congregation whose parents were Holocaust survivors will speak briefly. West Valley ministers and rabbis also will offer prayers and statements. Reservations are required. Fill out this form on tbsaz.org or call the Temple office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 623.977.3240. For security reasons, purses and backpacks will not be allowed. Participants can bring a clear bag with their items. Donations will be accepted after the program. All donations will be used to support the Temple's educational programs addressing antisemitism.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's service guide provides access to the music and teachings of our service. Our prayer book, Mishkan T’filah, can also be accessed by clicking the button on the web page. Resilence: Passionate Power of Perseverance Temple Beth Shalom offers interfaith course in resilience Exploring the role resilience plays from childhood through adulthood is the focus of an interfaith course presented by Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley in May. The course will be from 10-11:30 a.m. May 5, 12 and 19 at the Temple, 12202 N. 101st Ave. in Sun City. Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan, who will lead the course, said: “As we age, we face daunting challenges. We may not be facing an army shooting at us with high-powered rifles, but we face emotional as well as physical difficulties that can frighten and bewilder us. What can help us to deal with our new reality is strengths that develop internally as well as externally.” Persons of all faiths are invited to attend this popular interfaith series, which will discuss how to become more resilient, deal better with adverse circumstances and benefit more from the inevitable ups and downs of life. “It’s more than toughness because toughness can imply just developing a tough exterior that may help us to cope in the moment but we’ll leave us emotionally vulnerable to post traumatic stress afterwards. True resilience is both the capacity to weather the storm but also the emotional depth to deal with the feelings that come with facing adversarial conditions,” he said. Cost is $20 for TBS members and $35 for non-members. To register, call the Temple office at 623.977.3240 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday –Thursday. Deadline for registration and payment of course fee is noon April 30.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's service guide provides access to the music and teachings of our service. Our prayer book, Mishkan T’filah, can also be accessed by clicking the button on the web page. Resilence: Passionate Power of Perseverance Temple Beth Shalom offers interfaith course in resilience Exploring the role resilience plays from childhood through adulthood is the focus of an interfaith course presented by Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley in May. The course will be from 10-11:30 a.m. May 5, 12 and 19 at the Temple, 12202 N. 101st Ave. in Sun City. Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan, who will lead the course, said: “As we age, we face daunting challenges. We may not be facing an army shooting at us with high-powered rifles, but we face emotional as well as physical difficulties that can frighten and bewilder us. What can help us to deal with our new reality is strengths that develop internally as well as externally.” Persons of all faiths are invited to attend this popular interfaith series, which will discuss how to become more resilient, deal better with adverse circumstances and benefit more from the inevitable ups and downs of life. “It’s more than toughness because toughness can imply just developing a tough exterior that may help us to cope in the moment but we’ll leave us emotionally vulnerable to post traumatic stress afterwards. True resilience is both the capacity to weather the storm but also the emotional depth to deal with the feelings that come with facing adversarial conditions,” he said. Cost is $20 for TBS members and $35 for non-members. To register, call the Temple office at 623.977.3240 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday –Thursday. Deadline for registration and payment of course fee is noon April 30.

The Shofar is Temple Beth Shalom' of the West Valley's monthly newsletter detailing important information on Temple events. Shofar Monthly Newsletters The Shofar is our monthly newsletter detailing important information on Temple events. Check out TBS happenings. Read archived Shofar issues . Feb. 2025 March 2025 April 2025

The Shofar is Temple Beth Shalom' of the West Valley's monthly newsletter detailing important information on Temple events. Archived Shofar Monthly Newsletters Here are archived issues of Shofar, Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's monthly newsletter. 2025 April 2025 March 2025 Feb. 2025 Jan. 2025 2024 Dec. 2024 Nov. 2024 Oct. 2024 Sept. 2024 Aug. 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 J anuary 2024 2023 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 2022 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022