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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.

Helene Fox is synagogue administrator for Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, a Reform Jewish congregation that provides compassionate services to Jews in Glendale, Peoria, Sun Cities, Goodyear, Buckeye, Tolleson, Litchfield Park, Surprise, El Mirage, Avondale and Waddell. Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Staff Patti Weiner Patti Weiner is the Temple’s Office Administrator. She is a professional with extensive working knowledge of administration, human resources, marketing and accounting fields. Patti spent a majority of her life in Chicago but relocated to Arizona six years ago to be closer to family. Her husband, Jeff, and their daughter, Amanda, live in Peoria, and they love the warmer temperatures and sunshine all year-round. Patti is thrilled to be a part of the Temple family and looks forward to meeting everyone.

Since 1968, Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley has been a Reform congregation, committed to promoting Jewish values. We offer a flexible approach to nurturing the spiritual, educational, and social needs of a diverse community, and are committed to social justice, mitzvot and Tikkun Olam . About Us The mission of Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley is to fulfill and nurture the spiritual, social and educational needs of our diverse Jewish community. Since 1968, Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley has been a Reform congregation, committed to promoting Jewish values. We offer a flexible approach to nurturing the spiritual, educational, and social needs of a diverse community, and are committed to social justice, mitzvot and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). Congregation Beth Shalom, predecessor to our Temple, started in 1968 with a handful of Sun City residents looking for a spiritual home. Dr. Aaron Papermaster, a dentist from North Dakota, led the effort. In 1969, the congregation began meeting at the Fairway Center in Sun City and moved to the Sun Dial Center in 1975. The congregation began with a student rabbi, Bernard Beliak in 1970-71, and then Fred Greenspahn in 1971-72. In 1972, Rabbi Albert Michels became the first permanent rabbi of the congregation and was officially installed in 1972 with local church and religious dignitaries participating in the ceremony. The first Beth Shalom Bulletin appeared in 1971, followed by the Beth Shalom Newsletter in 1973. Dr. Aaron Papermaster and his wife presented the first Torah to the congregation. In 1976, land was purchased at the site of the present Temple and the ground breaking ceremony was held January, 1977. As the congregation grew, there were additions to the Temple building. The Social Hall was added in 1983, the auditorium and adjacent rooms, the porte cochere, as well as the choir area were added in 1989, and the office addition was added in 1998. A religious school was formed in 2009 and continues for students K-8, including bar/bat mitzvah training. The rabbis who served Temple Beth Shalom following Rabbi Michels were Rabbi Bernard Kligfeld from 1982 to 1997 and Rabbi Arthur Abrams from 1997 to 2005. Rabbi Sheldon Moss served from 2005 to 2019. Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan has served Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley since 2019. Cantor Baruch Koritan has served at the Temple since 1992. Temple Beth Shalom is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan tbsazrabbi@gmail.com Cantor Baruch Koritan baruchkoritan@gmail.com

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 . May 2026 June 2026 July 2026

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley offers many educational opportunities for all ages, including adult education, Torah study, Bar and Bat Mitzvah, Confirmation, Religious School and Scholars-in-Residence. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley offers many educational opportunities for all ages, including: Adult Education : We offer a variety of educational opportunities, such as a series about Judaism and humor. Torah Studies : During weekly Torah study sessions on Zoom, participants have a lively study of the weekly portion of the Torah. Religious School: We have a very small school which allows us to provide individual attention. Bar or Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation : We have a multi-year program for children to learn about Judaism, our prayers and basic Hebrew. Scholar-in Residence : Our Scholar-in-Residence have included Rabbi David Frankel from the Schechter Institute in Jerusalem. Jewish education is the teaching and transmission of the knowledge, ideas, practices, and character traits of the Jewish religion and has been valued since the birth of Judaism. In the Hebrew Bible, Abraham is lauded for instructing his offspring in God's ways. The act of study can serve as a transformative experience for us, changing the ways that we understand and interact with the world. On the third day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt, God descended in a cloud upon Mount Sinai in view of the entire Children of Israel. According to The Book of Exodus chapter 19, God began speaking directly to the people, uttering the first two of the Ten Commandments. This marked the beginning of God’s giving of the Torah to the Jewish people. The word “Torah” means the Five Books of Moses but in a broader sense it symbolizes all of the efforts of Jewish education. Torah is a framework and tradition that helps us make sense of our lives and build our own individual system of faith that can make our lives laden with spiritual significance. But for any of this to make sense and therefore provide personal as well as communal meaning, we need to study it in order to understand Torah and then be able to integrate it into our lives and absorb it into our very essence — our souls. Education

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley is a Reform Jewish congregation serving the West Valley, all the Sun Cities, and Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Surprise and Tolleson, Tonopah, Waddell and Youngtown. Everyone is invited to join our congregation. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley in the News Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley and Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan are featured regularly in the news media. Here are examples of the coverage: Sun City Independent (11.14.25) Sun City temple slates interfaith course Sun City Independent (10.31.25) How to protect against scams Sun City Independent (10.23.25) Sun City Temple hosts interfaith Thanksgiving service Sun City Independent (10.10.25) Sun City temple slates archaeological journey through the Middle East Sun City Independent (9.17.25) Sun City Temple to offer three-part course on antisemitism Sun City Independent (9.12.25) Temple Beth Shaloms costs "Kindness, Courage and Joy" course Jewish News (9.4.25) Valley rabbis share High Holy Day messages Sun City Independent (8.26.25) Area Temple invites non-members to High Holy Days services Sun City Independent (8.22.25) Sun City Temple slates Sundae Funday Open House Sun City Independent (8.5.25) Temple Beth Shalom course teaches how to forgive and let go Sun City Independent (7.29.25) Temple Beth Shalom presents High Holy Day course Sun City Independent (4.29.25) Sun City Temple commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day Sun City Independent (4.12.25) Sun City temple offers interfaith courses in May

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley has a very small religious school, which allows us to provide individual attention. Our team of volunteer teachers from our community work with students under the guidance of the rabbi. Families of our religious school students are involved in the temple. Religious School Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Religious School registration is now open Registration is open for Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley’s Religious School. Temple Beth Shalom reopened its religious school in 2023, as part of the congregation’s wish to create a multi-generational community. Students from the entire West Valley are welcome to join. There is no charge for kindergarten students. Temple Beth Shalom’s “Little Jewish Schoolhouse in the West Valley” provides both individualized and personalized instruction. There will be three grade levels: K-2, 3-6 and B’Nai Mitzvah through Confirmation held at the Temple. “We want to help each student to feel emotions related to the biblical stories and ritual acts they are learning about. Our educational experience is not just about learning facts but is centered on what those facts can and do mean for us as human beings,” said Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan. Volunteer teachers work with students under Rabbi Kaplan’s guidance. Parents will be encouraged to participate in learning with Rabbi Kaplan about the subject of the day at the same time the students are in class, creating an opportunity for family interactions regarding the material. “We provide an engaging and inspirational learning environment for our students,” said Sandra Sas, Religious School director. Families of religious school students are actively involved in the religious and social life of the Temple, including attending services on Friday nights. “Our Temple is committed to providing a warm and caring environment for all students to explore their spirituality. We hope to inspire each student to develop a love of Jewish learning and provide the opportunity for them to participate actively in Jewish ritual and holiday observances. Our curriculum also includes Jewish prayers, Hebrew, the Bible and contemporary Jewish life,”Rabbi Kaplan added. For further information, please contact the TBS office at 623.977.3240 or templebethshalomaz@gmail.com , or go to tbsaz.org .

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley is a Reform Jewish congregation serving the West Valley, all the Sun Cities, and Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Surprise and Tolleson, Tonopah, Waddell and Youngtown. Everyone is invited to join our congregation. Stand in Solidarity with Israel How You Can Help Israel Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley is taking donations in support of Israel. Please make checks payable to Temple Beth Shalom. You can drop off your donation or mail it to Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351. Your donation is tax-deductible and 100% of your donation will be sent to the Magen David Adom Emergency Medical Fund. Religious leaders lead interfaith service to show solidarity with Israel Rabbis, pastors, ministers, priests and preachers joined Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan and Cantor Baruch Koritan in leading an interfaith service with about 200 congregants to show solidarity with Israel on Oct. 7, 2024. At Temple Beth Shalom, they prayed and sang in unity with congregants in memory of those murdered on Oct. 7, 2023, and prayed for Israel and her people, the safe return of the hostages, safety of the Israel Defense Forces, healing of those innocent Israelis and tourists wounded in body and soul, and the comfort of grieving loved ones. Rabbi Kaplan shared his experiences during this past summer having visited several of the sites of massacres of innocent civilians that had taken place in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. “Our Temple felt it was important to bring together congregations from as many different backgrounds as possible in solidarity with Israel. On the first anniversary of the terrible atrocities committed by Hamas and other groups and individuals from Gaza, it was gratifying to see and feel how so many people in the West Valley want to share their support for the State of Israel and the local Jewish community. I think it is important to bring together people of different faiths to support the right of Jewish people to live in our ancestral homeland without fear of being butchered in our homes or blown up by missiles,” Rabbi Kaplan said. Clergy from neighboring communities shared prayers and statements, including First Presbyterian Church in Sun City, Living Word Pentecostal Church in Sun City, First Presbyterian Church in Peoria, Saint Haven Ministry in Surprise, Shepherd of the Desert Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sun City, Grace Bible Church in Sun City, First Baptist Church in Sun City West, St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Goodyear, Embassy Church, Faith Presbyterian Church in Sun City, Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Soka Gakkai International Nichiren Buddhist Community in Phoenix, and Avista Hospice and at the Palazzo Senior Living Center.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's Caring Committee team is personal, physical, spiritual and loving. We specialize in building connections with our congregants and their immediate family members during times of health crisis. We are available to all at-risk congregants at any time. Caring Committee Dr. Jack Pearlman and Phyllis Jacobs started our Caring Committee over 20 years ago. The Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Caring Committee specializes in building connections with our congregants and their immediate family members during times of health crisis and beyond. Our congregants live in Arizona while most of our family members are scattered around the world. We do not wish any member to feel alone or afraid during any time of stress. Our professional Caring Committee Team is personal, physical, spiritual and loving. We have been dedicated for many, many years to our congregation. We reach out via telephone calls, visits and prayers. We are available to all at-risk congregants at any time of the day or night. Our Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan is also on OUR team. Prayers have marvelous healing powers. The close contact and gentle embraces we provide will help on your road to recovery.

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. Service Guide Our service guide provides constant access to the music and teachings of our service. Our prayer book, Mishkan T’filah, can also be accessed by clicking the button. Follow the entire service or select individual parts of service by clicking on the links. View Our Shabbat Prayer Book Here Watch a Recent Shabbat Service

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's Bar and Bat Mitzvah program for children is a multi-year program based on a commitment by parents and the child to engage in worship and study resulting in a public demonstration of what the child has learned about Judaism, our prayers, and basic Hebrew. Bar/Bat Mitzvah Confirmation About While providing a course of study for a child to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah after age 13 is a basic religious education program at TBS, like many other Reform congregations we also recognize that many of our adult members never had the opportunity to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah as a child. Our program for children is a multi-year program based on a commitment by the parents and the child to engage in worship and study that results in a public demonstration to the congregation of what the child has learned about Judaism, our prayers, and basic Hebrew in order to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. However, the commitment does not end there: it extends for another two years of a different type of learning in order to prepare the youth for Confirmation. The adult B'nai Mitzvah program is a one-year program of concentrated study similar to that of the children, but with different texts and individual study. This one-year program culminates with a service at which time each adult who completes the program becomes a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

The Temple Shalom of the West Valley Brotherhood's mission is to promote fellowship and service to the Temple, including fundraisers and social events such as the monthly potlucks, a speakers series, Golf Tournament, and Mother's Day Brunch. Members are caring and compassionate Jews. TBS Brotherhood The Temple Shalom of the West Valley Brotherhood was established in 1979 with 42 members starting out with the first meeting. Our Brotherhood's mission is to promote fellowship and service to the Temple. Toward that goal, the Brotherhood sponsors fundraisers and social events such as various entertainment functions, Mother's Day celebration and monthly potlucks before Shabbat services. With the Sisterhood, we contribute funds and provide many unseen activities that foster a smooth Temple operation. Our "Movers and Shakers" do the annual Succah erection and all chair moving needed for the holidays. We are proud to serve the Temple.