Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley hosts scholars-in-residence, including Rabbi David Frankel from the Schechter Institute in Jerusalem and Helen Schwartz, who has lectured and written about stolen French art by the Nazis during World War II. Scholar-In-Residence Professor Rabbi David Frankel from the Schechter Institute in Jerusalem was Temple Beth Shalom's Scholar-in-Residence in November 2022. He spoke about "How Can We Cope with Evil and Suffering?" He is an internationally known scholar, and teaches M.A. and rabbinical students at the Schechter Institute. He is the author of "The Murmuring Stories of the Priestly School" and "Land of Canaan and the Destiny of Israel." Helen Schwartz , who has lectured and written about stolen French art by the Nazis during World War II, spoke at Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley in April 2023. Helen, a retired Indiana University English professor, has written several books, including her historical thriller, “Thieves of Paris.” She has lectured at universities, community centers, synagogues and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley offers something for everyone, including the weekly study of Torah with Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan, a four-week class on Kabbalah, or an interfaith study open to Jewish and non-Jewish members of the West Valley, or a Scholar-in-residence speaker on the Holocaust. Adult Education Lifelong learning is a cornerstone of Reform Judaism. At Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, we provide a variety of opportunities to assist our members in finding educational offerings that meet the varying needs of our members. Whether it be the weekly study of Torah with Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan, a four-week class on Kabbalah, a participative program to enable learners to identify the meaning of God on a personal level, or an interfaith study of “Rabbi Jesus” open to Jewish and non-Jewish members of the West Valley, or a scholar-in-residence who spoke on the theft of art from the Jews of France during the Holocaust, we offer something for everyone. The Adult Education Committee and Rabbi Kaplan develop course offerings For most months, there will be two courses on Monday mornings and Thursday afternoons, and there will be a few "extras" added here and there. We will also be introducing a new weekly study group for the serious learner which will focus on God. All our courses are open to TBS members and non-members, whether the non-member is Jewish or a member of another religion.

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 reopened its religious school in 2023, as part of the congregation's wish to create a multi-generational community. We welcome students from the entire West Valley. Kindergarten is free! Our small school allows us to provide individual attention. We have a team of volunteer teachers from our community who work with students under the guidance of the rabbi. Families of our 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 aspire 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. Learning is both individualized and personalized. We also 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. We also engage them with a series of values based on Professor Martin Seligman’s positive psychology. Temple Beth Shalom offers study opportunities leading to confirmation at a minimum age of 15, and bar and bat mitzvah at a minimum age of 13. As part of the confirmation process, the older kids will study advanced material dealing with various themes across Jewish studies. We're trying to build a distinctly Reform approach to Judaism that emphasizes personal religious autonomy while at the same time emphasizing the vibrancy and seriousness of religious commitment. With the limited hours available, American religious schools cannot teach students as much as they would really need to become highly educated Jews. What we do hope to do is to inspire them to want to continue their education into their college years and far beyond. Please contact the TBS office at 623.977.3240 for further information.

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 View live streaming of Friday Night Shabbat services and past services on Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's YouTube channel 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. We have monthly informal Saturday Morning Shabbat service with music at 10:30 a.m. It is followed by a potluck Kiddush brunch. For more information, visit tbsaz.org or call 623.977.3240.

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.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's Edith Mattal Library has a significant collection of non-fiction Judaica and quite a lot of fiction by Jewish authors or with Jewish themes. The library is open when the office is open, or when there are other open meetings or services. Edith Mattal Library The TBS library has a significant collection of non-fiction Judaica and quite a lot of fiction by Jewish authors or with Jewish themes. The Mattal Trust Fund purchased a group of 2021 and 2022 National Jewish Book Award (NJBA) winners for the library at Temple Beth Shalom. The library is open when the office is open, or when there are other open meetings or services. Come in to browse the shelves and take home a book or three to read.

Become a Member Fill Out TBS New Member Application We invite EVERYONE – Individuals, couples, and families – to be a part of our congregation. At Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, we celebrate Shabbat together, study Torah together, volunteer for social action projects together, and connect to Israel through food, wine, and folklore. We are a Reform Jewish congregation serving the entire West Valley, all the Sun Cities, and Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Surprise and Tolleson, Tonopah, Waddell and Youngtown. Whether you are single or partnered, were born Jewish, are a Jew-by-Choice, in an interfaith family or are thinking about or interested in Judaism … there is a place for you to join our temple family. Worship with our rabbi and our cantor as we celebrate Shabbat with inspiring Friday night services at 7 p.m. Following services, we flock to the social hall for an Oneg. Join us for our monthly Saturday morning informal Shabbat with guitar service and a potluck brunch in a member’s home. With great joy we celebrate the holidays of the Jewish calendar from Sukkot to Chanukah and Purim to Passover. Come and visit … and stay! We’d love to hear from you! There’s a place here that only you can fill. Join Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan and Temple volunteers for the weekly Torah Study on Zoom. Contact the Temple office at 623.977.3240 for more information. Watch videos of F riday Evening Shabbat s ervices on Temple Beth Shalom's YouTube channel .

Some Sun City residents looking for a spiritual home started Temple Beth Shalom in 1968. Initially, the congregation met at the Fairway Center in Sun City before moving to the Sun Dial Center in 1975. Rabbi Albert Michels became the first permanent rabbi for the congregation. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's History Arizona Jewish Historical Society photos A handful of Sun City residents looking for a spiritual home started Temple Beth Shalom in 1968 . In the beginning, the congregation would meet at the Fairway Center in Sun City before moving to the Sun Dial Center in 1975. Rabbi Albert Michels became the first permanent rabbi for the congregation, and was officially installed in 1972. In 1976, the congregation purchased land and began construction a year later. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Rabbi Michels said, “At last, we have a home. We no longer have to wander in the desert.” The congregation has seen tremendous growth in the West Valley and is still located on North 101st Avenue in Sun City. Since 1972, Temple Beth Shalom has had only five rabbis serving the congregation. Temple Beth Shalom Rabbis Rabbi Albert A Michels 1972-1982 Rabbi Bernard Kligfeld 1982-1997 Rabbi Arthur J Abrams 1997-2005 Rabbi Sheldon Moss 2005-2019 Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan 2019-Present

Contact Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's synagogue administrator Helene Fox at 623.977.3240 or tbsazfinances@gmail.com. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City, AZ. 85351 Welcome to Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Contact Us Please feel free to call our synagogue administrator Patti Weiner at 623.977.3240 or templebethshalomaz@gmail.com Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley 12202 N. 101st Ave. Sun City, AZ. 85351 Shabbat Services Congregants set aside sacred time for engaging with God through prayer and reflection – spoken and sung – and the reading of the Torah. Every Friday: 7 p.m. Once a Month, October-May on Saturdays: 10:30 a.m.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Brochure

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 from all over the Phoenix area. These are a few examples of the Temple's joyous events. Ongoing: Join Our Ancient Biblical Interpretations Study Group Sign up for the "Contemporary American Judaism" series presented by Temple Beth Shalom in September and October. MORE DETAILS Explore during our "Prayer: Why It's Difficult & What To Do About It" series presented by Temple Beth Shalom in and October. MORE DETAILS Register for the "Life of Meaning" series presented by Temple Beth Shalom in October. MORE DETAILS “Ancient Biblical Interpretation” is a weekly study group which is led by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan. MORE DETAILS Join us for our new Family Shabbat at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. This monthly service is specially designed for children 7 and younger. MORE DETAILS

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. 2026 Kavod Award Winners Two Temple Beth Shalom members receive Kavod awards Carmen Berkowitz and Jon Green were honored on May 1 with prestigious Kavod Awards in appreciation of their exemplary service to Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley in Sun City. The annual Kavod Award honors individuals whose service and dedication strengthen the Temple community. Berkowitz was selected for the Kavod Award because of her many years of volunteering on several committees and serving on the Board of Directors. She currently is a Board Vice President and has chaired the Membership Committee for many years. “As Membership Chair, I have had the opportunity to meet many people and inform them about our very friendly congregation, our very talented Cantor and our scholarly, friendly and, sometimes, humorous Rabbi,” Berkowitz said. Green is an essential part of the Temple’s leadership and currently serves as Board treasurer. He’s active in the Brotherhood and he plays a key role in overseeing the Temple’s Arizona and Homeland Security grants. “My goal is to help our congregation succeed in our mission of well-representing the Jewish population here in the West Valley,” he said.