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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. 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 .

From canned goods to cereal, Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley members make donations as part of the "Can Do" monthly campaign to benefit the Valley View Community Food Bank. Drop off your donations in the Temple lobby. Community Projects From canned goods to cereal, Temple members make donations as part of the "Can Do" monthly campaign to benefit the Valley View Community Food Bank. Temple members are also collecting pop tabs from aluminum cans for the Ronald McDonald House. Drop off your donations in the Temple lobby.

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.

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

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. Ancient Biblical Interpretation “Ancient Biblical Interpretation” is a new weekly study group which will be led by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan meeting weekly from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays beginning Sept. 3. Using James Kugel’s “The Bible As it Was” as a text, the participants will discuss how the earliest interpreters of the scriptures radically transformed the Torah and made it into the document that has come down to us today. The course is designed for persons willing to make an on-going commitment to study. Using biblical stories we know well, we will ask how and why the writers of this formative age of interpretation – roughly 200 B.C.E. to 150 C.E. – assumed such a significant role. Mining their writings – including the Dead Sea Scrolls, works of Philo and Josephus and letters of the Apostle Paul, and writing of the Apostolic Fathers and the rabbinic Sages – we will read short selections from the actual texts that uncover this crucial interpretive process. Going over every detail in the Torah’s stories, prophecies, and laws, these interpreters let their own theological and imaginative inclinations radically transform the Bible’s very nature. Their sometimes surprising interpretations soon became the generally accepted meaning. These interpretations, and not the mere words of the text, became the Torah. New participants may join any time. Participants will need to provide a personal copy of Kugel’s book – “The Bible as it Was” and a copy of the Bible. The cost for the course is $20 per person per month for Temple members and $35 for non-members, or one coupon per month. Payment is required at the beginning of each month. Contact the Temple Office at 623.977.3240 or templebethshalomaz@gmail.com t o sign up for the course, purchase coupon books (if desired) and make payment before Sept. 3.

Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Brochure

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.

To be a devoted Reform Jew is to do many things. One of the most important is to work toward making the world a better place. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's Social Action Committee enables us to work together as a community to try to help the lives of at least a few people. Social Activities To be a devoted Reform Jew is to do many things. One of the most important is to work toward making th e world a better place. Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley offers many ways to make new friends, celebrate and support one another through good times and bad, and volunteer to help the Temple and the entire community. So cial Action Committee : We work together as a community to try to help the lives of at least a few people. For example, we have been supporters of the Valley View Community Food Bank in Sun City since it was founded in 2007. Brotherhood: Our Brotherhood was established in 1979 at Temple Beth Shalom to promote fellowship and service to the Temple. Toward that goal, the Brotherhood sponsors Temple fundraisers and social events. Sisterhood : All women Temple members are invited to join the Sisterhood. First-year Temple members receive a complimentary membership to Sisterhood. Chavurah: Temple Beth Shalom members with similar interests get together to share communal activities and Jewish learning. Community Projects : From canned goods to cereal, Temple members make donations as part of the "Can Do" monthly campaign to benefit the Valley View Community Food Bank. Caring Committee: Our Caring Committee specializes in building connections with our congregants and their immediate family members during times of health crisis and beyond. Book Club : The TBS Book Club meets by Zoom the third Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m. Most books are Jewish-related fiction and non-fiction, but not always. Grief Group : Are you experiencing grief or depression? The grief group meets monthly (except during the summer) at the Temple for all members and non-members. For more information, the Temple office at 623.977.3240. A Jewis h Community for a Better You and a Better Worl d

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. High Holy Days 5787 Join Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley for uplifting High Holy Days services Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley is welcoming non-members to participate in its beautiful High Holy Days services. Cost to attend all services will be $250 per person for non-members, and tickets are required for all events. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Partial service tickets will not be available. Reservations can be made by calling the Temple office at 623.977.3240 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Tickets can be purchased online by going to the Temple's Zeffy account . Call the Temple office to learn how to make an online purchase. High Holy Days services will be conducted by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan and Cantor Baruch Koritan. Rosh Hashanah starts on Sept. 11 and commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates on Sept. 21 in the Yom Kippur holiday, also known as the Day of Atonement. For security reasons, tickets must be presented for admittance to all services and are non-transferrable. Doors will be locked 15 minutes after services begin. 2026/5787 High Holy Day Services Schedule Join us for the uplifting and beautiful High Holy Days services conducted by Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan and Cantor Baruch Koritan at Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City. Tickets are required for all events. Available for Non-Member Guests Tickets for 2026 High Holy Day Services are available to non-members. Contact the Temple office at 623.977.3240 from 9:30 a.m.– 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday to arrange to purchase non-member tickets, which cost $250 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Questions? Email the Temple office at templebethshalomaz@gmail.com . * Ending times are approximate Friday, Sept. 11 Erev Rosh Hashanah: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 Rosh Hashanah Morning Service: 10 a.m.-Noon Sunday, Sept. 20 Kol Nidre: 7-9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21 Yom Kippur Morning Service: 10 a.m.-Noon Yizkor Service: 1-1:45 p.m. Yom Kippur Afternoon Service: 4-5:15 p.m. Neilah (Concluding) Service: 5:15-6:30 p.m. Sisterhood Break the Fast meal: Following the Neilah Service (Call the Temple office for tickets) For security reasons, tickets must be presented for admittance to all services and are non-transferrable. Doors will be locked 15 minutes after services begin.

Through Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's donation portal, you can make a donation in honor of a Yahrzeit, an anniversary, birthday or another special occasion. Your support is greatly appreciated. Donations A donation to Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley is a wonderful way to celebrate a special event; to honor the life of a loved one; or simply to express appreciation for the benefits Temple Beth Shalom brings to your life. Temple Beth Shalom is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and donations are 100% deductible. How to Donate Pay by check Donations can be made by mailing a check to Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351. Pay online You can make donations to Temple Beth Shalom online by using the Temple's Zeffy account and fill out the online form . You can use your credit card or make a direct debit (ACH) from a bank account. Please note that if you are registering and paying for a specific Temple event, such as the Seders, please go to the specific event's page on tbsaz.org then click on the link to the Zeffy form on that event page. Please do not use the general Donation form for specific events. Each event has a different Zeffy form. The Temple receives 100% of the Zeffy donation transactions. Zeffy is free to nonprofit groups, thanks to voluntary donations. When you fill out a Zeffy form, you’ll see a suggested voluntary donation amount to Zeffy for the convenience of making donations online. You can change the amount by choosing "other" then type in an amount, including $0 if you'd rather not make a voluntary contribution. View this how-to video to learn more . Thank you for your support of Temple Beth Shalom.

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. 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 Feb. 2026 Jan. 2026 2025 Dec. 2025 Nov. 2025 Oct. 2025 Sept. 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 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