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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.

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

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 . March 2026 April 2026 May 2026

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 Learn about the Jewish Influence on R & B and Rock and Roll during Temple Beth Shalom's three-part series in May. MORE DETAILS Sign up for the "Authenticity, Honesty and Integrity" interfaith series presented by Temple Beth Shalom in May. MORE DETAILS

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. 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.

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 5786 Preparing Our Heads and Hearts for the High Holy Days Message from Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan, Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, Sun City, Arizona As the days of Elul draw us closer to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we enter a sacred time of reflection, renewal, and return. The High Holy Days are not simply holidays marked on a calendar — they are opportunities to pause, to listen inwardly, and to realign our lives with our deepest values. The High Holy Days give us an opportunity to reconnect with Judaism. Our Temple is devoted to helping people to do the thinking and feeling work that we need to do to make ourselves more thoughtful and more in touch with their emotions. While we may be located in Sun City, we reach out to the entire West Valley, an area with possibly as many as 20,000 people of Jewish origin, almost all of whom are unaffiliated. We do our best to meet the spiritual needs of people of all ages as well as all backgrounds. Rosh Hashanah, the birthday of the world, invites us to begin again. It is a time to ask: Who have I been this past year? Whom have I hurt? Where have I grown? We offer courses based on positive psychology which are designed to help us to reach our full human potential. We sound the shofar not only to wake ourselves from spiritual slumber, but to remind ourselves that change is possible — even now, even for us. While acquiring material objects has its place in life, Judaism teaches us that there is much more. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, offers us the courage to face our mistakes with honesty and compassion. It is not about pointless guilt but about meaningful emotional growth. Teshuvah — returning to the person we are meant to be — is the work of the season. It requires humility, accountability, forgiveness and/or Letting Go, both from ourselves and from others. Many of us have walked long paths in life, and yet the High Holy Days remind us that renewal is always within reach. No matter our age or stage, our souls are still unfolding. Let us approach these days with open hearts, with sincerity in prayer, and with a readiness to heal relationships — with family, with community, and with God. May this season uplift us, inspire us, and guide us toward a sweeter, more compassionate new year. Shanah Tovah U’Metukah — a good and sweet year to you all. 2025/5786 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 2025 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 . 2025 High Holy Days Services Schedule * Ending times are approximate Saturday, Sept. 13 Pre-Selichot Oneg and Discussion: 5 p.m. Service: 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22 Erev Rosh Hashanah: 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23 Rosh Hashanah Morning Service: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 Tashlich service in the TBS Biblical Gardens: 5 p.m. Potluck dinner: 5:30 p.m (Call the Temple at 623.977.3240 to register.) Shabbat service: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1 Kol Nidre: 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 Yom Kippur Morning Service: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Yizkor Service: 3:30-4:15 p.m. Yom Kippur Afternoon Service and Neilah (Concluding) Service: 4:30-6:15 p.m. 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.

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 .

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 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 Social Action Committee provides members with a vehicle for working together as a community to try to help the lives of others. It is a very important Mitzvah that we should all participate in. To be a devoted Reform Jew is to make the world a better place. Social Action For over 150 years, Reform Judaism in America has placed emphasis on social justice, based on our ancient mandate of tzedek, tzedek tirdof - “justice, justice shall you pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20). Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's Social Action Committee provides us with a vehicle for working together as a community to try to help the lives of at least a few people. Therefore, it is a very important Mitzvah that we should all participate in. We have been supporters of the Valley View Community Food Bank (VVCFB) in Sun City since it was founded in 2007. While donating food is always a necessity for the growing number of residents of the West Valley who are food insecure, we support the VVCFB in other ways as well. For a full year during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, in each week of the month, a quarter of our members pledged to financially support the VVCFB due to the exceptionally higher demand for services from this invaluable social service agency. In 2022 and 2023, we have featured the “Item of the Month” program. Our members are asked to bring a specific item to Friday Shabbat services that changes every month. We bring canned fruit, pasta and rice, canned meats, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and – lest we forget that almost everyone needs a pet – we also bring pet food one month.