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Join us for "Baruch Does Broadway" featuring Broadway show tunes ​ Enjoy an afternoon of memorable Broadway show tunes, "Baruch Does Broadway," f eaturing the music of Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Cantor Baruch Koritan, Jo Anne Magden and Sharon Friendly. ​ The show will begin at 3 p.m. Feb. 18 at Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave. in Sun City. Cost is $20 per person if paid in advance by Feb. 14 or $25 at the door. For advance reservations, either contact the Temple at 623.977.3240 or templebethshalomaz@gmail.com or follow the link to Zeffy.com to pay. ​ About the Performers Cantor Baruch Koritan A Philadelphia-native, singing on stage since age 4, Cantor Koritan has sung opera, jazz, and regional Broadway shows, including the title role in the Arizona premiere of "Sweeny Todd" and was Lancelot in "Camelot." He sang Mozart in Vienna and at the Scottsdale Center. An award-winning composer and pianist, he has performed his own compositions at cantors' conventions internationally. He taught about Broadway for the Bureau of Jewish Education, Scottsdale for over a decade. Jo Anne Magden A native of Utica, New York, Jo Anne has performed leading roles in “Sound of Music,” “HMS Pinafore,” and "Die Fleidermaus" among others in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Iowa. She also sings in classical concerts and religious services. Sharon Friendly A Toronto native, Sharon sang on the Canadian version of "Your Hit Parade" and square-danced with Gordon Lightfoot on the King Ganam Country Show. She was Senior Ms. Arizona in two different pageants, singing opera and Broadway hits, and is a cantorial soloist.

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

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

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 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 this video of F riday Evening Shabbat s ervices. Join us via Zoom or in-person at the Temple.

Celebrating Jewish and National Holidays at Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley At Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, we celebrate Jewish religious holidays like Passover with meaningful rituals, usually on the nearest Friday night. We also celebrate or commemorate national holidays such as Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Thanksgiving. This past year, we decided to mark Christmas Eve in traditional Jewish fashion by going out to a Chinese restaurant!

TBS 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. As a special project in October 2022, the TBS Book Club had a “Golda-thon” where everyone participating discussed a book about or by Golda Meir. ​ To join the book club, contact Pam Katz at pam@katzct.com .

Chavurah A chavurah is a small group of like-minded Jews who assemble for the purposes of sharing communal activities, experiences such as lifecycle events, or Jewish learning. TBS members with similar interests, let’s get together and create some Chavurots! Attend regularly and make your small group a priority. Work together to make the meetings something to look forward to. There are current TBS members who joined a Chavurah 20 years ago and are still connected to this day. If there’s sufficient interest, we’ll have a large group meeting where you’ll come together here at the temple then break off into small, like-minded groups. You’ll take it from there, deciding the details about meeting times and places. Members will take turns hosting, planning, and executing. Enjoy! Here are a few ideas: • New TBS Member • Cooking or Baking • Photography • Crafts • Cards or Games • Illinois Bunch for Brunch • New York Bunch for Brunch • Coffee Connoisseurs • Homemade Ice Cream Socials • Tea Parties • Music and the Arts • Bowling Please call Sandy Shedroff at 623.376.8737, 623.670.3725 or Shshedroff@aol.com and let us know your ideas, suggestions, and interests.

Temple Beth Shalom Judaica Boutique About Us Located in Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley's main lobby, we stock a lovely selection of cards, holiday items, candles, jewelry, mezuzahs, tallits, and other gift ite ms. The Boutique is open prior to Shabbat services on Friday evenings. During the week the office staff will be happy to open the shop for your purchases. ​ For more information, call the Temple at 623.977.3240. ​

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.

Rabbi Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley Clergy Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan and Temple Beth Shalom proudly open their arms to all in the West Valley who may be interested in Jewish approaches to spirituality and community. Rabbi Kaplan is focused on building our temple family through an inclusive, open-door approach that views the congregation as an extension of our relationship circles. He believes that creating a spiritual family is multi-generational, as our children and grandchildren are an integral part of sustaining our spiritual growth. Rabbi Kaplan is always willing to sit over coffee, go for a walk, or meet at the Temple with anyone from the community. We welcome you to come visit at one of our warm Friday night services, which is the highlight of the week, or join us for one of our other social, educational, or service events. These times together not only provide opportunities to make new friends and find emotional support, but they can also help us learn to utilize Judaism in a way to build a life of meaning. ​ Before arriving at Temple Beth Shalom, Rabbi Kaplan was the interim rabbi of the Springhill Avenue Temple in Mobile, Alabama. During his time in Mobile, he was also a teacher in the Department of Theology at Spring Hill College. Prior to 2015, he was the rabbi of the United Congregation of Israelites in Kingston, Jamaica, becoming the first rabbi to serve the country in 33 years. He has also previously led congregations in Albany, Georgia, and Cape Town, South Africa. ​ Rabbi Kaplan is the author and editor of several books, including most recently A Life of Meaning: Embracing Reform Judaism’s Sacred Path. Published by CCAR Press – the official publisher for the entire Reform movement – it is a collection of short, entertaining articles by a broad range of the most important Reform rabbinic thinkers active today. The book provides a range of perspectives on modern Judaism, describing theological and practical ways to find purpose in life, both as individuals and as a community. ​ Along with his time as our rabbi, Rabbi Kaplan continues to be involved in various programs, lectures, and conferences in order to understand the history and theology of Reform Judaism and to discuss ways to make Judaism a vibrant religious form of spirituality for the twenty-first century. As a new resident of Arizona, he also hopes to cycle and hike in and on the many mountains in the Greater Phoenix area. Rabbi Kaplan looks forward to meeting each and every congregant, as well as those who might be interested in becoming a part of our community. You can contact him through the Temple office by phone or email him directly at tbsazrabbi@gmail.com . Check out Rabbi Kaplan's website: danakaplan.com. Cantor Baruch Koritan Baruch Koritan has served as Cantor at Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley in Sun City since 1992. Also, he is a composer and has been invited to perform his new liturgical settings at workshops and conventions of American Conference of Cantors and Guild of Temple Musicians (ACC/GTM) and Cantors Assembly in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. He is a protégé of Cantor Stephen Richards, and began his cantorial career performing a Shabbat service with Rabbi Albert Plotkin in Phoenix. Baruch’s singing career began as a child in Workman Circle schools and music festivals at University of Pennsylvania. Later he attended New Hope Academy of the Arts, Philadelphia Institute of Music, Temple University, Scottsdale Community College, University of Madrid, and U. S. Marine Corps Reserve (Honorable Discharge). In 1999, Cantor Howard Tabaknek commissioned him to write an Erev Shabbat Service for Temple Beth Israel, Scottsdale, AZ. He released a CD, “Shalom to You,” in 2000, featuring many of his own songs and those of the Diaspora in five languages. A former runner-up in the Liberace Piano Competition, he also played piano for the album. His own original cover art for the CD was purchased for TBS and welcomes all into its lobby. Baruch has been on the faculty of Bureau of Jewish Education, Scottsdale, since 2006. He also maintains a private voice studio and is a member of National Association of Teachers of Singing. ​ Watch a video of Cantor Koritan singing “Shalom Aleichem.” You can contact him through the Temple office by phone or email him directly at baruchkoritan@gmail.com .

Saturday Morning Potluck Services On the third Saturday morning of every month, a small group gathers at a private home for prayer, conversation, and good food. Sometimes we have a guitar player who leads the service with Rabbi Kaplan and other times we run the service in a participatory manner, reading together and singing enthusiastically. After about an hour, we make kiddush and we enjoy a potluck brunch.