Temple Havurat Emet to hold Second Seder at Chompie’s
The community is invited to the Second Seder on Saturday, April 4, at Chompie’s, 3481 W. Frye Rd., Chandler.
The menu will include gefilte fish with beet horseradish, chicken soup with matzo ball, tender braised brisket of beef with pan gravy, roasted potatoes with caramelized onions, glazed carrots and holiday cake. The meal will be served family style.
It is $40 per person for the Second
Seder. The starting time is 5:30 p.m., followed by a service led by Mel Moss and the Seder meal at 6:30 p.m.
Attendees with dietary concerns should inform Temple Havurat Emet so the necessary arrangements can be made for the meal. The usual glass of wine, three extra bottles will be provided, as well as Matza plate and Charoset will be available. Place registrations by Friday, March 27, by emailing Gigi at gmil8@mac.com or
Czech Torahs remembered
On Monday, Feb. 9, the Memorial Scrolls Trust of London held a workshop and an evening program commemorating the 51st anniversary of the liberation of the Czech Torahs. The event took place at the Jewish Historical Society in Phoenix.
Jeffery Ohrenstein, CEO of the Memorial Scrolls Trust, and Michael Heppner, research director of the Trust, visited from London, while Susan Boyer, a Western U.S. Trust representative, attended from California. Phoenix Trust Representative Lee Shedroff coordinated the event.
The afternoon workshop, conducted by Heppner, was entitled “An Obligation and an Opportunity.” It provided attendees with many ideas about how the Scroll Congregation can build a bond with its Memorial Scroll. Attendees were also given a pledge to take to honor the
memory of the Jews of the town of Kolin from which the scroll came to dedicate one Shabbat each year to their memory and to include them in the Yom Kippur Memorial Service.
The evening ceremony, which was a full house, was open to the public. The Torah Processional of approximately 20 Torahs from Arizona was very moving, as was the recessional after the program.
Gloria Bitting proudly carried the Torah, which was most impressive with its embroidered mantle befitting the reverence of it and for its age, 365 years old. It drew a lot of attention and honor.
After a moving service with Holocaust survivors, lighting candles after the Torah processional, Heppner spoke about “The Myth of the Museum” and how these Torahs were saved by the Czech Jews and not the Nazis, as was previously thought.
calling (480) 785-7767.
The title for Haggadah is “A Family Haggadah” edition II by Shoshana Silberman. Let Temple Havurat Emet know if copies need to be borrowed.
April service
Temple Havurat Emet will not have service on the usual first Friday of the month, due to April 3 being the First Seder of Passover.
The April service will be held at 7:30
p.m. Friday, April 17, at the Lecky Center of the Robson Library, 93300 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes.
The special service will celebrate the B’nai Mitzvah of the 2015 adult class. Three very special women have been studying for their Bat Mitzvah for quite some time and are going to make this happen at this ideal time and place.
Peterman to perform at King of Glory Lutheran Church
At 7 p.m. Friday, March 27, Dr. Jeremy Peterman will be giving an organ concert in Tempe at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 2085 E. Southern Ave., on the 53-rank KOG Organ. Featured on the concert will be works of Bach, Haydn, Bruckner and Liszt, as well as American spirituals. As he plays, attendees will be able to see his hands and feet work projected on the front wall.
The concert is free of charge, but donations are encouraged. For more information, contact Cyndee Chafee at (480) 838-0477 or email cyndeec@kogaz.org.
Dr. Jeremy Peterman will play on the 53-rank KOG Organ at King of Glory Lutheran Church Friday, March 27. Submitted photo
Hundreds of Jewish children bake traditional Matzah
The new and remodeled and redesigned Chabad Model Matzah Bakery, at the New Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, is providing a unique opportunity for Jews of all ages to participate in an ancient tradition of making handmade matzah the old fashioned way—by hand.
The Model Matzah Bakery will take place at 11:40 a.m. Sunday, March 27, at Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler. The event is free.
Matzah is a form of bread dating back several thousand years. It is made by baking fresh dough immediately after kneading, before it can rise. Thus, matzah is flat and dense, like a cracker and not light and airy like conventional bread.
According to Jewish history, matzah is the very same bread made and eaten by the ancient Hebrews, the ancestors of Jews today, as they departed Egypt, as described in the Bible. The Hebrews, being driven out of the country, did not have time to wait for the dough they baked for the road to rise. Thus, they baked it as matzah.
The Bible records eating matzah, and not eating any leavened, or conventional bread, during the Jewish holiday of Passover, which commemorates the Exodus from Egypt as a divine commandment.
The Chabad Model Matzah Bakery is designed to mimic genuine matzah bakeries found today only in select Orthodox communities around the world. This is
done by having visitors knead, roll and bake dough by hand at long work tables, as well as use a conventional oven decorated with a brick facade, to give it the appearance of the genuine brick ovens used in real matzah bakeries, thus making the experience as authentic as possible.
“Children have the most fun when they come. They love getting their fingers full of dough, rolling it and shaping it,” says Rabbi Mendy Deitsch. “The hands-on experience gives them a real thrill, as well as a great education.”
The bakery is also for adults.
“Adults enjoy the experience immensely, too,” says Deitsch. “Most have no idea of what real matzah is all about, and they come away with a great sense of knowledge and pride.”
Those interested in attending should reserve their spot by calling (480) 855-4333 or by emailing info@chabadcenter.com.
Holy Week Schedule:
• Palm Sunday Service/Children’s Easter Pageant Sunday, March 29th, 10:30am
• Maunday Thursday Service Thursday, April 2nd, 6:30pm
• Good Friday Service (at LOC new property) Friday, April 3rd 6:30pm
• Easter Egg Hunt and Continental Breakfast Sunday, April 5th 9:30am
• Easter Service Sunday, April 5th 10:30am
Chandler Presbyterian Church
The Perfect Place provides caring social programs
The Perfect Place, a nonprofit organization, is an adult day care located on the campus of the Risen Savior Lutheran Church and School in Sun Lakes. A loved one has the opportunity to spend a morning, or an afternoon, with staff and volunteers who provide a loving and caring social program. The program opens with a short devotion after which everyone shares something about themselves, such as where they grew up, what they did for a living, family life or favorite activities. The fun continues with laughter playing cards, bingo, a bean bag toss, entertainment, snacks and a short session of chair exercises.
Volunteers are welcome. Call Judy Waltersdorf at (480) 895-2892 or send an email to ThePerfectPlace85248@gmail.com for more information.
The Perfect Place is located at 23914 S. Alma School Rd., Sun Lakes. It is open four days a week from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Perfect Place is closed on Thursdays.
Contributions from service organizations or personal donations for the scholarship fund, as well as small stuffed animals, are greatly appreciated. The donations enable The Perfect Place to better serve the community.
Easter Egg Hunt
Spend a morning or afternoon as a volunteer at The Perfect Place.
Valley Unitarian Universalist features March services
On Sunday, March 22, the Rev. Andy Burnette remembers the first decade of the 2000s in a sermon that focuses on the world of the Rev. Bill Sinkford, former president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, who served from 2001 to 2009. His presidency focused in part on reclaiming religious language as Unitarian Universalists, work that remains important today. The service is titled “Maintaining a Language of Reverence.”
Then, in a service he calls “For Shame: On Forgiving Ourselves,” Burnette discusses the necessity of forgiveness for oneself, and healing the grudges people can develop against themselves over time. The service will be held Sunday, March 29. Valley Unitarian Universalist services
begin at 10:30 a.m. Sundays and generally last an hour and 15 minutes. The VUU sanctuary is wheelchair accessible and has a hearing loop installed.
Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation provides a welcoming diverse community that nurtures each person’s lifelong spiritual journey, creates a place of peace and celebration and strives for social justice and sustainable living. Within this liberal religion, VUU members seek to create lives of integrity, service and joy.
VUU is located at 6400 W. Del Rio St., Chandler.
For more information, call (480) 8994249, check out its Facebook page, or visit www.vuu.org.
Maundy Thursday services held at Sun Lakes United Church of Christ
Sun Lakes United Church of Christ will be celebrating special Maundy Thursday services on Thursday, April 2. This service commemorates the last meal Jesus celebrated with his disciples before his passion and death. The services will begin at 7 p.m. in the Sun Lakes Chapel, 9240 Sun Lakes Blvd., with communion.
All are welcome to celebrate the Lord’s supper with Sun Lakes United Church of Christ. Communion will be followed by Tenabrae, which is a reflection on the suffering and passion of Jesus. Scriptures and choir music will walk the community through the final hours of Jesus’ life.
Sun Lakes United Church of Christ will also celebrate Easter Sunday services at 11:15 a.m. with a joint choir and brass quartet led by the music director Bob Confare. This has always been a very joyful celebration of song, scriptures and preaching by the Rev. Dr. Vernon Myer. For more information, contact the church office at (480) 895-6317.
April Shalom Hadassah meeting will discuss ‘Safety in the Home’
The Shalom Hadassah chapter has been busy. With no regular meetings scheduled in March, they have planned two exceptional events.
The chapter had a wonderful day at the Phoenix at Museum viewing the display “Fashioned in America.” An added treat was the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit. A trip to the Hale Theatre to watch the “My Fair Lady” production was also enjoyed.
The meeting on Tuesday, April 21, will include the discussion of two very important topics. Falls, tripping over items, kitchen mishaps are all too common incidents. The chapter has asked the Sun Lakes Fire Department to help negotiate “Safety in the Home.” There are many tips and strategies for everyday living to help guard against harming oneself. Also available will
be the new medical information flash drive; a really great gadget for storing all personal medical records. This can be accessed by medical personnel in case of an emergency.
For option lunch reservations, send a $16 check made to Shalom Hadassah and sent to Ruth Friedman at The Renaissance, 9508 E. Riggs Rd., Apt. D396, Sun Lakes, 85248 or call (480) 802-9600.
The program starts at 1 p.m.
The beautiful new line of greeting cards will be on display and available to purchase.
Announcements for the Shalom Hadassah High Tea and Fashion Show, which will be held in May, will be presented shortly.
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Chabad of the East Valley announces Passover Seder
Community members are invited to participate in Chabad of the East Valley’s community Seder to be held on the first Night of Passover at 7:15 p.m. Friday, April 3. The Seder will feature rich discussion about Passover, excellent food, and joyous singing. Chabad Rabbi Mendy Deitsch, director of Chabad of the East Valley, will facilitate the inter-generational program.
The community Passover Seder will be held at the Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler.
The Seder costs $40 for adults; $25 for children and family plans are available upon request. After Monday, March 30, tickets increase to $50 for adults and $40 for children. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Sponsorships are available.
The Seder allows local Jews the
opportunity of not just attending, but also actively participating in a traditional, familyoriented Seder.
“I remember my grandmother telling me stories of her family’s Seder table back in Poland,” says Louis Finkelstein, a local lawyer who attended the Chabad Seder event last year. “She would say, ‘They don’t make a Seder like they used to.’ Well, I think the Chabad Community Seder would make my grandmother feel right at home. It was the right thing, but it was far from a yawner. Rabbi Mendy Deitsch kept us involved from beginning to end.”
Seats must be reserved in advance by contacting Chabad at (480) 855-4333 or email rabbi@chabadcenter.com, or visit www.chabadcenter.com.
SLUCC becomes an open and affirming congregation
On Sunday, Jan. 25, Sun Lakes United Church of Christ (SLUCC) voted to become an open and affirming congregation.
They began the process in January 2014 by forming a committee that involved learning about the ways they could become more inclusive and welcoming of LGBT people. Within the United Church of Christ denomination there has been a strong effort to widen the welcome to people who may have been excluded by the church or hurt by the church because of their sexual orientation.
Sun Lakes United Church of Christ was already a very friendly church and offered hospitality, as their motto states “No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”
The committee, along with Pastor Vernon Meyer, led the congregation
through the process and invited the congregation to pray and discern what welcoming of LGBT people would mean for their community.
The vote was overwhelming in support of the resolution that in part states “We are committed to extend an extravagant welcome to each and every person we meet or who comes to our church regardless of national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental situation, economic or marital status.”
Sun Lakes United Church of Christ holds its services at 11:15 a.m. Sundays in the Sun Lakes Chapel, 9240 Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes.
For more information, visit www. chandler-sunlakesucc.org, or call (480) 895-6317.
Sisterhood April meeting features Cohen
Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation Sisterhood invites the public to its 1 p.m. Thursday, April 16, meeting, in the Chapel House in Sun Lakes. The speaker will be Dr. Michael Cohen, a retired pediatrician who teaches at the University of Arizona Medical School. His specialty is behavioral and developmental pediatrics. Cohen will be speaking about
childhood learning disabilities. He will also answer particular concerns from the audience.
The annual Sisterhood luncheon in May is $30, which can be paid by sending a check to Phyllis at 3495 E. County Down Dr., Chandler, 85249. Donations for Toys From Hearts can also be sent to Phyllis.
Chompie’s offers 27th annual Passover dinner
Chompie’s, Arizona’s NY Deli, announces its 27th annual Passover dinner for dine-in or take out. Passover begins at sunset Friday, April 3, and ends at sundown Saturday, April 11.
Passover is one of the high holidays of the Jewish religion, celebrating the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery. It is a time for the community to come together and remember the trials and triumphs their predecessors encountered. Chompie’s invites the entire community to learn more about the holiday and to celebrate Passover.
The Borenstein family, owners of Chompie’s and people of Jewish descent have celebrated the tradition of Passover in their families for generations.
Passover dinner will be served from 5 p.m. to close Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 4. To go dinners, holiday cakes and desserts and Passover bagels are available all eight nights of Passover Friday, April 3, through Saturday, April 11.
The traditional dine-in Passover meal is available at the Chompie’s Paradise Valley Mall, Chandler and Scottsdale locations. To-go meals, as well as Passover-related baked goods will be available at all four of Chompie’s valley locations.
It is $29.95 per adult and $14.95 for children under 10 for dine-in Passover dinner. Complete family style take-out meals can be purchased by the pound
or in family dinner packages starting at $139.99. Family Seder plates are available for $14.95.
Reservations are strongly encouraged for dine-in meal. Order take out packages at least 24 hours in advance.
All meals include Matzo plate and Charoses Kosher wine or grape juice. Gluten free friendly flourless holiday cakes and baked goods are available, as well as a special Matzo Brie menu during Passover.
The regular kids menu is not available during Passover seating.
For more information, visit www.chompies.com/news.
Celebrate the first night of Seder at Chompie’s. Submitted photo
