Coty Dolores Miranda
SPECIAL FOR THE REPUBLIC
Sept. 22, 2006 12:00 AM
Jewish services will be held in Ahwatukee, Mesa and elsewhere in the East Valley today through Sunday for Rosh Hashana, which marks the Jewish New Year.
The local response has been overwhelming, said Rabbi Victor I. Beck, who moved to Ahwatukee from New York last March.
"It's hard to imagine, but eight weeks ago Congregation Eitz Chaim of Ahwatukee didn't even exist. It was merely an idea without so much as a name," he said, noting that because of limited seating, all tickets are gone for inaugural services at the Ahwatukee Foothills Prep School.
"We now have what could be considered an embarrassment of riches. We are rich in the number of Jewish families who have responded in such a positive manner," Beck said.
Weekend services in Ahwatukee will end Sunday at a local lake, where sins will be symbolically cast on the waters, the rabbi said.
"We've already begun to develop a full schedule of Sabbath and holiday services throughout the year, as well as various other ongoing programs to help the community grow and become more in touch with their Jewish heritage," Beck said.
Meanwhile, the congregation will continue its search for a permanent home, he said.
According to Beck, Ahwatukee has an estimated 800 Jewish residents, the majority of whom are unaffiliated with the two nearest synagogues: Temple Emanuel, a reform congregation in Tempe, and Temple Beth Shalom, a conservative congregation in Chandler.
In Mesa, the sound of a shofar, the symbolic ram's horn trumpet, will return for the first time in years as a Jewish-education group observes the High Holy Days.
Chabad of Arizona will hold Rosh Hashana services at the Mesa Convention Center.
Chabad officials said Mesa is a growing community, and residents responded enthusiastically when asked if they were interested in bringing the organization to the city.
Chabad received numerous calls and e-mails after sending out more than 5,000 mailings promoting the Rosh Hashana services to area residents, Rabbi Laibel Blotner said.
"Mesa is Arizona's third-largest city," said Blotner, who will conduct Chabad's services in the city. "And there's currently not one Jewish house of worship . . . anything that, really, Jews can identify with."
The services are likely the first to be held in Mesa since Temple Beth Sholom moved to Chandler in 2000.
"We're looking at the prospects of opening a Chabad center in Mesa," Blotner said. Rosh Hashana services also are being held by other groups in Chandler, Sun Lakes and Tempe.
Chabad is offering the Mesa services with prayers in Hebrew and English free of charge, and group membership is not required of participants.
Blotner said his wife, Gitty, would also conduct children's services during morning observances.
The children's services will include songs, refreshments, and arts and crafts projects, he added.
Arizona Republic reporter Brian Indrelunas contributed to this story.
SPECIAL FOR THE REPUBLIC
Sept. 22, 2006 12:00 AM
Jewish services will be held in Ahwatukee, Mesa and elsewhere in the East Valley today through Sunday for Rosh Hashana, which marks the Jewish New Year.
The local response has been overwhelming, said Rabbi Victor I. Beck, who moved to Ahwatukee from New York last March.
"It's hard to imagine, but eight weeks ago Congregation Eitz Chaim of Ahwatukee didn't even exist. It was merely an idea without so much as a name," he said, noting that because of limited seating, all tickets are gone for inaugural services at the Ahwatukee Foothills Prep School.
"We now have what could be considered an embarrassment of riches. We are rich in the number of Jewish families who have responded in such a positive manner," Beck said.
Weekend services in Ahwatukee will end Sunday at a local lake, where sins will be symbolically cast on the waters, the rabbi said.
"We've already begun to develop a full schedule of Sabbath and holiday services throughout the year, as well as various other ongoing programs to help the community grow and become more in touch with their Jewish heritage," Beck said.
Meanwhile, the congregation will continue its search for a permanent home, he said.
According to Beck, Ahwatukee has an estimated 800 Jewish residents, the majority of whom are unaffiliated with the two nearest synagogues: Temple Emanuel, a reform congregation in Tempe, and Temple Beth Shalom, a conservative congregation in Chandler.
In Mesa, the sound of a shofar, the symbolic ram's horn trumpet, will return for the first time in years as a Jewish-education group observes the High Holy Days.
Chabad of Arizona will hold Rosh Hashana services at the Mesa Convention Center.
Chabad officials said Mesa is a growing community, and residents responded enthusiastically when asked if they were interested in bringing the organization to the city.
Chabad received numerous calls and e-mails after sending out more than 5,000 mailings promoting the Rosh Hashana services to area residents, Rabbi Laibel Blotner said.
"Mesa is Arizona's third-largest city," said Blotner, who will conduct Chabad's services in the city. "And there's currently not one Jewish house of worship . . . anything that, really, Jews can identify with."
The services are likely the first to be held in Mesa since Temple Beth Sholom moved to Chandler in 2000.
"We're looking at the prospects of opening a Chabad center in Mesa," Blotner said. Rosh Hashana services also are being held by other groups in Chandler, Sun Lakes and Tempe.
Chabad is offering the Mesa services with prayers in Hebrew and English free of charge, and group membership is not required of participants.
Blotner said his wife, Gitty, would also conduct children's services during morning observances.
The children's services will include songs, refreshments, and arts and crafts projects, he added.
Arizona Republic reporter Brian Indrelunas contributed to this story.
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