Temple Solel At A Glance 5781

At A
Glance

5781/2020-21

Temple
MESSAGE FROM OUR
CLERGY

Dear Congregants and Friends,

We feel privileged to serve our
community online as your clergy
team. And we are very excited for the
year ahead! We know that there are
many pathways into Jewish life. In
this program booklet for the current
year, you'll find opportunities for
deep Jewish learning, community
engagement, relationship building,
musical and spiritual connection,
tikkun olam-repairing the world, and
more.
May 5781 be a year of depth,
discovery, learning, peace, humanity
and good health.

CONTENTS

04 Leadership & Staff
06 Shabbat
08 Holidays
10 Learning with Clergy
12 Committees
13 Social Action
14 K'hilot Connections
16 Raker Religious School
18 The Solel Preschool

Solel

Leadership

TEMPLE SOLEL BOARD

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Doreen Feldberg .............................................President
Rae Rader.........Executive Vice President-Social Action
Stephen Slogoff.......................Vice President-Accounts
Lauren Brown.........................Vice President-Education
Larry Cohen........Vice President-Facilities and Security
Brian Weinberger...Vice President-Legal and Contracts
Larry Fink.............Vice President-Trustee Development
Bobbi Moss.......................................................Secretary
Phil Hawkes......................................................Treasurer

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Madelaine Berg Judy Gold Eric Mininberg

Bettina Chow Lisa Lerner Howard Rosen

Eve Danoff Robert Lipson

Ariel Eisen and Drew Kolber...........TSTY Co-presidents

4

TEMPLE SOLEL STAFF

5

Rabbi John Linder [email protected] Rabbi

Rabbi Stiel [email protected] Rabbi

Todd Herzog [email protected] Cantorial Soloist

Peter Pishko [email protected] Executive Director

Tobee Waxenberg [email protected] Director of Raker Religious Sch.

Mary Ann Bloom [email protected] Director of Early Childhd. Ed.

Noni Clark [email protected] Controller

Joan Giannini [email protected] Office Manager

Jacquelyn Null [email protected] Engagement Specialist

Elis Legler [email protected] Raker Religious School Coord.

Jelena Santiago [email protected] Executive Assistant

Sonya Placencia [email protected] Preschool Billing and Ofc. Asst.

Kathleen Manahan [email protected] Preschool Education Asst.

Alberto Mena [email protected] Facility Manager

Vojo Stanisic [email protected] Custodian

"GO TO" LIST AT TEMPLE SOLEL

Birthdays/Anniversary Information.................Joan Giannini
B'nai Mitzvah Dates & Questions..................Jelena Santiago
Building Rental/Facilities..............................Jacquelyn Null
K'hilot/Committee Participation...................Jacquelyn Null
Donations..........................................................Joan Giannini
Dues Adjustments/Membership.........................Peter Pishko
Dues payments/Billing Issues...........................Joan Giannin
Illness/Caring Community............................Jelena Santiago
Meeting Scheduling/Calendar........................Jacquelyn Null
Pathfinder Questions.........................................Peter Pishko
Preschool......................................................Mary Ann Bloom
Rabbinic Scheduling.....................................Jelena Santiago
Religious School........................................Tobee Waxenberg
Yahrzeit Information....................................Jelena Santiago

Shabbat

EREV SHABBAT SERVICES
BEGIN AT 6:15PM

Our Community gathers online every Friday evening at 6:15PM for
Erev Shabbat services, filled with inspiring music and joyful

prayer. Worship is a wonderful way to end the week, reconnect
with friends and family, and welcome Shabbat.

Mark your calendars for the ONLINE ONEG
following special Erev Shabbat
services: This is a time to connect with
friends and the Temple Solel
FAMILY SHABBAT community before streaming
services.
DEC 11, JAN 8, FEB 12, MAR 12, APR 9, MAY 14 AT 6:15PM

The second Friday of the month
services feature services feature
your favorite music, interactive
sermon or story, and connections
with other families on Zoom.

SHABBAT SHIRA Live Streaming of Shabbat services
from the Sanctuary is available at:
JAN 29 & APR 30 AT 6:15PM www.templesolel.org

Our celebration of Shabbat is Additional special services
amplified to even greater levels of throughout the year include; Erev
joy and celebration through the Simchat Torah & Consecration,
inclusion of a full band or New Member Shabbat, Pre-K
musicians, along with creative Aliyah/Graduation, and 10th Grade
readings and poetry, all designed Confirmation services.
to enhance the experience of
Shabbat and community. 7

TOT SHABBAT

DEC 4, JAN 8, FEB 5, MAR 5, APR 9, MAY 7 AT 4:30PM

All Temple Solel Preschool age
children and their families are
welcome to join us on Zoom for
fun, music, and the Sweetness of
Shabbat!

Try something new!

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This year, we are infusing new

ideas into holiday observances.

HOLIDAYS In place of traditional worship,
we are offering online

experiences that resonate with

the holiday's meaning.

HANUKKAH In the spirit of Hanukkah,
DEC 11 participate in our Hanukkah Social
Celebrate the Festival of Lights. Media Challenge. Share a picture
of your family lighting the
Join us on Zoom for the Hanukkah candles! Follow us on Facebook
and Instagram @TempleSolelAZ
Shabbat Family service on Friday,

December 11 at 6:15PM. Find more

information in the weekly eNUZ.

TU BiSH'VAT PASSOVER
JAN 28 MAR 28
The 15th day of the Hebrew month Led by Rabbi Linder and Cantorial
Shevat is known as the “New Year of Soloist Herzog, Temple Solel’s Annual
the Trees.” We can look at it as the Community 2nd Night Seder will be
original Earth Day. Temple Solel will celebrated virtually on Sunday, March
bring particular awareness to ways 28 th at 6:00PM. We will bring to life
we can be part of the solution in our people’s Exodus story, with all
addressing the climate change crisis the prayers, rituals and fun Passover
– perhaps the greatest challenge songs.
before the world community in our
generation. SHAVUOT
MAY 14 & 16
PURIM We will celebrate Shavuot, our annual
FEB 25 celebration of receiving the Torah at
Choose Your Own Adventure Spiel, a Mt. Sinai on two dates. Erev Shabbat,
hilarious, interactive spiel that brings May 14th, our Confirmation Class
the audience into the action! In the students will participate in services,
spirit of the classic kids’ book series, and inspire us with their love of
in almost every scene the audience being Jewish. On May 16th , Erev
gets to pick which of several endings Shavuot, we will join in a community
the cast will perform. Join us online Tikkun Leil Shavuot (an evening of
for a virtual Purim celebration! learning with community clergy) –
information to follow.
WOMEN'S SEDER
MAR 17 9
Along with the Women of Temple
Solel, Rabbi Stiel will lead our
wonderful, Annual Intergeneration
Women’s Seder, March 17th at
6:00PM.

Learning
CLERGY
MINI COURSES HOT TOPICS!

Throughout the year, our clergy team offer FEB 2, 9, 16, 23
learning series for the community.
Registration required. Look for more Rabbi Stiel will explore relevant
information leading up to each event in issues of today through a Jewish
Temple Solel's weekly eNUZ email lens. We will delve into topics
newsletter. Sessions on Tuesdays at such as the Ethics of War/What’s a
7:00PM-8:30PM. Just War, Euthanasia and Assisted
Suicide, Ethical Kashrut, Tattoos
BIBLICAL PROPHETS: WHO WERE and Body Piercing. Jewish values
THEY THEN? WHAT CAN WE LEARN can help us navigate the
FROM THEM TODAY? (PART I) challenges of our current age.

DEC 1, 8, 15, 22 BIBLICAL PROPHETS: WHO WERE
THEY THEN? WHAT CAN WE LEARN
Rabbi Linder will put the prophets FROM THEM TODAY? (PART 2)
into a biblical/historical context,
bring attention to what the MAR 9, 16, 23, 30
prophets had in common, what
their particular, respective Rabbi Linder will continue the
missions were, bring their discussion from part 1. Previous
distinctive character to life, and attendance not necessary.
learn how to distinguish between
a “true” and “false” prophet. 10

ADULT EDUCATION INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM
OPPORTUNITIES TUESDAYS AT 7:00-9:00PM

SHABBAT TORAH STUDY Gain a deeper understanding of Jewish
SATURDAYS AT 9:00AM life. Discover what could be meaningful to
you in liberal Judaism. All people,
Build community through the weekly perspectives, and questions are welcome!
study of Torah. All are welcome. Torah Facilitated by Temple Solel and taught by
study is held Saturday mornings each our rabbis and other Phoenix Reform
week at 9:00AM on Zoom and also serves rabbis. The cost is $200 for temple
as a minyan for anyone saying Kaddish. members and $280 for nonmembers. The
class will run January-April. Sign up
MEDITATION through our weekly eNUZ.
TUESDAYS AT 10:00AM - 10:30AM
VALLEY BEIT MIDRASH
Join us as we invite you to direct your
breath around the themes of God, love, Temple Solel supports VBM, an
and understanding with the Temple Solel organization rooted in Jewish ethics that
clergy. Weekly online on Tuesdays at is committed to improving lives in our
10:00AM. For more information check our communities through Torah learning,
weekly eNUZ. social action, and leadership
development. Register at
LUNCH AND LEARN valleybeitmidrash.org
WEDNESDAYS AT 12:00PM
The Biblical Hero: Portraits in Nobility and
Join us as we nourish our minds with the Fallibility by Elliott Rabin
study of Jewish topics. Weekly online FEB 1 AT 1:00PM
Zoom meetings on Wednesdays at noon.
For more information check our weekly The "Animal Family" Laws of the Torah:
eNUZ. Making Animals a Part of the Jewish
Family by Dr. Beth Berkowitz
FEB 11 AT 1:00PM

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For more information about 12

COMMITTEES Committees visit our website at

templesolel.org/community/committees

BUDGET COMMITTEE FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

This committee prepares and oversees the This committee works to generate ideas
annual congregational budget, and seeks and events that will provide special funds
approval by the Board of Trustees and the for the current and future viability of our
membership of the congregation. congregation in support of it's overall
mission.
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MARKETING COMMITTEE
The Development Committee provides for
the current and future viability of our The Marketing Committee works with the
congregation in support of its overall professional staff to provide strategic
mission. direction in the areas of branding, website
design, advertising, internal
EDUCATION COMMITTEE communications, public relations, and
marketing collateral.
The Education Committee advises and
supports our education professionals of MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Raker Religious School and The Solel
Preschool and supports the world of The Membership Committee is responsible
building relationships among and creating for membership recruitment, integration,
lifelong Jewish learners within the Temple retention, and outreach. Committee
Solel community. To get involved, email members greet at temple services and
[email protected]. events, participate in community-wide
events, contact prospective members, hold
FACILITIES COMMITTEE open houses for prospective members,
plan special events and Shabbats, and
This committee works with professional much more.
staff to establish priorities and identify
needs and resources to keep our building RITUAL COMMITTEE
well-maintained, functioning, and
welcoming. The Ritual Committee assists our clergy in
shaping our worship experience by
blending the best customs of Temple Solel
services with innovations that will
enhance prayer for our community.

Social
We seek to support the divine spark in each individual by working
together, based on the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam and the
teachings of Torah, to help the needy in our community and affect
social change. We invite you to become part of our tapestry of
neighbors helping neighbors, striving to fulfill our mission of being a
vibrant and engaged social action community. To get involved
contact, Social Action Vice President: Rae Rader –
[email protected]

ORGANIZATIONS WE HAVE HELPED:
Vista Del Camino Food Bank
StreetLightUSA
Phoenix Cancer Support Network
Saving Amy
Jewish Family and Children’s Services
Family Promise of Greater Phoenix
Phoenix Jewish Free Loan
Jewish National Fund
Bubble and Froth Foundation for Food Assistance

13 Action

14 COLLEGE CONNECTIONS

AUXILIARIES/K'HILOT Providing care packages and support to students
celebrating Jewish holidays away at school while also
ART @ SOLEL encouraging parents to get to know each other and create
community virtually! To get involved, contact
The Art@Solel committee oversees Temple Solel's art [email protected].
collection and promotes art expression and appreciation
among our congregants and beautification of our EMPTY NESTERS
synagogue. The committee sponsors the art showcase,
which allows congregant artists to display their work in the DEC 5
north hallway gallery and discuss their work during a If you are a parent, single or married, with children ages 20-
reception open to the community when we can safely 35 who are not living with you, this group is for you! The
gather. To get involved, contact [email protected]. group meets socially online throughout the year. To get
involved, contact [email protected].
BOOK CLUB
HIKING CLUB
DEC 15, JAN 19, FEB 16, MAR 16, APR 20, MAY 18
Join Temple Solel for a book discussion centered on Jewish JAN 24, FEB 21, MAR 14
subject matter or by Jewish authors. Come enjoy friends Join us monthly on Sundays in one of the usual places;
and meet new ones. To get involved, contact McDowell Sonoran Preserve, South Mountain Preserve, and
[email protected]. Cave Creek Reginal Park at 8AM. Limited participation due
to COVID. To get involved, contact [email protected].
CARING COMMUNITY
KNITTING FOR A PURPOSE
Working in conjunction with our clergy, Temple Solel's
Caring Community provides support for our congregants in DEC 9, JAN 13, FEB 10, MAR 10, APR 14
times of sorrow and in moments of joy. To get involved, Do you love to knit or crochet? Are you interested in
contact [email protected]. knitting for a good cause and meeting some wonderful
people? Join us the second Wednesday of each month
from 1:00-3:00PM. We will provide the yarn and
needles/hooks. To get involved, contact
[email protected].

15 YOUNG ADULTS OF SOLEL (YAS!)

MEN OF SOLEL JAN 14, APR 27, JUNE 4
For members in their 20s and 30s looking to be more
JAN 5, FEB 2, MAR 2, APR 6 actively engaged in the Jewish community and traditional
The goal of the men's group is to form lifelong friendships programming. YAS! is a social group to do fun things in the
through social and philanthropic activities while helping community and celebrate Jewish holidays by meeting
promote Jewish life and community. Monthly activities people your own age and building relationships. To get
include; Happy Hours, Golfing, and Poker Nights. To get involved, contact [email protected].
involved, contact [email protected].
AL & IRMA FELDMAN YIDDISH CLUB
MOVIE CLUB
DEC 23, JAN 27, FEB 24, MAR 24, APR 28, MAY 26
DEC 17, JAN 21, FEB 18, MAR 18, APR 15 Interested in learning and conversing in Yiddish? Join us for
Do you enjoy seeing a good movie and sharing your our monthly meeting at 1:30PM virtually. To get involved,
thoughts and opinions afterwards? Watch movies with contact [email protected].
Jewish subjects and/or with Jewish actors and discuss
them with members of Temple Solel. To get involved,
contact [email protected].

ROSH CHODESH

DEC 16, JAN 13, FEB 10, APR 14, MAY 12
Temple Solel women join together each month for
learning, social time, and recognizing the start of the new
month. This year's topic: Kol Isha- the Woman's Voice. The
poems, prayers, and letters of Jewish women from the last
4 centuries are a rich treasure trove for us to explore and
discuss the historic significance and spiritual insights. To
get involved, contact [email protected].

SISTERS OF SOLEL

DEC 6, JAN 7, MAR 11
Women of Temple Solel are invited to reach out and meet
new women through exciting programs and casual
gatherings throughout the year. Women of all ages are
encouraged to participate. To get involved, contact
[email protected].

Raker

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

Temple Solel's Raker Religious School formal
education program begins with our three
year old children and continues through high
school.
We strive to provide our students with
interactive and challenging experiences that
build a foundation of knowledge, relevance,
and literacy.
Every experience needs to emphasize the
core values that we each bring from our
diverse traditions and backgrounds. Shabbat
and holiday programs, worship, experiential
learning, art, music, and family programs are
all included in order to provide a well-
rounded educational experience. Hebrew
letter recognition and basic Hebrew
vocabulary begins in Kindergarten with
formal Hebrew training beginning in grade 4
through grade 6. Raker Religious School
begins at 9:30AM on Sundays online. 

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YOUTH LEARNING Classes for 8-12:
OPPORTUNITIES 8th & 9th grades - Comparative Judaism

JSTY (Junior Solel Temple Youth): and World Religions
JSTY is for 6-8th graders. It is a great way 10th Grade Confirmation Class
11th & 12th grades meet with senior staff
to meet other Jewish kids through Tikkun and members of the congregation to
Olam, social, and community events. NFTY,
(National Federation of Temple Youth) has discuss the "Big Questions"

also started planning events for grades 6- Confirmation Class: Confirmation Class
8, in order to bring them together. for 10th graders focuses on exploring

Attending a NFTY event gives Solel kids an Jewish identity and Jewish values. During
opportunity to meet other Jewish kids class, this group will engage in a
from across the valley.
discussion-style workshop. One of the
TSTY (Temple Solel Temple Youth): highlights of the Confirmation year is the
TSTY is for high school aged students
opportunity to travel to Washington D.C.
grades 9-12. TSTY members can in January to attend the L'Taken Seminar
participate in a variety of social action, with other Jewish teens from around the

community events, and conferences country. There they will experience the
bringing teens from around the Southwest work of the Reform Movement's Religious

region together. Eliana Givre is the Action Center and learn to lobby
advisor for this group. For additional important issues. The year will conclude
information email [email protected]
17 with a ceremony and reception to mark
and celebrate this special groups Jewish

Journey.

Madrichim Program: 8th-12th graders are
encouraged to apply for positions as
Madrichim-In-Training (8th grade) or
Madrichim (9-12 grades) for Raker

Religious School. Participation in the
Madrichim program requires enrollment

in 8th-12th grade classes.

The Solel
PRESCHOOL

The Solel Preschool provides a
structured learning environment

based on the goals of Reform
Judaism, child development, and

early childhood education.

We encourage children to explore
the world while developing small

and large muscle coordination,
eye-hand coordination, language

skills, a strong sense of self-
esteem, and help them to foster a

positive Jewish identity.

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PRESCHOOL
OPPORTUNITIES

Though we’ve had to cancel many of our typical events this year our
Preschoolers will still be looking forward to some special
celebrations in their classrooms! To get involved contact,

[email protected] or visit solelpreschool.org

Hanukkah Holiday Activities Passover Seders
From our Hanukkah music dance We observe Passover with Seders
party to decorating treat bags for that are a mix of tasting and
gelt and dreidels, tasting singing. We tell the story of
latkes and playing pin the candle Passover with kid-friendly songs
on the hanukkiah, our Hanukah and try items from the Seder plate
celebration is definitely a as the story is told.
highlight of the year!
Israel Celebration
Tu BiSh'vat Seders & Planting One of our favorite celebrations of
Our kids enjoy celebrating Tu the year is for Yom Ha-Atzmaut.
B’Shevat with activities like With a variety of Israel
planting seeds, doing tree yoga themed activities such Dead Sea
and exploring all sorts of animals mud sensory play, making Israeli
and bugs that live in the trees. salad and even trying some
Israeli dancing, we love
19 decorating our classrooms for the
holiday and celebrating all things
Israel!

At A Glance 5781

templesolel.org
[email protected] | 480-991-7414

6805 E McDonald Drive
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253