Celebrations, Education, and More
Melanie Einbund
Oneg Celebrations: March’s Oneg was provided by Joy and Bill Eickson with gratitude to all. An Oneg is a mitzvah (good deed) to celebrate and sponsor a special occasion, memory, an honor, or just because. And you can always share the Oneg honors with another. Openings are available for September, October, November, and December. Contact Marcia Gilbert (marciaegilbert@gmail.com) to reserve or spot, ask questions, and/or volunteer.
Celebratory Events
April 1-2, Passover Seders
Adult Education—Led by Rabbi Price
Open to members are classes of Jewish Text Study based on Jewish Ethics. Space is limited. Please contact Esta Goldstein (jsda38@icloud.com) for more information.
April 14: What Happens After We Die?
Mitzvahs
Bonnie Lasky celebrated becoming 83!
Irv Rothenberg celebrated 91!
And, if that wasn’t enough Bonnie and Irv celebrated their second wedding anniversary by hosting a special Oneg.
Believe in fairy tales? We do! Judi Friedman and Jerry Lankin came to SaddleBrooke on their own, planning the next steps in their lives. They met, spent some casual time together, held hands. As they learned and grew together, they decided ‘Let’s get married!’ And so, April brings a marriage united in caring and love! Judi and Jerry, B’nai Midbar wishes you ‘Mazel Tov’ and a life full of happiness together!
Wishes to Hal Kirman as he gets better.
Sherry Kaplan has come home! We wish Sherry all that is good as she gains her strength.
Let’s talk about the Chesed Committee. Chesed is the Hebrew word for “kindness” or “compassion” and is a central Jewish value. The Chesed Caring Team is designed to support and comfort our members and their families in times of need, hardship, ill health, and any other issue in which a helping hand makes a difference. Many of us now feel times are different than they once were. An extra hand or smile eases the way. We look to our community. If you have the wish to extend your hand to others in need, please contact Esta Goldstein (jsda38@icloud.com) or Susan Kendal (einfo4848@yahoo.com).
The Gift, an End-of-Life Conversation. A series of six educational and interactive classes that speaks to everything you want to know about the end of life and are afraid to ask. Classes were every Tuesday from Feb. 3 through March 10. The first class was on Conversations about “Having That Conversation,” an intimate look at a time that is coming and gives us pause. As classes have progressed all attendees have been impressed with the compassion, organization, and material provided. The involvement and professionalism are paramount. We are excited that there may be another offering in the future. Contact Bonnie Lasky (bglasky@att.net) for more information.
Several are in need! Congregation B’nai Midbar in combination with IMPACT of Southern Arizona sponsors a food drive at every Shabbat service that we are in session. Please bring any food products that you wish to donate to Shabbat services on Friday, April 17. Packaging and dating are not important. IMPACT will separate the donations accordingly. If you wish to donate, checks made payable to IMPACT of Southern Arizona are welcome. Literature will be available at the table. Know that your contribution is tax deductible via Arizona Tax Credits.Feed people and get a tax break!
May 1-31, is Jewish American Heritage Month celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans to the U.S. With over 7.5 million Jewish Americans, this month recognizes the rich traditions of Jewish communities and their integral role in shaping American society. For information and events, visit jewishheritagemonth.gov.
Jewish Links, our E-Bulletin, and our website Bnaimidbar.com will keep you up to date. Please subscribe and/or log on to the website for more information.
We at Congregation B’nai Midbar provide individuals of all backgrounds the opportunity to celebrate, practice, and learn from Jewish culture and religion in a welcoming and socially fulfilling environment. For information, contact Joy Erickson at infocbm18@gmail.com.
Congregation B’nai Midbar wishes you a Happy Passover and Easter!
Pass the Matzah Please!
Melanie Einbund
Our Shabbat is April 17. Rabbi Price will officiate our last Shabbat until the High Holy Days. As always Eliyanah Powers, our Cantorial Soloist, and Ruzbeh Tebyanian, Accompanist, will assist. It will be a chance to say goodbye to many of our snowbird members. Of course, those remaining in Tucson have our wishes of a good, not–too–hot summer.
Passover comes early! Very early in April. Seders will be everywhere. B’nai Midbar has members who have opened their home to congregants to embrace memories of family seders with in-home intimate family-style seders. If you wish to attend a B’nai Midbar in-home seder, contact Esta Goldstein (jsda38@icloud.com) or Joy Erickson (joyerickson4@gmail.com). If you would like to join the Jewish Friendship Group Community Seder, contact Sharon Hoff (sharonhoff921@gmail.com). No matter where you celebrate and remember the Passover story, B’nai Midbar wishes you and yours the joy and happiness of the season.
Joy Erickson offered this about the tour of the Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center: “I think that three years was the charm! It was a beautiful day, a small but passionate group of B’nai Midbar attendees, and a very special and private tour guide. I have attended this annual outing for three years, and I have enjoyed it every year. However, this year seemed incredibly meaningful. Perhaps it’s the times we are living in, or the realization of the tremendous community impact that the early Jewish settlers had on the development of greater Tucson as well as the Jewish Community.”
Joy also realized that the focus of this unique Holocaust Museum is to the Tucson survivors and their stories, rather than the horrors that we are all too familiar with.
Thank you, Esta, your devotion to the museum and all things Jewish in our community is inspiring to us all!
Eva Friedner offered her warm and caring Chant Circle in March, a way to meditate using prayer to bring harmony and consideration. Reach out to Eva if interested at eva.friedner@gmail.com.
Dates to Remember
Shabbat services are led by Rabbi Daniel Price: April 17
Summer services (locations will be announced): May 15, June 19, July 17