IJSS News

Melanie Einbund

Happy New Year. Rosh Hashanah will be observed Sept. 25 and 26, and Yom Kippur on Oct. 4 and 5. The IJSS board is actively planning High Holiday Services.

Mark Your Calendars. Shabbat Services are scheduled for Nov. 4 and Dec. 16, 2002, and Jan. 27, Feb. 24, March 24, and April 28, 2023. The Oneg and Special Events committee includes the celebrations of Onegs, Tu Bishvat, Shavuot, Tashlich, and other remembrances. If you have interest in this committee, contact Sam Horowitz at [email protected].

Welcome Back Happy Hour. Members, please plan to attend the IJSS Welcome Back Happy Hour gathering. We will get together on Sept. 21.

In Case You Did Not Know. Esta Goldstein has joined the IJSS Board of Directors as vice chair. Esta has a long and thorough understanding and knowledge of Judaic congregation practices and processes. We know that Esta’s background will be beneficial to us all. Please welcome Esta to the IJSS board!

Completing Our Clergy. By now most of you know that Rabbi Sandy Seltzer is rejoining us as our Rabbi. We welcome Rabbi back to our pulpit as we look to many insightful and knowledgeable services. Completing our clergy for 2022-23 is Eliyanah Powers, cantorial soloist, and Harrison Sheckler, accompanist.

Eliyanah comes from Austin, Texas. She loves animals and nature. Her musical background includes being a member of staff at Congregations Or Chadash and Temple Emanu El. As a pianist, leading children in music and choir add to her abilities as a cantorial soloist.

Currently Harrison is on tour in the British Isles with the Tucson Boys Chorus. Harrison is a doctoral candidate of the musical arts degree in piano performance at the University of Arizona. A native of Charles City, Iowa, he began playing the piano at 6 years old. Harrison is the recipient of many piano competitions. IJSS welcomes both Eliyanah and Harrison to our pulpit.

Tisha B’Av. A solemn and the saddest day of the Jewish calendar. Beginning on Aug. 6 through Aug. 7, Tisha B’Av observes the destruction of both Temples, the fall of Bar Kochba’s fortress, and includes the expulsion of Jews from England in 1290 as well as from Spain in 1492. Restrictions that are like Yom Kippur are practiced including fasting.

Yes, We Have a Lake! Last year, IJSS congregants began the observance of Tashlich. This tradition allows us to ‘cast’ away our sins by praying and casting breadcrumbs into a flowing body of water. Once again, IJSS congregants will have the opportunity to observe Tashlich on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Our thanks to Mike Roddy, director of golf and grounds, SaddleBrooke One, who heard and acted on our request.

IJSS is a small, active, and welcoming congregation. If you have questions or wish to join our congregation, please contact Joan Elder at 520-360-1478 or Seth Eisner at 520-818-6340 for information.

IJSS wishes our community a summer of joyful experiences and cool liquids.