Apples and honey, round challahs with raisins, the blowing of the shofar, honey cakes, pomegranates, flowers and all that is sweet and inviting as we welcome the New Year! We greet each other by saying, L’shana tovah u’metukah (pronounced l’shah-NAH toe-VAH ooh-meh-too-KAH), which means “for a good and sweet year.”
We are delighted to welcome Rabbi Daniel “Danny” Price to Congregation B’nai Midbar. Imagine coming to your new congregation and your first services are High Holy Days! Eliyanah Powers, Cantorial Soloist and Dr. Joshua Nichols, Accompanist, are returning to help us navigate through our chants and prayers. The Yom Kippur evening service will include Stephen Beecher, Cellist. He will perform ‘Kol Nidre’ (All Vows). Kol Nidre, is a prayer sung at the beginning of the service on the eve of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). The prayer expresses repentance of unfulfilled vows, oaths and/or promises made during the year. The melody became famous when the composer Max Bruch used it as the basis for variations for cello. The music is widely popular because of its plaintive and appealing qualities.
An Important ReminderServices will be held at a new meeting place. We are fortunate to live in a vibrant and active community. Often, due to the many activities we have, the availability of meeting rooms cannot keep up with demand. Knowing the circumstances, our need to have meeting places available to coincide with the Jewish calendar created a need to look at alternatives. We have been successful in finding an offsite location.
The Santa Catalina Catholic Church has a beautiful campus, and they have been very welcoming to our request. The church has agreed to provide the necessary space to hold our services at their Parish House. Our congregation will have the ability to plan, organize and worship together, knowing where and when we will be. We will have Onegs and the Yom Kippur ‘Break the Fast’!
The church is about eight miles from SaddleBrooke with a travel time of 15 to 20 minutes by car. Parking is plentiful. We understand that some members and guests would like to carpool. Email Esta Goldstein at jdsa38@icloud.com with your carpool request.
Dates to RememberRosh Hashanah – The celebration of the New Year 5785
- Evening – Wednesday, October 2
- Day – Thursday, October 3
Tashlich – October 3
Yom Kippur — Day of Atonement
- Evening – Friday, October 11
- Day – Saturday, October 12
Havdalah: Saturday, September 28
Shabbot Services (at 7 p.m.)
- Friday, October 25 — The October Oneg is sponsored by Eileen and Dick Feldgus celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary and Art and Sharon Triester in honor of their friends!
- Friday, November 15 — TBD
- Friday, December 20 — TBD
Annual Meeting: On Friday, December 13 (it is rumored that ice cream is involved). Times and locations will be sent to the congregation and guests.
Our Tashlich service will be held on Thursday, October 3. Tashlich symbolizes the forgiveness of sins. As we pray for forgiveness, we cast pieces of bread onto a flowing body of water. The bread symbolizes the sins of the past year and is swept away. Those who embrace this tradition are spiritually cleansed and renewed. So, bring your breadcrumbs!
We RememberAs we remember our loved ones, let’s remember those lost on October 7, 2023. A community wide October 7 commemoration event is being held on Monday, October 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. If you are interested in attending, send an email to the Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona at jparizona.org. You must register to attend.
HavdalahB’nai Midar members and guests will gather for Havdalah at sunset on Saturday, September 28. Havdalah is a joyous gathering acknowledging the end of Shabbat and welcoming the new week. The ritual involves lighting a special candle, blessing over wine, smelling sweet spices, singing and refreshments! For additional information, email Joy Erickson at joyerickson4@gmail.com.
Our August Jewish Community Event was held to Meet and Greet Rabbi Price. Over 50 people attended! Rabbi Price spoke about the community, his spiritual and religious pursuits. Many took the opportunity to speak to the Rabbi individually. Rabbi Price’s open and engaging personality left many happy and pleased.
We have a website — bnaimidbar.org. Bonnie Lasky will be sending members emails to join the website. Bonnie has worked extremely hard to bring us a website. Features include a calendar of services and events, photo gallery, personal Yizkor, Birthday and Anniversary dates, Tucson Jewish community resources and much more. If you have any ideas that you would like to see on the B’nai Midbar website, share them with Bonnie Lasky via email to bglasky@att.net. We are looking to the website going “live” on Tuesday, October 1. Todah Rabah (Thank You), Bonnie!
OnegsOnegs are held after Shabbat services to greet and be with friends. Beverages and a variety of cakes, cookies and challah are available. If you wish to sponsor an Oneg to celebrate, honor a person(s) or event, email Judi Friedman at judi95476@gmail.com.
High Holy Day information and schedules will be forwarded to congregants. For those who have guests and non-members wishing to join us, email Joy Erickson at joyerickson4@gmail.com or Esta Goldstein at jdsa38@icloud.com for information.
B’nai Midbar is a welcoming congregation. If you wish to join our congregation or have questions, call Esta Goldstein at (520) 825-1181.
A sweet New Year to all!
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