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January 12, 2001/Tevet 17, 5761, Vol. 53, No.15
Letters to the EditorJanuary 12, 2001
Strength showsEditor:I was in Tempe at Temple Emanuel recently for Arizona's Third Annual Reform Community Shabbat. What a wonderful celebration of the strength and beauty of Reform Judaism in Arizona. I want to express appreciation to hundreds of Arizona Jews for participating. Reform Judaism is, of course, the largest stream of Judaism in Arizona. Thirteen of the state's strongest synagogues are affiliated with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the association of Reform synagogues in North America. A large group of Arizona rabbis are graduates of Hebrew Union College, the academic center of Reform Judaism, and they are also members of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the professional body of Reform rabbis. So it was a great moment when the UAHC, HUC and CCAR joined together to sponsor the Nov. 3 Reform Community Shabbat in Tempe. Nine rabbis and three cantors led the service from a siddur (prayer book) specially edited for the occasion. A joint choir of 30 members from several temples added to the joy of the service. Rabbi Andrew Straus and the leadership of Temple Emanuel extended generous hospitality to our Reform Jewish movement. Arizona is fortunate to have such a fine group of religious Jews living in this state. Rabbi Jerrold Goldstein UAHC, Pacific Southwest Region Los Angeles Ads workEditor:Through our informal tracking we found that our ad in Jewish News did bring lots of art lovers to our Hidden-in-the-Hills studio tour and sale, just as you said it would. It was fun working with you, and I look forward to doing so again next year for the fifth anniversary of our event. Garry Sanden, President Sonoran Arts League Cave Creek |
