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August 10, 2001/Av 21, 5761, Vol. 53, No.44
Orthodox, Chabad reach out to Valley
BARRY COHEN
Editor
Valley synagogues face the challenge of making Judaism relevant for Jews living in a highly assimilated, fast-paced, mobile society.
In response to these challenges, Phoenix's largest and oldest Orthodox synagogue, Beth Joseph Congregation, views itself as a house of study as much as a house of worship.
Chabad synagogues are responding through outreach, meeting Jews where they are, in an effort to make Judaism more meaningful and personal.
Jewish News previously covered how the Reform Movement in the Valley has responded to contemporary challenges with "Reform looks back to move forward" (April 27) and how Conservative Judaism has reacted with "Conservative movement maintains 'fluid' middle." (June 8).
"The synagogue was once a place where you would come and pray," said Rabbi David Rebibo of Beth Joseph. "Today, it is first and foremost a center of learning."
Rebibo, who has been in the Valley 38 years, explained that as society has become more secular, the synagogue has had to provide additional educational programming for Jews as a counter balance.
In this spirit, he wants Beth Joseph to become more a beit midrash, "house of study," offering expanded adult education, workshops and seminars.
"I want it to open up at 6 a.m., 40 minutes before morning minyan, and close at 10 p.m.," offering classes throughout the day, every day, including some Saturdays, he said.
Rabbi Zalman Levertov, of Congregation Bais Menachem/Chabad-Lubavitch in Phoenix and regional director of Chabad, agrees that education is a primary means of relating to American Jews.
"In the past, a rabbi was needed to teach and answer questions ... and was a spiritual guide to a lesser role," said Levertov, who has been in the Valley since 1977. Today, Jews do not necessarily know what questions to ask, he said.
As people are encouraged to observe Judaism to a greater degree, they will begin to ask questions, he asserted. This process of teaching - of questioning and answering - "will bring out the beauty of Judaism."
Chabad excels in this effort by emphasizing outreach, he added.
"Chabad is an outreach organization," said Rabbi Mendy Deitsch, of Chabad of the East Valley, located in Chandler. "That's what we do."
Deitsch said Chabad's goal is to reach out to the unaffiliated, to those "seeking spirituality," and to continue their Jewish education "at their own pace and at their own level."
Deitsch, in the Valley for four years, said it is a misconception that Chabad only "caters to the Orthodox community" and that Chabad should be called "Orthodox" Judaism.
Rabbi Sholom Lew of Chabad of the West Valley in Glendale, said he sees "Orthodox" as just another label.
"We make no distinctions among Jews," said Lew. "Each person has a neshomah, soul, and that's where it begins and where it ends."
Lew said events sponsored by the Westside Chabad attract a diverse crowd of people from varying Jewish backgrounds.
"We try to do something for everyone," said Chana Lew, Sholom Lew's wife.
In the coming year, Chana Lew said, Chabad of the West Valley will be reaching out in a number of ways. Efforts will include a Jewish Learning Institute, providing classes on a variety of topics.
The learning will also be experiential. A Living Legacy Program will teach participants to make their own shofar for the High Holidays and their own olive oil for Hanukkah, she said.
"Innovative programming is central," said Deitsch. In the past, Chabad of the East Valley has provided holiday events, and such as Purim Around the World, Arizona Mills Hanukkah and an ice cream party for Shavuot. A women's group has sponsored monthly events and the congregation performs bikur cholim (visiting the sick) services.
Chabad of Scottsdale is planning display tables at grocery stores featuring the array of kosher goods available, said Rabbi Jacob Baron, who has been in the Valley for two years. Thirty to 45 percent of products in grocery stores are kosher, said Baron. "We just need to point it out to (Jewish shoppers)."
In addition, Chabad of Scottsdale will sell Passover items next spring at its Passover Pantry.
There will also be programming for teenagers. Chabad plans to visit high schools once a month and set up a kosher "lunch and learn," said Baron.
Deitsch said an ongoing challenge in reaching out to the Jewish community is "geography."
"So many Jews are spread out. ... The challenge is how to find them," he said. Chabad repeats programs at different locations in an effort to reach as many Jews as possible.
Rebibo said a challenge in dealing with the Jewish community is balancing his responsibilities to congregants with the needs of the unaffiliated.
"I cannot refuse to see them because they are not members," he said.
Rebibo not only provides pre-wedding and family counseling for non-members, but also makes hospital and hospice calls and consults on autopsies to ensure they conform to Jewish tradition.
Rebibo said he feels a pull from congregants and would like to "spend more quality time" with them, "but they know I have to do what I have to do."
Because Chabad's principal mission is reaching out to the entire Jewish community, said Deitsch, anyone may go to Chabad and not have "to worry about dues ... or synagogue politics," he said.
Baron said people's reactions to Chabad's outreach efforts are often mixed. Some do not like the fact that Chabad adheres to the tradition of men and women sitting separately at worship services.
Baron said people like being told "the truth" about Judaism. Chabad is effective in outreach efforts, he said, because "people see we're consistent and authentic."
Rabbi Chaim Silver of Young Israel of Phoenix, in addition to representatives of Agudat Achim Congregation in Phoenix and Shaarei Tzedek in Phoenix, were unavailable for comment for this story.
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