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October 12, 2001/Tishri 25, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 5
Raw Kaballah rocks at Beth El Congregation
JEFFREY STANLIS
Special to Jewish News
The Beth El Congregation synagogue was rocking Oct. 5 as Raw Kaballah made its Phoenix debut for nearly 500 young worshipers.
Raw Kaballah, based on a similar program in Los Angeles which attracts 1,500 to 2,000 each month, is an upbeat, musical service led by Los Angeles band Milot Ha'Nefesh.
"I was dancing, I was singing and I was participating," said Jenny Rand. "I can't wait until the next one. I'll be back."
The turnout met and possibly surpassed the 300-500 attendees the planners had expected, according to Joel Friedlander, organizing committee member.
"It was absolutely awesome," Friedlander said. "People just kept coming and coming. We think it will grow from here, because word of mouth is one of the most powerful things we have."
The basic goal of Raw Kaballah, according to a newsletter distributed at the event, is to "create a place for Phoenix's 'Generation J' to meet each other regularly, to participate in a warm, spiritual environment and, most importantly, have a great time."
"I thought we had a great crowd," said David Ross, singer and pianist for Milot Ha'Nefesh. "There was a lot of energy, especially as people started to learn the songs."
The participants sang each prayer, with Milot Ha'Nafesh providing the music of three vocalists, pianist, bass guitarist and drummer. Ross and singers Micah Liberman and Suzy Zeffren taught the melodies of the prayers.
"I didn't know a lot of the songs, but will learn them," said participant Wendy Horwitch. "I had a lot of fun, and I'm definitely going to come back."
A few technical difficulties, including problems with the sound system, hampered the service but failed to dampen the enthusiasm.
"Shabbat unplugged may have been better," said Lionel Hummel, coordinator of the Jewish singles adventure group Arizona Adventurers. "But I think the overall experience has made such a difference in the Los Angeles community, and I'm excited about what this could mean for Phoenix."
Raw Kaballah is designed to reach Jewish young adults who may not be actively involved in religious activities, Ross said.
"The Phoenix area just wasn't seeing programming for that demographic," said Ross. "Hopefully this program will provide an outlet."
Several participants at Raw Kaballah said they had attended similar events in other cities and were looking for a more spiritual, upbeat environment in Phoenix.
"It was just great," said Dina Rothlin, one of four participants to compete in a "shake like a lulav" (palm frond used on Sukkot) contest. "I used to go to a service just like this in the Washington, D.C., area, and I'm so glad it's here now."
Rothlin said the services in the nation's capitol were "more rowdy" than Phoenix's debut event.
Julie Frazin, who moved to Arizona two months ago, experienced "Friday Night Live" at Temple Sinai in Los Angeles, a program organized by musician Craig Taubman that is similar to Raw Kaballah.
"I think this has a lot of potential," Frazin said. "For my age group, you can usually find us at the bars on Friday nights. This is a great way to get us involved."
Guest speaker Micah Caplan, who will be ordained as a rabbi in May from the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, addressed the gathering on the subject of sex in Judaism. Organizers plan to have guest speakers at future services, scheduled for the first Friday of each month.
A catered Oneg Shabbat followed the service.
"This is the young Jewish community of Phoenix," said Hummel. "In an area that's so geographically spread out, this is a place you can go to meet your cohorts."
The next service is Friday, Nov. 2, at Beth El Congregation, 1118 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. Call 623-363-1011 or visit the Web site www.rawkaballah.com.
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