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August 13, 2004/Av 26 5763, Vol. 55, No. 47
Chandler synagogue holds Shabbat services in Spanish
SARAH DELANEY
Editorial Intern
Something new can be heard at Temple Beth Sholom in Chandler. In addition to the typical sounds of Hebrew, Spanish now echoes through the building.
The Conservative synagogue has been having Spanish Shabbat services, an idea that began when a non-English speaking family joined the synagogue last year, explained synagogue president Barbara Gold.
Gold started speaking with a member of the family. "I started asking him, 'Are there other people who would want to come?' and he told me yes, that there would be other people (if we had Spanish Shabbat services)."
The number of Spanish-only speaking Jewish families in the East Valley is unknown but there seems to be an interest.
The synagogue held its first service in Spanish in May and the second July 31, and received positive re-sponses. "The first one we had about 20 (attendants) and this one we had 40," commented Gold.
"I think people were just really in awe that there were so many people, that we more than doubled the amount of people" who came, she said.
The majority of those who attend are not affiliated with Beth Sholom, according to Gold. Many are relatives or friends of synagogue members, but some learn about the services in un-expected ways.
"I was at a local grocery store buying some challah and met a guy who wanted to buy challah and I told him about the services. His mother speaks only Spanish, and so she came," laughed Gold.
Current temple members are also intrigued. "We've had people (who) don't speak Spanish attend the service just to see what it's like," said Ramon Carrasco, a congregant who gave the d'var Torah (word of Torah) at the last service.
In addition to the difference in language, the interaction of the congregants also differs from that of a typical service. The services use a book of prayers with one side in Hebrew and one side in Spanish. "Isaac Levy (ritual vice president at the temple and the leader of the services) actually asks people who are attending there to read the Spanish. So it's more interactive than, say, a regular service, where the rabbi leads it," explained Gold.
Carrasco hopes that others will learn about the services and want to come. "We'd like to extend a very cordial, warm welcome to other folks in the area, particularly if they're unaffiliated. ...We'd enjoy their company, and they might like the idea of being able to daven in Spanish and Hebrew."
The synagogue's next Spanish service will be 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. Services will be held once a month starting in October. Contact Ramon Carrasco, 480-889-0081 or 480-812-0033; or Barbara Gold, 480-759-2958.
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