February 18, 2005/Adar 1 9 5765, Volume 57, No. 25
Not the same old, same oldShabbat alternatives offer variety
STEPHANIE N. HENSCHEL
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 Members of the Jewish Artists of the Valley Association (J.A.V.A.) participate in a Kol Ahava service in September 2004. The alternative Shabbat service offers a more creative, expressive experience than traditional services. Pictured from left are: Susan Pinkus, Bobby Harr, Yisrael Bisman and B. J. Borris. Background artwork is by Randy Zucker, Carolyn Golden, Pinkus, Harr and Bisman. Photo by Marci Eisner |
But, sometimes, it can seem like the same old routine.
There are several programs in the Valley to help enliven the Shabbat experience.
Chabad of the East Valley aims to reach out to the unaffiliated community with some of their non-traditional services. Once a month, Shabbat services include a question-and-answer session with the rabbi - instead of the regular sermon. "Chabad is an outreach organization," says Rabbi Mendy Dietsch. "We want to reach out to (the unaffiliated) and show them the joys of Judaism."
Another program Chabad holds "once in a while" is a Shabbat dinner for the whole community.
Dietsch says many don't attend services because there is a belief that they are "boring." Chabad, he says, tries to make it interesting - without requiring membership.
For the artist - aspiring or otherwise - Jewish Artists of the Valley Association (J.A.V.A.) offers a more expressive approach to Shabbat.
According to Susan Pinkus, spiritual director for the arts group, the once-a-month service, Kol Ahava, gives participants an arts-based Shabbat experience. The service includes music, dance, visual arts and storytelling. Hands-on activities help bring "a real sense of participation."
"It really creates a meaningful ceremony," Pinkus says, "because everyone is participating or bringing to it something they would like to offer."
The services began with a Chanukah service for the group in 2002.
"We really enjoyed each other's company and most of us felt we needed a spiritual community of like-minded people," Pinkus says. "Most artists in the J.A.V.A. community did not have a home synagogue that they felt resonated with the way they practiced Judaism."
In 2003, the group met for Pesach and High Holiday services. It was then they made the commitment to meet more often.
Now, the group meets the last Friday of every month in an apartment clubhouse near Kierland Commons. Members of the group take turns leading services, often using one of their works as the basis for the sermon.
According to Pinkus, about 30 people attend each month. She believes it's appealing due to the basic nature of the artist.
"Generally, (artists) don't subscribe to doctrine," she says. "They find it's hard to resonate with a service where there's really no creative expression involved.
"It speaks to the mystical side of artists and the expressive nature," she says.
For those who lean more toward the athletic, never fear - there is an option.
The Ari Louis Synagogue, a group led by the aforementioned Ari Louis, holds Shabbat and kiddush programs, in conjunction with "the big game."
During football season, Louis would say kiddush over wine while watching Monday Night Football. The idea came to him one Monday night when a commercial came on for Woodbridge wine. He began thinking what it would be like to see an ad for kosher wine, which then led to the kiddush idea.
"It's great because you get to blend Judaism with popular events," Louis says.
Though football season is over, Louis hopes to arrange Tuesday night services in conjunction with basketball season - he was hoping to include hockey, but that league is in a lockout.
Louis calls his services "a party with religious connotations.
"Some people view religion as a chore," he says. "I want to go with a different approach."
About 20 to 30 people attended each Monday night service, usually held in Tempe, Louis says. "We are pretty happy, considering we don't have a lot of funding."
Louis says that sometimes the group meets for a "Shabbat" service on Tuesday - a more convenient time, according to Louis - in a member's home, which adds to the variety he wants to offer. Plus, it gets people involved.
Though Louis says the services have a traditional feel, he noted that many participants view the group as more Reconstructionist.
Seeking a more mystical approach? Ruach Hamidbar - Spirit of the Desert has just the thing.
Beginning Sunday, March 6, the Jewish Renewal synagogue will offer "Drum Shalom." The program, led by Rabbi Ayla Grafstein, Victoria Mogilner, Keith Johnson and Gil Quintanilla, takes its cues from biblical times, when drumming was part of the Jewish tribal tradition. Sponsored by the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center and the Board of Rabbis of Greater Phoenix, the drumming circle is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. four Sundays in March. The group will incorporate drumming, Torah readings, kabbalah, healing and meditations.
From art to music, sports to current events, the Valley has a little bit of something to offer everyone.
Contact the writer here
In preparation for Shabbat Across America on March 4, Jewish News presents a series of articles about different types of Shabbat services in the Valley. Past stories were "Shabbat across America" and "That Shabbat feeling" (Jewish News, Feb. 11), and next week there will be a portrait of Shabbat traditions at home.
To find out more...
- Chabad of the East Valley - Call 480-855-4333 or visit www.chabadcenter.com.
- Jewish Artists of the Valley Association (J.A.V.A.) - Kol Ahava - Subscribe to the groups e-mail newsgroup by e-mailing kolahava/subscribe@yahoogroups.com, or e-mail bj_and_arlene@yahoo.com.
- Ari Louis Synagogue - Call Ari Louis, 480-430-7654.
- Ruach Hamidbar - Spirit of the Desert, Drum Shalom group - Call 602-420-1700.