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July 30, 1999/17 Av 5759, Vol. 51, No.43
Solel program earns recognitionThe Union of American Hebrew Congregations Belin Awards Committee has given one of eight Honorable Mentions to Temple Solel's Outreach Program.The program provides Jews by choice and interfaith couples and their families resources, educational opportunities and community support. "We're very proud and pleased," said Temple Solel's Rabbi Maynard Bell. "As a community, I think we've made an extra special effort over the recent years to have an excellent outreach program." "I think it's great," said Hannah Toporek, who chairs the program. "Not so much for myself, but it's good recognition for the temple as well as outreach programs in general." The Paradise Valley temple has offered outreach services for 12 to 15 years, Bell said. He credits Toporek's development of the Personal Journal for Jews by Choice, which she submitted to the award committee, as a major factor in earning recognition for the program. "I put together some 'thought starters' for people," Toporek said about the journal. "Oftentimes, rabbis like potential converts to keep some kind of diary or journal. Sometimes people sort of get stuck, they can't think of things to write about. So I compiled thought-starters and left space on each page for writing. ... I compiled it all in a book to make it a little easier for people who might need help with that." For more information about the program, call (480) 991-7414. |
