The next Shabbat service will be held on Friday evening, March 27, 2015, in the Mariposa Room, DesertView Performing Arts Center. Services begin at 7:00 p.m. led by Rabbi Seltzer and Cantorial Soloist Sarah Bollt, accompanied by Carolyn Cochran. The following and last Shabbat services of the spring season will be held on April 24 in Ballroom West, MountainView Country Club beginning at 7:00 p.m. Please mark your calendar.
An optional dinner at 5:00 p.m. in the MountainView Bistro precedes the lively Shabbat services and an Oneg Shabbat follows services. Reservations for dinner may be made by calling Blanche Waldstreicher at 818-9038. The Oneg Shabbat in March is being sponsored by Herb and Sue Cohn. Sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat is a meaningful way in which to mark a milestone event. We are seeking sponsors for our fall services.
Institute members greatly enjoyed the series of classes taught by Rabbi Seltzer during January and February with record attendance. The deadline for this article was before either of Willy Halpert’s autobiographical presentations of the Hidden Child but if the number of RSVP respondents is any indication, there will be a large audience at both sessions. Those of us who have been involved with this endeavor from its inception are overwhelmed with the enormity of the response.
The last three or four months has seen the return of our snowbird friends in an effort to avoid the brutal winter of 2014/2015. The snowbirds are a wonderful diverse group who hail from many northern states and several Canadian Provinces. The Institute appreciates their support and willingness to be an active participant in our celebrations and classes.
Passover begins at sunset April 3 with the first Seder. Last year, and again this year, the Institute for Judaic Services and Studies (IJSS) and the Jewish Friendship Group (JFG) are working together to support the Matza and More project. This project, sponsored by Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS), provides and delivers Passover food baskets with all the traditional staples for a Passover Seder, to Tucson’s Jewish families in need. Matza and More also helps send Seder meals to Jewish military personnel overseas.
In the spirit of Passover, the IJSS and the JFG will together underwrite the expense for families, seniors and disabled individuals who otherwise could not afford to attend the JFG second Seder.
For further information about the Matza and More Program and any of the Institute’s programs and activities, please contact Joel Wyner at 825-8175 or Sam Horowitz at 468-6994.