A New Month—New Celebrations and Happenings!
Several are in need! Congregation B’nai Midbar, in combination with IMPACT of Southern Arizona, sponsors a food drive at every Shabbat Service that we are in session. We are focusing on food insecurity in and around our community. Please bring any food products that you wish to donate to Shabbat Services. Packaging and dating are not important. IMPACT will separate the donations accordingly. If you wish to donate, checks made payable to IMPACT of Southern Arizona are welcome. Literature will be available at the table. Know that your contribution is tax deductible via Arizona tax credits. Feed people and get a tax break!
The December Shabbat Service honored Rabbi Emeritus Sanford Seltzer. Together, Rabbi Selzer and Rabbi Price conducted the service, in keeping with tradition, offering music by Ruzbeh Tebyanian and prayers chanted by Eliyanah Powers. All were absorbed as Rabbi Seltzer spoke to a variety of topics, including Chanukah. The congregation welcomed and honored 29 new members with a gift bag for each.
At the annual meeting, board members cited 2025 accomplishments, including the recent “Funraiser” and the interfaith Passover seder with B’nai Midbar and Santa Catalina Church. As we look to 2026, there will be traditional and creative events, with the opportunity to build friendships and community.
Fun times were had: The Chanukah party was full of fun foods, menorahs, songs, and laughter. Thanks to Eva Friedner for holding chanting through music and singing.
Baruch Haba (Welcome): We welcome Barry Gilbert, Leslie Stewart, and Pam Weisberg to our board. Their talents, expertise, and commitment to the Jewish community are apparent and clear. We look to benefit from their experience and abilities. There is an available position on the board. If you are interested, please contact Joy Erickson at infocbm18@gmail.com. Being involved as a volunteer is a vibrant and rewarding experience.
Kvelling-although outdated: Corey Schumer, DDS, of Schumer Dental, PC, was recognized in Tucson Lifestyle as a “Top Dentist.” Belated congratulations, Corey! Corey was a sponsor of our Funraiser!
A Celebration of Life honoring Sam Horowitz was held on Jan. 30 in the SaddleBrooke One clubhouse in the Vermillion Room at 10 a.m. Sam’s son Daniel, a frequent visitor to SaddleBrooke, and his wife Kimmy Feinstein attended. Sam was a former chair of the board of the Institute for Judaic Services and Studies, now Congregation B’nai Midbar.
Tu B’Shevat took a walk in nature on Feb. 2. We went to Under the Oaks, a lavender farm in Oracle. We toured the farm and, afterwards, had a lavender-infused beverage and snack. Prayers and songs, as well as talking about the seven species, rounded out the program.
B’nai Midbar Dates to Remember
Shabbat services are led by Rabbi Daniel Price.
Shabbat Services (7 p.m.)
Feb. 20
March 20
April 17
Oneg Celebrations. If you would like to sponsor an Oneg, contact Marcia Gilbert at marciagilbert@gmail.com. An Oneg is a mitzvah (good deed) to celebrate and sponsor a special occasion, memory, or an honor. Volunteers are needed to assist with the Onegs. You can volunteer by month, year, or as you wish!
Celebratory Events
Feb. 26: Tour of the Jewish Museum
April 1-9: Passover
Adult Education, led by Rabbi Price
Open to members are classes of Jewish Text Study based on Jewish Ethics. Space is limited. Please contact Esta Goldstein at jsda38@icloud.com for more information.
March 17: Theology of Prayer
April 14: What Happens After We Die?
The Gift, an End-of-Life Conversation. A series of six educational and interactive classes that speak to everything you wanted to know about the end of life and were afraid to ask. Classes are every Tuesday from Feb. 3 through March 10. The cost for the six classes is $36. Contact Bonnie Lasky at bglasky@att.net for more information.
Jewish Links, our new e-bulletin, and our website bnaimidbar.com will keep you up to date. Please subscribe and/or log onto the website for more information.
We at Congregation B’nai Midbar provide individuals of all backgrounds the opportunity to celebrate, practice, and learn from Jewish culture and religion in a welcoming and socially fulfilling environment. For information, contact Joy Erickson at infocbm18@gmail.com.
Congregation B’nai Midbar wishes you a Happy Valentine’s Day!