A New Month, New Celebrations and Happenings | Community

We welcomed folks to our Shabbat on Friday, January 16. Rabbi Price officiated and as always, Eliyanah Powers our Cantorial Soloist and Ruzbeh Tebyanian, Accompanist assisted.

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 focused on food insecurity in and around our community. Thank you to those who donated.

The December Shabbat Service honored Rabbi Emeritus Sanford Seltzer. Together, Rabbi Selzer and Rabbi Price conducted the service in keeping with tradition, offered 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, email Joy Erickson at [email protected]. Being involved as a volunteer is a vibrant and rewarding experience.

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 Fundraiser!

A Celebration of Life honoring Sam Horowitz took place at 10 a.m. in the HOA-1 Clubhouse at the Vermillion Room on Friday, January 30. Sam’s son, Daniel, a frequent visitor to SaddleBrooke, and his wife, Kimmy Feinstein, were in attendance. Many shared their reflections, stories and memories of this truly warm, scholarly and honorable man. Sam was a former chair of the board of the Institute for Judaic Services and Studies, now Congregation B’nai Midbar.

Tu B’Shevat is taking a walk in nature this year. We’re going to ‘Under the Oaks,’ a lavender farm in Oracle. We will tour the farm and after we will have a lavender infused beverage and snack. Prayers and songs as well as talking about the seven species will round out the program. Join us at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 2. We can arrange carpools! The cost is $24 per person. To attend, email Melanie Einbund at [email protected]. Mail your check to Congregation B’nai Midbar at P. O. Box923, Catalina AZ 85738. Seating is limited!

Dates to Remember:

Shabbat services are led by Rabbi Daniel Price.

Shabbat Services (at 7 p.m.)

• Friday, January 16
• Friday, February 20
• Friday, March 20
• Friday, April 17

Oneg Celebrations

If you would like to sponsor an Oneg, email Marcia Gilbert at [email protected]. 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

• Sunday, December 21, 2025 – Chanukah Party
• Saturday, January 18 – Film: ‘Among Neighbors’
• Friday, January 30 – Celebration of Life: Sam Horowitz
• Friday, February 6 – A Family History of the Holocaust
• Thursday, February 26 – Tour of the Jewish Museum
• Wednesday, April 1 to Thursday, April 9 – Passover

The Jewish Film Festival in SaddleBrooke!

‘Matchmaking 2’: Held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 4—A Romeo-Juliet romantic saga! If you missed it, it’s a shame! A great story of two cultures, wedding and matchmaking intricacies. A fun, heartwarming film!

‘Among Neighbors’: Held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 18—This film Exposed the mysteries of a small Polish town and the interlocking of love and hatred that shaped the lives of neighbors, both Jewish and Polish. This is an ‘Award Winning Film.’

B’nai Midbar and Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona is co-sponsoring two movies at the DesertView Performing Arts Center.

Adult Education – Led by Rabbi Price – Open to members are classes of Jewish Text Study based on Jewish Ethics. Space is limited. For more information, email Esta Goldstein at [email protected].

• Tuesday, January 20 – Why Do People Suffer?
• Tuesday, March 17 -Theology of Prayer
• Tuesday, April 14 – What Happens After We Die?

The Comedy Klatch

An experimental theater of original short plays, musical parodies and comedy sketches. Susan Kravitz is the creator of this funny, exciting and riveting production. Also, cast members include some of our own. Performances will be held in the MontainView Ballroom on Tuesday, February 3, Thursday, February 5 and Saturday, February 7. For a happy evening of fun and laughter, get your tickets at the HOA-2 administration buiding.

On Friday, February 6, join us for the personal history of two Holocaust survivors, as told by their daughter, Eva Friedner.

The Gift an End -of -Life – Conversation

A series of 6 Educational & 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 Tuesday, February 3 to Tuesday, March 10. The cost for these six classes is $36. For more information, email Bonnie Lasky at [email protected].

Our Jewish Links, the new E-Bulletin and our website at ‘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, email Joy Erickson at [email protected].

Congregation B’nai Midbar wishes you a Happy Valentines Day!