Here Comes Summer | Community

Summer Shabbat Services Herb Cohn, our religious chair, has arranged summer Shabbat services to be led by lay leaders. Services will be held at various homes. Email Herb (at [email protected]) if you wish to lead or attend a service. Oneg sponsors are encouraged. Seating is limited to 25 people at each service.

Speaking of Onegs, to commemorate or recognize a special occasion, memory or honor, email Judi Friedman (at [email protected]).

Dates to Remember Summer Shabbat Services (at 7 p.m.)

• Friday, June 20 — Lay Led Shabbot Services, to be led by Herb Cohn
• Friday, July 18* — Lay Led Shabbot Services, a leader is requested
• Friday, August 15* — Lay Led Shabbot Services, a leader is requested

*If you are interested in leading the Lay Leader Shabbot services email Herb Cohn ([email protected]).

Shabbat Services (at 7 p.m.)

• Friday, October 17
• Friday, November 21
• Friday, December 19

High Holy Days

• Monday, September 22 to Tuesday, September 23 — Rosh Hashanah
• Wednesday, October 1 to Thursday, October 2 — Yom Kippur

Celebratory Events

• Thursday, June 19 — Boyce Thompson Arboretum Picnic Walk
• Wednesday, July 9 — Steamboat cruise and lu
• nch at Tortilla Flats
• Sunday, August 31 — Pre-High Holy Day Community Gathering
• Saturday, September 13 — Havdalah and Selichot service (marks the end of Shabbat and the beginning of the new week).
• Monday, October 6 to Tuesday, October 7 — Sukkot
• Saturday, November 15 — Celebrating B’nai Midbar’s 25th Year Anniversary
• Friday, December 12 — Annual Meeting
• Sunday, December 21 — Chanukah Party

The 2026 calendar is full of services and events, too. But we will leave that for another time.

To be ‘in the know’ keep up to date with our ‘Jewish Links’ and our website at “Bnaimidbar.org’. Many thanks to Bonnie Lasky ([email protected]) and all of our volunteers!

We Have a New Address Our congregation has expressed the wish to have a permanent address where we can mail correspondence, membership renewals, donations, special events, Book of Remembrance entries among other items to:

Congregation B’nai Midbar

PO Box 9223

Tucson, AZ 85738

Remembering, Honoring and Worth Repeating We have all experienced at one time or another the loss of someone close to us. The Jewish practice of Yahrzeit (the Yiddish word for “anniversary,”) refers specifically to the anniversary of the date of a person’s passing. We commemorate the event with a candle and recite the Mourner’s Kaddish. B’nai Midbar is fortunate that Jeff Syden and Joel Wyner created a web page for our congregation who wish to honor the passing of a person(s). Jeff took me through the learning curve to access and add my loved ones to the site. But some background information first. The site has (the site still uses the name IJSS) partnered with the National Jewish Memorial Wall to provide a way that Congregants and friends can commemorate and acknowledge their deceased. Since we haven’t a permanent building this website augments the plaque and Yahrzeit memorial that would normally be in the synagogue. The site identifies the Yahrzeit remembrance, sends reminders and has a place where you can store your personal memories of the deceased. Primarily, this is a platform for our community to capture family history and heritage through the sharing of stories and pictures.

You can access the site via njmw.org/ijss or national jewishmemorialwall.com/ijss. Once on the site you will find many choices you can explore including Online Plaques, Yahrzeit Reminders, Planting a Tree in Israel and other options. We encourage you to look, review plans and their pricing. If you need assistance, email Joel Wyner ([email protected]) or Jeff Syden ([email protected]). They will be happy to assist you. Know that the name change will change to B’nai Midbar at a later date.

You are an important part of our congregation and what B’nai Midbar offers! Volunteers are always welcome. Select what appeals to you, an area of interest, event or project. Currently, we would appreciate help with our Onegs, honey cake bakers, setup assistance for services, social activities, religious committee, membership and our FUNraiser! It’s quite a list. Hopefully, there is an item or two that appeals to you. Your knowledge and time contribute to who we are and who we will become. For more information, email Joy Erickson at [email protected].

Congregation B’nai Midbar, formally known as IJSS, is celebrating 25 years since our founding. Our history can be seen online at bnaimidbar.org/history. Explore our website, learn about us and what’s happening! We are a 501(c) (3) tax exempt congregation. Contributions are welcome.

Congregation B’nai Midbar is a congregation that provides 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, send an email to Joy Erickson at [email protected].

Wishes of a happy and memorable summer to all!