Temple Beth Shalom is taking donations in support of Israel. Please make checks payable to Temple Beth Shalom. You can drop off your donation or mail it to Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley, 12202 N. 101st Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351. Your donation is tax-deductible and 100% of your donation will be sent to the following charitable organizations: FNA 2023 Israel Emergency Fund, Friends of the IDF Emergency Campaign and the Magen David Adom Emergency Medical Fund.
Hundreds of people of different faiths joined Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley members to stand in solidarity with Israel during an interfaith prayer service on Oct. 17 in the Sun City synagogue’s sanctuary. The
Interfaith Solidarity Service is available for viewing on YouTube.
They prayed for Israel and her people, the safe return of the hostages, safety of the Israel Defense Forces, healing of those innocent Israelis and tourists wounded in body and soul, and the comfort of grieving loved ones.
Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan said: “We want to build a large unified interfaith community in the West Valley that will support Israel in its time of need. The religious leaders gathering together are very different in their religious views and political opinions, and we want to concentrate on the need for prayer in response to the terrible atrocities that Hamas committed against innocent Israeli civilians, foreign tourists, students and agricultural workers.”
Along with Rabbi Kaplan, Temple Beth Shalom Cantor Baruch Koritan and Board President Steve Bold participated in the interfaith prayer service.
Several people described their personal connections to Israel, including Barbara Gabriella Sodos, granddaughter of Temple Beth Shalom member Jan Sodos. Barbara, who lives in Holon, Israel, shared how her boyfriend was called up as a reserve senior medical officer and will be a first responder after troops go in on foot. Clergy from neighboring communities shared prayers and statements, including First Presbyterian Church in Sun City, Peace Lutheran Church of Peoria, Grace Bible Church in Sun City, Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West, Unity Spiritual Center in Sun City, Advent Episcopal Church in Sun City West, Sun Health Communities, Soka Gakkai International Nichiren Buddist community in Phoenix, First United Methodist Church of Sun City and Avista hospice and at the Palazzo Senior Living Center.
