Cooperation and collaboration are key concepts in any community – concepts that are sometimes talked about more than they are put into practice. But three synagogues in the Valley have got it right.
This year the Cutler-Plotkin Heritage Center (122 E. Culver St.) in downtown Phoenix will be host to Congregation Merkhaz Ha’Iyr, Congregation Or Adam and AVIV for the High Holidays. The three groups are examples of how diverse and unique groups within Judaism can be, while still embracing many of the same major tenets.
Congregation Merkhaz Ha’Iyr began in 2008 as a progressive, liberal Reform group. As its name signifies (center of the city), the members live mostly in north central Phoenix. They are a participatory group of about 25 families and include their youth in their services. Rabbi Barb Moskow, their original rabbi, would assign a part in the Rosh Hashanah service to each child at bar/bat mitzvah time, to ensure the child’s continued participation. As a result, the young people are as actively involved and engaged as their parents. Rabbi Barb recently moved to New Orleans to complete her education as a chaplain. The congregation is conducting a search for a new rabbi to lead them, but Tracy Leonard-Warner is continuing as their liturgical song leader. “The acoustics are great and we love having an available piano on the bima,” says Tracy. This group uses both the Heritage Center and Crossroads Methodist Church for its programming. congregationmerkaz.org
Congregation Or Adam, the Valley’s Humanistic Jewish group, will be using the Heritage Center for the first time. They have been meeting mostly at Phoenix Country Day School and look forward to being more centrally located, because their members come from around the Valley. Miki Safadi, the congregation’s administrator, is excited about the move. “It helps to connect us even more to Judaism and its history, a very important component for us.”They will also use the center on a regular basis for their Shabbat services as well as their Sunlight school for children. oradam.org
AVIV is the Valley’s Jewish LGBT organization, providing spiritual and social support to its members and the community. With the motto of “Where you belong,” the group is inclusive to all who want to join in their open spirit of friendship. They have about 50 members from all streams of Judaism. Their monthly Shabbat services are on the third Friday of the month alternating between Temple Chai in north Phoenix and the Cutler-Plotkin Heritage Center in downtown Phoenix to accommodate their membership. They meet in the comfortable Leverant bungalow building at the Heritage Center with Marcie Lee serving as their Shabbat officiant.
Sandor Lubisch, the group’s president, says they noticed that the bungalow’s porch door didn’t have a mezuzah. So last March they presented one, with a rainbow design, to the center. Get- togethers include a Break the Fast potluck, Hanukkah party, Passover seder and occasional other events. “We have great discussions about rituals and customs, especially when it comes to food items,” Sandy says. “We usually end up having food choices from all the Jewish traditions! avivaz.com
Regarding sharing the space for the High Holidays, Merkaz Board President Denise Jones says, “We had to do some maneuvering of times and space to make sure we could all be accommodated at the center. I think it is well worth it, and we’re delighted to be able to share this great venue. We love being a part of the continuing history of Jewish Phoenix.”␣
