Jewish life revolves around the cycle of life.
While daily spiritual living is cherished, it’s the unique moments that bring us together and remind us of what matters. In the Jewish tradition, lifecycle moments from birth to death carry specific rituals, most of which have been used for centuries.
Following are the resources that will help you celebrate and mark each stage of life.
SIMCHA VENUES
ARIZONA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center
Dr. Lawrence Bell, Ph.D., Executive Director
Rabbi Jeffrey Schesnol, Associate Executive Director, MAJS, PMP
Stacy Faherty, Events Manager
122 E. Culver St., Phoenix
602-241-7870
azjhs.org
[email protected]
Beautifully restored historic venue, Phoenix’s first synagogue, is available for weddings, b’nai mitzvah and other celebrations for up to 250 people and annual Heritage Award Gala. Contact Stacy. Open to people of all faiths. Original hardwood floors and 10-foot arched windows, plus museum gallery and lovely outdoor garden and terrace.
INA LEVINE JEWISH COMMUNITY CAMPUS
12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
480-481-7123
iljcc.org
ODYSEA AQUARIUM
Amram Knishinsky, Ph.D., Founder & CEO
Ran Knishinsky, Chief Marketing Officer
9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale
480-291-8000
odyseaaquarium.com
[email protected]
OdySea Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Southwest and has received numerous awards including Best Kids Indoor Entertainment and Best Family Entertainment. This multi-level, state-of-the-art facility holds more than 2 million gallons of water and offers educational, interactive, and entertaining experiences for guests of all ages. From sharks, sea turtles, and penguins to otters and rays, there are more than 370 species of animals that call OdySea Aquarium home. Highlight experiences in the Aquarium include SeaTREK™ underwater ocean walking, a giant submerged escalator that descends into the deep ocean, a Giant Pacific Octopus, the world’s only Russian Sturgeon touch exhibit, and OdySea Voyager, the world’s only rotating aquarium experience.
TUCSON JEWISH MUSEUM &
HOLOCAUST CENTER
564 S. Stone Ave., Tucson
520-670-9073
jewishhistorymuseum.org
[email protected]
The museum features the first synagogue built in the Arizona Territory (1910) and Arizona’s only Holocaust History Center. Through educational and community outreach, exhibitions, and public programs, the museum explores the histories and contemporary experiences of Jewish people in Southern Arizona and purposefully places them in conversation with the experiences of other traditionally marginalized communities. Rental spaces are available.
GENETIC TESTING
MINKOFF CENTER FOR JEWISH GENETICS
Wendy Carriere, Executive Director
Carol Abrams, Board President
12701 N. Scottsdale Road #201N, Scottsdale
480-668-3347
JewishGeneticsAZ.org
[email protected]
We provide prenatal genetic screening for those of child-bearing age (18-45). Screening results for couples help to identify genetic risks and may provide options available to them so that they go on to have healthy children. We also provide screening and referral services regarding hereditary cancers, specifically the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 founder gene mutations associated with inherited breast and ovarian cancers found in the Jewish community. Men and women age 25 and over are welcome to register.
MOHELS
A mohel is the person who performs the circumcision in the brit milah ceremony for a male child on the eighth day after his birth. For more information, contact your local congregation.
RICHARD DOBRUSIN, DO
3805 E. Bell Road #2100, Phoenix
602-404-5200
KEITH DVEIRIN, MD
7340 E. Speedway #104, Tucson
520-547-7045
claravistapediatrics.com
AVRAHAM GAVRIELOV
A to Z Circumcision Services of Phoenix
520-390-4590
myazmohel.com
ADRIENNE KURLAND, MD
Phoenix and surrounding areas
602-476-2316
reformjudaism.org/mohel/kurland-adrienne-md
RABBI MENDY LIPSKIER
Statewide
480-776-4763
azbris.com
ROBERT S. LIPSON, MD
602-264-0608
affiliatedurologists.com
RABBI YOSSIE SEMEL
Phoenix
602-326-3885
azmohel.com
ALAN B. SINGER, MD
602-705-3501
dralansinger.com
MOHELS SERVING THE TUCSON COMMUNITY
520-881-7956
chabadtucson.com
MIKVAHS (MIKVAOT)
A mikvah is a ritual bath satisfying specific requirements that incorporate “living water” (running or moving water from a God-given source such as rain, snow, ice or a spring). Immersion in a mikvah is performed for ritual purification and a change in status, including conversion. It is used by Jews who wish to observe the Jewish laws concerning family purity or sanctification before a Jewish holiday, wedding or conversion ceremony. The purpose of immersion is not physical, but spiritual, cleanliness. Today, mikvah use has taken on some modern spiritually satisfying meanings. Immersion is often a way of celebrating both happy milestones and the pains of overcoming losses.
CHABAD MIKVAH OF TUCSON
2443 E. Fourth St., Tucson
520-975-0137, 520-869-4971
chabadtucson.com
THE FLAGSTAFF MIKVAH
Chabad of Flagstaff
930 W. University Ave., Flagstaff
928-310-0270
jewishflagstaff.com
THE GOLDMAN MIKVAH
Congregation Beth Tefillah
6529 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale
480-580-5685
bethtefillahaz.org/goldman-mikvah
MIKVAH CHAYA MUSHKA
Chabad of Phoenix
2110 E. Lincoln Dr., Phoenix
602-509-7430
chabadaz.com
PERACH YISROEL COMMUNITY MIKVEH
(also offers a Kailim (utensil) Mikveh, located in the courtyard)
Congregation Chofetz Chayim
5150 E. Fifth St., Tucson
520-591-7680
tucsontorah.org/community-mikveh
PHOENIX KEILIM MIKVAH
(for utensils; located in the back of the building)
Phoenix Community Kollel
6516 N. Seventh St., Phoenix
602-348-1475
aztorah.com
THE PHOENIX MIKVAH
840 E. Maryland Ave., Phoenix
602-282-0307
thephoenixmikvah.wixsite.com
THE STEIN FAMILY COMMUNITY MIKVEH
Congregation Beth Israel
10460 N. 56th St., Scottsdale
480-951-0323
cbiaz.org/mikveh
CHEVRA KADISHA/ JEWISH BURIAL SOCIETIES
Chevra kadisha, literally holy society, performs the traditional ritual of preparing individuals for burial. Volunteers carry out the ritual of washing, purifying and dressing the deceased, with men caring for men and women caring for women to maintain modesty even in death. Since Judaism promotes the dignity of all with all being treated equally in death, the deceased is dressed in simple shrouds and buried in a plain wooden (usually pine) box.
CHEVRA KADISHA OF NORTHERN ARIZONA
Temple B’rith Shalom
2077 Brohner Way, Prescott
928-777-8172, 928-717-1008
brithshalom-az.org
CHEVRA KADISHA OF PHOENIX
515 E. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix
602-277-8858
CHOFETZ CHAYIM CHEVRA KADISHA OF TUCSON
5150 E. Fifth St., Tucson
520-591-5292, 520-591-7680
CHEVRA KADISHA OF TUCSON
Chabad Tucson
2443 E. Fourth St., Tucson
520-975-4489
chabadtucson.com
PEACEFUL RETURN
602-469-1606
peacfulreturn.org
PHOENIX WOMEN’S CHEVRA KADISHA
Operating at Sinai Mortuary of Arizona
4538 N. 16th St., Phoenix
602-248-0030
CEMETERIES & MORTUARIES
BETH EL CEMETERY
Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary & Cemetery
2300 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix
602-944-3359
bethelphoenix.com
BETH ISRAEL MEMORIAL CEMETERY
305 S. 35th Ave., Phoenix
480-951-0323
cbiaz.org/cemetery
EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY & CEMETERY
5801 E. Grant Road, Tucson
520-885-6741
eastlawnpalmsmortuary.com
EVERGREEN MORTUARY & CEMETERY
3015 N. Oracle Road, Tucson
520-257-4831
evergreenmortuary-cemetery.com
GARDEN OF SHALOM AT PHOENIX MEMORIAL PARK
200 W. Beardsley Road, Phoenix
623-434-7000
GREEN ACRES MORTUARY & CEMETERY
401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale
480-945-2654
greenacresmortuary.net
MARANA MORTUARY & CEMETERY
12146 W. Barnett Road, Marana
520-230-5497
maranamortuarycemetery.com
MT. SINAI CEMETERY
Ira Mann, General Manager
24210 N. 68th St., Phoenix (off Pinnacle Peak Road)
480-585-6060
mtsinaicemetery.com
[email protected]
Mt. Sinai is a Jewish cemetery that cares about the Jewish community. The cemetery is Jewish owned and operated, and welcomes both Jewish and intermarried families. Sidewalks in front of every grave provide the utmost respect, and the beautiful outdoor pavilion can be used for funeral services. Our caring and professional staff provides every family with exceptional customer care. Preplanning is available and prices are guaranteed – it’s a gift you give to your family.
PARADISE MEMORIAL GARDENS & MAUSOLEUM
9300 E Shea Blvd., Scottsdale
480-860-2300
messingermortuary.com
SINAI MORTUARY OF ARIZONA
4538 N. 16th St., Phoenix
602-248-0030
sinaimortuary.net
