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HIGH HOLIDAYS | 14
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SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 | ELUL 22, 5783 | VOLUME 75, NUMBER 24
Arizonan named Greater Phoenix rabbis will offer a Jewish salve for troubled and anxious to national Jewish political congregants during the High Holidays council SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER
SHANNON LEVITT | STAFF WRITER
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dam Metzendorf stepped away from a top job in professional basketball, his “dream job,” to run for the United States Congress in 2022 because he believed that was how he could make the greatest difference. Now, he’s taking a different tack but all in service of the same political goal: combating hate in all forms — misogyny, homophobia, racism, and especially, antisemitism. On Aug. 17, Metzendorf was one of 12 people appointed to the Jewish Democratic Council of America’s (JDCA) New Leadership Council (NLC). He was the only person selected from Arizona. “Metzendorf exemplifies the ideal candidate for the New Leadership Council,” said Debra Stein, JDCA board member and Arizona chapter lead. “He understands the mission, shares the vision and he’s an expert in strategy. I couldn’t be more pleased that he has joined the council,” she said. One of the things about Metzendorf that impressed Stein and other JDCA officials most was that after losing to Jevin Hodge in the 2022 Democratic primary for Arizona’s 1st Legislative District (LD-1), “in a mensch move, Adam unhesitatingly endorsed Jevin and did everything he could to get him elected,” Stein said. Metzendorf feels more strongly about issues such as strengthening democracy, restoring abortion rights and ensuring that people have the right to be themselves, than having his name on the ballot. “My name doesn’t matter as much as the change that needs to happen,” he said. Yet, he still enjoys “the action SEE COUNCIL, PAGE 2
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habad Jewish Center of Mesa Rabbi Laibel Blotner already knows what he will talk about in his High Holiday sermons, but he never writes it down word for word. That’s just not his style. Instead, he spends time considering what needs to be said and jots down the essential ideas he wants to convey. Thus, “the way it comes out, it comes out, and that’s always a little differently,” he said. Some of his meanderings lately have been quite melancholy. “We live in a world of falseness, a place of pain, insecurity and inner turmoil,” he said. He delved into research on teen suicidal ideation and was shocked by “the incredible number of teens” who have contemplated ending their lives. “We’re living in a society that has beautiful things to offer, amazing technology and comforts that you would think people would be happy with, but the opposite is true,” he said. Yet, he’s also found something that gives him hope: “People who are part of a religious community feel better, act better and live a happier life,” he said. That is the good news that he plans to share with his congregation in hopes that they too will find serenity in Judaism and their Jewish community. Before Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman sat down to prepare her remarks for Congregation Kehillah’s SEE RABBIS, PAGE 3
Top row from left: Rabbi Alicia Magal, Rabbi Andy Green and Rabbi Bonnie Koppell; middle row from left: Rabbi John Linder, Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman and Rabbi Jeff Glickman; bottom row from left: Rabbi Laibel Blotner, Rabbi Tracee Rosen and Rabbi Mendy Deitsch.
Shabbat Stop&Go Rabbi Erica Burech and cantorial soloist Emily Kaye lead a Shabbat once a month at Burech’s Paradise Valley home. See page 9. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEWISH NEWS
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