Jewish teens in the East Valley can join others at Chabad of the East Valley for the newly established CTeen program, a dynamic network of Jewish teens from all backgrounds.
Co-youth director Faiga Lew explains CTeen is an outreach program for Jewish teens. “It’s a fun, positive experience, so they have a positive outlook toward Judaism and they get experience Judaism in a fun way.”
Participants, who range in age from 13 to 19, do not have to belong to the Chabad center.
CTeen’s monthly program concentrates on three pillars: education, social and humanitarian. CTeen lessons explore monthly themes aimed at teen learning, socializing and exploring service through volunteering.
The group will meet monthly with programs that bring teens together to give back to their communities and the environment, which includes trips and volunteerism,
“It’s a safe environment,” Lew says. “In our day, it’s good for them to have positive experiences.”
Lew anticipates the group will involve more than 30 youth. The first meeting was held Thursday, Nov. 20, with six teens (boys and girls) ages 13 to 15.
“It went great,” Lew says. “Six kids showed up and a lot of other kids are hoping to show up the next time. There is interest, definitely.”
The group met at the center, then played paintball in Tempe and enjoyed pizza. Participants do pay for the activities, and costs vary.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18, and will be a Hanukah-themed event at the Chabad center. The kids will learn about Hanukah and enjoy activities. Each month will feature different activities. To sign up for activities, Lew suggests liking the group on Facebook.
“We post on Facebook and then we email a text to the parents of the kids, whatever numbers we have,” Lew says. “Then they RSVP if they are coming.”
Lew says there are other programs for kids who are not yet teenagers, such as Girls Night Out for Jewish girls ages 9 to 12. This group shares experiences, interests and goals, to build friendships with other Jewish girls in the community. The next meeting of Girls Night Out is 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8. The cost for this program is $10 per meeting.
In addition to Girls Night Out, Chabad of the East Valley offers
CTEEN: Jewish teens from Chabad of the East Valley enjoyed an evening of paintball and pizza through the newly established CTeen Network at the center. Jewish youth, ages 13 through 19, are invited to join the program that meets monthly. Submitted photo
Hebrew School, Chandler Jewish Preschool, Kids in the KitchenInternational and Bar and Bas Mitzvah Training.
Chabad of the East Valley is located at 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler. For more information contact about CTeen, contact Faiga Lew at (480) 855-4333 or email youth@chabadcenter.com. To find the group on Facebook, search: “Chabad of the East Valley.”
Tracy House is a freelance writer for SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.
Celebrate Hanukkah with storytime, book fair
Rachel Wallach of The Syndi Scheck Yad B’Yad Preschool will bring a whole “latke” fun to Temple Emanuel’s Hanukkah Storytime and Book Fair, which takes place at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.
Wallach, preschoolers and their families will join together to read a few Hanukkah stories and to have fun creating Hanukkah crafts. After that, they can shop for books to take home, and 20 percent of proceeds from each purchase will go directly back to Temple Emanuel.
Changing Hands Bookstore is located at 6428 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe. For questions about the store, its location or hours, call (480) 7300205.
Wallach is the director of The Syndi Scheck Yad B’Yad Preschool at Temple Emanuel of Tempe, which serves Reform Jewish families in the East Valley. The Temple is at 5801 S. Rural Rd., Tempe. For more information, visit www.emanueloftempe.org or call (480) 838-1414.
HELPING HAND
COLLECTION: Ray of Light Christian Preschool at 800 W. Ray Rd., Chandler, collected more than 20 bags of food and frozen turkeys to donate to Chandler Christian Community Center Food Bank during the school’s annual drive. Submitted photo
Spiritual Reflections
Share your spiritual reflections...
The spiritual leaders of SanTan Sunarea churches, temples, mosques and other religious and spiritual gathering places are invited to contribute their Spiritual Reflections in essay format by sending their thoughts, enlightening insights and other writings of a spiritual nature to news@ santansun.com.
Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line, and keep your articles around 200-300 words, or they may be edited for length. Include your first and last name, title and facility name, address, phone number and website.
Spiritual Reflections are printed on a space-available basis, and submission does not guarantee print. The opinions represented in this column are those of the author and not that of the SanTan Sun News.
Spend ‘Longest Night’ at VUU on Dec. 18
Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation hosts its Longest Night Service at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, in its Sanctuary at 6400 W. Del Rio St. in Chandler.
All are welcome at the service, which
recognizes themes of connection, safety and hope in a season often fraught by grief, illness, depression and job loss.
VUU provides a welcoming, diverse community that nurtures each person’s
lifelong spiritual journey, creates a place of peace and celebration and strives for social justice and sustainable living. To learn more, call (480) 8994249 or visit www.vuu.org.
‘Walk Through Bethlehem’ celebrates season
First Baptist Church Chandler hosts a “Walk Through Bethlehem” live nativity event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 14.
The event begins with a puppet show and also features crafts for children and free cookies, hot chocolate and hot cider for everyone. Era-appropriate
carolers, merchants and local village people, as well as a stable of live animals, will recreate the time of the birth of Jesus. Admission is free.
First Baptist Church Chandler is at 3405 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. For more information, visit www.fbc.net or call (480) 963-3439.
Hanukkah celebration at Whole Foods Christmas cantata performed at Sun Lakes UMC
Join the East Valley JCC community for an afternoon of stories, Hanukkah foods, olive oil tasting and more from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Whole Foods, 2955 W. Ray Rd., Chandler.
PJ Library will lead a very special storytime for children of all ages, complete with a craft to get ready for the Hanukkah holiday. A Hanukkah singalong will be led by Jenny Kelly, and the Whole Foods culinary team will perform cooking demonstrations during the afternoon.
For more information, visit www. evjcc.org or call (480) 897-0598.
“Canticles in Candlelight,” a Christmas cantata by composer Joseph Martin, will be performed by Sun Lakes United Methodist Church’s Chancel choir, accompanied by a 22-piece orchestra, at the 8:15 a.m. and 10 a.m. services on Sunday, Dec. 14
The choir and orchestra are directed by Cris Evans. The congregation will have opportunities to join in some of the carols.
Sun Lakes UMC is at 9248 E. Riggs Rd. in Sun Lakes. For more information, call (480) 895-8766.
WEDNESDAY: Bible Study 12 Noon & 7 p.m.
19609 S. McQueen Rd. • Chandler, AZ 480-899-LIFE (5433) • 480-343-0022 www.gospel4life.org
Chabad Center sets two Hanukkah events
The Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life is celebrating Hanukkah with two unique programs in Chandler.
The organization has partnered with the Home Depot to bring to the community a one-of-a-kind Menorahbuilding workshop. Free and open to the public, the event is from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11.
Children will be able to build and decorate their own Menorahs to take home and to learn about the holiday.
There will be a hands-on demonstration where everyone will get to see first-hand the process used to make olive oil from olives, play fun Hanukkah games as well as sample delicious holiday food. This year, the Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life welcomes the Hanukkah mascot, Judah
the Macabee, who will be joining us for photo ops for all the families.
Almost a week later, it is hosting the Grand Hanukkah Menorah Lighting and Fire Show at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Phoenix Premium Outlet Mall in Chandler.
The Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life invites the public to the Menorah lighting celebration, which combines ancient traditions with a unique and modern twist. They will be lighting a 9-foot Menorah and then the public can stick around for a doughnut-dipping bar while enjoying two local children’s choirs—the Chabad Hebrew School Choir as well as the Desert Jewish Academy Choir. The fire show will end th evening with flare. All children will receive a free
Phoenix Premium Outlets are located at 4976 Premium Outlets
For more information, contact Rabbi Mendy Deitsch at (480) 855-
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
Chandler United Methodist Church
Celebrating more than 100 Years in Chandler. Making and Deploying Disciples Who Put God First, Since 1913.
SUNDAY WORSHIP Traditional Worship.............8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL For Children........................8:40 a.m. and 10:10 a.m.
480-963-3360 • www.chandlermethodist.org • 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd.
SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS
Call ahead to confirm information, as details occasionally change after print. If you have a recurring monthly support group or meeting you would like listed in Spiritual Connections, email complete details to News@SanTanSun.com.
Bible Study
Meets twice a month
Members of the Women’s Life group study the Bible and discuss how the lessons can relate to their lives.
Sun Lakes United Church Of Christ in Chandler
Info: Jan Olson at 480-802-7457 or Joy King 480-588-1882
Celebrate Recovery
6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Join in fellowship and celebrate God’s healing power in our lives through the 12 steps and Eight Recovery Principles. The group addresses all types of habits, hurts and hang-ups. Dinner at 6 p.m. followed by meetings at 6:30 p.m. Free child care for children ages 12 and younger.
CrossRoads Nazarene Church, Ministry Center Rooms 101-103
2950 W. Ray Rd., Chandler Info: 480-722-0700, crnaz.com
Celebrate Recovery
6 p.m. Fridays
For those with chemical dependencies or other issues. Dinner followed by meetings at 7 p.m. Dinner: $3 adult, $1 child. Free child care for children ages 12 and younger.
Chandler Christian Church, Room B200 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler
Info: 480-963-3997, chandlercc.org
Christian Business Networking, Tri-City Chapter – Chandler, Tempe, Mesa
7:15 a.m. Tuesdays
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Crackers & Co. Café 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa Info: Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com
Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter
7:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays of the month
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.
Chandler Christian Church, Room B202 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com
WebXtra:
WebXtra: For a complete list of Spiritual Connections, SanTan Sun area monthly support groups, study groups and spiritually stimulating meetings, visit SanTanSun.com and click on “Spirituality.”
Let the SanTan Sun News help you publicize your church or temple’s events and activities in the Spirituality section by emailing details to News@ SanTanSun.com. Include a brief description of the event, times, days, dates, cost or free, if registration is required, venue, address, publishable phone number, website if applicable and contact information for verification purposes. We welcome photos, which must be 300 dpi JPEGs or taken on a digital camera on the “best” or “highest quality” setting. Information is due 10 days prior to publication date. Submission does not guarantee placement.
