About

Welcome to Our Family!  

If you are seeking a spiritual and social connection with your Jewish roots in a warm, small, close‑knit congregation, then Beth Ami is the temple for you.

Beth Ami Temple is a Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) member. Although we affiliate with the Reform movement, families of all denominations are welcome. Especially welcome are singles, couples, empty nesters, and snowbirds.

Our annual dues are among the lowest in the valley at $295 for singles and $590 for families, and there is no building fund.

How Is Our Temple Different?

We are a congregation directed toward serving active and involved adults' spiritual and social needs.

Our services are led by Rabbi Allison Lawton and Cantorial Soloist Mike Robbins. Shabbat services are conducted every other Friday night from September through May. The Torah portion for the week is read at each service. We do not have a religious school but offer bar/bat mitzvah training if required, and we enjoy baby naming celebrations. We share the joys and sorrows of our families.

On occasion, services may be conducted by one of our members with participation by the congregation.  The Beth Ami Speakers Series sponsors noted members of the Phoenix community to speak on topics of special interest at several services throughout the year.

What Traditions Has Beth Ami Established?

The members of our temple truly enjoy being with one another. Members take turns hosting an Oneg after each service.

High Holiday services follow our own special prayer book, which has been handed down over the years, with members leading the congregation in the reading of a number of the prayers during each service. Services are followed by an outdoor break-the-fast. We have a yearly Hanukkah party, a Purim celebration, and, starting in 2018, a congregation seder.

Sallie Terman Social Groups

We have evolved as a community not only for spiritual uplifting, but with a number of different interest groups for those who wish for more social involvement and relationships. Groups include dinner, movies, hiking/walking, travel, mahjong, cultural events, bridge, book discussion, and Torah study. For more information on our social clubs, please click/tap here.

Beth Ami and the Community

Throughout the year, we participate in many community events. We participate in the Jewish Film Festival and are part of an interfaith group that feeds the homeless. On High Holidays we have a food drive to support the Paradise Valley Food Bank. At Christmas, our members serve dinner or provide food for the poor and indigent.

How Can I Be Involved?

There are many opportunities to be involved in our congregation. You may participate in a service, host an Oneg, plan an event, usher, serve on a committee, or join one or more social groups. Beth Ami Temple also has services conducted by its members. Those who wish to may lead a service and share their insights and interpretations of that week’s Torah reading with the congregation.

It is the active participation of our families that makes Beth Ami unique. Come join our temple and express yourself.

Where and When Does Beth Ami Temple Meet?

Services are every other Friday night at 7:30 p.m. from September through May. To see our Shabbat Service schedule, please click/tap here.

We meet at Gloria Christi Church, centrally located at 3535 East Lincoln Drive at the southwest corner of 36th Street and Lincoln Drive. When we meet, the church is literally transformed into a temple sanctuary with our own ark and accouterments.

Whom Can I Contact for Further Information?

You may call the Beth Ami Temple office at (602) 956-0805 or email us at bethamitemple@hotmail.com

Committee

Administrative Committee—Judy Lohr-Safcik

         Membership

            Personnel—Linda Brickman

            Megillah—Marsha Goodman

            Security—Bobbi Lazarus

            Website—Linda Kaplan (supervisor)

            Bylaws—Allan Glazerman

            Marketing—Linda Kaplan

            News Articles—Arnie Schwartz

            Social Media—Steve Hertzfeld

            Nominating—Jerry Mittelman

Religious Committee—Judy Lohr-Safcik

         Services—Rabbi Alison Lawton

            Shamus—Eric Erlbaum

Grreeters—Jan Hertzfeld

            Onegs—Elyssa Schneider

            Seder—Bette and Stan Nitzky

            High Holidays—Rabbi, Mike, Bobbi

            Memorial Plaques—Jerry Mittelman

            Yahrzeits—Linda Brickman

Financial Committee—Bill Katz

         Budget—Bob Unferth

            Planned Giving—Bob Unferth

            Internal audit

            Donations—Karen Murdock

Programming Committee

         Speakers Bureau—Libbi Goodman

            Fundraising— ?

            Social Clubs—Isabel Meth

Social Action Committee

         Food drive—Linda Mittelman

         School backpacks and supplies—??

         Sojourner—Steve and Jan Hertzfeld