About Us
Welcome to Our Family!
If you enjoy the warmth of a small, close-knit, participative congregation, then Beth Ami is the temple for you.
Our History
Beth Ami, a reform temple, was founded in 1978 by a small group of families all sharing the same desires. They wanted a temple where everybody knew one another, where we truly were a family. Our little temple grew quickly to 50 families. Today we have approximately 65 families. As our temple grew, so did our sense of family. We are fortunate to have several of our original families still with us.
Beth Ami and The Community
Our recent involvements include Family Promise,an interfaith group feeding the homeless, Mitzvah Day, servind meals at the Salvation Army, and participation in the Jewish Film Festival.
How is This Temple Different from All Other Temples in The Valley?
Services are usually held every other Friday night from September through May. Shelle Witten, our Cantorial Soloist Emeritus, led us in chanting the service for many years. We are very fortunate to have Rabbi Arthur Abrams and our new Cantorial Soloist Pam Beitman leading our services..
Temple Beth Ami's services are conducted approximately twice a month. While most services will be led by Rabbi Art, members still create and lead several services a year. Member families also take turns hosting an Oneg after each service.
Recently Beth Ami has added an Adult Torah Study Group founded by Earl Terman and now organized by Arlene Freedberg .Once a month, we share a "pot luck" dinner together before services. We are fortunate to be gifted with many wonderful cooks. Dinah Rolf is our social organizer and is planning many wonderful events.
This year Beth Ami now has a tutor available for Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation.
Because we are a participative congregation, annual dues are minimal at $440 for a family and $220 for singles. We have no building fund, no formal religious school, no assessments, just care and concern for each other as we share the joys and sorrow of our daily lives.
What traditions Has Beth Ami Established?
The members of our little temple truly enjoy being with one another. We have High Holidays together, a yearly Hanukah party, a Purim celebration, a talent show and a retreat in the cool mountains of Prescott.
How Can I participate in The Temple?
There are many opportunities to volunteer throughout the year. You may lead a service, host an Oneg, help plan an event, be an usher or serve on a committee. Our temple is dependent on its members for survival. It is the participation of our families that makes Beth Ami unique.
Where Does The Temple Meet?
We meet at the Palo Cristi Presbyterian Church centrally located at: 3535 E. Lincoln Drive (the southwest corner of 36th Street & Lincoln Drive).
This is just a few blocks east of the Piestewa Parkway.
Who Can I Contact for Further Information?
Call Bobbi Lazarus, our Temple Administrator at: (602) 956-0805
Email her at:admin@bethamittemple.org
