The Growth of Temple B'rith Shalom
The Growth of Temple B'rith Shalom
The first known Jewish religious services in Prescott were held to celebrate the High Holy Days in 1942 and 1943. We do not know who made the suggestion to hold services here, but the Mallin Prothers were enthusiastic about the idea. Having services here meant that they didn't have to travel to Phoenix. The Mallins possessed a Torah, an Ark, and the education to conduct the service. We don't know from where they got the Torah or the Ark. They arranged to have their Torah examined by a specialist in Los Angeles to make sure that it was kosher.
Other Jewish families in the area, contacted by the Mallin brothers, were very enthusiastic about the idea of having services in Prescott. Approximately thirty-five men, women, and children gathered. Services were held. There was a community seder in 1946, and the Jewish community drifted quietly back into obscurity.
In June, 1976 Irving and Shirley Brohner relocated to Prescott, Arizona from Phoenix to open a business. There were no religious services or Rabbi in the area, so the Brohner's traveled to Phoenix, 100 miles each way to worship at Temple Beth Israel. One night, after making a trip to Phoenix on a cold winter night, Shirley dreamed about how wonderful it would be to have a Temple closer, maybe even in Prescott, and more Jewish families to socialize with.
She placed an ad in the local newspaper which read, "Nice Jewish couple would like to meet other Jewish families." There were five responses. Occasionally the families got together to socialize and there was an occasional newcomer.
In December, 1978 the small group held its first Chanukkah party. Forty people attended and had a great time socializing, playing dreidle, and eating traditional fried foods including potato latkes.
Over the next years, there were picnics, dinners, more Chanukkah parties and other social events. Families were getting together more often. Friday night services were held at the old YMCA conducted by members of the congregation, using borrowed Torahs. Sunday school was held at various locations, including in the home of Robin Olson, one of the teachers who started children's religious education in the area. Robin taught the children for many years.
On October 7, 1980 a trust fund was created by a few Temple congregants with the help of Mark Goodman, a local attorney, for the purpose of acquiring a building site in Prescott. Things were starting to move.
Dr. Lewis Ziemand, who lived in Prescott Valley, was quite active in the Jewish Community. He decided it was time to give the congregation a name. On October 27, 1980 Temple B'rith Shalom was born. Mr. Ziemand chose the name which means "Covenant of Peace."
The first president was Shirley Brohner.
In December, the Chanukkah party was a huge success. It was held at the First Congregational Church on Gurley Street with 105 people attending. By now services were being held more frequently at the church with members conducting them. Attendance was growing.
The first Temple newsletter was published in January, 1981 with Annette Cohen as editor. It stated that as of that date, there were 31 couple and/or single official members. Annual dues were $25.00 per couple and $10.00 for singles. Temple B'rith Shalom held it's first High Holy Day Services at the First Congregational Church on September 28, 1981. Visiting Rabbi Don Singer
of Los Angeles conducted the service.
The Jewish congregation was now growing larger and there seemed to be more interest in Jewish participation. After a couple years of an occasional visiting Rabbi and lay services, it was time to employ a student Rabbi who could lead services on a regular basis. The first student Rabbi, Lon Moskowitz, arrived on September 7, 1983. A "Holocaust" Torah, rescued from Czechoslovakia, was obtained as our first Torah in 1984 bv Remi Safford. In 1999, our second Torah was given to the Temple by Stan and Francine Garner. Now that the community had a Torah and a Rabbi, it was time to find a building that the congregants could call their own. A house was found in town on Moellar Street in 1985. It was small but served its purpose. Sunday school, as well as bi-monthly services, conducted by our own Student Rabbi, were held there.
Numerous student rabbis served Temple B'rith Shalom. Mimi Etlin's tenure as President (1987-1989) marked the time Temple B'rith Shalom enjoyed the services of our first woman student rabbi, Karen Gender. She was followed by a number of other student rabbis, both men and women. The congregation was swelling in numbers and becoming more organized. Membership continued to increase. It grew so much, that after 4 years, the congregation had to locate a new building to be used as a Temple. In 1989 an old doll factory was left cold and vacant on Highway 89 near Granite Dells. Co-presidents Lisa Stoken and Cindy Evans arranged to have the building cleaned, carpeted and painted. Appliances were both donated and purchased and there was decorating to be done. The congregation united like never before and thus was the new Temple created. The official move was made in October 1990. Members were so proud of the new facility that a sign was erected. Temple congregant Abe Sandler built an Ark for the Torah and a lectern. Many other articles were donated including some beautiful art pieces and religious articles. A library was created with many donated books.
Money from the trust fund had increased steadily. In 1992 these funds along with
additional funding was used to purchase a parcel of land located off Willow Lake Road. This would be used as the future home of a permanent Temple, the first in northern Arizona.
In 1994, the Temple in Prescott shared a Rabbi with Flagstaff. In 1995 Rabbi William Berkowitz was officially hired as the sole Rabbi for Temple B'rith Shalom. Rabbi Berkowitz provided a multitude of
religious as well as personal enrichments to the Jewish community.
Under the leadership of Greg Raskin (1996-1997) and Robert Morris (1997-1998), Temple Brith Shalom’s permanent building was built. Using structural steel enabled the congregation to erect the building much sooner than had originally been anticipated. On July 1, 1997 over 100 people attended the official groundbreaking ceremony for our permanent synagogue building. On November 12, 1997, the street where the Temple is located, was renamed Brohner Way. On January 11, 1998 Rabbi William Berkowitz, Temple President Robert Morris, and the members of Temple B'rith Shalom held a dedication ceremony for the new Temple.
In the summer of 1999, Temple B'rith Shalom consecrated a Jewish Cemetery located within Redwood Memorial Gardens. For the first time, Jewish burials can now take place in the area.
In 2002, Rabbi David E. Lipman became Temple Brith Shalom’s rabbi, increasing service participation and Jewish programs in the community.
We are a Reform synagogue affiliated with the UAHC. Our congregants have come from different parts of the country and the world, reflecting many different types of Jewish backgrounds. Our differences actually bring us together and have created a congregation with a warm and friendly atmosphere, where we strive to accommodate the Jewish practices and beliefs of all our congregants.
Our Officers and Board members at Temple B'rith Shalom are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Synagogue and for setting policy. The Executive Committee is elected by the members. Committee Chairs serve as Board Members and are appointed by the President. Volunteers are the heart of the community. Their energy, work, time and fair share financial support are indispensable to the successful functioning of the synagogue.
Temple B'rith Shalom strives to be a good neighbor in the community. We participate in many ecumenical events and support community efforts to take care of those less fortunate among us. We have regular food drives and lend support to organizations like "Prescott People Who Care" and the shelters in town.
We communicate to the Jewish community through both this website and our monthly newsletter, The Ram's Horn. Edited by Dorothy Morris, the Ram's Horn is free to all members. Non-members can receive the Ram's Horn for $18 a year.