Joyce Spartonos

As I sat pondering what to write about our Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation this month, it occurred to me there’s a plethora of information at my fingertips.

First and foremost is the fact that for a Congregation that holds Services only once a month (the second Friday at 7 p.m. in the Sun Lakes Chapel in Sun Lakes), we’re as active as any congregation that meets every week. Our Sisterhood and Men’s Club are outstanding and always have the welcome mat out for new members, as does our singles group, Havarah Chai.

Each month, the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation honors a group or organization. As you would expect, in honor of Veterans Day last month, we paid homage to our veterans and recognized Copper State Post 619 of the Jewish War Veterans of America. In addition, we had the most wonderful baby-naming ceremony. We really do cover all the bases! This month, of course, we’ll be celebrating Hanukkah with a candle-lighting ceremony, as well as recognizing all our new members when we meet on Dec. 13. Our new members will also be honored at the Oneg Shabbat immediately following services, and we would love for you to join us.

Under the direction of our esteemed Rabbi, Irwin Wiener, Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation has also established an Adult Education Course. In this regard, a two-part ecumenical panel presentation discussing Life Cycle Events will take place on Jan. 28 and March 24, 2020, from

1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Sun Lakes Chapel. These are two not-to-be-missed events! While they are open and free to the public, donations on the day of the events would be greatly appreciated. Members of the panel consist of Mr. Barnaby Lewis, Historian at the Huhugham Cultural Center; Minister Carolina Uribe, St. Mary’s Church of Chandler; Azra Hassain and Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, Greater Phoenix Muslim Speakers Bureau; Pastor Mitch McDonald, Sun Lakes Church of Christ, and, of course, our own Rabbi Wiener.

As we keep saying, we have something for everyone, and our welcome mat is always out. So please come and join us and see for yourself what we’re all about.