Midbar Kodesh Temple's 21 Birthday Bash to celebrate our Campaign for the Future

In celebration of their 21st birthday, Midbar Kodesh Temple, who moved to Green Valley in March 2000, will host a Birthday Bash on Saturday evening, April 1 at 8 p.m. Champagne toasts all around as the synagogue celebrates their accomplishments and looks toward the future. Hors d'oeuvres will be served by Chef Aaron Klafter-Phillips, and there will be a limited open bar. Members and friends are invited to celebrate this milestone.

The synagogue kicked off the Campaign for the Future at a family BBQ held at Midbar Kodesh Temple's Purim Carnival earlier in March. This opens their official fundraising campaign season, as they solicit funding to ensure programming, outreach and religious services for their membership, potential members and the greater community. The cover price for the April 1 Birthday Bash is free with a $56.00 per ticket minimum campaign donation. Payment in advance is requested, RSVPs are required. Suggested attire is smart casual.

Because of the outpouring of early support, the initial goal of $50,000 has been increased to $60,000. Donations and pledges can be made now by going to www.MidbarKodesh.org or calling Andrew Spivak at 702-454-4848.

Midbar Kodesh Temple was established by six families who wanted to bring Conservative Judaism to Green Valley. Midbar Kodesh Temple originally held services at different local public schools. They rented warehouse space for services, preschool and religious school in a complex on Eastern Avenue and quickly outgrew the space, moving to Cactus Garden located behind Ethel M's. By 1999 they were breaking ground for a permanent home in Green Valley, bringing their sefrei Torah to a multipurpose social hall. A religious school/preschool wing, office space and chapel were home until the sanctuary addition in 2010. In 2012, Midbar Kodesh Temple dedicated the David L. Simon Center for Education and Tikkun Olam. That wing houses the HAZAK Judaica Library, United Synagogue Youth Lounge, office space and classrooms. Earlier in March Midbar Kodesh Temple welcomed the Holocaust Resource Center, which will call the synagogue for at least the next two years.

"Midbar Kodesh Temple is a very inclusive synagogue," said Andrew Spivak, Midbar Kodesh Temple's Director of Advancement. "We want to offer creative programming that captures the attention of the entire community and meet the needs of today's Jews. We are always exploring what it means to be Jewish today, as we remember and build on the past and look to the future," he said.

Midbar Kodesh Temple offers formal and informal educational programming for every age group. Midbar Kodesh Temple Early Childhood Center begins with classes for 18 months through pre-Kindergarten. Club Kehillah and Family Circle provide social and religious programming for families in that age group. Religious School begins at Kindergarten age and goes through high school's Ma'ayan. Katan, Kadima and USY builds leaderships skills and a love of Judaism through their programs, events and projects. Adult education welcomes all interest groups from Book Club, to On-Line presentations, to Touchdown Torah. Mens Club and Hazak round out the social programming, hosting BBQs, guest speakers and making special gifts to fill the needs of the classrooms and administration. Shabbat, minyan and holiday services meet spiritual needs. And there's so much more.

On behalf of co-Presidents Ryan Sterling and Heather Pack, Andrew invites the entire comunity to participate in the "Campaign for the Future." Andrew reminds that with this 21st Birthday, Midbar Kodesh Temple has come of age and hopes that all will celebrate Midbar Kodesh Temple, Early Childhood Center and Religious School success with a donation or a pledge that will help sustain the congregation and what it has to offer for many years to come.