Download the 50th Anniversary event calendar
Temple Emanuel Community and Friends,
For 50 years, Temple Emanuel has been your extended Jewish family in Phoenix’s East Valley. It’s a place where we celebrate new and old traditions with joy, where every generation finds connection and meaning, and where community thrives. As we honor our past and celebrate our present, we look with pride and confidence to the future by ensuring Temple Emanuel remains a strong, welcoming home for Jewish life in the East Valley for generations to come. This is the sentiment behind our Golden Jubilee tagline: 50 Years. Many Journeys. Open Doors.
Since debuting during High Holiday services, something magical has been happening. Momentum is building. Volunteers are buzzing. Old photos are being unearthed. And yes — we are building a time capsule!
Our five Jubilee committee working teams of over 40 volunteers meet every couple of weeks, pouring their heart, creativity, humor (and lots of coffee) into making our Jubilee year extraordinary. To them, we say THANK YOU.
- Compass Team (Led by Chuck and Vivian Gealer): Guiding our long-term planning and ensuring our efforts reflect our shared values, spirit, and purpose — extending beyond the Jubilee year.
- Storytelling and Legacy Teams (Led by Courtney Griggs, Oslynn Benjamin, and Zach LeGrand): Collecting photos, videos, and family stories that make up our community.
- Momentum Team (Led by Howard Paley and Sandee McClelland): Leading thoughtful conversations and gatherings to explore how we sustain our temple for the next 50 years through stewardship, belonging, and investment in our spiritual home.
- Experience Team (Led by Jennifer LeGrand, Wendi Socha, and Seth Tongay): Delivering our Jubilee year events — live music, cooking celebrations, a time-capsule ceremony, joyful Shabbats, story-sharing, and a few surprises we can’t reveal just yet.
We invite every member of our community to join the excitement and participate in the year ahead. Together, we’ll open doors to new possibilities while cherishing all the journeys that brought us here.
With gratitude, excitement, and possibly too much enthusiasm,
Arnold Bedak
President, Temple Emanuel Board of Trustees
Seth Tongay
Chair, Jubilee Committee
Mark Your Calendars
Feb. 6-7, 2026
What if one day of rest could transform your entire life?
Join your Jewish community in a special Shabbaton dedicated to gleaning wisdom from a 1,000 year-old practice Mussar. Our guide? The modern mussar movement leader Alan Moranis. Join for one or all events and RSVP today!
February 21, 2026, 6:30-9:30pm
Family Bingo with Temple Emanuel Sisterhood
Join us for a fun-filled evening of Family Bingo, open to members of all ages and their friends and family — the more, the merrier! Enjoy chances to win gift cards and take part in an exciting raffle, with raffle tickets available for pre-purchase or purchase the day of the event.
Proceeds from Family Bingo will benefit the Jubilee Committee. Bring the whole family and come ready for a great time!
Dec. 19, 2025
6:00 p.m. Shabbat Service
6:30 p.m. Hanukkah Party
Light Up the Night — 50 Years Bright Hanukkah Celebration with music, laughter, latkes, and more. Bring your glow, your spirit, and your Hanukkiah — especially if it comes with a story.
Dec. 5, following 6:30 p.m. services: 50 Years of Cooking with Temple Emanuel: Rock Shabbat + Mitzvah Makers. The oneg after service will feature recipes and stories from our beloved Mitzvah Makers cookbook.