Updates!

Update: Pita Delight is no more...

Also, there is tentatively going to be a Be'in HaZman Chabura on Chol Ha'Moed perhaps a little before Pesach as well. Exact plans and location are in the process of being decided. Some trips, learning, food, other stuff. Email if interested.

O ya, the Phoenix Community Kollel is getting four more yungerleit to its stellar staff. One I think is in according to the J News and Kollel Sources.

DQB

Back in Phoenix

Updates to come in as I find them out...
New Restaurant!!
Pita Delight http://www.pitadelight.net/pitahome.aspx
480-857-7277
918 North Alma School Road
Chandler AZ, 85224
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11-8, Friday 11-3

Looking for a Seder? Here are some options. Also feel free to contact any local shul also for a personal at-home invite as well (I am sure they will be happy to oblige for the visitor or local Sederless Jew).
List of Public Sedarim
1) Chabad of Anthem R' Yossi Friedman 623-551-8348 or rabbi@jewishanthem.com Both nights
2) Chabad of the East Valley 480-855-4333 chabadcenter.com First-night seder
3) Chabad of Phoenix 602-944-2753 Both nights
4) Chabad of Scottsdale 480-998-1410 Both nights
5) Sephardic Cultural Center Rabbi Pinchas Allouche 480-600-5065 RabbiAllouche@gmail.com First-night seder
6) Young Israel of Phoenix 602-265-8888 or YIofPhoenix@gmail.com First-night seder
(source: Jewish News of Greater Phoenix)

DQB

Good site for the Kosher Traveler

http://shamash.org/kosher/
This site has a database for kosher restaurants and institutions. I cannot totally vouch for the site, but nonetheless the information on the database is definitely handy.

Happy Hanukkah!

Want to be inscribed in the book of life? Go to Shul!

Evidence suggests that people who attend synagogue live longer
By Ofri Ilani, Haaretz Correspondent

Adults who attend synagogue regularly live longer than their peers who do not attend synagogue, according to a recently published study carried out by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Whole Article

DQB
Interesting!

R' Horowitz on At-Risk Teens

Imagine going for a walk one winter morning and finding your neighbor sitting in his car vigorously turning the steering wheel - while the engine is shut off. When you ask him why he doesn’t start the car, he responds that his battery died, and he will soon get jumper cables to ‘give it a boost’. However, before he does that, he would like to turn the front wheels away from the curb so that he can instantly be able to pull out of the parking space once his automobile starts. You may walk away wondering why he is exerting so much energy turning the wheel of a stalled car, instead of waiting until the engine starts and the power steering kicks in.

This analogy reflects my thinking of how parents can be most helpful in assisting their at-risk teens get back on track. Very often, and understandably so, parents start helping their struggling kids by addressing the antisocial behaviors (partying or drug/alcohol abuse) or the rejection of Torah values (not keeping Shabbos or inappropriate attire). I have found, however, that the most effective thing that parents can do to really help their child is to assist him/her in getting his/her life in order. Once that is accomplished, it is far, far easier to help him/her with the other matters...

Continued

Imperial Kosher Market

A very nice kosher market on Glendale (and 12th Street), nice selection with Pesach, packaged, and other items.

They make sandwiches to go (Circle-K next door has plenty of beverages as well).

Imperial Kosher Market
1145 E. Glendale Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85020
Tel: 602-285-6999

For hours contact store.
I believe open until 3:30pm on Friday.

Sushi!

For the record, Segal's has SUSHI!
This comes in addition to their new chinese menu. Please contact Segal's (see side link) for information on hours.

It started about a week and half ago, and I can tell you its quite good. I even got it twice just to make sure.

Shearim High School

Starting tomorrow is the first day of Shearim Torah High School for Girls at 6516 N. Seventh St. It is the only Orthodox high school in the Phoenix area, may it be the start of an increase of Torah learning in the Valley.

Best of Luck to Rabbi Landesman and the rest of the staff!
For More Information: 602-920-3985


DQB

Simply Bread

Simply Bread (under the O-U)
http://www.simplybread.com/

When it comes to fine breads, Phoenix Frum Community (and the community at large for that matter) is in a league of its own. Simply Bread opened last year. Started by an award winning baker, its breads can be found at most Kosher stores and even non-Kosher ones.

There is a bread bar at the place itself (not to far from New York New York, a Shomer Shabbos barber on 23rd and Indian School). There is rumor of a cafe being opened by them, more if it becomes anything down the road.

The Bread Bar Hours
Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

2117 N 24th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Phone: (602) 244-1778

link on site to where to get bread other than at the bakery itself: http://simplybread.com/get.aspx

ShortVort.com

I found not to long ago this new site http://www.shortvort.com/. It's still in the early stages, but I think its a great idea.

Here's an example:
Rosh Hashana
Dear Friends Of Hashem

In Ezras Avoseinu, the Tefila in Shachris right before Shmoneh Esreh, we say "V'nasnu Yididim Zemiros V'shiros" - the beloved praised and exalted Hashem. The question can be asked - why do we use the word Yididim - beloved friends? Since when do we refer to ourselves as friends of the Ribbono Shel Olam? Sons, slaves, but friends?

continued

DQB
PS: Everybody add their vorts!