Temples reunited for prayer service

Afsha Bawany

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003 | 8:34 a.m.

Although the two temples split nine years ago, Temple Beth Sholom in Summerlin and Midbar Kodesh Temple in Henderson are uniting briefly Saturday for the second annual outdoor prayer service called S'lichot.

"It is to show people that common thread that unites us is bigger than anything that divides us," said Rabbi Fillipe Goodman of Temple Beth Sholom.

S'lichot, a Hebrew word for forgiveness, is a period of reflection that begins the Saturday before Rosh Hashanah and continues before dawn each day until the holiday, which begins at sundown Sept. 26.

"It gives us an opportunity to reflect and prepare ourselves emotionally and spiritually for the New Year," Rabbi Jeremy Widerhorn of Midbar Kodesh Temple said.

The service begins at 9 p.m. at Green Valley Ranch Station's amphitheater.

The Henderson temple was formed for Green Valley residents after Temple Beth Sholom moved from near downtown Las Vegas to Summerlin.

"It is very unusual and groundbreaking. Here are two congregations that were together and are now coming back together again," Widerhorn said. "It's powerful."

The synagogues have worked together before in providing educational and social programs to the community. Last year the service was held in a Summerlin park with 350 people in attendance from both temples, Goodman said.

The Green Valley Ranch amphitheater is located off Green Valley Parkway and Paseo Verde. The prayer is free and is open to anyone of the Jewish faith. Blankets and folding chairs are suggested.

Call Temple Beth Sholom at 804-1333 or Midbar Kodesh Temple at 454-4848 for more information.