Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on June 28, 2020

Members of the Merkaz Ha-Iyr congregation.(Photo: David Schwartz/Special for The Republic)

After 12 years of providing an "inclusive" space to celebrate Judaism, Phoenix's Merkaz Ha-Iyrsynagogue is formally disbanding Tuesday.

Two members spoke to The Arizona Republic about their experience building the synagogue in 2008 and raising their children with its teachings, saying they feel nostalgic about its closure but grateful for the foundation it provided their families over the years.

Alan Bayless Feldman's family was among the congregation's founding members.

The 53-year-old told The Republic the founding memberswere looking for a synagogue that was "open-minded, friendly (and) progressive." That meant, for example, embracing interfaith families and welcoming single members without families of their own.

Bayless Feldman said they chose the name Merkaz Ha-Iyr because it translates to "Center of the City," and reflected their desire to foster a "progressive, inclusive synagogue in central Phoenix."

The synagogue was always a humble one, with the congregation initially renting space at a church near Central and Northern avenues to host its services.

Tracy Leonard-Warner, 48, also helped found the synagogue and served as its song leader. Additionally, she taught music, Hebrew and other classes in the synagogue's educational program for children.

Bayless Feldman said membership grew through word of mouth and social media, but that that the synagogue at most had about 50 families.

Leonard-Warner said the synagogue's relatively small size helped create a "tight-knit" community, with bonds that will last long after the congregation's disbandment.

Bayless Feldman agreed, saying what they built extends far beyond the walls of a rented room in a Christian church.

"Everybody just pulled together to create this synagogue, putting our hearts and souls into the effort to make it the kind of Jewish community we all wanted," Bayless Feldman said.

Five years after the synagogue's opening, its inaugural rabbi announced she was leaving the congregation to explore other opportunities on the east coast.

Bayless Feldman said there was talk at that time of disbanding, but that the synagogue's youngest members appealed to their parents and said they wanted Merkaz Ha-Iyr to continue.

Leonard-Warner said she and other parentswere "proud" that their children were so devoted to the synagogue they grew up in, and subsequently put all their effort into finding a rabbiwho was progressive, inclusive and welcoming.

They found it in Rabbi Erica Burech.

On top of having a new rabbi, the congregation also eventually found a new location Shadow Rock United Church of Christ near Eighth Avenue and Thunderbird Road.

The Shadow Rock United Church of Christ sanctuary during Shabbat services.(Photo: Tracy Leonard-Warner/Special for The Republic)

As the years went on, Bayless Feldman and Leonard-Warner said younger members left the congregation to pursue their adultlives and that the synagogue struggled to attract new families to maintain its membership.

Leonard-Warner added that it took a lot of volunteer power to run the synagogue's services and programs, and dwindling membership made that even more difficult.

Earlier this year, Burech announced she was leaving the synagogue. Merkaz President Andy Schwartz announced on May 20 that the board subsequently voted to dissolve the synagogue at the end of the fiscal year.

Leonard-Warner said though it felt like the right decision, it wasn't easy.

"There are emotions, it's sad but ... I think we're all very proud of what we were able to create for our families, and that really, I think was the focus of the congregation, was our kids," she said. "Now that they're kind of out of the house, I don't think we have that same passion that we did before."

Bayless Feldman said there seemed to be an agreement that the congregation had done what it set out to do and that it was a "good point to take steps in another direction."

"There is a sadness, but there's also a joy in looking back and feeling very good about what we created and what my family ultimately got to experience as part of the Merkaz Ha-Iyr Jewish community," he said.

Members of the Merkaz Ha-Iyr congregation form the Star of David with their hands.(Photo: David Schwartz/Special for The Republic)

Leonard-Warner said her two children have a firm foundation in their faith, which she credits to Merkaz Ha-Iyr. Her son is involved with Hillel Jewish Student Center at Arizona State University, and her daughter has also been involved with Jewish organizations and hopes to move to Israel for college and to complete military service.0

She said that because the congregation spent so much time building a "perfect" environment, she wants to take her time in finding a new spiritual home, though she acknowledged the ongoing pandemic may extend the length of the search.

And though they may not meet in a formal capacity any longer, both Leonard-Warner and Bayless Feldman said they hope to continue meeting for occasional Shabbat dinners or other Jewish celebrations.

"These are now lifetime friends and not just for our kids, but for us too," Leonard-Warner said. "We definitely gained new friends and families along the way, and like it or not, they're stuck with us."

Reach the reporter at bfrank@arizonarepublic.comor 602-444-8529.Follow her on Twitter @brieannafrank.

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'There is a sadness, but there's also a joy': Phoenix synagogue disbanding after 12 years - AZCentral

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