Chabad of Anthem

06/07/2026

I recently saw a video of a man, he must have been in his 70s, singing a song he had learned at Camp Gan Israel as a child.

It struck me that camp experiences stay with us for a lifetime.

Here was someone remembering and singing a camp song more than 60 years later!

Rivky and I hear stories like this all the time. People share memories of friendships they made, values they learned, and Jewish pride they discovered at camp. Decades later, those experiences are still part of who they are.

As the Arizona summer settles in, it means Camp Gan Israel is just around the corner.

For the past nineteen years, Rivky and I have had the privilege of running Camp Gan Israel of Phoenix. Children learn best when learning is fun, hands-on, and exciting and that's exactly what camp is all about.

For six weeks, children enjoy sports, trips, activities, and friendships, while also connecting with their Jewish heritage in a warm and positive environment. They don't just learn about being Jewish, they experience it!

We truly believe that every Jewish child deserves the opportunity to attend camp. The impact cannot always be measured in the moment, but years later it often becomes clear just how meaningful those experiences were.

If you know a Jewish child who might enjoy an unforgettable summer, please help us spread the word and share our camp information at cgiofphoenix.com.

And if you would like to help make camp possible for a child whose family needs assistance, please reach out to me directly or consider making a scholarship donation
Www.cgiofphoenix.com/scholarship

Or consider purchasing something on Camp Gan Israel’s wishlist! Check out this Gift List I just created. https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/11WFH8OGQAUWT?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ggr-subnav-share_ERKGK8J35WA0NG6GQ6X4&language=en-US

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable summer!
Warmly,

Rabbi Yossi & Rivky Friedman
Chabad of Anthem and the North Valley

Gan Israel campers are imbued with a deep sense of pride in their Jewish heritage and a love for the land of Israel, in a safe and fun environment.

04/21/2026

A new JLI class will be starting soon!

This class will be given in Anthem and in Phoenix.

Anthem:
4 Mondays starting 4/27 7:00-8:30pm jewishanthem.com/JLI

Phoenix:
4 Wednesdays starting 4/29 7:30-9:00 chabadaz.com/JLI

03/28/2026

Dear Friend,

Passover is this Wednesday night. If you are looking for a Seder click here or if you are looking to make Passover more meaningful or if you are interested in learning ideas to spice up the seder, join us this Monday night at 7:00 for our Passover class!

Email [email protected] for the location

The Rebbe's Legacy of Service

A man once had an urgent matter he wanted to discuss with the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Someone suggested he try to catch the Rebbe as he left his home in the morning.

The man approached him—and the Rebbe stopped and listened. For ten full minutes.

Afterward, a few yeshiva students who had been watching criticized the man for taking up so much of the Rebbe’s precious time. Feeling terrible, the man later wrote a letter of apology.

The Rebbe’s response was remarkable.

First, he noted that those students should have been in yeshiva, not outside criticizing others.

But then he added something even more powerful. Quoting the Baal Shem Tov, he wrote:
“A soul can come down to this world for seventy or eighty years just to do a single favor for another—materially or spiritually.”

“And maybe,” the Rebbe continued, “my soul came down just to help you during those few minutes.”

This story captures something essential about the Rebbe. He saw every person as important. Every interaction as meaningful. Every moment as an opportunity to help.

I recently came across another letter where someone apologized for “bothering” the Rebbe. The Rebbe responded that no apology was needed—on the contrary, he was grateful for the opportunity to be of help.

The Rebbe didn’t just live this way—he inspired thousands to do the same. Today, Chabad representatives can be found in every corner of the world, dedicated to helping others connect to their heritage and to each other.

Rivky and I feel deeply privileged to be part of this mission, serving the Jewish community here in the Northwest Valley.

This Sunday marks the Rebbe’s 124th birthday. The Rebbe’s message wasn’t only for rabbis or leaders—it was for every one of us: to reach out, to care, and to be there for another person.

This week, a community member asked for extra matzah to share with friends—so they too can experience something meaningful and connect to their Judaism. That’s exactly what this is about.

We don’t need titles to make a difference. Sometimes, one small act of kindness—one moment of care—can be the very reason we are here.

Wishing you a peaceful and meaningful Shabbos,
Rabbi Yossi and Rivky Friedman

02/20/2026

Purim is in the air! Join us for Megillah reading and fun!

01/31/2026

School had just started, only a few weeks after summer camp ended. I was about 14 years old when my camp counselor, Mendy, asked me a simple question: “Would you like to learn something special with me?”

What he invited me to learn was the Rambam — the great Jewish legal work written by Maimonides, one of the most important Jewish thinkers in history.

A few years earlier, in 1985, the Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged Jews everywhere to study a small portion of this work every day. The idea was simple but powerful: by learning just a little each day, anyone could gain a clear understanding of Jewish values and daily living.

So each day after school, I would walk to the local yeshiva, where Mendy taught me that day’s lesson. That was my very first introduction to Rambam — and it stayed with me.

Fast forward many years. Just a few months ago, our son Yanky celebrated his Bar Mitzvah. One of the meaningful commitments he chose was to begin learning Rambam daily, just like his older siblings. Sitting with him brought back those early memories — and reminded me how one small daily habit can shape a lifetime.

The Rambam is unique because it explains all of the Torah’s commandments — practical guidance for how to live, act, and grow as a person and as a Jew. Learning it gives you a big-picture understanding of Jewish life, not just rituals, but values, ethics, and purpose.

But Torah learning is more than knowledge alone. It’s one of the deepest ways to connect — to G-d, to our heritage, to each other, and even to ourselves.

This Monday, we complete the current annual study cycle. Tuesday, a brand-new cycle begins — which makes this the perfect moment to start.

You don’t need background knowledge. You don’t need to catch up. Just start where everyone else is starting.

You can join easily here
JewishAnthem.com/dailystudy to begin today.

There will also be a celebration at Chabad of Phoenix 2110 E Lincol Drive, on Tuesday, February 3rd 7:00pm, where the Rambam will be concluded and started again.

I invite you to experience the richness, clarity, and connection that daily Torah learning brings — one chapter at a time.

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yossi Friedman

Study Torah daily with our Daily Study portal. Lessons include: Chumash with Rashi, Psalms/Tehillim, Tanya, Rambam and Hayom Yom.

01/30/2026

This Sunday!! Join us for a spectacular tubshvat BBQ!!

01/12/2026

We are deeply troubled to report that anti-Semitic graffiti has been discovered in our community of Anthem. In two different places. These incidents have shocked and saddened members of the Jewish community, who are understandably distressed by this display of hate.

"Our beautiful neighborhood has been targeted by hate," says Rabbi Friedman, Director of Chabad of Anthem and North Valley. "We know that the people here are loving and will not allow this to destroy our community."
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has been alerted to the case, although they have not yet responded.

In response to this, members of the community will gather to paint over the graffiti and participate in a unity gathering today at 5:30pm at the Park and Ride behind Starbucks on adaisy Mountain.

This event is open to everyone, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, who wish to stand in solidarity against hate and show support for the affected community. We invite all members of the community to join us in this show of unity and love.

12/24/2025

Did you donate yet? Www.jewishanthem.com/yearend

02/04/2025

Excited for this yummy bbq in homor of Tubshvat!

01/31/2025