Chandler temple sees first Hispanic bar mitzvah. Arizona

“Step by step, a Hispanic Jewish community is taking shape at Temple Beth Sholom, a Conservative Jewish congregation in Chandler. The 2004 launch of a monthly Shabbat service in Spanish earned the temple the Gold Award for Ritual from the United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism. The service typically draws more than 20 people.

The latest milestone came May 20, when Isai Garcia, 13, underwent his bar mitzvah, the traditional synagogue ceremony denoting his becoming an adult and being a “son of the commandment.” Isai is believed to be the first Hispanic to have his bar mitzvah in the 57-year history of the temple. In October 2004, his sister, Abigail, now 16, was the first Hispanic to have her bat mitzvah at Temple Beth Sholom. “

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