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Congregation Beit Simcha

Tucson, AZ · EIN 831684337 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE X30 · Religion-Related · Small ($100K-$1M) · beitsimchatucson.org
revenue
$579K
expenses
$221K
net assets
$394K
employees
1
program ratio
93%
filing since
2019
mission · from form 990

Jewish religious services and education

profile · synthesized from sources

Congregation Beit Simcha is a Jewish synagogue in Tucson, AZ, led by Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon. It provides religious services, educational content through the Rabbi's blog, and fosters community among its members. The congregation emphasizes Jewish tradition, ethics, and resilience, particularly in relation to holidays like Passover and modern observances like Yom HaShoah and Yom Ha'atzma'ut.

activities · 12

what they do

direct service · 12
  • Host Jewish Holiday Services and Celebrations Regular and Special Religious Services
    Congregation Beit Simcha hosts a variety of Jewish holiday services and celebrations, including Selichot, Rosh HaShanah, Kol Nidrei, Yom Kippur, Family Tashlich, Shabbat Sukkot, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Yizkor, Simchat Torah, and large public Seders for Passover.
  • Offer Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class Jewish Religious Education Programs
    The organization provides an Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class to prepare adult learners for Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies, including chanting prayers, Torah, and Haftarah.
  • Offer Jewish Educational Programs and Classes Jewish Religious Education Programs
    The organization provides a variety of educational programs for adults and children, including a Religious School, introductory courses on Judaism, Hebrew language classes (Beginning Hebrew, High Speed Hebrew), and in-depth studies on Jewish texts like the Zohar, the Book of Samuel, and the weekly Torah portion. These programs are often taught by Rabbi Sam Cohon and are available in-person and online.
  • Offer Jewish Educational Programs for Adults Jewish Religious Education Programs
    The organization provides various adult education classes, including an introductory Judaism program (Taste of Judaism / This is Judaism), an eight-month weekly class on Introductory Judaism, a course on the Zohar, an exploration of the Book of Samuel, a weekly Torah portion discussion, an Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class, and Beginning and High Speed Hebrew classes.
  • Operate a Religious School
    Congregation Beit Simcha operates a Religious School that is open to all learners.
  • Operate a Religious School
    The organization operates a Religious School that is open to all learners.
  • Produce "Too Jewish" Radio Show and Podcast Jewish Learning & Media Programs
    The Rabbi of Congregation Beit Simcha hosts a radio show and podcast called "Too Jewish with Rabbi Sam Cohon and Friends," which features Jewish musical cuts and interviews with Jewish personalities.
  • Produce a Jewish Radio Show and Podcast Jewish Learning & Media Programs
    The Rabbi of Congregation Beit Simcha hosts "Too Jewish with Rabbi Sam Cohon and Friends," a radio show and podcast that features Jewish musical selections and interviews with Jewish personalities.
  • Produce a Jewish Radio Show and Podcast Jewish Learning & Media Programs
    The Rabbi of Congregation Beit Simcha hosts "Too Jewish with Rabbi Sam Cohon and Friends," a radio show and podcast featuring Jewish music and interviews with Jewish personalities.
  • Provide Jewish Educational Programs Jewish Religious Education Programs
    Congregation Beit Simcha offers various educational programs, including a free three-week introduction to Judaism, Jewish history, and Israel, an eight-month weekly introductory Judaism class, and an eight-week beginning Hebrew class. They also provide courses on the Zohar, an interactive exploration of the Book of Samuel, and a dynamic exploration of the weekly Torah portion.
  • Provide Jewish Religious Services and Holiday Celebrations Regular and Special Religious Services
    Congregation Beit Simcha holds regular religious services, including Shabbat Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Yizkor services, and organizes celebrations for major Jewish holidays such as Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, and Passover, often including youth programming, family events, and communal meals.
  • Provide Jewish Religious Services and Holiday Celebrations Regular and Special Religious Services
    Congregation Beit Simcha holds regular religious services, including Shabbat Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Yizkor services, and organizes celebrations for Jewish holidays such as Selichot, Rosh HaShanah, Kol Nidrei, Yom Kippur, and Simchat Torah. They also host large public Seders for Passover.
strategies · 24

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any approach shared with other orgs to see the full field.

  • Community Building and Inclusivity community_building unique to this org
    The organization strives to create a warm, welcoming environment for all members and guests, and builds partnerships to strengthen both the congregation and the wider community, fostering intergenerational connections and engagement.
  • Community Building and Intergenerational Connection community_building unique to this org
    The organization strives to create a warm and welcoming environment for members and guests, building partnerships to strengthen the congregation and wider community, and fostering intergenerational unity through shared traditions and holiday observances.
  • Community Building and Welcoming Environment community_building unique to this org
    Creates a warm, inclusive, and welcoming community by fostering personal connections, intergenerational family engagement, and external partnerships to strengthen both the congregation and the broader community.
  • Community building through welcoming environments and partnerships community_building unique to this org
    Fosters a warm, inclusive congregation and strengthens broader community ties by creating welcoming experiences for members and guests and building collaborative partnerships beyond the synagogue walls.
  • Corporate Sponsorship for Congregational Support corporate_sponsorship_program unique to this org
    Engages corporate sponsors through targeted visibility and recognition benefits to financially support the congregation’s programs and operations.
  • Corporate sponsorship for community programming corporate_sponsorship_program unique to this org
    Engages corporate sponsors through targeted visibility and recognition benefits to support congregation programs and expand outreach capacity.
  • Customized and Interactive Jewish Education customized_experiential_education unique to this org
    The organization provides an engaging, enjoyable, and customized learning environment for Jewish education, utilizing interactive formats, the "Understanding by Design" model, differentiated instruction, and blended learning, with active parent involvement to meet individual needs and foster deep understanding.
  • Customized and Interactive Jewish Education customized_interactive_education unique to this org
    The organization provides an engaging, enjoyable, and systematic learning environment that values all learners, utilizing interactive formats, the "Understanding by Design" model, differentiated instruction, and blended learning to customize education and foster deep understanding.
  • Experiential and lifelong Jewish learning experiential_learning unique to this org
    Creates meaningful Jewish experiences and fosters ongoing spiritual growth through experiential learning, intergenerational traditions, and a culture of questioning, debate, and lifelong study.
  • Fostering Jewish Engagement and Renewal through Study, Worship, and Action holistic_jewish_engagement unique to this org
    The organization aims to make Judaism central and meaningful to congregants' lives by engaging them in study (Torah), worship (Avodah), and repairing the world (Tikun Olam), thereby renewing Jewish life and fostering spiritual growth.
  • Holistic Jewish Engagement through Torah, Avodah, and Tikun Olam holistic_jewish_engagement unique to this org
    Renews and strengthens Jewish life by integrating study (Torah), worship (Avodah), and social action (Tikun Olam) as interconnected pillars that foster personal meaning, communal connection, and ethical responsibility.
  • Holistic Jewish engagement through Torah, Avodah, and Tikun Olam holistic_Jewish_engagement unique to this org
    Deepens Jewish life by integrating study (Torah), worship (Avodah), and social action (Tikun Olam) as interconnected pillars, aiming to make Jewish practice meaningful, transformative, and community-centered.
  • Integrated Spiritual and Musical Leadership integrated_spiritual_and_musical_leadership unique to this org
    Combines spiritual leadership with music, education, and mentorship to inspire congregants, deepen engagement, and create meaningful communal experiences.
  • Interactive and Experiential Jewish Education experiential_learning unique to this org
    Uses interactive, experiential, and customized learning approaches—such as the Understanding by Design model, differentiated instruction, and blended learning—to foster deep, enduring understanding and meaningful Jewish engagement for learners of all ages.
  • Interactive and customized Jewish education customized_learning_environment unique to this org
    Uses interactive, engaging, and customized educational approaches—such as the Understanding by Design model, differentiated instruction, and blended learning—to meet diverse learner needs and foster deep, enduring understanding of Jewish texts and traditions.
  • Interactive introduction to Judaism interactive_education unique to this org
    Uses open, relaxed, and interactive formats to introduce Judaism to curious individuals, lowering barriers to entry and fostering initial engagement.
  • Personal and Moral Transformation through Jewish Practice mussar_and_spiritual_transformation unique to this org
    The organization utilizes Jewish practices like Mussar and the Counting of the Omer to encourage self-exploration, spiritual liberation, and moral growth, focusing on individual ethics and personal awareness.
  • Personal and Moral Transformation through Jewish Practice mussar_and_spiritual_transformation unique to this org
    The organization encourages self-exploration, spiritual liberation, and moral growth through practices like the Counting of the Omer and Mussar, focusing on personal awareness, individual ethics, and self-improvement.
  • Religious Observance and Historical Remembrance religious_observance unique to this org
    Upholds Jewish identity and continuity through the observance of traditional and modern Jewish holidays and rituals, alongside intentional remembrance of historical events such as the Holocaust, to honor the past and educate future generations.
  • Religious observance integrating tradition and modernity religious_observance unique to this org
    Observes traditional and contemporary Jewish holidays and milestones—such as Passover, Yom HaShoah, and Yom Ha’atzma’ut—with emphasis on preparation, historical remembrance, and relevance to modern Jewish identity.
  • Spiritual and Moral Transformation through Mussar and Omer Practices moral_spiritual_transformation unique to this org
    Leverages Jewish mystical and ethical traditions—particularly the Counting of the Omer and Mussar practice—to guide individuals in self-exploration, moral growth, and spiritual transformation through structured daily reflection and personal awareness.
  • Spiritual and moral transformation through structured self-exploration Mussar_practice unique to this org
    Leverages Jewish mystical and ethical practices—particularly during the Counting of the Omer—by integrating daily meditation on moral qualities, Mussar, and introspective frameworks to promote personal awareness, spiritual liberation, and ethical growth.
  • Support for Israel and Advocacy for Peace support_for_israel unique to this org
    Strengthens Jewish identity by affirming the centrality of Israel and advocating for its peace, security, and vibrancy through prayer, education, and communal commitment.
  • Support for Israel and advocacy for peace support_for_Israel unique to this org
    Strengthens Jewish identity through active support for Israel and engagement in prayer and advocacy for peace and security in the Middle East, reflecting a commitment to a vibrant and peaceful Jewish state.
financials · form 990 · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$579K
Contributions & grants$223K39%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$5750%
Other revenue$356K
expenses
Total expenses$221K
Program expenses93%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$106K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$397K
Cash$376K
Investments$0
Liabilities$3K
Net assets$394K
Liquid reserves20.4 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2022 · YoY revenue +236.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Samuel Cohon Rabbi 45 $98K
board members · 9
  • Alvin Feingold — Director
  • Douglas Friedman — Director
  • Duncan Clark — Director
  • Jeff Leichter — Director
  • Jeff Rothstein — Treasurer
  • Ken Goodman — Vice President
  • Lynn Lande — Director
  • MeMe Aguila — Secretary
  • Sloan R King — President
relationships · 4

who they work with

  • Dr. Sophia Cohon Partner — Director of Youth Education and part of the leadership team.
  • Rabbi Joe Black Partner — Jewish music recording star and past guest on Rabbi Sam Cohon's "Too Jewish" podcast.
  • Rabbi Sam Cohon Partner — Leads the Taste of Judaism educational program
  • Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon Partner — Senior Rabbi and part of the leadership team who helped establish the congregation.