In 2012, Hazzan Bernard Savitz, who served as the cantor of Har Zion Congregation in Scottsdale for the previous 11 years, founded Congregation Shomrei Torah when Har Zion closed and he continues to be their spiritual leader.

Hazzan Savitz, along with the others, founded Congregation Shomrei Torah to offer an unique and viable alternative for connecting or reconnecting to Judaism in the Jewish communities of Phoenix and Scottsdale.  Their new congregation would be a smaller traditional, egalitarian, and independent congregation. The congregation would focus on being affordable while supporting the individual and congregational needs.  

Shomrei Torah, which means “Guardians of the Torah,” meets for weekly services at 10:00 a.m. Shabbat mornings at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Initially, the group met in Savitz’s home every other week, but soon outgrew the space.

Savitz, who also has rabbinical ordination from an Orthodox beit din in California, also offers bar or bat mitzvah training and officiates at weddings, baby-naming ceremonies and funerals. Additional programs are being developed. Call 602-320-3369, email HazzanSavitz@cstaz.org