May 2023 / Iyar -Sivan 5783

Rabbi's Message

by Rabbi David Komerofsky

Shavuot is the conclusion of the counting of the omer that began on the second night of Pesach, and is the traditional date on which we received the Torah at Mount Sinai. Like many of our festivals Shavuot is a combination of the agricultural and the spiritual. It is the holiday of the first fruits and an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem. We read the Ten Commandments and the Book of Ruth, connecting the mutual love and acceptance between God and the Children of Israel as a whole and each Jewish person individually renewing that Sinai covenant one at a time.

This year our congregation has two opportunities for connection on Shavuot:

• Community-Wide Tikkun Leil Shavuot at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike on Thursday, May 25. This includes more than thirty learning sessions on a variety of topics. I will teach on “A Jewish Understanding of Christian Pentecost.” This program is free and open to the public with advance registration. Find the link to register at https://www.bnaijeshurun.org/tikkun2023.
• Shavuot Morning Service with Yizkor Memorial Prayers at Temple Israel on Friday, May 26 at 10:00 a.m.

You can find all necessary information for Shavuot on our website at https://www.templeisraelcanton.org/shavuot  

Chag Shavuot Sameach!

Blessings

by Julie Zorn

One of the Jewish values that is shared in our teachings is a value called hakarat hatov or recognizing the good in all things. Judaism puts such an emphasis on gratitude that the Talmud teaches us to come up with 100 blessings every single day just to develop an appreciation for all of God’s works.

As the Chadash school year wraps up, looking back on all of our blessings this year is simple to do, as when it comes to Chadash, every day, lesson plan or experience is designed to bring learning and a sense of community. Certainly, these are reasons enough to be immensely grateful, but with Chadash, the blessings are endless. So, to bring the school year to a close, the following list are many blessings that Chadash has experienced this year.  A big TODAH RABAH to everyone in our community who contributed to all the many blessings we hold so dear, 

1.     Our faculty is creative and dedicated to Jewish learning.

2.     Chadash students develop lifelong friends.

3.     All holidays are celebrated fully.

4.     Our Tzedakah helps others.

5.     Our Kosher rules help us to be an inclusive community.

6.     Jewish crafts are fun!

7.     Kosher snacks are delicious.

8.     Our donors support our school.

9.     We have a rich history and meaningful traditions.

10.  We might be a small community, but we’re mighty.

11.  Chadash helps us broaden our connection to Israel.

12.  We get to learn a language that most of our friends don’t know.

13.  Parents who commit to driving their kids to religious school every week.

14.  We get to sing songs.

15.  Latkes

16.  Hamantaschen

17.  Some of our parents volunteer sometimes.

18.  Madrichim are the best role models!

19.  Social action projects like making Rosh Hashanah cards for nursing home residents.

20.  Our religion teaches us to reflect and learn from our mistakes,

21.  The clergy spend time with us, and we get to learn from them.

22.  The education committee helps make important decisions about our school.

23.  We get to wear costumes on Purim.

24.  We have policemen that keep us safe.

25.  We sometimes get to be in little performances.

26.  Cooking in the big kitchen is fun!

27.  We get to plant seeds and think about taking care of our environment.

28.  There’s a team that builds a Sukkah for us.

29.  Chadash is part of a wonderful and caring community!

Shabbat Services - May 2023

All services are in-person and streaming live via Temple Israel’s YouTube channel.

Watch our website and Temple Tidbits for updates and more information.

Friday, May 5, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Family Shabbat Service

Saturday, May 6, 2023

10:00 a.m. – Stollen Moments Torah Study and Shabbat Service

Friday, May 12, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Shabbat Service

Saturday, May 13, 2023

10:00 a.m. - Stollen Moments Torah Study and Shabbat Service

Friday, May 19, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Including May Birthday and Anniversary Blessings

Saturday, May 20, 2023

10:00 a.m. – Stollen Moments Torah Study and Shabbat Service

Friday, May 26, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday, May 27, 2023

NO Stollen Moments

Social Action Committee

May 2023

The Social Action Committee has chosen The Family Living Center as our designated non profit for the month of May. The Family Living Center is a homeless shelter for woman and families in Massillon. It is part of the CommQuest organization. Temple Israel has had a long standing relationship with them as we sponsor an “Adopt a Room” each year. This year their list includes: Pillows, toilet cleaner, toilet scrubbers, shower curtains, empty spray bottles, small laundry baskets or mesh laundry bags, dish soap, paper towels and Mr. Clean scrubbers.

This is their current need's list. They always need towels, full sized sheets, cleaning products, mops, brooms, etc. You can also help by supplying snack items or breakfast items for the children. Gold fish packs, pop tarts, granola bars, cereal, peanut butter crackers or bags of chips.

Thank you for your continued generosity for all the Social Action organizations.



Death & Dying Workshops

May 21, 2023 – 10:00 a.m. at Beit Ha’am

Jewish Theology and Practice with Rabbis David Komerofsky & John Spitzer

May 28, 2023 – 10:00 a.m. at Arnold Funeral Home on Market Ave.

Practicalities of the Jewish Funeral & Burial

June 4, 2023 – 10:00 a.m. at Beit Ha’am

Planning & Preparation

Register at www.templeisraelcanton.org/workshop/

"Thank you to all the volunteers who assisted with the Easter Urban Ark dinner. Everyone really enjoyed the meal. Joan Ortman's sweet potato casserole got rave reviews. A special thanks to Bill Smuckler who prepared the roast turkey for us and to Kathy Balan who

provided the lovely dinnerware and delicious candy treat bags.  Couldn't do this without you guys. Next dinner will be in early August - hope to see you all there again."

Diana Collum

Save the Date - August 3rd

3:30 PM - 7:30 PM  

The Janie Zoldan Blood Drive   

Details to follow soon

ADULT PROGRAMS

THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023

Join your friends in Kent for lunch and a docent tour through the Kent State University Museum of Fashion and Fine Art.

LUNCH AT 11:00 AM

 THE RIVER MERCHANT

911 NORTH MANTUA STREET

KENT, OHIO 44240

DOCENT TOUR AT 1:30 PM

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF FASHION AND FINE ART 

515 HILLTOP DRIVE

KENT, OHIO 44242

The cost for museum access is $5 by card payment only - no cash payments will be accepted. There is designated free parking reserved for museum visitors. Drivers must register their license plate number at the visitor services desk upon arrival. The museum is wheelchair accessible and has an elevator for those requiring an alternative to stairs. 

Van transportation is $15 payable by cash or check to Jewish Family Services. Van riders depart from Beit Ha’am at 10:15.

Or meet directly at the restaurant at 11:00 am.

 RSVPs are required and will be accepted until noon on May 11.

Contact Debbie at (330) 445-2412 or via email at dguilliams@jewishcanton.org

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Join your friends in Wooster for lunch and a performance at the Ohio Lite Opera.

11:30 AM - Lunch at The Broken Rocks Café

123 E Liberty Street

Wooster, OH 44691

2:00 PM – Ohio Lite Opera

Freedlander Theatre

329 E. University Street

Wooster, Ohio 44691

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING

Winner of seven Tony awards—including Best Musical and Best Book—and only the fourth musical to win the coveted Pulitzer Prize for Drama, How to Succeed is, a breath of Broadway fresh air. Forgoing the formulaic boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl plotline, it tells the story of a young window washer, J. Pierrepont Finch, who—always with his all-foreseeing How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying manual in hand—sets his sights on rising through the ranks of the World Wide Wicket Company. Through wily manipulation of the corporate hierarchy, along with a little encouragement from his doting personal secretary Rosemary and aid from the voluptuous Hedy La Rue, he is finally appointed chairman. Song highlights include Finch’s self-loving “I Believe in You”; “Grand Old Ivy,” his college-fight-song duet with company president Biggley; and the show-stopping, mock-revival “Brotherhood of Man.”

Van riders will depart from Beit Ha’am at 10:45. The cost for van transportation is $18 per rider payable by cash or check to Jewish Family Services.

NON-REFUNABLE Opera tickets are $45 each. Your check payable to Jewish Family Services is your reservation. Payments are due by May 11.

Porthouse Theatre 

3143 O’Neil Road

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223

Complimentary Summer Outdoor Theatre Tickets Now Available

Saturday Matinees – All Performances at 2 pm

A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum | June 17

The Marvelous Wonderettes | July 8

The Prom | July 29

Tickets are limited! Please contact Debbie Guilliams at 330-445-2412 or via email at dguilliams@jewishcanton.org for more information.

ENDOWMENT FUNDS

Temple Israel has a variety of endowment funds that support our mission and vision. CLICK to see the full listing.



If you are interested in contributing to an existing endowment, simply CLICK here.

To establish a new endowment, contact treasurer@templeisraelcanton.org or president@templeisraelcanton.org

Jewish Family Services list has changed and they are in need of the following:

• Toilet Paper
• Paper Towels
• Table Napkins
• Facial Tissue
• Cream of Mushroom Soup
• Canned Tuna in water
• Unsweetened Applesauce
• 20-30 oz. Dish Soap

Please feel free to drop off food at the office!

Our Temple Family

Mazel Tov to:

Evy Gaudette & Tim Ritenour who were married on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Temple Israel. They were blessed to be married by Rabbi Komerofsky.

Contributions

Temple Israel Endowments

Lockshin-Goldenfeld Religious School Endowment

In Memory of

• Ernest Goldenfeld, by Shirley Lockshin & Family

Rabbi John H. Spitzer Endowment for Social Justice

In Honor of

• Silhouette Project, by Dave & Jean Robertson

In Memory of

• Daniel M. Jonas, by Maryl Jonas
• Joanne Rubin, by Marc Rubin

Kiddush Fund

In Memory of

• Anna Weiss, by Rabbi John Spitzer
• Louis Hoicowitz, by Marylin Levin

Mazon Fund - A Jewish Response to Hunger

In Memory of

• Mary Catherine Kemp, by Maryl Jonas

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

In Appreciation of

• Sue Shafer, Hannah Jolly, Cathy Atleson, & Diana Collum, for helping to prepare food for the Passover Seder, by Barbara & John Spera
• Rabbi Komerofsky for teaching the Jewish Theology Class, by Mary Jo Lockshin

In Memory of

• Alan R. Kamen M.D., by Rebecca Kamen