An Invitation to Open the "Windows on Teshuvah"

August 9, 2023

Dear Fellow Fairmount Temple Members,

Hi! I am Rabbi Thalia Halpert Rodis. My husband, Tristan Hearn and I, and our two children, are members of this wonderful Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple community. I am a native of both Brooklyn, NY, and Glen Rock, NJ, and I work at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus as a chaplain and a chaplain educator in training. As one of the co-chairs of Fairmount Temple's Abortion Access Working Group, I've had the opportunity to meet many of you. This is a wonderful community and I'm thrilled to be part of it.

I want to introduce myself because I hope you will come learn with me, as I hope to learn from you, too. I want to invite you to an exciting four-week course, Windows on Teshuvah, on Wednesdays at 9:15 am during the month of Elul, from Aug. 23 through Sept. 13. We will engage in learning and conversation about one of Judaism's central concepts about the human condition and relationships, teshuvah, in anticipation of the High Holy Days.

I have a deep love of connecting with people and building community. This is my favorite part about teaching a class -- seeing the relationships and the ideas that are generated in community. This is also why, during the first year of the pandemic, I created Kehillah in Shaker, which was a project that safely and creatively fostered ritual and community for people of all backgrounds from our front lawn in Shaker Heights.

And this deep love of community is why I cherish being part of the Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple community! You may have seen me chasing after my toddler at a Shabbat service, learned with me during a Torah study class, or gotten an email from me describing something that the Abortion Access Working Group has been working on.

If we haven't met, please say hi if you see me -- I would love to meet you. I also look forward to meeting you at this new series starting Aug. 23 at 9:15 am via Zoom. Email Staci Cohen here for Zoom link.

L'shalom,

Rabbi Thalia Halpert Rodis

SHABBAT SERVICES

Friday, August 11, 6:15 pm Shabbat Service, in person and live streamed

Shabbat worship this Friday will be led by Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk joined by guest Cantorial Soloist Celia Hollander Lewis in the Hilda Bogomolny Faigin Activity Center at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple. Or pray virtually using Fairmount Temple's live-streaming page, Facebook, YouTube Channel, or your Smart TV using the YouTube app.

Click here for the list of names being read in memoriam during the service.

Saturday, August 12, 11:00am Splashy Simchat Shabbat Celebration (Outdoors)

Join Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum and Cantor Vladimir Lapin for this popular monthly Shabbat gathering for kids from 0-5 and their families! In addition to Shabbat rituals and songs, your youngest children and grandchildren can enjoy our splash pads, water table, bubbles and more! For security purposes and to make sure there are enough supplies, RSVP to Elizabeth Kleckner here.

During next week's Shabbat Service, Friday, Aug. 18 at 6:15 pm, Cantor Vladimir Lapin and Rabbi Joshua Caruso will be joined by music Director Alexandre Marr and talented violinist Maude Coultier. Soul-searching melodies of the month of Elul will be introduced with violin accompaniment. In addition, Fairmount Temple will share a special message of gratitude at the Aug. 18 service to thank Jay Leberman, Head of School at the Mandel Jewish Day School. We are grateful for the generous hospitality he and the community of the Mandel JDS showed this spring, when they hosted our Shabbat services in their auditorium, after our April fire. Learn more about our valued partner Mandel Jewish Day School, here, when you consider Jewish day school options for kids.

Friday, August 25, 6:15 pm, Shabbat Evening Worship, in person at Fairmount Temple and live-streamed. Our guest speaker joining Rabbi Nosanchuk and Cantor Lapin will be Laura Meckler, author of Dream Town: Shaker Heights & The Quest for Racial Equity.

ADULT LEARNING

Saturday, Aug. 12, 9:15 am, Shabbat Morning Torah Join a compelling study of the weekly Torah portion by Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum

Wednesday, Aug.16, 9:15 am, Wednesday Morning Learning, Zoom.

How Did We Get Here?, led by Rabbi Ben Sternman, exploring the roots of Jewish denominationalism going back for centuries

Email Staci Cohen here to register to receive our Saturday or Wednesday study Zoom links.

IN SADNESS WE SHARE THE PASSING OF OUR MEMBERS

Summer Block Party/Pancake Breakfast/ Activities Fair

Sunday, August 13, 10 am to noon

If you RSVP'd that you are joining us, please don't forget to bring non-perishable food items to support the JFSA's Food Pantry JFSA needs the usual shelf-stable food items like cereal, peanut butter, canned tuna, soup, and these items need not be kosher. They also need personal items like soap, deodorant, tampons, toothpaste

If you didn't RSVP and would still like to join Sunday's festivities, you can still RSVP today (Weds) here .

Men of Fairmount Temple BBQ

Annual Men of FT BBQ at the temple on Wednesday, August 16, 6 pm, rain or shine.

Food will include burgers, hot dogs, and side dishes, music from guitarist Rick Iacoboni, and entertainment from magician J.R. Grieco. Registration is required by Thursday, Aug. 10. The BBQ is free for Men of FT and spouses, non-members are only $10. RSVP to Barb Smith here.

MEMBER NEWS

Our Early Childhood Program Director Holly Green is interviewed about how a Jewish preschool education helps set the foundation of Judaism. We still have some openings in our preschool classes. Reach out to Holly here to learn more.

Barbara Greenberg will be teaching a course on Separation of Church and State: How the Supreme Court has Decided and What is Next.

In this month's Beachwood Buzz, our Women of FT are featured for their recent Our Sisters' Keepers program (page 17), Jen Stern writes on using creativity to overcome barriers (page 18), and Paula Rollins is featured as a Beachwood High grad (page 35)

The August Connections is available here.

Printed copies of the August Connections newsletter are also available at Fairmount Temple. Would you would like us to send to a copy to your home? Contact Cassie Morris at 216-464-1330 or email Cassie Morris here.

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