October 2025 Temple Topics - Digital Edition
Temple Anshe Hesed | 9 Tishrei - 9 Cheshvan 5786
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Interested in serving our community? Contact the office for where your help is most needed!
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Don’t forget to RSVP to upcoming events at TAHerie.org! Contact Bright in the office to RSVP by phone or email: office@TAHerie.org (814) 454-2426.
| | Click on the calendar to view September and October's calendar! | | | | |
Kearsarge Area Food Pantry Requests for: October
Cream of Chicken Soup
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Cream of Celery Soup
November
Canned Cream Corn
Dried Beans - Navy, Kidney, White beans; lentils
Oatmeal
Feeding 50+ families!
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The Book of Ruth Club
In memory of one of its founding and most faithful members, Ruth Waidley.
WE WILL BE MEETING IN PERSON AT THE TEMPLE AND ON ZOOM. JOIN US EITHER WAY!!!!
OUR MEETING IS:
Monday, October 27, 2025
7:30 PM
via Zoom Join URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88169606965
Signal Fires
by Dani Shapiro
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An ancient majestic oak stands beneath the stars on Division Street. And under the tree sits Ben Wilf, a retired doctor, and ten-year-old Waldo Shenkman, a brilliant, lonely boy who is pointing out his favorite constellations. Waldo doesn’t realize it but he and Ben have met before. And they will again, and again. Across time and space, and shared destiny.
Division Street is full of secrets. An impulsive lie begets a secret—one which will forever haunt the Wilf family. And the Shenkmans, who move into the neighborhood many years later, bring secrets of their own.. Spanning fifty kaleidoscopic years, on a street—and in a galaxy—where stars collapse and stories collide, these two families become bound in ways they never could have imagined.
Our November selection is Norwegian by Night by Derek Miller. Thanks to the many who have given us some great recommendations. We are always ready to hear others. Please forward them as well as any questions to Janice Wittmershaus at JKWittmershaus@gmail.com.
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We have raised $110,700* towards the Salata Match Campaign so far!
Let’s keep it going - less than $140,00 to the full Match total of $250,000 by the end of December!
*including Erie Gives total
| | A very special Thank You to everyone who gave during Erie Gives!! | | |
5401 Old Zuck Road Building Fund
Dennis & Amelia Vidmar
In honor of the Adult B’nai Mitzvah
Mark & Ellie Tanenbaum
In memory of Leslie Carno-Harf
Gary & Barbara Shapira
Caring Committee
In honor of the Adult B’nai Mitzvah
Geraldine Marz
In memory of Leslie Harf
Deb Hurwitz
Donations
Shellie Specter & Bob Davidson
In honor of our 150th Anniversary
Deb Hurwitz
In memory of my brother, Howard. Wishing the Congregation a Shanah Tovah
Ronald Rubinfield
Gasche Music and Education Fund
In honor of the Adult B’nai Mitzvah
Suzanne Csop
Harf Family Joys of Judaism Fund
In Memory of Leslie-Carno Harf, may her memory be for a blessing
Robert & Jacqueline Breakstone
Julie Cohen
Lyman Cohen
Rochelle & William Krowinski
Lechtner Cantorial Soloist Fund
In memory of Leslie Carno-Harf
Board of Directors Mitzvah Maker
Jan Mandel
In memory of David Renberg
Ingrid Renberg & Corey Borello
In memory of Larry Lechtner and Lisa Chinsky
Rochelle & William Krowinsky
In honor of Jessica Rhoades
Randi Urkov
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Pulpit Flowers/Service Dedication
In memory of Herbert Blumberg and Sis Lechtner
Bobbi Pollock
In memory of Stanley Pallant, Mildred West, and Einar West
Eric & Sue Pallant
Rabbi’s Mitzvah Fund
With Appreciation
Lybov Zelinskaya
Salata Family Fund
Jordan Gregor & Kris Haas
Lisa Nathanson & Janet Woods
In honor of the Adult B’nai Mitzvah
Rochelle & William Krowinski
Schuster Fund
Barb Keim
Temple Endowment
In honor of the Friday Night Live Group
Board Mitzvah Maker
In honor of the birth of Jacob Henry Ponsoll
Robert & Jacqueline Breakstone
In memory of Janice Zellers
Robert & Jacqueline Breakstone
In memory of Thomas Vokes
Robert & Jacqueline Breakstone
In honor of Dr. Brad Fox for the Brit Milah
Esther Kasmin
In honor of Rabbi Morais for the Brit Milah
Esther Kasmin
Tikkun Olam
In Appreciation of the Rabbi and the Board
Blossom Miller Leibowitz
In memory of the grandfather of Kris Haas & Jordan Gregor
Ina & Ed Fisher
In memory of Ali Stubbs-Aljasim’s grandmother
Ina & Ed Fisher
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Reflections from Rabbi Morais
As the shofar sounds fade and we move into the new year, I want to take a moment to reflect with deep gratitude on the beauty and meaning of our High Holiday celebrations. These holy days are a time of reflection, renewal, and connection, and this year they were made especially memorable thanks to the incredible efforts of our community.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us, in person or virtually, and to those who gave their time, energy, and spirit to bring our services and programs to life. Your participation is what makes our congregation the vibrant, welcoming place we cherish.
A very special thank you goes out to our dedicated staff — Bright, Joe, Kathy, and Barb — who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure everything ran smoothly. From logistics to communications, their attention to detail and commitment ensured a meaningful and seamless experience for everyone.
We are also deeply grateful to our exceptional pulpit team: Bruce, Laurie, Margaret, Dana, Daniel, Yael, and Jessie. Each of them brought their unique talents, wisdom, and heart to lead us in prayer, learning, and reflection. Their guidance created a spiritually uplifting experience that helped us all connect more deeply with the themes of the season.
To all the volunteers and supporters who welcomed guests, prepared our spaces, shared music and readings, and helped cultivate an atmosphere of warmth and togetherness — thank you. Your generosity and spirit were felt in every smile and every moment.
As we savor the memories of the High Holidays, we now turn our gaze to the joy and beauty of Sukkot. We are excited to come together again to celebrate this festival of gathering, gratitude, and connection. Keep an eye out for details about our upcoming Sukkot events — including a wonderful, fun, and moving Simchat Torah, we hope you'll join us in the sukkah at Temple, it will be open and available to anyone who would like to bring a picnic and have a meal there. I feel so blessed that we continue to rejoice as one community under the open sky.
L’shanah tovah umetukah — may the new year continue to bring sweetness, peace, and unity to us all.
Rabbi S. Robert Morais
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Let's Talk with President Craig Reynolds
When the causes of antisemitism are discussed, we hear a wide variety of explanations. Such diverse things as religious hatred, cultural differences, economic factors, politics, and scapegoating. But rarely, at least in liberal Jewish circles, do we hear discussion of spiritual causes for antisemitism.
Liberal Judaism has the tradition of viewing the world through reason and rationality. A spiritual cause for antisemitism would mean the actions of G-d and the Jews themselves are responsible for the conduct of the antisemites. That may be a tough sell. But we are an ancient group of people who have survived thousands of years of hatred and repeated attempts to eliminate us. A people who continue to survive, rebuild, and thrive, then get beaten up and knocked down again, only to survive, rebuild, and thrive again. Maybe our survival is not just remarkable, perhaps it is Divine.
Reading Israel's history in the Tanach, we see this pattern repeated over and over. This pattern has been present since the time Joshua and the Israelites entered the land of Israel. We see time and again how the Israelites forget who they are, forget their relationship with G-d, ignore G-d, or turn to other gods. Then their enemies conquer and abuse them, often trying to enslave them or exterminate them. Then the Israelites remember who they are and call out to G-d. This is followed by the defeat of the enemies of the Jews, and the Jews rebuilding and eventually flourishing once again.
When we read history, it is not easy to see ourselves as a part of it or to relate to the people of the past and their actions. We tend to see ourselves as existing outside of history. But we are a part of history, both a product of the past and the ones who are shaping the future. We seem not to understand that our decisions, actions, and words determine history. When our descendants read history, they will be reading about us.
But to say that the Jews themselves are responsible for antisemitism is a hard sell. All the enemies of the Jews have had their reasons for attacking and trying to eliminate the Jews. How are we responsible for their actions? Or from a spiritual point of view, why would G-d allow this to happen to His people?
Maybe the reason antisemitism resists rational explanation is that it is not a reasoned social action; it is a spiritual phenomenon. Whenever we forget who we are, G-d uses our enemies to remind us. As I said, that is a tough sell to modern thinking.
What do you think? What are the root causes of antisemitism? Let's talk!
talktempletah@gmail.com
Craig
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?
Create a great offer by adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?
Create a great offer by adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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Board Meeting Highlights
September 2025 Board Meeting Highlights for Temple Topics
** The Board met via Zoom. All congregants are welcome to attend as guests - just contact Bright in the office for the Zoom link!
** The Temple Financial Statement for August 2025 was reviewed. For the month the income was above the budget and the expenses were below the budget.
**The Rabbi discussed many upcoming programs – please keep an eye on your weekly emails and Temple Topics.
** A Mitzvah Maker is chosen at each Board meeting for Board Members to make donations. This month the Board members were asked to donate to Lechtner Cantorial Soloist Fund in memory of Leslie Harf.
Any questions? Ask a Board Member!
Our next meeting is October 16th at 7pm
Submitted by Julie Cohen
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Kearsarge Area Food Pantry (KAFP) Report for August 2025
We had our annual Healthy Pantry inspection. David Godoy said he was impressed with our pantry, volunteers and teamwork. Our volunteers work hard and deserve recognition!
On August 14th we had a good turnout of volunteers and shoppers. On August 28th the turnout was also very good.
For the month we have 8 new families consisting of 26 individuals. Our total came to 98 households, with 76 seniors, 126 adults and 106 children with a combined total of 308 individuals.
The final total we received from Erie Gives will help to pay for the new freezer.
Rich Filson
KAFP
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Attention Gardening and Outdoor Enthusiasts!
As most landscape enthusiasts and gardeners know, landscapes have a lifespan. The Temple landscape has much life left but is showing its age.
The Temple is forming a Groundskeeping Committee to offer advice and help with the upkeep and maintenance of the Temple grounds.
Anyone who enjoys gardening, landscaping, or sharing advice in this area, please get in touch with the office (office@TAHerie.org or (814) 454-2426) or speak with Bob Breakstone or
Craig Reynolds.
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Birthdays
Oct 2 - Janice Wittmershaus, Kenneth Zacks
Oct 3 - Melissa Romero
Oct 4 - Rachel Wynkoop
Oct 6 - Kenneth Chinsky
Oct 8 - Kendra Zacks
Oct 12 - Henry Fox, Vera Chervatskiy
Oct 14 - Ron Levey
Oct 17 - Barbara Rider
Oct 19 - Molly Wolf
Oct 20 - Amos Gates
Oct 21 - Matthew Skornick, Gary Levine
Oct 22 - Brandon Skornick, Dom Comi
Oct 23 - Marcia Coblitz, Ruth Zak
Oct 25 - Donna Bostaph, Carole Bilewitz
Oct 27 - Edward Engel
Oct 28 - Yael Fogle-Broverman, Viatcheslav Aliev
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Anniversaries
Oct 3 - Warren & Yvonne Levy
Oct 4 - Jack & Ellen Anon
Oct 9 - Lauren & Robert Unger
Oct 10 - Judith & Elliott Goldman
Oct 10 - Marci & Noel Bradley
Oct 15 - Jay Kallor & Diane Knight-Kallor
Oct 18 - Tara & Matthew Krotzer
Oct 29 - Richard & Sharon Levick
Oct 30 - Gary & Susan Levine
Oct 31 - Jordan Gregor & Kris Haas
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Thank you
Philip and I wish to thank all who sent us good wishes for our anniversary!
- Cathy and Philip Zacks
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J. Leonard Ostrow Award for High School Students and Adults
The J. Leonard Ostrow Fund was established in 1980 to emulate the life and legacy of Attorney
J. Leonard Ostrow. The purpose of this fund is to perpetuate his memory and challenge another generation to emulate his contributions, encourage humanitarian efforts, and develop leadership capabilities, as exemplified by his life.
This newly revised award is now open to high school students and adults from both Temple Anshe Hesed and Brith Sholom. This unique award is a quarterly award, and may be used for a trip to Israel, other travel, or Jewish studies, which may include tuition, conferences, leadership development, or other Jewish experiences.
The application and additional information about the award are available using the following link.
The fourth award application period runs from October 1 – November 15, 2025, with notification by December 15, 2025 and is open to high school students only. https://www.taherie.org/j.-leonard-ostrow-award.html
Please contact Ina Fisher at inalfisher@gmail.com if you have any questions about the Ostrow Award.
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October 3/4
Isaac Baker, Nellie Bissinger, Florence Currick, Therese Cohn, Ovid Cohen, Sr., Caroline Gluck, Samuel Holtz, Henry Singer, Jacob Meyers, Samuel Frank, A.P. Silverstein, Barry Rider, Franklin Fox, Moses Levy, Selma Lipsitz, Issac J. Garson, Isaac Rosenzweig, Max Federman, Rose Schoenberg
October 10/11
Adolph Platowsky, Samuel Golden, Lee Elfenbeim, Celia Schwartz, Isador Simon, Florence Goldstein, Rosa Kline, Martha D. Platt, Louis J. DeRoy, Bert Cohen, Minnie Schuster Waxelbaum, Myer Davidow, Rose Frank, Molly Peal, Joseph Stern, Erna Selig, Arlene Breakstone, Eugene Weiss, Freida Reichert Rosenberg, Henry Zacks, Isaac Sheman, Maxine Kallman, William Schwartz
October 17/18
Rosa Samler, Julius Aaron, Rachel Zacks Gage, Samuel Sobel, Minnetta Kuperman, Joseph Schwab, Irvin Goldman, Betty Jean Kay, Rachel Davis, Miriam Goodman, Stanislaw Wiczyk, Balbina Oppenheimer, Kate Jacobs, Alec Fisher, Robert Cohen, Abraham Goldstein, Jack Blumberg, Jay Alexander, Charles Shulman, William Morris
October 24/25
Lillian Davis, Jonas Adler, Joseph Falk, Klara Kallman, Abraham Levi, Richard Goldberg, Samuel W. Rose,
Fannie Jacobson, Frieda Rosenthal, Minnie Weil, Eva Ostrow, Fishel Currick, Mirrel Davis, Adolph Kraus,
Jessie Cosel, Meyer Nast, Israel Shapera, Maria Wiczyk, Bella Schuster, Kenneth Kholos, Jack Greenberg,
Isador Sobel, Rudolph Voss
October 31/November 1
William S. Rich, Benedikt Levy, Theordore Barilla, Jane Kramer Buchanan, Herman Herskovitz, Lisa Chinsky, Emma Voss, Isaak Leybovich, Mina Eisenberg, Beatrice Emch, Willa Jane Yurick, Sarah Levey, Lewis Goldman
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Service Dedications
Did you know that you can dedicate a Service in memory of, honor of or celebration of a loved one or event? The cost is $18 per occasion/person. Please contact the Temple office for more information or to put in your dedication.
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Wednesday, October 1
5:30 p.m. Kol Nidre Gesher Dinner
6:15 p.m. Kol Nidre Gesher services
7:30 p.m. Congregational Services
Thursday, October 2
10:00 a.m. Yom Kippur Morning Services—please see the schedule for full list of Yom Kippur services
Friday, October 3
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Evening Services
Saturday, October 4
10:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Services
11:00 a.m. Torah Study
Sunday, October 5
9:30 a.m. Assemble the Sukkah
11:30 a.m. Decorate the Sukkah
12:30 p.m. Pizza in the Hut
Friday, October 10
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Evening Services Simchat Torah Celebration, Vegetarian Potluck, & Celebrations Oneg
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Saturday, October 11
10:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Services
11:00 a.m. Torah Study
Friday, October 17
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Evening Services
Saturday, October 18
10:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Services
11:00 a.m. Torah Study
Friday, October 24
6:15 p.m. Shabbat Evening Services
Saturday, October 25
10:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Services
11:00 a.m. Torah Study
Friday, October 31
6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Services at Brith Sholom
*No services at Temple Anshe Hesed
Saturday, November 1
10:00 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Eve Hodgson at
Temple Anshe Hesed, Kiddush Lunch to follow
| | People of Loving Kindness | | | |
Temple Anshe Hesed is a Reform Jewish congregation guided by Torah and dedicated to perpetuating Judaism and its traditions through education, worship, and social action in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
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Temple Anshe Hesed
5401 Old Zuck Road
Erie, PA 16506
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Phone: 814-454-2426
Fax: 814-454-2427
Email: office@taherie.org
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