President’s Reflections

by Shelley Schweitzer

Tom Hanks has said that “a hero is someone who voluntarily walks into the unknown.” In our congregation’s 135-year history, there have been many who have voluntarily walked into the unknown and a few who knew what they were getting into and walked in anyway.

As most of you know, understanding on whose shoulders we stand is a part of my personal commitment to honor the past, embrace the present and ensure the future. In the coming months, I will be writing about some of Temple Israel’s heroes beginning with two men who were recently honored with election as Lifetime Trustees to the Temple Israel Board of Trustees.

Mark Atleson and Dr. Ronald Gelb are the 26th and 27th people in our congregation’s history on whom this honor has been bestowed. Election is based on significant service to the congregation over a span of no fewer than 15 years. Both Mark and Ron have been dedicated to Temple Israel for decades.

Mark served as Temple President from 1995-1997 and volunteered in a variety of capacities prior to that. Mark is a past treasurer of the Temple and was our very own Moses when he led us from our building on 25th Street to our temporary headquarters at the former Jewish Community Center (CJCC) and ultimately to our current home at Beit Ha’am. For many years, Mark has served on the Brotherhood board and has been an integral part of our congregation’s Habitat team since our first collaboration with Habitat in the late 90’s. As his nominator noted, “Mark places Temple Israel first in all that he does and has the best interest of the Temple in his heart.”

Like Mark, Ron has been a fixture at Temple Israel for many years. His first stint as Temple President was 1989-1991. He stepped in again from 1999-2001 and once more from 2015-2016. As if serving as Temple Israel president three times over four decades of the congregation is not enough to warrant this recognition, Ron is also a past treasurer of the Temple and an ongoing part of the Habitat crew. In addition, Ron has chaired numerous committees both at the Temple and in the greater Jewish community where he served as president of the CJCC, and the Canton Jewish Community Federation. In his 2016 Annual Report message, Ron noted that “there is a place for anyone who wants to become involved in Temple life…” adding that it had once again been his honor and privilege to serve as president.

Mark and Ron join Bob Friedman, Bev Gross, and Marty Jacobson as Temple Israel Lifetime Trustees. We thank each of them for their on-going guidance and expertise as mentors and committed leaders to our congregation.

Indeed, they are among the many who voluntarily walked into the unknown repeatedly over the years. Thank you from a grateful congregation.

The Temple's sympathy is extended to the families of:

Richard Hervey, who passed away on March 18, 2020. Richard was the father of Paul (Janice) Hervey and Lee (Stephanie) Hervey; grandfather of Collin, Olivia, Abby, Jacob, Madeline, Maya, and Cameron.

Adelene Cohen, who passed away on April 5, 2020. Adelene was the mother of Chelle (Larry) Cohen, Janet (z'l) (Ira) Greenberg, and Debi (Bruce) Epstein.

Hilda Salzer, who passed away on April 14, 2020. Hilda was the mother of Shelley Salzer (Shelley Jurkiewicz); grandmother of Kathryn (Doug) Henry; great-grandmother of Ethan and Abigail Henry.

Bernie Green, who passed away on April 15, 2020. Bernie was the husband of Ruth; Joan Friedberg Green (z'l); father of Ginger Green, Mike (Stephanie Xenos) Green; stepfather of Lynn (Frank (z'l) Giles, Penny Ress, and Amy Ress.

Curtis "Jack" Holl, who passed away on April 18, 2020. Curtis was the father of Janice (Paul) Hervey and Kathleen (Michael) Briggs; grandfather of Abby, Jacob, Madeline, and Cameron.

Harriet Narens, who passed away on April 23, 2020. Harriet was the mother of Robert (Susan) Narens, Molly (Peter) Ross, and Daniel (Barbara) Narens.

Philip M. Twersky, who passed away on June 1, 2020. Philip was the father of Dayna (Daniel) Charlick, Erica (Jill) Twersky, and Bruce (Michelle) Twersky; grandfather of Noah, Zachary, Brenna, Elias, Chase, Beatrice, and Ari.

Arnold "Hank" Adler, who passed away on June 18, 2020. Arnold was the husband of Helene; father of David (Jennifer) Adler, and Susan Adler; grandfather of Ashtyn, Isabella, Eliana, Abigail, and Samuel.

Michael Gold, who passed away on June 21, 2020. Michael was the husband of Sarah Pullen Reed Gold; father of Rebecca Anderson, Marjorie Gold,and Daniel (Debbie) Gold.

Joy Silverhart, who passed away in July, 2020. Joy was the wife of Glenn.

Welcome to our new Temple members:

Welcome to Suzanne Stieglitz and her son Matthew, who joined the Temple on June 1, 2020.

Welcome to Phyllis Komerofsky, who joined the Temple on July 30, 2020. Phyllis is the mother of Rabbi Komerofsky and resides in Columbus, Ohio.

Mazal Tov to:

Kathryn & Doug Henry on the birth of their daughter, Abigail Jean Henry, on March 24, 2020.

Proud grandparents are Shelley Salzer & Shelley Jurkiewicz, and Sue Henry.

Proud big brother is Ethan Henry.

Paulette & Lee Karelitz on the birth of their granddaughter, Ellie Zola Lanese, who was born on April 9, 2020.

Proud Parents are Caitlin & Joe Lanese.

Jodi & Adam Luntz on the birth of their son, Adrian M Luntz, who was born on April 22, 2020.

Proud Grandparents are JuDeane & Drew Luntz and Patricia & Ronald Knapik.

Proud Great-Grandparents are William & Sharon Luntz.

Rabbi Jon & Sandy Adland on the birth of their grandson, Levi Maxwell Silverland, who was born on June 16, 2020.

Proud parents are Rachel & Evan Silverland.

Bryan & Marcie Hecht on the birth of their granddaughter, Ella Jacqueline Davis, who was born on June 21, 2020.

Proud parents are Drs. Shaina Hecht & Kyle Davis.

Temple Israel Endowments

General Endowment

In Appreciation

Atleson/Laden Family Religious School Endowment

In Memory of

J. Edward & Janet S. Diamond Senior Enhancement Endowment

In Memory of

Alan B. and Estelle Wilkof Blau Endowment

In Memory of

Lockshin-Goldenfeld Religious School Endowment

In Memory of

In Honor of

Narens Family Endowment

In Memory of

Narens Rabbinic Endowment

In Memory of

Robert & Shelley Schweitzer Temple Youth Group Endowment

In Memory of

In Honor of

Rabbi John H. Spitzer Social Justice Endowment

In Memory of

In Honor of

Frank & Saragale Weinstock Family Endowment

In Memory of

Bilha Ron Religious School Endowment

In Memory of

Temple Israel Restricted Funds

Community Relations

In Memory of

Floral Fund

In Memory of

Kiddush Fund

In Memory of

In Appreciation

In Honor of

Mazon Fund - A Jewish Response to Hunger

In Memory of

In Honor of

In Appreciation of

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

In Honor of

In Memory of

Bilha Ron Religious School Enrichment Fund

In Memory of

Sisterhood Youth Camp Fund

In Honor of