August 2024 / Tammuz - Av 5784

MESSAGES

Rabbi's Message

by Rabbi David Komerofsky

I think the first time I heard of “Tisha b’Av” was on Allan Sherman’s “My Son the Folk Singer.” His parody of the calypso song “Matilda,” brilliantly titled “My Zelda,” includes the lines “Oh why did she go and fall in love / I haven't seen her since Tisha b'Av / My Zelda she took the money and ran with the tailor.”  Hardly a comprehensive lesson on the meaning or significance of the Jewish fast day with a name that translates to “the ninth of the Hebrew month of Av.”

Tisha b’Av is a catch-all for tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people; it is traditionally associated with the destructions of both the First and Second Temples and the ensuing Babylonian and Roman exiles. Because the diaspora has, in part, allowed Judaism to adapt and survive the millennia, and because it was in diaspora that Judaism was reformed in Central Europe and then America, Reform for many years did not emphasize this fast day. Over time the meaning has become more relevant to our practice because it allows us to acknowledge the catastrophes of Jewish history on one day without allowing them to dominate our identity or calendar.

Tisha b’Av is a mechanism to cope with the despair that can overwhelm us when we consider how dark has been our past. In the nineteenth century our movement’s founders were convinced that emancipation was the herald of the messianic era and that peace on earth was right around the corner. How wrong they were, as the twentieth and twenty-first centuries have seen increases in violence, war and destruction. And it is tempting to despair.

It is no coincidence that the month following Av is Elul, the month that leads up to the High Holy Days. During Elul it is traditional to read Psalm 27, which concludes:

קַוֵּה אֶל־יְהֹוָה חֲזַק וְיַאֲמֵץ לִבֶּךָ וְקַוֵּה אֶל־יְהֹוָה׃

Look to GOD; be strong and of good courage! O look to GOD!

At our darkest moments, when hope and faith seem impossible, that is when we take a wider view of our history and remember that we will endure. The Babylonian and Roman empires destroyed the Temples and now all that is left of those empires is archaeology. Even their languages have all but disappeared. Yet Judaism endures, and Hebrew once again is spoken in the streets of Jerusalem and around the world. Be strong and of good courage!

This year, Tisha b’Av begins the evening of Monday, August 12 and concludes the evening of Tuesday, August 13. Commemorate the day as you see fit, and then keep moving forward. That’s what Jews do, we are not allowed to allow our grief and fear to keep us from fulfilling our mission in the world.

President's Message

by Barbara Spera

At our Annual Meeting in June, we thanked our outgoing Board Members Mark Atleson, Stanlee Rosenblatt, Shelley Schweitzer and Mark Taylor. We want to thank these individuals, who have given many years of service, dedication and leadership to Temple Israel. We also welcomed to our Temple Board Debbie Guilliams, Dr. Alan Meshekow and David Roberts. We look forward to having these individuals as members of our Board of Trustees. The 139th Annual Report is full of information but somehow the year end Profit/Loss statement was not included. If you are interested in viewing this document please contact the Temple Office.

Summer with Peace for Packs

by Julie Zorn

It has just been a little over a year since the inception of Temple Israel’s outreach initiative, Peace for Packs. During this year, we have shared the program, and more importantly, the steps to report a hate crime or incident with youth and adults all around Stark County at various libraries, churches and community events.

This summer, we have created new “peace partners” and have been so impressed with the Canton community’s desire to engage with us and help spread our message of peace.

We began the summer with an end of school year bash with Canton City School’s Bulldog Virtual Academy. The Bulldog Virtual Academy meets both in person and online utilizing the downtown Timken campus as their physical meeting space. The end of summer bash was an impressive outdoor festival with representatives from all around Stark County, and the students particularly enjoyed making our peace signs.

In July, we spent two days with the Boys and Girls Club of Massillon in their new beautiful building that has only been open since January. We spent two days with a group of about 30 5^th graders who not only enjoyed making peace signs but who were also so invested in the PowerPoint presentation that we share which includes statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Anti-Defamation League about the state of hate in the United States.

Also in July was the first annual Festival of Nonviolence and Peacemaking, a three-day event with programs taking place in Akron, Cleveland and Canton. The festival was organized by the Akron Leadership Foundation, and Temple Israel was a sponsor of the festival taking place in Canton. Rabbi Spitzer participated in all three days distributing and talking about the Silhouette Project, and Peace for Packs was set up making peace signs at the program in Canton.

Finally, at the end of the summer, Peace for Packs will lead a staff in service training for the United Way of Stark County, and we are so overcome with gratitude for their commitment to engaging their staff in peaceful leadership for the greater Canton community.

If you know of any organizations, schools or local Stark County businesses who would like to host a Peace for Packs event, please have them reach out to outreach and education director, Julie Zorn, at educator@templeisraelcanton.org.

SHABBAT & HOLIDAYS

Worship Services - August 2024

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, August 2, 2024

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Kid-dish Shabbat Service

www.templeisraelcanton.org/kid-dish

Friday, August 9, 2024

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

Anniversary & Birthday Blessings

Friday, August 16, 2024

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

Friday, August 23

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

Friday, August 30, 2024

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

Stollen Moments Torah Study will resume in September.

High Holy Days 2024

The schedule of services is at www.templeisraelcanton.org/HHD.

Interested in helping to welcome our members and guests? Sign up for greeter training at www.templeisraelcanton.org/greeters.

SISTERHOOD & BROTHERHOOD

Sisterhood is asking that any congregants who have college aged students in their family or in the Armed Forces, that would like to send a Rosh Hashanah goodie box filled with holiday treats, please send in their name and address along with a $10 check written to Temple Sisterhood, no later than Friday September 6, 2024. 

What’s Happening Within the Supreme Court?

with Professor J. Dean Carro

Sunday, September 22, 2024

10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Temple Israel Brotherhood and Sisterhood are sponsoring J. Dean Carro, Professor of Law Emeritus at The University of Akron School of Law, for a Sunday morning program on the workings and judicial character of the Supreme Court. We will also be looking at the Constitution and discussing what certain Articles mean in our government. 

CLICK TO RSVP FOR PROGRAM

Sisterhood Meetings for 2024

September 22 9:30-10:00 Meeting

September 22 10:00-12:00 Brotherhood & Sisterhood sponsored speaker

October 27    9:30-11:30 Meeting

November 16   Evening TBD Chadash Donor Event

December 15    9:30-10:30 Meeting and Hanukkah Party

Brotherhood Meetings for 2024 - 2025

September 15, 2024

October 20, 2024

November 17, 2024

December 15, 2024

January 26, 2025

February 23, 2025

March 16, 2025

April 27, 2025

Reverse Raffle is on May 3, 2025.

SOCIAL ACTION & VOLUNTEERING

The Social Action Committee will be collecting school supplies for the months of July and August for Harter Elementary School in Canton. This school houses Pre-K through third grade. 

Thank you for your continued support in helping the kids in Canton City Schools.

Paulette Karelitz | Joan Ortman | Anita Porter 

The Social Action Committee is sponsoring two opportunities to volunteer at the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank.

Join us August 15 and/or November 7 from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Sign up and learn more at www.templeisraelcanton.org/foodbank.

HELPING REFUGEES

Over the last several years, our Jewish community has been partnering with other groups to assist with refugee resettlement. If you are interested in doing more, or would like to get involved, please contact Rabbi Komerofsky. We are gauging interest for future projects.

LEARNING

Wisdom from Jewish Movie Scenes 

Adult Education Fall 2024 with Rabbi David Komerofsky 

All classes are via Zoom, free of charge, and open to everyone. 

Register at www.templeisraelcanton.org/adult-education. 

The Frisco Kid (1979) - Wednesday, September 18, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m. 

Fiddler on the Roof (1971) - Wednesday, September 25, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m. 

A Serious Man (2009) - Wednesday, October 9, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m. 

The Chosen (1981) - Wednesday, October 30, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m. 

The Jazz Singer (1980) - Wednesday, November 6, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m.

LET US KNOW

Please let us know if you think we have a wrong e-mail for you or if your e-mail has changed recently. It is very important for Temple Israel to keep our records updated. Call Debbie at the Temple Israel office at 330-455-5197 to verify or change your information.

YAHRZEITS

OUR TEMPLE FAMILY

OUR TEMPLE FAMILY

The Temple's congratulations is extended to:

• Dr. Alan Meshekow and Dr. Susan Leguire on their marriage

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

• Bill Lippy (Marjorie Fuerman's Brother)
• Arlene Feldstein (Bonnie Manello's Sister)
• Saragale Weinstock

CONTRIBUTIONS

Contributions

Temple Israel Endowments

Lockshin-Goldenfeld Religious School Endowment

In Appreciation of

• Mark Taylor for teaching the CPR Class, by Mary Jo Lockshin

In Memory of

• Susan Caghan, by Shirley Lockshin & Family
• James Lockshin, by Shirley Lockshin & Family

In Honor of

• Shirley Lockshin's Birthday, by Mary Jo, David, Sam, Jane, Paul and Madeline Lockshin

Robert & Shelley Schweitzer Temple Youth Group Endowment

For Recovery of

• Rob Schweitzer, by Fran & PJ Wells

Community Relations Fund

In Memory of

• Norita Nielsen, by Denise & Steve Nielsen
• Ruth Rothman, by David Jay, Fran & PJ Wells

Hunger Relief Fund

In Memory of

• Sweet Aunt Gertie, by Adele & Ron Gelb
• Susan Caghan, by Renee & Bruce Litinger
• Arlene Feldstein, by Linda & Howard Smuckler

For Recovery of

• Michael Landau, by Estabelle Landau

Kiddush Fund

In Memory of

• David Greenberg, by Steve & Bonnie Manello
• Freda Brokstein, by William Brokstein

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

In Appreciation of

• Rabbi Komerofsky, by David Goe

In Honor of

• Rabbi Komerofsky's 25th Anniversary of Ordination, by Linda & Arnie Rosenblatt, Joyce & Jerry Ortman, Randi & Bill Smuckler, Shirley Lockshin & Family, Karen & Stanley Bertman, Betty Smith

In Memory of

• Valentine Arce, by Sue Shafer
• Dr. Louis Schaner, by David Jay
• Robert Friedman, by David Jay

Habitat For Humanity

Donation by Michael Abrams

Trees for Israel

In Memory of

• Shirley Rubinstein, by Doree Hafner

Temple Israel

432 - 30th Street NW

Canton, OH 44709

Phone: 330-455-5197

Fax: 330-455-5268

The staff’s direct phone numbers are listed below their email addresses

Rabbi David Komerofsky

rabbi@templeisraelcanton.org

330-445-2406

Rabbi Emeritus John H. Spitzer

john.h.spitzer@gmail.com

Julie Zorn, Chadash & Outreach Director

educator@templeisraelcanton.org

330-445-2853

Debbie Spetich, Temple Office

office@templeisraelcanton.org

330-445-2852

Temple President - Barbara Spera

barb420@aol.com