February 2023 / Shevat - Adar 5783

Rabbi's Message

by Rabbi David Komerofsky

וְכִֽי־יִנָּצ֣וּ אֲנָשִׁ֗ים וְנָ֨גְפ֜וּ אִשָּׁ֤ה הָרָה֙ וְיָצְא֣וּ יְלָדֶ֔יהָ וְלֹ֥א יִהְיֶ֖ה אָס֑וֹן עָנ֣וֹשׁ יֵעָנֵ֗שׁ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר יָשִׁ֤ית עָלָיו֙ בַּ֣עַל הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה וְנָתַ֖ן בִּפְלִלִֽים׃

When [two or more] parties fight, and one of them pushes a pregnant woman and a miscarriage results, but no other damage ensues, the one responsible shall be fined according as the (pregnant) woman’s husband may exact, the payment to be based on reckoning. (Exodus 21:22)

I’m in the translation business, most often translating ancient ideas into modern practice. Sometimes my translation skills require me to read deeper into a phrase than the author/speaker may have intended. For example, when I hear someone say: “I don’t like when the rabbi talks politics from the bimah,” I understand that to mean “I don’t like when the rabbi talks politics that are contrary to my own ideas.” I do have a direct solution to the problem of Jewish people who want a rabbi with whom they’re always in agreement – go to rabbinical school and become a rabbi! Although that’s not always a real solution, since sometimes we rabbis disagree with ourselves (never mind disagreeing with each other). We are a people that values debate.

I try not to make it a practice to poke in the proverbial eye those with whom I disagree. Being a pluralist, I aim to respect and appreciate multiple viewpoints. When I do advocate something potentially controversial it is always with the intention of upholding Reform’s prophetic traditional interpretations of Jewish law and practice.

Cue the abortion debate, which is often not really about abortion. It is a divisive issue and used to drive wedges between people. It is also about protecting fundamental rights for people to control their own reproduction. In short, abortion is a hot button issue and Judaism has something to say about it.

On February 17 our congregation will partner with other synagogues, other organizations and with the National Council of Jewish women to highlight the Jewish teachings around the issues of reproductive freedom. I hope that you will join us for the Shabbat evening service to learn and reflect on why this issue is appropriate for a synagogue service. Social Justice is foundational to our interpretation of Judaism.

In March and April we will focus on the other two pillars of our Social Justice Alliance’s work: immigration and gun violence. Watch the bulletin and tidbits for information about those opportunities for learning and prayer.

Chadash Shabbat Honors Shelley Schweitzer

by Julie Zorn

Chadash Shabbat returns February 24, 2023, and along with it are the traditions that the Chadash families and students have grown to know and love.

Chadash Shabbat is an opportunity for students to gather in “real time” as a community and experience a Shabbat evening service and meal together. In addition, Chadash students help lead this community-wide celebration by showcasing some of the prayers and lessons they have learned during their time at religious school on Sunday mornings.

In 2020, pre pandemic, Chadash adapted a new tradition of dedicating the Chadash Shabbat evening to a deserving individual in the community who has helped to enrich the lives of Canton Jewish youth. That year, Shirley Rubenstein, was honored, but unfortunately, Chadash Shabbat paused the next year and came back as a Shabbat evening service only due to health and safety measures taken in response to Covid-19.

It is wonderful to see Chadash Shabbat back in full regalia this year. The evening will begin at 5:00 pm on February 24 with a Shabbat dinner catered by Efrat’s Café. The service will begin at 6:30 pm, and this year, we will be honoring beloved community member, Shelley Schweitzer for her life-long commitment to Canton Jewish youth. We encourage you to read her biography below and to join us for a very special evening. Please register online by February 13, 2023 at www.templeisraelcanton.org/chadashshabbat . We hope to see you there!

Shelley Schweitzer

Shelley Blau (now Schweitzer), began a decades-long commitment to Jewish youth as a classroom assistant for Temple Israel Religious School art teacher Betty Minkin.

In high school she continued to work at the Religious School and became active in the Temple Youth Group serving as its religious vice president and then as president. Two summers at the Reform Movement’s leadership camp solidified Shelley’s love and commitment for Judaism and working with youth.

Whether a classroom helper, a Camp Centerville counselor or ultimately a religious school teacher Shelley taught everything from Israeli dancing to Rock, Roll, and Religion. Following college and her marriage to Rob, she returned to Canton and fulfilled her dream of becoming the Temple Youth Group advisor, a role she and Rob shared for 18 years. 

In 2000 Shelley become the first Director of Youth and Informal Education for the Northeast Lakes Council/Detroit Federation of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now the Union for Reform Judaism). Shelley rose through the ranks in the URJ youth division eventually becoming a member of the North American NFTY Leadership Team. When Shelley became Director of Congregations for all of North America, she still continued to serve as camp faculty, youth worker trainer, and a valued presenter on youth topics at NFTY conventions and Youth Worker conferences as well as at North American Biennials.

Shelley continued to teach specialty classes in the Temple’s religious school, serve as camp faculty and write and stage original Purim musicals along with her mother, Estelle Blau. A highlight of her work with Canton’s youth was a Confirmation Class trip to NYC that she and Alan Mostov planned and chaperoned.

In more recent years, Shelley has worked with Chadash students in a number of capacities including teaching a mini course to confirmands. Shelley does her best to encourage and engage the youth of our community whether it is participation in Temple Israel’s Shabbat evening Michamocha Band or listening to them share their experiences at L’Taken or other Jewish educational opportunities.



Shelley is the daughter of Estelle and Alan z’l Blau. She and Rob Schweitzer will celebrate their 45^th wedding anniversary this year. Their son Adam, daughter-in-law Julia Potter and grandchildren Benjamin, 4 and Becca 22 months, live in Toronto.

Shabbat Services - February 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, February 3, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Family Shabbat Service

Saturday, February 4, 2023

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

Friday, February 10, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Including February Birthday and Anniversary Blessings

Saturday, February 11, 2023

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

Friday, February 17, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Repro Shabbat 

Saturday, February 18, 2023

No Stollen Moments

Friday, February 24, 2023

5:00 p.m. Chadash Shabbat Dinner – reservations required

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:30 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service (note different start time)

Saturday, February 25, 2023

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

Spotlight on Outreach

by Julie Zorn

Temple Israel’s outreach department is currently creating programs and resource

materials to further drive its goals of spreading compassion, equality and inclusivity for all people.  Whether the resources are created for Temple’s membership or for the greater Canton community, the message is the same: ALL people should be treated equally, and there is no place for hate.

In 2022, the Temple Israel became visible and present sending a message to the community that we are peace-loving allies.

In June of 2022, Temple Israel participated in the first ever Stark Pride Day in downtown Canton, and in December of 2022, with the help of artists Linda and Jessica Poole and the woodworking team of Mark Atleson and John Spera, the Canton Chamber of Commerce’s 30+ year holiday event entitled Light Up Downtown, included a menorah as part of its festivities for the very first time.

In addition, Temple hosted its very first night of Chanukah candle lighting open to the greater community.

The year 2023 kicked off with Temple participating and hosting its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Shabbat service as part of the city’s commissioned events for the holiday. In addition, this year, Temple also had a table at the 48^th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. community celebration hosted by the Leila Green Alliance of Black School Educators. The table showcased the story of Rabbis Joachim Prinz and Abraham Joshua Heschel and their connections and involvement with Dr. King.

Upcoming programs in 2023 include a Safe Zone training workshop for our members. Our hope is that our community will participate to better create an atmosphere of tolerance, acceptance and care for our LGBTQ+ members and any other LGBTQ+ community members who walk into our building. This program is taking place at 7pm on Thursday evening, March 30, 2023. Though the program is free of charge, please register at www.templeisraelcanton.org/safezone.

In addition, Temple is joining efforts with the Canton Jewish Community Federation in order to bring a day of learning and remembrance during the week of Yom HaShoah to local area teens. This day will take place Tuesday, April 18 and will be called Day of Remembrance/Day Against Hate.  

If you know of a local program or event that you believe Temple Israel should participate in, please feel free to email your suggestion to outreach director, Julie Zorn, at [email protected]. Together, we can change the world!

Informational Ethics Session for Congregation

Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

Registration required to join the Zoom meeting.

CLICK to register for the Zoom call

CLICK to read the Code of Ethics

This meeting is intended to describe the new Code of Ethics for Temple Israel, and to answer questions that members may have about its processes.

Temple Israel Sisterhood 

Our next meeting will be Sunday, Feb. 26 at 9:30 am. We will have a short business meeting followed by a book review and discussion led by Ronit Sherwin. The book is Shanda by Letty Cottin Pogrebin. 

Everyone is welcome. If you are interested in reading the book, Sisterhood has two copies available to borrow. 

Contact Barbara Spera if interested.

Sisterhood would like to THANK the Temple Community for their support of Donor 2022. We are so fortunate to be part of a community who gives very generously to our Temple Sisterhood Donor in support of Chadash. 

Because of your contributions, we were able to raise $6,000 for Chadash. Our Donor Program – "Take Life By The Hand and Dance" was a huge success. Our thanks to Stuart Myer, Julie Zorn and the Chadash students for their participation in a fun and enjoyable program. An additional thanks goes to Shaaray Torah members, Mary Donna Rubin and Linda Sklar for making our combined Donor program so successful. The others who help make this event special are – the Beit Ha’am staff – Debbie, Patti, Darrell and Bonnie – we could not have done this without you. It is never too late to donate (Sisterhood is still accepting donations) and 100% of your donation goes to support a very worthy

cause – Chadash.



A big Thank You goes to the following individuals who donated in 2022:

$200 and Above

JuDeane and Drew Luntz – In Memory of William Luntz with Love from His Great-Grandchildren,

Simone & Eliza Luntz

Linda Rosenblatt – In Honor of my Husband Arnie Rosenblatt

$100 Donors

Cathy & Mark Atleson

Estelle Blau – In Memory of Alene Helling                                 

Gail & Marshall Bleckman – In Honor of Our Grandchildren – Jack, Sam, Hannah, Claire & Paige

Jo-Ann & Ed Buxbaum – In Honor of Our Grandchildren – Benjamin, Lydia & Charlie

Barbara Ferne – In Honor of Our Grandchildren – Lily, Bodhi & Noah

Adele & Ron Gelb – In Honor of Woman’s Chavurah – 26 years

Sally Grubman (z’l)

Inwood-Parker Family – In Memory of Catherine & Albert Freeman and Evelyn & Louis Inwood

Mary Jo Lockshin – In Memory of Ida Goldenfeld

Shirley Lockshin – In Honor of Great-Grandchildren

Janet Luntz – In Memory of William Luntz

Sharon Luntz – In Memory of My Husband William Luntz

Bonnie Manello

Ellen & Steve Miller – In Honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Lillian Miller

Toni & Adam Olenick – In Memory of Sandy & Ron Sweet

Joan & Mary Ortman – In Honor of Our Family

Debby & Tim Petroff – In Honor of Our Rabbi

Anita Porter – In Honor of Friends and Family

Saragale Reinglass – In Memory of Mrs. Celia G. & Dr. Samuel S. Reinglass

Eileen Saltarelli – In Honor of My Parents

Davina Schweitzer

Shelley & Rob Schweitzer – In Honor of Estelle Blau’s Big Birthday

Ronit Sherwin & Rabbi David Komerofsky

Betty Smith – In Memory of Gary David Smith

Barbara & John Spera – In Honor of Our Grandsons - Max, Sam, Henry & Spencer

Cheri & Rabbi John Spitzer – In Honor of the 50^th Anniversary of Rabbi Spitzer’s Ordination

Sandi Knell Tamny – In Memory of Simon Tamny

Kathryn & David Unger – In Honor of Julie Zorn

$50 -$99 Donors

Karen Bertman

Sandra Cooper

Eileen Erlanger Dinn

Diane Friedman

Marianne & Dennis Glazer

Evie Grossman

Pat Katz

Greer M. Kabb-Langkamp

Denise Nielsen

Connie Rubin

Sue Shaffer

Patricia Sherman

Dale Sklar

Sharon Simon

Erin & Andrew Spera & Family

Dr. Stephanie Weinberg

$36 Donors

Paula Bloom

Diana Collum

Judie Cohodas

Marilyn Feldman

Bernice Friedman

Carolyn Garfinkle

Lynda Herbert

Paulette & Lee Karelitz

Alicia Rozenbom

Debbie Sinopoli

Randi Smuckler

Sheryl White

$25 Donors

Kathy Arkow

Celia Borak

Dr. Daniel & Dayna Charlick

Laurie Epstein

Marcie & Bryan Hecht

Kathryn Henry

Hannah Jolly

Marilyn Levin

Susan Narens

Judy Nusbaum

Joyce Ortman

Iris Mintz Ossakow

Barbara Rosenstock

Meg Rudick

Shelley Salzer & Shelley Jurkiewicz

Nora Sherwin

Linda Simon

Dori G. Smith

Harlene Smuckler

Debbie Spetich

Peggy Stabholtz

Rosalie Stern

Cindy Taylor

Judy Tenenbaum

Barbara Turkeltaub

Melissa Woofter

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 [email protected] or [email protected]

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

• Sugar free jelly / jam
• Minestrone Soup
• Vegetable soup
• Cream of Mushroom Soup
• Creamy Jif peanut butter
• Vegetable oil
• Vegetarian Baked Beans

Please feel free to drop off food at the office!

Temple Israel Endowments

Robert & Shelley Schweitzer Temple Youth Group Endowment

In Honor of

• Shelley Schweitzer's many Accomplishments, by Marylin Levin



Denise G. Luntz Jewish Futures Award Endowment

In Memory of

• William Luntz, by Drew & JuDeane Luntz

Frank & Barbara Fleischer Caring Committee Endowment

In Memory of

• Frank Fleischer, by Shelley & Rob Schweitzer, Sue Shafer

Gladys & Sanford S. Lazarus Memorial Endowment for the Arts

In Memory of

• Joan Sugarman

Herbert & Edith Marks Foundation Endowment

In Memory of

• Sanford Maxson, by Jane & Bruce Myers

Lockshin-Goldenfeld Religious School Endowment

In Memory of

• Mary Lockshin, by Shirley Lockshin & Family
• Sandy Maxson, by Shirley Lockshin & Family
• Geraldine Branz, by Mary Jo Lockshin

J. Edward & Janet S. Diamond Senior Enhancement Endowment

In Memory of

• Frank Fleischer, by Ed & Janet Diamond

Temple Israel Restricted Funds

Kiddush Fund

In Memory of

• Esther Mule', by Paul & Carolyn Garfinkle (Sponsored Oneg)
• Lt. Melvin M. Feiman, by David Winston

Floral Fund

In Memory of

• Gloria Tanya Miller, by Randi & Bill Smuckler
• Pauline & Allen Smuckler, by Debbie Spetich, Denise & Steve Nielsen

Mazon Fund - A Jewish Response to Hunger

In Memory of

• Carol Feldman Lefton, by Marilyn & Paul Feldman
• Frank Fleischer, by Harlene Smuckler
• Pauline & Allen Smuckler, by Harlene Smuckler
• Sarabelle Hartman, by Harlene Smuckler
• Samuel Hartman, by Harlene Smuckler

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

In Memory of

• Gordon Winston, by Oralia Williams
• Frank Fleischer, by Barbara Goldberg

General Fund

In Memory of

• Frank Fleischer, by Robert Braun