February 2024 / Shevat - Adar I 5784

Rabbi's Message

by Rabbi David Komerofsky

This semester I am studying formational hermeneutics in my graduate program at Ashland Theological Seminary. My classmates and I are exploring how we interpret scripture for the purposes of personal and pastoral formation.

It is eye-opening to examine Jewish texts with Christians for whom the Hebrew Bible is prelude to the New Testament. For thirty years I have been reading Tanakh and rabbinic literature through the lens of the traditional Jewish tools for such examination. Jews read the Bible with the assistance of commentaries, midrash, Talmudic arguments and an ongoing, intergenerational conversation between the contemporary explorer and the wisdom of the sages. For us, the story did not end with II Chronicles, the last book in Tanakh, it continues through today on a path from which Christianity diverged two millennia ago.

The first book assigned for my current class is Engaging the Old Testament: How to Read Biblical Narrative, Poetry, and Prophecy Well by Dominick S. Hernández. The author is a Christian scholar whose doctorate is from Bar-Ilan University in Israel. His advisor comes from the well-established chain of Jewish tradition, so Hernández is more than familiar with how his Jewish reader(s) engages with scripture. I wonder if Hernández ever imagined that a Reform rabbi would be reading his book with ministers in an Evangelical seminary in Ohio!

One take-away from reading this book that I share with you is that the Hebrew Bible, written originally by and for a Jewish audience, does not gloss over the difficult pieces of our narrative history. Take for example the scriptural portrayals of the judges and kings of Ancient Israel, imperfect human beings who were equal parts hero and villain. These are our ancestors, and we have inherited their traditions and stories. We read the same Torah that they did, celebrate the same festivals, and worship the same Creator. Their stories are ours.



A contemporary lesson for us is simple: when we reflect on who the Jewish people has been and what we hope to become, we cannot be tempted to ignore the difficult pieces of the story. We are not expected to be perfect, and any rewriting of the past or present with the hope that we might be remembered well in the future is futile. We are heirs to a tradition of self-criticism and brutal honesty. When Jews engage with our Bible we ought to do so with open eyes and minds; the past is there for us as a warning and a guide, not an idol to be exalted.

Outreach Director's Message

Chadash’s First Ever Jewish Summer Camp Fair

by Julie Zorn

When I was a child growing up at Temple Israel in Akron, I was so excited each year when my summer camp director, Rabbi Ron Klotz, would travel from Zionsville, Indiana, to come pitch Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI) to the parents of camp-aged students at our congregation. It was the one day during the year that the connection to my summertime home away from home was nurtured. There was a camp slide show (before the days of videos) and camp music and an opportunity to share with my community the magic of what I experienced every summer. Camp was such a big part of my Jewish upbringing, and as a Jewish career professional, it made an enormous impact on my life.

My story is not an uncommon one. My career has brought me into circles of Jewish educators, song leaders, clergy, and directors of Jewish agencies throughout the country. There is often a common thread of camp, and Jewish communal professionals are often passionate that the camp they grew up at is the very best one out there.

I will let you all in on a little secret. They’re all right! They ALL have the very best camp that’s out there, because the fact is, Jewish camping has proven to be run with the highest of standards, and Jewish communities around the country recognized the value of camp and has invested in it. Between organizations like One Happy Camper and the Foundation for Jewish Summer Camping as well as local Jewish camp scholarships, Jewish communities have given a lot of effort to create camp opportunities for its youth.

I am excited to share that this year, Chadash is doing its part in the effort to send our students to Jewish summer camp, as well. On Sunday, February 25^th, Chadash will be having its first ever summer camp fair with representatives and/or information from Jewish camps in the area as well as in a few other states. Students will be able to interact with camp representatives throughout the religious school day, and parents are invited to come learn about all of the offerings at 11:30 that morning.

Representatives and/or materials from the following camps will be available on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at 11:30 am in the Beit Ha’am lobby:

• Camp JCC at the Shaw Jewish Community Center
• Camp Louise and Camp Airy
• Camp Wise
• Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI)
• Camp Ramah in Wisconsin

For more information, please contact Chadash director, Julie Zorn, at chadash@jewishcanton.org.

Worship Services - February 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, February 2

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

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

www.templeisraelcanton.org/kid-dish

Saturday, February 3

10:00 a.m. Stollen Moments Torah Study

Friday, February 9

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

Anniversary & Birthday Blessings

Saturday, February 10

10:00 a.m. Stollen Moments Torah Study

Friday, February 16

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

Saturday, February 17

NO Stollen Moments

Friday, February 23

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

Saturday, February 24

10:00 a.m. Stollen Moments Torah Study

Sisterhood Meetings - Spring 2024

Sunday, Feb. 25

Sunday, March 17

Sunday, April 21

Brotherhood Meetings - Spring 2024

Sunday, Feb. 25

Sunday, March 17

Sunday, April 21

Florida Temple Members

Rabbi Komerofsky is looking into visiting our members who are in Florida late in February.

If you are interested in a visit, please let him know at rabbi@templeisraelcanton.org or 330.445.2406.

Temple Israel’s Trim Crew is Looking for New Members

Temple Israel’s association with Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio goes back many years. In addition to general volunteer opportunities to build several homes and participation in the Faith Build opportunities, a group of Temple men and women have volunteered specifically to do trim work on Habitat construction sites. We install doors, door and window trim, finish closets as well as some painting and similar tasks. The Trim Crew is called upon five to six times a building season and usually work from 8:30 a.m. through 1:00 or 2:00 p.m.

Some of our Trim Crew already had skills but others learned on the job. You needn’t have to have built projects before; Habitat staff and our own volunteers will teach you so that you can be a productive Crew member. It’s incredibly satisfying work! If you are interested, contact Rabbi Spitzer. If you have questions, contact Mark Atleson. We look forward to praying with hammers.

BROTHERHOOD NEWS

February 13: Brotherhood Night at the Races

Please join Brotherhood for its semi-regular trip to Northfield Park for an evening of horse racing and slot machines. Carpool leaves from Burntwood Tavern at 5 pm or you can meet up at the track. Contact Tom Porter (330-327-4011) with any questions.

March 6: Brotherhood Texas Hold’Em Tournament

Back for its third year, join Brotherhood members for deli food, drinks, and a friendly Texas Hold’Em tournament. $40 buy-in. RSVP to Paul Hervey at 330-704-2935 for location details.

May 18: Brotherhood Reverse Raffle

Our big fundraiser in support of Chadash is on a different date this year. Dinner, drinks, and a chance at a $2,000 first prize. Ticket sellers will be calling you. Call the Temple office at 330-455-5197 to make your reservations.

MALONE UNIVERSITY WORLDVIEW FORUM

THE ISRAEL-GAZA CONFLICT: LOCAL PERSPECTIVES

February 21, 2024, 7 pm in the Johnson Center 106

Featuring Rabbi David Komerofsky

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.

Temple Israel will volunteer at the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank on Friday, February 16.

To sign up, visit www.templeisraelcanton.org/foodbank. 

This is a project of the Social Action Committee.

Social Action Month of Giving

The Social Action committee has chosen the Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank and HER Project as our February Month of Giving. The HER Project is an initiative of the Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank. In addition to diapers for children, they support teens and adult women with the Her Project aimed at “ Helping Educate and Reduce Period Poverty”. Women’s essentials are not covered on any government program such as WIC or SNAP. In addition to supplying period packs to their distribution partners, they are in partnership with the Stark County Educational Service Center (SCESC) to supply period packs to 23 school districts. All of Stark County schools are included along with Wayne, Carroll, Tuscarawas and Summit counties. Through this collaboration, SCESC specialists, school nurses and liaisons will make available HER Project tampons and pad packs available to girls in need. This initiative hopes to ensure every student has her basic needs met so she can focus on education.

Temple Israel will be collecting pads and tampons throughout the month of February. All donations can be placed in the Temple office.

Thank you for your continued support.



Joan Ortman

Paulette Karelitz

Anita Porter

TEMPLE SISTERHOOD

Sisterhood would like to THANK the community for their support of Donor 2023. We are so fortunate to be a part of a community who gives very generously to our Temple Sisterhood Donor. Because of your contributions, we were able to raise over $6,200 for Chadash. We want to thank Barbara Spera, Mary Donna Rubin and Linda Sklar for chairing this event. Additional thanks go out to all that were involved in making our donor program so special and such a success!

A BIG Thank You goes to the following individuals who donated in 2023. It is never too late to donate, and 100% of your donation goes to support a very worthy cause-Chadash.

$500 Donor

JuDeane & Drew Luntz- In Honor of Simone, Eliza & Adrian Luntz

Over $100 Donors

Paul & Jan Hervey

Linda & Arnie Rosenblatt

Connie Rubin- In Honor of Rabbi John Spitzer's 50th Anniversary of Ordination

Eileen & Matt Saltarelli- In Memory of Our Dear Friend, Lee Karelitz

$100 Donors

Cathy & Mark Atleson- In Honor of Rabbi David Komerofsky & Rabbi John Spitzer

Michael & Terry Barat- In Memory of Sonia Vaisler & James Lowde

Estelle Blau- In Memory of Bev Gross

Karen & Stan Bertman- In Memory of Evelyn Stern

Marshall & Gail Bleckman- In Honor of our Family & World Peace

Jo-Anne & Ed Buxbaum- In Honor of our Grandchildren Lydia, Benjamin & Charlie

Adele & Ron Gelb

Evelyn Grossman

Paulette Karelitz- In Memory of Lee Karelitz

David Komerofsky & Ronit Sherwin- In Honor of Our Children

Mary Jo Lockshin- In Honor of Shirley Lockshin

Shirley Lockshin - In Memory of James D. Lockshin

Janet Luntz - In Memory of Lee Karelitz

Sharon Luntz- In Memory of William L. Luntz

Bonnie Manello

Dr. Alan Meshekow- In Honor of Rabbi John Spitzer's 50th Anniversary of Ordination

Steve & Ellen Miller- In Honor of our Grandchildren

Joan & Marty Ortman- In Honor of our Sons & Family

Deborah & Timothy Petroff- In Memory of Bev Gross

Anita & Tom Porter - In Memory of Lee Karelitz

Davina Schweitzer

Shelley & Rob Schweitzer- In Memory of Bev Gross

Linda & Gary Sirak

Betty Smith- In Memory of Gary Smith

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

Rabbi John & Cheri Spitzer- In Honor of Rabbi David Komerofsky & the 50th Anniversary Committee

David & Kathryn Unger- In Honor of Julie Zorn

$50 Donors

Jim Barnett

Judy & Larry Cohen

Sandra & Richard Cooper

Eileen Dinn

Barbara & Bob Ferne

Bob & Diane Friedman

Bernice Friedman

Dennis & Marianne Glazer

Shelley Jurkiewicz & Shelley Salzer

Ellery & Greer Kabb-Langkamp

Alan & Patricia Katz

David Lavine

Sue Shafer

Sharon Simon

Dale & Jeff Sklar

Erica Slesnick

Michael & Stephanie Weinberg

$25- $36 Donors

Kathy & Sheldon Arkow

Marcia & Jay Berke

Bobi & Christopher Berringer

Paula Bloom

Celia Borack

Dayna Charlick

Diana Collum

Sharon Dougherty

Laurie Epstein

Carolyn Garfinkle

Lynda & David Herbert

Marti & Lois Jacobson

Hannah Jolly

Gerald Kitzen

Leanne & Bill Lehn

Marylin Levin

Susan Narens

Denise Nielsen

Joyce & Jerry Ortman

Iris Ossakow

Barbara Rosenstock

Alicia Rozenbom

Meg & Alan Rudick

Debbie Sinopoli

Dori Smith

Randi Smuckler

Harlene Smuckler

Debbie Spetich

Peggy Stabholz

Sandi Knell Tamny

Cindy & Mark Taylor

Judy & Mark Tenenbaum

Sheryl White

Interested in learning how to play Mah Jongg????

Learn the basics…..

Sunday, February 11 at 9:30

Sponsored by Temple Israel Sisterhood

Additional information contact Barb at barb420@aol.com or 330-224-5663

PERPETUAL YAHRZEIT

Lock in the current price by June 30, 2024.

A perpetual yahrzeit at Temple Israel ensures that Kaddish will be recited every year on the anniversary of your loved one’s passing. For the week prior to and one week following the date of death, your loved one’s name and date of passing is displayed on the electronic yahrzeit board in the Beit Ha’am lobby. The name of your loved one is also included in the Temple Israel Book of Memory and will be included in any future programs that honor those on whose shoulders we stand.

Cost for a perpetual yahrzeit at Temple Israel is $300. You can purchase a perpetual yahrzeit at any time following a death or you can arrange an advance yahrzeit for yourself or a loved one, providing peace of mind for you and easing the burden on your family. 

On July 1, 2024, the cost for a perpetual yahrzeit will increase to $360. Arrangements made by June 30, 2024 can spread payments across 2024 at the $300 rate.

More information is available at www.templeisraelcanton.org/perpetual-yahrzeit. 

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 treasurer@templeisraelcanton.org or president@templeisraelcanton.org

OUR TEMPLE FAMILY

Welcome New Members

Mr. Doug Lavin & Dr. Lisa Greenwald

Brian & Vena Gamble (Lorcan & Aira)

Contributions

Temple Israel Endowments

Lockshin-Goldenfield Religious School Endowment

In Memory of

• Mary Lockshin, by Shirley Lockshin
• Ron Figler, by Shirley Lockshin
• Loraine Benjamin, by Shirley Lockshin

Rabbi John H. Spitzer Endowment for Social Justice & Action

In Appreciation of

• Rabbi John & Cheri Spitzer, by Carol & Jay Rubin

Fine Arts

In Memory of

• Joan G. Sugarman, by Dori Smith

Hunger Relief Fund

In Honor of

• Samuel Berke's Bar Mitzvah, by Adele & Ron Gelb, Marilyn & Paul Feldman

In Memory of

• Allen Smuckler, by Harlene Smuckler
• Pauline Smuckler, by Harlene Smuckler
• Samuel Hartman, by Harlene Smuckler
• Sara B. Hartman, by Harlene Smuckler

Kiddush Fund

In Memory of

• Robert Mintz, by Patricia Mintz
• Lt. Melvin Feiman, by David Winston
• Sally Siegal, by Matt & Eileen Saltarelli
• Allen Smuckler, by Denise & Steve Nielsen, Debbie Spetich
• Pauline Smuckler, by Denise & Steve Nielsen, Debbie Spetich
• Malvina Spitzer, by Rabbi John & Cheri Spitzer

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

In Appreciation of

• Rabbi Komerofsky, by Leanne & Bill Lehn, David Goe, Mary Jo Lockshin

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

Tuna in Water

Kleenex

Napkins

Paper Towels

Toilet Paper

Canned Vegetables

Canned Fruit

Minestrone Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

Vegetable Soup

Please feel free to drop off your donations to the Temple Office.

ADULT PROGRAMS

Meet & Greet with Ori Akrish

Canton Jewish Federation’s New CEO

Tuesday, February 27, 2024 | 1:00-2:30 PM

Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome!

Please RSVP to Debbie Guilliams by Tuesday, February20 by phone at (330) 445-2412 or

via email at dguilliams@jewishcanton.org.

Morning Reflections at Beit Ha’am

Thursday, February 22, 2024 | 9:30 AM

·      SPEAKER: Rabbi David Komerofsky

·      COST: $5 per person includes a continental breakfast

·      TOPIC: When the Month of Adar Comes, Joy Increases: Finding Happiness in a Troubled World

All are welcome! Please RSVP to Debbie Guilliams by Thursday, February 15 at

(330) 445-2412 or via email at dguilliams@jewishcanton.org