January 2023 / Tevet - Shevat 5783

Rabbi's Message

by Rabbi David Komerofsky

הָ֥בָה נִֽתְחַכְּמָ֖ה ל֑וֹ פֶּן־יִרְבֶּ֗ה וְהָיָ֞ה כִּֽי־תִקְרֶ֤אנָה מִלְחָמָה֙ וְנוֹסַ֤ף גַּם־הוּא֙ עַל־שֹׂ֣נְאֵ֔ינוּ וְנִלְחַם־בָּ֖נוּ וְעָלָ֥ה מִן־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ וַיָּ֥קׇם מֶֽלֶךְ־חָדָ֖שׁ עַל־מִצְרָ֑יִם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־יָדַ֖ע אֶת־יוֹסֵֽף׃ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֶל־עַמּ֑וֹ הִנֵּ֗ה עַ֚ם בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל רַ֥ב וְעָצ֖וּם מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃

A new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are much too numerous for us (or "have grown numerous at our expense)." Let us deal shrewdly with them, so that they may not increase; otherwise in the event of war they may join our enemies in fighting against us and rise from the ground.” (Genesis 1:8-1)

The Shabbat of Martin Luther King Weekend we will begin reading the Book of Exodus in our annual Torah cycle. Having risen to the top of Egyptian society and government at the end of Genesis, the descendants of Israel and his son Joseph found themselves put to hard labor by pharaoh. What caused this sudden change of attitude towards the Israelites? Ignorance and fear. The new king was ignorant of what Joseph had done for ALL of Egypt, not just his own family. And he was fearful that this people that practiced differently than he did might ally with Egypt’s foes at a time of war.

Ignorance and fear have plagued our people for millennia, and still we struggle to educate and assure our neighbors that the Jewish people are not a threat. We are also called to advocate for every minority that finds itself targeted by the ignorant and the fearful, to lift our voices in favor of equity and justice. We who know what it means to be othered live out our traditions of Tzedek by doing whatever we can to create light and understanding in places where darkness and hatred have taken hold.

At the start of this secular New Year, we are reminded of how much work is left to be done in pursuit of a better world. Temple Israel will continue our tradition of honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Friday, January 13 at our 6:15 p.m. service. We will commemorate his birthday and the beginnings of our people’s exodus with guest speaker George W. Lemon. (Biography below). Please join us and bring your family and friends. The service will follow the 5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat refreshments.

George W. Lemon

George was one of Stark State College’s earliest graduates, where he received his degree in electrical engineering technology. He continued his education at Malone University and graduated with a degree in Business. George is a well-known community leader, with a reputation for getting involved, getting things done and bringing people together for positive change. This aspect of George’s character is reflected in the leadership role and involvement he played with major community institutions and organizations, such as Stark State College, the Canton Museum of Art, the United Way of Greater Stark County, Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland & East Central Ohio, the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Aultman Health Foundation, the Greater Stark County Urban League, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Stark County Minority Business Association. 

George’s leadership skills were honed during his 23-year career in the U.S. Army and National Guard. He graduated from Fort Benning, Ga. Officer’s Candidate School as a 2nd Lieutenant, completed Armor Officer’s Advance Course at Fort Knox Kentucky, the Engineer Officer Advance Course and Helicopter Flight Training at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He commanded an Armored Calvary Unit and a Helicopter Flight Unit at Akron/Canton Airport. As a commissioned armor officer, engineer officer, intelligence officer and a senior helicopter pilot with more than 3600 hours of flight time in the UH-1 Huey and OH 58 Kiowa aircraft he retired from military service at the rank of Major.

George spent 25 years with AMETEK, a Fortune 500 company, where he held various positions, including Vice President of Sales. He founded and served as the President of Technical Products Group, Inc., a company that provided sales and marketing support to manufacturing companies.

George is presently co-chair of the Committee to Preserve Stark County’s Black History, of which Rabbi Komerofsky is a member.

A Giving Heart: Community Member, Mark Taylor, helps Chadash Faculty Become CPR Certified

by Julie Zorn

Over the past year, the Canton Jewish community has made a strong effort in training its staff and key community members to better equip itself with health and safety measures. There has been security training, “Stop the Bleed” training and CPR training. The community should feel reassured that so many of us have gone through these extensive workshops and that many of us now have been CPR certified.

Our community is lucky to have Temple Israel board member, Mark Taylor, among us. Mark is a respiratory therapist at Alliance Community Hospital where he has spent a large part of his career. In addition to that work, Mark also has his own consulting business and is an instructor on many topics related to pulmonary diseases. He works with nursing facilities or other community-based facilities that do not necessarily have their own respiratory services.

In the case of the Canton Jewish community, Mark has been instrumental in making certain to provide us with CPR mannequins, an additional instructor when needed and a good amount of patience taking time to explain all the details needed to assist a patient who needs quick and precise cardiac care.

On January 8, 2023, the Chadash faculty will come together for a faculty in service morning, and once again, Mark will be there ensuring that even our tiniest community members are appropriately cared for. At the end of this training, each of our faculty will be CPR certified, and we have Mark Taylor to thank for it.

On behalf of Chadash, Mark, please accept a big, heartful, thank you and know that you have done a mitzvah for our school and our entire community. We are lucky to have such a giving heart taking care of our hearts, and we want you to know just how much we appreciate you. Todah Rabah and a happy, heart-felt New Year to all.

Shabbat Services - January 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, January 6, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Family Shabbat Service

Saturday, January 7, 2023

10:00 a.m. - Stollen Moments

Friday, January 13, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service

MLK Guest Speaker George W. Lemon

Including January Birthday and Anniversary Blessings

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Stollen Moments will NOT meet

Friday, January 20, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service 

Saturday, January 21, 2023

10:00 a.m. - Stollen Moments

Friday, January 27, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday, January 28, 2023

10:00 a.m. - Stollen Moments

NATIONAL MAH JONGG LEAGUE CARDS FOR 2023

Please think about ordering your Mah Jongg 2023 Cards from Temple Israel Sisterhood. You can order your cards by mailing your check to the Temple Office or to: Barbara Spera 1380 Shiloh Run SE, North Canton, OH 44709. Cards are $15 for large print and $14 for standard. Orders must be placed by Feb. 2 and cards will be mailed out the beginning of April. Make checks payable to Temple Israel Sisterhood. Questions?

Call Barb at 330-494-8360.

Are you interested in serving on a Temple Israel committee or participating in an auxiliary?

Finance | Membership

Caring Community | Community Garden

Safety & Security | Social Action | Cemetery

Sisterhood | Brotherhood

Just visit https://templeisraelcanton.org/get-involved/.

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

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

• Sugar free jelly / jam
• Minestrone and vegetable soup
• Creamy Jif peanut butter
• Vegetable oil

Please feel free to drop off food at the office!

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

• Frank Fleischer
• Bernice Rothman

Temple Israel Endowments

Robert & Shelley Schweitzer Temple Youth Group Endowment

In Honor of

• Estelle Blau's 90th Birthday, by Melissa, Anthony & Samantha Burek, Ashley Alper Roberts and Linda Alper

Temple Israel Restricted Funds

Mazon Fund - A Jewish Response to Hunger

In Memory of

• Barbara Blum's father, by Hannah Jolly
• Samuel Shifman, by Harlene Smuckler

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

In Appreciation of

• Rabbi Komerofsky, by Shirley Lockshin

In Honor of

• Rabbi Komerofsky's Birthday, by Jim and Mary Donna Rubin