January 2024/ Tevet - Shevat 5784

Rabbi's Message

by Rabbi David Komerofsky

וְיָשְׁב֗וּ אִ֣ישׁ תַּ֧חַת גַּפְנ֛וֹ וְתַ֥חַת תְּאֵנָת֖וֹ וְאֵ֣ין מַחֲרִ֑יד׃

But every family shall sit under its own vine and fig tree with none to make them afraid. (Micah 4:4a)

These are troubling times. The rise in expressions of hatred against Jewish people around the world and the unimaginable horrors faced by our people in Israel since October 7 combine to keep us on edge. Even our relatively small Canton Jewish community has been the target of threats of violence. As I reminded our congregation via Zoom in December, the aim of terrorists is to terrorize, and we ought not to give them what they want. We need to be careful and vigilant, while still practicing our traditions and proudly expressing our Jewish identities.

Thanks to law enforcement and the unwavering support of so many, as well as the exceptional security measures in place at Beit Ha’am, I do not fear for my physical safety. I refuse to yield to the hatred that is consuming so much oxygen. My fear and anxiety are about something much larger.

The world seems to have turned upside down. Right is considered wrong and unfettered hatred is justified in the name of justice and equity. Victims are blamed for their suffering and the cries of the oppressed are silenced. And who is blamed? The Jews. Especially problematic is the situation unfolding on university campuses. I was a Hillel professional for more than ten years and Ronit continues to work for Hillel International. We are champions of higher education and the opportunities for advancement and integration presented by lifelong learning. Yet it is precisely in these sanctuaries of academia that the great lie is being fed.

For wisdom on this situation I turn to the teachings of a friend and teacher, Rabbi Hyim Shafner. He is the spiritual leader of Kesher Israel – The Georgetown Synagogue, which was also targeted recently in an act of violent hatred. Rabbi Shafner is also a former Hillel professional. He eloquently expresses his fear that I share:

Like many of us, I worry that one day there will be an American president, educated on today's Ivy League campuses, who does not remember Joseph. Does not remember how weak Israel once was and only knows Israel in the trompe l'oeil picture painted by its haters, a country of the strong and privileged persecuting the poor underdog. A picture which ignores Israeli diversity and history, its status as a sovereign country, and judges it based on a glaring and untrue double standard; ignores an Israel which tries hard not to target the innocent; an Israel which represents the remnant of a Middle East once teeming with communities of Torah for 1000 years and now cleansed of Jews, save for one place: between the river and the sea. 

These are troubling times. And until we can convince more well-intentioned people committed to learning that the truth matters and that Jews are not the root of the world’s evils, our anxieties and the danger will continue to rise. The urgency is now.

Outreach Director's Message

by Julie Zorn

Kulanu: All of Us

For the past couple of years, Temple Israel has taken part in the signature synagogue program of the Anti Defamation League. (The ADL) The program successfully strengthened our relationship with our regional ADL chapter, but overall, the world’s largest anti hate organization, felt that the program lacked in its ability to engage its participating communities as effectively as they would have liked.

With that goal in mind, the ADL began to develop a synagogue engagement program called Kulanu: Synagogues in Action Against Antisemitism, which they launched last year. 



Kulanu, Hebrew for “all of us,” is an eight-month program, running from October 2023 to June 2024, dedicated to empowering congregations to address antisemitism and hate in their communities through education, community engagement, and advocacy. During the program, each synagogue joins a network of congregations across the United States to build bridges of understanding across communities.

Temple Israel is participating in Kulanu’s second cohort, and we have put together a working group of Temple members to help assist us in this effort. The Temple Israel Kulanu working group is Bobi Berringer, Liza Grossman, Shoshanah Inwood, Leanne Lehn, Peggy Stabholz, Jeffrey Sherman, and professional staff, Julie Zorn.

This team has committed to providing the community with two programs this year with the goal of fighting antisemitism in mind. The first program will be one for our own Temple membership, and the second program is for the greater city-wide Canton community. Temple Israel has already established its signature outreach program for Stark County called Peace for Packs (www.peaceforpacks.org), and our hope is that our participation in Kulanu will expand its reach within Northeastern Ohio and to create a model for other communities to be able to help them in their own fights against antisemitism. 

With the uptick of antisemitism that has been seen throughout the last couple of years across the world and especially since the October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel, it is essential for every community to do their part in combating hate. We can do this by staying involved, supporting programs and strengthening our own community. We perhaps may be small, but we sure are mighty when we come together, and as the Kulanu name suggests, it takes “all of us.”

SECURITY INFORMATION & MEMBER UPDATES

We remain vigilant about security and continue to monitor threats that are credible and those that are not. Please note that Temple Israel's leadership will update the entire membership with relevant and important information if there is a credible threat.

Rather than inundate members with every non-credible incident of which Temple Israel leadership becomes aware, thus furthering the interests of those who seek to make us afraid, there is now a list of incidents available to those members who are interested in keeping up-to-date. Members can decide how much information they would like.

Subscribe to the Secure Community Network updates at https://www.securecommunitynetwork.org/signup-requests

If you are a member of Temple Israel and would like access to the list of security incidents, please email Rabbi Komerofsky at rabbi@templeisraelcanton.org for a link. You do not need access to this link to be alerted about credible threats.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Shabbat Service

Friday, January 12, 2024

5:30 p.m. - Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. - Service

Guest Speaker Willis Gordon

www.templeisraelcanton.org/mlk

Worship Services - January 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, January 5

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

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

www.templeisraelcanton.org/kid-dish

Saturday, January 6

10:00 a.m. Stollen Moments Torah Study

Friday, January 12

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

MLK Shabbat - Guest Speaker Willis Gordon

Anniversary & Birthday Blessings

Saturday, January 13

NO STOLLEN MOMENTS

Friday, January 19

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

Saturday, January 20

10:00 a.m. Stollen Moments Torah Study

Friday, January 26

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

Saturday, January 27

10:00 a.m. Stollen Moments Torah Study

Sisterhood Meetings - Spring 2024

Sunday, Jan. 21

Sunday, Feb. 25

Sunday, March 17

Sunday, April 21

Brotherhood Meetings - Spring 2024

Sunday, Jan. 21 

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.

Learn to Read Hebrew for Adults

Familiarity with Hebrew can be key to feeling at home in the Jewish community. Learn the shapes and sounds of the Hebrew alphabet in this ten-session online course from the Union for Reform Judaism.

This class will help you recognize and understand common Hebrew words and phrases often heard in Reform congregations and in Jewish prayer. This course assumes no prior Hebrew experience and is perfect for Introduction to Judaism alumni and other adults!

Developed specifically for online learning, each session introduces new material and includes practice with an experienced instructor in a collaborative classroom environment. Registration includes online access to all class materials, including audio recordings of each practice exercise. 

Participants will be asked to purchase a workbook.

Tuition: $250 (scholarship assistance available - contact Rabbi Komerofsky).

Classes will be listed as registration opens. New cohorts open seasonally.

The next series of classes will begin January 7 and 8. Register now!

CLICK TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER 

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.

Urban Ark Dinner Thank You

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the Urban Ark Dinner on Sunday, December 17th. We had a good turnout and everyone enjoyed the meal. Special thanks to Kathy Balin who brought all the table coverings, candies and table service, Bill Smuckler who prepared the turkey for us and Joan Ortman who prepared the potato casseroles. As I always say, this could not be done without your assistance!

Happy New Year-

Diana Collum

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

NATIONAL MAH JONGG LEAGUE CARDS FOR 2024

Please think about ordering your Mah Jongg 2024 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. 5 and cards will be mailed out the beginning of April.

Make checks payable to Temple Israel Sisterhood. Questions?

Call Barb at 330-494-8360.

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

Matthew Fricano

Alex Linerode

Contributions

Temple Israel Endowments

Fannie Pinkus Brack & Otto E. Brack Endowment

In Memory of

• Fannie Pinkus Brack & Otto E. Brack, by Laura Sancic

Lockshin-Goldenfield Religious School Endowment

In Memory of

• Geraldine Branz, by Mary Jo Lockshin & Family

Rabbi John H. Spitzer Endowment for Social Justice & Action

In Honor of

• Rabbi John Spitzer's 50th Anniversary of Ordination, by Marshall & Gail Bleckman, Marcia & Jay Berke, Lisa & Steve Sands

Bilha Ron Religious School Enrichment Fund

In Memory of

• Sam Ron, by Bob & Diane Friedman
• Howard Zecher, by Lisa & Steve Sands

Community Relations

In Honor of

• The birth of Mark & Cindy Taylor's Granddaughter, Sylvie Rose, by Eileen & Matt Saltarelli

Hunger Relief Fund

In Honor of

• Paul & Marilyn Feldman's new home, by Bob & Diane Friedman
• Gerard Dyer O'Mallon's Baby naming, by Lisa & Steve Sands

In Memory of

• Howard Zecher, by Alan & Jeri Meltzer
• Samuel Shifman, by Harlene Smuckler

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

In Appreciation of

• Rabbi Komerofsky, by David Goe, Keri McDonnell, Stan & Pat Sherman

In Memory of

• Milton Robbins, by The Winograd Family

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

Tuna in Water

Kleenex

Napkins

Paper Towels

Toilet Paper

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

ADULT PROGRAMS

MORNING REFLECTIONS AT BEIT HA’AM

(Formerly Men’s Club Breakfast)

Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 9:30 A.M.

SPEAKER: Rabbi David Komerofsky

TOPIC: A Vision of Jewish Canton for the Second Quarter of the Twenty-First Century.

COST: $5 per person includes a continental breakfast

All are welcome!

RSVP to Debbie Guilliams by Thursday, January 18.

JOIN YOUR FRIENDS FOR LUNCH. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 11:30 A.M.

Grinders Above & Beyond

3114 Whipple Avenue NW Canton, Ohio 44718

Meet directly at the restaurant.

RSVP to Debbie Guilliams by Tuesday, January 23.