July 2024 / Sivan - Tammuz 5784

Rabbi's Message

by Rabbi David Komerofsky

Jewish worship used to be a messy business. When the Temple stood in Jerusalem, it was the point of intersection between God and the Children of Israel through the institution of sacrifices. Priests were commissioned to help people atone for their sins, commemorate festivals, and observe the ritual commandments enshrined in the Torah. Part of that process required animal sacrifice, which was loud and bloody. It must have been a chaotic scene at the Temple complex, far different from the orderly and sanitized way that we gather now.



I do not yearn for a rebuilding of the Temple or a return to the sacrificial cult of antiquity. Still, we have lost some connection to the power of life and death that was on full display in Jerusalem. We have removed ourselves from the process of turning living beings into food, preferring our Shabbat sacrifices to be wrapped in cellophane at the butcher counter. We keep the blood at a distance and ignore the many ways that our lives are inextricably linked to all other life. Our tradition teaches that life is in the blood.

I share this reflection with you because our community has three opportunities this month to come to a place of gathering and worship (Beit Ha’am) and raise our consciousness about the value of life and blood. We can sacrifice a little of our time to help save lives.

·        July 21 – CPR Training – www.templeisraelcanton.org/cpr

·        July 30 – Stop the Bleed Training – www.templeisraelcanton.org/stopthebleed

·        July 31 – Jane Altman Zoldan Blood Drive – www.tinyurl.com/janiezoldan

L’Chaim – to life!

President's Message

by Barbara Spera

Greetings!

As many of you know, at our Annual Meeting, I accepted the nomination for President of the congregation. While I know many of you, I thought I should share a bit about myself. This isn’t a role I ever envisioned for myself, but I am honored to step into it.

I was born in Canton to parents who were both school teachers. My dad, Stanley Friedman, was also born and raised in Canton. I began my religious education at Shaaray Torah Synagogue, and my family has cherished slides of this building being constructed. Around sixth grade, we joined Temple Israel, marking the start of many years traveling up and down Harvard Ave.

Religious school at Temple Israel had both Saturday and Sunday sessions, depending on the grade. I continued my education here, and my confirmation picture still hangs on the wall. During high school, I was active in BBG at the Jewish Center, serving as President of our chapter and being elected to the regional BBG board.

I attended Ohio University and later graduated from Kent State with both bachelor's and master's degrees. Returning to Canton, I began teaching in Canton City Schools, where I spent my entire career. As you can see, teaching runs in the family.

John and I married at Temple Israel, and Rabbi Gorin officiated our wedding. Our two children, Andrew and Jodee, also attended Religious School at Temple Israel and celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah with Rabbi Spitzer, who later officiated their marriages to Erin and Dan. Now, two of my grandsons, Max and Sam, attend Chadash. My mom, Bernice, and my brother and his wife are also members of Temple Israel. We are proud to be a four-generation family within this community.

From these humble beginnings, I have come to believe I can take on a leadership role at Temple Israel. I am deeply committed to ensuring our congregation thrives and flourishes. I look forward to serving the congregation and addressing the challenges that come our way in these changing times.

As the summer turns into fall and the High Holy Days approach, I am excited to see and meet you all.

Warm regards,

Barb Spera

Worship Services - July 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, July 5

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

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

www.templeisraelcanton.org/kid-dish

Friday, July 12

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

Anniversary & Birthday Blessings

Friday, July 19, 2024

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

Friday, July 26

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.

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 

Stop the Bleed Training

Tuesday, July 30 at 1:00 p.m. at Beit Ha'am

Register at www.templeisraelcanton.org/stopthebleed

CPR Training

July 21, 2024

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Limited to 12 participants

REGISTER at www.templeisraelcanton.org/cpr

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.

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.

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 Barb Spera.

OUR TEMPLE FAMILY

The Temple's Sympathy is extended to the family of:

• Ruth Rothman (Ellyn Roberts' sister)

Contributions

Temple Israel Endowments

J. Edward & Janet S. Diamond Senior Enhancement Endowment

In Appreciation for

• Templegrams for our 45th Anniversary, by Ed & Janet Diamond

Lockshin-Goldenfeld Religious School Endowment

In Memory of

• Delbert Glanz, by Mary Jo Lockshin
• Judy Eppy, by Shirley Lockshin & Family
• Jerry Eppy, by Shirley Lockshin & Family
• Shirley Rubinstein, by Shirley Lockshin & Family
• Nathan Lockshin, by Shirley Lockshin & Family
• Jerrold Lockshin, by Shirley Lockshin & Family

For Recovery of

• Laraine Rudy, by Shirley Lockshin & Family

Narens Family Endowment

In Memory of

• Judy Eppy, by Jo-Anne & Ed Buxbaum

Robert & Shelley Schweitzer Temple Youth Group Endowment

In Memory of

• Douglas M. Glazer, by Dennis & Marianne Glazer

Community Relations Fund

In Memory of

• Charles Howell, by Eileen & Matt Saltarelli
• Janet Howell, by Eileen & Matt Saltarelli

Hunger Relief Fund

In Honor of

• Rabbi David Komerofsky's 25th Anniversary of Ordination, by Dori Smith, Alicia Rozenbom

In Memory of

• Susan Caghan, by Harlene Smuckler, Lisa & Steve Sands
• Louis Schaner, by Lisa & Steve Sands, Marshall & Gail Bleckman
• Judy Eppy, by Harlene Smuckler
• Morris Olden, by Karen Olden

For Recovery of

• Harlene Smuckler, by Diane Friedman

Kiddush Fund

In Appreciation for

• Templegrams for our 55th Anniversary, by Ellen & Steve Miller

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

In Appreciation for

• Prison Ministry, by David Goe

In Honor of

• Rabbi David Komerofsky's 25th Anniversary of Ordination, by Marilyn & Paul Feldman, Estabelle Landau, Debbie Spetich, Stanley & Patricia Sherman, Bonnie & Steve Manello. Eileen & Matt Saltarelli, Paulette Karelitz, Berringer Family, Karen Olden, Matthew Comshaw-Arnold, Temple Israel Sisterhood, Mary Donna & Jim Rubin & Family, Bernice, David & Lingxia Friedman, Martin & Sandra Smith

In Memory of

• Robert Friedman, by Sue Shafer, Lindsay Bowman, Michael & Janice London, Elizabeth, Rachel & Izzy Slesnick, Donald & Jill Weinstein, Bruce & Nancy Darrah, Barbara & Bob Ferne, Bob & Celia Borack, Mark & Judy Tenenbaum, Bonnie & John Lapiere, Jo-Anne & Ed Buxbaum, Robert DeHoff, Diana Collum, Marshall & Gail Bleckman, Suzanne Stieglitz, Ronnie & Allen Brockman, Sheila Tamler, Margie & Dick Klapper, Judy Gibbs, Alan & Jeri Meltzer
• Michelle Watson, by Barbara & David Kristal
• Susan Caghan, by Stacey DeFilippo
• Louis Schaner, by Barbara & Bob Ferne, Bob & Celia Borack, Andrew & Katya Melott
• Lawrence Michael Singer, by Stacey Singer & Tara Wieghat

Habitat For Humanity

Donation made by Debby & Tim Petroff

In Honor of

• Barbara Spera becoming Temple Israel's President, by Your Mah Jongg Friends

In Memory of

• Gerald Saltarelli, our personal carpenter, by Eileen & Matt Saltarelli

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