July 2025 / Tammuz-Av 5785

MESSAGES

Rabbi's Message

by Rabbi David Komerofsky

We enter the heart of summer with the sun high and the days long, yet around the world, shadows seem to lengthen. Each week brings new headlines of instability: conflicts flare, democracies strain, and certainties we once held feel less secure. The Jewish homeland is under attack. Many of us are left wondering: What can we hold onto when so much feels out of our control?

Judaism has faced this question across the centuries. We have lived through empires rising and falling, through exile and return, through times of crisis and renewal. And through it all, we have found ways not only to survive, but to live with meaning, connection, and hope. This is what our tradition calls netzach Yisrael, the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.

Resilience in Jewish life is not passive endurance. It is an active commitment to tikvah, to hope. The prophet Jeremiah, writing from the ruins of Jerusalem, offered not despair, but guidance: “Seek the welfare of the city... and pray for it, for in its peace you shall find peace” (Jeremiah 29:7). Even in exile, even amidst destruction, he taught us to build, to plant, and to continue to engage.

So how do we respond to instability in 2025? We lean into our values. We double down on community. We teach our children, sing our songs, celebrate Shabbat. These practices are not escapes from reality; they are our anchors within it. Every generation of Jews before this one has faced challenges and endured, and so will we.

This summer, as some of us travel, some seek rest, and we all continue to absorb the world’s turbulence, let us find strength in being Jewish. Let us gather not just to worry, but to remember that ours is a tradition that has always faced the fire without forgetting the light.

Am Yisrael Chai!

President's Message

by Barbara Spera

The 140^th Annual Meeting of Temple Israel was held on June 20^th. In case you missed it here are some of the highlights from the meeting.

• Our commitment to safety is a priority with some of our safety procedures visible and many are behind the scenes
• Chadash is now under the governance of Temple Israel
• We are still committed to serving all students across the Jewish community
• Last year 36 students were enrolled with 6 students being confirmed and 3 B’nai Mitzvah’s
• Bobi Berringer is our new Chadash Coordinator
• Chadash educators received a much-deserved pay increase
• Rabbi Komerofsky’s contract was renewed for 3 and1/2 years
• Rabbinic review was conducted by the Temple Board
• Temple budget for 2025 was presented
• Financial information was shared in the report
• Temple treasurer and president met with a retired CPA
• New safeguards have been put in place to detail deposits, contributions and purchases
• Financial handbook being compiled
• Finance Committee meets regularly
• Social Action Committee offers a variety of opportunities for the congregation to engage in
• Sisterhood and Brotherhood have a vital role in supporting Temple Israel
• Additional reports can be found in the Annual Report booklet
• Anita Porter was thanked for her years of service as a board member
• Todd Kottler was thanked for his service to the board as Brotherhood President
• Dr. Shoshanah Inwood was elected to the Board of Trustees for a 3-year term
• Dr. Jason Parker will serve on the Board of Trustees as the new Brotherhood President

We are a community rooted in history – 140 years strong and also one stepping forward with intention. Our challenges are real but so is our resilience we are guided by our values, supported by one another and committed to creating a sustainable, vibrant future for Temple Israel. I am honored to serve this extraordinary community, and I am filled with hope for what we will continue to build together. I hope to see you at the 141^st Annual Meeting.

On May 23, people attending our Shabbat service (and others) signed a card to the Israeli Embassy staff in Washington, DC following the terrorist attack that killed two of its employees who were attending an event with the local Jewish community. You can see the original card by clicking here.

SHABBAT

Worship Services - July 2025

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 4, 2025

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

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Friday, July 11, 2025

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

with Birthday and Anniversary Blessings

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Friday, July 18, 2025

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

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Friday, July 25, 2025

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service

Families with Little Kids

If your child needs a break during the service, please step into the library, where the service is being livestreamed. There are Shabbat toys and children’s books, and you can enjoy the Oneg Shabbat snacks while the kids become accustomed to watching the service. Please feel free to return to the large prayer space for motzi and the closing song.

We’re glad to have kids of all ages here for Shabbat, and want to ensure a meaningful and appropriate experience for everyone.

ANNUAL REPORT

SOCIAL ACTION

Social Action Collection

For the months of July and August we will be collecting school supplies for Crenshaw Middle School in Canton. Crenshaw houses 7th and 8th graders and has around 775 students. They are in need of the following items:

• Tissues
• Clorox Wipes 
• Hand sanitizer 
• Pencils
• College ruled paper 
• Notebooks- all varieties 
• Folders- all varieties 
• Clear backpacks 

Thank you for your continued support for the kids in Canton.

Paulette Karelitz | Joan Ortman | Anita Porter

Food Bank Volunteering

Our group (Temple Israel Canton) is scheduled to volunteer at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank for several dates in 2025, all from 9am to 11:30am – Stark County (Canton) location.

The next scheduled date is August 12.

Thank you so much for your continued support of the Month of Giving. This month you donated a wide variety and multiple containers of shampoos, toothpaste, deodorant, toothbrushes and soap. You also donated about 2 dozen throw blankets. The colorful jars of play doh, coloring books and crayons were truly a hit With the financial help of Temple Israel, Sisterhood and Brotherhood we were able to purchase 96 Back Packs and 100 Draw String Back Packs. Children’s Network of Stark County was truly grateful for your generosity. Thank you again.

Joan Ortman | Paulette Karelitz | Anita Porter

HIGH HOLY DAYS

LET US KNOW

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.

YAHRZEITS

OUR TEMPLE FAMILY

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

• Carolyn Cohen Schmith, mother of Faith Barnett
• Ethel Rabinovitz, mother of Rochelle Coleman

Mazel Tov to:

• Barbara & Bob Ferne on the birth of their new grandson, and to Shirley Lockshin on the birth of her new great grandson, Pasey Lior Kanfer.
• Ellyn & David Roberts on the birth of their new granddaughter, Sofia Capri Carsel.
• Bryan & Marcie Hecht on the birth of their new granddaughter, Avery Laine Worthington.

CONTRIBUTIONS

Contributions

Temple Israel Endowment

Elisabeth Bertman Memorial Youth Endowment

In Honor of

• Dr. Stanley & Karen Bertman's Granddaughter Zohara's Bat Mitzvah, by Ruth & Bob Altman

J. Edward and Janet S. Diamond Senior Enhancement Endowment

In Honor of

• Jim Barnett's 100th Birthday, by Ed & Janet Diamond

Lockshin-Goldenfeld Religious School Endowment

In Honor of

• Barbara & Bob Ferne's new grandson, Pacey Kanfer, by Ruth & Bob Altman
• Shirley Lockshin's new great-grandson, Pacey Kanfer, by Ruth & Bob Altman
• Joe Kanfer & Margie Moskovitz's new Grandson, Pacey Kanfer, by Ruth & Bob Altman

In Memory of

• Marlene Slesnick, by Cathy Baer, Mary Jo Lockshin & Family

Rabbi John Spitzer Endowment for Social Justice

In Honor of

• Rabbi John Spitzer's 80th Birthday, by Ellen & Steve Miller, Katie & Tonya Anthony, Shirley Lockshin & Family, Marilyn & Paul Feldman, Bill & Randi Smuckler

Robert & Shelley Schweitzer Temple Youth Group Endowment

In Honor of

• Barbara & Bob Ferne's new Grandson, Pacey Kanfer, by Rob & Shelley Schweitzer
• Ellyn & David Robert's new Granddaughter, Sofia Carsel, by Rob & Shelley Schweitzer

In Memory of

• Estelle Blau, by Marshall & Gail Bleckman, Stephen Walukas & Linda Nelson, Vivian Rosengard

Bilha Ron Religious School Fund

In Honor of

• Ellyn & David Robert's new Granddaughter, Sofia, by Suzie Stieglitz, Barbara & John Spera

Community Relations Fund

In Honor of

• Jim Barnett's 100th Birthday, by Bill & Randi Smuckler
• The Marriage of Bradley Tenenbaum to Alison Huffman, by Irv & Eillen Dinn

In Memory of

• Lenore Love, by Susan Shilane
• Samuel Love, by Susan Shilane

Floral Fund

In Memory of

• Brenda & Robert Mann, by Ellen & Steve Miller

Hunger Relief Fund

In Honor of

• Jim Barnett's 100th Birthday, by Harlene Smuckler, Bernice Friedman, Barbara & John Spera
• Barbara & Bob Ferne's new Grandson, Pacey Kanfer, by Eileen & Matt Saltarelli, Marilyn & Paul Feldman
• Shirley Lockshin's new Great-Grandson, Pacey Kanfer, by Eileen & Matt Saltarelli, Marilyn & Paul Feldman
• Rabbi John Spitzer's 80th Birthday, by Bernice Friedman, Barbara & John Spera
• Bryan & Marcie Hecht's new Granddaughter, by Eileen & Matt Saltarelli

In Memory of

• Morris Olden, by Karen Olden

Recovery of

• Patti Green, by Harlene Smuckler

Kiddush Fund

In Honor of

• Jim Barnett's 100th Birthday, by Suzie Stieglitz

In Memory of

• Arlene Feldstein, by Bonnie & Steve Manello
• Yetta Goldstein, by Ellie Rapport

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

In Appreciation of

• Rabbi David Komerofsky, by The Mann Family

In Honor of

• Jeff & Dale Sklar's 50th Anniversary, by Becky Zoldan
• Rabbi John Spitzer's 80th Birthday, by Allen & Ronnie Brockman

In Memory of

• Robert Mann, by Janet & Ed Diamond, Diane Friedman

Social Action Fund

Habitat for Humanity

• Barry & Michelle Adelman

In Memory of

• Marlene Slesnick, by Mike & Lori Magill
• Robert Mann, by Eileen & Irv Dinn

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

Debbie Spetich, Temple Office

office@templeisraelcanton.org

330-445-2852

Bobi Berringer, Chadash Coordinator

chadash@templeisraelcanton.org

330-445-2853

Temple President - Barbara Spera

barb420@aol.com