March 2023 / Adar - Nisan 5783

Rabbi's Message

by Rabbi David Komerofsky

לֹא בְחַיִל וְלֹא בְכֹחַ כִּי אִם־בְּרוּחִי אָמַר יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת׃

Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, said the Eternal of Hosts. (Zechariah 4:6b)



A few weeks ago I was in Israel as part of our interfaith trip with Christ Presbyterian Church. I will speak about the experience at our Shabbat service on March 17 at 6:15 p.m.

This was an Israel adventure unlike any I had experienced before. Ours was a delightfully diverse group, with members of Temple Israel and CPC, as well as friends from other traditions. What made this trip special was that we did everything together. There were no separate tracks for Christians and Jews, or Protestants and Catholics. We shared in each other’s practices as participants or observers and we learned from and with each other.

As we traversed the landscape of Israel, we saw snow and palm trees a few miles apart, we interacted with Israeli Jews, Israeli Arabs, Palestinian Christians, and Palestinian Muslims. We heard stories and dreams that were both heart-wrenching and inspirational. In short, we saw firsthand that the Israel on the front page does not always accurately reflect the lived experiences of its people.

Each time I go to Israel I leave a piece of me behind and bring home something new. This time the tangible souvenirs were not nearly as important as the memories and lessons acquired.

Please join me on Friday, March 17 at our Shabbat service for some deeper reflections on the value of interfaith immersive experiences and relationship-building.

Another Meaning Behind Hamantaschen: How the Lessons of Purim Can Empower Our Children

by Julie Zorn

The month of Adar has arrived, and along with it comes all the silly fun of Purim. Purim is a joyful holiday despite the fact that the story threatened the existence of the Jewish people of Shushan, Persia some 3000 years ago. Our happy traditions for this holiday counterbalance the negativity of the story, and one of these forms of celebration comes in the shape of a triangle-shaped cookie with three corners. 

Hamantaschen, as explained in American Jewish commentaries, are cookies meant to represent Haman’s three-pointed hat that he was said to wear. In Israel, these cookies are called by a different name in Hebrew: “ozney Haman” or “Haman’s ear”, which were also said to be pointed. In German, tasch translates as pouches, so some interpretations believe the triangle shapes represent Haman’s pockets.

Tash spelled without the “c” has a different translation in Hebrew, however. Tash means to weaken, and it has also been interpreted that perhaps the word Hamantaschen should translate as weakening Haman.

Weakening our enemies is an interesting concept to teach children, and though an enemy can take any shape or form, in modern times, that might translate to a bully on the playground or even an inappropriate adult. The lessons from Purim of how Queen Esther used her voice to help victims who needed her, is a lesson that we can use to empower our youth.

Esther was given a seat of power when she became Queen, and though her royal position entitled her to live a life free of the worries the other Jewish people of Shushan were enduring with the creation of Haman’s decree, Esther used her voice for the marginalized people who could not speak. She spoke on their behalf, and the result was impactful and saved lives. Haman was exposed for the evil he had instilled on an innocent community, and it is for these reasons, we use kindness and fun as a way to oppose his beliefs and celebrate the holiday. Spreading positivity, after all, will always bring about more positivity, and that perhaps is one of the most wonderful joys of Purim. 

For more resources on how to encourage children to “weaken their enemies” and put an end to bullying, please visit www.stompoutbullying.org .



Chadash’s annual Purim Spiel is on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 11:30 am. All are invited to attend. Hamantaschen will be served!

Shabbat Services - March 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, March 3, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Family Shabbat Service

Saturday, March 4, 2023

10:00 a.m. - Stollen Moments Torah Study and Shabbat Service

Friday, March 10, 2023

REFUGEE SHABBAT

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service with Guest Speaker Rabbi Megan Doherty

7:15 p.m. – Dinner (reservations required)

Saturday, March 11, 2023

10:00 a.m. – Stollen Moments Torah Study and Shabbat Service

Friday, March 17, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Including March Birthday and Anniversary Blessings

Saturday, March 18, 2023

10:00 a.m. – Stollen Moments Torah Study and Shabbat Service

Friday, March 24, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Saturday, March 25, 2023

10:00 a.m. – Stollen Moments Torah Study and Shabbat Service

Friday, March 31, 2023

5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Informational Ethics Session for Congregation

Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

Registration required to join the Zoom meeting.

CLICK to register for the Zoom call

CLICK to read the Code of Ethics

This meeting is intended to describe the new Code of Ethics for Temple Israel, and to answer questions that members may have about its processes.

Social Action Committee

March 2023



We will be collecting items for the Stark County Humane Society. This organization not only provides a safe haven for unwanted dogs and cats, but it provides educational programs to grades K-12 and takes animals to visit at nursing homes. All of this is done without any government funding. Their needs include dog/cat food, paper and cloth towels, chicken broth, peanut butter, straws, and cotton balls, rubber and plastic gloves to name a few of their requests. Please drop off your donations to the Temple Israel Office.

Potluck Seder

Are you interested in sharing a potluck seder on Thursday, April 6 with others from Temple Israel? We're seeing how many would participate as we make plans.

CLICK HERE TO LET US KNOW OF YOUR INTEREST.

Please indicate your interest by March 5 so that we can plan.

Brotherhood’s Reverse Raffle

On Saturday April 29 Brotherhood is holding their Reverse Raffle at Temple Israel. We are going back to a pre-Covid format. Tickets are still just $100 for two steak dinners and the raffle. If you would like to buy a ticket and have not yet been contacted, please call Patti at the Temple office or Paul Hervey at 330-704-2935 for more information. Thank you in advance for your generous support of Brotherhood.

Urban Ark Easter Dinner

Urban Ark's Easter Dinner will take place on Sunday, April 9th from 3:00 - 5:30 PM.

I am in need of donated cookies and brownies for dessert. If you are able to volunteer your time and bake, please call me at 330-704-9991.

Thank you!

Diana Collum

Caring Community Planning Meeting

Sunday, March 5 at 9:30 a.m.

ALL ARE WELCOME.

RSVP to Debbie @ the Temple Israel office.

Adult Hebrew

We are exploring the possibility of an in-person/online Hebrew course for adults. If you're interested, click here to let us know!

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:

• Toilet Paper
• Paper Towels
• Table Napkins
• Facial Tissue

Please feel free to drop off food at the office!

Welcome New Temple Members

• Beverly Worshil

Temple Israel Endowments

Robert & Shelley Schweitzer Temple Youth Group Endowment

In Honor of

• Shelley Schweitzer's many years of service to our Jewish Youth, by Rabbi John & Cheri Spitzer & Family, Paula Bloom, Harlene Smuckler, Sinopoli Family, Tom & Anita Porter, Paul & Marilyn Feldman, Bonnie & Steve Manello, Meg & Alan Rudick, Joan & Marty Ortman,Lee & Paulette Karelitz, Patti Green, Denise & Steve Nielsen, Debbie Spetich, Lisa & Steve Sands, P.J. & Fran Wells, JuDeane & Drew Luntz, Judy Cohodas, Bob & Barbara Ferne, Marshall & Gail Bleckman

Bilha Ron Religious School Endowment

In Memory of

• Chaya Zehori, by Bilha & Samuel Ron

Gladys & Sanford S. Lazarus Memorial Endowment for the Arts

In Memory of

• Joan Sugarman, by Dori Smith

J. Edward & Janet S. Diamond Senior Enhancement Endowment

In Memory of

• Sanford Maxson, by Ed & Janet Diamond

Rabbi John H. Spitzer Endowment for Social Justice

In Honor of

• Silhouette Project, by Bryan & Marcie Hecht, Scott & Beth Wachter
• Shaina Hecht & Kyle Davis, by Bryan & Marcie Hecht

Temple Israel Restricted Funds

Kiddush Fund

In Memory of

• Florence Mandel, by Scott Mandel
• Malvina Spitzer, by Cheri & John Spitzer
• Dorothy Mishler, by Mary Fallon
• Esther Winston, by Dr. David Winston
• Joan Ostrow, by David & Lynda Herbert
• Florence Greene, by Neil & Diane Greene

Cemetery Fund

In Memory of

• Howard & Martha Klett, by Sue Shafer
• Richard Shafer, by Sue Shafer

Community Relations

In Memory of

• Frank Fleischer, by Paula Bloom

Mazon Fund - A Jewish Response to Hunger

In Appreciation of

• Rabbi Komerofsky, by Estabelle Landau

In Memory of

• Robert Weintraub, by Marilyn & Paul Feldman
• Florence Elaine Charkins, by Harlene Smuckler

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

In Honor of

• Shelley Schweitzer's years of service to our Jewish Youth, by Linda & Howard Smuckler

In Memory of

• Madelyn Gratop, by Constance Gratop Lewis, Kathryn Gratop & Karen Gratop Smith