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May 2022 / Nisan - Iyyar- Sivan 5782 |
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Rabbi's Message
by Rabbi David Komerofsky
וּסְפַרְתֶּ֤ם לָכֶם֙ מִמָּחֳרַ֣ת הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת מִיּוֹם֙ הֲבִ֣יאֲכֶ֔ם אֶת־עֹ֖מֶר הַתְּנוּפָ֑ה שֶׁ֥בַע שַׁבָּת֖וֹת תְּמִימֹ֥ת תִּהְיֶֽינָה׃ עַ֣ד מִֽמָּחֳרַ֤ת הַשַּׁבָּת֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔ת תִּסְפְּר֖וּ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים י֑וֹם וְהִקְרַבְתֶּ֛ם מִנְחָ֥ה חֲדָשָׁ֖ה לַיהוָֽה׃
And from the day on which you bring the sheaf of elevation offering - the day after the sabbath — you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete: you must count until the day after the seventh week — fifty days; then you shall bring an offering of new grain to the Eternal. (Leviticus 23:15-16)
The period between Passover and Shavuot is known in Jewish tradition as the “omer.” The omer is a measure of grain that was counted with the days between the two holidays, commemorating the time between the exodus from slavery (Passover) and the acceptance of Torah (Shavuot). The commandment to count the omer is noted above in Leviticus. In practice today, the omer period is seven weeks of semi-mourning during which the ritually observant will refrain from certain celebratory practices.
Except for one day. On the thirty-third day of the omer counting (this year it’s May 19) we celebrate Lag B’Omer. “Lag” is the Hebrew word with the numerical equivalent of thirty-three (lamed is thirty and gimel is three). On Lag B’Omer it is customary to celebrate with a bonfire, with haircuts, and with picnics and bows and arrows (just be careful!).
There are historical and mystical understandings of these practices. According to the Babylonian Talmud (Tractate Yevamot), Rabbi Akiva (50-135 CE) was a late-blooming Torah scholar who was slain by the Romans with the failure of the second century Bar Kochba revolt. On Lag B’Omer a plague that afflicted his students was broken. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (80-160 CE) was a student of Rabbi Akiva and some of the customs associated with Lag B’Omer are associated with him. Legend has it that he hid in a cave for years resisting Roman conquest, that he was the author of the Zohar (a foundational mystical text of kabbalah), and that he died on Lag B’Omer.
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Chadash Students Donate Tzedakah Money to
JFNA’s Ukrainian Relief by Julie Zorn
The practice of collecting Tzedakah each week from religious school students is a long-standing tradition throughout the world. After all, giving to those less fortunate is written in our mitzvot, and these are the values and beliefs that are essential to pass along to each generation.
Chadash students, too, are very familiar with placing their dollars and coins in the pushke each week. Faculty keep tabs on their classroom totals and motivate the students with a visual fundraising thermometer that the students fill in until their classroom goal is met.
The effort to raise money from Chadash students this year was a significant push. The beginning of the 2021/2022 school year forced us to make the difficult decision to once again return virtually due to an increased rise of Covid-19 cases in Stark County. As a result, the weekly Tzedakah program, was also delayed.
Our in-person learning finally began in November 2021, and with just a couple of weeks to collect weekly Tzedakah money in the first semester, we were uncertain if we would meet our yearly goal of $500.
I am happy to report that even though we did not come back together until almost the end of the first half of the year, Chadash students exceeded the goal and raised a total of $518 this year.
The process of determining the recipient of the annual Tzedakah money includes input from every student in the school. Each classroom participates by selecting an organization or a topic that resonates with them where they would like to see the money donated. The classroom selections are turned over to the Confirmation students who ultimately make the final decision.
This year, the Chadash students voted to donate the money to the Jewish Federation of North America’s Ukrainian Relief efforts. Chadash students care deeply, and that passion to help others is reflected in their choices.
Mazal Tov, Chadash students, for a job well done. You have made the world a better place, and we are so proud.
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Shabbat Services - May 2022
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, May 6, 2022
5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat
6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday, May 7, 2022
10:00 a.m. – Stollen Moments Torah Study and Shabbat Service
Friday, May 13, 2022
5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat
6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Including May Birthday and Anniversary Blessings
Saturday, May 14, 2022
10:00 a.m. – Stollen Moments Torah Study and Shabbat Service
Friday, May 20, 2022
5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat
6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday, May 21, 2022
10:00 a.m. - Stollen Moments Torah Study and Shabbat Service
Friday, May 27, 2022
5:30 p.m. – Oneg Shabbat
6:15 p.m. – Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday, May 28, 2022
NO STOLLEN MOMENTS
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Jewish Family Services is in need of the following:
- 4 Pack Toilet Paper
- Spaghetti Sauce- Glass Jar
- Hellman's Mayonnaise
- Ritz Crackers
- Instant Regular Coffee
- Tuna
- Sugar Free Jam
- Crystal Light Lemonade (6 Pack)
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Ketchup
Please feel free to drop off food at the office!
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DIAPER COLLECTION
For the month of April, the Social Action committee will be collecting Diapers for the Stark County Diaper Bank. This organization collects and repackages diapers to distribute to community partners. Diapers are not only a necessity, but also expensive. They are not eligible to be bought using WIC or food stamps. Sad statistics: 1 in 5 children in Stark County live in poverty, 1 in 3 American families report experiencing diaper needs. The Diaper Bank collects diapers of all sizes, brands, types and opened or non-opened packages. Please support this wonderful cause. Diapers can be dropped off at Beit Ha'am. Thank you for your continued generosity.
The Social Action Committee
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Volunteer with Temple Israel for the Habitat Faith Build
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This weekend we represented Temple Israel in the Habitat for Humanity Faith Build. We have both volunteered for Habitat several times in the past. In case you are unfamiliar with Habitat, or are intimidated by the thought of working on a building site without any special skills, please know that this is a fun, totally stress free process and no prior experience or building skills are required! Habitat employs many experienced jobsite managers who orient, explain and oversee each day’s work. Almost every volunteer is an ordinary person with no special skills. We spent the morning creating the entire floor of the home-in-progress by nailing boards to the floor joists. It is not too strenuous, and you can do as much or little as you feel comfortable with. You also have the opportunity to meet current and future Habitat homeowners, who are required to participate in several builds, as well as others in the community who merely want to serve. We encourage you to register for one or more of the Habitat sessions for Temple members at www.templeisraelcanton.org/habitat.
Drs. Bryan and Marcie Hecht
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Stone Unveiling for Harvey Cohen
May 20th at 1:00 P.M. at Northlawn Cemetery
A reception gathering will be held afterwards at Temple Israel.
Coffee, tea and pastries will be served.
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The Caring Community of Temple Israel is happy to announce the first annual Mitzvah Day. It will take place on Sunday, June 12, 2022 from 1-4 pm. Mitzvah givers of all ages are welcome to help, but those under 13 years old require parental supervision. We will come together as a community to work around Beit Ha'am with both indoor and outdoor opportunities for people of all capabilities. We will be cooking soups and baking challah for those that are ill, as well completing small projects to help our community or to assist those in need.
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SAVE THE DATE
Friday, June 17
5:00 p.m.
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Sisterhood Meeting
May 15, 2022
9:30 AM at Temple Israel
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Stark County
Reaches Out to
Afghan Refugees
The Canton Jewish Community Federation is working with US Together, a Cleveland non-profit providing social services to support refugees in northeast Ohio. US Together has been sanctioned by the US Department of State to provide short and long term assistance to clients including housing, language skills, job training, health care, child care and mental health services. Stark County’s faith-based communities are joining efforts to support families and individuals during their resettlement. Please consider doing your part by donating the following items or sending a check payable to US Together Cleveland to:
Us Together 2800 Euclid Avenue, Suite 200, Cleveland OH 44115-
ITEMS NEEDED:
- New only full/queen or twin size mattresses, box springs and bedframes
- New only pillows
- New only bathroom items, cleaning supplies and bath towel sets.
- New or gently used furniture for living rooms, bedrooms or kitchens.
- New or gently used kitchen equipment and tableware.
- New or gently used bedding for full/queen or twin size beds
- New or gently used baby items: baby/child car seats, backpacks, school supplies, tvs, radios
- Gift cards - Target, Walmart, Amazon
DROP OFF SITES:
Hartville Gift and Thrift Shoppe will accept large furniture and household items during regular operating hours. 938 W. Maple St. Hartville, OH 44632 https://www.hartvillethriftshoppe.org
Canton Jewish Federation - smaller items, gift cards and checks: 430-30th Street, Canton, OH 44709. Accepting donations M-F (9:00AM-3:00PM) www.jewishcanton.org
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Israel – An Interfaith Wonder
February 4 – February 15, 2023 (with optional extensions)
Led by Pastor Michael Wallace (Christ Presbyterian Church) and
Rabbi David Komerofsky (Temple Israel)
Contact Rabbi Komerofsky for more information, and visit www.templeisraelcanton.org/israel to sign up for an informational session on Friday, June 10 after the service.
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Save the Date - August 11th
The Janie Zoldan Blood Drive
Details to follow soon
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May 6
Elaine Cooper
Ruth Epstein
William Epstein
Ann Fried
Dorothy Friedberg
Frederick Hennes
James Jolly
Jean Liebler
Sanders Mestel
Sam Miller
Rhoda Nusbaum
Esther Rosenberg
Dina Rubin
Susan Low Sauer
Alan Singer
May 13
Goldie Art
Goldie Bertman
Daniel Breitbart
Milt Chapman
Norman Chapman
Ethel Dearment
Julius Finkelstein
Bella Fisher
Janet Greenberg
Esther May Grossman
Theodore S. Gup
Ann Haines
Florence Hecht
Ainsley Paige Higgins
Louis Hoicowitz
Avram Kaminsky
Dorothy Kinast
Carrie Bing Livingston
Fannie Love
Paul Meltzer
Esther Ortman
Abraham Pearl
Marvin Raikin
Barry Roberts
Dora Silver
Glenn Slaughter
Sadie Stein
Joseph Vaisler
Dr. Ernest Valentine
Bonnie Weidman
Margaret Wells
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May 20
Edwards Arnold
Marie Dreyer
Stella Dwork
William Ebie
Jane Pullen Gilling
Douglas Glazer
Maurice Golden
Larry Green
Jean Half Greenberger
Leslie Haber
Milton Hirschheimer
William Landau
Gladys Lazarus
Mina Wolf Levie
Clarence Julius Leyton
Sydney Mandel
Joan Manning
Paul Meyers
Irving Miller
Ruth Barnett Nethero
Donald Newman
Robert Porter
Rhonda Sillins
Manny Smith
Jack Speyer
May 27
Rosa Adolph
Rosalind Bagan
Ethel Brown
Jake Chapman
Audrey Feldman Clyburn
Bess Epstein
David Friedman
Dora Gottlieb
Manuel Greenbaum
William Harmon
Virginia Herbert
Florence Hirschheimer
Helene Jonas
Louis Kaven
Leonard Kitzen
Douglas Lomaz
Nellie Love
Denise Guyot Luntz
Belle Manheim
Joseph Miller
Juana Resnik
Arthur Rosenstock
Betsy Sachs
Norman Schneider
Eugene Sirak
Stanford Sirak
Dr. Wayne Wolf
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The Temple's sympathy is extended to the family of:
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Temple Israel Endowments
Lockshin-Goldenfeld Religious School
In Memory of
- Ernest Goldenfeld, by Shirley Lockshin & Family
J. Edward & Janet S. Diamond Senior Enhancement
In Memory of
- Mark Alper, by Janet & Ed Diamond
Temple Israel Restricted Funds
Kiddush Fund
In Memory of
- Marion Geisert, by Ellery & Greer Langkamp
- Richard Shafer, by Sue Shafer
- Daniel Jonas, by Maryl Jonas
- Mark Alper, by Lori Firsdon,
- Mark (Zaps) Alper by, Brothers of Pi Lambda Phi
- Evelyn Adelman, by Barry Adelman
- Frederick Hennes (our beloved father), by Carol, Bruce, Randy and Gary Hennes
Mazon Fund - A Jewish Response to Hunger
In Memory of
- Mark Alper, by Marilyn & Paul Feldman
- Philip Landau, by Estabelle Landau
- Susan & Sam Wilkof's nephew - Geoffrey, by Marilyn & Paul Feldman
- Gordon Winston, Hyman & Bess Weinstein, by Oralia Winston Williams
In Honor of
- Eileen & Irv Dinn's Great Grandson, Remi, by Barbara Rosenstock
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
In Memory of
- Madelyn Gratop, by Sue Shafer
- Gilbert Gottfried, by Gary Klee
In Honor of
- Adele Gelb's "Big" Birthday, by Marilyn & Paul Feldman
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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, Engagement & Outreach Director
chadash@jewishcanton.org
330-445-2853
Debbie Spetich, Temple Office
office@templeisraelcanton.org
330-445-2852
Temple President — John Spera
jspera1@outlook.com
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Temple Israel | www.templeisraelcanton.org
Facebook @templeisraelcanton
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