October 2023 / Tishrei-Cheshvan 5784

Rabbi's Message

by Rabbi David Komerofsky

Typically, the Hebrew month of Cheshvan, following the busy-ness of the High Holy Days, is quiet. Not so this year. This month we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Rabbi John Spitzer. The celebratory Shabbat weekend, October 13-14, coincides with the conclusion of the month of Tishrei, the announcement of the new month of Cheshvan, and the beginning of our Torah reading cycle.

As we prepare to honor Rabbi Spitzer, it is appropriate to reflect on how much his rabbinate and dedication reflect the flow of Tishrei into Cheshvan. We are celebrating his first half-century in the rabbinate, the vast majority of which has been at Temple Israel. We will welcome one of Rabbi Spitzer’s mentors, Rabbi Jeffrey Stiffman of Congregation Shaare Emeth in St. Louis, who was the senior rabbi during Rabbi Spitzer’s first eight years of professional life before he and Cheri and the kids came to Canton. What a blessing to have a rabbi emeritus who will be blessed by another rabbi emeritus under whose guidance the younger of the two began his career! Joshua, Gabriel and Ashley, along with the Spitzer grandchildren, will be here to share in the simcha with John and Cheri and our congregational family.

And how does the flow from the busy-ness of Tishrei into the usual calm of Cheshvan relate to Rabbi Spitzer? Though he retired some fifteen years ago, and could have left the labors to others, Rabbi Spitzer enthusiastically continues his rabbinate beyond the metaphorical Tishrei into the theoretical calm of Cheshvah. Put simply, Rabbi Spitzer does more in retirement than many clergy who are purportedly still active in the pulpit.

We will offer Rabbi Spitzer our thanks this month for the many, many years he has already devoted to us. And we look forward to many more years ahead together.

Chadash’s Opening Day

by Julie Zorn

Typically, by October, Chadash is in full swing. This year, however, Chadash does not open its doors for the 2023/2024 school year until Sunday, October 15th, as the Fall high holy days fell over each weekend in September.

The late start does not deter the number of plans we have scheduled for this upcoming year, however, and we are so excited for all the new programs that are in the works for our students.

Currently, we are working with Partnership 2Gether to create a twinning program specifically for our students in our 3rd-5th grade classroom whose curriculum focuses on Israel this year. The hope is to engage our students with students in Israel and also in Hungary whose Jewish population is the largest in Europe so we can learn about each other’s cultures, celebrate our differences, and find common ground in our similarities.

We are also excited to join forces this year with Temple Israel and the Shaaray Torah Synagogue on creating a Chanukah celebration not only for the students in Chadash, but also for the Canton Jewish community at large. It is our hope that our community will come together and joyously celebrate the holiday with all of its rituals and traditions and fanfare. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, December 10th at lunchtime!

In addition to partnering with Shaaray Torah on the Chanukah celebration, this year Shaaray Torah will be sponsoring a family friendly concert with national American Jewish recording artist, Rabbi Josh Warshawsky, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Chadash students will be working with Rabbi Warshawsky and performing alongside him. More information is to come, but please also mark your calendars and save the date for this very special afternoon of beautiful music for all ages.

I am excited to share that my work with Temple Israel as outreach director has created an organic bridge to teaching about hate and antisemitism to our Jewish youth in Canton. As a result, I will be taking on the responsibility of teaching the 6th and 7th grade students this year whose curriculum focuses on the Holocaust and antisemitism. As Temple’s outreach director, I will be taking part in a community of practice/cohort called Kulanu, which is the ADL’s newest synagogue engagement program on antisemitism. It is my hope that the resources from this program will be able to enhance the teaching I provide to Chadash students and the community.

Finally, I am also honored to share that I will be participating in a cohort of Jewish educators from Cleveland in an 18-month program with M2: the Institute for Experiential Jewish Education. The program provides mentorship and training and will culminate with a trip to Israel in May 2025. The M2 program, like the ADL’s Kulanu program, also utilizes a community of practice, and the sharing among educators will certainly be beneficial to Chadash and hopefully will provide opportunities for shared ideas and brainstorming.

The year 5784 is going to be a great one for Chadash, and we look forward to the many wonderful experiences we will share and all the extraordinary opportunities to grow together. 

Worship Services - October 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, October 6

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Family Shabbat Service – Shabbat Sukkot

Saturday, October 7

10:00 a.m. Stollen Moments Torah Study

Friday, October 13 & Saturday, October 14

A Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Ordination of Rabbi John Spitzer

Featuring Composer and Artist-in-Residence Michael Hunter Ochs

www.templeisraelcanton.org/spitzer 

Friday, October 13

7:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service 

Followed by Oneg Shabbat (registration is now closed)

Saturday, October 14

10:30 a.m. Stollen Moments Deluxe & Shabbat Morning Service

Followed by Kiddush Luncheon (registration is now closed)

7:00 p.m. Havdalah

Friday, October 20

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service with Anniversary & Birthday Blessings

Saturday, October 21

10:00 a.m. Stollen Moments Torah Study

Friday, October 27

5:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service with Guest Speaker Erica Wilson-Domer, President of and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio

Saturday, October 28

10:00 a.m. Stollen Moments Torah Study

SAVE THE DATE – DONOR 2023

Back By POPULAR Demand

The Pop Tarts

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Dessert Reception from 7:15 PM

8:00 PM - Pop Tarts Perform

$10 per person PLUS your Donor Donation

Reserved seating for tables of 8 will be available

Sisterhood Meetings for Fall 2023 - Spring 2024

Sunday, Oct. 15

Donor Program, Saturday Nov. 11

Sunday Dec. 3

Sunday Jan. 21

Sunday Feb. 25

Sunday March 17

Sunday April 21

Brotherhood Meetings for Fall 2023 - Spring 2024

Sunday Oct. 15

Sunday Nov. 19

Sunday Dec. 10

Sunday Jan. 21 

Sunday Feb. 25

Sunday March 17

Sunday April 21

CLICK to support Thanksgiving Baskets Downtown

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

The Temple's Sympathy is extended to the families of

• Bev Gross
• Lee Karelitz
• Stan Rich

Mazel Tov to:

• Randi & Bill Smuckler's on the birth of their grandson and Harlene Smuckler's great grandson, Gerard "Dyer" O'Mallon IV
• Fran & PJ Wells on the birth of their grandson, Oliver Ezra Culberg
• Eileen & Matt Saltarelli on the birth of their granddaughter, Romi Meira Saltarelli
• Mark & Cindy Taylor on the birth of their grandson, Cooper James Taylor
• Brian Lindenbaum & Elizabeth Bradley on the birth of their daughter, Zara Lee Lindenbaum

Contributions

Temple Israel Endowments

Donald and Mildred Stein High Holidays Endowment

In Honor of

• High Holidays, by Sue Shafer, Inez Waddell

Eldy S. Gross Jr. and Nathan and Ida Ross Hunger Relief

In Memory of

• Bev Gross, by David & Rona Lasser, Denise & Steve Nielsen, Becky & Steve Handler, Vicki & Scott Kline, Janet & Ed Diamond, Lance Dixon, Jill Willen, Jeffrey Nelson, Chelle & Larry Cohen, Ruth & Bob Altman, Diane & Bob Friedman, Pam Kriger & Family, Robert & Joan Diamond, E.J. Bloom, Drew & JuDeane Luntz, Irv & Judy Sinkoff, Eric & Susan Grossman, Barry Weiss, Gustavo & Rebecca Galante, Leslie & Danny Spilotro, Jeff Slesnick & Terry Wilmink, Marcie & Bryan Hecht, Abby & Jim Lipton, Adam Wolfberg, Pat & Alan Katz and Family, Joyce & Jerry Ortman

Lockshin-Goldenfield Religious School Endowment

In Memory of

• Ida Goldenfield, by Shirley Lockshin & Family
• Bev Gross, by Shirley Lockshin & Family

Rabbi John H. Spitzer Endowment for Social Justice & Action

In Honor of

• Eileen & Matt Saltarelli's granddaughter, Romi Meira Saltarelli, by Mark, Amy, Shoshana, Elana, Jacob & Shira Weiner
• Rabbi John Spitzer's 50th Anniversary of Ordination, by Bob, Diane, Julie, Jeffrey & DeAnne Friedman, Joyce & Jerry Ortman, Bob & Ruth Altman, Liz & David Cohen, Mark Gersman
• Postcard Campaign, by Bryan & Marcie Hecht

In Appreciation of

• Rabbi Spitzer officiating Allah & Mitchell Haut's Anniversary Celebration, by Mark & Amy Weiner

Temple Israel Sisterhood Special Purpose Endowment

In Honor of

• Barb & John Spera's 50th Wedding Anniversary, by Marshall & Gail Bleckman

Robert & Shelley Schweitzer Temple Youth Group Endowment

In Memory of

• Bev Gross, by Shelley & Rob Schweitzer
• Dorothy Rudick, by Shelley & Rob Schweitzer

Bilha Ron Religious School

In Honor of

• Eileen & Matt Saltarelli's granddaughter, Romi Meira Saltarelli, by Bryan & Marcie Hecht
• Rabbi John Spitzer's 50th Anniversary of Ordination, by Jo-Ellen Skelly

Caring Committee

In Honor of

• Eileen & Matt Saltarelli's granddaughter, Romi Meira Saltarelli, by Denise & Steve Nielsen, Drew & JuDeane Luntz

Community Relations

In Honor of

• Mark & Cindy Taylor's grandson, Cooper James Taylor, by Eileen & Matt Saltarelli
• Lee Karelitz becoming a Lifetime Trustee, by Drew & JuDeane Luntz
• Bonnie Manello's Retirement, by Steve & Ellen Miller

In Memory of

• Bev Gross, by Marilyn & Paul Feldman, Stephen & Barbara Schuman

In Recover of

• Robert Friedman, by Drew & JuDeane Luntz

Fine Arts

In Memory of

• Myra G. Kahn, by Dori Smith

Floral Fund

In Honor of

• High Holiday Services, by Oralia Winston Williams



In Memory of

• Dorothy Rudick, by Bill & Randi Smuckler
• Mary Wilder, by Bill & Randi Smuckler
• Bev Gross, by Bill & Randi Smuckler

Kiddush Fund

In Honor of

• Dr. Shoshanah Inwood's Grant to fund the USDA Rural Development NE Ohio AG Innovation Center, by Dr. David & Linda Inwood

In Memory of

• Bev Gross, by Debbie Spetich, Steffanie Pinsky
• Bonnie Turkeltaub, by Barbara Turkeltaub
• Robert Brokstein, by William Brokstein

Hunger Relief

In Honor of

• Bonnie Manello and all her years of service for the benefit of the CJC, by Adele & Ron Gelb
• Eileen & Matt Saltarelli's granddaughter, Romi Meira Saltarelli, by Ron & Adele Gelb
• Fran & PJ Well's grandson, Oliver Ezra Culberg, by Drew & JuDeane Luntz
• Jonathan & Karen Slesnick's Marriage, by Marilyn & Paul Feldman
• Rabbi John Spitzer's 50th Anniversary of Ordination, by Hannah Jolly

In Memory of

• Bev Gross, by Ron & Adele Gelb, Gail & Ted Goldman, Jack & Cindy Bouer, Sue Shafer, Daniel & Beth Erlanger, Robert & Tina Erlanger, Debbie Erlanger Novak, Lisa & Steve Sands, Vicki Tritsch
• Mary Wilder, by Marilyn & Paul Felder
• Leah Olden, by Karen Olden
• Robert Shiffman, by Harlene Smuckler
• Ida Mae Pullan, by Harlene Smuckler
• Lee Karelitz, by Susan & Bob Narens
• Aunt Violet Spevack, by Adele & Ron Gelb

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

In Honor of

• Joyce & Jerry Ortman's new home, by Marilyn & Paul Feldman
• Rabbi Komerofsky & Family, by Carol & Ed Gabelman
• Postcard Campaign, by Barry Adelman, Greer Kabb Langkamp

In Memory of

• Bertha Ima Schlachet, by Nora Sherwin

In Appreciation of

• Rabbi Komerofsky, by David Goe
• Temple Israel High Holiday Services, by Chuck & Esperanza Deutsch
• Rabbi Komerofsky, by Wendy & Richard Feldman

ADULT PROGRAMS

Floral Arranging Class at Beit Ha’am

Tuesday, October 24 | 1:00-3:00 P.M.

Join us for a hands-on of floral arranging class, as Rita of Seifert’s Flower Mill will guide us through how to create a fall-themed floral arrangement.

The cost is $45 per person which includes flowers and supplies to create a floral arrangement that you will take home. If you have scissors or cutters that you prefer, please feel to bring those along!

This class in limited to 15 participants and registration will be available on a first-come basis. Your non-refundable check payable to SEIFERTS FLOWER MILL is your reservation. Payments must be received by October 17.

To register, please contact Debbie Guilliams at (330) 445-2412 or via email at dguilliams@jewishcanton.org

Join us for lunch and a docent tour at the

Maltz Museum’s limited time exhibit “The Girl in The Diary”

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

LUNCH at Corky & Lenny’s | 11:45 A.M.

Corky & Lenny’s

27091 Chagrin Blvd

Woodmere, Ohio 44122

DOCENT TOUR | 2:00 P.M.

Maltz Museum

2929 Richmond Road

Beachwood, Ohio 44122

Meet directly at the restaurant or take the van. Van transportation is $16 per rider and will depart from Beit Ha’am at 10:30 a.m.

A minimum of 10 people will be required for a docent tour. Museum admission is $10/person. Your payment to Jewish Family Services is your reservation. Payments must be received by October 24.

Please RSVP to Debbie Guilliams by phone at (330) 445-2412 or via email at dguilliams@jewishcanton.org.