Temple Beth Shalom's Rabbi Sheldon Ezring has just been featured in an article in the Cleveland Jewish News, in honor of his upcoming retirement. To read the article, just click on the link below:

Temple Beth Shalom’s Ezring reflects on 40 years in pulpit

Congratulations, Rabbi Ezring!

You are cordially invited to the annual Temple Beth Shalom Family Passover Seder. Join your fellow temple members and guests as we celebrate the second night of Passover with a delicious Passover Seder.

Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at 5:30 pm
Location: TBS Social Hall
Price:

• Congregants: $30.00 for adults and children over 10
• $12.50 for children ages 5-9
• Ages 4 and under: no charge
• Non-members: $36.00 for adults and children over 10

The service will begin at 5:30 pm led by Rabbi Ezring, followed by a family style dinner catered by Ivan Lefkowitz, TBS congregant and owner of Ivan’s Deli and Catering, Fairlawn. The menu of traditional Passover foods includes matzah ball soup, salad, a delicious entrée of brisket and roast chicken, rosemary potatoes, vegetable medley and Passover sponge cake with fresh strawberries for dessert.

You will receive an invitation with RSVP at home which will also include an appeal from Mazon coordinated by our Social Action Chair, Jane Grover.

Please contact Laurie Frankino, Ritual Chair, with questions.

On Friday, April 25, at 7:30 pm, Temple Beth Shalom will host a Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Community Service in our sanctuary.

Yom Hashoah—the day of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust has become a day commemorated by both Jewish and non-Jewish communities and individuals worldwide. In the United States, Holocaust Remembrance Day is a day that has been set aside for remembering the victims of the Holocaust and for reminding Americans what can happen to civilized people when bigotry, hatred, and indifference go unchecked. The United States Holocaust Memorial Council, created by an act of Congress in 1980, was mandated to lead the nation in civic commemorations and to encourage appropriate Remembrance observances throughout the country. In our community of Hudson, we at Temple Beth Shalom believe that coming together at this time will help to build bridges of mutual respect and trust, which is so important now. We have invited the clergy and congregations from the local churches to join us at this service. The ministers have been asked to give a benediction to close the service.

We also are honored to have a survivor join us who will speak about his life experience during the service. After the service, everyone will be invited to our Social Hall for light refreshments and conversation. We believe it will be a very moving experience for all. Temple Brotherhood, the sponsor of this service, encourages all TBS members to attend this important service.

Also, James Field is presenting a picture presentation before the service. If anyone has pictures related to Yom HaShoah that they would like to share, please send the jpeg files to James at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Be “Chai Plus One”

We now have 18 guests signed-up for our Sisterhood Dinner Out event on Wednesday, April 23rd, at Papa Joe’s in West Akron. We’ll be gathering at 7:00 p.m. in the private dining area.

There’s still plenty of time to make a reservation. Please contact Emily Audra Fleisher at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Come celebrate Sisterhood, friendship, the end of Passover and the beginning of Spring!

Mitzvah Day Options Expanded

In previous Schmooze updates, we’ve shared information about the community Mitzvah Day event scheduled for Sunday, June 1st.

TBS Sisterhood member Kathy Snyder has advised us that the date for volunteering for the Akron Red Cross has been changed to Sunday, June 8th, at the agency’s request. Volunteers are needed from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The Akron Red Cross is located at 501 West Market Street, across from the Tangier Restaurant. (All other Mitzvah Day volunteer opportunities will take place on Sunday, June 1st).

Kathy is available to answer questions and also to assist with online volunteer registration.(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) Please visit www.mitzvahdayakron.com for information about all of the volunteer options available and to register. Don’t forget to note tee-shirt size when registering!

Highlights From WRJ Central District Kallah

The WRJ Central District Retreat (Kallah) was held the weekend of March 21-23 at the Goldman Camp Institute, commonly known as GUCI, in Zionsville, IN. This year’s theme, Hello, Muddah, Hello Fadduh, no doubt triggered memories of Allan Sherman’s musical hit from the sixties!

Representing our Temple Beth Shalom Sisterhood were Sandy Adland, Sandy Heymann, Shelley Schweitzer and Lisa Singer.

This inspiring Kallah event has been the long-standing dream of Sandy Adland who serves as Central District Vice President. Sandy has been a part of the GUCI family for over twenty-five years; and she was joyous about the chance to share her memories of camp with the women of WRJ Central District.

Shabbat was described as “magical.” The Kallah officially began with the blowing of the shofar. The Kabbalat service, held in the Cultural Center, offered inspiring music and prayers. The Shabbat program also included the sharing of highlights and experiences from kids who had spent part of their summers as GUCI campers. Attendees also enjoyed the festive meals, Israeli dancing, a campfire and the traditional campfire story.

Other Kallah activities included learning sessions about URJ camps, various types of social media and the “nuts and bolts” of Sisterhood. A Tikkum Olam project called “Mitzvah of Words” enabled participants to create greetings of compassion and support for the mother of a young camper who was injured by a lightning strike at camp.

There was a fun and lively WRJ Quiz Bowl which mimicked the game show Jeopardy. The Nearly New Purse Auction and other donations to benefit the WRJ YES Fund raised over $2,100.

With plenty of cherished memories, the Women of Reform Judaism Central District participants returned home feeling truly inspired and energized! (Special thanks and appreciation go to Immediate Past Sisterhood president Lisa Singer for providing your Schmooze editor with Kallah event highlights and activities!)

Yours in Sisterhood,
Emily Audra Fleisher

There are strong traditions in our faith that encourage us to perform acts of kindness, caring, compassion and support to those in need.

On both Sunday, June 1st, and Sunday, June 8th, TBS congregants and friends will have plenty of opportunities to make a difference by volunteering for COMMUNITY MITZVAH DAY. This broad-based event brings together volunteers from area synagogues, churches and social service agencies.

TBS Sisterhood member Kathy Snyder has graciously volunteered to serve as coordinator for the Sunday, June 8th, Mitzvah Day event at the Akron Red Cross. Kathy is available to answer questions and also to assist volunteers with the sign-up process. She may be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The event website link noted below provides details and information regarding all Mitzvah Day options; and it also provides a very quick and easy way for volunteers to sign-up online. We invite you to take a look at the many opportunities to give back to our community:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4BABA72EA02-mitzvah