October 16, 2025
Issue #737
Letter from Rabbi Ross
Dear TBS Friends & Family,
This Friday is our Simchat Torah celebration. I am extending a special invitation and request to all TBS members – if we get a nice turnout Friday, at least 35-40 people, we can unroll the entire scroll like we did last year! It was amazing to see our Torah unrolled, as it surrounded our entire sanctuary. Join us for this wonderful moment in our community as we celebrate at 7:30pm Friday! All are welcome!
On Monday, the Israeli hostages were released. My column about the hostage release and its special connection to the Jewish calendar is below:
On Monday morning, the Israeli hostages were released after two years of Hamas captivity in Gaza. They had been captured on October 7, 2023, which was the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, or “the Joy of Torah.” Simchat Torah in Israel began last Monday evening at sundown.
Monday morning was the conclusion of the weeklong fall harvest festival of Sukkot. The rabbis of the Talmud called this holiday the time of “our joy.” This feels like the first taste of real joy in two years.
On Jewish festivals, we offer up the Shechianu blessing: “We thank you God, for keeping us alive and sustaining us, for letting us live to witness this moment.” We are overwhelmed with gratitude as we witness the hostages come home.
In our daily Jewish prayers, we offer up gratitude for the release of captives: ”We thank you, Holy One, for releasing these beloved captives.” To see their faces again is to see the face of God.
The relief that I felt when the hostages were released was almost indescribable. I could breathe again. After two years of restraining myself, I could take a full breath, as if I had forgotten how to breathe.
Last Saturday, I was teaching about the Book of Ecclesiastes, which is also where the ‘60s rock group, The Birds found inspiration for their famous song, “Turn, Turn Turn.” Ecclesiastes is our study text for the holiday of Sukkot. Chapter three begins with: “A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven…A time for weeping and a time for laughing. A time for wailing and a time for dancing…A time for war and a time for peace.”
Throughout these past two years, I have talked about shedding tears for both my Israeli friends and family who are navigating the horrors of the war, and for shedding tears for the Palestinian civilians who have faced the horrors of displacement, starvation, and the grief of burying their children. On my trip to Israel last year, I felt a renewed and deepened sense of Jewish peoplehood. I have been holding both a cup of wine that overflows in joy, and a cup of tears that overflows in sadness. My cups overflow.
Psychologists teach that we don’t heal from trauma though. We somehow learn to live life after the trauma. We learn to tell the stories of our trauma as we embrace life again.
May we hold on to this fragile hope for peace, and dedicate ourselves to working for peace for Israelis and Palestinians.
May we learn to dance again.
May we find freedom in the fullness of our breath.
This Shabbat, every Jewish community will begin the cycle of reading the Torah from the very beginning. “There was darkness and chaos. And God said let there be light.” May this first light of creation, this light of awareness, guide us into a year of new beginnings as we step away from the tragedies and darkness of war.
TBS’ Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class Starting this fall!
Have you wanted to transform your adult understanding of Judaism into a meaningful ritual? We are forming an adult b’nai mitzvah class this fall. We will spend the next 9 months or so studying together. Each student will read from the Torah, lead part of a group prayer service, and deliver a D’var Torah.
NEW CLASSES ARE STARTING THIS FALL:
– Jewish Prayer Essentials – structure & meaning of prayers (Saturday mornings before Torah Study, from 9:00 – 9:45 am)
– Basic Hebrew (with Jean and Art, Tuesday evenings)
– Torah Study with Commentaries – Rabbi Michael will teach a new Torah Study as we explore the weekly readings through the eyes of the classic commentators like Rashi, Ibn Ezra, and Ramban. For both beginning and advanced students. All texts will be in English, with Hebrew as needed.
TBS Religious School News
Religious school classes meet this Thursday, 10/16 at 4:30 pm and Sunday, 10/19 at 9 am.
We will take a school field trip to the Akron Zoo on Sunday, 11/2.
Friday, 10/17, 7:30 pm:
Simchat Torah Celebration
Come dance with the Torah and drink a lechaim!
TBSBrotherhood meetings/events
• TBS Brotherhood Sukkah
With Sukkot over, let’s meet Sunday, 10/19 at 10:00 am to take the new Sukkah apart. First we label all the parts to match the famous sketch that we have used as a reference for the last decade.
After we will have a short Brotherhood meeting. I also believe it’s time (late) to pay dues.
See you Sunday morning, 10:00 am!
Thank you!
• Brotherhood Membership
The Brotherhood performs much needed projects for TBS. Even if you cannot participate in Brotherhood, PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION. This will help to complete the many TBS projects planned for 2024 – 2025. Please contact treasurer Art Busch, ascyb34@yahoo.com with any questions.
* Please Do Not pay along with your Temple dues.
• We meet throughout the year in the spirit of friendship and good humor. We sponsor social events, fundraisers and building beautification projects to support and enhance the TBS community. Announcements will be posted as soon as they are available!
Contact: Mike Miller at: mikemillercsi@roadrunner.com
Thank you for your support!
TBSSisterhood
meetings/events
Dear Sisterhood,
Wendy Hess is currently recovering from back surgery, and would like a couple of meals for next week until she is able to be back on her feet. You can sign up at the following link to her Meal Train page:
Thanks so much for showing we are a Caring Community!
Julie Lakas
• Join the Sisterhood and support us with a dues donation. Please email Robin Rosen-Sharp (rrsdvm2@gmail.com) if you need a membership form and would like to mail your payment.
* Please Do Not pay along with your Temple dues.
• Upcoming meetings and events are currently being planned and scheduled by the Sisterhood. Announcements will be posted as soon as they are available!Thank you for your support!
Temple Beth Shalom
Website Notes and Links
*Receive our weekly e-newsletters!
Please email your First Name, Last Name, and Email Address
to: hberman44236@yahoo.com
PAST NEWSLETTERS . Please contact the temple or join our Facebook group for the passcode.
Past e-Megillahs can be found on Media > e-Megillah Newsletters page
CALENDAR PAGE View upcoming services and events
SHABBAT SERVICE ID: 861 4959 4595. Please contact the temple or join our Facebook group for the passcode.
Available when noted on the Upcoming Events schedule
TORAH STUDY ID: 844 3145 6155. Please contact the temple or join our Facebook group for the passcode.
Saturday Prayer Essentials and Torah Study
MAKING PRAYER REAL The book for Saturday classes can be ordered here
KENT HILLEL SHABBAT Candle-lighting, Service/Community Discussion, FREE Dinner (*Registration is REQUIRED and will close each week on Thursday at 2:00pm)
KENT HILLEL Providing a comfortable atmosphere for socializing, studying, or connecting spiritually for students
Zeffy We can now use Zeffy for Dues, Fees, and Donations.
Temple Beth Shalom does not pay a fee
ISRAEL DONATIONS Donations to support Israel can be made at
Cleveland Federation
News & Special Announcements!
Temple Beth Shalom lending library opening
I am pleased to announce the opening of the Temple Beth Shalom lending library. I have been talking with TBS leadership for the last couple of months. Those conversations created a different concept. You can borrow a book, you can return it, you can keep it, you can pass it on to a friend you think might enjoy the book. You can donate a different book if you like back to the library or an entire shelf of books if you like. I will continue to organize and make them available to the congregation. I can meet you at the Temple and I am hopeful to have time before or after services to have members view the books. We have all things Jewish and all donations should be Jewish related. Eventually I will be listings books on the website. If you want to look at the books, take books, read books in our comfortable Library reading area let me know. This is the start and I will get better as your librarian.
All the best, Bill Riter wrriter@yahoo.com
We love to share News & Announcements at TBS
Please include ‘e-megillah news‘ in the subject field.
• Help our Temple
• Assist with events and gatherings
• Participate in Brotherhood & Sisterhood
• Support & Enhance the TBS community
- Fri. 10/17, 7:30 pm: Simchat Torah Celebration – come dance with the Torah and drink a lechaim!
- Sun. 10/19, 10:00 am: Take the new Sukkah apart at TBS
- Sat. 10/25, 9:30 am: Torah Study & Commentaries
- Fri. 10/31, 7:30 pm: Spooky Shabbat
Welcome to Temple Beth Shalom!
Temple Beth Shalom is a dynamic congregation of about 100 families, under the leadership of Rabbi Michael Ross. Known as the Synagogue of the Western Reserve, we are a Reform Jewish congregation, affiliated with the national organizations of that movement.
Although the Temple has grown over the years, it endeavors to maintain a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Please come join us so we can share who we are today and our vision for the future.
The Temple is located in a beautiful, historic building at 50 Division Street in Hudson. Friday night services are held twice a month at 7:30 p.m. For a schedule of services and other activities, see our Calendar page.
50 Division Street, Hudson, OH 44236
330-656-1800 Please Note: there is no on-site staff and there may be a delay in retrieving and returning messages left at this number.
office hours vary; please email for appointment.
Please Note: there is no on-site staff and office hours vary; please email for appointment.
Rabbi: rabbimichaelross@gmail.com
Education Director: education@tbshudson.org
President: president@tbshudson.org
Membership: membership@tbshudson.org
Accounting: accounting@tbshudson.org
