Dear TBS Family and Friends,

This Friday, 6/5, I will be joining Rev. Peter Wiley and Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed for an “Interfaith Vigil for Justice and Peace” at 7 pm at the clock tower in Hudson. The walk will move to each of our houses of worship as we come together to stand for justice and peace. We will meet in masks and will retain social distance. Please join us for this important interfaith event in Hudson. All are welcome!

WITNESSING THE INJUSTICE
We are all swept up by the terrible events surrounding George Floyd’s killing at the hands of the Minneapolis Police last week. The recent outbreak of Anti-Semitic violence and shootings last year have sensitized the Jewish community to these types of terrors. We know how valuable it was to have allies in our own Hudson community, and now we can offer up our ally-ship to the African American community. We are all created in the image of God, and we must never be willing to simply stand by the blood of our neighbors.

The Reform movement is encouraging each of its communities to dedicate themselves to becoming anti-racist. How can we address this issue in Hudson, or at TBS? How can we truly become allies in this hour of need? How can we build empathy?

During my prayers at Shavuot, the message I received was that now is a time for both “loving our neighbor” and “becoming responsible” for our neighbors. Love and responsibility must come hand in hand now.

These are dark days for our community and for this country. We can bring light. We can bring empathy. We can bear witness.

CONDOLENCES TO THE HESS FAMILY
TBS sends out its love and condolences to our board member Wendy Hess and her husband Julius. Wendy’s mother, Linda Kendall, died this week. Wendy and Julius entered Shivah today, and TBS is providing them with a meal of consolation tonight. Our hearts go out to the Hess family during this challenging time.

ZOOM TORAH STUDY – Sat. 6/6, 9:30 a.m.
Please join us for this wonderful study and a bit of prayer. We have made minyan most Saturdays, so we will add a few prayers and mourner’s kaddish.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81249533237?pwd=OWRPVTNSTno0QXRISEF0Nkd0c01jUT09

Meeting ID: 812 4953 3237
Password: 807082

UPCOMING TBS ZOOM GATHERINGS

Sat. 6/6: Torah Study with Rabbi Michael

SAVE THE DATE – Fri. 6/12:

• 7:00 pm: TBS Annual Meeting – Rabbis Michael and Rachel will present highlights and a slide show!
• 7:45 pm: TBS Confirmation Service – Come celebrate Jake Mondora, Hayley Cymerman, and Matt Asher!

Sat. 6/20: Torah Study with Rabbi Michael

Fri. 6/26:

• 7:00 pm: Zoom Meditation – Welcoming Shabbat
• 7:30 pm: Zoom Shabbat Services

Dear TBS Members,

It’s been a tough spring for all of us, as we have been isolated in our homes during this pandemic. During this time, I have been tremendously impressed with the Temple’s staff, who have organized online programs to bring Jewish worship, education, and community to the whole congregation. Rabbi Ross has created an online version of our Friday evening service, as well as the Saturday morning Torah study. His special service in memory of the 1970 Kent State shooting was even covered in the Cleveland Jewish News. Education Director Rabbi Rachel Brown and the teachers have provided online instruction to our Religious School students, giving them a knowledge of Judaism as well as preparation for their B’Nai Mitzvot. Cantorial Soloist Robin Selinger has shared her inspirational music with us over the internet.

At this point, we are trying to plan ahead for Rosh Hashanah on September 18-19 and Yom Kippur on September 27-28. This planning is difficult, because we just don’t know how bad the pandemic will be in September. We don’t know whether the State of Ohio will permit large gatherings at that time. Even if it is permitted, we don’t want to do anything that will be dangerous for the health of our members. For that reason, we are tentatively planning to have services in the building for a limited number of socially distanced people, with everyone else watching online. These plans may change, depending on the virus situation.

Regardless of whether congregants are in the building or watching online, Rabbi Ross has ambitious plans for a change in the text for the service. Instead of the old prayer book, we will transition to the prayer book Mishkan HaNefesh: Machzor for the Days of Awe, which is published by the CCAR (the national organization of Reform rabbis). This is a much more contemporary book, and Rabbi Ross feels that it will bring new meaning to our service.

This year, the congregation is planning to buy a limited number of the new prayer books for use in the Temple building, as there will only be a limited number of people in the building anyway. If everything goes well, we will buy more of these books for 2021.

You might be wondering: What if I’m watching online? What book will I use?

I’m glad you asked that question! I have three suggestions for you…

Suggestion #1: During the pandemic, the CCAR has generously made online “flip books” available for free. You can view them online now and during the services. The website is https://www.ccarnet.org/publications/hhd/.

Suggestion #2: Some people prefer to download Kindle versions of the prayer books, which can be read using the Kindle app on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. You have to purchase a separate e-book for each of the holy days:
https://www.amazon.com/Mishkan-HaNefesh-Rosh-HaShanah-Machzor-ebook/dp/B01LB8FIYW
https://www.amazon.com/Mishkan-HaNefesh-Kippur-Machzor-Days-ebook/dp/B01LB8FKFE
The price is $9.99 per e-book, so $19.98 for both.

Suggestion #3: Other people prefer to have a nice, old-fashioned printed book. These books on sale now! The regular price is $42 for the two-volume set (for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). Now they are 25% off, if you order directly from the CCAR website https://www.ccarpress.org/shopping_product_detail.asp?pid=50288. (See Rabbi Ross’s message below.) You can buy one set for yourself. You can buy more sets for your family. In future years, you can bring your own book to services in our building. Better yet, in future years, you can donate your book or books to TBS. 🙂

That’s the plan so far. For more news as we get closer to Rosh Hashanah, stay tuned to the e-Megillah!

Jonathan Selinger
President

Calling all singers! I’ve learned this week how to make multi-track music recordings using the ACapella App on my iPad. I’m looking for singers to partner with me in making recordings we can perhaps use in a Zoom service, or just for fun.

Here’s an example I made with my voice recorded in three tracks… “Yotzeir Or” by Laura Berkson… “Blessed are you, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who forms light and creates darkness, who makes peace and creates all things.”

Click this link to listen: https://mixcord.co/acapella/p/8WWTSi_pkuj7QicNLWPfDg/

Each participant records their track(s) independently, so this is a great way for musicians to collaborate while social distancing. You’ll need a mobile device (iPhone, iPad, or Android phone or tablet) and earbuds with a microphone.

The app is free for a seven day trial. After that, there are several subscription options.

If you love to sing and are willing to help, please drop me a line at robinselinger@gmail.com. Thanks!

-Robin Selinger

Dear TBS Members,

Our annual congregational meeting will be held on Friday evening, June 12, at 7:00 pm, just before Shabbat services. The meeting will take place online, using the Zoom videoconference software. (The Zoom link and meeting ID will be distributed later.)

At the meeting, we will vote on the TBS officers and board for the next fiscal year, and on the annual budget for the congregation.

Please plan to attend online, and show your support for the congregation!

Jonathan Selinger
President