Dear Temple Beth Shalom Congregants,

I am very excited to announce several positive steps toward ensuring our congregation’s future success.

As part of a groundbreaking new partnership with the Hillel at Kent State University, we will be welcoming Rabbi Michael Ross as our religious leader while also sharing him with Hillel at Kent where he will serve as Senior Jewish Educator. As Rabbi of TBS, Rabbi Ross will lead High Holiday services, our Shabbat services, ritual events, and will oversee our religious school programs. He will have scheduled office hours Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at the temple to be available to our students and families. Our vision is that Rabbi Ross’s relationship with both TBS and the Kent State Hillel will provide new opportunities to collaborate, explore and grow our communities together, and hope that we can all be open to new experiences.

Rabbi Ross will be confirmed as Rabbi of TBS after our congregational vote just prior to our Shabbat service on Friday, August 10, at 7:45 PM. Meet Rabbi Ross at our Selichot service, Saturday, September 1, at 7:30 PM in the social hall, for desserts and treats followed by a movie, discussion, and short service (details below).

We are also pleased to announce that Rabbi Ross’s wife, Rabbi Rachel Brown, has accepted our offer to take on the important role of Education Director at TBS. We are confident that working together as a team, Rabbi Ross and Rabbi Brown will bring about very positive results for our congregation.

For our Religious School families, please check your e-mail over the next week for our Religious School Registration forms to be sent. This year our Sunday School will begin on September 16 and Thursday Hebrew School will begin September 20.

May this be an incredible year for our congregation as we open the next chapter to our future.

L’Shalom,

Eric Chupack
President, Temple Beth Shalom

TBS Annual Pot Luck Outdoor Service
Larry Terkel will replace Rabbi Ross for this service
Friday, August 24, at 6:00 pm

One of our most popular events of the year is the Family Outdoor Pot Luck Dinner & Inspirational Shabbat Service at the close of the summer season. Please join service leader Larry Terkel with music by our Cantorial Soloist, Robin Selinger.

When: Friday, August 24

Where: Hudson Springs Park–newly renovated pavilion on the lake

Time: 6:00 pm pot luck dinner. TBS will supply hamburgers, veggie burgers, beef hot dogs & buns. The chefs from TBS Brotherhood will handle the grilling.

Service: 7:00 pm inspirational service with special music and readings followed by a dessert oneg

Sign up: to bring appetizers, side dishes, salads, desserts & drinks. Click here for the electronic sign-up sheet on SignUpGenius.

Questions? e-mail Laurie Frankino at lfrankino@gmail.com or Amy Chupack at aechewy@aol.com

On the road to repentance, we can begin with small steps by saying I’m sorry, s’lichah. Our tradition provides the opportunity for us to do that with Selichot prayers. The Selichot service begins the annual process of gathering as a community to pray for forgiveness.

At TBS, we’ll begin by watching and discussion of the movie, “Defending Your Life”” starring Albert Brooks, to help us find our own way to begin t’shuvah (repentance) and r’fuah (healing).

Please join Rabbi Michael Ross Saturday night, September 1, at 7:30 pm, in the Social Hall, for desserts and treats followed by the movie, group discussion and a short service beginning with the changing of the Torahs’ mantles into their High Holy day white, preparing us for our own season of transformation. Everyone is welcome.

Rabbi Ross would like to recruit a Shofar Squad for the High Holy Days this year. Whether you are 6 years old or 60, if you can play a shofar, please send an e-mail to Laurie Frankino at lfrankino@gmail.com and she will follow up with you.