e-Megillah December 7, 2023

e-Megillah

Thursday, December 7, 2023
Issue #645

Letter from Rabbi Ross

Dear TBS Friends and Family,
Here is my column for this week’s Record-Courier.

Hanukkah – Moving from Darkness to Light
It has been a long, lonely season of darkness for the Jewish community. For the past two months, since the Gaza War began on October 7, many Jews have been experiencing a wide range of emotional upheaval,  anxiety, and discomfort. We have entered a dark, long tunnel.
It can feel unusual to try and welcome in a festival, or holiday during this time.
The eight-day festival of Hanukkah began last Thursday evening. Each night, as we light the Hanukkah menorah, we add a new candle to magnify the light. This powerful ritual speaks so deeply to me this year. To move from a perspective of deepening darkness to one of increasing light might seem counterintuitive right now.
And yet, we add more light to our menorah each night.
These growing lights become a symbol of hope for us in the darkness. May our visions of hope and peace for Israel and Gaza unfold. May peace come soon. May this war end soon. May the hostages be returned soon. May we begin to feel whole again soon.
In this week’s Torah portion, we read the story of Joseph as his brothers tossed him into the darkness of the pit. This was Joseph’s first descent into the darkness.
Judah, his older brother, had the more devious plan to sell Joseph as a slave to the Ishmaelites. The brothers dipped his multicolored coat in blood and claimed a beast had devoured him. This was his second descent into darkness, as the Ishmaelites took Joseph to Egypt, where he became a slave at Potiphar’s home.
Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of inappropriate behavior, and he was tossed into prison. This was his deepest, and darkest descent. The text describes that at each step of this descent in Egypt, God was with Joseph. I have taught that God was with Joseph in the pit as well.
In each of his descents, Joseph never cried out for help. His belief that he was accompanied by God’s presence was enough. This Hanukkah, may we see the role of faith in our lives during dark times.
The narrative pivoted when it described the transformation of Joseph’s brother Judah. Judah treated Tamar poorly, and she showed him the mistakes he made. He saw his shortcomings, and he confessed that Tamar was correct and he was grievously mistaken.
In the conclusion of this amazing novella, 20 years later, Joseph tested his brothers to see if they would give up another brother to save their own lives, and Judah stepped forward and said take me instead. He no longer wanted to bring more pain and suffering to his father and his family. He had grown, matured, and changed.
The rabbis of the Talmud hold up Judah’s transformation as the model of repentance, or returning to God. We all get second chances, but will we learn from our mistakes? To be like Judah, is to learn and grow, and not repeat the same mistake when it’s presented to you.
This holiday season may we be inspired by Joseph’s faith and Judah’s growth.
May we help to diminish the terrible rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia that has spiraled wildly out of control.
May we be lamplighters, bringing light of hope and compassion to a darkened world.

Donations to support Israel can be made at Cleveland Federation:
  ISRAEL EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN  

HANUKKAH IS HERE!
Hanukkah begins Thursday evening. We have a number of special holiday events:

Prayer Lab’s “Making Prayer Real” –  Sat. 12/9, 9:30 am
Our third session will be Sat. 12/9. Hanukkah treats will be served!
Each class is independent and can be studied on its own. All are welcome!

Prayer Lab’s Saturday Schedule
– 9:15 – 9:30: Coffee, bagels, schmoozing, check in about news of the week
– 9:30 – 10:30: Discussion of this week’s chapter
– 10:30 – 11:30: Shabbat Morning Prayer Service
(led by Rabbi Ross and once a month with Chuck Fink)

Family Hanukkah Party – Sun 12/10 at 10:30 am – with Deb Rogers
The TBS community is invited to celebrate Hanukkah with our school families. Latkes and donuts will be served!

Interfaith Candlelight Vigil for Israel – Sun 12/10 at 7:00 pm
The Hudson Presbyterian Church on West Streetsboro has invited Temple Beth Shalom to a special Candlelight Vigil for Israel. I will be speaking briefly as well.
It’s the fourth night of Hanukkah, so we will bring the TBS menorah for a candle lighting.
Please join us for this new interfaith gathering.

TBS Community Hanukkah Dinner and Service – Fri 12/15 at 6:00 pm– with Chuck Fink
Bring your family menorahs and join us for a special 9th night of Hanukkah! WE will sing songs, and have a delicious Hanukkah feast!
All are welcome!

Temple Beth Shalom
HANUKKAH SHABBAT DINNER & FAMILY SERVICE
Friday, December 15
Dinner 6:00 pm, Doors Open at 5:30 pm
TBS Social Hall

Dinner Buffet is Compliments of TBS and includes:
Baked Chicken, Sisterhood’s Famous Latkes, Vegetables, Salad
Chicken Fingers for the kids

7:00 pm Family Service 
Enjoy our lively Family Service with Rabbi Michael & Soloist Chuck Fink Lots of Hanukkah music, 8th Night Community Candle Lighting & more (bring your menorahs)

Delicious Hanukkah Dessert Buffet following the service

RSVP before December 10 to Laurie Frankino
lfrankino@gmail.com
Family Name, Number of Adults & Children

TBSBrotherhood meetings/events

• Brotherhood  Membership
Annual Brotherhood Membership Dues are due. Membership dues are $36 (double chai) and this year we are adding a sustaining membership level $54 (triple chai). Make checks payable to TBS Brotherhood and mail to 50 Division St., Hudson, 44236 or bring to the next meeting. Please contact treasurer Art Busch, ascyb34@yahoo.com with any questions. Your financial support is much appreciated.
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 projects planned for 2023-2024 for TBS.

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. Contact: Mike Miller at mikemillercsi@roadrunner.com

TBS Sisterhood meetings/events 

• Join the Sisterhood and support us with a dues donation. Please email me, Robin Rosen-Sharp (rrsdvm2@gmail.com) if you need a membership form and and would like to mail your payment. Otherwise you can use this PayPal link:
  TBS PAYPAL LINK   
Please Do Not pay along with your Temple dues as Jonathon has asked us not to do this any longer.
Thanks

Upcoming:
• Maltz Museum tour of “The Girl in the Diary: Searching for Rywka from the Lodz Ghetto” followed by ice cream or a meal, January date to be determined.

We love to share good news at TBS!

Please send us your announcements, engagements, weddings, graduations, sports news, kid news, etc. to: e-megillah editor, hberman44236@yahoo.com no later than ONE WEEK PRIOR to the next issue. Please include ‘e-megillah news‘ in the subject field.

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