e-Megillah December 28, 2023

e-Megillah

Thursday, December 28, 2023
Issue #648

Letter from Rabbi Ross

Dear TBS Friends and Family,

As we conclude 2023, the Jewish community concludes the book of Genesis this Saturday morning. We began this book of the Torah on October 7. Our entire reading of this book has been through the lens of war. As we conclude the book this week, the 12 sons of Jacob have relocated, leaving Israel for Egypt. There is a custom of reciting a phrase on the completion of each book of the Torah. The phrase is chazak, chazak, ve’nitchazek/strong, strong, and may you be strengthened!

These past 3 months have been a dark, anxious time. Hamas brutally and savagely attacked thousands of civilians, killing many and taking many hostages. The IDF response has been brutal as well. Our hearts are broken for the savagery upon the civilians living in Israel and the Palestinian civilians who have lost their lives.

As we begin this new year, we hope for changes. We hope for a new approach. We demand the release of the hostages. We pray that all civilians will find peace.

As we end 2023, please take this blessing to heart: Chazak, chazak ve’nitchazek, may we be strengthened, may we be hopeful, may we be encouraged by our dedication to community.

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

EXCITING NEWS!
Israel/Palestine 101 & Judaism 101 classes are forming!
Israel/Palestine 101 – 3 Sunday afternoons (1/21, 2/4, 2/11 at 4:00 pm)

I will be offering a 3-week class on the basics of Israeli and Palestinian conflict in a brand new class that will begin on Sunday, 1/21 at 4:00 pm. The class will also meet on 2/4 and 2/11. Each session will be 90-minutes. 

We will look at the origins of various forms of Zionism, and the development of the state. We will also explore some of the dynamics of this century-old conflict.
These sessions will be in-person and on zoom.
They are open to TBS members as well as the broader community.
Our textbook for this course is Dov Waxman’s fine new book, “The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – What Everyone Needs to Know.”

AMAZON LINK

– Class fees – Free for TBS members, $10 for non-members
– All are welcome!
– Please read the introduction and the opening two chapters before our first class

Judaism 101 – 10 Sunday Afternoons (2/18-5/12 at 4:00 pm)

After the Israel 101 class ends, I will then offer another round of my Judaism 101 course, which will continue at the same time slot until mid-May.

Have you ever wanted to learn more about Judaism from an adult perspective?
Are you considering conversion to Judaism?
If so, this class can form a great foundation to get you started. We will focus on Jewish history, holidays, ideas and traditions.
All Judaism 101 students are highly encouraged to also attend the Israel 101 course.
There will be a few paperback books as part of the class as well.

• Class fees – $10 for TBS members or $56 for the entire course, $18 per class non-members or $154 for the entire course. College students can pay a donation. (Fees for the class will go to pay our zoom manager/teaching assistant.)
• RSVPS are needed in advance. Please email rabbimichaelross to RSVP or get more info and syllabus.

Prayer Lab’s “Making Prayer Real” –  Sat. 1/6, 9:30 am
Our fourth session will be Sat. 1/6.
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)

Meal Train for Michelle Draper 

Friends,
We are setting up a Meal Train to assist Michelle Draper and her family as she recuperates from knee surgery, which is scheduled for this Friday. Meals during her recovery time will be greatly appreciated.

Please follow the link to sign up for a meal. Thank you for being a part of the TBS caring community.

Randy Herman
Caring Hearts
            

  OPEN MEAL TRAIN                            The Gift Card Shop  

TBSBrotherhood meetings/events

Hold the Date!
Bingo Night Returns Saturday, February 10 @ TBS!!
The Brotherhood is excited to host this year’s Bingo fundraiser.
Bingo is always well attended with scrumptious appetizers and desserts.

This year will be NO exception!

• 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:
• Our next outing for the Sisterhood and family members will be on January 7th at 2:00 pm for the Maltz Museum tour of “The Girl in the Diary: Searching for Rywka from the Lodz Ghetto” followed by ice cream at Mitchell’s Ice Cream just down the street (the ice cream is paid for by the Sisterhood!). The docent-led tour includes a discount on your purchased admission ticket that you will buy that day. Please RSVP with number of persons attending to rrsdvm2@gmail.com.  In case of snow, Jean/Robin will contact you that morning and we will reschedule.

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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•  Y A H R Z E I T S  •