We had an amazing Pride Shabbat last Friday as we welcomed Michelle Touve-Holland into our community!
A huge thank you to our lay leaders last Friday: Brian Krum, Paige Jochims, Ellen Friedman, Kaitlyn Biada and Marwan Geara. Also a huge thank you to Michelle and Dave Holland for supplying a wonderful oneg.
This Saturday is Danny Cinotti’s Bar Mitzvah at 10:30 am. Torah Study will take place beforehand from 9-10 am in the boardroom.
The news of the week continues to be stressful and anxiety producing. In this country and in Israel, crisis mode seems to be the one our leaders prefer to operate in. Please try and take care of yourselves and use our new meditation group and our Shabbat gatherings to help us navigate these chaotic times. We can take a break. We can let go. This week, I write this more to myself than to others. This was a very hard week.
Here’s my weekend column for the newspapers:
Last week was anxious and rough for the Jewish community. Last week was a week of joy and blessing for the Jewish community. Both of these sentences are true.
On Sunday, June 1, Jews in Boulder, CO were attacked at a peace march demanding the release of the hostages held by Hamas. Two weeks before that, Jews were assassinated in D.C, for attending a seminar on rebuilding Gaza. And in mid-April, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s community seder at the governor’s mansion was attacked by an arsonist. The Jewish community is being targeted. We had been targeted for several years by right-wing extremists, and Christian supremacists on the right. Now we are also being targeted by extremists on the left.
Only a few hours after this latest wave of Jewish hatred, that Sunday evening, Jews welcomed in the festival of Shavuot. For the next 48 hours we came together to study, to pray and to feast on dairy delights. My wife and I taught at a wonderful all-night study session at Bnai Jeshurun with 400 folks in Pepper Pike.
One of our Shavuot study texts is the “Book of Ruth.” Ruth is celebrated as the first person who converted to Judaism in the Hebrew Bible. The day after Shavuot, I joined together with my latest conversion candidate as we welcomed her into the Jewish covenant. I have been continuously impressed by my students’ dedication to the conversion process in the face of the times we live in.
And last Friday, at Temple Beth Shalom in Hudson, we celebrated our fourth annual Pride Shabbat before a large gathering of folks. A handful of LGBTQ folks inspired us with their reflections and their leadership. In a week, when Kent State University publicly announced it was closing the LGBTQ center, Women’s center, and Center for multi-culturalism, our celebration of this wonderful community was tinged with the setbacks many of its members are experiencing.
It’s a lot to hold for one week in the Jewish community – tremendous anxiety and tremendous pride.
Let me close with inspiration from Ruth. Ruth is upheld as someone dedicated to kindness. When she faced unbearable pain and loss, she found compassion for herself and for her mother-in-law. She continued to use this super power of compassion as she was gleaning in Boaz’s fields when she followed Naomi to Bethlehem.
We are living in a time where compassion is in short supply. Can we face hard times with compassion for the marginalized? Can we face hard times with compassion for ourselves?
How would we live our lives differently, if we used compassion as our guide?
And I also notice how difficult it is to meet the new day with compassion when the world seems so volatile.
This is why I teach mindfulness meditation. This is why I use my prayer practice to encourage myself to become my best self. This is why I climb on my road bike and use it as a reset button for my life. When I am grounded and centered, I can hold the pain and joy side by side, I can notice my desire to keep my heart open.
So today, I sit with the idea of Ruth as a teacher of compassion.
And I know if my life gets messy, I can return to my spiritual community to sort out the mess.
New Group Starting – Intro to Jewish Meditation
On Thursday, 6/12 and 6/26, at 7:30 pm, I will be hosting a new group. I will lead an “Introduction to Jewish Meditation.” Our first two gatherings in May were amazing.
In these chaotic days, finding a grounding practice has been invaluable for me. We will explore basic mindfulness practices as we spiritually prepare for Shabbat.
This group will be for both beginning students and advanced students. To start, we will meet every other week through May and June.
Helping Danny Cinotti’s Mitzvah Project
My name is Danny Cinotti and I am 13 years old. I have decided that for my Bar Mitzvah project I would like to help a local animal rescue. The animal rescue that I chose to help is called Roses Rescue. My goal to help this rescue is to collect donations of dog and cat stuff that the rescue needs to help dogs and cats. Please help my mitzvah project by donating any items on the list below:
• Martingale collars (especially medium, small and x-small) • Leashes • Toys (tough and stuff-able) • Nylabones • Puppy pads/wee wee pads • Dog food – canned and dry • Treats/biscuits • Dog beds • Cat toys • Clumping kitty litter • Kitten food – canned (please no seafood) • Cat beds – new • Cat nip
All of these supplies will go to help homeless and injured pets at Roses Rescue.
Please drop off donations at either:
– Temple Beth Shalom; 50 Division Street, Hudson, OH 44236 – My front porch; 2721 Calais Drive, Stow, OH 44224
REMINDER TO ALL TBS CONGREGANTS
TBS Annual Meeting
Friday, June 20
6:30-7:00 pm
Wine & Cheese in the Social Room 7:00-7:30 pm
Annual Meeting in the Social Room 7:30-7:45 pm BURN THE MORTGAGE CELEBRATION in the side yard! 8:00-8:45 pm
Shabbat Services in the Sanctuary 8:45 pm
Celebration Oneg in the Social Room
Meeting Agenda • Review of 2024-2025 Temple Business • Presentation of 2025-2026 Budget • Presentation & Vote on new slate of officers for 2025-2026
All TBS congregants are encouraged to attend!
TBS Legacy Fund Update Participation hits 70%.
Thank you to those who responded to my email. Those who haven’t, please, please join us in this mitzvah of owning our building and ensuring our Temple’s survival for years to come. With less than 15% left to go our goal is within reach! Please help push us over the top.
We all look forward to burning that mortgage at our annual meeting on June 20. Plan on being there for this exciting occasion!
Blessings to all,
Larry Terkel
TBS President
TBSBrotherhoodmeetings/events
• 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 Notpay 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
• 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 Notpay 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 PW: TBSHudson
Past e-Megillahs can be found on Media > e-Megillah Newsletters page
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 Zeffyfor 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!
We love to share News & Announcements 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.
We are looking for Volunteers! •Help our Temple •Assist with events and gatherings
•Match activities to your interests & abilities •Participate in Brotherhood & Sisterhood •Support & Enhance the TBS community
JOIN the TBS CHOIR!
Come hear and support our very own member Shabbat choir!
Contact Deb Rogers: debrogers912@gmail.com
D E A T H S I N T H E L A S T Y E A R
Marika Andro • Jane Litt • Jack Scanlon
A monthly yahrzeit list of TBS family loved ones will now be published in the e-megillah
as well as read during Shabbat services.
J U N E Y A H R Z E I T S
David R Bigam • Michael Paul Busch • Ira Dubner • Helene Grauer
Albert Neuman • Kenneth Koller • Peter McDonald
Lorraine Ramras • Sophia Rose • Harry Singer • Hazel Strausser
If you have names to add, please send them with their yahrzeit date to:
Laurie Frankino, Ritual Chair, at lfrankino@gmail.com.
T B S
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thu. 6/12, 7:30 pm: Intro to Jewish Meditation
Sat. 6/14, 9:00 – 10:00 am: Torah Study– in-person only
Sat. 6/14, 10:30 am – Danny Cinotti’s Bar Mitzvah!
Fri. 6/20, 6:30 pm: Annual Meeting , Burn the Mortgage, Shabbat Service
Thu. 6/26, 7:30 pm: Intro to Jewish Meditation
Sat. 6/28, 9:00 – 9:45 am: Prayer Essentials – final session for this year
Sat. 6/28, 9:45-11:15am: Torah Study & Bagel Brunch – final session for this year
For more information on temple services and other activities, please refer to the temple website:
• Upcoming meetings and events are currently being planned and scheduled by the Sisterhood. Announcements will be posted as soon as they are available!
Temple Beth Shalom
Dear TBS Friends & Family,
• Martingale collars (especially medium, small and x-small)
Come hear and support our very own member Shabbat choir! 