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ThursdayВ JulyВ 25, 2024
Issue #678

Letter from Rabbi Ross

Dear TBS Friends and Family,

In the Jewish calendar we are entered aВ time of serious,В sober reflection. The period from 7/22 – 8/13 is called the “3 weeks.” This is the time that leads up to Tishah B’Av, or the 9th day of the month of Av. It’s a day of communalВ mourning. During this time, the rabbis of the Talmud asked us to consider how our “baseless hatred for our fellows” contributed to the destruction of the Temple inВ Jerusalem. They asked us to transform our “sinat chinam” or hatreds, angers and resentments into kindness and curiosityВ of the other. My recent rabbinic retreat was dedicated to developing “dibbuk chaverim,” an intimate fellowship of friends. This closeness that I feel stands in sharp counterpoint to the baseless hatred we are warned against.

As I mentioned last Friday, this upcoming month can be a time of reflection for each of us:
– How are we navigating life these days?
– How have the traumas of the Israel-Gaza War impacted us emotionally? How has it changed us?
– How are we impacted by the political polarization in the Jewish community over this war?
– How are we impacted by the political polarization in America?

I am encouraging us all to really take some time and begin to assess our spiritual lives and our spiritual needs. Get outside. Walk, hike, swim, ride. Take time to enjoy the tremendous blessings we have for living in such a beautifulВ location. Find stillness. Cultivate reflection. See what comes up.

When I return in August, we willВ  beginВ a month-long process of preparing ourselves for the High Holidays. We will use that time to really explore the questions above.

Have a relaxing summer filled with insights, joys, and delicious summer treats.

Torah For Our Times Returns this August!
We have taken the past two years to explore Jewish prayer on Saturday mornings with “Prayer Lab.” This summer we are returning to our popularВ Torah study class, “Torah For Our Times.” In August and September, we will focus on High Holiday themes.
Each session willВ be from 9:30 am – 11:15 am. We will study Torah for about an hour or so, and then have a briefВ morning prayer service.
Bagels and cream cheese will be served!

Important Religious School News
We are delighted to announce that Kate Palleschi has accepted our offer to become TBS’s new education director this fall!В Kate has been teaching middle school for the past few years and taught ourВ 3rd and 4th graders this past year.В Our religious school will resume classes in September.

TBS will formally welcome our new cantorial soloist Deb Rogers and Kate Palleschi into our community in a special service on AugustВ 30th at Hudson Springs Park.

Hillel Shabbat Dinners Begin on 8/23!
Twice a month Hillel hosts Shabbat dinners with Rabbi Michael and the college students leading a lovely Shabbat experience. TBS folks are welcome to join us. RSVPS are needed by Thursday each week. Donations are recommended.
RSVP atВ https://www.kenthillel.org/shabbat

Donations to support Israel can be made at
Cleveland Federation:В 

В В ISRAEL EMERGENCY CAMPAIGNВ В 

TBSBrotherhoodВ  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В В meetings/events

• Brotherhood Membership
Please contact treasurer Art Busch,В ascyb34@yahoo.comВ with any questions.В Your financial support is much appreciated.

The Brotherhood performs much needed projects for TBS. Even if you cannot participate in Brotherhood,В PLEASE CONSIDERВ MAKINGВ A DONATION.В This will help to complete the many projects planned for 2024 for TBS.
We meet throughout the year in the spirit of friendship and good humor.В We sponsor social events,В fundraisers and building beautification projects to support and enhance the TBS community.В Contact: Mike Miller atВ mikemillercsi@roadrunner.com
TBSSisterhoodВ  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В В В  В В meetings/events

• Come to dinner! We will have dinner at the Blue Door in Cuyahoga Falls 1970 State Rd Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223 (a slightly closer site for our Sisters living to the west).  Dinner is Sunday July 28th at 6:15 pm.  Please RSVP soon to Beth Madis at madisb@gmail.com because it is a small restaurant.

• Come to Brunch!  On Sunday Aug 18th at 10:00 am we’ll have a potluck brunch at Jeanie’s house (3036 Vincent Rd, Sliver Lake, OH 44224) to talk about next year!  RSVP to jeanrhodes16th@gmail.com Bring ideas for ourselves and in service to our beloved TBS community. If you are early we’ll have plenty of coffee available at 9:30 using large coffee makers (last year’s coffee drought has been addressed!).

Temple Beth Shalom
Website Notes
• Past e-Megillahs can be found on Media/e-Megillah Newsletters page:
В  E-MEGILLAH NEWSLETTERSВ  В 
YouВ will need to use the passwordВ TBSHudson

You can view upcoming services and events on the Calendar page:
В В CALENDAR PAGEВ В 

В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В  В В 

We are looking for VOLUNTEERS
to help our Temple!
Backup our Email newsletter • Setup/takedown for Temple activities • Sponsor an Oneg • Coordinate Zoom services
Other activities to match your interests, abilities and availability

Thanks toВ Barbara LeukartВ for volunteering toВ coordinate security for TBS services and events!
Thank you, Barbara, for donating your time to TBS. We are very grateful to have your help!

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