Temple

Thursday July 24, 2025
Issue #725

Letter from Rabbi Ross

Dear TBS Friends & Family,
This week we will gather for a special Shabbat Service where we will welcome Paige Jochims into our TBS community. This Friday evening is also Rosh Chodesh Av. In Israel these next “9 Days” that precede Tisha B’Av on Sunday, August 3 are considered dark, somber days. Most Israeli restaurants stop serving meat on their menus, as a sign of humility and sobriety. (This is something akin to Lent.) So we are asked this Friday to hold the joy and the sorrow side-by-side.

This year as I prepare for the “9 Days,” I am noticing an increasing ache in my heart. I have supported our Israeli friends and family, unceasingly for the past 21 months of war. I still ache to have the hostages returned home. But the growing pain I sit with today has to do with the starvation of so many of the Gazan civilians. I understand Hamas has a major role to play in this dynamic, whether it’s stealing food and aid, or shooting at aid distribution sites, they have created their terrible share of this nightmare. But Israel has played a significant role in this tragedy as well. After the recent rounds of hostage releases ended in March, the IDF withheld food and aid from the Gaza Strip for 80 days. The resumption of food aid has not been distributed widely or equally. Starvation has been an urgent crisis in Gaza for months on end. Knowing that the IDF has played a role in this starvation of the Gazan population weighs heavily on my heart today.

The military goals of the IDF were met 15 months ago. It is time for this war to end.  It is time for the hostages to return. It is time for the killing to end. It is time for food and aid to be restored unendingly to avert a major crisis.

During these “9 Days” before Tisha B’av, the Jewsih day of communal mourning , we are asked to acknowledge our role in Sinat Chinam, the baseless hatred of our brothers. We are asked to try and turn that hatred into compassion. The day of mourning concludes with a sign of messianic dream and hope, as we enter into the seven weeks of consolation and return to holiness as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah.

This is a time of reflection. This is a time of profound humility. This is a time to awaken profound compassion.
Holding the pain and the joy today.
Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi’s Summer Vacation
My family and I had a wonderful visit in L.A. last week. Rachel and I will attend the Rabibis’ Kallah near Asheville, NC from 7/26-8/6. We will return to NEO for our 8/8 Shabbat Service. On Sunday, 8/10, Rachel and I will drive to Camp Havaya, the Reconstructionist Summer Camp in the Poconos where we have served as faculty for the final week of camp. This will be our sixth summer on faculty. We will return to Ohio on 8/18.

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.

Blessings to all,
Larry Terkel
TBS President

TBSBrotherhood                                            meetings/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 Not pay 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 Not pay 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!

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Temple Beth Shalom

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   KENT HILLEL SHABBAT     Candle-lighting, Service/Community Discussion, FREE Dinner (*Registration is REQUIRED and will close each week on Thursday at 2:00pm)

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  ISRAEL DONATIONS    Donations to support Israel can be made at
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