Letter from Rabbi Ross Dear TBS Friends and Family,
We have a wonderful Shabbat planned for this Friday, where we will be singing Tu Bishvat songs and focusing on the role of nature.
This week, we continue to see the ongoing release of more hostages from their Gaza nightmare. As I mentioned two weeks ago, I am grateful to President Trump for forcing this issue and for dedicating his efforts to returning all of the hostages.
I was also emotionally touched last week, when Gazans returned home to the north for the first time since their evacuations. More than 500,00 Gazans streamed home to bear witness to their devastation of the north. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I viewed the videos.
Israeli rabbis and Israeli policy leaders have been strongly speaking out in the past 24 hours about Trump’s misguided gambit of evacuating all the Gazans from Gaza. Trump’s brainstorm idea might be understood as a negotiating ploy to broaden the terms of negotiation over the “Day After Plan” for Gaza. (If the Netanyahu government had prepared a clear plan, this vacuum could have been avoided.)
This plan to transfer the population is a strategy from the Meir Kahane playbook in the 1970s and 1980s. It has been warmly welcomed by the Israeli right wingers, the religious extremists who sit in the cabinet or seek to rejoin the cabinet.
Is this Gaza transfer plan practical, is it legal, is it moral? The answer is clearly and resoundingly no. We must stand up against extremist ideologies, even if they are for the sake of brainstorming new ideas.
I hope and pray that these missteps do not intrude on the release of the hostages. we will know on Shabbat.
I hope and pray that a second stage of the cease-fire will unfold. I am less hopeful today.
Shabbat Shalom!
Hebrew class is forming in February! From our Hebrew instructor Jean Beasley:
We would like to begin Hebrew classes during the first week of February. They will run through the end of May. Please respond by January 31 if you can attend on Tuesday evening. We will meet from 7:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. at the Temple each week except for holidays.
We are excited to begin your Hebrew learning!
Hebrew Class fees
– for TBS members: $54, for non-members: $120, (if fees are an issue, the rabbi’s discretionary fund can assist.) Please RSVP to be added to our class list by emailing Rabbi Michael: rabbimichaelross@gmail.com
TBS’ Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class Starting this winter!
Have you wanted to transform your adult understanding of Judaism into a meaningful ritual? We are forming an adult b’nai mitzvah class this fall. We will spend the next 18 months studying together. Each student will read from the Torah, lead part of a group prayer service, and deliver a D’var Torah.
Rabbi Michael Ross and Jean Beasley will be the instructors. Costs will be determined by enrollment.
CLASSES:
– Jewish Prayer Essentials – structure & meaning of prayers (Fall ’24: Saturday mornings before Torah Study, from 9:00 – 9:45 am)
– Making Prayer Real – the art of prayer (Spring ’25, Saturdays before Torah Study, from 9:00 – 9:45 am)
– Basic Hebrew (Winter and Spring ’25, class time to be determined)
– Torah Reading & Chanting (Fall ’25)
– Spiritual Autobiography writing (Fall ’25 or Spring ’26)
TBS Legacy Fund Update
Participation increasing!
increased from 29% to 40%, great progress but still looking to get that up to 80, 90, 100%.I want to thank everyone who are answering the call to join us in owning and preserving our building and the Jewish presence it represents. Since last week participation has
Again, no contribution is too small, and our match is still happening so whatever you give will be doubled. Our total is up to 69% so let’s keep this going.
Contributions can be made by check, stock or right on our website. And if you use Zeffy (see below links section) to process your credit card you can choose the amount you want for fees all the way down to 0%. Let’s do this!
Thank you and blessings to all,
Larry Terkel, President
Save the Date! February 22, 2025
Back by Popular Demand! TBSBingo Night!
Bingo is always well attended with scrumptious appetizers and desserts. This year will be NO exception!
Bingo Night Donations are Welcome!
Please reach out to Eric Chupack ericchupack@gmail.com with questions if you plan to donate silent auction items so we can be ready with the supporting marketing (description, quantities, retail value, photo, etc.) for your items.
TBSBrotherhoodmeetings/events
• The Brotherhood is excited to host this year’s Bingo fundraiser on 2/22/25.
Bingo is always well attended with scrumptious appetizers and desserts. This year will be NO exception!
• 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 projects planned for 2024 – 2025 for TBS. 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!
TBSSisterhoodmeetings/events
• Another wonderful dinner has been set up for us by Kim Strausser❤️. Join us for our next Sisterhood Dinner on Thursday, February 13 at Veg+ at 6:45 PM. Veg+ is at 5893 Akron Cleveland Road, Hudson, OH, USA
Please rsvp to Kim at kimstrausser@gmail.com
Hopefully the weather will cooperate this time.
Julie Lakas
• 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 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 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
Welove 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 to help our Temple
Activities to match your interests and abilities
are still available!
D E A T H S I N T H E L A S T Y E A R
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.
F E B R U A R Y Y A H R Z E I T S
Audrey Gardner Alberty • Dr. Walter Bouscher • Samantha Costea
Richard Allen Draper • Ruth Ersoff • Samuel Ersoff
Diana Greenberg • Sala Gutman • Andrew Koller
Florence Rubino • Jerry Tavens • Simon Telesman • Lori Vishnea
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
Fri. 2/7, 7:30 pm: Tu Bishvat Shabbat – in-person only
• 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
We are looking for Volunteers to help our Temple
I want to thank everyone who are answering the call to join us in owning and preserving our building and the Jewish presence it represents. Since last week participation has
• Another wonderful dinner has been set up for us by Kim Strausser❤️. Join us for our next Sisterhood Dinner on Thursday, February 13 at Veg+ at 6:45 PM. Veg+ is at 5893 Akron Cleveland Road, Hudson, OH, USA