Temple

Thursday July 10, 2025
Issue #723

Letter from Rabbi Ross

Dear TBS Friends & Family,

My family and I have begun a summer break. Our next Shabbat Service at TBS will be Friday, July 25.

Here is my weekend column for the newspaper:
Transforming Anger to Love

Sunday, July 13 marks the 17th of Tammuz on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a day of destruction in Jewish life. Historically, this is the date of the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the Babylonians before the destruction of the First Temple in 592 BCE. The fall of both the First Temple and the Second Temple are commemorated three weeks later, on the 9th of Av, or Tisha B’Av, which is a day of fasting.
This period of time, these three weeks, are called the “Bein Hemetzarim” – between the narrows or constrictions.
The rabbis of the Talmud determine that the cause of these destructions was our sinat chinam, or baseless hatred of our brothers or fellows. Where are we holding anger or hatred towards others? We are called to locate these emotions of jealousy, or anger, or hatred, and to determine our own role in the disagreements we have.
This is hard, difficult work to do, during the hottest time of the year.
It touches our broken places. It takes time to navigate our broken places.
It asks us to move from victimhood to responsibility. How are others being hurt by my actions?
How am I facing the pain of the other, and remaining silent?
This spiritual challenge is rigorous and requires great humility.
The goal of these “Three Weeks” is to prepare us for what comes afterwards. What follows is the  “Seven Weeks of Consolation” as we prepare for the Jewish High Holidays. It gives us time to explore our actions over the past year as we let go of the unnecessary baggage and make apologies for our miscues.
The goal of this time, these three weeks, is to move from sinat chinam to ahavat chinam, from baseless hatred of our fellows to compassion and love for our fellows.
This work starts with ourselves.
How are we holding on to grudges and angers? How are we being tripped up by our emotional chaos?
I know for me, I am distraught by our lack of moral leadership here and in Israel. However, I can’t allow that disappointment to fuel emotional distancing with my neighbors here in Hudson or in Kent.
I can continue to open my heart in compassion to those who are being oppressed.
I can seek a path of holding the pain and trauma of folks as a starting point for our conversations.
This week’s prophetic reading grounds this practice. The prophet Micah asks in Chapter 6 verse 8::
“He has told you, human what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: only to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”
During these three weeks – between these narrow places:
– may we pursue justice
– may we find compassion in our hearts, and bring that compassion to others
– may we truly develop our sense of humility as we find divine inspiration

Rabbi’s Summer Vacation
I will be traveling to L.A. to, yes, see the Dodgers, and to visit my family as we celebrate my birthday and my wife’s birthday from 7/9-7/20.
We will have our next Friday night service on Friday 7/25. Afterwards, we will drop my son off at Camp Havaya in the Poconos, and Rachel and I will attend the Rabibis’ Kallah near Asheville, NC from 7/26-8/6.

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!

---

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

   CALENDAR PAGE     View upcoming services and events

   SHABBAT SERVICE     ID: 861 4959 4595, PW: shabbat 
Available when noted on the Upcoming Events schedule

   TORAH STUDY     ID: 844 3145 6155, PW: tbstorah
Saturday Prayer Essentials and Torah Study

  MAKING PRAYER REAL    The book for Saturday classes can be ordered here

   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 Zeffy for Dues, Fees, and Donations.
Temple Beth Shalom does not pay a fee

  ISRAEL DONATIONS    Donations to support Israel can be made at
Cleveland Federation

---

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