Here’s my monthly column for the local papers: Seeking Gratitude, Equanimity, Community this Spring
The spring holiday season has kicked off in full force. With the most recent new moon, Muslims began their Ramadan practices. On Ash Wednesday, last week, Christians began their season of Lent after a Fat Tuesday celebrating Mardi Gras or Carnival. Purim, the Jewish festival of joy was Thursday evening and Friday. The rabbis of the Talmud, issued an obligation that Jews should increase their joy during this month.
But I am not feeling joyful this year.
The chaos of the recent weeks has been burdensome. It feels like the ground is shifting under our feet.
How does one cultivate joy during a time of chaos?
I feel like we might have learned some of these ideas during Covid, where chaos was a regular feature of daily life. The recipe then was simple – gratitude for daily life and the warmth of community, even if it was during zoom services. Celebrate the small stuff.
For me, since the Gaza-Israel war broke out, I have been ramping up my self-care to get me through the challenging days. I alternate between long bike rides, extended meditation sits, or morning prayer practices to get grounded each day.
During these practices I spend time with a profound sense of gratitude for the new day. I spend time exploring the health of my body, and the emotional state of my heart. I explore the noise in my thought patterns. I seek the sense of my soul.
Then I notice my relationships. I notice the pain and anguish of my community as they are dealing with emotional upheaval of the chaotic lives we lead. I sense a deepening of darkness by many. I hold these community folks for blessing and comfort.
When I can cultivate these daily practices the ease of my spiritual practices blends with the woes of the news. They can coexist side by side.
When I enter my community life, for learning, or prayer, or fellowship, I get beyond my own thoughts and pre-occupations and I get to feel the warmth of others. I can hear their struggles and successes.
I feel nourished, sustained, and grounded after these communal encounters.
While my joy may be tempered this spring, I am deeply grateful for my practices that are allowing me perspective and buoyancy. I am struck by the healing power of communal life. And during moments of equanimity, I can feel a sense of connection to something greater than myself. The name I use for this connection is Nishmat Kol Chai, the Breath of All Life.
My wish for all of us as we enter the spring holidays, is that we become curious about the role of gratitude in our lives, that we find moments of groundedness, wholeness in our daily practices, and that we can be held and seen by our holy communities.
That will be enough joy this spring.
At the end of the Book of Esther, when the evil advisor has been finally overthrown, we encounter the verse, “For the Jews, there was light and joy, so may it be for us.”
Purim is coming!
TBS will have a megillah reading and service on Friday March 14 at 7:30pm. Drinks and hamantaschen will be served! Wear a funny hat!
On Sunday, March 16, our religious school will host our annual Purim Carnival. All are invited! We need of Purim helpers for Sunday 3/16, from 9:30-12:30. All teens and parents are asked to lend a hand.
10:00am – Purim skit, songs, short service
11:00am – Purim Carnival
Religious School News
With the recent departure of our education director, Jean Beasley and I will resume our former interim roles running the religious school. Jean will run the Thursday Hebrew program as our Assistant Director. I will become the interim education director for this semester. We will begin the job search for a new education director shortly. Please let us know if you know someone who can run our sweet, little school.
One Surgery Down, One to Go!
On March 10, I underwent successful hernia surgery. My recovery is going well.
On April 15, I will have my batteries replaced in my chest stimulators. Again, I will need a few days off.
Your thoughts and prayers for a quick, speedy recovery are requested.
TBS’ Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class Started this Winter!
Our Adult B’nai Mitzvah classes turned in February to Hebrew and the book “Making Prayer Real.”
More than a dozen people have already signed up for this cohort! The book for Saturday’s classes can be ordered here: MAKING PRAYER REAL
CLASSES:
– Making Prayer Real – the art of prayer (Saturdays before Torah Study,
from 9:00 – 9:45 am)
– Basic Hebrew (Tuesdays at 7:00pm)
– Torah Reading & Chanting (Fall ’25)
– Spiritual Autobiography writing (Fall ’25 or Spring ’26)
HOLDtheDATE!
Temple Beth Shalom Community Passover Seder
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Doors open at 4:30pm
Seder begins promptly at 5:30pm
Join Rabbi Ross, Cantorial Soloist Deb Rogers and fellow TBS members and friends as we celebrate Passover with a family friendly service and delicious Passover Seder dinner on the 2nd night of Passover, Sunday, April 13.
The service will begin promptly at 5:30pm followed by a family style dinner catered by Mr. Brisket, back by popular demand. Dinner will include traditional Passover foods, accompaniments & dessert. A vegetarian option is available.
An invitation and response form will be e-mailed to all congregants next week.
Friends of TBS may RSVP email to Laurie Frankino to hold your reservation lfrankino@gmail.com.
Confirmation of your reservation + payment options will be e-mailed back to you immediately.
TBS Legacy Fund Update
Participation increasing!
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 increased from 48% to 52%, great progress but still looking to get that up to 80, 90, 100%.
Again, no contribution is too small, and our match is still happening so whatever you give will be doubled. Our total is up to 80% so let’s keep this going.
Contributions can be made by check, stock or right on our website. If you use Zeffy 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
Voting is OPEN for the 2025 U.S. World Zionist Congress election! Cast your vote today for the Jewish and Israeli future!
From now through May 4, 2025, you and all American Jews have the opportunity to vote online at ZionistElection.org to make your voice heard in the election for the 39th World Zionist Congress, “the parliament of the Jewish people.” Voting is a crucial, tangible, and attainable step toward creating a stronger tomorrow. To be eligible to vote in the US Election to the 39th World Zionist Congress you must:
– Be Jewish (and not subscribe to another religion)
– Be 18 years or older by June 30, 2025
– Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident in the U.S.
– Maintain your primary residence in the U.S.
– Accept the Jerusalem Program (the Zionist movement platform)
– Have not voted in the November 2022 Knesset election (and will not vote in any future – Knesset election which may be held prior July 28, 2025)
• 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
April Dinner Night Out Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00pm. Come and share a meal and connect with each other! The Tuesday Specials are house-made-pasta dishes.
Nineteen 10 Restaurant, 215 S. Depeyster St., Kent, OH.
Please RSVP to jeanrhodes16th@gmail.com by Sunday, April 20. See you there!
• 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 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
Purim service will be March 14th For several years, Mike and Kim have offered libations during the Purim service. They will once again offer some schnapps and other drinks while we listen to the Megillah, the story of Esther. The Purim service will be March 14th. There will be a “tip jar” to take in donations for our Legacy Fund. If you want to offer even the smallest amount, this will get TBS closer to our 100% congregation participation. Bring cash or checks for the tip jar!
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
•Help our Temple •Assist with events and gatherings
•Activities to match your interests & abilities •Participate in Brotherhood & Sisterhood •Support & Enhance the TBS community
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.
M A R C H Y A H R Z E I T S
Abraham Babich•Bessie Brunstein • Jacob Brunstein
Rose Butensky • Louis H Cremer • Mary Newman Field
Martin Goldberg • Lucy Greenberg • Susan Louise Hall William Ross Kannel • Kyle Lafferty • Irvin Liberman
Floyd Miller • Pamela Schultz • Judith Tavens
Virginia Wilson
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. 3/14, 7:30pm: Purim Shabbat& Megillah Reading– in-person only
Temple Beth Shalom
• 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
For several years, Mike and Kim have offered libations during the Purim service. They will once again offer some schnapps and other drinks while we listen to the Megillah, the story of Esther. The Purim service will be March 14th. There will be a “tip jar” to take in donations for our Legacy Fund. If you want to offer even the smallest amount, this will get TBS closer to our 100% congregation participation. Bring cash or checks for the tip jar!
Here’s my monthly column for the local papers:
preserving our building and the Jewish presence it represents. Since last week participation increased from 48% to 52%, great progress but still looking to get that up to 80, 90, 100%.
Voting is OPEN for the 2025 U.S. World Zionist Congress election!
Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00pm. Come and share a meal and connect with each other! The Tuesday Specials are house-made-pasta dishes.
