Letter from Rabbi Ross Dear TBS Friends and Family,
This Friday is our special TBS field trip to Cleveland Heights for the musical Nariya Service at 6:00 pm. We are expecting a handful of folks to sit together and join in for the service. May this Shabbat be a respite from the chaos we are witnessing.
Every year at Passover Seder for the past three years, I have bought a large bouquet of sunflowers as a symbol of Ukrainian peace and solidarity. It has broken my heart to bear witness to the harsh criticisms of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people over the past week.
The hostage scenario in Israel and Gaza is now on a temporary pause. Neither side is committed to ending the war. The cease-fire feels precarious.
During the month of Adar, which began last week, the rabbis ask us to increase our joy as we prepare for Purim next week.
I am finding this very difficult to do this year. However, I can increase my self-care. I can spend extra time nourishing my body and my heart in exercise, prayer and meditation. I can find gratitude for the first signs of spring. I can honestly say, when I am in community or in self-care, I am fine. I am finding moments of wholeness and moments of presence. I can hold these moments of clarity and beauty as my touchstones when the world gets weird. I can limit my intake of the chaotic news and social media feeds. I can allow my daily practices to nourish and sustain me.
Then on Shabbat, I can find my community and celebrate together.
Purim is coming!
Today is Rosh Chodesh Adar. TBS will have a megillah reading and service on Friday March 14. 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 are in need of Purim helpers for Sunday 3/16, from 9:30-12:30. All teens and parents are asked to lend a hand.
Religious School News
TBS education director Kate Palleschi’s father died early this month. Kate needs to step away from her duties this semester at TBS to handle his estate. We send our deepest condolences to Kate and her family. We thank her for her work with our school over the past year and a half, as first a teacher and then as our 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.
Nariya Shabbat, Friday 3/7
In late January, Hillel hosted Rabbi Micah Shapiro for a special musical shabbat. He has formed a monthly group that meets in Cleveland Heights, called Nariya.
TBS will be taking a field trip to join his next service on March 7.
Please join me for a wonderful, unique musical experience.
– Friday, March 7- 6:00 pm, service, (Dinner RSVPS are now closed.)
– Beth El – The Heights Synagogue, Cleveland Heights
Two Upcoming Surgeries
On March 10, I am scheduled to undergo hernia surgery. I plan to take a few days off.
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 turns 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 Saturdays class 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 7:00 pm)
– Torah Reading & Chanting (Fall ’25)
– Spiritual Autobiography writing (Fall ’25 or Spring ’26)
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 has increased from 40% to 48%, 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 76.5% so let’s keep this going.
Contributions can be made by check, stock or right on our website. And 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
TBSBrotherhoodmeetings/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 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
• 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
Interfaith book group meeting Our Interfaith book group will meet on March 11 at 6:00 pm at the First Congregational Church. We are still reading through To ‘Heal a Fractured World’ by Jonathan Sacks. Although we’ve met several times, we would welcome people who are dedicated to reading and contributing to a discussion. Please reach out to Kim Strausser for details at: kimstrausser@gmail.comPurim 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” out 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
•To help our Temple
• 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 ScanlonA 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. 3/7, 6:00 – 8:00 pm: SpecialNariya Shabbat – TBS field trip @ Beth El-The Heights with Rabbi Micah Shapiro
Tues. 3/11, 6:00 pm: Interfaith Book Group – at The First Congregational Church
Fri. 3/14, 7:30 pm: Purim Shabbat& Megillah Reading– 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
Our Interfaith book group will meet on March 11 at 6:00 pm at the First Congregational Church. We are still reading through To ‘Heal a Fractured World’ by Jonathan Sacks. Although we’ve met several times, we would welcome people who are dedicated to reading and contributing to a discussion. Please reach out to Kim Strausser for details at: kimstrausser@gmail.comPurim 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” out 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!
our building and the Jewish presence it represents. Since last week participation has increased from 40% to 48%, great progress but still looking to get that up to 80, 90, 100%.
