e-Megillah, August 14, 2025

Thursday August 14, 2025
Issue #728

Letter from Rabbi Ross

Dear TBS Friends & Family,
This week we have Shabbat home, or in my case at camp. Next week, Hillel at Kent State will host “Welcome Back Shabbat.” TBS folks are welcome to join us. RSVPS are needed by Thursday. Donations are encouraged.
Here’s my column for this weekend’s newspapers:
Seeking a New Generation of Leaders
The Jewish community recently began the weekly study of the Book of Deuteronomy. At its core, this is a series of instructions for the next generation of Israel. The book recounts the story of the spies, from early in the Book of Numbers. In the story of the spies, Moses sends a dozen leaders to scout the land of Israel as the entire group has set out from Mount Sinai.
Out of the 12 scouts, 10 of them come back inventing overblown tales about their adversaries in the land. The 10 spies are frozen in place by their trauma of life as slaves in Egypt. They appear “as grasshoppers” to their enemies. The two scouts who are committed to the mission represent the next generation, Joshua and Caleb.
The failure of these 10 spies, these 10 traumatized leaders, is that the entire generation will not be asked to enter the land, they will wander the desert for another 38 years as their generation dies off. Their children will be asked to take up the vision later on.
This week marks an ending and a beginning for many of us.
Summer life, sleepaway camp life comes to an end, and the first day of school is upon us. Kent State’s first classes are Monday. Elementary schools, middle schools and high schools follow in short order.
This past week, I bore witness to the leadership training that can happen at summer camp.
My family just spent its sixth summer at Camp Havaya, the Jewish Reconstructionist Summer Camp in the Pocono Mountains. The camp is a haven for young folks to build a deep, lasting sense of community. The motto of the camp is “Be You – Boldly!” Every camper gets to develop their own voice as they build new friendships and deepen existing ones. The community that is formed at camp is rich, deep and long-lasting.
And the secret ingredient at these camps is their focus on raising future leaders, especially with the counselors.
These camp counselors will be our next teachers, rabbis and communal leaders. They are steeped in Jewish values of compassion, justice, and kindness.
I also did some leadership training with my new student board members for Hillel at Kent State University last week where we explored self care as we come together to start a new year.
In the Book of Joshua, the next generation of scouts will not fail their scouting mission. Not hindered by traumatic responses, they are able to move forward.
At a time where we are surrounded by a leadership crisis in this country and in other countries, where we dream of new leadership visions and ideas, it is inspiring to me to be directly involved in raising the next generation of Jewish leaders.
They are learning from our successes and our mistakes. They are preparing themselves for these new roles by developing a deep sense of community as they learn team-building skills, collaborative skills and Jewish values that will carry them forward.
They handle complexity well, it’s the world they were raised in.
May this new school year bring us closer to a new generation of leaders and visionaries who can inspire us to become our best selves.
God blesses Joshua and Caleb with a ruach acheret, a different spirit. May we welcome a ruach acheret, a different spirit that will shine new light into the darkness.

Rabbi’s Summer Vacation
Last Sunday, Rachel and I drove 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.

Temple Beth Shalom
ANNUAL FAMILY & FRIENDS
COOKOUT & SHABBAT SERVICE
Hudson Springs Park, Mays Pavilion FRIDAY, AUGUST 29th 5:30 PM – DUSK          

Please join Rabbi Michael Ross and Cantorial Soloist Deb Rogers for the annual end of summer family cookout and musical service under the stars. Current TBS members, friends and potential members and friends are most welcome.
Dinner 5:30-6:45 pm     Service 7:00 pm 

Burgers, hot dogs, side dishes provided by TBS.
Vegetarian option available upon request.
Side Dishes and Dessert Donations welcome!

Please RSVP to Laurie Frankino, Ritual Chair, lfrankino@gmail.com
so we have an accurate count of attendees

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

Website Notes and Links

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   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

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