e-Megillah December 14, 2023

e-Megillah

Thursday, December 14, 2023
Issue #646

Letter from Rabbi Ross

Dear TBS Friends and Family,

We are so excited about our huge Hanukkah dinner and party Friday night!
I have been struck by the power and beauty of coming together in community to celebrate Hanukkah this week. This is the first holiday celebration we have had since the war against Hamas broke out. And that war broke out at the conclusion of our last holiday, Simchat Torah.
Last week, as I welcomed in Hanukkah at the Giant Menorah Lighting at Kent State, it felt like a giant release of stress and anxiety washing away to make room for the simple beauty and joy of the holiday.
I have also been struck by the idea that Hanukkah is both a story of the hope of the oil, and the pride of the military miracle over the Greeks. While Americans focus on the story of light and hope, Israelis focus on the power and confidence of the Maccabees and how they won the war.
So this Hanukkah, we hold the hope of the light returning and we also deeply pray for the safe, immediate return of the hostages in Gaza.

Donations to support Israel can be made at Cleveland Federation:
  ISRAEL EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN  

ZOOM LINK for Friday night’s Service:

Meeting ID: 861 4959 4595, Passcode: shabbat

EXCITING NEWS!
Israel/Palestine 101 & Judaism 101 classes are forming!
Israel/Palestine 101 – 3 Sunday afternoons (1/21, 2/4, 2/11 at 4:00 pm)

I will be offering a 3-week class on the basics of Israeli and Palestinian conflict in a brand new class that will begin on Sunday, 1/21 at 4 pm. The class will also meet on 2/4 and 2/11. Each session will be 90-minutes. 

We will look at the origins of various forms of Zionism, and the development of the state. We will also explore some of the dynamics of this century-old conflict.
These sessions will be in-person and on zoom.
They are open to TBS members as well as the broader community.
Our textbook for this course is Dov Waxman’s fine new book, “The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – What Everyone Needs to Know.”

AMAZON LINK

– Class fees – Free for TBS members, $10 for non-members
– All are welcome!

Judaism 101 – 10 Sunday Afternoons (2/18-5/12 at 4 pm)

After the Israel 101 class ends, I will then offer another round of my Judaism 101 course, which will continue at the same time slot until mid-May.

Have you ever wanted to learn more about Judaism from an adult perspective?
Are you considering conversion to Judaism?
If so, this class can form a great foundation to get you started. We will focus on Jewish history, holidays, ideas and traditions.
All Judaism 101 students are highly encouraged to also attend the Israel 101 course.
There will be a few paperback books as part of the class as well.

• Class fees – $10 for TBS members or $56 for the entire course, $18 per class non-members or $154 for the entire course. College students can pay a donation. (Fees for the class will go to pay our zoom manager/teaching assistant.)
• RSVPS are needed in advance. Please email rabbimichaelross to RSVP or get more info and syllabus.

Prayer Lab’s “Making Prayer Real” –  Sat. 1/6, 9:30 am
Our fourth session will be Sat. 1/6.
Each class is independent and can be studied on its own. All are welcome!

Prayer Lab’s Saturday Schedule
– 9:15 – 9:30: Coffee, bagels, schmoozing, check in about news of the week
– 9:30 – 10:30: Discussion of this week’s chapter
– 10:30 – 11:30: Shabbat Morning Prayer Service
(led by Rabbi Ross and once a month with Chuck Fink)

Temple Beth Shalom
HANUKKAH SHABBAT DINNER & FAMILY SERVICE
Friday, December 15
Dinner at 6:00 pm is Sold Out!!!

7:00 pm Family Service is still open!
Enjoy our lively Family Service with Rabbi Michael & Soloist Chuck Fink Lots of Hanukkah music, 8th Night Community Candle Lighting & more (bring your menorahs)

Delicious Hanukkah Dessert Buffet following the service

Meal Train for Michelle Draper 

Friends,
We are setting up a Meal Train to assist Michelle Draper and her family as she recuperates from knee surgery, which is scheduled for this Friday. Meals during her recovery time will be greatly appreciated.

Please follow the link to sign up for a meal. Thank you for being a part of the TBS caring community.

Randy Herman
Caring Hearts
            

  OPEN MEAL TRAIN                            The Gift Card Shop  

TBSBrotherhood meetings/events

• Brotherhood  Membership
Annual Brotherhood Membership Dues are due. Membership dues are $36 (double chai) and this year we are adding a sustaining membership level $54 (triple chai). Make checks payable to TBS Brotherhood and mail to 50 Division St., Hudson, 44236 or bring to the next meeting. Please contact treasurer Art Busch, ascyb34@yahoo.com with any questions. Your financial support is much appreciated.
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 2023-2024 for TBS.

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. Contact: Mike Miller at mikemillercsi@roadrunner.com

TBS Sisterhood meetings/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 and would like to mail your payment. Otherwise you can use this PayPal link:
  TBS PAYPAL LINK   

Please Do Not pay along with your Temple dues as Jonathon has asked us not to do this any longer.
Thanks

Upcoming:
• Maltz Museum tour of “The Girl in the Diary: Searching for Rywka from the Lodz Ghetto” followed by ice cream or a meal, January date to be determined.

We love to share good news 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.

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•  Y A H R Z E I T S  •
 

DEATHS IN THE LAST YEAR 

DECEMBER YAHRZEITS
Joanne Marie Beck  •  Donald Blumenthal  •  Martha Brunstein
Shirley Rosen Comer  •  Stephen John Field  •  Bernard Gross  •  Violet Hiner
Freda Lerer  •  Harry Lerer  •  Janet Roberts  •  Murray Silverman
Sylvia Silverman  •  Charles Strausser  •  Barbara Rose Straussman

If you have names to add, please send them with their yahrzeit date to Laurie Frankino, Ritual Chair, at lfrankino@gmail.com.