e-Megillah
Thursday January 8, 2026
Issue #750Letter from Rabbi Ross
Dear TBS Friends & Family,Our first Shabbat of this new year will be this Friday, 1/9. We will have a brief Torah Service as we begin to read the book of Exodus. Join us as we let go of a busy week and welcome in the holiness of Shabbat.
EXCITING NEWS – New Book Discussion is Starting on January 17
Once a month, for the next several months, we will have a discussion about Rabbi Toba Spitzer’s new book, “God is Here.” It looks at the role of metaphor as we reimagine our ideas about God and holiness. These discussions will take place from 9:00 am to 9:45 am, with Torah Study following afterwards. While the group is primarily for our adult b’nai mitzvah students, it’s open to our entire community. Please purchase the book in advance of the class: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250764492/godishere/
(Fyi, used copies are available at Amazon for a good discount.)
TBS’ Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class Starting this winter!
On Saturday mornings, we will be working on Torah Service liturgy and spiritual autobiography writing for the next few months.
We will be studying Rabbi Toba Spitzer’s new book, “God is Here” as well
– Spiritual Autobiography Writing & “God is Here”: Saturday mornings before Torah Study, from 9:00 – 9:45 am
– Basic Hebrew (with Jean and Art, Tuesday evenings)
– Torah Study with Commentaries – Rabbi Michael will teach a new Torah Study as we explore the weekly readings through the eyes of the classic commentators like Rashi, Ibn Ezra, and Ramban. For both beginning and advanced students. All texts will be in English, with Hebrew as needed.
TBS Religious School News
We resume our Hebrew classes on Thursday, 1/8. Our Religious School classes resume on Sunday, 1/11. We will not have classes on 1/18 to celebrate Martin Luther King Weekend.
Jewish Meditation Circle
We are taking a break through January and will resume our meditation group in February.
TBS Brotherhood meetings/events
Please reach out to Eric Chupackericchupack@gmail.com or 216.402.7262 with questions if you plan to donate silent auction items so we can be ready with the supporting marketing (description, quantities, retail value, photo, etc.) for your items.
Bingo is always well attended with scrumptious appetizers and desserts. This year will be NO exception!
** For those not attending, financial donations are also welcome!
**Next Brotherhood Meeting**
January 25th @ 10:00 am
• 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 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!
TBS Sisterhood meetings/events
• It’s that time again to support sisterhood with your membership dues. Please contact Robin Rosen-Sharp at Rrsdvm2@gmail.com for a membership form. Please DO NOT send dues with your Temple dues or to the Temple Zeffy account. Robin can provide you with a Zelle link if you want to pay online. Thanks for your support!
Thanks, Robin
• 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
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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
News & Special Announcements!
Social Action@TBS
•Social Action @ TBS will hold our next meeting on Monday, January 12th at 6:00 pm in the TBS Boardroom. We will be discussing and refining our ideas to arrive at a short list of proposed activities for 2026. If you wish to help make a meaningful impact in our community and beyond, keep your eye on this space for information about how to participate in upcoming social action events. If you would like to help with the organizing efforts, please text or call Eric Draper at 216-630-6075 to join our meetings and communication. You can also refer to our web page at tbshudson.org/category/cbe/community/tikkun-social-action/ for the latest information.
•Donation Collected at Thanksgiving Service Hosted by TBS
Interfaith congregants donated $1,000 to help serve those in need at the end of life.
Grace House Akron (www.gracehouseakron.org) provides a caring environment for hospice enrolled individuals who are without a caregiver, an able caregiver or cannot afford a private caregiver. Grace House Akron is grounded in the knowledge that there are too many individuals in our community, who are at the end of life, with nowhere to go, and no one to care for them. They believe that everyone deserves to die in the presence of care, compassion, and dignity, and that no one should die alone.
• Akron Canton Regional Food Bank – Collection Extended Heightened food insecurity has increased demand in our community.
Our giving campaign is continuing into the winter season.
The most effective support of ACRFB is through direct monetary contributions. Each $1 donated provides three meals.
There are two ways to donate: Online at http://give.akroncantonfoodbank.org/goto/templebethshalom
By check, addressed to Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
Write “Temple Beth Shalom Holiday Food Drive” in the memo so we can track our donations and mail your donation to Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, 350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron, OH 44307 Contact Marcy Caplin with questions.
TBS foodbank donations
Please consider continued giving in light of the food banks all over the country running out of food.
We have received donations and they’ve been processed! The total amount of monetary donations was $2,822, providing 8,466 meals for our community. That’s amazing, thank you so much for your continued support and generosity during this time and every year!
Calling all Acme shoppers…
TBS is participating in Acme’s Community Cash Back program.
Now through February 15, when you purchase the following brands, bring your receipts to the temple to help us earn funds.
There are two collection spots for your convenience. For questions, please text or call Eric Draper at 216-630-6075.
TBS Lending Library News! Greetings from the road. I am driving from Atlanta to Stuart Florida. You can visit the Library anytime you are at TBS. Take out any books you like. I am enjoying the books I borrowed. Jewish history is nothing short of amazing and inspirational.
I would like to make the Library interactive. If you have a book you enjoyed and would like to recommend it to the congregation email me and I will share the title. (The book does not need to be in the Library) We can help each other learn more about our history and where we are today.
Please consider donating any books you want to part with.
All the best, Bill Riter wrriter@yahoo.com
We love 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
•Match activities to your interests & abilities •Participate in Brotherhood & Sisterhood •Support & Enhance the TBS community •E-Megillah digital newsletter co-editor
D E A T H S I N T H E L A S T Y E A R
Marika Andro • Tom Beasley • Frances Berman
Marlene Chevette • Lynn Mickovic Jack Scanlon • Linda SchulmanA monthly yahrzeit list of TBS family loved ones will now be published in the e-megillah
as well as read during Shabbat services.
J A N U A R Y Y A H R Z E I T S
Joseph Beck • Cynthia Blazey
Harry Robert Bronstein • Mildred Caplin Helen Cooper • Celia Eisen Xenia Fischmann Culiner • Frank Frankino Sabina Fromm • Theodore Hess Sarah Koller • Simon Krutowsky Dorothy Long • Deborah B Neiburg Leo Schildhouse • Robert Noel Schildhouse Anne Selinger • Haim Singer • Allen Slivka Maurice Terkel • Sylvia Weisman
If you have names to add, please send them with their yahrzeit date to:
• Upcoming meetings and events are currently being planned and scheduled by the Sisterhood. Announcements will be posted as soon as they are available!
Please reach out to Eric Chupack 
Temple Beth Shalom
Social Action@TBS
Greetings from the road. I am driving from Atlanta to Stuart Florida. You can visit the Library anytime you are at TBS. Take out any books you like. I am enjoying the books I borrowed. Jewish history is nothing short of amazing and inspirational.
