This Saturday we will have Torah Study on Kedoshim or Holiness at 9:45 am. We will also have the next section of our Prayer Essentials class at 9:00 am.
Bagels will be served. Please join us! Zoom Link: TORAH STUDY ID: 844 3145 6155, PW: tbstorah
Saturday Prayer Essentials and Torah Study
Rabbi’s Voices of Faith Newspaper Column
Here’s my column for this weekend.
Reclaiming Center
For the past two months I have felt like a starting pitcher in baseball who was placed on the 60-day injured list for a few minor injuries.
In mid-March, I underwent a double hernia repair, which forced me off my bike for the start of the outdoor cycling season. The procedure was a success, but I felt antsy during my recovery. I couldn’t even ride indoors as I had all winter.
In mid-April, I underwent a battery replacement for my chest stimulators. These are connected to electrodes in my brain that help to regulate my neurological disorder called dystonia. The stimulators power my Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS therapy. Every four to five years the stimulator batteries need to be replaced. As the weather warmed in April, and the cyclists began appearing on our streets, pangs of envy arose.
In May, the sunshine has fully reappeared, and this past Monday, I was finally given the medical permission to get back on my bike for a ride. As my wife’s synagogue leader, Pinky Stern used to say, “What a mechaya!”
This Yiddish term means to take deep joy from life again. So, walking into your air-conditioned living after being outside on a hot, humid day is a mechaya. A delight in life is a good translation, but I prefer the phrase “re-enlivening.”
I began my regular cycling workouts five years ago during Covid. I would ride three times a week for an hour. I delighted each time in my connection to nature. I felt expansive as I challenged my body to work a bit harder with every workout. I felt a sense of centeredness and holiness after my rides.
During the start of the October 7 war between Israel and Hamas, I realized I needed daily grounding practices to get me through my mornings, so I could be centered and focused in my work with Jewish college students. For the past 19 months, I alternated between my rides, and meditation sits, and prayer practices most days.
But In March, I lost one of the legs of my three-legged “centering” stool that kept me going. I felt a bit off, a bit unfocused, a bit disconnected from my body. The aches and pains of recovery were tolerable, but they were also constant reminders of my body’s compromised state. My meditation practices and community gatherings became the location for my sense of groundedness. They helped.
When I climbed on my bike this past Monday, a smile returned to my face. I greeted the birds, and trees and bushes. Gratitude washed over me. My ride allowed me the time and space to wash the daily chaos away from my mind for an hour as I noticed the beauty of a perfect spring ride.
What a mechayah! What an absolute, unmitigated joy to reclaim my body and my sense of connection after two months away! I felt like a part of my soul had returned to its home.
This week I am also starting a new Jewish Meditation Circle at Temple Beth Shalom in Hudson. We will meet on alternating Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm starting on May 15. All are welcome. These classes will meet through June and are free. The class is called “An Introduction to Jewish Meditation.”
We are living in chaotic times. At times like these, we have a choice about how to engage the chaos.
We can start our days in gratitude and groundedness, or we can be swept away by the noise.
May your physical recoveries be complete and speedy. May you find joy in spring. May you find ways to move your body that brings health. May you return to center, and locate groundedness in your life.
Last week’s Torah reading asked us to find paths to be holy like God, (Leviticus 19).
Kedoshim tehiyu – may you be holy.
New Group Starting – Intro to Jewish Meditation
On Thursday, 5/15, at 7:30 pm, I will be starting a new group. I will lead an “Introduction to Jewish Meditation.”
In these chaotic days, finding a grounding practice has been invaluable for me.
We will explore basic mindfulness practices as we spiritually prepare for Shabbat.
This group will be for both beginning students and advanced students.
To start, we will meet every other week through May and June.
Helping Danny Cinotti’s Mitzvah Project
My name is Danny Cinotti and I am 13 years old. I have decided that for my Bar Mitzvah project I would like to help a local animal rescue. The animal rescue that I chose to help is called Roses Rescue. My goal to help this rescue is to collect donations of dog and cat stuff that the rescue needs to help dogs and cats. Please help by mitzvah project by donating any items on the list below: * Martingale collars (especially medium, small and x-small)
* Leashes
* Toys (tough and stuff-able)
* Nylabones
* Puppy pads/wee wee pads
* Dog food – canned and dry
* Treats/biscuits
* Dog beds
* Cat toys
* Clumping kitty litter
* Kitten food – canned (please no seafood)
* Cat beds – new
* Cat nip
All of these supplies will go to help homeless and injured pets at Roses Rescue. Please either drop off donations at either:
Temple Beth Shalom; 50 Division Street, Hudson, OH 44236 My front porch; 2721 Calais Drive, Stow, OH 44224
Religious School News
Our closing day is Sunday 5/18. Please join us for our closing day BBQ!
REMINDER TO ALL TBS CONGREGANTS
TBS Annual Meeting
Friday, June 20
6:30-7:00 pm
Wine & Cheese in the Social Room 7:00-7:30 pm
Annual Meeting in the Social Room 7:30-7:45 pm BURN THE MORTGAGE CELEBRATION in the side yard! 8:00-8:45 pm
Shabbat Services in the Sanctuary 8:45 pm
Celebration Oneg in the Social Room
Meeting Agenda • Review of 2024-2025 Temple Business • Presentation of 2025-2026 Budget • Presentation & Vote on new slate of officers for 2025-2026
All TBS congregants are encouraged to attend
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.
We all look forward to burning that mortgage at our annual meeting on June 20. Plan on being there for this exciting occasion!
Blessings to all,
Larry Terkel
TBS President
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 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! 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 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
News & Special Announcements!
Lauren Sharp Bernstein, daughter of TBS members Robin Rosen-Sharp and John Sharp graduated from HUC with a Masters of Arts in Jewish Education, on May 2, 2025
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
JOIN the TBS CHOIR!
Come hear and support our very own member Shabbat choir!
Contact Deb Rogers: debrogers912@gmail.com
D E A T H S I N T H E L A S T Y E A R
Marika Andro • 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 Y Y A H R Z E I T S
Gladys Z Berman • Bernard H Berman • Benjamin Fromm
Rita Gross • Benjamin Lerhaupt • George Kerster
Philip Joel Loublin • Samuel Neiburg • Edith Rubino
John W Rubino • Gene Vinciguerra • Eva Wachtell
If you have names to add, please send them with their yahrzeit date to:
Laurie Frankino, Ritual Chair, at lfrankino@gmail.com.
• 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
Dear TBS Friends & Family,
* Martingale collars (especially medium, small and x-small)
Lauren Sharp Bernstein, daughter of TBS members Robin Rosen-Sharp and John Sharp graduated from HUC with a Masters of Arts in Jewish Education, on May 2, 2025
Come hear and support our very own member Shabbat choir! 