September 2023
ELUL 5783 / TISHREI 5784
SPRINGFIELD, OH
~ RABBI'S CORNER ~
SELF APOLOGIES
We are taught that the High Holiday season is a time when we repair broken relationships - a time when we reconcile with G-d and with people with whom we have ''fallen out.'' The season beckons us to take what is called a cheshbone nefesh, a ''soul-accounting,'' spiritual inventory. Taking a full and thorough accounting of our souls includes reconciling with and apologizing to our own souls. With these thoughts in mind, I share this poem by Rich Orloff of Rochester, NY:
A PRAYER FOR THE DAMAGED SOUL
If I had a damaged foot
I wouldn't tell myself
Just ignore it
Or pretend that it's fine
I would take care of it as best I could
Not letting it define my life
But knowing that it needs tending and love
Perhaps this is the attitude I need
To cultivate towards my damaged soul
Which I've tried to ignore
Which I've hid in shame
Which I've tried to bandage over
Which I've vehemently disowned
Although I can forgive myself for wishing
That my soul was pristine
There are dents in my soul
There are scars over wounds
There is soft throbbing pain
Intractably woven into my soul's beauty
I apologize to my soul for my neglect
I apologize for refusing to accept it as it is
I apologize for comparing it to a myth
Of what my soul should look like
I am the caretaker of my soul
This is nobody's job but mine
I ask my soul for forgiveness
And pray my soul will respond with mercy
Sheryl and I wish all of you a healthy and happy new year. May 5784 be a year of blessing and fulfillment for all of us.
-Rabbi Cary Kozberg
~ HIGH HOLY DAYS ~
Sunday, Sept 10, 11:00 AM
Cemetery Memorial Service
Friday, Sept 15, 7:30 PM
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Saturday, Sept 16, 10:00 AM
Rosh Hashanah Morning Service
followed by Tashlikh Service
Friday, Sept 22, 6:00 PM
Shabbat Shuvah Service
Sunday, Sept 24, 7:00 PM
Kol Nidre Service
Monday, Sept 25, Yom Kippur
10:00 AM - Morning Service
1:30 PM - Afternoon Program/Discussion
3:30 PM - Afternoon Service
5:00 PM - Yizkor Memorial Service
5:30 PM - Ne'ilah/Havdalah
CEMETERY MEMORIAL SERVICE
It is a meaningful Jewish tradition to visit the graves of dear ones during the High Holy Days. You are invited to attend this brief Memorial Service beginning at 11:00 AM on September 10
in the Reform Jewish cemetery section of Ferncliff Cemetery.
HAVE A BLAST ON THE SHOFAR
The sounds of the shofar play a deep and memorable role in the High Holy Days services, beginning with the morning of Rosh Hashanah and concluding at the final service of Yom Kippur. No prior experience is needed. Contact the office if you would like to volunteer.
ROSH HASHANAH EVE ONEG
The traditional apples and honey, as well as cookies and coffee, will be served during the kiddush after the service on September 15. We hope you will join us for this service BEGINNING AT 7:30 PM and celebrate the sweetness of the new year.
TASHLIKH ''THROW''
Please join us for the ancient Rosh Hashanah ritual of Tashlikh after the Rosh Hashanah Morning Service. Gather at Reid Park (across from the entrance to the Dam) and bring your bread. Rabbi Kozberg will lead in symbolically ridding ourselves of our shortcomings by throwing breadcrumbs in the water.
YOM KIPPUR AFTERNOON DISCUSSION
Everyone, as in years past, our Yom Kippur afternoon will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Topic: TO PARAPHRASE ''DIRTY HARRY'': A MOVEMENT'S GOT TO KNOW ITS LIMITATIONS.
In a recent article about the current Reform Movement, Armin Rosen discusses how Judaism's largest denomination is dealing with growing divisions around Israel, political alignment, Jewish peoplehood, and how these divisions are affecting the very future of the movement. The article can be found at https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/belief/articles/dissent-ranks-reform-movement. Looking forward to your participation!
YOM KIPPUR BREAK-THE-FAST
Following Neilah on Yom Kippur, September 25, the Social Committee and Temple are sponsoring a Break-the-Fast. Please RSVP if you plan to attend and let us know the dish you will bring to share. We need a few kugels, egg salad, herring, gefilte fish, and desserts. The Temple will provide the bagels and lox. This is a wonderful way to end the High Holy Days among friends and family.
YOM KIPPUR HUNGER PROJECT
Please bring your grocery bags filled with non-perishable foods for donating to the Second Harvest Food Bank. A table will be set up just inside the social hall for your donations.
BRING A WRAP
In the interest of comfort, you may wish to bring a light jacket for services in the sanctuary. The temperature is generally set a bit cooler so that the participants on the bimah will not be too warm.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS...
Marvin and Sandy Silverstein, Jack Grodner
CELEBRATE SUKKOT...
We will be meeting on Sunday, September 10 at 1:00 p.m. at the Temple to make new decorations for the Sukkah. Please invite your friends and family for this fun interactive activity.
Then, on Wednesday, September 27 at 5:30 p.m, we will be decorating the Sukkah with these new decorations. This is open to the entire congregation, friends, and family.
To round out the month of September, we will celebrate Sukkot on Friday, September 29 and will include a Congregational Dinner under the new sukkah, weather permitting. Please make reservations and let us know if you would like to bring a dish to share.
With Best Wishes to you and yours for a New Year
that will be Sweet and Good
~ SOCIAL COMMITTEE NEWS ~
Hello, the Social Committee has been quite busy; and for the next few months we have events planned that will involve each of you in the Temple Community.
To help cover the expenses of monthly dinners, such as utilities, support staff, and supplies, a minimal charge for attendees will be added to your Temple statement.
Please be on the watch for a survey coming to your email regarding future programming. If you are interested in joining or have programming ideas, please contact Kelley Beloff at Kelleyabeloff@gmail.com
~ CONTRIBUTIONS ~
GOLD
-In honor of Stan Nedelman's 93rd birthday from Marvin and Sandy Silverstein
-In honor of the yahrzeits for Evelyn Ennis, Theresa Ennis, and Shereen Willens from Barbara Willens
SHARON LEE BROOCK FLOWER FUND
-In honor of Laurie Leventhal's birthday from Peggy Noonan, Mary Ann LaHaise, Nancy McGregor and Family, Saundra Hudson
~ YAHRZEIT LIST ~
SEPT 1: Anna Kaminsky, David Krauss (grandfather), Rebecca LaSalle, Saul Schneider, Minnie Weixelbaum, Melvyn L. Haas (brother of Sandy Silverstein), Harold Y. Leventhal (brother of Aaron Leventhal), Moshe Zohar (brother of Itzca Zonar)
SEPT 8: Maurice K. Baach, Louis Dollin, Louis Feinstein, Aaron Isaac Gordon, Alfred Stein, Paul Lewis Stein, Henry G. Stern
SEPT 15: Grace Paris Bruser, Sol Dagan, Rebecca Gerson, Rabbi C. Melvyn Helfgott, Dora Klein, Annabel Lapinsky, Louis Leventhal, Lena Reich, Lina Goland Schiff, Julius Singer, Pearl Weinbach, Caleb Alan Armbrecht, Howard Heller, Dan Rich
SEPT 22: Estella Greenland (mother of Jay Greenland), Moses M. Kaufman, Max Roy Lapinsky, Fannie Neyer Leventhal, Sylvia K. Margolis, Dora Salzer, Dr. Robert M. Tannenbaum, Alma L. Weixelbaum, Sheldon Leventhal (brother of Ed Leventhal), Ari Leviatan
SEPT 29: Walter B. Kleeman, Sr., Max Levitan
OCT 6: Ida Reva Block, Jane L. Ensten, Hyman E. Levy, Florence A. Tannenbaum, Alan Feinstein (husband of Nancy Feinstein), James Goldman, Sandra Marenberg (sister of Gerald Marenberg), Ruth Miller, Seymour Miller, Lester Stein (father of Leslie Buerki)
