TEMPLE SHOLOM NEWSLETTER

AUGUST 2026

AV / ELUL 5786

SPRINGFIELD, OH

~ RABBI'S CORNER ~

TO BE AVOIDED, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE

Arguably, nowhere is the importance of preserving human dignity more evident than in the Torah's commandment regarding the met mitzvah: the commandment that anyone who encounters a corpse on the road must see to the burial. This includes even individuals who are normally forbidden to be in the presence of a dead body - kohanim/members of the priestly class, individuals who have taken the Nazirite vow. (Numbers 6:6-7)

And although it is unlikely that the specific circumstances the Torah describes would occur in our time, nevertheless, this commandment is often invoked today when a Jewish person dies without any family and/or without any affiliation with the Jewish community. Should this happen, the community is obligated to see to that person's proper burial.

Recently, I had the sad privilege of officiating at the funerals of two individuals, each of whom was a met mitzvah. To be sure, each had family, but neither was affiliated in any way with the Jewish community. Other rabbis were not available (a separate discussion). In a follow-up conversation with the funeral director, I learned that each of these individuals had been dead for several days before they were found. Which meant that each of them had died alone. Each of them had left this world without anyone around to say goodbye or to shed a tear. Sharing these sad circumstances with me, the funeral director concluded by blurting out: "Rabbi, the take away lesson: DON'T DIE ALONE.''

As I write this, the High Holidays are only a few weeks away. Known in Hebrew as the Yamim Nra'im (the ''Days of Reverence''), they beckon us to take stock of ourselves, to do a thorough spiritual and moral inventory of ourselves, and to reconcile with those whom we may have offended or who may have offended us. This season is the time when we are most aware of our mortality - the words "who shall live and who shall die?" penetrating our kishkes. In the liturgy, these words are followed by various circumstances in which a person's life might end: "who by fire, who by water---"To which might be added: "who will leave this world surrounded by loved ones, who will leave disconnected, alienated and alone?"

As this most sacred of seasons approaches, we are invited/encouraged to return and to reconcile with each other and with G-d. But responding with a positive "RSVP" certainly cannot be forced. We can choose to "come home" or we can choose to remain outside and hidden from others.

May the coming year see no one remaining disconnected and alienated either from other people or from G-d.

May no one choose to remain outside and hidden, and risk leaving this world in solitude.

May we take the lesson to heart: Dying alone. To be avoided, if at all possible.

-Rabbi Cary Kozberg

~ ANNOUNCEMENT ~

Steve and Susie Broidy are moving to Missouri to be near family. We wish them well as they enter the next chapter in their lives.

~ HIGH HOLY DAYS 5787 ~

The High Holy Days will begin early in September. Please mark your calendars for the following dates and plan to attend these services.

Sunday, Sept 6 Cemetery Memorial

Friday, Sept 11 Erev Rosh Hashanah

Saturday, Sept 12 Rosh Hashanah

Monday, Sept 21 Yom Kippur

Saturday, Sept 26 Succot

Saturday, Oct 3 Shemini Atzeret

Sunday, Oct 4 Simchat Torah

Rosh Hashanah

Saturday September 12 Congregational Lunch at 2:00 pm

Join us this year for a Congregational Lunch following Services and Tashlich. We will come back to the Temple for a festive Rosh Hashanah Lunch. Fish will be served for a Dairy Lunch. Please bring a side dish to share.