~ RABBI'S CORNER ~
RECIPROCATING COURAGE WITH DUTY
Recently, our member Ann Chitkara spent two weeks in Israel as a volunteer with people from other countries - Jews and non-Jews - to help Israel get back on its feet after 10/7/23 and its aftermath. This was Ann's second trip as a volunteer, and she happened to be there on the three-year anniversary of that horrific day. What follows are some thoughts that Phil, a fellow volunteer, shared with their group at an evening gathering to mark the anniversary.
May the sentiments expressed resonate with all of us. May they inspire us to reciprocate the courage described here by continuing to support our brothers and sisters in Israel - especially in this time when so much of the rest of the world is working to isolate them. RCK
Today on October 7, 2026, we mark three years since the Hamas massacres. Here on this base I would like us to take a few moments to remember those who were murdered, those who endured captivity, and the families whose lives changed forever.
I want to share the story of one man: Yosef Chaim Ohana.
Yosef was 23 years old when he attended the Nova music festival. He had plans for his future, including travelling to the United States to train as a pilot.
When the attack began, Yosef and his friends had an opportunity to escape. Instead, they stayed to help wounded people.
Eventually, he found himself hiding with other festivalgoers. As gunmen approached, they held hands, believing they were about to die. People beside him were murdered. Yosef was pulled out alive and taken to Gaza.
He would spend 738 days - just over two years - in Hamas captivity. First held in apartments and later underground in tunnels, he endured starvation, beatings and psychological torture.
Above ground, he feared that the building might be struck. Underground, he feared running out of air or being buried by a collapse.
His captors told him lies about what was happening in Israel. On one occasion, they ordered the hostages to choose who among them would be killed. The threatened killings did not happen, but the terror stayed with him.
How did he keep going?
Yosef described speaking to God every day, as though speaking to a friend. He held onto his family, his Jewish identity, and the hope that he would eventually be free.
He also held onto his compassion. He said he cried for his family, imagining their anguish, and for fellow hostages he saw being tortured.
One statement captures his determination: ''They already stole my body. - - But if I let them steal my soul, I'd be in captivity for life.''
He was released in October 2025. Freedom brought him home, but recovery remains a journey. Today, he shares his story with audiences, helping people understand and remember.
Yesterday, we discussed qualities associated with the IDF. I believe Yosef’s story gives several of those qualities a deeply human meaning.
Human Life: He helped wounded people while his own life was in danger.
Responsibility: He saw people who needed help and acted.
Personal Leadership and Personal Example: Amid confusion and fear, he led through his actions.
Camaraderie: In captivity, he cared deeply about the suffering of those beside him.
Discipline and Sense of Mission: He worked to preserve his faith, his identity and his humanity, holding onto a reason to keep going.
His perseverance also speaks to the drive to complete a mission. But we must remember that survival was never entirely within a hostage's control. Those who were murdered deserve the same honor.
As volunteers, we each have a modest part to play here. We can bring responsibility to our work, care for one another, and remember the human lives behind the tasks we perform.
Today, let us honor those who were murdered, stand with those still healing, and carry their stories home.
May the memory of those we lost be a blessing.
And to the above, let us say: Amen!
TEMPLE OFFICE CLOSED_ _ _
The Temple office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
CONDOLENCES TO_ _ _
The family of Char Schiff, who passed away on October 14, just a few days shy of her 96th birthday. Char had been a member of Temple Sholom for many years. She was very active in her community and surrounding area. But she was best known for her superb cooking and dinner invites. There will be a Celebration of Life gathering in Char's memory at the home of Matthew and Karen Denman, 1370 Corry St, Yellow Springs on Saturday, November 7, 2026 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please consider contributions to the Yellow Springs Community Foundation, the Dayton Art Institute, or Temple Sholom in memory of Char.
May her memory be an abiding blessing
~ CONTRIBUTIONS ~
SPECIAL
-Best wishes to Todd Leventhal on your 75th birthday from Eddie and Laurie Leventhal
GOLD
-A general donation from Bobbi Mugford
~ YAHRZEIT LIST ~
NOV 6: Helen Pines Alper, Jacob LaSalle, Abraham Silberberg, Emilie Turyn (sister of Larry Turyn), David M. Levitan, Steven Abraham Shapiro (brother of Jerome Shapiro)
NOV 13: Max Beloff (father of Larry Beloff), Gertrude Ann Donn, Jeffrey David Ebner, Morris Freed, Clarence ''Van'' Gabbard, Joseph S. Lessner, Phillip Mendelson, Joe Pollens, Percy H. Rosenfield Sr, Ilse B. Sander, Maurice Schechter, David Draisen (brother of Bernice Goldman), Murray Ebner, Henrietta Marks Goldman
NOV 20: Judy W. Kossoff, Ch. Bleme Maybruck, Louis Rich, Aaron Sachs, Stanley Irwin Sachs, Joseph M. Salzer, Max Stessel, Norma Thurman, Bernard W. Weiser, Elick Zitsman, Rose Broidy (mother of Steve Broidy), Sam Kossoff, Ruth K. Marcus (mother of Faye)
NOV 27: Shirley Ruth Buchfirer, Joseph Ebner, Joseph Fishbain, Ida Holzman, Martin A. Levine (father of Jeff Levine), Harry Myers, Sarah P. Silberberg, Edward Frand, Albert Viton
DEC 4: Laura Ackerman (mother of Joan Ackerman), Harry Berman, Sanford “Rik” Newman, Ethel H. Sanders, Raymond Schneider (father of Bruce & Larry Schneider), Ben Farber, Paulette Grodner (wife of Jack Grodner), Leonard Kurland, Rosalyn Horwitz Leventhal (mother of Aaron Leventhal), Frank Mugford (husband of Bobbi Mugford), Tillie Shifman