MAY 2024
NISSAN / IYAR 5784
SPRINGFIELD, OH

MAZAL TOV TO...
Bob and Leslie Buerki on the birth of their third granddaughter, Marni W. Buerki. Her parents, Robin and Amy, and sisters, Leni and Zadie, all of whom reside in Chicago, are thrilled.

TODAH RABBAH...Thank You to
Everyone who helped with the Passover 2nd Night Seder meal and service: Itzca Zohar for picking up the Seder meals from Bernstein's in Dayton; Kathleen and her kitchen crew; the Social Committee members for their donations, preparations and serving throughout the meal; Rabbi Kozberg for his leadership; and our Security crew for their watchfulness.

~ RABBI'S CORNER ~
THE SPIRIT OF ''76''
''The spirit of '76'' is a phrase that has historically summarized the spirit of the American Revolution. It refers to the qualities of self-determination, resilience, and a commitment to the freedom and liberty believed to be given to us by the Creator, expressed in the Declaration of Independence and exemplified by our Founders.
This year, Israel will celebrate its 76th birthday on the 6th of Iyar/May 14 (this year the Hebrew date and the Western date are the same as they were in 1948). Although there are, of course, differences in the historical origins of these two countries, there are some commonalities:

-Both declared independence from Great Britain.
-Both affirmed a connection to G-d and the Bible in their respective founding documents:
-In the American Declaration of Independence: ''We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.

(It is a fact that America's ''spirit of '76'' was in large part inspired by the biblical story of the Exodus, and the belief that America was the ''new Israel,'' needing to separate from ''Egyptian Britain'' and its Pharoah, King George III. A proposal for the Seal of the United States was a relief of the Israelites crossing the Sea and the words, ''resistance to tyranny is obedience to G-d''.)

-Israel's Declaration of Independence concludes with ''With trust in Almighty God, we set our hands to this declaration at this session of the Provisional state Council in the city of Tel Aviv this Sabbath eve, the fifth day of Iyar, 5708, the fourteenth day of May, 1948.''

(Citing the several Divine promises recorded in Holy Scriptures to restore the Jewish people to their original homeland, the early Zionists rejected other places to establish a haven for the victims of the 19th century Jew hatred, affirming that the only legitimate site was the eastern shore of the Mediterranean. Moreover, in the wake of immediately recognizing the nascent State of Israel, President Harry Truman referenced the Bible's account of the Persian king Cyrus' allowing the exiled Judeans to return to their land when he declared: ''I am Cyrus! I am Cyrus!'' For a fascinating account of what led to Truman's declaration, read Rabbi Meir Soloveitchik's article, https://www.commentary.org/articles/meir-soloveichik/i-am-cyrus/)

-In their respective wars for independence, both nations faced overwhelming odds. At times, their situations looked quite bleak; and doubt, anxiety, and fear were often palpable. In both wars, the enemy showed cruelty; and casualties were high. At the same time, both nations were blessed with leaders that exemplified hope, courage, and determination.

For these reasons (and others), America has had an historical and spiritual connection with Israel - a connection that is evident and which the enemies of both countries often recognize when they curse and threaten ''the little Satan'' and the ''great Satan'' together.
As we know, in recent months Israel has experienced very serious challenges. Before October 7 of last year, internal politics and cultural differences threatened to tear the country apart and there was actual talk of a civil war. October 7 changed everything. 1,200 people were butchered in the worst one-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust...but that event quickly and fortunately unified Israelis, demonstrating to even the most ''dovish doves'' among them the true evil of their enemies. It also raised the question, asked by many:

Given the harsh ways G-d has used to get our attention so often in the past, was October 7 yet another ''kick in the tuches'' to get our attention? And if so, did it have to be so hard?

Tough questions...and not so easily answered. But for those of us who are of the opinion that our sacred texts don't just recall our past relationship with G-d, but continue to remind us that the G-d of history is still involved in our history - we may not know definitive answers, but we believe that the Holy One continues to play a part.
When we step back and reflect on the events of the past several months - a renewed and arguably uniquely virulent hatred targeting not just the Jewish State but Jews all over the world - it's hard not to take seriously the words of the Aleinu prayer: that we have been ''set apart from the other families of the earth'' and given ''a destiny unique among the nations.'' (Mishkan Tefillah, p. 282)
And it was only a few days ago that, as we began to conclude the Passover seder with the fourth cup of wine, we reminded ourselves of that destiny: ''...the tasks that await us as people called to the service of G-d, to a great purpose for which the people of Israel lives: the preservation and affirmation of hope.'' (A Passover Haggadah, pp. 92-93)
And so, how appropriate that in a time when so many of us are responding to current events with doubt and anxiety - we regularly sing Israel's national anthem, which centers on - and is entitled - Hatikvah, ''The Hope'':

L'hiyot am chofshi b'artsenu, eretz Tzion v'Yerushalayim/To be a free people in our own land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem.

Throughout its short history plagued by war and terrorism, the preservation and affirmation of hope has still been the driving force behind Israel's spirit. This year, it remains the hallmark of its ''spirit of '76.''
May that spirit continue long after this year - and may all of us who care about Israel be inspired by it and work to preserve it.
-Rabbi Cary Kozberg

~ YOM HA'SHOAH ~
Temple Sholom will observe this Holocaust Remembrance Day during worship service. This day, which begins at sundown on May 5, is for remembering the millions of lives lost under Nazi persecution. But it also reminds us to reflect on the acts of resistance that took place throughout the war.

~ YOM HA'ATZMAUT ~
This national Day of Independence of Israel will be commemorated during the Shabbat service at Temple Sholom. Yom HaAtzmaut, which begins at sundown on May 13, is preceded by Yom HaZikaron, which begins at sundown on May 12 and is designated as Israeli Memorial Day and memorializes those who gave their lives in defense of the State of Israel.

~ CONTRIBUTIONS ~
-A generous contribution was received from Marilyn Cooper with wishes for a Happy Passover
-A generous contribution was received from Clara Perks

DIAMOND
-In honor of Kim Fish's 66th birthday from Beth and Hal Goodrich

GOLD
-In honor of the yahrzeit for Hattie Rachel Willens from Barbara Willens

Dear Temple Sholom Congregation,
Thanks so much for the Hands in Friendship plaque in memory of my dear husband, Rabbi Lloyd R. Goldman. It is very much appreciated by me and my family. He enjoyed his twelve-year tenure there and the people he came to know and love. He always said it was a privilege serving a smaller congregation because he got to know each congregant on a more personal level. He enjoyed not only his rabbinic duties at Temple Sholom but his years representing the temple in the community. -Bernice Goldman

~ YAHRZEIT LIST ~
MAY 3: Rae Bernstein, Sharon Lee Broock, Benjamin Feldman, Robert M. Gold, Rose Heller, Irene Klaben, Simon Zoav Levine, Louis Rubinoff, Cecile Strauss, Jacob Weinfeld, Philip Friedman, Harry Lurie, Anne Rosenstein, Blanche Stillpass (mother of Phyllis Nedelman)

MAY 10: Boris Ackerman (father of Joan Ackerman), Alan Buchfirer, Ann Gaynor, Lazer Gerson, Rose Kimmelman, Harry Rich, Faye C. Sachs, Gerald Alan Greene, Carol Elaine Stein

MAY 17: Sallie W. Feldman, George Kleeman, Harry E. Leventhal, Anna H. Levy, Jennie Rich, Harry Rosenfield, Abe H. Sachs, Beverly G. Weiser (mother of Judith Weiser), Ruth S. Werber, Dr. Benjamin Kepnes (father of Ellen Levine), David Sterling Margolis, Ralph Rickenbach, Max Silverstein (father of Marvin Silverstein)

MAY 24: Robert Ackerman, Norman Block, Judith Elaine Kossoff, Mark P. Kossoff, Albert Long, Samuel Reich, Catherine (Cherri) Rich, Henry Zappin, Rabbi Lloyd R. Goldman (husband of Bernice Goldman)

MAY 31: Justin A. Altschul, Ben Kaufman, Dorothy Krane, Dorothy Pollens, Joseph Thurman, Eunice Pesselman (mother of Laurie Leventhal), Barbara Leventhal Stern, Arthur Fred Willens, Edward Wolf (father of Fran Rickenbach)

JUNE 7: Jennie G. Arnovitz, Esther Berman, Esther Myers Gross, Leon Kempler, Lydia Kempler, Harry Kossoff, Louis Krauss, Bertha Schoenthal, Dr. Erika Garfunkel, Robert Kern, Minnie Russack