July 1, 2020

Being Accessible

It is amazing that it took a global pandemic to bring us closer together than ever before. Prior to our physical separation, everyone had a schedule to keep, activities to attend, sports to watch and play, and responsibilities from work. When it came to getting together with people who were far away or out of town, the excuse was always, “sorry, but I really don’t have time right now.” Now we say to ourselves, “I haven’t seen some of these family or friends in decades and now we ‘zoom’ every week.”

Who knew?

As community spaces close their doors for the sake of public health, a number of wildly diverse Jewish offerings have started appearing online. Finally, Judaism is accessible for all. As you know, here at Temple Israel we have created multiple ways to stay involved and informed in order to connect with each other. Isolation is difficult under most circumstances, and now it is exacerbated due to the confines of the pandemic rules. The good news is that there are so many ways to stay connected to each other. From learning about prayer to listening to beautiful prayers set to song, staying connected could not be easier. With our various online programs, the ability to watch and learn is available for everyone.

Now that we are going back to our original form of livestream (Boxcast) through our website for Friday evening Shabbat services, we have added the bonus of also watching on Facebook live. This medium gives us the ability to chat live with each other while we watch, to type in names of those who need healing, and to feel like we are all together once again. During the summer months of July and August, we are introducing a few changes to our online platform. Musical Meditation will now be on Tuesday mornings at 10am, replacing the Morning Message. Lunch and Learns will be every other Wednesday, taught by a variety of teachers. The classes I will teach involve the use of the Prayer Packet on our website. Finally, the Coffee and Conversation with the Congregation will be replaced with a virtual Oneg (from your home) on Fridays at 5:30pm, before the Shabbat evening service.

Apart, yet together. Connected in so many ways!

July 1, 2020

Soulfully Close

templeisrael91 / Rabbi Josh Brown /

For the first six months of our relationship, Carrie and I dated long distance. I was finishing rabbinical school in Los Angeles and she was living in Chicago. As any couple who lives apart knows, this is far from ideal. At the time, a wise friend who had recently married, after a period of being apart from her then husband, shared that there are skills you build in your relationship while you are apart that are often difficult to achieve when we are together.

She was right. Unable to see each other, we learn to cherish the moments we have together. We learn to give each other our full attention on a phone call or to make sure that we check in every day and share the details of our lives in conversation. In the same way that a book gives us more nuance than a movie of the same story, an extended conversation on the phone or a weekend together after weeks apart often becomes more valuable than a weekend we take for granted after years of being in the same home. Being physically distanced forces us to be soulfully close.

We are now months into our long distance relationships with our friends and loved ones. I want to believe that the advice our wise friend gave us applies to our lives today. I pray that we are building new skills in our relationships, focusing with more intention on the conversations that matter and making a book out of aspects of our lives that we often glossed over. I also wonder if we are learning how important it is to care for the parts of each other we ignore when we are with each other in person.

Rabbi Israel Salanter, a leading Jewish ethicist of the 19th century, is often quoted for a teaching about our vanity. He wrote that “most people are concerned about their own bodies and their neighbors’ souls. In order to improve our world we must leave our neighbors’ souls alone. We must instead worry about our neighbors’ bodies and our own souls.”

In this socially distanced world, we are discovering that we need not worry about what clothes we wear or what trends are being noticed. We are in a soul-focused world right now. A world where vanity and aesthetics have taken a back seat to the importance of being in relationship with those we love. It is not the same experience that we have when we are with each other in person.

And, like romantic relationships, long distance is rarely sustainable for a long time. But for a series of months, for Summer and perhaps Fall, while we long to be back with those we love, I hope we can take advantage of this opportunity to learn to love them better, to cherish what we know of them more than how we see them and to recognize that while this moment is far from ideal, perhaps it is a moment that can shape the future of our most cherished relationships for the better.

June 1, 2020

Sewing Up Social Justice

templeisrael91 / Rabbi Josh Brown /

About a month into the stay-at-home order, our nine-year-old daughter Hannah fell off her bike. Thankfully, her only injury was a large cut on her knee. Three months ago, we would have hopped in the car and headed to Urgent Care or the Children’s Emergency room to see if she needed stitches. In our world today, we took a deep breath, put on our COVID-19 hats and (after a short phone call to our pediatrician) decided that we were going to patch this knee up ourselves. With gauze and antibiotic ointment in hand, we did our best home remedy.

The word Tikkun Olam is used a lot in modern American Judaism. Often it is used synonymously with the words Social Action or Social Justice. A footnote in our prayerbook explains that this term has evolved over the years. In the second and third centuries it referred to “rabbinic legislation to remedy specific social ills or legal injustices.” Later, in our Aleinu prayer, it is used to refer to the actions God will take to fix our world. In the sixteenth century, Jewish mystics understood tikkun olam to refer to the human actions we take to perfect our world.

My daughter’s knee has healed now. She will probably have a scar for life, but our home remedy mostly did the trick. As we all learn how to navigate life from home, I want to remind us that many of the wounds of our world do not require social justice surgeons. Most of us are not walking around with law degrees and, in our normally busy world, most of us do not have the luxury of stopping everything we are doing to become amateur experts in the complex issues of injustice today. But a lot of our justice problems do not require such a degree, much time or God’s divine intervention as was the case for the Israelites. A lot of justice work can be done with a home remedy.

We are all patients, regardless of whether we have studied medicine or not. We all have suffering in common. Scratch the skin of any human being and you come upon some degree of helplessness, misery or even agony. Being a person involves the ability to suffer himself, to suffer for others; to know passion as well as compassion.

~Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (The Insecurity of Freedom, p. 24)

To believe in tikkun olam today is to believe that we, average human beings, have the ability to offer home remedies for the world’s wounds. Whether we say it aloud or not, we know the remedy for the racist murder of a man out for a jog. We know what senseless loss feels like, and we know that sometimes it’s just one conversation across the table that opens our eyes to understand someone for who they are and not how they look to us.

May we all know that we are patients of suffering so that we can act as surgeons of social justice. And, as our prayerbook reminds us every Shabbat: lirot m’heirah . . . l’takein olam. (May we swiftly recognize that we are the ones who have the ability to heal the wounds of our world.)

June 1, 2020

Connecting to the World

templeisrael91 / Cantor Kathy Fromson /

Last month I wrote about “Connecting to the Sacred” as the second part of our mission statement. The third part is “Connecting to the World.”

During this global pandemic, this part of our mission is blatantly obvious. The method with which to connect has forced us to be tech savvy, to search for ways to entertain ourselves, and to educate us as to how to be creative since we are captive in our personal surroundings.

It struck me that when funding runs out, from school budgets to organizational programming, the first thing to get cut is the arts. To quote the University of Wisconsin’s theater and drama department Professor David Furumoto:

… too often the arts are taken for granted. Perhaps this is a time for us to realize that it is through the arts that we can experience our humanity, the good as well as the bad, and to know that no matter the immensity being faced, artists will be there, in whatever medium they express themselves in, to make us laugh, weep, and perhaps most important, make us think about what it is to be human.

Take a minute and ask yourself how many Facebook posts, Instragram photos, blogs, or TikTok videos made you smile because someone was singing or dancing or painting or acting. How often did music soothe you when you were blue? How often did music accompany you when you wanted to exercise or take a walk?

Right now, people are being more creative so that they can cope with the confines of our new world. They are making art, taking photos, composing music and then sharing it with the world. As we think about what it means to “connect to the world,” ask yourself:

What can I CREATE that can bring joy to someone else?

In Judaism we use the phrase Tikkun Olam, which means repairing the world. Let us find a way to be creative and help ourselves while helping others. Use your paint from the basement, record yourself singing your favorite song, make chalk drawings on your neighbor’s driveway — anything to build this world from love so that we can all heal, TOGETHER.

Olam Chesed Yibaneh
Psalm 89:3
(lyrics and melody by Rabbi Menachem Creditor after the 9/11 terrorist attacks)

Olam chesed yibaneh
I will build this world from love…
And you must build this world from love…
And if we build this world from love…
Then God will build this world from love…

May 1, 2020

Our New Logo

templeisrael91 / Rabbi Josh Brown /

Two years ago the leadership of Temple Israel embarked on a journey to find out who we are and who we can be. The Strategic Planning committee practiced a version of the Jewish principle from Pirke Avot (5:22): Hafoch ba va-hafoch ba, d’chola ba (“Turn it and turn it again, for everything is in it”). Our leadership looked at our community and produced our new mission statement.

After hearing stories about how important Temple Israel has been in lives throughout the generations, it was clear to me that this vision statement is not new. It is who we have always been. Turn something around and look at it from different angles and you will discover what is at the core of its purpose: connecting people to each other, to God and to the needs of our world. Our strategic plan reinforced that this continues to be our congregation’s vision.

Temple Israeal logo

The new logo illustrates the core purpose as well. Its dominant image is the Hebrew letter shin, but this is no ordinary shin.

Rabbi Applebaum chose a shin to adorn the front of the ark on Merriman Road fifty years ago. Sheryl Aronson incorporated the shin into our previous logo, and it dominates the bima in Springside Drive.

The shin symbolizes one of the names of God, El Shaddai and is on the mezzuzot of our homes. It is also the first letter of Psalm 16 at the front of our sanctuary: “I set God before me and I shall never be shaken.”

With our new logo, I invite us to give our shin a third meaning: shalshelet. Shalshelet means “chain” as in Shalshelet Ha-Kabbalah: “the chain of Jewish tradition”. It links us to our past — our previous sacred space. It links us to the clergy who adopted it and to the people who looked at it. And, now, it links us to the people who see it on our website and letterhead.

I ask that when you see the new logo that you know all that it holds for our congregation. It is our link, our vision for making sure that no matter the circumstance — whether a simcha, a loss or a global pandemic — that we are a congregation linked together, never alone and always able to rely on those who hold onto us as a part of our community.

The second part of the logo is the flame.

A flame reminds us of the intimate side of Judaism — the candles lit on Shabbat or the candles lit when we remember a loved one. But it also reminds us that we practice Judaism with passion and not just procedure. In many ways the shin is the subject of our vision. It represents the people, the places and the God we know as our own. The flame is the verb. It represents our actions.

It is a flame made to be in movement, as we are. We are a progressive congregation — moving with the times, striving to live up to the words of Isaiah to be a “light unto the world.” Flames never sit still, even when they are weakened, they dance, bringing light into dark places and giving warmth where it is lacking. And as it gives light, it invites others to join us.

Our mission as a congregation is to work to kindle the lights that connect us.

Having worked with our board to develop this new symbol, I have been looking at it for months now. It has served as a sign of comfort for me during these strange and uncertain days. I look at it and see our sanctuary — even when we cannot be there. I see the unbreakable chain of community. I see the passionate spirit of our congregation, who moved their Judaism onto the internet without missing a single Shabbat. I see a light that we kindled to hold onto now and to welcome us back when we are together in person again. In it, I see our congregation and I pray you do as well.

May 1, 2020

Connecting to the Sacred

templeisrael91 / Cantor Kathy Fromson /

Our new mission statement states: “Kindling the passion to connect to each other, to the sacred, and to the world.” I pose this question to you: How do you define sacred? And how do you connect with it?

There are many ways to define sacred — both as a noun and as an adjective.

If we use it as a noun, we could use these definitions: a “divinity that is inclusive, allowing each of us to define the term for ourselves in a way that aligns with who we are and the relationship we have to a higher power — that which is bigger than ourselves.”
We could say that it is something that is always there, always available, and that resonates with us. We can also say that the sacred is something within us, that the “divine is us and we are the divine, or that as our liturgy says we are “created in G-d’s image” (b’tzelem Elohim).
If we use it as an adjective, it could mean something that is spiritual or holy. In Hebrew, the word holy is “kadosh” which comes from the word “kedushah” which literally means to set aside. If the word sacred is used in this context, it could refer to setting aside time or setting aside a space. That which is sacred can also mean sanctifying time for your own version of sacred moments.
With the many ways to define “sacred”, it is up to you to decide what meaning works for you.

After defining sacred for yourself, then ask yourself how you connect with it.
For many of us, while we struggle to maintain day to day modern life, we become disconnected. We are hyper-focused on the mundane, on the material world. We are more concerned with how we look, with our bodies, with our homes, our cars, our bills, our jobs, our possessions. And this takes away from our ability to connect to the sacred. So how do we connect?

What can Temple do to kindle that passion to help you connect?
There are many ways to help you connect to that which is sacred. There is meditation as a way to train your attention and awareness in order to be mentally clear and emotionally calm. There is prayer, where our liturgy brings meaning into our lives. For me, personally, there is music, which allows the universal language to penetrate my soul. There is service to others, whether that means interacting with your family, friends or helping to serve the under-served members of the community. And finally there is space — creating the space for the sacred.

It will take time to be able to answer these questions and certainly many of us have an ample amount of personal time right now. So we, at Temple, are here to help you. We are here to help you understand what is sacred. We are here to be the sanctuary for you as you set aside time to discover what sacred means for you.

Hopefully, we can return to our building to physically help you connect. Until then we can be your virtual mishkan, your virtual tabernacle, to help you connect to the sacred, to each other, and to the world.

April 1, 2020

This Virtual World: Singing to Yourself

templeisrael91 / Cantor Kathy Fromson /

One major change in our Temple lives is having online-only services for now. While many have used our live stream to pray with us virtually, those of you who are new to it can find comfort that we will still be with you for Shabbat. By viewing our prayer book online, you can follow along with us as we sing the familiar songs in prayer, read the words of our liturgy and share in the joy of Shabbat together.

Also, you can link to the Prayer Packet and its accompanying audio files for the highlighted prayers of the service. These files can help you learn the prayers and songs so that, when watching the service, you can sing and pray in the privacy of your own home.

This then begs the question: “What does it mean to pray and sing to myself?” Without the assistance of the congregational choir or the community of congregants, does that change the way you pray? Does it make it easier to pray? Does it make it more comfortable to sing out loud?

After you have watched services and prayed along with us from the sanctuary of your living room, how do you feel when the service is over? If your answer is that you had a good experience but still are unfamiliar with the prayers in song, then I have a solution for you. I will be teaching part 2 of the “Make Shabbat Music” class as a Zoom meeting that you watch on your computer (or device). Even if you missed part 1 of the class, I will be happy to review the prayers we covered and then continue with those we have yet to learn. Currently this class is scheduled for Sunday, April 26 at 10:30 am. We will keep you posted if anything changes. [NOTE: This information no longer applies as of May 1, 2020.]

Also, in March I started leading a Musical Meditation (Mondays) and Wee Sing on the Web (Fridays) with Facebook Live. [During April Cantor Kathy also had a Kids Song and another Wee Sing on the Web.] Check the online calendar for times and dates.

As we face uncertainty in our lives, may you know that the clergy at Temple Israel is always accessible to you and will continue to be with you — in person or in our virtual reality.

April 1, 2020

The Temple’s COVID-19 Response

templeisrael91 / Co-President, Rabbi Josh Brown /

In consultation with medical professionals we have written and put into place a pandemic response plan for Temple Israel. This will allow us to remain proactive and informed about what necessary steps we can take as a Temple Israel community to ensure the safety of all of our members. In an abundance of caution we have closed the public areas of our building through the end April (and possibly longer) and postponed all events. Should there be a change in our plans, we will keep you informed. Also, check the online calendar for new offerings and any adjustments or cancellations. See the back page for how to access online offerings.

What this means for you:

Friday night Shabbat Services continue at their regularly scheduled times online either through our live- streaming service or Facebook Live. Saturday morning Torah Study is available as a virtual meeting.
We’ve instituted some online-only events such as Lunch & Learn, Coffee & Conversation and Musical Meditation.
In-person sessions of the Religious School, Hebrew School and Teen Night are postponed until further notice. Our Director of Education, Lauren Trexler, is coordinating online Zoom rooms.
All committee and small group meetings will take place outside Temple or be rescheduled for a later date. Please refer to your group leader for information.
Cancelled events were removed from the Temple calendar. Should plans be made to reschedule any events, you will be informed by email.

The Temple offices have been closed, but the staff and leadership continue to check voicemail, email and postal mail regularly. Please stay safe and know that we are there to help you and for support. If we can help you during these unusual and trying times, please contact the Temple Office or the Co-Presidents (Mike Segal and Dr. Bob Lazarow).

March 1, 2020

Vote Jewish! Vote Reform!

templeisrael91 / Rabbi Josh Brown /

This month, as the primary elections make their way to Ohio, there will be no shortage of campaign ads flooding our inboxes, robocalls on our phones and political promises on our television. As always, but particularly in a period of time when anti-Semitism has been more evident and on the rise, we absolutely must bring our Jewish voice to the polls and make sure that we participate in our democracy. I ask all of us eligible to vote in March and in November to take the obligation seriously and make sure that our community’s voice is noticed by our representatives.

But I want to give attention to an election that you will not hear about on television, listen from your voicemail or see on a flyer in your mailbox. Every five years, the Jewish community of the world is asked to participate in the World Zionist Congress Election. These elections have taken place since Theodore Herzl founded what was then known as the Zionist Congress. The election serves to choose representatives from around the world who will serve as the “Parliament of the Jewish People”. This body of 500 representatives meets every ve years to discuss the agenda of World Jewry and to allocate funds to non-governmental organizations in Israel.

Do not get lost in the noise of our political environment. There are a lot of voices, shouting a lot of messages at us. The power to vote requires that we listen, but the act of voting is our chance to speak up. Let’s make our voices heard at home and in our Jewish homeland. It is our obligation and it is the key to a future that speaks to us, wherever we are.

VOTE REFORM HERE: WWW.ARZA.ORG

February 1, 2020

Asking Our Allies

templeisrael91 / Rabbi Josh Brown /

The following is an excerpt from my sermon after the anti-Semitic attacks in New York last December.

Rabbi Donniel Hartman recently wrote: “I was raised on the belief that [we]… had a critical choice to make between Auschwitz and Sinai, as to which was to guide our lives and shape our core identity. Auschwitz was to be remembered and mourned, but it is Sinai and the teachings of the Jewish tradition that give Jewish life meaning and value, and consequently, a future. I hate what anti-Semitism does to Jews. I hate the fear it instills… I hate the attention it demands.”

Hartman is right to point out the risk of our present situation. If we become Auschwitz centric, only focused on anti-Semitism and not the value that Judaism adds to our life and our world, then we succumb to what he refers to later in his article as a “spiritual ghetto”.

But while we are focusing on Sinai, we should be asking our friends to focus on Auschwitz. [In January,] Temple Israel hosted Christian youth groups for Interfaith Youth Shabbat, joined the Interfaith Justice series for an MLK Day service and continued our Muslim-Jewish dialogue at ISAK. All of these are annual programs reflective of the deep relationships we have with our interfaith partners. It is time that we ask our friends, both personal or communal, to focus on Auschwitz. More specifically, to be allies, standing up for us while anti-Semitism is on the rise.

Just as racism is not a problem caused by African Americans and homophobia is not a problem caused by the LGBTQ community, anti-Semitism is not a problem caused by the Jewish community. It is our job to be responsible for a vibrant Jewish life. No one else will do that for us. Let’s ask our brothers and sisters, spouses, parents and friends of other faiths stand up and talk about Auschwitz so that we can continue to stand up and talk about Sinai.