Annual Event Draws Many

In ten community projects involving almost 200 people, Mitzvah Day was a success. Led by Social Action Chair Susan Clements, Mitzvah Day helped in projects from helping the USO facility in Canton assemble packages for the overseas troops and writing letters to them at Temple to gardening and mulching at several locations.

This year, we helped Access, the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank, the Battered Women’s Shelter, Safe Landing for Girls, Open M and a United Disabilities Home. We stained three buildings for the Summit County Metroparks, made blankets for Children’s Hospital and baked dozens of cookies for Ronald McDonald house.

Our volunteers from Temple, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Unitarian Universalist Church and First Congregational Church were joined by other church members from St. Vincent’s and The Islamic Center.

Our congregations came together for a community dinner and shared our hard-working day with each other. There are not enough thanks to go out to all of you from all the churches that participated in this annual event. The Beacon Journal covered it and the story can be found HERE.

We hope next year with be as successful as this year. Thanks to all of you for joining us.

Help support our library!  Link to Amazon.com through the Temple website for ALL your purchases at Amazon.com

Yiddishe
A Night in the Catskills
Come and enjoy the eccentric sounds of one of the top Klezmer bands in America!
Yiddishe Cup brings traditional Klezmer music to a new level with their outrageous spirit and humor.
Saturday June 11, 2011
Show starts at 8 PM.
$20.00 per person.
Temple Israel
133 Merriman Road

For reservations call 330-762-8617

This year Mitzvah Day will be Sunday, June 12, 2011.
Sign-up sheets are currently in the Temple Lobby.

To read more about past Mitzvah Days, click HERE for the 2009 story &
HERE for the 2010 story from the Akron Beacon Journal.

Some thoughts on Mitzvah Day from Susan Clements,
Social Action Committee Chair and Mitzvah Day coordinator.

Mitzvah Day is a solid established tradition at Temple Israel. We’ve been doing it for over 6 years. And while I ought to be more specific—I was there for that first Mitzvah Day. I don’t remember exactly what year it was. What I do remember about that very first Mitzvah Day was the sense of camaraderie we shared and the feelings of unity and common purpose.

While the projects themselves have changed some over the years, and the faces have changed some, and the some of the congregations have drifted in and out and in again, those feelings of unity and shared purpose are as strong as ever.

This year Mitzvah Day is Sunday June 12. While it is right in the middle of one of the busiest weekends on the Temple calendar: Confirmation and Shavuot on Friday, the Night at the Catskills on Saturday, and the Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Mitzvah Day is also one of the most important days of the year for Temple Israel. Please find room for this in your busy schedules and join us for Mitzvah Day this year.

There are lots of projects to choose from and we’re capping off the whole thing with a dinner and a slideshow and reflections on the day.

A lot of folks have worked really hard to make this happen.  But how hard we worked is not the real reason to participate; the real reason is beautifully put by Marge Piercy in her poem, “The Task Never Completed”,

Every dawn I choose to take a knife
to the world’s flank or a sewing kit,
rough improvisation, but a start.

Sign-up sheets outside the sanctuary or you can call Carrie or Marti at the Temple office (330-762-8617).
Please join us.

21st Annual Mother’s Day Brunch & Raffle

When: Sunday, May 8, 2011, Temple Social Hall 10 a.m.

Come and celebrate our centennial  100^th year at 133 Merriman Road

Temple Israel is holding our 21st annual Mother’s Day Raffle and Brunch. You and your family and friends can join us for a morning of fun and entertainment. There will be plenty of prizes, a scrumptious brunch and memorable experiences for all who attend. Who knows, you may walk away with one of the prizes.

Tickets are $150 for two. Come share a great brunch with friends, listen to the entertainment, and have a chance to win one of the following prizes:

Grand prize: $2,500!
Second Prize: $1000
Third Prize: $500
Ten: $100 cash winners

Proceeds from this event support Temple Israel, its programs and the Religious School.

We look forward to seeing you on Mother’s Day!

Please call or email for more information.

Chocolate Seder Plate Sale
(dairy)
Large dark chocolate $15
Small milk chocolate $10

Plates are available in the Temple lobby.
330-762-8617

Calling All Congregational Actors, Actresses, Singers,
Performers and Just-Simply-Hams
(Kosher That Is) of all ages

You are all needed for: The Wizard Of PersOz

PurimSpiel: March 18, 2011

Roles Include:
Dorthester(Dorothy/Esther), Evilene(witch role), Dr. DillyDally, Glashti, Haman (witch role), Hannah Horrible, Schlock Boq, Lion, Tin Man, Scarecrow, Wizard/King of PersOz, Pershkins (to be played by Youth Choir and other interested Youth)

Please contact Cantor Rosenman at the Temple office

Welcome to Temple Israel

Join us for Shabbat evening services Friday at 7:30 p.m.
and Saturday morning services at 9 a.m.
followed by Torah Study

We are builders of Jewish faith – our focus as a sacred place of worship is central. We are builders of Jewish learning – education for adults and children is essential to our mission. We are builders of Jewish community – we hope to engage people of all ages and stages in sacred living. We are builders of hope – over the years, we have elevated Temple Israel as the voice to the non-Jewish community. We are passionate about our mission, and with your help, we will continue to build Jewish life in Akron.

Congregants are encouraged to contribute to the Star of David fund. Life cycle events such as weddings and b’nai mitzvot are great times to make a contribution in honor of the people and/or events. Based upon the level of the gift, a plaque could be mounted on the wall at Temple as a lasting memorial. Please contact the Temple office if you wish to make a contribution to the Star of David.