Rabbi’s Message

Community at Temple Israel Rabbi’s Message -June 11, 2026 This Friday evening, Temple Israel will celebrate Pride Shabbat. Pride Month is often a time of celebration, but for many in the LGBTQ+ community, this year is also a time of uncertainty. Across the country, laws and policies affecting LGBTQ+ individuals continue to change, creating real

Community at Temple Israel Rabbi’s Message -May 20, 2026 Tonight, our Temple Israel family will gather to celebrate Shavuot and the Confirmation of five remarkable young people. We honor:  • Matteo Chaiten, child of Jodi Chaiten and Corinne Daprano• Hillary Katchman, child of Nika and Steve Katchman• Beau Kleinholt, child of Lela Klein and Robert

Community at Temple Israel Rabbi’s Message -May 14, 2026 On May 1, Temple Israel had the privilege of welcoming Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, to Dayton for an evening that celebrated not only Jewish leadership and learning, but the strength and continuity of our own community. The evening was especially

Community at Temple Israel Festival Volunteer Message -April 27, 2026 From the Desk of Cathy LiebermanCertified JCF hot dog aficionado, longtime volunteer, set-up crew, tear-down crew—and proud Temple Israel member. If you’ve ever been part of the Jewish Cultural Festival, you know—there’s no such thing as just showing up. Over the years, we all ended

Community at Temple Israel Rabbi’s Message -January 15, 2026 This past Shabbat, we honored the 15th yahrzeit of Debbie Friedman, and the fruits of her work to create Jewish music that would bring people together in song and spirit.  This coming Shabbat, we will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and the Civil

Community at Temple Israel Rabbi’s Message – November 24, 2025 Music is an integral part of our Jewish experience. It is what transforms our services from something we attend into something we feel. As the poet once wrote, “When the heart is full, it bursts forth in song—words become melody, and melody becomes prayer.”  At Temple

Community at Temple Israel Rabbi’s Message -November 20, 2025 Around Simchat Torah or shortly after, you may have heard Rabbi Bodney-Halasz, myself, or another Jewish leader share that Cheshvan is every Rabbi’s favorite month, because after the High Holidays of Tishrei, a month without a holiday is nice.  Yet, for those with a meticulous eye,

Community at Temple Israel Rabbi’s Message – October 30, 2025 This week’s Torah portion, Lech L’cha, begins with a call to move forward: “Go forth.” Abram is asked to leave behind what’s familiar and step into the unknown with faith and courage. As we look ahead to Veterans Day, we honor those who have done the same — men

Community at Temple Israel Rabbi’s Message – October 23, 2025 This week, I attended Kettering Health Dayton’s annual Clergy Appreciation Luncheon, where I had the chance to reconnect with many of my colleagues from across the Miami Valley. Conversations like these remind me how much I value the partnerships we’ve built through the years—relationships that

Community at Temple Israel Rabbi’s Message – October 16, 2025 This past Shabbat I shared my cautious optimism about the ceasefire and the return of our hostages.  On Monday night, as we celebrated Simchat Torah, we finally took the collective sigh of relief we had been praying for. My heart was full knowing it was