Community at Temple Israel
Rabbi’s Message – August 14, 2025
At Temple Israel, we are blessed with dedicated volunteers who step up, pitch in, and nurture our community. This week, I want to take a moment to specifically thank our summer lay service leaders, celebrate the recent recognitions of community members, and most importantly, to invite you to participate in the many opportunities available at Temple. We are always in need of more helping hands.
Summer Worship Leaders
This summer, we enjoyed the voices and kavannah of Sharon Lemmon, Judy Heller, Carol Graff, Rita Dushman Rich, Wendy Gray, Michelle Prahl, Lily Brownbury, Amy Margolin, and Fran Rickenbach. Thank you for leading worship in ways that elevated our Shabbat experience. Hearing different voices and perspectives makes our prayer life richer and more meaningful.
Recent Honors
At our Annual Meeting, we were proud to present God Squad Awards to Carol Finley and Cathy Lieberman for their outstanding leadership and dedication—especially in coordinating our Jewish Cultural Festival.
Our members have also been recognized beyond our walls:
- Beth Jacob Congregation’s Jewish Women Inspiring Jewish Women Award – Carol Graff, Linda Ohlmann Kahn, and Meredith Moss Levenson.
- Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton Annual Meeting Awards:
- Past Presidents Award – Dr. Felix Garfunkel
- JCRC Volunteer of the Year – Jennifer Holman
- Moss Creativity Award – Moshe’s Cosmic Burritos Destination Imagination Team, including Ethan Halasz and Zeke Gilbert
- Joe and Elaine Bettman Tzadik Award – Dr. Burt and Alice Saidel
As we begin a new year, there are many ways to share your time and talents. Needed most are those to help with our communal meals:
- Share Shabbat helpers who set up and tear down the Great Hall so our Friday night dinners are warm and welcoming.
- Saturday Kiddush Lunch volunteers who provide homemade dishes, creating a delicious opportunity to gather after Shabbat morning services.
- Religious School Committee members who prepare celebratory meals for our children and the congregation.
If you can help with any of these meals, please contact the Temple office—we’d love to have you!
Beyond meals, there’s something for everyone, including new opportunities this fall, such as:
- Social Justice Committee – First meeting September 4 at 4:00 p.m.
- Musician Meet-Up – September 15 at 4:00 p.m.
- High Holiday Creative Service team
- Planning our 180th anniversary celebration
- Joining the Caring Committee
- Chairing a Committee for the Jewish Cultural Festival
A Heartfelt Thank You
To every volunteer—whether your work is big or small, seen or unseen—thank you. You make Temple Israel the warm, welcoming, and active congregation we love. If I have unintentionally missed your name, please let me know so I can personally thank you. And for those who serve year-round in ways that may not be listed here, please know your contributions are deeply valued and will be celebrated in the future.