Dear Temple Shalom Family,

The Chocolate Extravaganza is coming, just around the corner on the first Sunday of May!  This event is special for many reasons, some quite obvious, others perhaps less so, but no less important.  While “consuming vast amounts of delicious chocolate treats” might seem like the top of the list, the Chocolate Extravaganza is, at its heart, our Temple’s largest fundraiser of the year.  The money we raise helps support not only the Temple’s day to day operations, but also our outreach in the wider community: our leadership of the September 11 Memorial Service, the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, and many other projects where we live our Jewish values in the public square.  

Another important aspect of this annual event is our opportunity to welcome hundreds of our non-Jewish neighbors to come here to visit us in our spiritual home.  In a world where antisemitism is so dangerously on the rise, this is a wonderful chance for us to dispel negative perceptions, and instead model our Jewish values of kindness, generosity, and hospitality.  Last, but certainly not least, the Chocolate Extravaganza gives all of us, as members of the Temple family, a chance to help make our congregation succeed.  Buying tickets, selling them to friends and neighbors, soliciting advertisements, becoming sponsors, and most of all volunteering throughout the day of the event; these are ways that all of us can participate and make a real and positive impact for the continuation of vibrant Jewish life here in our community.  The members of the organizing committee have spent months planning and preparing; we hope every Temple member will attend on Sunday, May 3, and volunteer to make this our best year ever.

Here at Temple Shalom, we understand that our faith cannot be farmed out to someone else; it is our choices and our actions that define us.  Through our worship, learning, social action, and socializing, we hope to sanctify the moments of our lives, and transform our world for the better, even as we seek to transform ourselves in the process.  We look forward to seeing you soon, here at the Temple.

 WORSHIP

Erev Shabbat Service

FRIDAY, April 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Join us THIS FRIDAY night in the Sanctuary at 7:00 pm as we celebrate the Sabbath together, with a festive Oneg Shabbat to follow!  For those unable to attend, the service will be broadcast LIVE on our YouTube page.  If you are feeling ill, please stay home and watch online.

ONEG SHABBAT?

We’ve got a new board for the new year now available!  Pick any week available when you’d like to host: First Friday dinner, a Wine Down Kabbalat Shabbat, or any Friday evening; we’ll all be grateful for your help and support!

 Rakefet Update!

 Temple Shalom uses a special database called Rakefet to keep track of all of our membership data.  Thanks to a new upgrade, each member family is now able to log in online to their own account, enabling you to make payments, see announcements, check yahrzeits, and more!  

Use the link below to learn more!

 https://vimeo.com/showcase/8613894

 SISTERHOOD

Sisterhood Spring Luncheon

TOMORROW, Thursday, April 23 at Noon

Spring is finally officially here; let’s celebrate!  Please join us for a Spring luncheon TOMORROW, Thursday, April 23 at Noon in the Social Hall.  Nothing to bring but yourself, but please call Barbara Lief at (304) 232-2675 to RSVP.

CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA!

Sunday, May 3 at 1:00 p.m.

Call the Temple Office to purchase tickets, to put a sign in your yard or at your business, to contribute as a sponsor, and to volunteer to help make this year’s major fundraiser a major success!  We need your participation, and the time is now!  

THANK YOU!

Thank you to all who attended our beautiful Yom HaShoah Holocaust Memorial Service on Monday evening.  We had many guests from the wider Wheeling community standing with us as we remembered those who died, those who fought back, and those who survived to keep our faith alive.

CONDOLENCES

Our deepest condolences to Dr. George Goetz on the passing of his mother, Janina Goetz, on April 15, 2026.  The funeral was held in South Bend, Indiana this past Friday.  Donations in Janina’s memory can be made to Temple Shalom or the charity of your choice. 

 OUR FUTURE

 Sisterhood Luncheon – TOMORROW, April 23 at Noon

Erev Shabbat Service – FRIDAY, April 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Tanakh Study and Breakfast – SATURDAY, April 25 at 9:45 a.m.

First Friday Celebration! – Friday, May 1 at 6:00 p.m.

CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA! – Sunday, May 3 at 1:00 p.m.

LAG B’OMER Cookout! – Tuesday, May 5 at 5:00 p.m.

CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA is coming!  Become a sponsor, sell tickets to your friends, and remember to volunteer!