Dear Temple Shalom Family,

Today marks the third anniversary of the worst loss of Jewish lives on a single day since the Holocaust.  At 6:29 am. on October 7, 2023, the evil terrorist organization Hamas launched the most successful attack in their history.  Not only did they brutally murder, rape, and torture thousands of Israelis, taking hundreds into captivity, but they also set the table for the devastation that followed.  By refusing to return the hostages, they forced Israel into an urban war to rescue those taken.  By using their own fellow Palestinians as human shields, they caused the deaths of countless civilians.  By stealing the food and medical supplies, they caused a humanitarian crisis, and by hiding in their tunnel network, itself built with decades of foreign aid money, they managed to prolong the conflict, causing destruction and death beyond imagination.  Worst of all, their heinous attacks have led directly to a terrifying rise in anti-Jewish sentiment around the globe, including terrorist attacks against synagogues and Jewish people, all in the name of “Free Palestine.”  The terrible truth is this: there would have been no casualties in Gaza had Hamas not attacked.  There would have been no war had Hamas returned the hostages it kidnapped.  There would have been no need for fighting at all if the Palestinian leadership chose to promote the wellbeing of its own people over perpetual hatred for its Israeli neighbors.

Many of us wish for a “Palestine” free from its worst oppressors: Hamas and Fatah, whose corruption and commitment to terrorism have kept millions of Arabs in poverty and squalor for decades, and simultaneously kept millions of Israeli citizens in fear for their lives.  Many of us wish for a Holy Land free from war and strife.  Many of us pray for a “Sukkat Shalom,” a shelter of peace, under which people of all faiths could live in safety and security, prosperity and peace.  A major obstacle to that goal is the indefensible belief that violence against one’s neighbors is a valid political statement. 

Here at Temple Shalom, we might not always realize how fortunate we are to live as Jews in relative safety and calm.  Our tradition teaches us to give thanks for our blessings by extending those blessings to others.  Through our worship, learning, social action, and socializing, we hope to find the inspiration to rise to meet the challenges before us, so that we can help make the future better than the past, and our world a better place for all with whom we share it.  We look forward to seeing you soon, here at the Temple.

WORSHIP 

Erev Shabbat Service

THIS FRIDAY, October 9 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

LEARNING

Religious School Continues!

Sunday, October 11 at 9:30 a.m.

We hope to see our younger members and their families this Sunday morning, October 4 at 10:30 a.m. for Religious School as we continue learning together!

Lifelong Learning: Israeli Election Update

Monday, October 12 at 7:00 p.m.

With the Israeli Election upcoming later this month, we’ll take a look at the various parties to gain a better understanding of the issues.  Join us this Monday evening, October 12 at 7:00 p.m.  All are welcome, and refreshments will be served.  If you can’t attend in person, a Zoom link will be sent by email on Monday morning.

STOCK MARKET CIRCLE CHALLENGE RETURNS!

Thank you to Harold Burech and Dr. Jonathan Lief for getting this year’s Stock Market Circle Challenge off and running!  We have printed certificates in the Foyer at Temple which you can pick up any time you’re here at Temple, and there’s also an electronic version attached below which you can print, or forward to your friends and family!  Let’s get selling, and make this our best year ever! Remember, there’s a very special prize for our Top Seller, so get your name on our list! 

THANK YOU!

Thank you to all who contributed to our High Holy Days Food Drive!  It was a wonderful success, and greatly appreciated by the needy in our community.

OUR FUTURE

Erev Shabbat Service – FRIDAY, October 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Torah Study and Breakfast – SATURDAY, October 10 at 9:45 a.m.

Religious School – SUNDAY, October 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Lifelong Learning – MONDAY, October 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Wine Down Kabbalat Shabbat – Friday, October 16 at 5:00 p.m.

Ellie Lief becomes a Bat Mitzvah! – Saturday, October 17 at 10:30 a.m.

REMEMBER: LYNN IS OFF ON MONDAYS AND THE TEMPLE OFFICE IS CLOSED.

Click the link below for SMCC Certificate —

 https://wvtempleshalom.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/SMCC-2027-_Players-Pick-Certificate.pdf