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Posts by Joseph Rodriguez :

Member-Led Shabbat Service — Sat Jul 12, 11:00 am

July 9, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, our series of relaxed and inviting Summer, Member-Led Shabbat services continues, with a warm and illuminating service presented by our Board Trustees, Arlene Greenberg and Lee Ann Martinez.  They are a dynamic duo!  Services will begin at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 12.  After the service a group is going to Bowman Yard at 308 4th St. SW in Winter Haven for lunch, so if you are interested, inquire within.

We and the Meryl Crews family appreciate all of the prayers, good wishes, meals, and visits since Meryl experienced her medical event, hospitalization, and rehab earlier this year.  Meryl’s healing process will now continue at home.  She and her family will need support through this adjustment.  Debbie Grinker kindly set up a GoFundMe account to let us help, so if you can and would contribute, here is the link:
 

July 2025 Chai Lites

July 1, 2025 by • ,

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, the July 2025 issue of the Chai Lites is here!  The last month was a difficult one with more sadness than we wanted for the start of our Summer, but because of all of you we also had much sweetness.  We so appreciate Lorraine Mixter for jumping in to prepare this issue while Ethan took time with his family, and we thank her and all of you for filling the newsletter with the things that make us smile and keep us together.

2025JulyChai Lites

Member-Led Shabbat Service — Fri Jun 27, 7:00 pm

June 25, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, our Summer Lay Service series continues with a warm and friendly, member-led Friday evening Shabbat service and talk on June 27 at 7:00 pm, our Summer evening meeting time.  Our longtime member and Board Secretary, Margo Fleisher, will lead the Shabbat service and give a short talk about Remembrance.  The event will occur simultaneously in our synagogue building for those who can attend in person, or on Zoom for those who cannot, please contact us for the link if you wish to attend via Zoom.

Baruch Dayan haEmet: Sandra Gasson

June 20, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members, please receive this notice and join in giving comfort to the family and friends of Sandra Gasson, who recently departed us.  Sandy was a longtime member of both our and Temple Emanuel’s congregations, an important source of support to our Jewish community, and a delightful participant in our Mah Jongg club.  She faithfully attended almost every service and social occasion, and was lovely to see and talk with.

 
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, June 24 at 10 am in the Temple Emanuel section of Oak Hill Cemetery at 4620 US 98 South in Lakeland, 33812.  Rabbi Will Guyster will officiate.  
 
Shiva will be at the home of Debra and Jay Adelman, daughter-in-law/son of Sandy Gasson on the same day, June 24 at 6 pm. The address is 905 Flag Court in Auburndale, 33823.  Please attend if you can to bring the sacredness and Mourner’s Kaddish, and to honor Sandy’s memory.
HaMamkom yenachem etchem b’toch sh’ar avelai Tziyon v’Yerushalayim.
May God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Joseph Rodriguez Celebration of Life — Sun Jun 22, 4:30 pm

June 19, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, please join us to celebrate the memory of our recently departed president and friend, Mr. Joseph Rodriguez.  We will gather at our synagogue building on Sunday, June 22 at 4:30 pm to share in Joseph’s legacy, all that he built with us as a Temple Beth Shalom and Brotherhood/Sisterhood member and leader.  Joseph often said how much the friendship in these organizations meant to him, and we enjoyed his good humor and the activities he planned.  We will commit to carrying these things on with him in our hearts and minds.

 
If you have any questions, please contact organizer Sandi Grinker at sandigrinker@gmail.com.  If you are unable to travel to the synagogue for any reason, you may join us through Zoom, please contact us for the link.

Member-Led Shabbat Service — Sat Jun 14, 11 AM

June 12, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, this Shabbat we have the first in our series of Summer Member-Led services coming up for you to enjoy.  This Saturday, June 14 at 11:00 am our Past President and Past Editor Who is Excellent in So Many Things, Lorraine Mixter, will lead us in a relaxed and pleasant Shabbat morning service and give a talk on the day’s parsha.  Lorraine and the rest of us would love to see you.  🙂

June 2025 Chai Lites

June 3, 2025 by • ,

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, join us in thanking Ethan Feldman for preparing this significant issue of the Chai Lites, and his first one as our new Editor.  He did a great job in organizing and sharing our memories of Rabbi Herzfeld upon his retirement.  He also had to make edits upon our receiving the news we never wanted, the unfortunate and sudden passing of our president and friend, Joseph Rodriguez.  Please see Joseph’s last column.

2025JuneChaiLites

Baruch Dayan haEmet: Joseph Rodriguez

June 1, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Congregation, it is with great sadness we report to you the sudden passing of our friend and congregational leader, Joseph Rodriguez.  Joseph had just resumed the role of temple President at the beginning of May and did a great deal of work in just the last few months on the future of Temple Beth Shalom.  Joseph was also an important part of leadership for the Brotherhood/Sisterhood and planned a number of enjoyable and meaningful events to give additional life to that group.  His humor and camaraderie will be dearly missed.  

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any–lifted from the no
of all nothing–human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
e.e. cummings

 

Shabbat May 30-31

May 28, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, please join us for the last Shabbat of the “school year” and our last Shabbat officiated by Rabbi Herzfeld with us.  The journey does not end, but it changes direction!  As has been our custom in the Zoom era, the Shabbat and pre-Shavuot service begins on Friday, May 30 at 7:30 both in the synagogue and on Zoom accessible via contacting us.

Torah Study has been one of Rabbi Herzfeld’s favorite activities with us, and ours too.  We will be in the synagogue building together on Saturday, May 31 at 10:00 am to meet with Rabbi Herzfeld via Zoom, or you can again join us on Zoom as well from your home.

Member-Led Shabbat Service — Sat May 10, 11:00 am

May 9, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, after the Spring holidays and the snowbirds go home, and the school year is coming to a close, things are just getting started at our synagogue!  We have a first lay Shabbat service of our 2025-2026 year led by our returning Congregational President, Joseph Rodriguez on Saturday, May 10 at 11:00 am.  Come and help Joseph kick Shabbat and this calendar year off this Saturday.

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