Community

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

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.

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

Dinner with the Rabbi — Fri May 30, 6 PM

May 7, 2025 by • ,

May 2025 Chai Lites

May 1, 2025 by • ,

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, the May 2025 Chai Lites issue is here!  Thank you everyone for getting that content in so quickly.  Lorraine Mixter did a lovely job with our newsletter as Editor these last many years, and consistently got us the news we needed and the updates from our friends.  She is passing on the Editor duties to one of our new Board Trustees, Ethan Feldman, and with his talents it is sure to continue to be a pleasure to read.

2025MayChai Lites

Baruch Dayan haEmet: Morton Levine

April 8, 2025 by • ,

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Congregation, this morning we learned of the passing of our longtime member and friend to us all, Mr. Morton Levine.  Funeral services are planned for this Wednesday, April 9 at Rolling Hills Cemetery.  To extend your support to the family and for more funeral details, you can reach Morty’s daughter, Mona, at 678-683-4110.

 
 

At the rising sun and at its going down; We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter; We remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring; We remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer; We remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn; We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends; We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as We remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength; We remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart; We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make; We remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share; We remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs; We remember them.
For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as, We remember them.

‘We Remember Them’ by Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer

April 2025 Chai Lites

April 3, 2025 by • ,

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, kinoheara, the April 2025 Chai Lites issue is here!  It is full of legit good things for you this month.  Look inside for information and updates about our upcoming events:

  • Community Passover Seder, April 13 — if you haven’t made reservations yet, there is still a little time!  Also, the crew needs volunteers for setup, serving, and cleanup.  Contact Lorraine Mixter at lorrainemixter@aol.com.
  • Member-Led Service — Friday, April 25 at our usual Friday night member-led service time, 7:00 pm.
  • Annual Meeting — Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 pm.  Members be sure to attend, your support and input is needed.
  • And lots of social and educational events!
Many thanks to President and Editor Lorraine Mixter for consistently bringing us this quality content all these years.  Many thanks also to our contributors.

Passover Seder Volunteers Needed

April 3, 2025 by • ,

Passover Seder

Looking for volunteers to assist with our

Passover Seder to make this a special event.

We need help:

Boiling eggs for the Seder Plates

Setting up the tables

Creating Seder Plates

Preparing food for serving

Serving food

Cleaning up

If you would like to be a volunteer, please let us know by contacting: lorrainemixter@aol.com

Or text or call: 863-409-8509

Annual Meeting — Sun Apr 27, 2:00 pm

April 3, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Congregants:

 

The Temple Beth Shalom Board members are pleased to welcome you to another year with our congregation and invite you to participate in our Annual Meeting and installation of new Board Trustees and Officers.

 

Please join us at the synagogue for the meeting and refreshments or via the Zoom link (contact us for it) on Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 pm to hear annual reports from our 2024-2025 President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Committee Chairs. At this Annual Meeting we will review the year’s activities and announce the 2025-2026 Board Trustees and Officers.  

 

Thank you, exiting Board members: Bert Devorsetz and Sandi Grinker, thank you both for your many years of dedication in these meetings. We hope to continue to see you!  

 

Welcome Diana Kramer, Bobby Baum and Jeffrey Goldblatt to the Board, you are most welcome! We are so glad for our continuing Board members: Joseph Rodriguez in the role of President, Uriah Rose as Vice President, Margo Fleisher for continuing the work of Secretary; Lorraine Mixter as Past President, Lee Martinez as Treasurer and Arlene Greenberg as Trustees. We are glad you continue to serve.

 

Please see and review the attached Annual Meeting Minutes from 2024. Also find below a list of the 2025–2026 Temple Beth Shalom Congregation Officers and Trustees. 

 

Thank you for choosing to be a member of Temple Beth Shalom, and we look forward to the coming year’s journey with you.

 

With Warmest Regards,

 

Temple Beth Shalom Executive Board

 

2025-2026 Board Officers and Trustees

Officers:

President:                       Joseph Rodriguez

Vice President:               Uriah Rose

Secretary:                       Margo Fleisher

Treasurer:                       Lee Ann Martinez

Past President:               Lorraine Mixter

 

Trustees:

Meryl Crews

Diana Kramer

Arlene Greenberg

Beverly Lerner

Bobby Baum

Jeffrey Goldblatt

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