Temple Israel capital campaign will preserve a historic treasure for generations to come

By Betsy Frank

You might be asking why, with our membership aging and few new members — one or two each year — are we conducting a capital campaign? To put it bluntly, if we want the building to stand and remain safe for its occupants, we must act to repair the facade and the interior.

But why should we put out the effort to maintain the building? Here is the answer:

The Jewish community has been an integral part of the Wabash Valley for almost 170 years.
People look to our community to share our faith with them.

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Who’s ready for expanded Torah studies following weekly Shabbat services?

By Betsy Frank

Our prayer book says that on Shabbat we should pray, rest and attend to the House of Study.

Yes, you can do all these things in the privacy of your home. And, yes, the practice of Judaism includes personal practices.

But…. Judaism also stresses the need to practice our rituals in community. The minyan is evidence of that. Our weekly Shabbat services allow us to gather as a community and pray together.

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Sukkot is a good time to welcome the stranger

By Betsy Frank

During Sukkot there is a tradition of welcoming guests or strangers into our sukkah. The tradition comes from the story in Genesis wherein Abraham welcomes guests he doesn’t know.

In our partisan world, what does it mean to welcome the stranger? Welcoming the stranger can mean a radical action such as housing a refugee or a more common action such as welcoming a visitor to our synagogue.

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