Summer 2026
Temple Sholom
Monroe & North Streets
P.O. Box 501
Galesburg, IL 60402-0501
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
It is an honor to be writing my first president’s note to you. I am moving into this position a bit early, as past president Jonah Rubin moved with his family, Michal and Rafi, for a great job opportunity for Michal in Birmingham, Alabama. I know I speak for everyone at the temple when I say we will miss each of your faces, perspectives, questions, joys, unique skills, and little screams of delight.
We were treated to a presentation about Jewish comings and goings on a larger scale when Knox senior, Lee Buell (they/them), presented the results of their research on Jewish communities in the Midwest before last Friday’s Shabbat service. Lee compared two Reform congregations: one in the historically Jewish area of Skokie, Illinois, and the other in a small town with a modest but persistent population of Jews (that was us!). Lee found that Jews in small towns can experience more of what they termed a “Hanukkah antisemitism”—the assumption that everyone is Christian, and the resulting pressure, which can be severe, to assimilate—as opposed to a “Purim antisemitism,” à la Haman (boo!), where there is a plan to annihilate the Jewish population.
I found Lee’s presentation nuanced and insightful, and I’m honored they were interested in studying the dynamics of our community. I have been thinking a lot about one of the findings presented, namely that, amongst the Jews Lee interviewed, most people had complicated and uncertain views on one of our most polarizing subjects: Israel. There were, to be sure, voices on the extremes, but the majority of Jewish people Lee interviewed expressed multifaceted views on Israel as a modern nation-state and its political leadership. This point intersected with another in Lee’s research, that out of deference to keeping the peace in their synagogues, participants tended to avoid topics where their views could cause tension. This avoidance can occur not only around hot-button issues, such as Israel, but also around everyday interactions, and temple affairs. In our case, there is a strong sentiment that because Temple Sholom is the only synagogue in the area, we can’t afford to be at odds with each other; the peace between us is too important to risk.
Our tradition celebrates intellectual debate—one Jew, two opinions; divrei Torah; and the very nature of the Talmud—but this embrace of differing viewpoints does not usually extend to feelings, emotions, and interpersonal conflict. Faye and David, in their thoughtful survey of our congregation a few years back, noted that many people they spoke with said that we don’t tend to be particularly adept at handling conflict at Temple Sholom. Rather, our approach has been to minimize the subjects and situations where disagreements may happen or have already happened, especially where hard feelings are involved.
What particularly stayed with me in Lee’s research was that, instead of achieving the desired aim (keeping the peace because we are too small to countenance division), this approach sometimes led to people feeling alienated and distanced from other members or the temple itself. All temples lose some members to interpersonal conflict and unresolved hurtful situations, but the absences are particularly noticeable in congregations of our size. Instead of being too small to disagree with each other, is it possible that we are too small to not hear each other’s hurt feelings, uncertain stances, and opposing views?
President Gabrielle Raley-Karlin
RABBI’S MESSAGE
In the immortal words of Diana Ross, “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand. Make this world a better place, if you can.”
Since the last bulletin, I’ve gotten a new phone number: (309) 368-0301. This should make it a lot easier to reach out to me. At the last board meeting, it was agreed that I would take on the role of Chesed Chair as part of my rabbinic duties. Please reach out if there’s anything you need.
It is very difficult for me to ask for help – perhaps it’s a challenge for you as well. But I try to remember the words of my friend and teacher, “sometimes you need to give others the gift of accepting their help.”
How can accepting help be a gift? It strengthens the bonds we have with each other. Caring for each other builds our community.
Traditionally, Jews say these words from the Mishnah every morning: “these are the things for which a person enjoys the fruit in this world, yet the principal remains for the World-to-Come. They are: [abridged] performing deeds of kindness, providing hospitality to guests, visiting the sick, and making peace between a person and his fellow.” (Mishnah Peah, 1:1) Essentially, make this world a better place, if you can.
As the weather warms up, I want to wish you all a wonderful summer. If travel is in your future, I wish you safe travels. However far you go, remember that you will always have a warm and loving place at Temple Sholom to come home too.
Keep in touch.
Rabbi Jennie
MESSAGE FROM OUTGOING PRESIDENT
Although life events have required our family to rather quickly and unexpectedly leave Galesburg, I will forever carry Temple Sholom with me. I am deeply grateful for having had the opportunity to be in community with all of you.
It is not that Temple Sholom is perfect, far from it. Galesburg, IL is far from the imagined center of Jewish life. We struggle with a relatively small membership base and get along with relatively few resources. And, as Maury knows better than any of us, our building is always full of surprises.
Yet as I talk to Jews around the country, I frequently find myself pointing to Temple Sholom as having something special, something that I truly believe should light the way for the broader Jewish community. We are a Temple that is truly welcoming, a Temple that brings together so many across lines of difference, and a Temple where the dedication to making Jewish community–with all the various meanings each of us ascribes to that increasing fraught phrase–work. During my brief time as Temple president, I think we made progress on more honestly airing those differences. Board meetings featured fewer unanimous votes and we tended to more explicitly air our differences. But what unites us is a commitment and love for each other. It is clearly not just me who recognizes Temple Sholom’s brilliance. From the overwhelming response to our capital drive on the cusp of my term as president to the David Friedenreich’s visit the weekend before I left town, it is clear that Temple Sholom makes quite the impression well beyond Galesburg. That is certainly something I am taking with me on my next steps. As for me, I hope you will continue to count me in the “we” of Temple Sholom moving forward.
Please keep in touch and I hope that Rafi, Michal, and I will see and hear from you again soon!
Jonah Rubin
TEMPLE AND CONGREGANT NEWS
As in the last couple of years, Temple Sholom’s Sunday school did a service project at Libby’s Corner. The kids helped pick up sticks, place mulch, and plant some new additions to the garden.
Rabbi Jennie has a new work phone number that she will use for both text and phone calls. Please update any stored contact information you have with this new number for Temple-related conversations: 309-368-0301. She also has business cards at the Temple if you would like one.
James Rericha lost his first tooth on 5/3/26.
We hope that he’s more careful in the future. =) |
 |
Nurislam Gimranov, grandchild of Susan and Maury, will be graduating from UC Santa Cruz on June 13, 2026. And he has a job in his field! Many of the congregants remember when he first arrived in this country not knowing any English. As they say in the song, immigrants, they get it done!
TODAH RABAH
TODAH RABAH to all the teachers in the religious school, who each week bring together their enthusiasm about Judaism and their love of children to create a vibrant and supportive learning environment for the children of our community: David Amor, Lee Buell, David Bunde, Rabbi Jennie Bunde, Penny Gold, Shawn Greathouse, Jeremy Karlin (who is also our song-leader), Susan Lyon, Gabe Raley-Karlin, Katarina Rericha, and Faye Schulz. Thanks also to those who have filled in as substitutes when needed, which includes not only all our regular teachers, but also Steve Cohn, Tiffany Greathouse, and Maury Lyon. As I close out my years of service in the religious school, I look back with gratitude for the relationships I’ve enjoyed there over many years, forming bonds with the children, with the parents, and with the teachers. This has all been such an important part of my experience of Temple Sholom. I am also grateful for Katarina’s enthusiasm for taking on the role of coordinator of the religious school and look forward to seeing the fruits of her ideas and leadership! — Penny Gold
Thanks to Penny for all her years as religious school coordinator and being so helpful in teaching Katarina the ropes.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Leaders can find the list of names to read before the kaddish at this link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhT8efjQojoQo6rIIGO2G4XPw5me4X7B/.
You will find the list of names to read for Mi Shebeirach at this link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1utWU0ZCuLr6iFCeiV3mw4XngrfaOIx7xDswU0uXz9Hg/.
Oneg responsibilities include: providing the food for the oneg, setting it out in the social hall, and cleaning up afterwards. (Beverages are kept in stock at the temple.) If you cannot attend services the evening you are assigned for the oneg, please switch with someone for another night, rather than just dropping off the food ahead of time. Thanks!
Need to switch?
If you cannot lead the service or provide the oneg, please find someone to switch with. Inform David Bunde (david.bunde@gmail.com or 309-335-7130) of the switch.
SAVE THE DATE!
July 19, 4pm. Temple Annual Meeting
August 4, 5:30pm. Tour of Brookside Cemetery led by Bob Bondi and Penny Gold. More details TBA.
ACCESS TO BROOKSIDE CEMETERY
For security reasons, car access to Brookside Cemetery is controlled by having a locked gate at the entrance, but you can always walk in through the smaller gate to the side. Make a note of the lock combination (0311) so that you have it when you go to visit the cemetery. Please make sure the gate is closed after you exit, with the padlock re-locked. If you have any questions, please contact one of the cemetery trustees: Bob Bondi, David Amor, and Jeremy Karlin.
Proposals invited for use of the CHAI FUND: In 2014, Temple Sholom received a gift of $10,188 from the Chai Foundation. We have drawn on these funds for several projects, using about one-third of the funding. The Temple Board welcomes proposals to use the fund; guidelines below. If you have an idea, you might want to start by discussing it with a board member. Proposals can be sent to our president, Gabe Karlin-Raley, graley@knox.edu.
Mission Statement for use of the Chai Fund: Temple Sholom will use the money from the CHAI gift on initiatives that will invigorate the Temple community. The Temple will give each initiative up to $500. The funds may be used for (but not limited to):
• scholarships for skills/leadership development
• care of the Temple Sholom building and grounds
• programs that bring the Temple community together and support our presence in Galesburg (and surrounding communities)
• tzedakah projects that engage the members of the congregation
• the purchase of religious objects/books, and technological additions and upgrades.
When requesting for funds from the CHAI grant, Temple Sholom members should state how the supported project will realize the mission of invigorating the Temple community.
DONATION RECORD
In support of Temple Sholom
Charles Cunningham
In honor of Jim Jacobs’ 80th birthday
Faye and Chuck Schulz
In memory of Alexander Faynov
The Fayman Family
As thanks for Penny’s assistance with their congregation’s fundraising
Elizabeth Klamath
In memory of the Sidell and Dorfman families
Judy Sidell
Don’t see your name?
If you have made a donation but do not see your name on this list and/or have not received an acknowledgement by mail, please let Nancy Eberhardt know. Sorry in advance for any slip ups!
Making a donation to Temple Sholom?
If you would like to make a donation to Temple Sholom, please send your check to: Maury Lyon, Treasurer, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 501, Galesburg, IL 61402-0501, identifying the nature of the gift (e.g., in memory of, in honor of, or for the speed recovery of a particular person). Maury will notify Nancy Eberhardt, who takes care of correspondence concerning such gifts (e.g., notifying the family of the deceased that a gift has been made in memory of that person).
Give to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
The Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund was established by the Temple Sholom Board in 2024, at the time that Rabbi Jennie Bunde was engaged as our rabbi. A regular part of most congregations that have ongoing clergy, this fund is intended to provide Rabbi Jennie with the means to provide tzedakah on behalf of the congregation to individuals and charitable organizations in times of need, both in the congregation and in the larger community. It can also be used to help the rabbi with professional expenses, books and other materials used to further her professional development. The Temple does make a contribution to the Fund each year, but the hope and expectation is that gifts from congregants and friends of Temple Sholom will also help to build the fund.
If you are planning a gift to Temple Sholom, please consider making it to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund. It could be in memory of a loved one, an expression of thanks for a life milestone, or any other reason, even just to support the fund. Checks should be made out to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund (NOT to Rabbi Jennie personally) and sent to Maury Lyon, Treasurer, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 501, Galesburg, IL 61402-0501.
Happy Tree of Life Donations
Donations may be made in recognition of a variety of events, for example: in honor of a happy occasion (anniversary, birth, bar/bat mitzvah, birthday, etc.), or in honor of an individual or family. Donations may be made by an individual or a group, and may be made at three levels: a leaf ($200), an acorn ($500), and a stone ($1,000). A leaf can be engraved with four lines of text with 20 characters in each line, plus a brief fifth line (often a date). Acorns and stones are larger than leaves and can accommodate more text. Sample wordings can be found by looking on the Happy Tree of Life. If you want to make a donation, you can send your gift, along with specification of wording, to Maury Lyon, Treasurer, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 501, Galesburg, IL 61402-0501
Memorial Plaques: If you would like to purchase a memorial plaque ($250), send your donation and desired wording to Maury Lyon, Treasurer, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 501, Galesburg, IL 61402-0501. You will find samples of what to include on the plaque by looking at ones already on the memorial board.
Gift Shop
Gift shop offerings have been pared back to candles (Shabbat, memorial, Hanukkah) and mezuzot. These items are in the plastic set of drawers under the Happy Tree of Life. Place the money in the fish bowl. Please let Faye (309-335-7192) know if we are low on any items.
PLEASE BOOKMARK THESE LINKS
Temple Sholom website: https://templesholomgalesburg.org/
Temple Sholom Google drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_mE-prG2xSfJO6mv-KIrGafORzr1qZt_
Many documents related to the Temple are uploaded here, for example: board minutes, Guidelines for B’nai Mitzvah, historical documents, etc.
E-mail address for reaching people currently active at Temple Sholom: templesholom@googlegroups.com
Summer 2026 Bulletin
July 14, 2026 by Temple Sholom • Bulletins Tags: Bulletins, Temple Bulletin •
Summer 2026
Temple Sholom
Monroe & North Streets
P.O. Box 501
Galesburg, IL 60402-0501
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
It is an honor to be writing my first president’s note to you. I am moving into this position a bit early, as past president Jonah Rubin moved with his family, Michal and Rafi, for a great job opportunity for Michal in Birmingham, Alabama. I know I speak for everyone at the temple when I say we will miss each of your faces, perspectives, questions, joys, unique skills, and little screams of delight.
We were treated to a presentation about Jewish comings and goings on a larger scale when Knox senior, Lee Buell (they/them), presented the results of their research on Jewish communities in the Midwest before last Friday’s Shabbat service. Lee compared two Reform congregations: one in the historically Jewish area of Skokie, Illinois, and the other in a small town with a modest but persistent population of Jews (that was us!). Lee found that Jews in small towns can experience more of what they termed a “Hanukkah antisemitism”—the assumption that everyone is Christian, and the resulting pressure, which can be severe, to assimilate—as opposed to a “Purim antisemitism,” à la Haman (boo!), where there is a plan to annihilate the Jewish population.
I found Lee’s presentation nuanced and insightful, and I’m honored they were interested in studying the dynamics of our community. I have been thinking a lot about one of the findings presented, namely that, amongst the Jews Lee interviewed, most people had complicated and uncertain views on one of our most polarizing subjects: Israel. There were, to be sure, voices on the extremes, but the majority of Jewish people Lee interviewed expressed multifaceted views on Israel as a modern nation-state and its political leadership. This point intersected with another in Lee’s research, that out of deference to keeping the peace in their synagogues, participants tended to avoid topics where their views could cause tension. This avoidance can occur not only around hot-button issues, such as Israel, but also around everyday interactions, and temple affairs. In our case, there is a strong sentiment that because Temple Sholom is the only synagogue in the area, we can’t afford to be at odds with each other; the peace between us is too important to risk.
Our tradition celebrates intellectual debate—one Jew, two opinions; divrei Torah; and the very nature of the Talmud—but this embrace of differing viewpoints does not usually extend to feelings, emotions, and interpersonal conflict. Faye and David, in their thoughtful survey of our congregation a few years back, noted that many people they spoke with said that we don’t tend to be particularly adept at handling conflict at Temple Sholom. Rather, our approach has been to minimize the subjects and situations where disagreements may happen or have already happened, especially where hard feelings are involved.
What particularly stayed with me in Lee’s research was that, instead of achieving the desired aim (keeping the peace because we are too small to countenance division), this approach sometimes led to people feeling alienated and distanced from other members or the temple itself. All temples lose some members to interpersonal conflict and unresolved hurtful situations, but the absences are particularly noticeable in congregations of our size. Instead of being too small to disagree with each other, is it possible that we are too small to not hear each other’s hurt feelings, uncertain stances, and opposing views?
President Gabrielle Raley-Karlin
RABBI’S MESSAGE
In the immortal words of Diana Ross, “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand. Make this world a better place, if you can.”
Since the last bulletin, I’ve gotten a new phone number: (309) 368-0301. This should make it a lot easier to reach out to me. At the last board meeting, it was agreed that I would take on the role of Chesed Chair as part of my rabbinic duties. Please reach out if there’s anything you need.
It is very difficult for me to ask for help – perhaps it’s a challenge for you as well. But I try to remember the words of my friend and teacher, “sometimes you need to give others the gift of accepting their help.”
How can accepting help be a gift? It strengthens the bonds we have with each other. Caring for each other builds our community.
Traditionally, Jews say these words from the Mishnah every morning: “these are the things for which a person enjoys the fruit in this world, yet the principal remains for the World-to-Come. They are: [abridged] performing deeds of kindness, providing hospitality to guests, visiting the sick, and making peace between a person and his fellow.” (Mishnah Peah, 1:1) Essentially, make this world a better place, if you can.
As the weather warms up, I want to wish you all a wonderful summer. If travel is in your future, I wish you safe travels. However far you go, remember that you will always have a warm and loving place at Temple Sholom to come home too.
Keep in touch.
Rabbi Jennie
MESSAGE FROM OUTGOING PRESIDENT
Although life events have required our family to rather quickly and unexpectedly leave Galesburg, I will forever carry Temple Sholom with me. I am deeply grateful for having had the opportunity to be in community with all of you.
It is not that Temple Sholom is perfect, far from it. Galesburg, IL is far from the imagined center of Jewish life. We struggle with a relatively small membership base and get along with relatively few resources. And, as Maury knows better than any of us, our building is always full of surprises.
Yet as I talk to Jews around the country, I frequently find myself pointing to Temple Sholom as having something special, something that I truly believe should light the way for the broader Jewish community. We are a Temple that is truly welcoming, a Temple that brings together so many across lines of difference, and a Temple where the dedication to making Jewish community–with all the various meanings each of us ascribes to that increasing fraught phrase–work. During my brief time as Temple president, I think we made progress on more honestly airing those differences. Board meetings featured fewer unanimous votes and we tended to more explicitly air our differences. But what unites us is a commitment and love for each other. It is clearly not just me who recognizes Temple Sholom’s brilliance. From the overwhelming response to our capital drive on the cusp of my term as president to the David Friedenreich’s visit the weekend before I left town, it is clear that Temple Sholom makes quite the impression well beyond Galesburg. That is certainly something I am taking with me on my next steps. As for me, I hope you will continue to count me in the “we” of Temple Sholom moving forward.
Please keep in touch and I hope that Rafi, Michal, and I will see and hear from you again soon!
Jonah Rubin
TEMPLE AND CONGREGANT NEWS
As in the last couple of years, Temple Sholom’s Sunday school did a service project at Libby’s Corner. The kids helped pick up sticks, place mulch, and plant some new additions to the garden.
Rabbi Jennie has a new work phone number that she will use for both text and phone calls. Please update any stored contact information you have with this new number for Temple-related conversations: 309-368-0301. She also has business cards at the Temple if you would like one.
We hope that he’s more careful in the future. =)
TODAH RABAH
TODAH RABAH to all the teachers in the religious school, who each week bring together their enthusiasm about Judaism and their love of children to create a vibrant and supportive learning environment for the children of our community: David Amor, Lee Buell, David Bunde, Rabbi Jennie Bunde, Penny Gold, Shawn Greathouse, Jeremy Karlin (who is also our song-leader), Susan Lyon, Gabe Raley-Karlin, Katarina Rericha, and Faye Schulz. Thanks also to those who have filled in as substitutes when needed, which includes not only all our regular teachers, but also Steve Cohn, Tiffany Greathouse, and Maury Lyon. As I close out my years of service in the religious school, I look back with gratitude for the relationships I’ve enjoyed there over many years, forming bonds with the children, with the parents, and with the teachers. This has all been such an important part of my experience of Temple Sholom. I am also grateful for Katarina’s enthusiasm for taking on the role of coordinator of the religious school and look forward to seeing the fruits of her ideas and leadership! — Penny Gold
Thanks to Penny for all her years as religious school coordinator and being so helpful in teaching Katarina the ropes.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Date
Leader
Oneg
Tech
Shamash
Notes
6/5
No services
6/12
Gold
Schulz
D. Bunde
6/19
No services
6/26
Doug Bunde
Karlin/Raley-Karlin
Amor
7/3
No services
7/10
Karlin/Raley-Karlin
Geraci
J. Bunde
7/17
No services
7/24
David Bunde
Rericha
Lyon
7/31
No services
8/7
Lyon
Bunde
Amor
8/14
West
Gold
D. Bunde
8/21
Schulz
Lyon
Lyon
8/28
Jacobs-Gold
Cohn/Eberhardt
J. Bunde
9/4
Amor
Jacobs
Amor
9/11
Rabbi
Satisky
D. Bunde
Schulz
Erev Rosh Hashanah
9/18
Karlin/Raley-Karlin
Schulz
Lyon
9/25
David Bunde
H. Lyon
J. Bunde
Succot
10/2
Rabbi
Greathouse
Amor
Raley-Karlin
Simchat Torah
Leaders can find the list of names to read before the kaddish at this link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xhT8efjQojoQo6rIIGO2G4XPw5me4X7B/.
You will find the list of names to read for Mi Shebeirach at this link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1utWU0ZCuLr6iFCeiV3mw4XngrfaOIx7xDswU0uXz9Hg/.
Oneg responsibilities include: providing the food for the oneg, setting it out in the social hall, and cleaning up afterwards. (Beverages are kept in stock at the temple.) If you cannot attend services the evening you are assigned for the oneg, please switch with someone for another night, rather than just dropping off the food ahead of time. Thanks!
Need to switch?
If you cannot lead the service or provide the oneg, please find someone to switch with. Inform David Bunde (david.bunde@gmail.com or 309-335-7130) of the switch.
SAVE THE DATE!
July 19, 4pm. Temple Annual Meeting
August 4, 5:30pm. Tour of Brookside Cemetery led by Bob Bondi and Penny Gold. More details TBA.
ACCESS TO BROOKSIDE CEMETERY
For security reasons, car access to Brookside Cemetery is controlled by having a locked gate at the entrance, but you can always walk in through the smaller gate to the side. Make a note of the lock combination (0311) so that you have it when you go to visit the cemetery. Please make sure the gate is closed after you exit, with the padlock re-locked. If you have any questions, please contact one of the cemetery trustees: Bob Bondi, David Amor, and Jeremy Karlin.
Proposals invited for use of the CHAI FUND: In 2014, Temple Sholom received a gift of $10,188 from the Chai Foundation. We have drawn on these funds for several projects, using about one-third of the funding. The Temple Board welcomes proposals to use the fund; guidelines below. If you have an idea, you might want to start by discussing it with a board member. Proposals can be sent to our president, Gabe Karlin-Raley, graley@knox.edu.
Mission Statement for use of the Chai Fund: Temple Sholom will use the money from the CHAI gift on initiatives that will invigorate the Temple community. The Temple will give each initiative up to $500. The funds may be used for (but not limited to):
• scholarships for skills/leadership development
• care of the Temple Sholom building and grounds
• programs that bring the Temple community together and support our presence in Galesburg (and surrounding communities)
• tzedakah projects that engage the members of the congregation
• the purchase of religious objects/books, and technological additions and upgrades.
When requesting for funds from the CHAI grant, Temple Sholom members should state how the supported project will realize the mission of invigorating the Temple community.
DONATION RECORD
In support of Temple Sholom
Charles Cunningham
In honor of Jim Jacobs’ 80th birthday
Faye and Chuck Schulz
In memory of Alexander Faynov
The Fayman Family
As thanks for Penny’s assistance with their congregation’s fundraising
Elizabeth Klamath
In memory of the Sidell and Dorfman families
Judy Sidell
Don’t see your name?
If you have made a donation but do not see your name on this list and/or have not received an acknowledgement by mail, please let Nancy Eberhardt know. Sorry in advance for any slip ups!
Making a donation to Temple Sholom?
If you would like to make a donation to Temple Sholom, please send your check to: Maury Lyon, Treasurer, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 501, Galesburg, IL 61402-0501, identifying the nature of the gift (e.g., in memory of, in honor of, or for the speed recovery of a particular person). Maury will notify Nancy Eberhardt, who takes care of correspondence concerning such gifts (e.g., notifying the family of the deceased that a gift has been made in memory of that person).
Give to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
The Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund was established by the Temple Sholom Board in 2024, at the time that Rabbi Jennie Bunde was engaged as our rabbi. A regular part of most congregations that have ongoing clergy, this fund is intended to provide Rabbi Jennie with the means to provide tzedakah on behalf of the congregation to individuals and charitable organizations in times of need, both in the congregation and in the larger community. It can also be used to help the rabbi with professional expenses, books and other materials used to further her professional development. The Temple does make a contribution to the Fund each year, but the hope and expectation is that gifts from congregants and friends of Temple Sholom will also help to build the fund.
If you are planning a gift to Temple Sholom, please consider making it to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund. It could be in memory of a loved one, an expression of thanks for a life milestone, or any other reason, even just to support the fund. Checks should be made out to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund (NOT to Rabbi Jennie personally) and sent to Maury Lyon, Treasurer, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 501, Galesburg, IL 61402-0501.
Happy Tree of Life Donations
Donations may be made in recognition of a variety of events, for example: in honor of a happy occasion (anniversary, birth, bar/bat mitzvah, birthday, etc.), or in honor of an individual or family. Donations may be made by an individual or a group, and may be made at three levels: a leaf ($200), an acorn ($500), and a stone ($1,000). A leaf can be engraved with four lines of text with 20 characters in each line, plus a brief fifth line (often a date). Acorns and stones are larger than leaves and can accommodate more text. Sample wordings can be found by looking on the Happy Tree of Life. If you want to make a donation, you can send your gift, along with specification of wording, to Maury Lyon, Treasurer, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 501, Galesburg, IL 61402-0501
Memorial Plaques: If you would like to purchase a memorial plaque ($250), send your donation and desired wording to Maury Lyon, Treasurer, Temple Sholom, P.O. Box 501, Galesburg, IL 61402-0501. You will find samples of what to include on the plaque by looking at ones already on the memorial board.
Gift Shop
Gift shop offerings have been pared back to candles (Shabbat, memorial, Hanukkah) and mezuzot. These items are in the plastic set of drawers under the Happy Tree of Life. Place the money in the fish bowl. Please let Faye (309-335-7192) know if we are low on any items.
PLEASE BOOKMARK THESE LINKS
Temple Sholom website: https://templesholomgalesburg.org/
Temple Sholom Google drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_mE-prG2xSfJO6mv-KIrGafORzr1qZt_
Many documents related to the Temple are uploaded here, for example: board minutes, Guidelines for B’nai Mitzvah, historical documents, etc.
E-mail address for reaching people currently active at Temple Sholom: templesholom@googlegroups.com