Rodeph Weekly Newsletter

The Challot this Shabbat are sponsored by the Schaffler Family in honor of Mara's 5th Birthday!

Congregation Rodeph Sholom would like to congratulate our very own Dr. Abraham Marcadis, recipient of the 2025 Maimonides Society Award!

Mazal Tov to the Hope Cohen Barnett Leadership Institute Class of 2024-2025!

Rodeph Sholom participants: Elly Bovarnick, Amy Schaffler, Jessica Sheikhet, and Lindsey Wright

In memory of Rodeph Sholom's Past President, Lee Tobin

Lee Michael Tobin, 72, passed away on January 9, 2025, in Tampa, FL after a prolonged illness, with his loving family by his side. The Tobin family settled in Tampa in 1964. Lee graduated with honors from Atlanta’s Woodward Academy.  
 
He then went on to become a proud University of Florida Gator. Lee worked as the Assistant Sports Information Director at UF while also working as a sportswriter for The Alligator, UF’s newspaper. Lee graduated with a Journalism/Communications degree, and then landed a job in Birmingham, AL., working as the first Assistant Public Relations Director for the Southeastern Conference. After several years at the SEC, he was summoned home to work in the family container business.  
 
After many years, Lee & Glenn were recruited to work for All American Containers (AAC). After Glenn’s passing, Lee became President and founded their wine division in Pennsylvania. After managing both of AAC’s branches, Tampa and Pennsylvania’s for over 25 years they both earned stellar growth.  
 
Lee was widely known for his leadership within Tampa’s Jewish community. Lee was active in supporting APAC, the Tampa Jewish Federation, while also serving as the President of both the Tampa Jewish Community Center and his beloved synagogue, Rodeph Sholom where he was a member for 62 years.  
 
Lee is predeceased by his parents, Julius & Esther, and his older brothers Harris and Glenn. He is survived by his wife: Valerie, son: Aaron, and daughter: Elissa, along with his sons-in-law: Blake Maples & Robert Dulong, nieces: Shanna Dulong, Heather Goodson & Jessica Lezama, nephews: Julius Tobin & Nathanial Lezama, great niece: Alexandra Dulong & great nephew: Jacob Dulong.

100% of the proceeds will support Rodeph Sholom:

If you were not included in the Caring Committee's "Gems Program" last year, now is the chance to change that! If you were married in 2000, this will be your Silver Anniversary year. This is the beginning year for inclusion in the Gems program. If you are married longer than 25 years and were not included last year, you can still be included this year. Please provide us with the date of your wedding and a wedding photo, if possible. Please send the information to Marci LeVine at  admin@rsholom.org or to Shelly Pozin at  shelltpa@aol.com​​.

This year's Gems program will be held on February 22.

Thank you for your interest in this program!
 Rodeph Sholom Caring Committee

FROM THE BOOKSHELVES OF ETTA DONNELL

It was a beautiful “Jewish-y” wedding held at Tokyo’s swanky Imperial
Hotel. Standing beneath the chuppah the groom tall, handsome
outfitted in his ceremonial black and white kimono, beaming at his
gorgeous bride resplendent in a Klienfeld “yes–to–the-dress" gown. Both
sets of “machatonim” witnessed the union of their children. Both
respectfully acknowledging one another’s traditions--- for her, the
breaking of the glass goblet to commemorate the destruction of the 2nd
temple, for him---the Shinto rituals to bestow blessings on the couple.

But when a Jewish girl marries and Orthodox Buddhist boy there must
be a compelling backstory. The Wagamama Bride delivers in
fascinating detail the courtship, the marriage and the ever-after of an
intercultural, interfaith couple who sought identical goals---finding an
“operating manual” for happiness.

Narrated by author Liane Grunberg Wakabyashi, the fairytale, memoir/
romance began long before author Grunberg met the love of her life in
Tokyo. A bright independent journalist from New York, Liane worked as
an art facilitator at the International desk of the Japan Times. She loved
everything about Tokyo, her Zen garden in her rented house, her
second-hand bike, the best place to buy sake. Liane became a
“wagamama” feverishly immersed in every element of Japanese
culture. She breathlessly kept an appointment of the Elite Crane Clinic
for a massage to blow off some of the stem from her frenetic new life.

There she met Ichiro, a teacher of oriental medicine, skilled at shiatsu
massage and acupuncture. Ishiro had never before met a Jew nor did
he speak English. However, nothing could diminish Ichiro’s calm
demeanor, humility and positive Taoist philosophy. He was also expert
at creating great macrobiotic brown rice dishes. Over time, Ichiro
became Liane’s aphrodisiac. A visit to her future in-laws in their
“harmonious home” convinced Liane she found love with a “most
magnanimous mensch.”

It was a loving marriage. Liane learned the art of Japanese flower
arranging, calligraphy, abided by Japanese formal social customs,
studied Japanese cuisine arts, dutifully attended Shinto festivals at
ancient shrines. However Ichiro’s mantra, The Happy Life Leaves
Nothing to be Desired” left her more confused than comforted. Liane
desired more understanding of her own heritage, rather than total
submersion into Ichiro’s. “Strings of Jewishness tugged at her.” After
the birth of her daughter, Shoshana, Liane questioned how she would
raise their child with both a Jewish and Japanese identity. She placed a
mezuzah on the doorpost of every room. That simple act led Liane
toward her “spiritual home." Would Ichiro follow?

The Wagamama Bride is a true story of a bicultural biracial bilingual
marriage put under the extreme test of values that matter most.

Save the Date: James Baker Bar Mitzvah- Saturday, March 8, 2025

February 7
Asher Forman
Steve Kreitzer

February 8
Gary Cohen

February 10
Samuel Marcadis
Donna Provda

February 12
Jacob Daniels
Sarah Hanerfeld
Benjamin Berger

February 13
Marc Ostroff

If you would like to honor your loved one with a Yahrzeit Plaque,
please click on the link below.

Tampa Jewish Memorial Gardens
Plot space is available at the Tampa Jewish Memorial Gardens operated by Congregation Rodeph Sholom (formerly the New Rodeph Sholom Cemetery). Rodeph Sholom Members $3,000 and Non-Members $3,500 per plot. Price includes perpetual care. Interfaith family section available. Payment plans may be arranged. Please contact the synagogue office at 813-837-1911 or email at info@rsholom.org.

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