BEACHWOOD, Ohio — It’s official.
Two prominent Reform Jewish congregations in Northeast Ohio with histories dating back to the mid-1800s -- The Temple-Tifereth Israel and Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple -- will come together in a “first-of-its-kind merger agreement.”
NOTE: 3News' Laura Caso will have much more on this story throughout WKYC's newscasts this afternoon.
News of the merger was confirmed Thursday afternoon as officials say congregants from each temple overwhelmingly voted in favor.
“The vote to unify is the culmination of an 18-month exploration process, initiated and guided by lay leaders from both temples,” according to a press release. “The congregations, which include approximately 2,000 families combined, will officially unite on July 1, 2024, as Congregation Mishkan Or, which translates to Dwelling Place of Light.”
Congregation Mishkan Or will be located in the Jack and Lilyan Mandel Building at 26000 Shaker Blvd. in Beachwood, which is the current home of The Temple-Tifereth Israel.
“The congregation will have a combined administrative staff and board of directors with equal representation from both current temples, plus a unified education program,” officials said.
All current clergy members for The Temple-Tifereth Israel and Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple have signed on as leaders in the founding of Congregation Mishkan Or. Robert Nosanchuk -- senior Rabbi at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple -- will serve as founding senior rabbi.
“It has taken courage, vision and patience for our congregants and clergy to partner in creating a new congregation,” said Rabbi Nosanchuk. “I am convinced it will be one of the most consequential Jewish actions of each of our lifetimes. We will not only bring meaning to our community. The world we share will become more just and whole because of the legacy of each of our temples and the commitment we share to Tikkun Olam, repairing our world.”
Members from both current temples will continue to work for the next few months to finalize details of the merger, including administration, worship, religious school, early childhood programs, teen and adult education, legacy preservation, congregation programming, community outreach and more. Clergy and congregants will continue to connect and expand relationships.
MORE REACTION
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the North American Union for Reform Judaism
“We have two pillars of Reform Judaism in North America—venerable, historic, long-standing, strong, vibrant places—saying, let’s not just think about the Jewish future, let’s build that future, and let’s do it together,” said Jacobs. “This is something we’ve never seen in Jewish life.”
Michele Krantz, president, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple
“This merger is unique in that we have two legendary, healthy, similar-size institutions proactively coming together to make a bold change based on vision, rather than necessity. This is not an acquisition of a small congregation by a large congregation, or a decision based on financial instability. It’s a new model for the future.”
Beth Dery, president, The Temple-Tifereth Israel
“The union of our congregations will help ensure a bright outlook for the Reform Jewish community in Cleveland, one that each of our temples could not achieve alone. Not only will we be able to share resources, but we have an opportunity to reimagine everything from the way we come together in worship to the way we reach out to and support the community at large.”