May 31, 2023

Dear Friends:

This August will mark six years since all of us heard the public expression of the chilling words, “Jews will not replace us.”

In 2017, in Charlottesville, Virginia, young white men carrying tiki torches marched ostensibly to protest the removal of statues of revered confederate figures. In reality, the choreographed march was an excuse for anti-Semites to spew forth hatred toward Jews, Blacks, and all people of color. Frighteningly, while Jews were praying in a local synagogue, white men, dressed in fatigues and carrying semi-automatic rifles, stood across the street. This demonstration of racism was a wake-up call to just how emboldened people are to spew such sentiment.

Friends, there is a deeply ingrained part of me that desperately wants to believe these displays of hate against Jews and people of color are only aberrations, not to be taken seriously. But we would be foolish to view the world with rose-colored glasses. In recent years, we have all too often seen evidence of anti-Jewish hate in the form of swastika imagery at universities, in the harassment of Hasidic Jews in New York City, and in the ignorant and dangerous sentiments of celebrities and sports stars.

But, the uttering of “Jews will not replace us” rings differently – and it should.

Jews have long been targeted by anti-Semites for constructing elaborate conspiracy theories. The Great Replacement Theory is one of them. Today, this theory is part of an overall approach by white supremacists to invoke fear and suspicion among despairing white Americans who worry about losing their power in our country. We can no longer stand idly by and just wish away white nationalism and supremacy. Fairmount Temple members have taken note.

Through the initial leadership of our members David Biegel, Mitch Wasserman and Donna Weinberger, our synagogue has partnered with four other congregations to address the harms of white supremacy. In collaboration with Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, the Chagrin Valley Islamic Center, Fairmount Presbyterian Church and the Church of St. Dominic, Fairmount Temple has begun initial group work with clergy and lay leadership aiming to build Relationships, Educate, and Act towards building a more just community of faith partners.

As a first step towards strengthening these congregational partnerships, on Saturday, July 1, the Church of St. Dominic in Shaker Heights invites Fairmount Temple members to join with their community for a 5 pm informal outdoor service on their church grounds. Father Tom Fanta will offer a special welcome to us, and light snacks and beverages will be shared following the service. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and/or blankets. If you would like to join Rabbi Caruso and others from Fairmount Temple on July 1, please RSVP to Jenny Marmaros here with your name and the number of those in your household who will attend and we'll send you the further details.

L'Shalom,

Rabbi Joshua Caruso

(Pronouns: he/him/his)

Let’s Get Together, SOON! 

Mini-Mitzvah Day, Sunday, June 4, 10 am - noon

Volunteers will plant flowers around signs that welcome people onto our property, spruce up the Fine Nadler Discovery Garden, and beautify the Religious School entrance now used as our main entrance. No gardening experience necessary! All ages welcome! RSVP to Wendy Jacobson here.

Free Fairmount Temple Family Day at the Maltz Museum's New Exhibit for Kids, Sunday, June 11, 11 am - 1 pm

Bring your children or grandchildren and explore the new Rube Goldberg: The World of Hilarious Invention exhibit which features hands-on activities, a light bagel lunch, and access to the entire Museum. This opportunity for Fairmount Temple members to enjoy this exhibit free is sponsored by our Women of FT. RSVP by June 6 to Amy Nadler.

Special Musical Weekend, June 16-17

Friday, June 16, 6:15 pm - Shabbat Evening Service

Led by Cantor Lapin with Janet Montroy as our special guest musical accompanist. Shabbat services will also include Rabbis Elle Muhlbaum & Robert Nosanchuk. Location TBA

Saturday, June 17, 7 pm - Songs of Hope and Light Concert

This special concert in our Bogomolny Faigin Activity Center will feature an array of songs that will fill the room and our hearts with joy!! Cantor Vladimir Lapin and pianist Janet Montroy will headline a special concert that will include an appearance by the Fairmount Temple Chorale (volunteer choir) under the direction of Cantor Laureate Sarah Sager! This 7 pm concert is open to all. For security purposes and to plan seating accordingly, RSVPs are required to Lindsay Marcus at Lmarcus@fairmounttemple.org.

Shabbat Across Fairmount Temple, Friday, June 23

Choose one of three ways to gather with other temple members for Shabbat dinner! 

• Host a group of Fairmount Temple members in your home (or on your patio) for Shabbat dinner.  
• Sign up to be a guest in someone else’s home for Shabbat dinner.
• Attend an outdoor Shabbat gathering on the grounds of Fairmount Temple with songs, blessings, and a special oneg! For this option, you bring your own picnic Shabbat dinner if you wish. 

There will also be an early and abbreviated 5 pm Shabbat Service during which names will be read for Mourner's Kaddish and to pray for healing. No matter how you spend June 23, we hope it will be a fun evening that draws you closer to our caring community!

Let us know how you want to participate in Shabbat Across Fairmount Temple by

completing this form by June 12.

We still have space available for our Fairmount Temple Multi-Generational Trip to Israel, leaving Dec. 23, and led by Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum and Cantor Vladimir Lapin. There are also potentially some limited scholarship funds available. This trip is perfect for those exploring Israel for the first time and for more experienced Israel travelers!

For the itinerary and to register to join Cantor Lapin and Rabbi Muhlbaum on this trip of a lifetime, visit the trip website here. Questions? Reach out to either Rabbi Muhlbaum or Cantor Lapin.

Our Temple Phones Are Working

As a result of our April 13 fire, we lost our entire phone system which has been replaced with a new internet-based phone system, carrying the same phone number: 216-464-1330

This is the number for all Fairmount Temple calls. There are no longer direct numbers for staff members. After temple hours or when our offices are closed, if you are experiencing an emergency requiring the attention of our clergy, please call 216-464-1330 and listen for the prompt to reach our answering service, who will help directly connect you with Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk or another clergy member on call.