February 23, 2024

Dear Congregants,

As we move closer to March 6, the final day to vote on the merger agreement between Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple and The Temple-Tifereth Israel, I want to share with you the thoughts of our clergy and some of our congregants regarding the potential merger, what it means to them personally, and what it means for our community.

Senior Rabbi Rob Nosanchuk – What a privilege to be considered for the role of founding Senior Rabbi within the inaugural clergy team for Congregation Mishkan Or. Our two history-making temples, Anshe Chesed and Tifereth Israel, can make new meaning together! I look forward to the coming years, and I am grateful to be alive to see this dream come true. Expect me to be guided by the vision of the Prophet Micah in my endeavors: we can do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

Lindsay and Ricky Marcus, Parents of School Children – We are enthusiastic about the prospect of becoming a unified congregation. It’s a reflection of the changing times and a responsible decision for our community that will enhance our ability to strengthen and secure a collective future. For our family, it's a no-brainer because we want to continue to provide our kids with an opportunity to grow Jewishly in a thriving congregational home where they can always return. With our clergy team, home will always be home, no matter what building holds our memories.

Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum – I am tremendously moved by the efforts of our thoughtful lay leadership, who have created a new reality for us to consider, one of innovation and creative thinking all while holding onto that which is sacred about our community. Congregation Mishkan Or has the potential to help us deepen our roots while reaching our branches ever higher. I look forward to seeing what we can build together and how we’ll take our traditions and carry them into the future with increased relevance and purpose.

Gail Weintraub and Ed Weintraub, Past President – It has become evident that it is time to try something new at Fairmount Temple and in the Reform Movement. This merger is a new model. Yes, there are issues that need to be addressed, but the opportunities are too good to pass up! Clergy from both congregations are enthusiastic about what can be done together to create new programming, attract new younger members, and build a sustainable financial model. To borrow from Robert Kennedy, now is the time to ask, "Why not?" and dream of what could be.

Robbie Blumstein, Parent of Pre-School Children – I am excited to create a more robust and forward-looking community through this unification. It will unlock wider opportunities for my daughters’ Jewish education, fresh programming from our expanded clergy and staff, and new friendships between our re-energized members. I’m confident that we can build something better together, adding strength to strength, to achieve new heights for our storied congregations.

Rabbi Josh Caruso – The historic communities of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple and The Temple-Tifereth Israel have a tremendous opportunity to do something wholly unique in Northeast Ohio. Together, we will draw our diverse Jewish community even closer with a remarkable array of talent and resources. Together, we will work tirelessly for justice and social change alongside a plenitude of communities beyond our synagogue walls. I envision this new congregation vibrantly living out our Jewish lives, and boldly endeavoring to repair a world thirsting for wholeness and peace.

Betsy and Brent Silver, Parents of School-Aged Children – We are excited about the possibility of Fairmount Temple merging with Tifereth Israel. This past fall we experienced a milestone event at Tifereth Israel, which graciously hosted our son’s Bar Mitzvah due to the fire at Fairmount Temple. The significance of the day was not compromised by the change in location. We got to know some of the clergy and staff from Tifereth Israel and they made us feel at home. This merger would only make both congregations stronger and better positioned for the future.

Cantor Vladimir Lapin – I wholeheartedly support this unification. I envision Congregation Mishkan Or as a celebration of shared values, traditions, and a collective commitment to fostering a vibrant, forward-looking, and dynamic Jewish community in Cleveland. I hope the combined strength of our congregations will lead to incredibly impactful and meaningful experiences for all. I look forward to contributing to the creation and growth of this new, unified congregation, where our collective energy and passion will undoubtedly enhance our Jewish community and the community at large.

Ronna Kaplan, Co-President, Women of Fairmount Temple – I am in full support of the unification between our two congregations. Each already has strong roots, both on personal and collective levels. We will soon be able to pool our resources as we plant and nurture the seeds of this new partnership together, so that our present and future generations have the best possible opportunities to grow and flourish with "tried and true” practices, as well as in creative new ways.

Thank you for taking the time to read these thoughtful and heartfelt messages from members of our congregations and clergy. We’re encouraged by this outpouring of support and hope you are too.

If you’d like to read more about the exploratory process, the vision for the future, the name Congregation Mishkan Or, or need additional information, please visit our website's unification update page here.

Please remember to deliver your ballot by mail, courier service, email or in person by 5 pm on March 5 or vote in person on March 6. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can be of assistance.



Shabbat Shalom,

Michele Krantz, President

Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple