Unification Updates

The members of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple and The Temple-Tifereth Israel have overwhelmingly voted to unify and become Congregation Mishkan Or as of July 1, 2024. With shared resources and new opportunities for worship, programming, education, community impact and more, we will now become a “Dwelling Place of Light” for approximately 2,000 families.  This announcement was shared on March 7, 2024, with both congregations and you can find full message here.

Click here to watch News5 Cleveland’s in-depth story covering the merger.

At the May 7 Fairmount Temple Annual Meeting, Board President shared some merger updates. Click here for Meeting video.

Throughout the Unification Discussion process, both temples shared updates with their members about the ongoing discussions of a possible unification. These updates were shared through various avenues, including town hall gatherings, Zoom conversations, e-mails to our congregation, and our newsletters.

Below are emails and videos related to the unification discussions which led up to the vote. 

Voting Update:
On Tuesday, Feb. 13, the Boards of both Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple and The Temple-Tifereth Israel voted to approve a merger agreement which would create a new, unified Reform Jewish congregation from the two existing congregations. With both Boards approving, members of both congregations have the opportunity to vote on the merger. On Feb. 14, both temples sent voting packets to members in good standing via mail and by email.  

Communications shared about unification discussions with The Temple-Tifereth Israel:

• Video of Clergy discussing the significance, locally and nationally, of a potential unification.
• What that Unification Might Look Like as presented at Fairmount Temple Town Hall Meetings held in September, 2023. 
• Connections newsletters can be found here, with updates beginning in the March/April 2023 issue.
• During our Erev Rosh Hashanah Service, Board President Michele Krantz shared updates on the unification discussion, We Have So Much To Be Proud Of This Year.

Video link to Conversations with Clergy, a Dec. 3 program featuring the full-time clergy for each temple, engaged in an informal dialogue to help temple members get to know them better.   Watch full program here by clicking here and searching for “clergy” in related videos .  

Links to Emails with Unification Updates:

• • February 13, 2023,  Announcement from Board President Michele Krantz and Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, Special Message: Building On Our Strengths
  • June 20, 2023, Answers to Questions About Talks with TTTI
  • September 13, 2023, Exploring Our Future
  • November 6, 2023, Unification Updates
  • November 28, 2023, Important Updates – Unification Discussions
  • January 23, 2024, Unification Updates – This is the Time to Dream Big 
  • January 30, 2024, Unification Updates – Proposed name
  • February 6, 2024, Unification Updates  – Living Room Conversations with Clergy.
  • February 23, 2024, Unification Updates – Clergy and Members Share Thoughts on Merger Opportunity
  • March 7, 2024, Unification Update – Voting Results Announced.
  • March 25, 2024, Unification Update – Julianna Johnston Senturia named Executive Director of new congregation.
  • April 10, 2024, in the weekly E-Connections, Wendy Jacobson, Caring Community Coordinator, shared a column that resonated with many about experiencing both “sadness and excitement” about a new spiritual home.
  • April 17, 2024, Unification Update – Update on major initiatives and steering committees.

Questions?  Feel free to reach out to our Board President Michele Krantz at president@fairmounttemple.org

Not receiving our weekly eblasts?  Email Laura Munson (Lmunson@fairmounttemple.org) to be added to the list.