Potential Merger

EXPLORING A VISION FOR A SHARED FUTURE!

The Temple-Tifereth Israel is excited to share the latest updates regarding our exploratory process for the opportunity to join with Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple as one congregation.

COMMUNICATIONS

Here’s an overview of the congregational messages that have been sent throughout this process.

November 6, 2023 Message & FAQs

September 20, 2023 High Holy Day Message

September 13, 2023 Message

June 20, 2023 Message & FAQs

April 24, 2023 Message

Questions? Comments? Concerns? We want to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to email Temple President Beth Dery at president@ttti.org.

OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Create an innovative, multi-generational Reform Jewish congregation that warmly welcomes everyone and ignites engagement through robust offerings as a vibrant, spiritual community. This opportunity is made greater when we combine the strength of our current membership and resources.

WHY EXPLORE UNIFICATION?

From Our Temples’ Points of View:

  • Both The Temple-Tifereth Israel and Fairmount Temple have engaged congregations and robust organizations.
  • We are similar in size and membership demographics.
  • We share the desire to ensure a strong future for our congregations and Reform Judaism in the Greater Cleveland community.

External Factors Influencing Temples Like Ours:

  • Demographic/generational changes
  • Decline of membership or affiliation with organized religion in general
  • Increased desire for more diversity in programming and for programming that meets people where they are

Local and National Trends Impacting Our Temples:

  • Our congregations are getting older (70% are at least 60 years old), mirroring the demographics of the region.
  • Gallup reports that Americans’ membership in houses of worship continue to decline. In 2020, 47% of Americans said they belonged to a church, temple or mosque, down from 50% in 2018 and 70% in 1999.
  • For those who identify as Jewish:
  • 25% of adults identify with no religion and consider themselves Jewish for another reason and younger generations affiliate less with organizations in general than older generations.
  • In the past decade, 72% of Non-Orthodox Jews married a non-Jewish spouse, compared to 54% from 2000 – 2009.
  • Most Jews who say they are Reform don’t belong to a temple, highlighting the changing nature of membership even among those who continue to affiliate with the Reform movement.
  • A sense of belonging through social circles and families is at the center of their connection to being Jewish, much more than the institution itself.

CLERGY TEAM

  • A larger clergy team would be more diverse, better able to serve the needs of all congregants
  • A unified clergy team, led by Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, would offer decades of experience and an emphasis on engaging younger generations

SINGLE PHYSICAL HOME

  • The Temple-Tifereth Israel offers a facility that would accommodate a unified membership.

SINGLE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

  • A single religious school and early childhood program would be able to serve the collective membership.

SINGLE UNIFIED OPERATION

  • A single, unified operation with one executive director would support the new entity.
  • Drawing on the strength of human capital from both organizations, we can better support our clergy team, enhance programming, engage deeper in our community and attract talent to a vibrant congregation

SINGLE BOARD & GOVERNANCE

  • A single, unified Board and governance structure would serve the combined needs of the new entity.

FINANCIAL ASSETS

  • Today, our organizations are both financially strong.
  • Together, our combined resources will help us achieve our innovative vision to build a more vibrant congregation, create more meaningful experiences and support Reform Judaism in Greater Cleveland for future generations.

CONTACT US

Questions? Comments? Concerns? We want to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to email Temple President Beth Dery at president@ttti.org.

TASK FORCE

Thank you to our Task Force Members who continue to work tirelessly throughout this process!

  • Beth Dery
  • Michael Frayman
  • Bruce Goodman
  • Ken Hochman
  • Rabbi Roger Klein
  • Russ Klein
  • Ben Light
  • Jeanne Tobin
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