When our partners told us what they were seeing, the Federation stepped up to strengthen the safety net so people wouldn't go hungry.

We moved quickly with an $85,000 emergency grant to increase immediate capacity at frontline providers.

LEADS is designed to introduce young professionals between the ages of 22-45 to the Young Leadership Division (YLD), the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, and the greater Jewish community. By participating in LEADS, you will have the opportunity to be a part of a cohort of young leaders who share your desire to become more involved in our strong Jewish community. Together, we will explore the ways you can most effectively put your skills, passion, and expertise into action in a volunteer, philanthropic, and leadership capacity.

LEADS participants will:

• Explore your personal strengths and develop leadership skills through a Jewish lens
• Delve into the vibrancy and vitality of Jewish Cleveland and the value you bring to the table, using the Federation system as a framework
• Build community and connect with other young professionals and senior leadership

LEADS is a great way to launch or continue to grow in your leadership journey. We hope you will consider applying.

All LEADS participants are asked to make a meaningful gift to the 2027 Campaign for Jewish Needs.

Please SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION by June 21, 2026.

If the times above conflict with your schedule but you are still interested in participating, please contact Maddy Mizrachi, YLD director, at mmizrachi@jewishcleveland.org or 216-593-2900.

Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News

by Martha Sorohan

Sharone Sayegh describes her first play, “The Goldsmith,” as a true account of her tumultuous love story in America.

At its heart, she told the Cleveland Jewish News from New York City, is a single piece of gold jewelry that has been passed down across borders, cultures and four generations as her family journeyed from Iraq to Israel to America.

Sayegh will portray all 30 characters in a staged reading of her one-woman show in Hebrew, Arabic and English at 2 p.m. June 13 and June 14 at Cleveland Play House Outcalt Theatre at 1407 Euclid Ave.

With sound composition and music arrangements by Turkish-American composer Avi Amon, the play is part of Cleveland Play House New Ground Theatre Festival, which showcases new playwrights.

A meet-the-author and audience talk-back will follow the June 14 performance.

Staged readings are a new and unexpected experience, Sayegh, a Los Angeles native and 20-year Broadway actress first cast in “Mamma Mia!” in 2024, said.

In 2023, she began writing her family’s story. That same year, she was asked to be part of The Workshop fellowship, which supports and brings together Jewish artists of all colors, backgrounds and disciplines such as choreography, photography and fine arts.

“We had to present 20 minutes of a work in progress, and here I was, a well-established Broadway actress and I’d never written anything myself, as a playwright,” Sayegh said. “I was just writing my (own) story.”

She landed on a title, she said, after calling her grandmother in Israel for more material. She learned that the family’s last name means “goldsmith,” that her great-grandfather had been a goldsmith, and that “Goldsmith” was the family’s full name in Iraq.

“It’s so wild,” she said. “So many coincidences. I think it was meant to be.”

Sayegh said she was astonished at audience response to the first workshop reading.

“It was so much more than I expected,” she said. “At the talk-back, they said, ‘What happened?’ And I wasn’t sure. I hadn’t finished writing it yet.”

A second salon reading brought Sayegh an invitation from the artistic director of a Philadelphia company to appear at its new works program.

“And I thought, ‘Oh my God,’ because I hadn’t finished writing it,” she said.

In 2024, she read her newly-completed play to the Philadelphia company and was stunned by the audience acclaim.

“I wrote mostly through the lens of me and America – faith, belonging, multiplicity of self,” Sayegh said “I’d thought that young people looking for love would identify with it, but the board was mostly older people, and I didn’t know if they’d be able to connect. But they were crying, sobbing,” she said.

She learned that they identified with the characters through the experiences of their parents and grandparents.

“I realized that it’s people of all generations, different viewpoints, of being the first generation love story, of connecting. It’s powerful and moving for me. Their reaction gave me the oomph to keep it going,” she said.

“The Goldsmith” has already won accolades. It was one of two winners at Theater Aspen’s 2025 Solo Flights Festival, which presents one-person shows still being developed, earning Sayegh grant funding for a future production.

“I then started submitting it all over,” she said.

Last fall, in Cleveland with the Broadway “Beetlejuice” tour, Sayegh was introduced to Debbie Yasinow, head of the Jewish Federation’s Cleveland Israeli Arts Connection, which connects and sponsors Israeli artists with Cleveland’s fine arts community.

Determining that Sayegh was a perfect fit for CIAC, Yasinow pitched her to the Cleveland Play House for its New Ground festival.

“The Play House vetted it,” Yasinow said. “They love her, too.”

Currently committed to presenting her play around the country, Sayegh hopes that good reviews will land it in New York.

“I’m focusing on this because if I don’t choose my show, who will?” she said.

Sayegh also assures audiences that the play is not political.

“It’s not a political piece or statement,” she said. “Just my true life story.”

Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News

by Casey Couch

Following a diagnosis of life-altering scoliosis in 2009, 12-year-old Kaleab Tadesse walked out of his country’s largest hospital on doctor’s orders to “go home and wait for the inevitable decline” – one that would leave him paralyzed for the rest of his life.

“It was devastating, you couldn’t imagine,” Tadesse told the Cleveland Jewish News. “I couldn’t go out with my friends, I couldn’t wear nice clothes. I couldn’t be a kid.”

But when the “angel of Ethiopia” descended upon him and sent him to Ghana for spine surgery that was unavailable in his country, Tadesse was given a second chance at life.

“Somebody has to wake me at some point,” Tadesse said. “This is a dream.”

Tadesse is one of many Ethiopian patients whose life was transformed by Dr. Rick Hodes, medical director for JDC Ethiopia. JDC, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, is the world’s leading global Jewish humanitarian organization.

“It transformed my life completely,” Tadesse, now 30 and JDC’s country director for Ethiopia, said. “Not only that, I proposed to a beautiful lady and she said yes, and we have twins who are three years old. JDC and this surgery completely changed my life.”

Tadesse joined Avital Sandler Loeff, executive director of JDC’s Disaster Relief and International Development Unit, on May 19 and 20 at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in Beachwood, where they spoke at several events together, sharing JDC’s impact with the Greater Cleveland community.

“This job was my dream job for many, many years,” Loeff, who began working for JDC in 1999 and joined their humanitarian arm in 2020, told the CJN.

Through partnerships with governments, NGOs, industry leaders and Jewish communities, Loeff’s work with JDC delivers humanitarian solutions to vulnerable communities around the world, regardless of religion or creed, but with the work always rooted in Jewish values. Today, JDC serves over 70 countries.

“We are doing amazing work,” Loeff said. “We’re working on disaster relief and international development. We’re focusing on medical innovation, agriculture and food insecurity.”

According to Loeff, JDC has been primarily working in Africa, with the country of Ethiopia as a main focus since their work began in 1983.

In April, JDC celebrated their inauguration of the Bring Back Hope: National Spine Center in Ethiopia, in honor of Hodes. According to Tadesse, the spine center will allow patients to have surgeries in Ethiopia, without having to deal with travel, time away from family, and more barriers that come with having transformational surgery away from home.

“The cost will go down dramatically, and we’ll be able to serve many more people, as well as leave this capacity within the country,” Loeff said. “This is the beauty of JDC. Whatever we do, we build the local capacity so that soon, we can phase out. We are planning in 2029 for the spine center to be helping thousands of people.”

Hodes began the spine program in Ethiopia in 2006 with the help of JDC, following his work with several patients suffering from severe scoliosis. After legally adopting a couple of his patients and bringing them to the United States for surgery, he realized there were too many patients to help, and a change needed to be made to serve the greater population in need. Through JDC, the spine program has made that possible.

“We’ve seen over 12,000 patients so far and have operated on 1,750 patients since 2006,” Tadesse said.

In addition to the spine center, JDC’s work in Ethiopia supports farmers in poverty, bringing Israeli technology to the country and working to support the population of vulnerable women. This year, they are also celebrating the 35th anniversary of Operation Solomon, the historic airlift of Ethiopian Jews to Israel in 1991.

JDC also works in Malawi and Zambia, operating the ImpactWell health program in partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation, bringing health innovation to last-mile communities, including nurses on bicycles. They also work in South Africa alongside more than 200 Jewish community volunteers to support beekeeping and urban farming programs.

“I always like to say that we work in a triangle,” Loeff said. “We help the most vulnerable in an innovative way, we rely on Israeli technologies and we engage Jewish communities. We think about the long-term impact, and this is because we are a humanitarian organization. We are always doing it on behalf of the Jewish community.”

Billy Goldberg, former Beachwood resident who resides in Los Angeles and JDC board member for over six years, accompanied Loeff and Tadesse on their speaking engagements while visiting Cleveland.

According to Goldberg, vice chair of the JDC’s global response, innovation and development committee, the team visited Cleveland to meet with leaders, donors, and share their stories and impact with the greater community.

“As someone who was born and raised in Cleveland, it’s especially meaningful for me because I grew up in a community that is so rooted in the ideas of giving back, shared responsibility and tikkun olam,” Goldberg told the CJN. “I don’t think I realized until I left Cleveland how unique this community is.”

Calling JDC the “911 of the Jewish world,” Goldberg said. “It’s an honor to be a part of JDC and to get to share it with the Cleveland community.”

Ilana Isakov Katz Receives Ruby Bass Challenge Award

Kathy Solganik Receives Lois Marcus Leadership Award

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland announced that Ilana Isakov Katz received the 2026 Ruby Bass Challenge Award, and Kathy Solganik received the 2026 Lois Marcus Leadership Award. Katz and Solganik were honored at the Federation’s Women IN Philanthropy Signature Event on May 28.

The Ruby Bass Challenge Award recognizes a woman campaigner who is a dedicated volunteer in the Campaign for Jewish Needs, the community’s annual fundraising campaign that supports the local and global Jewish community. Katz exemplifies outstanding leadership and dedication to Jewish Cleveland through her volunteerism and commitment to strengthening the community during pivotal moments. As immediate past chair of Women IN Philanthropy, a Federation officer and Board of Trustees member, and a member of the Jewish Federations of North America National Women’s Philanthropy Board, she has helped drive record engagement while advancing Federation’s mission locally, in Israel, and beyond. In Katz’s honor, the Ruby Bass Challenge Endowment Fund will make a donation to the 2027 Campaign for Jewish Needs. This award was established in 2007 in memory of Ruby Bass z”l by her son Jonathan, his wife Stephany, and Lenore Kessler z”l, Stephany’s mother and a dear friend of Ruby’s.

The Lois Marcus Leadership award recognizes a woman that has shown commitment to the Cleveland Jewish community through leadership and volunteerism. Solganik brings a strong commitment to Jewish community leadership through her extensive volunteer service with Federation, Kol Israel Foundation, and multiple overseas and leadership initiatives. She is a recent graduate of the Jewish Federation’s Mandel Class for Advanced Leadership (MCAL) and is passionate about strengthening connections within the global Jewish community. The Lois Marcus Leadership Award was established in 2024 in memory of Lois Marcus z”l by her family and honors her lifelong passion for the Federation and Women IN Philanthropy. As recipient of this award, Solganik will be invited to join the Cleveland delegation to JFNA’s International Lion of Judah Conference in January 2027.

“Ilana and Kathy exemplify the kind of visionary, values-driven leadership that strengthens and inspires our Jewish community,” said Jennifer Tramer, Women IN Philanthropy chair. “Through their dedication, generosity, and commitment to service, they have each made a lasting impact on Jewish Cleveland and are deeply deserving of these honors.”

In addition to the presentation of these awards, the Signature Event featured remarks by journalist Danielle Robay. Dubbed “The Queen of Questions,” Robay is the creator of Question Everything and co-executive producer and host of “Bookmarked” by Reese’s Book Club and has led 8,000+ conversations with icons like Taylor Swift and Malala Yousafzai, inspiring deeper connection, curiosity, and meaningful change.

Learn more about Jewish Federation of Cleveland Women IN Philanthropy here: https://www.jewishcleveland.org/involved/women/

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland is honored to help care for Holocaust survivors, preserve their stories, and ensure they are surrounded by dignity and support.

The Federation have made a promise that their stories will never be forgotten through programs like the annual Yom HaShoah commemoration, @akiva’s Testimony Theater, and Zikaron BaSalon.

The Federation could not have a better partner than Jewish Family Service Association in helping care for them with dignity, compassion, and comfort.

43 Jewish high school juniors and seniors from public and private high schools across Cleveland have come together to recommend grants totaling $45,000 to 15 organizations for crucial programs in the Jewish and general community through the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s 2025-2026 Maurice Saltzman Youth Panel.

Saltzman Youth Panel was established in 1998 through a generous gift from Shirley Saltzman z”l and her family in memory of the late Maurice Saltzman z”l. The program is designed to help educate the next generation of Jewish community leadership, a passion of Maurice Saltzman’s, who was a past board chair of the Federation. Each year, a new Saltzman Youth Panel allocates up to $45,000 to worthy organizations – 85% of which are awarded to programs serving the Jewish community and 15% awarded to non-profit programs serving the general community. Through this experience, the participants learn about the philanthropic process and responding to community needs.

Panelists Leila Cohen and Ellie White presented the panel’s recommendations to the Federation’s Board of Trustees on May 20, 2026. Recommendations from the panel were unanimously approved by the board.

Among the grants were: $4,000 to Bellefaire JCB to help families and youth in crisis access essential needs such as shelter, wellness supplies, and transportation; $4,000 to the Jewish Agency for Israel to support group trauma therapy for Israeli victims of terror; and $2,000 to Family Promise of Greater Cleveland to provide postpartum supplies for unhoused mothers in Greater Cleveland.

Prior to the Board of Trustees meeting, panelists and their families gathered for a reception to celebrate their accomplishments. Federation President Erika B. Rudin-Luria congratulated the group on their successful collaboration and philanthropic spirit. Panelists commented on how much they learned about community needs, evaluation of grant proposals, and the struggle to prioritize needs when resources are limited.

Panelists, selected through a competitive application process, met several times throughout the school year. They created a Request for Proposals, reviewed grant applications, learned about consensus decision making and, in the end, had a tremendous impact on programs and organizations which improve the lives of others. To learn more about the Saltzman Youth Panel, visit https://www.jewishcleveland.org/involved/teens/.

Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News

by Casey Couch

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland shared that its 2026 Campaign for Jewish Needs raised a record $39,035,018 during the organization’s 122nd Annual Meeting May 12 at Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights.

According to Jeffrey Wild, Federation board chair, the campaign total surpassed the previous year’s total of $38,087,175 and was achieved under the leadership of Amir Jaffa, treasurer and general campaign chair of the 2025 and 2026 campaigns.

“This remarkable success not only showed the strong growth of the top tier of the campaign, but it also shows Amir’s ability to bring more people into our work, expanding our reach and strengthening our community,” Wild said at the meeting.

Lynne Cohen will serve as general campaign chair for the 2027 and 2028 campaigns.

Reflecting on 2025 and 2026, Wild used the meeting as an opportunity to share updates and initiatives that launched in the past year.

“As you all know, Jewish Cleveland is a remarkable community,” Wild said. “And this past year demonstrated why Cleveland is widely recognized as one of the strongest Jewish communities in the world.”

Referencing the 2022 population study released in fall 2025, Wild said 18% of adult Jewish Clevelanders have moved to Cleveland in the past 10 years.

“Reflect on that,” Wild said. “Almost a fifth of our adult community is new within the last decade. Sixty-three percent of these new Clevelanders are between the ages of 18 and 34 years old. This is a great opportunity for continued growth and strength.”

Within the past year, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, seeking to address future growth and strength, supported the launch of the Day School Transformation Initiative in collaboration with the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland and the five area day schools.

“This initiative will allow us to strengthen school endowments, support capital projects and ensure that future generations of students receive an outstanding dual curriculum that’s rooted both in Jewish values and academic excellence,” Wild said.

According to Wild, more than $55 million has been raised so far, with another $29 million in gifts in process. Those dollars will be matched by the Mandel Foundation, meaning the Federation is “well on their way” to meeting its goal of raising $180 million for the day schools.

“This initiative has quickly become a model for Jewish communities across the country,” Wild said. “As always, Cleveland leads and other communities follow.”

In response to rising antisemitic incidents and a gap in support for Jewish students outside day schools, the federation also launched a new position titled “director of K-12 campus affairs.”

“This new staff position is acutely focused on supporting local public and private non-Jewish schools, including administrators, teachers, students and parents, as well as Jewish teachers, with problems related to Jew hatred that arise throughout the year,” he said.

Wild also shared updates on Federation, which over the past year formed an adult aging task force to assess the needs of the aging population, resulting in the launch of new programming.

On Israel, Wild said that since the war with Iran began last summer, the Cleveland community has raised $17 million for Israel. Over the past year, the Federation also launched a new fund for reservists in partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel, continued rebuilding efforts in southern Israel and provided renovated bomb shelters and shelters in elementary schools.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was recognized during the meeting as the 2026 recipient of the Charles Eisenman Award for Exceptional Civic Contributions, the Federation’s highest honor presented annually at its Annual Meeting.

Following his acceptance of the award, DeWine participated in a fireside chat interview with Amy Kaplan, co-chair of the event with her husband, Ira. During the conversation, the two discussed issues affecting the Jewish community, including Holocaust remembrance, DeWine’s vision for Ohio’s future and efforts to attract new populations to the state.

Kevin Margolis, chair of the Federation’s nominating committee, recognized new leadership appointees for the coming year. Among them were Richard Horvitz, honored as a new life trustee, and Remy Wilson, honored as an emeritus trustee.

Trustees approved for a three-year term were: Beth Wain Brandon, Philip M. Cohen, Rabbi Yael Dadoun, Barry S. Feldman, Adam H. Gimbel, Allyson Goldstein, Barry J. Guttman, Yoni Klein, Susan D. Krantz, Rafi Mahilnitski, Peter Meisel, Cameron Orlean, Meir Pollack, Adam Rosen, Beth Rosenberg, Erica G. Starrfield, Moish Tohn, Adam L. Wieder, Dara G. Yanowitz and Don Zigdon. Approved for a two-year term were: Paula R. Schwartz, and for a one-year term were Harlin Adelman and Kathy Solganik. New institutional trustees are Lisa Cynamon Mayers for NCJW Cleveland, Michael Guggenheim for Kent State Hillel and Tamar Poupko Smith for the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland.

Margolis also paid tribute to three Jewish community leaders who died in the past year: S. Lee Kohrman, Donna Yanowitz and Rabbi Rosette Barron Haim. Additional speakers included Ira and Amy Kaplan, co-chairs of the event, who introduced Rabbi Melinda Mersack, director of JHub, to deliver the invocation.

Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News

by Casey Couch

The son of a proud World War II veteran who arrived at Dachau Concentration Camp just days after it had been liberated, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was recognized as the 2026 recipient of the Charles Eisenman Award for Exceptional Civic Contributions – the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s highest honor – at the Federation’s 122nd Annual Meeting on May 12 at Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights. He was presented the award by J. David Heller, a past board chair of the Federation.

DeWine, who has served as governor since 2019 and was previously Ohio attorney general, was selected for the award due to his unwavering commitment to the Jewish community’s safety and security following Oct. 7, 2023, and domestic, antisemtic attacks that prompted increased support from Columbus.

Following the formal program, DeWine told the Cleveland Jewish News that he was very surprised when he was notified that he would be receiving the Eisenman Award.

“I got a call from Albert Ratner, my friend, and he told me about it,” DeWine said. “I was very surprised, but very honored, and I’m honored to be here tonight.”

Reflecting on his support of the Jewish community since the Hamas surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, DeWine said that he made sure to connect with the state’s Jewish communities to ensure there would be increased safety and security measures.

“It’s important that everybody in Ohio feels safe,” DeWine told the CJN. “There’s just absolutely no doubt, when you see these events, and that was the most horrific event, that you know that it’s going to cause Jews to be targeted.”

While it is his job to defend the safety of all Ohio’s citizens, DeWine said that because the Jewish community was more vulnerable after Oct. 7, he wanted to do whatever he could to provide help. It’s been a privilege, he said, to work with the Federation’s top-tier security officers.

“We do have people who work for the Ohio Department of Public Safety who have expertise in security and other things,” DeWine told the CJN. “What was good is that we were able to work with the Federation, not just in Cleveland, but in other cities, with their security. You have very good security, people who know what they’re doing, and so it was very easy for us to just plug in and say, ‘What can we help you with?’”

During the fireside chat interview, which followed the award presentation and was moderated by meeting co-chair Amy Kaplan, DeWine shared a story of his father, who arrived as a soldier in Dachau Concentration Camp just days after the camp had been liberated – a story that led him to recognize the importance and the need for continued Holocaust education.

“He talked about the remains that were there, and some of the survivors took him through and explained what the Nazis did in horrible detail,” DeWine said. “...It really had a profound impact on him.”

According to DeWine, Holocaust denial has become a real problem as the population of survivors decreases. In the past year, DeWine has attended multiple events and spoken on issues related to Holocaust remembrance, most recently making remarks for the 46th Annual Holocaust Commemorationon April 13 at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.

Putting a focus on history in schools needs to be a priority to ensure that the general population remains educated on the Holocaust, DeWine said.

“It’s a real concern, and I think we all have to do everything we can to make sure that stays in schools,” he said.

An additional key policy effort in Ohio over the past year is the proposed Senate Bill 87, which would formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism into state law. This legislation, which passed in the Senate in March and is currently pending in the House, builds directly on a prior executive order from DeWine that mandated use of the IHRA definition across state institutions.

DeWine, who was raised in Yellow Springs, Ohio, met his wife, Fran, in first grade, and together, the couple has eight children, 28 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

“Family is at the core of everything Mike DeWine does,” Kaplan said during the program. “That’s why he has devoted his life to fighting for Ohio’s families. He knows when families are strong, Ohio’s communities are stronger and our future is bright.”

A graduate of Miami University in Oxford, DeWine became the 70th governor of Ohio in 2019, after previously serving as the state’s 50th attorney general, in addition to holding multiple other elected offices, including U.S. Senator.

According to Kaplan, this work and more made DeWine a perfect fit for the award. DeWine was selected by a nominating committee, which is formed new each year, comprised of leaders in the Jewish community, as well as partners in the non-Jewish, general community. The 2025 Eisenman Award recipient was Mt. Sinai Health Foundation.

“Governor DeWine has been a longtime friend and ally of the Jewish community,” said Jeffrey J. Wild, Federation board chair. “His strong commitment to Holocaust education and his continued support of our community make him especially deserving of this honor.”

Each year, a nominating committee made up of community leaders and partners reviews submissions to select an honoree whose work reflects exceptional civic leadership. Governor DeWine was recognized for his longstanding commitment to public service; his support for Holocaust education; his willingness to speak out against antisemitism and hatred; his efforts to strengthen security for the Jewish community amid rising hate; his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic; and his steadfast dedication to the people of Ohio.

“Governor DeWine is truly deserving of the Eisenman Award,” said Erika B. Rudin-Luria, Federation president. “We are deeply grateful for all he has done for the Cleveland Jewish community and for communities across Ohio.”

During the program, Governor DeWine participated in a fireside-style conversation with event co-chair Amy Kaplan. Attendees also heard remarks from Federation leadership, including Board Chair Jeff Wild, who reflected on the past year and shared a vision for the future. Event co-chair Ira Kaplan also addressed attendees during the evening. Finally, the meeting included the election of Federation trustees.

We are saddened to share the loss of Rabbi Rosette Barron Haim z"l, a former Jewish Federation of Cleveland Chaplain and past Board Trustee.

With compassion and unwavering dedication, Rabbi Haim brought comfort to countless individuals across our community as a chaplain — visiting those in hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons, and reminding each person that they were seen, valued, and never alone. Her presence uplifted spirits, strengthened connections, and embodied the very heart of our community.

Our thoughts are with the entire Haim and Barron family during this difficult time. May they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem and may Rabbi Haim's memory be for a blessing.

Please read the Cleveland Jewish News obituary, reprinted with permission. Text provided below:

Longtime Cleveland area rabbi, Rabbi Rosette Barron Haim, who was affectionately known as “Rabbi Rosie,” died on May 6 in Cleveland. She was 64.

Haim, a Beachwood resident who was born on Oct. 19, 1961, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024.

On May 1, Haim updated her Celebrating Jewish Life family in an email.

“I am writing to share something deeply personal with all of you. Since early 2024 I have been fighting breast cancer and more recently, it has progressed to the point that I must accept the gravity of the situation and know my time is limited. I know this comes as shock to most of you, I want you to hear it from me with love and honesty. The cancer has advanced very quickly…so quickly that I find myself writing this message to you from hospice.

“In this sacred role as your rabbi, I have been blessed beyond words. To walk beside you in moments of joy and sorrow, to celebrate simchas, offer comfort in times of loss, and to study and grow together in Judaism has been my greatest honor. Each of you has touched my life in ways I cannot fully express. I carry your kindness, your laughter, your prayers and your friendship, and your unwavering support of me and Celebrating Jewish Life throughout the years. My deepest thanks to each of you. You have not only been a congregation to me – you have been my teachers, my companions, my friends and my extended family. Our tradition teaches us the importance of gratitude, and I feel it deeply now.

“In light of this most unfortunate situation, we are canceling the May 15, Shavuot Shabbat holiday experience. It’s been one of the greatest joys of my rabbinate to create and share Celebrating Jewish Life with you.

“Always know my love for this community, the larger Jewish community and Israel is enduring. I carry each of you with me, and I take comfort in knowing that the bonds we have formed are part of something eternal for you too.

“May you continue to be a source of light to one another and may you go from strength to strength, from blessing to blessing.”

Haim was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati in 1988. She was a fixture at the former The Temple-Tifereth Israel in Beachwood from 1988 to 2018. She became associate rabbi in 1991.

Haim was one of the longest-serving congregational rabbis in Greater Cleveland.

Haim saw her role as a connector throughout the temple, a role in which she felt she thrived. While the job called for her to be heavily involved in life cycle events, a task to which she said she was always drawn, she was known to continue the connection through multiple generations of a family.

Haim also served as auxiliary rabbi of Park Synagogue over the past several years as a resource for congregants along with providing assistance for its affiliate groups.

Park Synagogue Senior Rabbi Joshua Skoff sent an email to congregants on May 4.

“It is with great difficulty, and with a profound and personal sense of sadness, that I share with you the decline in health of Rabbi Rosie Barron Haim. Rabbi Haim is a rabbi of our Cleveland community since 1988 and has served as Auxiliary Rabbi for Park Synagogue since 2020. Rabbi Rosie is in hospice, which is a very, very painful sentence for me to write.

“Rabbi Rosie has taught many of you for 38 years, from the pulpit and in the classroom, at weddings and at funerals, through synagogue programming and in advocating for Israel. She has taught me for 36 years, ever since I arrived here in 1990. She has been a friend of our congregation, a member of our congregation, and more recently, a Rabbi of the congregation. A true team player, she has enhanced synagogue life by encouraging and connecting others, never seeking the limelight for herself.

In 2025, Haim was appointed to a two-year term as chair of the Israel Bonds Cleveland Campaign advisory council.

Haim was a longtime investor and supporter of Israel Bonds, and was the immediate past chairperson of the Israel Bonds national rabbinic advisory council, becoming the first woman to hold the position in 2022. She was also a member of the Israel Bonds national campaign advisory council. In 2022, she was presented with the Women of Valor pin. The pin was first given to former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and is the highest recognition by the Israel Bonds Women’s Division.

“I’ve always believed that the words ‘Israel Bonds’ tell us as much about our ancient heritage as it does about the present-day mandate, we have to keep Israel central in our lives,” Haim said in a news release previously. “I’m honored to be part of the mission to draw people closer to Israel through Israel Bonds. Investing in Israel bonds is more than a financial tool, it’s a reflection of our spiritual connection to the land and the people of Israel.

A founding member of the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition and national board member of AIPAC, Haim advocated for greater engagement with Israel – the people and the land – to strengthen the Jewish community, Israel and the US-Israel relationship.

Haim was a chaplain for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, a program supported by its annual Campaign for Jewish Needs, that comforts members of the Jewish community in hospitals, nursing homes, the military and prisons through correspondence and visits.

In 2017, Haim received the Tikkun Olam Award (repairing of the world) from NA’AMAT USA.

Haim was a member of multiple boards, including the Cleveland Jewish Publication Company Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland.

Most recently, she held the position of vice chair of the governance committee at the CJPC, which is responsible for recruiting and nominating new board directors and officers of the Company. She has also served as director, secretary and vice chair of the CJPC.

Rabbi Rosette Barron Haim is survived by her husband, Marshall Barron, and their daughter, Shira (Adam) Seltzer, two grandchildren and her mother-in-law, Norma Barron. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fani and David Haim, and her father-in-law, Irv Barron.

Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. May 8 at Park Synagogue at 27500 Shaker Blvd.

Shiva will be held from noon to 4 p.m. May 10, noon to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. May 11, and 6 to 9 p.m. May 12 at Park Synagogue.

Bennett and Donna Yanowitz Young Leadership Award

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Amb. Milton A. and Roslyn Z. Wolf Young Campaigner of the Year Award

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Ruby Bass Challenge Award

What is the Award?

Who is Eligible to Receive this Award?

What Will the Award Recipient Receive?

How to Submit a Nomination:

Lois Marcus Leadership Award

What is the Award?

The Lois Marcus Leadership Award will recognize a Lion of Judah Society member that has shown commitment to the Cleveland Jewish community through emerging leadership and volunteerism, and honors Lois’ lifelong passion for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Women IN Philanthropy.

Who is Eligible to Receive this Award?

A Lion of Judah Society member (who became a Lion within the last ten years), who proudly promotes the values of women’s leadership and philanthropy, cares for our community and its future, and leads with integrity, compassion, and kindness.

What Will the Award Recipient Receive?

The awardee will be presented with a certificate or artwork, and will have the opportunity to attend JFNA’s International Lion of Judah Conference (which occurs every other year) or another comparable conference.

How to Submit a Nomination:

The recipient is selected by the Marcus family, Women IN Philanthropy chair, a Women IN Philanthropy vice chair, and a past Women IN Philanthropy chair.

If you have questions, please contact Jessie Bruder, Women IN Philanthropy senior director, at jbruder@jewishcleveland.org or 216-593-2900.

Irene Zehman Volunteer Award

What is the Award?

Who is Eligible to Receive this Award?

What Will the Award Recipient Receive?

How to Submit a Nomination:

Gries Family Award

What is the Award?

Who is Eligible to Receive this Award?

What Will the Award Recipient Receive?

How to Submit a Nomination:

Charles Eisenman Award: Our Highest Civic Honor

What is the Award?

Who is Eligible to Receive this Award?

What Will the Award Recipient(s) Receive?

How to Submit a Nomination:

Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News

by Shannon Mortland

Tucked between other buildings on a commercial part of Ridge Road on Cleveland’s west side is Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, which opened in 1903 as a burial site for the area’s indigent Jewish population.

On May 3, Jewish people of various ages took to the cemetery with rakes, leaf blowers and shovels to remove overgrowth, fallen branches and leaves. The clean-up day has occurred for the past 11 years, according to Howard Wolf, managing director of the finance department for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

“People come to this to do good and to honor their ancestors,” he said, adding that the Federation owns seven Jewish cemeteries in Cleveland and one in Sandusky. The oldest Jewish cemeteries in Northeast Ohio are on Cleveland’s west side, he said.

The first burial at Chesed Shel Emeth took place in 1904, so many of the oldest tombstones date back to the beginning of the 20th century. The Federation makes sure even those stones remain cleared and in good shape.

At the height of Jewish immigration from Europe just before World War I, the cemetery was holding about 100 burials annually. Many who came to America died without friends or family who could provide a proper burial.

Though the cemetery does not have a lot of new burials these days, the Federation makes sure it remains well kept as a continuous memorial.

Brett Cochran, cemetery operations manager for the Federation, said about 60 to 100 people come for the annual cemetery clean-up. Some Jewish schools from the throughout the region have even used toothbrushes to clean the headstones.

The cemetery has about 20 burials each year, especially since the area’s Jewish population is mostly on the east side, Wolf said. About 500 feet down on Ridge Road is another one of the Federation’s cemeteries, which also is the focus of one clean-up each year.

“We care so much about giving those who rest here a place of dignity,” Cochran said.

We are saddened to share the loss of Donna Yanowitz z"l, board life trustee and a passionate, devoted, and vibrant leader whose impact will be felt for generations.

Donna gave so much of herself to our community, serving in leadership roles with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Gross Schechter Day School, the Hebrew Cultural Garden, and many other organizations. In 1996, she and her husband, Bennett z"l, created the Bennett and Donna Yanowitz Young Leadership Award, honoring young adults who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to Federation — a reflection of the values they both held so dearly.

Our thoughts are with the entire Yanowitz family during this difficult time. May they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem and may Donna's memory be for a blessing.

May is filled with opportunities to learn, celebrate, and connect – from insightful briefings on the U.S.-Israel relationship to family-friendly holiday fun and inspiring conversations with community leaders. Join us throughout the month for meaningful gatherings that highlight the strength, creativity, and impact of Jewish Cleveland.

May 6
Breakfast Briefing with Michael Koplow

Join Dr. Michael Koplow, chief policy officer for the Israel Policy Forum, for a deep dive into the most pressing issues facing the U.S.-Israel relationship. With decades of expertise in Middle Eastern affairs and U.S.-Israel relations, Dr. Koplow will offer a briefing on the complex dynamics reshaping the region, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the critical policy decisions currently being made in Jerusalem and Washington.

8:30 - 10 am 

Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building
25701 Science Park Drive, Beachwood

REGISTER >>

May 12
122^nd Annual Meeting of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland

Celebrate our community and what we've accomplished together. Join us to hear from featured speaker Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and to celebrate his being honored with the Federation’s 2026 Charles Eisenman Award for Exceptional Civic Contributions.

7:30 - 9:30 pm

Landerhaven
6111 Landerhaven Drive, Mayfield Heights

REGISTER >>

May 17
The Art of Appraisal: Contemporary Visions of Israel Open House

Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the Roe Green Gallery's latest exhibition, Contemporary Visions of Israel. Expert fine art appraiser Erica Hartman-Horvitz will share insights from the art appraisal process and explain why accurate, up-to-date valuations are essential for protecting your investments.

1 - 3 pm

Roe Green Gallery 
Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building
25701 Science Park Drive, Beachwood

REGISTER >>

May 17
Spring Into Shavuot with PJ Library^®

Join PJ Library Cleveland for a playful morning as we celebrate the holiday of Shavuot with plenty of hands-on fun for little ones! Bring the family to enjoy:

• Creative crafts
• Interactive games
• Engaging storytime
• Outdoor play
• An ice cream sundae bar

May 28
Women IN Philanthropy Signature Event

A celebration honoring our Pomegranate Society, Lion of Judah Society, and Lion of Judah Endowment Donors*.

Join us for an evening with journalist Danielle Robay, known for her open-hearted, incisive interview style. Dubbed “The Queen of Questions,” she’s the creator of Question Everything and co-executive producer and host of Bookmarked by Reese’s Book Club. A mentee of Larry King, Danielle has led 8,000+ conversations with icons like Taylor Swift and Malala Yousafzai, inspiring deeper connection, curiosity, and meaningful change.

We will also honor Ilana Isakov Katz, recipient of the 2026 Ruby Bass Challenge Award, and Kathy Solganik, recipient of the 2026 Lois Marcus Leadership Award.

5:45 pm Welcome Reception
6:30 pm Dinner & Program

Park Synagogue
27500 Shaker Blvd, Pepper Pike

Cost: $54 per person (not tax-deductible) 

REGISTER >> 

*Lion of Judah Endowment (LOJE) honors women who have created funds that will provide annual support to the Campaign for Jewish Needs forever. 

*Lion of Judah Society celebrates women who make individual gifts of $5,000 or more to the annual Campaign for Jewish Needs.

*Pomegranate Society celebrates women who make individual gifts of $1,800 or more to the annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. 

For more information about these giving societies, please contact Jessie Bruder, senior director of Women IN Philanthropy, at 216-593-2900. All inquiries are confidential.

May 31
Impact365 Giving Society* Presents: Impact Up Close
Fun with ShinShinim: Israel Education in Jewish Cleveland 

Join a small group of fellow Impact365 giving society members for a curated experience connecting with each other and an agency or program that you support through your gift to the annual Campaign for Jewish Needs.

Join our community's Shinshinim for an afternoon experience with our “young at heart” Impact365 members. These young Israeli gap-year volunteers will share how they bring Israeli culture to Cleveland schools and lead an interactive program that reflects their daily work in our Jewish community.

12 - 1:30 pm 

Address will be provided upon registration

REGISTER >> 

*Impact365 Society celebrates women who make individual gifts of $365 or more to the Campaign for Jewish Needs.

Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News

by Jimmy Oswald

Attendees donned blue-and-white clothing, wore beaded necklaces, sported headbands with a pair of Israeli flags waving from the top and had their cheeks dabbled with face paint as they celebrated Israel’s 78th Independence Day on April 22 at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike.

Organized by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, over 1,600 members of the community gathered to mark Yom Ha’atzmaut and celebrate Israel’s resilience, spirit and independence while strengthening their connection to their fellow Jewish people and to Israel.

Brad Coven, Yom Ha’atzmaut co-chair, thanked the various organizations who were on hand to help the event run smoothly during his opening remarks.

“And we cannot do any of this important work in Cleveland, Israel and around the world without our generous donors, who give to the annual campaign for Jewish needs,” he said. “And a big thank you to B’nai Jeshurun Congregation for hosting this in their beautiful building.”

Fellow co-chairs Sara Coven and Allyson and Andrew Goldstein also spoke at the start of the event, giving thanks to those who came out and encouraging everyone to enjoy the festivities.

“We are so honored to have you here today for the 78th celebration of Israel’s independence,” Sara Coven said as attendees cheered.

A dance floor invited people to enjoy dancing and Israeli music, played by Israband, a New York City-based cover band performing the country’s top hits in Hebrew. Flag dances were presented by students from Fuchs Mizrachi School in Beachwood, the Joseph and Florence Mandel Jewish Day School in Beachwood and Gross Schechter Day School in Pepper Pike; and Nomie Bental, the executive director of Ketzev Cleveland Israeli Dance, a community program that offers young professionals the chance to take part in Israeli dances of all kinds and skill levels, also performed with dancers to kick off the event.

The community shinshinim and shlichim joined the crowd in singing “Hatikvah,” Israel’s national anthem, during the opening ceremony.

Rabbi Hal Rudin-Luria, Senior Rabbi at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation, led a prayer for Israel.

Booths were set up for children to have their faces painted, make flower crowns and flags, paint, construct crafts at the PJ Library station, and play an “I Spy” adventure around the building. Blake Bailey, a magician from Wickliffe-based Flower Entertainment, Inc., also roamed around performing tricks.

In honor of Earth Day, families could plant a flower and take it home, and a station was set up for attendees to explore various Israeli herbs and spices. A shuk, or Israeli market, featuring merchandise from Israel’s border communities was also part of the festivities.

Mendel’s Kosher BBQ in Shaker Heights offered food for purchase and Federation employees operated a gazoz, an Israeli homemade soda station.

Adults could choose between a short film screening, wine tasting and leather workshop while teens had a dedicated space for themselves that was set up in collaboration with local shinshinim and BBYO that featured games and activities.

Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News

by Kim Pesses 
Special to the CJN

Pesses

As you may have seen, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland recently shared the findings of the latest Greater Cleveland Jewish Population Study. Conducted by the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center, the study offers a data-driven snapshot of our community based on responses from 2,000-plus households. This study, which Federation commissions every 10 years, provides a detailed look at Jewish Cleveland – its size, diversity, challenges, and strengths, and areas of need.

This work reflects months of collaboration, rigorous methodology, and thoughtful analysis. At its core, the study was designed to help us better understand Jewish Cleveland as it exists today: who makes up our community, what needs they have, and how they connect with Jewish life.

That kind of understanding matters. Good community planning depends on real insight, not assumptions. This study gives us a clearer picture of the people and experiences that shape Jewish Cleveland today and helps guide how we think about the future. The insight gained from this work enables us to continue building a stronger, more inclusive, and more connected Jewish Cleveland.

The study was released in mid-2025, when both an executive summary and the full report were posted on the Federation’s website.

This latest study took a lot of time and effort as the scale is highly complex. It takes time to analyze responses, validate findings, and ensure the final report is accurate. Accuracy is always prioritized over speed. Further complicating this latest study was the fact that the report-writing process was interrupted by major global crises – most notably the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks and the aftermath – which required immediate attention from Federation staff and research partners.

Regardless, the study remains deeply valuable. In fact, it offers one of the only comprehensive snapshots of Jewish Cleveland at the end of the COVID-19 era – a period of enormous change for individuals, families and organizations alike.

The study examines a broad range of topics, including Jewish identity and engagement, financial wellbeing, and connection to Israel. Many of these areas will be explored in greater depth in Cleveland Jewish News articles over the coming months.

The study also reminds us that there is no single way to be Jewish in Cleveland. Our community includes people of different backgrounds, family structures, and lived experiences, and people connect to Jewish life in many different ways.

At the same time, it is important to be clear that this study is merely a starting point: a tool to help us ask better questions, identify opportunities and needs, determine how to meet those needs, and make thoughtful decisions about what comes next.

With this data in hand, our fact set remains strong. From here, we can continue shaping the future of Jewish Cleveland in ways that are intentional, inclusive and impactful.

Kim Pesses, chair of the population study committee, Jewish Federation of Cleveland

Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News

by Casey Couch

Schalk

Diversity is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as the quality or condition of having or being composed of differing elements. In Jewish Cleveland, diversity is found in a variety of differing elements – race, age, religious identities, family structures, life experiences and more.

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s 2022 Population Study surveyed the community in all of the aforementioned areas, and found that the community is more diverse than a decade ago, in the 2011 study. The study was publicly released in August 2025.

In the spirit of diversity, leaders from across the Jewish community spoke to the Cleveland Jewish News to break down those statistics and share how they see diversity represented across the community every day.

Rosen

Regional Diversity

Mariely Luengo, population study design committee member who lives on the west side, told the CJN that the study divided Jewish Cleveland into six regions, and understanding the patterns of where community members live helps the Federation and its partners tailor services and outreach to people where they are.

According to the study, Beachwood and The Heights are home to over 40% of Jewish Cleveland households, with 21% located in The Heights – Cleveland Heights, University Heights and Shaker Heights – and 19% in Beachwood.

Meanwhile, the East Side Suburbs experienced the fastest growth, more than doubling their share of Jewish households from 6% to 16% since 2011.

In contrast, the West Side and the Central and Southeast regions remained relatively stable. The Northeast/Northern Heights region saw a decline from 24% to 15% of households, partly due to seniors relocating to Beachwood or the East Side Suburbs.

Luengo said that there are many young, Jewish families in Lakewood, which she said offers walkable neighborhoods, good schools and an overall good quality of life. Of note, though, is the area’s simultaneous history of antisemitism.

Luengo

“I wonder how much of that attraction of the neighborhood is also attracting our Jewish families, but at the same time, it is one of the areas with the highest incidence rate of antisemitism in the past years,” she said. “How our families are living amongst their neighbors, what fears they have in school and what kind of support they have worries me.”

As a member of the Latin-Jewish community, Luengo pointed out that 9% of households include someone who in non-white or hispanic.

“I think people will be surprised to know that Cleveland has a proportionally large Latin-Jewish community, and they always have since the ‘70s,” Luengo, who added that many members live in the Beachwood and Cleveland Heights area, in addition to the West Side, said.

As a result of the population study, Luengo said that it is worth further looking into security in those areas where more non-white members of the Jewish community live.

Caruso

“Jews of color or those who don’t live in densely Jewish neighborhoods often see antisemitism before anyone else because their neighbors assume that there are no Jews around,” she said. “If you don’t think your neighbors are Jews, you feel more free to say things and act in certain ways than you would in a Jewish neighborhood. I know we’re all concerned with security and antisemitism, and I will push the concern that, particularly the diverse community, knows something earlier than the rest.”

Age Diversity

The study found that 71% percent of Jewish adults have called the area home for 20 years or more, with 42% having spent their entire adult lives in the area. Another 5% have been residents for 15 to 19 years and 6% for 10 to 14 years.

In juxtaposition, newcomers who came to Cleveland this decade make up 18% of the population, including 7% who have resided in the area for less than five years.

According to Jesse Rosen, president and CEO at The Mandel JCC, these numbers highlight a fascinating “bookend effect” – one that he sees daily at the JCC.

“We have a strong 23% of households with children, balanced by a significant population of adults 65 and older – many of whom live alone,” Rosen told the CJN. “While our youth programs and camps are the engine of our summers, our seniors are truly the heartbeat of our Beachwood campus year-round.”

Sixty-two percent of single-adult households are over the age of 65, and for that population, Rosen said that the JCC serves as a “vital social anchor.” To Rosen, the JCC provides a home for those who might otherwise be part of the “living alone” statistic.

“Seeing a senior member and a preschooler sharing our hallways is the best evidence that the Mandel JCC is succeeding as the intergenerational home the data suggests our community needs,” he said.

Looking ahead to the future generations, Luengo said that a surprising number was that, despite the number of Jewish families, less than 20% of the population was under 18 years of age.

“That was a hard one to read because, anecdotally, we have all these growing schools and we are feeling so strong with so many families moving in with real energy,” she said. “To see in concrete numbers that we are still under 20%, that gap worried me and made me think about what we have to do to make it more affordable for families to grow their legacy, what we can do for retention, and how we can better support young families.”

LGBTQ+ Community Support

Josh Schalk, founder and co-committee member of LGBTQ+ Jews of Cleveland, told the CJN that the population study found 14% of households include an LGBTQ+ individual.

“It’s great to hear that 14% of households are actually recognizing that there is a member of the LGBTQ+ community within their household,” Schalk said. “For Cleveland, it’s significant. I think it’s really important to show that there is a population, and a large chunk of the population, that actually needs to be represented in not only Jewish spaces, but in the general community as well.”

LGBTQ+ Jews of Cleveland was created by jHUB in winter 2023 following conversations with members of the queer community who identified the need for young adult programming. Since its inception, the group has hosted a variety of gatherings, events and participated in Cleveland Pride events.

To Schalk, the population study simply offers more opportunities for the community to acknowledge and welcome LGBTQ members.

“I think what’s important to recognize with the 14% number is that it’s a message to send to the organized synagogues and movements to say, ‘Hey, in Cleveland, there are queer members of your community, how are you welcoming them into your spaces?’” he said. “The idea is that we shouldn’t need to have a strictly LGBTQ Jew space. We should be welcomed into all Jewish spaces.”

Rabbi Joshua Caruso of Congregation Mishkan Or told the CJN that his congregation is openly supportive of every Jew who comes through its doors, and that the number did not surprise him.

“Each year we feature Pride Shabbat, participate in the Pride in the CLE activities and parade, and our clergy are often the first ones that temple members and seekers approach when they are looking for a welcoming Jewish presence in their lives,” Caruso said.

Rosen also said that the statistic reinforces the Mandel JCC’s responsibility to ensure it continues to be a place where everyone feels they truly belong, and that he takes great pride in the fact that JCC members, campers and staff reflect the full diversity of Cleveland Jewry.

“We are intentional about building a team that reflects the community we serve and focused on building strong assets right here in Cleveland to ensure all families know they have a premier home at the Mandel JCC,” he said.

According to Rosen, more than 80% of JCC members initially join for fitness and wellness programs. However, they quickly discover that they didn’t just join a gym, as “diversity is not a program; it is the pulse of the Mandel JCC.”

“Whether someone is part of the 14% identifying as LGBTQ+ or the significant portion of seniors living alone, they might come in for a workout, but they stay because of the community they find here,” Rosen said. “That evolution from ‘fitness seeker’ to ‘community member’ is exactly how the Mandel JCC helps bridge the gaps identified in the study, turning a statistic into a neighbor.”

Interfaith households

Among married Jewish adults, 35% have non-Jewish partners, up from 23% in 2011, but below the 42% national average. These intermarried households vary widely in engagement – some are highly engaged, others less so.

According to Schalk, who is an advisory board member at jHUB, the increased trend of Jews marrying non-Jewish partners comes from a national average. Cleveland is simply following suit.

“I married a non-Jew myself and I’m from an interfaith family myself,” Schalk said. “But I am a Jewish professional, I’m involved in heavily Jewish spaces, and I think that jHUB has made the most amazing inroads into this space as a way for interfaith couples to really explore Judaism and their other faiths.”

jHUB, a joint initiative of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, was founded as a direct result of the 2011 Greater Cleveland Jewish Population study, identifying the need for support of interfaith families. While jHUB has seen a lot of growth and success since its inception, Schalk said that Cleveland is in a unique position for their future.

“Cleveland is 30 years behind the coast – the East Coast and the West Coast of big, organized Jewish communities – and I think we have a really great challenge that we can adapt to prevent some of the things that have happened on the coast,” Schalk said. “Jewish continuity is a huge discussion that comes up when you talk about interfaith marriages, but we do know from plenty of research that those who are marrying non-Jews are actually engaging in Jewish life and raising their children in Jewish communities.”

To Schalk, the growth of interfaith families and their participation in Jewish life shows the continued celebration of diversity in the community. That said, challenges come along with that, such as being more welcoming to interfaith families in synagogues or religious spaces.

“I think that’s a challenge that the legacy organizations and the community have to think about,” he said.

Religious Identities

According to the population study, Orthodox Jews now make up 14% of Jewish adults in Cleveland, up from 10% in 2011. Conservative adults represent another 14%, while Reform remains the largest group at 33%.

Rabbi Joshua Caruso of Congregation Mishkan Or in Beachwood told the CJN that Greater Cleveland is blessed to count many congregations, programs and institutions as part of the Jewish landscape. As a Reform rabbi, he commented on the steady population of Reform individuals.

“The Reform movement has commonly been a stream of Judaism for Jews from other denominations to land for a variety of reasons,” Caruso said. “Moreover, as the Reform movement has evolved in its practice and belief systems, many Jews find it a fitting place for them to land. Moreover, Reform Judaism actively welcomes seekers towards conversion through an intentional process that allows the Jew-by-Choice candidate to find a welcome home in their faithful path.”

Of note, 37% of adults don’t affiliate with a denomination, mirroring a national shift away from formal movement affiliation – 32% nationally. In the regional portion, the study also found that The Heights are particularly diverse, with 26% of residents identifying as Orthodox and 50% identifying as “Just Jewish.”

According to Caruso, these numbers represent the investment that the Cleveland Jewish community has made in providing a “deep and rich variety of Jewish choices.”

“As a Reform rabbi and Jew, I celebrate the diversity of offerings and colleagues in our midst,” Caruso said. “In the Cleveland clergy world, we share a common sense of purpose and respect for the people we serve. While our approach and understandings of the force of Jewish law, practice, beliefs and politics may differ at times, there is a strong sense of shared commitment to serving Klal Yisrael, the greater totality of the Jewish people.”

Despite the community’s differences, one strength stood out – Jewish Cleveland is deeply connected. 98% of respondents reported that they feel connected to the Jewish people, with over half saying “a great deal.”

As Caruso put it best, “Jewish diversity is our strength, and what makes Jewish Cleveland an exceptional place to live and work.”

Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News

by Casey Couch

DeWine

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Charles Eisenman Award for Exceptional Civic Contributions – the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s highest honor, awarded each year at its annual meeting.

This year’s meeting, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. May 12 at Landerhaven at 6111 Landerhaven Drive in Mayfield Heights, serves as the 122nd Annual Meeting of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

Amy Kaplan, annual meeting co-chair alongside her husband, Ira Kaplan, told the Cleveland Jewish News that DeWine’s support and advocacy for the Jewish community, as well as his leadership with the general community, is what initially made him a candidate for the award.

“There’s certainly great gratitude in the Jewish community for Governor DeWine’s support in fighting antisemitism and for offering financial resources to support the security of the Jewish community,” Kaplan said. “But also, he has just been a very principled leader for Ohio, and that has benefited both the Jewish and the general community.”

Kaplan

Prior to her retirement, Kaplan served as the Federation’s vice president of external affairs and director of government relations, making her a good fit to moderate the conversation with DeWine in a “fireside chat” style Q&A at the meeting.

A key policy effort in Ohio over the past year is the proposed Senate Bill 87, which would formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism into state law. This legislation, which passed in the Senate in March and is currently pending in the House, builds directly on a prior executive order from DeWine that mandated use of the IHRA definition across state institutions.

In the past year, DeWine has also attended multiple events and spoken on issues related to Holocaust remembrance, most recently making remarks for the 46th Annual Holocaust Commemoration on April 13 at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.

“He has a longstanding commitment to public service, even before he was governor,” Kaplan said. “He was a senator, held many other elected positions, but his support for the broader community made him what we thought was a really meaningful and fitting choice.”

According to Kaplan, the Eisenman Award recipient is selected through a nominating committee, which is formed new each year, made up of leaders in the Jewish community, as well as partners in the non-Jewish, general community.

“Various people submit names for consideration by the committee, and then the committee selects a recipient whose impact reflects what they consider to be exceptional civic leadership,” Kaplan said.

Federation board chair Jeffrey Wild will also deliver remarks at the meeting, both reflecting on the past 12 months and looking forward to the year ahead. Kaplan said that she hopes all community members will attend as it offers a strong sense of connection to both the local Jewish community and the global community.

“There’s a strong focus on the pride and the connections that have always defined the Cleveland Jewish community, but have really been made even stronger in the last several years as we’ve faced a rise in antisemitism and other challenges,” Kaplan said. “I think what people can expect to leave with is a small sense of pride and how far our community has come together.”

The meeting is free to attend, but registration is required.

To register, visit jewishcleveland.org/news/upcoming-events.