TEMPLE HISTORY

On February 28, 1842, 30 members in Cleveland, Ohio, formed the "Anshe Chesed Society" with Rev. Asher Lehman as "Rabbi." By 1844, 22 students were busily studying both Jewish and secular subjects in Anshe Chesed's day school. Education was and remains a top priority. By 1846 this society boasted 47 members and merged with the original Israelitic Society.

On October 6, 1845 the cornerstone of Cleveland's first house of Jewish worship was laid. The structure, built on Eagle Street at a cost of $1,500, was officially dedicated on August 7, 1846. The size of the building was 35' x 50' x 28' high, with a substantial stone basement. A ladies' gallery ran along three sides. A dedication speech in English, a concession to modern times, urged congregants to live in "bonds of charity with all mankind."

Anshe Chesed had grown to more than 80 families and, with more than 85 students, the congregation hired its first full time trained rabbi, Isidor Kalisch. He was also a trained cantor and college-trained philosopher.

In 1860, the Eagle Street edifice proved too small for the expanding congregation and the synagogue was enlarged. Dr. Isaac Mayer Wise, "The Master Builder of Reform Judaism," delivered the address of rededication on December 14, 1860.

In 1876, Rev. Dr. Michaelis Machol, a graduate of the University of Breslaw, was hired to lead the congregation. During his tenure, the congregation adopted a moderate Reform prayer book, abolished second day holiday observance, and voted to worship with uncovered heads. Dr. Machol was the first rabbi to deliver some sermons in English. He would preach in German on Friday nights and in English on Saturday mornings. Eventually, all sermons were delivered in English.

In 1886, the cornerstone for a new larger building was dedicated at a site on Scovill Avenue at Henry Street. The ceremonies attracted more than 4,000 Clevelanders with Rabbi Isaac M. Wise returning once again as the principal speaker. The building was completed in 1887.

Rev. Dr. Machol became Rabbi Emeritus in 1907 when Rabbi Louis Wolsey, the first American-born leader of Anshe Chesed, arrived from Little Rock, Arkansas. He had been a student of Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise and was the first Hebrew Union College ordinee to serve as Anshe Chesed's rabbi. Rabbi Wolsey's 18 years of service with Anshe Chesed were distinguished by a tremendous increase in the size of the congregation, the exercise of a considerable influence in Jewish communal affairs, added reforms in the service, the adoption of the Union Prayer Book, the acquisition of the Euclid Avenue site, the erection of a Temple House, the creation of a Normal School for Jewish Teachers, and the formation of the Sisterhood (1909), Men's Club (1924), and Young People's Youth Group (1911).

Following Dr. Machol's lead, Rabbi Wolsey vigorously pressed for the building of a larger synagogue. In 1910 the first cornerstone was laid at East 82nd and Euclid Avenue. The handsome new structure became a Cleveland landmark. Its mosque-like dome and extraordinary brickwork were particularly striking. Dedication ceremonies took place on March 22, 23 and 24, 1912. Ten rabbis, as well as ministers from various Cleveland churches, delivered addresses . In 1925, Rabbi Wolsey left the Euclid Avenue Temple to become the rabbi of Rodef Shalom in Philadelphia.

Rabbi Barnett R. Brickner arrived in 1925 from Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. Rabbi Brickner represented the new Reform rabbi of the 1920s and 30s who wished to restore more familiar traditions within the framework of Reform Judaism. Rabbi Brickner reinstated the Kiddush at Friday night Services, Kol Nidre on Yom Kippur, the Yizkor Service, the blowing of the Shofar on the High Holy Days, the celebration of Simchat Torah, and Consecration of First Grade children during Sukkot (1929). He held the first Annual Clergy Institute in 1935 to strengthen interfaith relations with the community and minimize prejudice and anti-Semitism.

In 1947, the Young People's Congregation (YPC) was founded. It remains an unparalleled success in welcoming young adults and toddlers into synagogue life.

One of Rabbi Brickner's primary concerns was Jewish education. He created the position of Director of Education in 1926 for Daniel Pearlman to administer the Religious School. Nathan Brilliant followed in 1927 and held the position until 1946 when he became the Director of the Cleveland Bureau of Jewish Education. Other noted Jewish educators have served Anshe Chesed, including Libby Braverman, Alan Bennett, Judith Lichtig and Kyla Epstein-Schneider.

As Anshe Chesed's members moved further into the Eastern suburbs following World War II, it became apparent that a new synagogue location needed to be found. In 1948, a 32-acre site on Fairmount Boulevard was purchased. After a long zoning battle that went all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court, the City of Beachwood approved the construction of Anshe Chesed's present home which was dedicated on May 31, 1957. At that same time, the Nursery School was organized.

Tragically, Rabbi Brickner was fatally injured in an auto accident in Spain in 1958. His wife, Rebecca, remained active at Fairmount Temple for many years after his death.

Rabbi Arthur J. Lelyveld, then the National Director of the B'nai Brith Hillel Foundation and leader in the American Jewish Congress, was hired as the new rabbi of Fairmount Temple. During his tenure as Senior Rabbi, he became President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Synagogue Council of America and the American Jewish Congress. A leading orator, Rabbi Lelyveld also became active in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s and was active in promoting positive interfaith relations. Many innovations took place during his tenure, including the Selichot Service (1959), the Bloch "Sacred Service" (1959), the Confirmation Chain of Tradition (1959), the Brickner Lecture (1959), the Selichot Institute (1976), as well as the use of Gates of Prayer (1977) and Gates of Repentance (1979). Rabbi Lelyveld authored several books on Judaism and was an internationally-known lecturer and teacher. He became Rabbi Emeritus in 1986 and died in April 1996.

In 1986, Stuart A. Gertman served as Senior Rabbi of Anshe Chesed followed by Rabbi David Gelfand. During his tenure, he served as president of the Cleveland Board of Rabbis, national officer of the Interfaith Alliance, and trustee of the Cleveland Jewish Federation. He had a strong interest and commitment to social action and interfaith activities and was instrumental in greatly increasing the programming of the synagogue. His tenure included the 150th anniversary of the congregation. After nine years of dedicated service he resigned  in 1997 and was followed by Rabbi Lee T. Bycel who began his tenure as the seventh spiritual leader  leaving in 2000 to become President of Brandeis-Bardin Institute.

Music has always played an integral role in the life of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple. In the 20th century alone, this temple has been blessed with outstanding music directors, including James H. Rogers, Maurice Goldman, Erwin Jospe, Reuben P. Caplan and Sam Levine.  In 1980, Sarah Sager became the first woman to serve as Cantor of a Cleveland congregation, inheriting and continuing their musical legacies.  Cantor Sager has instituted many musical innovations such as the Annual Jewish Music Month Service and has achieved great popularity within the congregation as well as the entire community. In 2005, Cantor Sarah Sager  celebrated her 25th anniversary with Fairmount Temple.

Today, a tremendous clergy team, brings a new vibrancy to Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple. Their warmth, spirituality and vision will continue the legacy established by those who served Fairmount Temple before them, fostering an environment where everyone feels welcome. We're opening the doors of Jewish life together.

As we build upon the foundation laid down by our past spiritual and lay leaders, we look to the future and encourage you to become
an active part in our tradition of being Anshe Chesed, "People of Loving Kindness."