Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple

DESTINATION SHABBAT: A CELEBRATION FOR EVERY GENERATION

This day-long Shabbat retreat engages lifelong Jewish learners at every age in classic textual study, interactive workshops, and Shabbat experiences, building a community of Jews knowledgeable in the traditions, practices and values of Shabbat. We offer this program both in-house at our synagogue building and at the retreat center of Camp Wise in Chardon, OH.

SELICHOT CONCERT AND PRAYER SERVICE

Special Selichot Program with the return of Jewish recording artist Dan Nichols! This contemplative, uplifting mini-concert and service will feature our young people and Dan Nichols, an influential and dynamic force in Jewish music today. Together with our clergy and our Hava Nashira junior choir, we’ll sing, pray and begin to prepare our hearts and our community for renewal and repentance.  All are welcome.

UNCOMMON CONVERSATIONS: A SERIES OF SUKKOT PROGRAMS

In 2011, Anshe Chesed began opening its celebration of Sukkot to a series of communal conversations of “uncommon” educational topics. Our hope is that in addition to their own family celebrations of Sukkot, members of the community will draw together at Anshe Chesed and see our community’s Sukkah as a place in which to share time together over meals, prayer, and exchanging thoughtful views on challenging topics. In its first year, these included a guided discussion of “Navigating the Empty Nest Years,” a lay-led conversation on “Parenting Jewish Teens” and a guest speaker on “Human Striving: Undoing the Conundrum of Race.”

CHANUKAH MITZVAH DAY

Hundreds of our members pledge volunteer hours on a Sunday near Chanukah to a range of Mitzvah projects. Educational materials are distributed and discussed regarding the mitzvot being performed by our members. The overriding emphasis on projects conducted inside Anshe Chesed or on-site at Menorah Park, Cleveland Food Bank, Medwish, or others is on the invitation to all in the community to bond on an ongoing basis in the performing of Tikkun Olam, the work of healing and reparation in the world.

LIFE TRANSITIONS SERIES

In 2011, a series of workshops was inaugurated for temple members experiencing a life transition. Co-led by one of our clergy and Wendy Jacobson, our Caring Community Coordinator, workshops have included: “Navigating the Empty Nest Years” and “A Leap of (Inter) faith: Grandparenting Interfaith Grandchildren.”  Future workshops are anticipated concerning: “Explaining Death to Children” and “Facing Cancer as a Family.” In addition, outside of the Leylveld Center for Jewish Learning are a “Life-Lites” (published by Jewish Lights Publishing) a series of short educational pamphlets on topics in life transition. Members and guests of the temple are welcome to learn and gain resources from these “Life-Lite” pamphlets, free of charge, at any time.