Temple Tifereth-Israel

History

Early years

The Tifereth Israel congregation was founded on May 26, 1850, as a number of families disputed over religious ritual and left the Orthodox Anshe Chesed congregation, the first Jewish congregation in Cleveland. The same year, Rabbi Isidor Kalisch, who had been rabbi at Anshe Chesed, was appointed the first rabbi of Tifereth Israel.

A $3,000 bequest from the estate of Judah Touro, a New Orleans philanthropist, enabled the congregation to establish its first synagogue building on Huron and Miami Streets, dedicated on December 14, 1855. In the 1860s and 1870s, the congregation instituted reforms and, in 1873, became a founding member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Under the leadership of Rabbi Moses J. Gries, in 1894 the congregation dedicated a new synagogue at Willson Avenue that became known as the Willson Avenue Temple, or simply, the Temple.

1924 University Temple building

Main article: Maltz Performing Arts Center{{!}}The University Temple

Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver assumed leadership in 1917 and served for the next 46 years, until his death in 1963. In 1924 Silver established the impressive University Temple, or more simply, The Temple, and later, the Silver Sanctuary, located in University Circle, Cleveland.

This large building was used by the congregation until 1969. , this building was used for High Holy Days, special events, and life cycle celebrations.

Silver was succeeded by his son, Daniel Jeremy Silver, who had earlier served under his father's direction as an Assistant Rabbi. In 1990, the congregation rededicated The University Temple as the Silver Sanctuary, in their honor.

Beachwood complex

As the congregation moved further east, a property at Beachwood was acquired and initially built as a school and community center, dedicating the new temple in 1969. The complex functioned as one of several Jewish centers of community with a religious school and services as well. It contained a library and a museum, as well as several chapels and sanctuaries.

The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is located next to The Temple in Beachwood and houses part of the Temple Museum's collection. During 1994 and 1995, the Beachwood temple renovated interiors that included the installation of additional showcases for museum exhibits in the East Building.

Rabbinical leadership

The following individuals served as senior rabbi of the Tifereth-Israel congregation:

References

References

1. PREISZIGapreiszig@cjn.org, ABIGAIL. (2024-07-03). "'No doubt we are better together' as Congregation Mishkan Or".
2. (2024). "Temple Tifereth-Israel". [[Case Western Reserve University]].
3. Berger, Arnold. (n.d.). "Tifereth Israel (The Temple)". Cleveland Jewish History.
4. (2019-03-07). "GRIES, MOSES J.". [[Case Western Reserve University]].
5. Dubelko, Skylar. (December 6, 2019). "CCAR expels former Cleveland Rabbi Benjamin A. Kamin". [[Cleveland Jewish News]].
6. (2024). "Meet our clergy: Senior Rabbi Emeritus Richard A. Block". Temple Tifereth-Israel.