Area's Jewish temple closing

PERKINS TWP. — A religious congregation's home, doubling as a safe haven for worshipers, recently closed its doors after operating in this Sandusky-area space since 1956. But the actual congregation, around for 170 years, plans to remain active so those with Jewish roots can still worship, gather and celebrate holidays together. Earlier this month, and for a variety of reasons, those overseeing Oheb Shalom Temple decided to sell the synagogue, or building, on East Perkins Avenue not far from Old Dutch Tavern. Locally, it's the only recognized Jewish temple. There are no other such synagogues in a four-county area spanning Erie, Huron, Ottawa and Sandusky counties. But "The Congregation Temple Oheb Shalom is not disbanding," said Susan Pocotte, a University of Toledo professor who also serves as chair of the Oheb Shalom Jewish Community Legacy Project Committee, which oversees temple-related activities. While "The temple building was sold, the Congregation Oheb Shalom is transitioning to a community, Congregation Oheb Shalom, without a building," Pocotte said. Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, located beside Oheb Shalom Temple, bought the building. Parties for both entities continue to iron out some details before a closing occurs. A final price hasn't been publicly disclosed yet. "As a longtime neighbor of Oheb Shalom Temple, we want to make sure the building remains cared for," said Kara Groff, the funeral home's cemetery administrator. "We have a great project in mind to serve our community in a new way at this location." Oheb Shalom members have gone through the temple and donated reusable items, such as furniture and kitchenware, to local nonprofits, including Care And Share of Erie County and The Encore Shop. Meanwhile, significant historical items in the temple — think religious documents, pictures and artifacts — are going to the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland. It's a museum entrusted to help preserve Oheb Shalom's legacy. Q&A Pocotte answered some additional questions about the transaction: Q: Why is the temple building closing? SP: Congregation Oheb Shalom is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. The majority of Jews in the U.S. are of the reform movement. Unfortunately, the number of reform congregations in between the East and West coasts has declined in membership and ultimately numbers due to changing demographics, regional economies and trends in formalized religious needs. It is difficult to sustain resources needed to maintain buildings for religious services. Several Jewish synagogues in Ohio and other states have closed. Note: As explained on reformjudaism.org, "Reform Judaism affirms the central tenets of Judaism — God, Torah and Israel — while acknowledging the diversity of Reform Jewish beliefs and practices. We believe that Judaism must change and adapt to the needs of the day to survive, and we see the Torah as a living, God-inspired document that enables us to confront the challenges of our everyday lives." Q: More specifically to the local area, what are some additional factors specific to Oheb Shalom leading to this decision? SP: In the Erie, Ottawa, Huron and Sandusky counties, there has been a steady decline in the numbers of practicing Jews. The Congregation Temple Oheb Shalom sold the temple building (this month) due to the following reasons: • Diminishing congregation size able to attend activities at the temple building • Fewer members able to serve on Oheb Temple board and, as such, maintain the building • More expenses to maintain a building In April 2022, The Hebrew Union College announced the near future discontinuation of its rabbinical program at the Cincinnati campus, which triggered an immediate decrease in available student rabbis to serve the requesting pulpits. It is too expensive to fly in student rabbis from the Los Angeles and New York City Hebrew Union College campuses. Congregation Oheb Shalom does not have sufficient funds to sustain the part-time services of an ordained rabbi or cantor. Q: With the temple closing but the congregation not disbanding, what happens next? SP: Based on the (aforementioned) cumulative issues, the congregation voted on the following: • Sell the building • Continue as an organization, Congregation Oheb Shalom • Fully fund the cemetery preservation fund The board of trustees will work with the congregation members to: • Decide the next steps regarding religious and spiritual needs, how to fulfill connection with the Jewish faith and lifestyles through functions and activities of the congregation and social functions • Identify homes for religious artifacts and other items in the temple building Q: How many active members are in the congregation? How does that compare to the past? SP: We categorize the members as family units. There are currently 23 family units. Several decades ago, there were about 150 family units. Q: Where will Jewish people in the area go to pray, worship and/or gather? SP: For the near future, Congregation Oheb Shalom will meet as a community for purposes of Shabbat (or sabbath) services and social gatherings in various locations and modalities. We have had a multiyear relationship with Temple B'nai Abraham in Elyria. We can attend in-person or virtual services. Several members of Oheb Shalom have long-standing relationships with other synagogues toward Cleveland and Toledo. Note: People can visit Oheb Shalom's Facebook page, facebook.com/ohebshalomsandusky, for updates on future gatherings. Q: What will happen to the area's Jewish cemetery, in Sandusky, overseen by Oheb Shalom? Will it be maintained? SP: It will be well taken care of. Currently, we still own it. The Oheb Shalom Cemetery Preservation Fund will be fully funded for the commission on cemetery preservation. Q: What else should people know about Oheb Shalom? SP: We have a lengthy history of community activity, such as philanthropic activity to Care and Share and other nonprofit groups, interfaith service participation and numerous tours/discussion with local church youth and adult education groups. History lesson Here is some context to best understand Oheb Shalom's history: • 1853 to 1892 — A non-organized Jewish community forms and stays active in Sandusky. A formal organization affiliated with the reform movement began in 1905. • 1853 — The first local recorded activity of a Jewish community took place in Sandusky. Early Jewish settlers, who were few in number, secure a plot of ground. This is dedicated as a Jewish burial ground. • 1905 — Rabbi Marcuson offers his rabbinical services free if the people will organize a congregation. The reform congregation of B'nai Israel is organized with 22 members. Marcuson, a graduate of Hebrew Union College, abandons his charge of Temple Beth Israel in Macon, Georgia, because of ill health. Seeking a northern climate, he moves to Sandusky because he is associated with the Cincinnati-based Rheinstrom Brothers that have a distillery in Sandusky. Being an ordained rabbi, Marcuson religiously organizes the Jewish community. He calls a meeting and offers his services without charge if the people will organize a congregation. His challenge is met, and the reform congregation of B'nai Israel is created. The B'nai Israel Congregation is affiliated with the United American Hebrew Congregations, a national organization. • 1906 — Space is rented in the Masonic Temple building, where services were conducted by Marcuson. Several classes of students are confirmed and the congregation flourishes. • 1915 — B'nai Israel changes its name to Oheb Shalom, which translates to "Lovers of Peace." The membership is composed of 25 families. Services take place in the home of Harry Isaacs at Jackson and Adams streets. Samuel Kaplan and Isaacs lead services on Shabbat. During High Holy Days, a visiting rabbi or a professor at Hebrew Union College comes to officiate. Kaplan conducts the Sabbath school every Sunday morning. During the following years, services occur in different places in Sandusky: in the Carnegie Library Auditorium, Harmony Hall and the Knights of Pythias Hall at Market and Columbus avenues. When the Knights of Pythias move to new quarters at Wayne and Market streets, Congregation Oheb Shalom moves with them. • 1946 — The first permanent location of Congregation Oheb Shalom is acquired with the purchase of a home at 508 Central Ave. through the efforts of Joseph Braunstein. With a building of its own, Oheb Shalom begins to establish roots in the community. In the new home, between 1947 and 1948, student Rabbi Arnold Wolf is the spiritual leader. • 1956 — The second location and current temple building gets constructed at 1521 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky. Note: Throughout its entire history, the congregation never had a full-time ordained Rabbi. Instead, the Congregation Oheb Shalom contracted with Hebrew Union College's Cincinnati campus to host student rabbis. "We have hosted and mentored 59 student rabbis," according to an organizational statement. "As a result, we have served as a religious training ground in the Midwest." Source: Oheb Shalom Temple