The Hebrew Cultural Garden was very busy on One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. First, the Hebrew Garden participated in the Parade of Flags which had 1500 people from over 53 countries.
Hebrew Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags on One World Day
They then hosted visitors at the site of their Cultural Garden on both East Blvd. and MLK.
Religion in the Africa & Byzantium Exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art
The new exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Africa & Byzantium, considers the complex artistic relationships between northern and eastern African Christian kingdoms and the Byzantine Empire from the fourth century CE and beyond. The first international loan exhibition to treat this subject, the show includes more than 160 works of secular and sacred art from across geographies and faiths, including large-scale frescoes, mosaics, and luxury goods such as metalwork, jewelry, panel paintings, architectural elements, textiles, and illuminated manuscripts.
Mosaic of a Menorah from Tunisia
You will see pieces representing Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths. One of our favorite parts of the exhibition is a Cleveland religious connection. The CMA's presentation is bolstered by loans from two local religious communities, reflecting years of community collaboration that powerfully demonstrates the contemporary relevance of the exhibition's topic today.
"Our work with local religious communities has been very meaningful," said Curator Windmuller-Luna. "We are grateful for their willingness to tell their stories and loan their precious artworks to us. To share these Greater Clevelanders' vivid perspectives, we have placed Community Voice labels throughout the exhibition, offering a firsthand glimpse of artworks' personal significance. We have also included Community Voice videos in this exhibition, a first for the CMA."
Another nice touch is the display of "Contemporary Faith and Heritage Communities in Greater Cleveland."
Contemporary Faith and Heritage Communities in Greater Cleveland
Beginning September 29, 2023 at sundown, many Jewish families will celebrate Sukkot, a time to commemorate the 40 years the children of Israel wandered in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. In Hebrew, sukkot means "booths" or "huts" and replicates the shelters Jews lived in while harvesting and during their exile in the desert. In Cleveland, a Sukkah Village was set up in Wade Oval in University Circle.
Sukkah Village set up in Wade Oval in University Circle
Hebrew Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags on One World Day
The Hebrew Cultural Garden was very busy on One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. Over 50,000 people visited the gardens on One World Day 2023. The Hebrew Garden participated in the Parade of Flags which had 1500 people from over 53 countries..
Hebrew Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags on One World Day
Hebrew Cultural Garden preparing for One World Day
Volunteers spruced up the Hebrew Garden on Sunday August 20 in preparation for One World Day on Sunday August 27.
2022
Kol Israel 2022 Holocaust Memorial
Kol Israel Foundation is an organization of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, their families, and supporters. Each year they hold an annual Memorial Service "in memory of the six million innocent Jewish men, women and children who perished by the hands of the Nazis. Though their bodies have perished, their souls and their spirit will forever remain immortal." The annual Memorial Service was held at Zion Memorial Park in Bedford Heights on Sunday October 2, 2022. It was co-sponsored by Kol Israel Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.
After the ceremony, Holocaust survivors in attendance gathered for a group photo.
Candlelighters Miriam Steinfeld and Tova Baron and family members
The Hebrew Cultural Garden demonstrated their heritage at One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. Over 40,000 people visited the gardens on One World Day 2022.
The Hebrew Cultural Garden participated in the Parade of Flags
Hebrew Cultural Garden in Parade of Flags
Here is a video of the entire Parade of Flags.
They then hosted visitors in the Hebrew Cultural Garden.
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Kol Israel Foundation is an organization of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, their families, and supporters. Each year they hold an annual Memorial Service "in memory of the six million innocent Jewish men, women and children who perished by the hands of the Nazis. Though their bodies have perished, their souls and their spirit will forever remain immortal." The annual Memorial Service was held at Zion Memorial Park in Bedford Heights on Sunday October 6, 2019. It was co-sponsored by Kol Israel Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.
After the ceremony, Holocaust survivors in attendance gathered for a group photo.
ShulBoys Motorcycle Club - an official affiliate club of the Jewish Motorcycle Alliance (JMA)
Shul Boys is a casual unisex motorcycle riding club comprised of Jews who ride all brands of motorcycles at different levels of competence. They believe in, and are proud of, their Jewish heritage and ride motorcycles. Shul Boys is located in northeastern Ohio, mainly in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland. ShulBoys is an official affiliate club under the umbrella of the Jewish Motorcycle Alliance (JMA).
Ian Abrams, President and Founder of the Shul Boys attended the Kol Israel Memorial on his 1937 Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Shul Boys founder Ian Abrams and his 1937 Harley Davidson
Cleveland and Beit Shean/Valley of Springs, Israel Become Official Sister Cities
The City of Cleveland, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and Global Cleveland announced that Israeli city Beit Shean/Valley of Springs will become an official Cleveland Sister City. A celebratory ceremony occured Thursday, May 2 at 9 a.m. at Cleveland Public Library Louis Stokes Wing located at 525 Superior Ave.
“Cleveland’s strong international presence continues to be enhanced through educational, economic and cultural exchange with our sister cities,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “We continue to build on our city’s tradition of cultural interchange and welcome Beit Shean as our newest sister city.”
As a result of Cleveland’s partnership with Beit Shean, the Cleveland Public Library is adapting a student-run model based on what its leadership has learned from the Beit Shean library. Similarly, Cleveland Community Development Corporations have shared their Place making methodologies to support the efforts of Beit Shean’s city center. In the last year alone, more than 500 Clevelanders have visited Beit Shean/Valley of Springs.
“For nearly 25 years, the Federation has worked closely with residents and civic leaders in Beit Shean/Valley of Springs to address a wide range of social and cultural issues confronting that region,” said Lynne Cohen, Federation’s Overseas Connections Committee Chair. “Through this work, we have been able to positively impact thousands of lives in Beit Shean/Valley of Springs and Cleveland. We are thrilled to see this relationship with the City of Cleveland take this significant step and look forward to the continued mutual-rewarding benefits that come from it.”
Beit-Shean and Cleveland delegations
Mayor Jackson and Ambassador Dani Dayan, Consul General of Israel in New York, provided remarks at the ceremony.
“Building connections with cities throughout the world is an important step toward sharing cultures and ideals with an understanding that we are all brothers and sisters united together,” said Council President Kevin J. Kelley. “I heartily welcome Valley of Springs, to our Cleveland community.”
With the addition of Beit Shean/Valley of Springs, Cleveland now has 23 sister cities around the world.
2018
One World Day 2018
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted the 73rd annual One World Day on September 16, 2018. A highlight is the Parade of Flags where people in costumes of their heritage carry the flags. The Hebrew Garden was well-represented in the Parade.
YLDay of Caring - Hebrew and African American Cultural Gardens
It's amazing what we can do when we work together! On July 12, 2018, 30 Young Leadership Division (YLD) volunteers came together with volunteers of all ages in the African American community to help landscape, plant flowers, and clean up the Hebrew and Association of African American Cultural Gardens at the most recent YLDay of Caring. Through this special event - one of the first collaborative efforts between the different Cleveland Cultural Gardens - they learned more about the gardens' history and had a chance to engage in a meaningful dialogue.
African American Cultural Garden leader Carl Ewing with Jewish YLD volunteers
Kol Israel Foundation is an organization of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, their families, and supporters. Each year they hold an annual Memorial Service. The 56th annual Memorial Service was held at Zion Memorial Park in Bedford Heights on Sunday September 24, 2017. It was co-sponsored by Kol Israel Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. In 1961, Kol Israel built one of the first monuments in the United States dedicated to the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Ashes of the victims from concentration camps are buried beneath it and the names of deceased family members are engraved on its surrounding wall.
The ceremony included a special dedication of the Kol Israel Memorial Monument’s Historical Marker. The marker, granted by the Ohio History Connection, acknowledges the Monument as the first of its kind in the United States.
Jewish Federation of Cleveland president Gary Gross
In 1961, the Kol Israel Foundation built one of the first monuments in the United States dedicated to the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Ashes of the victims from concentration camps are buried beneath it and the names of deceased family members are engraved on its surrounding wall.
Ohio Historical Marker at Zion Memorial Park - Side 1
Have you seen the new additions to the Hebrew Cultural Garden? There are 6 areas that pay tribute to leading Jewish figures including scientists Einstein, Freud and Salk and authors Rabinovich, Bilaik and Agnon.
In response to the recent anti-Semitic views expressed on social media by an Oberlin College assistant professor that garnered international attention, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, AJC Cleveland, the Anti-Defamation League Cleveland Region and the Cleveland Hillel Foundation met with Oberlin College President Marvin Krislov and several of his senior staff. In a welcoming atmosphere, we discussed, openly and candidly, the potential implications of a professor’s personal views on classroom activity and student intimidation. We also discussed our shared respect for academic freedom.
The administration is taking its role seriously. President Krislov and his team are committed to providing a safe environment on campus for all students, regardless of religion. Building on a long and positive relationship, Oberlin College and representatives of the Cleveland Jewish community are working collaboratively to recommend programming that can facilitate a positive discourse on campus to address the consequences and sources of anti-Semitism.
All parties understand and accept that the college is required to follow established academic procedures when addressing questions regarding an individual faculty member. The Jewish community members present were satisfied that Oberlin College is following those procedures and look forward to learning the outcome of that process.
March 3, 2016
Erica G. Starrfield of Pepper Pike has been awarded the 2015 Bennett and Donna Yanowitz Leadership Award by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. The award recognizes and honors an outstanding young individual who has demonstrated commitment, involvement, and leadership within Cleveland’s Jewish community. Starrfield was presented the award at the Federation’s Board meeting on February 29.
"I have chosen to be actively involved in the Jewish community because it makes me feel more whole, fulfilling a personal desire to be a part of something greater than myself," Starrfield said. "And taking leadership roles is a way to enrich experiences more deeply. It adds more meaning to my life and I hope that as my children get older, it is something they too will find valuable.”
Starrfield is a mother of 2 and a Marketing Manager at Nestlé USA. She holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Georgetown University. She is the immediate past Chair of the Federation’s Marketing and Communications Committee. Under her leadership, the organization’s branding initiative became a nationally recognized model for other Federations around the country.
“I want to see the Jewish community of Cleveland continue to prosper so that it can remain the place that brings the support and enjoyment we have come to know it for," she said.
Starrfield continues to be an active member of the Marketing and Communications Committee, in addition to being a member of the Strategic Planning Committee and the Federation’s Board of Trustees. She is also involved in Women’s Philanthropy.
Her involvement extends beyond the Federation. Starrfield is a graduate of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Glass Leadership Institute. She also sits on the Board of Directors at Park Synagogue.
The Bennett and Donna Yanowitz Leadership Award replaced the Marvin and Milton Kane Award, previously known as the Ed Baker Award. The award has been given annually since the early 1960’s. As recipient of the Yanowitz Award, Starrfield is invited to join the Cleveland delegation to a General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America.
March 2, 2016
The following statement was released (March 2, 2016) by Jewish Federation of Cleveland Board Chair Reneé Chelm in response to anti-Semitic views expressed by an Oberlin College assistant professor, whose statements have garnered international attention.
“We are profoundly disappointed to learn of a professor with such hateful, malicious, and anti-Semitic views on such a distinguished campus as Oberlin College. We acknowledge the long standing right to freedom of speech yet this anti-Semitic rhetoric crosses the line into hate speech. The President’s recent personal comments resonated and we encourage Oberlin College to seize this teaching moment. “
2015
WWI Jewish soldiers exhibit at the Slovenian Museum and Archives
Israeli Deputy Consul General Moran Birman is based in Philadelphia and made his first trip to Cleveland to see the exhibition entitled "Forgive Us, Forgive Us, Oh You, the Dead" which is dedicated to Jewish soldiers in the Austro-Hungarian army who fell on the Isonzo Front (Soska Fronta) of World War I in the territory of present day Slovenia.
A total of about 300,000 Jewish soldiers participated in the war and estimates put the number of Jewish soldiers who lost their lives during World War I at around 40,000.
The exhibition is based on historical research of the documents, photos and existing literature and also interviews with people who knew about Jews who fought on the side of the Austrian army in World War I. The exhibition was provided by the Maribor synagogue which serves as a cultural center of Jewish heritage in Slovenia.
Israeli Deputy Consul Moran Birman, Cheryl Davis, Michael Cantor and Slovenian Consul General Andrej Gregor Rode
Jewish Community in Turkey by Joseph Patrick Meissner
This was my second trip to Turkey, a country and people I very much admire and appreciate. Of course, on my second trip I learn how much I have not learned about Istanbul and Ephesus and Mary's place and Ottoman history. It is impossible to relate all that happened on this trip. So I have picked out seven specific episodes and hope these may be thought-provoking as well as encourage you to plan a trip to Turkey, the home of Fethullah Gulen and Hizmet.
Episode 5
'Tell us about communities of Jewish background in Turkey?' It is Attorney Ken Kabb's probing question wherever our group talks to people we encounter in Turkey.
This Country sitting on two continents is very proud of its history involving people of Jewish background. The most famous example is the welcoming of Jewish refugees in 1492 by the Ottoman Empire and its Sultan B after the Kingdoms of Castille and Aragon had conquered all of Spain. The new rulers ordered that all Jewish people, as well as Muslims, had to convert to Christianity or leave the country. (Spain was not the first European power to expel Jewish people. See Appendix for more )
More than 100,000 Jewish people left Spain and sailed on ships of the Ottoman Fleet to resettle in the Empire. The Sultan is reported to have remarked, 'If Spain is stupid enough to deport 100,000 of its best people, we Ottomans are smart enough to welcome them to our lands.'
ť During this trip, we did visit the small museum dedicated to the Jewish heritage in Turkey which is located near the Galata Tower in Istanbul. The museum, which originated from the large celebration in 1992 in both Turkey and America to commemorate the 1492 events, is not that large. Moreover, the display lights did not work on the upper balcony and I got a shock when I tried to turn these on. Also the video monitors did not seem to work.
But there were a fine display of books and other items from Jewish history and culture. There was also a small but excellent bookstore and gift shop near the Museum entrance. We also observed a synagogue and related buildings undergoing rehabilitation in the city of Izmir.
So what are our conclusions? Certainly Turkey is publicly welcoming to its Jewish peoples. Relations between Israel and Turkey have been good at times, and then strained at other. There is now tension which seems to date to the boarding of the Turkish humanitarian vessel and resulting loss of lives. The ship was stopped while it was taking supplies and medicines for Palestine.
The most worrisome fact we encountered is that at one time there were up to 250,000 people of Jewish background living in the Ottoman Empire. This fell off as the Ottoman empire collapsed and later when Israel because available for settlement. But this does not explain why there are less than 20,000 people of Jewish background now in Turkey. These are mostly older people and the number seems like it is subject to further declines.
It was hard to find any Jewish person we could talk to about this. My impression is that many Turkish people (which include others beside Jewish) are very cautious about dialogue with foreigners and seem to follow a strategy of 'keeping their heads down.'
My recommendation is that Turkey needs to recall that 1492 was more than just words.
Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple in Beachwood
April 10, 2014
The 11th Annual AJC (American Jewish Committee) inter-faith Diplomatic Seder was held at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple in Beachwood.
Each spring, when the world of nature renews itself, the Jewish people reflect upon their emergence from slavery and the meaning of freedom. Our ancestors have celebrated the Passover Seder, with its rich ceremonies, folk songs, and colorful symbols for thousands of years. Through our ritual retelling of the story of Egyptian bondage, we are reminded of the continuing battle for freedom in every generation.
Several speakers were asked to talk about 'What Freedom means to me.'
An orange was placed on the Seder plate because it was once said the idea of women as rabbis is as farfetched as oranges on the seder plate.
If you're wondering why Jews all over the world began eating matzo on Monday night, April 14th, at a big family dinner, I will tell you why.
Everyone thinks that all this holiday is about is eating matzo having this big dinner with a lot of ritual taking place not realizing how much more is involved.
First of all, you must remember that this is the holiday of freedom. Having been slaves in Egypt for many years, this Passover holiday liberates them. That is the most important theme that is emphasized from the very beginning.
Very few people know that the Jewish lunar calendar is lunar, which differs from our calendar because the Jewish one is based on the moon. Passover is the beginning of the New Year. Oddly, we celebrate Rosh Hashanah sometime in the fall and call it "new year." You would think that should be the time for the beginning of the calendar year.
The role of the Passover Seder, as it is called, has changed dramatically since I was a boy. Seder means order. The dinner was to be ritualized in an orderly fashion. It was to be a dinner to bring the family together. It still functions that way. However, modern times have changed some of the rituals for the reform and conservative movements. For the orthodox, the ritual part remains the same.
Remember, I said the theme of this holiday is liberation, freedom. These are not just words. This was an actual occurrence. In order for the participants to better understand its importance, we read the story in a book called the Hagaddah. This is the complete history of that event. It is a compilation of the story, prayers of thankfulness, but most of all, to reenact the bitterness of being slaves and the suffering of the Jewish people before they left Egypt.
When you talk about bitterness, it is much easier to understand it if you try to relive the experience by telling the story and participating the ritual of eating horseradish with matzo.
Everyone who is at the table must eat some small piece of the bitter herbs. In most families, the youngest child at the table asks questions of the leader that refer to the story. It is sort of a remembrance factor to simplify the story so it is easy to relate to. Ordinarily, each participant reads a part of the story. It may differ in many homes, but the main theme will be related.
The more modern version will take on many forms. It is no longer one fast rule. It is changed with each generation. I doubt if every dinner will serve matzo ball soup, but it is a traditional dish. With so many vegans and vegetarians, who knows where this dinner will take you; probably tofu, Tempe, and other substitutions.
The important thing is for the family to come together, year after year, to remember the story and to become a living part of history. This is a holiday of joy. Freedom sings out. The melodies of the story are all joyous. Prayers of thanksgiving follow. For some orthodox participants, there could be singing and eating past midnight. It is truly the happiest occasion of Jewish history. Never mind Purim. Passover surpasses that liberation story of Queen Esther by far.
One of the most interesting changes in the character of this holiday is that it has become number one in bringing the family together. For years, Rosh Hashanah was when students in college would come home. However, Passover has changed the pattern entirely. It is astonishing how that happened. There are so many different ways that today's modern Jew interprets this holiday. It is too hard to imagine because of all the innovation.
In spite of all these changes, Passover still has been able to remind us that we are a people. We are never to forget that our culture, traditions, and our bible has brought much to the world. By our participation in any form, it becomes a creative way to continue to bring our message to the world.
The tradition remains one of the major prayers which says, "Let anyone who is hungry come to our Seder" It is customary to invite friends, single families, and anyone you think would enjoy all the food.
The singing, the sharing of the food, drinking the four glasses of wine, and the joy of this holiday sets the tone for the next generation to take over the banner, which has been carried on for a thousand years or more.
Passover truly is the beginning of the story of the Jewish people. It still lives today.
2013
Maury Feren World War II Yom Kippur story
On Yom Kippur, when a Jew knows he cannot eat for 24 hours, soldiers were given dispensation or pardon because it was so important to keep their strength up. But Maury thought he felt good enough that he could fast anyway. He was in a foxhole on "reserve. Ready to go out of something happened."
He had about 6 hours to go in his fast, and he began to feel faint. There was a barn with food and coffee set up for the soldiers close by and he decided he should stop the fast so as not to get sick.
He had spent the night in the foxhole, but now got up, took of his helmet and put it on the foxhole while he went off for something to eat or drink. Half way to the barn a shell came and took out all of his personal belongings and helmet that he left by the foxhole.
Maury was fine. "It is an amazing Day of Atonement story."
During the high holy day services, it is tradition to have someone blow a shofar. During the Yom Kippur closing service, the rabbi invite anyone to come up and blow their shofar. There might be 10 people all doing it at once. Quite a feat after a day of fasting.
Shofars have played an important role throughout Jewish history. They announced jubilee and sabbatical years, and heralded the beginning of a new Jewish month. Once blown to gather the people for battle, the shofar can be thought to signal the beginning of an inner battle, where good challenges the dark motives within us all.
Rousing and unusual, the sound of the shofar bounces off the ears and lodges somewhere in the heart. Described as the air raid siren for the soul, the alarm clock for the blasé, the shofar is supposed to rouse those who hear it to a higher purpose.
Text and Video from The Temple-Tifereth Israel by Jim Evans
Church Women United in Greater Cleveland is a group of women who gather together to promote the positive similarities of our faiths and accentuate the underlying oneness of the various religious groups and affiliations. This year's theme was "The Myths And Mysteries In Our Religions" and featured speakers from the following faiths: Catholic, Jewish, Lutheran, Muslim and Sikh.
Mina Saidel and Lee Apple are Mikvah Attendants of Park Synagogue in Cleveland Heights.
Lee Apple and Mina Saidel
In this video clip, Mina Saidel explained the Biblical origins of the Jewish water immersion ceremony called a mikvah.
Lee Apple then spoke about some of the modern challenges of the mikvah such as how to handle acrylic nails and piercings and a special bridal ceremony.
American Jewish Committee Cleveland President at Interfaith Seder
President of the Cleveland Chapter of the American Jewish Committee AJC welcomes the crowd to the annual Interfaith Seder and explains the goals of the AJC.
Slovenian Consul Jure Zmauc, Ambassador Heather Hodges, Rich Crepage and Rabbi Stephen Weiss
In this video, Rabbi Stephen Weiss explains the two reasons why there are 4 cups of wine at a Jewish Seder - and also the reason for the extra 5th cup at the end.
Philanthropia raised over $145,000 for local charities including Project Seva, the community service end of the Federation of India Community Associations of NE Ohio, or FICA. Kudos to Harlan Diamond and Executive Caterers team, The Singing Angels, Leon Bibb and all involved.
Read more about the Jewish and other Ambassadors. If you are interested in being considered to be an official ClevelandPeople.com Ambassador to the Cleveland Jewish community, please contact us.
