- (330) 744-5001
- office@ohevbethsholom.org
- 1119 Elm Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44505
It is the mission of Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom to provide a dynamic, inclusive, egalitarian, and spiritually enriching environment for all its members. We recognize and accommodate the varying Jewish ritual traditions of all our members. We strive to strengthen our members’ appreciation of our Jewish heritage, to foster Jewish learning, to encourage meaningful religious celebrations, to promote social activism, and to sustain a vibrant Jewish community in the greater Youngstown Area.
We are a Reform Jewish temple affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). We use the Mishkan T’Filah prayer book with many contemporary English readings and traditional Hebrew for Reform services on Friday evenings. Our Saturday morning traditional services use the Siddur Sim Shalom. There is truly something for everyone at Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom.
We remain the largest congregation in the Youngstown area with over 300 membership units. In nearly 157 years there have been continuous services held, their orientation changing from that of its German founders, to Classical Reform, to modern progressive Reform. We still emphasize inclusive worship, youth and adult education, social action, and social events.
We are the only congregation in the area with both a Sisterhood and a Brotherhood.
"The center of the Jewish community, a house of prayer, a house of study, and a house of assembly combined."
The Sanctuary was designed to evoke feelings of awe and wonder. Upon entering, worshippers will notice the marble ark with the Hebrew inscription Know before whom you stand, the repeated Hebrew-letter shin motif symbolizing Sholom (peace) and Shaddai (one of God’s names, meaning holy), the Tiffany stained-glass windows, the dome high overhead with its Star-of-David, and the organ-choir loft above and behind the ark.
The ark valance and Torah covers are the work of dedicated Sisterhood members; the valance contains the Hebrew words Rodef Sholom, meaning “Pursuers of Peace,” while the interior design includes the dove of peace holding the olive branch.
The building was built with particularly fine Indiana limestone and gray brick, in a Moorish design. At the time of its 1915 dedication it was described as containing a high-domed sanctuary large enough to hold nearly 700 people, a two-story and fully-equipped Sabbath school of 12 rooms in the rear, and in the basement a social hall with a gymnasium, shower, baths, locker room, reading rooms, kitchen, and a stage.
The Strouss Memorial Social Hall was dedicated in 1948. The religious school wing and Tamarkin Chapel were added in 1955. In 2010, a generous donation from Milton and Cecilia Handler created Handler Hall, used for Oneg Shabbats and meal functions. The elevator wing (1993) made Rodef Sholom fully accessible. The sanctuary was renovated in 2001 with more spacious rows, refurbished seats, a repaired roof, and more.
First: a shofar. Second: the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. Third: the Ark of the Covenant. Fourth: the Holy of Holies shewbread table. Fifth: the menorah with the inscription “God is my light.” Sixth: the altar in the Jerusalem Temple.
First: the Ner Tamid (perpetual light), with wooden beads representing the six days of creation and the Sabbath. Second: the breastplate of the high priest with the names of the 12 tribes. Third: the vessel for priestly cleansing. Fourth: the Kiddush cup. Fifth: the Torah. Sixth: an open Bible.
The current capital campaign provides security, accessibility, safety, modern amenities, and financial sustainability so Ohev Beth Sholom continues to attract congregants and be a place of prayer for all people.
May 12, 1867
Congregation Rodef Sholom was founded by 15 men who met, drafted a constitution and by-laws, and divided themselves into three groups based on ability to pay dues.
August 1867
Burial grounds acquired — one of the congregation's first acts. The Ladies' Mite Society (later Sisterhood) is also founded this year.
1868
Rabbi Lippman Liebmann was hired as "Preacher, Teacher, Reader, and Leader." Conducts services in German, teaches Sunday School and Hebrew, and serves as Shochet.
February 19, 1869
The first Torah is dedicated. Growth in membership drives the need for a larger, permanent home for the congregation.
1886
Rodef Sholom's first dedicated building was dedicated at the corner of Lincoln and Fifth Avenue. Rabbi Liebmann remains as "Minister of the Congregation."
1913
Rabbi I.E. Philo of Akron was installed, beginning a long and valuable ministry. Boy Scout Troop 19 was founded under synagogue sponsorship.
April 9, 1914
Groundbreaking for the present-day Elm Street facility at the corner of Elm and Woodbine Streets.
June 11–13, 1915
New building dedicated by Rabbi Philo as "the center of the Jewish community." Built in Indiana limestone and gray brick in Moorish design with twelve Tiffany stained-glass windows.
1916
188 family units with 178 children enrolled in the congregation.
1924
Brotherhood established. The synagogue was truly the center of spiritual, social, and educational Jewish activities in the community.
1930
272 family units. The temple prospers with ecumenical worship services, educational activities, guest lecturers, and great musical events.
1942
Rabbi Philo retires and the mortgage is burned. Dr. Abraham Fineberg was elected as the new Rabbi but tragically passed away after only three years of service.
1946
Rabbi Sidney Berkowitz called to assume spiritual leadership. He remains Rodef Sholom's rabbi until his death in 1983, beloved by all for his kind nature.
1948
Membership reaches 423 family units. Strouss Memorial Social Hall dedicated. New arrivals from post-war Europe welcomed without financial obligation.
1951
Cantor Lawrence Ehrlich hired. His operatic voice is renowned for its quality. He served as a religious school leader until his retirement in 1982.
1955
The religious school wing and the Tamarkin Chapel were added to the building.
1957
651 family units enrolled.
1960
Fourteen new classrooms, a youth lounge, a remodeled kitchen, and the Wilkoff Library were added, along with air conditioning.
1964
A new portico was constructed on the face of the Temple.
1967
Centennial year. Peak membership of 710 family units with 395 children in the religious school.
1987
The Holy Ark was rededicated in memory of Rabbi Berkowitz.
1990s
New arrivals from Russia are welcomed into the congregation without financial obligations. Memorial Scroll Trust Torah #706 received on permanent loan.
1993
Elevator wing built, making Rodef Sholom fully accessible to all.
1995
Rabbi Franklin Muller was installed. Served Rodef Sholom for 25 years until 2020.
2001
Sanctuary renovated with more spacious rows, refurbished seats, a repaired roof, and an interior makeover.
2010
Handler Hall was created through a generous donation from Milton and Cecilia Handler, now used for Oneg Shabbats, meal functions, and programs.
2015
Merger with Temple Beth Israel of Sharon, PA. The congregation now has 343 family units.
April 2019
Sarah Wilschek hired as Rodef Sholom's first Executive Director. Her graduate thesis focused on the history and strategic future of Jewish Youngstown.
November 1, 2021
Historic merger of Rodef Sholom and Ohev Tzedek-Shaarei Torah creates Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom. Traditional Saturday morning services added.
July 1, 2022
Rabbi Courtney Berman was installed as the inaugural Rabbi of Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom, the first settled rabbi of the merged congregation.
Present
The "Securing Our Future" capital campaign provides security, accessibility, safety, modern amenities, and financial sustainability for continued worship for all people.
