Temple Israel (Columbus, Ohio)
Encyclopedia
Temple Israel is the oldest synagogue
in Columbus, Ohio
, and a founding member of the Union for Reform Judaism
. Formed as early as 1846 as the Orthodox
Bene Jeshurun congregation, its first religious leader was Simon Lazarus
, a clothing merchant who founded what would become Lazarus department stores
.
Differences between traditionalists and reformers led to a split in 1868, and re-merger in 1870, as the Reform
"B'nai Israel" (later Temple Israel). To accommodate growth, the congregation constructed buildings in 1870 and 1903–1904.
Jerome Folkman started his tenure as the synagogue's longest-serving rabbi in 1947, and the congregation moved to its current location in 1959, a building designed by architect Percival Goodman
. The building was significantly renovated in the late 1990s. , Misha E. Zinkow is the senior rabbi, Emily Rosenzweig is the rabbi, and Star Trompeter is the cantor.
as Bene Jeshurun, the first and oldest Jewish congregation in Columbus. Originally Orthodox
, its first religious leader was Simon Lazarus
, a clothing merchant who founded what would become Lazarus department stores
. Lazarus, who had received rabbinical training in Berlin
, served as a rabbi, without pay, and services were initially held in an upstairs room in his store.
By 1868, many members wished to reform the services, and a majority (19 families, including all the remaining original founders) left Bene Jeshurun to form "B'nai Israel". By 1870 Bene Jeshurun had dissolved; its members joined B'nai Israel, which also inherited Bene Jeshurun's assets. That year the congregation hired its first full-time rabbi, Judah Wechsler, and erected its first building, at the corner of Friend and Third Streets. The lot had cost $5,000 (today $), with funds coming primarily from 21 of the 35 member families. The laying of the cornerstone
was accompanied by "Masonic ceremonies
", and the keynote
speaker was rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise
.
In the new building the congregation significantly reformed its religious practices. It adopted the Minhag America
prayer-book, with prayers in English instead of Hebrew, added choir
music (including non-Jewish choir members) to the service, adopted mixed seating (men and women together), insisted that sermons be given in English and German, The congregation also did away with the second day of the three Pilgrimage Festivals and the New Year
, and allowed men to pray without wearing head coverings
. Nevertheless, for a time, they kept some traditional practices and views; they "continued to employ a ritual slaughterer
", and, in 1872, the synagogue board demanded that officials "put a stop to" Christian songs
in public schools. The following year the congregation was one of the founding members of the Union for Reform Judaism
.
Wechsler left in 1873, and was succeeded as rabbi that year by Samuel Weil. Weil served for three years. He was followed by Emanuel Hess, who had been born in Meerholz, Germany in 1845. At the time, the congregation was experiencing financial difficulties. Hess was forced to leave after only one year, when he failed to ask for permission to officiate at the marriage of a non-member. Hess moved to Congregation B'nai Zion in Shreveport, Louisiana, were he served until 1888, and then to Mount Zion Temple in St. Paul, Minnesota until his death in 1906.
The congregation had grown to over 100 member families by 1903, and larger premises were required. In 1902 they had purchased a lot on Bryden Road at 18th Street—in Columbus's Olde Towne East
neighborhood—for $6,300 (today $). Construction was started in 1903, and completed in 1904, at a cost of $40,587 (today $). By this time the synagogue was also known as "Temple Israel". By 1907, the rabbi was Joseph A. Kornfeld. Membership had dropped to 80, and the school had 75 students.
In 1918, under Kornfeld's leadership, the congregational school held classes one day a week, and had six teachers and ten students. Kornfeld served as rabbi until 1921, when he was appointed United States Minister to Persia. He filled that role until 1924, when he became rabbi of the Collingwood Avenue Temple in Toledo, Ohio
, where he served until 1934.
Jerome D. Folkman became Temple Israel's rabbi in 1947. Born in 1907, he was ordained at Hebrew Union College
(HUC) in 1928. He first served at Temple Beth Israel
in Jackson, Michigan
and Temple Emanuel in Grand Rapids, Michigan
before coming to Temple Israel. Folkman was family therapist, and he focused on working with congregational families. Though he made no changes to ritual, he did re-introduce some traditional elements to the service: he wore a tallit
in the pulpit, and put silver ornaments on the Torah
scrolls. Both of these actions were criticized. Noted for his pastoral and humanitarian work, he was a recipient of a number of awards, including, in 1968, a Governor's Award. Folkman would become Temple Israel's longest-serving rabbi, retiring in 1973.
By 1942 membership was over 400 families, and by 1950 that had increased to over 750 families. Jack and Eleanor Resler donated the land for a larger facility. Reflecting Folkman's view that "Jews move eastward in American cities", the new site was at 5419 East Broad Street, on the far east side of the city. Prolific synagogue architect Percival Goodman
was engaged, and produced the drawings for a new building in 1956. In July, 1958 construction was begun on the structure, which was dedicated in December, 1959.
Harvey Goldman succeeded Kiner as rabbi in 1978. During his tenure, the congregation hired its first cantor
in 1980. Goldman served until 1985.
Bradley Bleefeld became senior rabbi in 1987. Bleefeld, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati
, had been ordained at HUC in 1975, and had served as Temple Israel's assistant rabbi from 1975 to 1977. He subsequently filled rabbinic roles at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
, the Chautauqua Institution
, and Temple Anshe Hesed
in Erie, Pennsylvania
before returning to Temple Israel. Bleefeld focused on education, convincing pupils at the religious school to continue their education until their Confirmation ceremony. He also supported the homeless, convincing congregants to use synagogue facilities to house them, and participate in food distribution programs. He also encouraged the members to become actively involved in Jewish organizations, at the local, regional, and national levels. He left Temple Israel in 1995, moving to Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
.
Bleefeld was succeeded in 1995 by Arthur Nemitoff; that year, Temple Israel had over 850 member families. Nemitoff had been ordained at HUC in 1981, and had served in pulpits in Houston, Philadelphia, and Boston before coming to Temple Israel. When he arrived, membership had been falling for decades, and "bitter factionalism over the previous rabbi was still evident". The new rabbi "insisted the temple go through a formal healing process with the help of clerical professionals", and by September 2000, the congregation completed a major renovation of its over 59000 sqfoot building. The bimah
, sanctuary lamp
, stained glass
windows and sconce
s from the Bryden Road synagogue were incorporated into the redesigned sanctuary and chapel. Nemitoff would serve through 2003, before becoming Senior Rabbi at Kansas City
's Temple B'nai Jehudah, where he had been a congregant as a teen.
Misha E. Zinkow joined as senior rabbi in July 2004. A graduate of Occidental College
, he had been ordained at HUC in 1985, and had previously served at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, California, Mount Zion Temple in St. Paul, Minnesota and as a Hillel
rabbi at Ohio State University
. Emily Rosenzweig joined Temple Israel as Rabbi after being ordained at HUC in 2006. , Temple Israel has over 650 member families. Zinkow is the senior rabbi, Rosenzweig is the rabbi, and Star Trompeter is the cantor.
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, and a founding member of the Union for Reform Judaism
Union for Reform Judaism
The Union for Reform Judaism , formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations , is an organization which supports Reform Jewish congregations in North America. The current President is Rabbi Eric H...
. Formed as early as 1846 as the Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
Bene Jeshurun congregation, its first religious leader was Simon Lazarus
Simon Lazarus
Simon Lazarus, founder of the predecessor of what was to become The F&R Lazarus & Co., an operation which blossomed into what is today known as Macy's, Inc, a major retail holding company in the U.S. In 1850, Lazarus, a rabbinical scholar, arrived in Columbus, and in 1851 he opened the Lazarus store...
, a clothing merchant who founded what would become Lazarus department stores
Lazarus (department store)
F&R Lazarus & Company — commonly known as Lazarus — was a regional department store retail chain operating primarily in the U.S. Midwest, and based in Columbus, Ohio...
.
Differences between traditionalists and reformers led to a split in 1868, and re-merger in 1870, as the Reform
Reform Judaism
Reform Judaism refers to various beliefs, practices and organizations associated with the Reform Jewish movement in North America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In general, it maintains that Judaism and Jewish traditions should be modernized and should be compatible with participation in the...
"B'nai Israel" (later Temple Israel). To accommodate growth, the congregation constructed buildings in 1870 and 1903–1904.
Jerome Folkman started his tenure as the synagogue's longest-serving rabbi in 1947, and the congregation moved to its current location in 1959, a building designed by architect Percival Goodman
Percival Goodman
Percival Goodman was an American urban theorist and architect who designed more than 50 synagogues between 1948 and 1983. He has been called the "leading theorist" of modern synagogue design, and "the most prolific architect in Jewish history."-Biography:Percival Goodman was born in New York City...
. The building was significantly renovated in the late 1990s. , Misha E. Zinkow is the senior rabbi, Emily Rosenzweig is the rabbi, and Star Trompeter is the cantor.
Formation, move to Reform
Temple Israel was formed as early as 1846 by eleven families of Jews of German backgroundHistory of the Jews in Germany
The presence of Jews in Germany has been established since the early 4th century. The community prospered under Charlemagne, but suffered during the Crusades...
as Bene Jeshurun, the first and oldest Jewish congregation in Columbus. Originally Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
, its first religious leader was Simon Lazarus
Simon Lazarus
Simon Lazarus, founder of the predecessor of what was to become The F&R Lazarus & Co., an operation which blossomed into what is today known as Macy's, Inc, a major retail holding company in the U.S. In 1850, Lazarus, a rabbinical scholar, arrived in Columbus, and in 1851 he opened the Lazarus store...
, a clothing merchant who founded what would become Lazarus department stores
Lazarus (department store)
F&R Lazarus & Company — commonly known as Lazarus — was a regional department store retail chain operating primarily in the U.S. Midwest, and based in Columbus, Ohio...
. Lazarus, who had received rabbinical training in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, served as a rabbi, without pay, and services were initially held in an upstairs room in his store.
By 1868, many members wished to reform the services, and a majority (19 families, including all the remaining original founders) left Bene Jeshurun to form "B'nai Israel". By 1870 Bene Jeshurun had dissolved; its members joined B'nai Israel, which also inherited Bene Jeshurun's assets. That year the congregation hired its first full-time rabbi, Judah Wechsler, and erected its first building, at the corner of Friend and Third Streets. The lot had cost $5,000 (today $), with funds coming primarily from 21 of the 35 member families. The laying of the cornerstone
Cornerstone
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...
was accompanied by "Masonic ceremonies
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
", and the keynote
Keynote
A keynote in literature, music, or public speaking establishes the principal underlying theme. In corporate or commercial settings, greater importance is attached to the delivery of a keynote speech or keynote address...
speaker was rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise
Isaac Mayer Wise
Isaac Mayer Wise , was an American Reform rabbi, editor, and author.-Early life:...
.
In the new building the congregation significantly reformed its religious practices. It adopted the Minhag America
Minhag America
Minhag America is a siddur created in 1857 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise that was intended to address conflict between sides supporting and opposing traditionalism in early Reform Judaism in the United States...
prayer-book, with prayers in English instead of Hebrew, added choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
music (including non-Jewish choir members) to the service, adopted mixed seating (men and women together), insisted that sermons be given in English and German, The congregation also did away with the second day of the three Pilgrimage Festivals and the New Year
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah , , is the Jewish New Year. It is the first of the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora'im which occur in the autumn...
, and allowed men to pray without wearing head coverings
Kippah
A kippah or kipa , also known as a yarmulke , kapele , is a hemispherical or platter-shaped head cover, usually made of cloth, often worn by Orthodox Jewish men to fulfill the customary requirement that their head be covered at all times, and sometimes worn by both men and, less frequently, women...
. Nevertheless, for a time, they kept some traditional practices and views; they "continued to employ a ritual slaughterer
Shechita
Shechita is the ritual slaughter of mammals and birds according to Jewish dietary laws...
", and, in 1872, the synagogue board demanded that officials "put a stop to" Christian songs
Christian music
Christian music is music that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. Common themes of Christian music include praise, worship, penitence, and lament, and its forms vary widely across the world....
in public schools. The following year the congregation was one of the founding members of the Union for Reform Judaism
Union for Reform Judaism
The Union for Reform Judaism , formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations , is an organization which supports Reform Jewish congregations in North America. The current President is Rabbi Eric H...
.
Wechsler left in 1873, and was succeeded as rabbi that year by Samuel Weil. Weil served for three years. He was followed by Emanuel Hess, who had been born in Meerholz, Germany in 1845. At the time, the congregation was experiencing financial difficulties. Hess was forced to leave after only one year, when he failed to ask for permission to officiate at the marriage of a non-member. Hess moved to Congregation B'nai Zion in Shreveport, Louisiana, were he served until 1888, and then to Mount Zion Temple in St. Paul, Minnesota until his death in 1906.
Early 20th century, Folkman era
By the turn of the 20th century, under the leadership of Rabbi E.B.M. Brown, B'nai Israel held services twice a week, Friday nights at 8:00pm and Saturday mornings at 10:00am. The congregation had 41 member families, and annual revenues of $2,650 (today $). The religious school held classes once a week, and had four teachers and 66 students.The congregation had grown to over 100 member families by 1903, and larger premises were required. In 1902 they had purchased a lot on Bryden Road at 18th Street—in Columbus's Olde Towne East
Olde Towne East
Olde Towne East is a neighborhood located in the historical Near East Side of Columbus, Ohio. It is one of Columbus' oldest neighborhoods. Nestled between Downtown, Bexley, Old Oaks Historic District and Driving Park...
neighborhood—for $6,300 (today $). Construction was started in 1903, and completed in 1904, at a cost of $40,587 (today $). By this time the synagogue was also known as "Temple Israel". By 1907, the rabbi was Joseph A. Kornfeld. Membership had dropped to 80, and the school had 75 students.
In 1918, under Kornfeld's leadership, the congregational school held classes one day a week, and had six teachers and ten students. Kornfeld served as rabbi until 1921, when he was appointed United States Minister to Persia. He filled that role until 1924, when he became rabbi of the Collingwood Avenue Temple in Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
, where he served until 1934.
Jerome D. Folkman became Temple Israel's rabbi in 1947. Born in 1907, he was ordained at Hebrew Union College
Hebrew Union College
The Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is the oldest extant Jewish seminary in the Americas and the main seminary for training rabbis, cantors, educators and communal workers in Reform Judaism.HUC-JIR has campuses in Cincinnati, New York, Los Angeles and Jerusalem.The Jerusalem...
(HUC) in 1928. He first served at Temple Beth Israel
Temple Beth Israel (Jackson, Michigan)
Temple Beth Israel is a Reform synagogue located at 801 West Michigan Avenue in Jackson, Michigan. Formed in 1862 by Jews of German background, it grew out of the Hebrew Benevolent Society, which had been organized in 1858, and was the second Reform congregation in Michigan.Dr. Jonathan V. Plaut,...
in Jackson, Michigan
Jackson, Michigan
Jackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534...
and Temple Emanuel in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
before coming to Temple Israel. Folkman was family therapist, and he focused on working with congregational families. Though he made no changes to ritual, he did re-introduce some traditional elements to the service: he wore a tallit
Tallit
A tallit pl. tallitot is a Jewish prayer shawl. The tallit is worn over the outer clothes during the morning prayers on weekdays, Shabbat and holidays...
in the pulpit, and put silver ornaments on the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
scrolls. Both of these actions were criticized. Noted for his pastoral and humanitarian work, he was a recipient of a number of awards, including, in 1968, a Governor's Award. Folkman would become Temple Israel's longest-serving rabbi, retiring in 1973.
By 1942 membership was over 400 families, and by 1950 that had increased to over 750 families. Jack and Eleanor Resler donated the land for a larger facility. Reflecting Folkman's view that "Jews move eastward in American cities", the new site was at 5419 East Broad Street, on the far east side of the city. Prolific synagogue architect Percival Goodman
Percival Goodman
Percival Goodman was an American urban theorist and architect who designed more than 50 synagogues between 1948 and 1983. He has been called the "leading theorist" of modern synagogue design, and "the most prolific architect in Jewish history."-Biography:Percival Goodman was born in New York City...
was engaged, and produced the drawings for a new building in 1956. In July, 1958 construction was begun on the structure, which was dedicated in December, 1959.
1970s to present
Folkman was succeeded in 1973 by Edward D. Kiner. Kiner focussed on involving parents in their children's religious education, and on family education in general. During his tenure, a number of families who took issue with Kiner's leadership left Temple Israel, and formed Beth Shalom Congregation. Kiner served until 1977.Harvey Goldman succeeded Kiner as rabbi in 1978. During his tenure, the congregation hired its first cantor
Hazzan
A hazzan or chazzan is a Jewish cantor, a musician trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer.There are many rules relating to how a cantor should lead services, but the idea of a cantor as a paid professional does not exist in classical rabbinic sources...
in 1980. Goldman served until 1985.
Bradley Bleefeld became senior rabbi in 1987. Bleefeld, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
, had been ordained at HUC in 1975, and had served as Temple Israel's assistant rabbi from 1975 to 1977. He subsequently filled rabbinic roles at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation is a synagogue and Jewish community in Baltimore. It is affiliated with the Reform Judaism movement.Originally named Nidche Yisroel, the synagogue was founded in 1830, and for the first fifteen years of its existence, services were held in a small room above a local...
, the Chautauqua Institution
Chautauqua Institution
The Chautauqua Institution is a non-profit adult education center and summer resort located on 750 acres in Chautauqua, New York, 17 miles northwest of Jamestown in the western part of New York State...
, and Temple Anshe Hesed
Temple Anshe Hesed
Temple Anshe Hesed is a Reform synagogue located at the corner of West Tenth Street and Liberty Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. The congregation is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism...
in Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
before returning to Temple Israel. Bleefeld focused on education, convincing pupils at the religious school to continue their education until their Confirmation ceremony. He also supported the homeless, convincing congregants to use synagogue facilities to house them, and participate in food distribution programs. He also encouraged the members to become actively involved in Jewish organizations, at the local, regional, and national levels. He left Temple Israel in 1995, moving to Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
Elkins Park is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is split between Cheltenham and Abington Townships in the suburbs of Philadelphia, roughly from Center City, Philadelphia.-Points of interest:...
.
Bleefeld was succeeded in 1995 by Arthur Nemitoff; that year, Temple Israel had over 850 member families. Nemitoff had been ordained at HUC in 1981, and had served in pulpits in Houston, Philadelphia, and Boston before coming to Temple Israel. When he arrived, membership had been falling for decades, and "bitter factionalism over the previous rabbi was still evident". The new rabbi "insisted the temple go through a formal healing process with the help of clerical professionals", and by September 2000, the congregation completed a major renovation of its over 59000 sqfoot building. The bimah
Bimah
A bimah A bimah A bimah (among Ashkenazim, derived from Hebrew בּמה , almemar (from Arabic al-minbar) or tebah (among Sephardim) is the elevated area or platform in a Jewish synagogue which is intended to serve the place where the person reading aloud from the Torah stands during the Torah reading...
, sanctuary lamp
Sanctuary lamp
A sanctuary lamp, altar lamp, everlasting light or eternal flame is a light that shines before the altar of sanctuaries in many denominations of Jewish and Christian places of worship. Prescribed in ] 27:20-21] of the Hebrew Bible, this icon has taken on different meanings in each of the religions...
, stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
windows and sconce
Sconce
Sconce may refer to any of the following:* Sconce , a military fortification* Sconce * Sconcing, imposing a penalty in the form of drink* SCoNCe, , University of California, Irvine...
s from the Bryden Road synagogue were incorporated into the redesigned sanctuary and chapel. Nemitoff would serve through 2003, before becoming Senior Rabbi at Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
's Temple B'nai Jehudah, where he had been a congregant as a teen.
Misha E. Zinkow joined as senior rabbi in July 2004. A graduate of Occidental College
Occidental College
Occidental College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1887, Occidental College, or "Oxy" as it is called by students and alumni, is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast...
, he had been ordained at HUC in 1985, and had previously served at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco, California, Mount Zion Temple in St. Paul, Minnesota and as a Hillel
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, working with thousands of college students globally...
rabbi at Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
. Emily Rosenzweig joined Temple Israel as Rabbi after being ordained at HUC in 2006. , Temple Israel has over 650 member families. Zinkow is the senior rabbi, Rosenzweig is the rabbi, and Star Trompeter is the cantor.