In the spring of 1977, five families in
the Western Reserve area felt there was a need for a Temple in
the immediate area. They were motivated by the fact that their
children were beginning school and wanted them to have a Jewish
education. The families met with Rabbi David Hachen, Regional
Director of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, and Temple
Beth Shalom - a.k.a. The Western Reserve Synagogue - was founded.
After an extensive search, Temple Beth Shalom
rented space in the Twinsburg Library. The Temple began to grow
with the help of Cleveland Synagogues, Bureau of Jewish Education,
UAHC, and many Temple volunteers. Rabbi Hachen’s daughter,
Debbie, a student at the Hebrew Union College, served as the congregation’s
first student Rabbi. Debbie was with the Temple for two years
and was followed by a succession of student rabbis.
In 1986, congregants
Larry and Susan Terkel, who own the Temple on the Green in Hudson,
asked if the Temple would be interested in having services their
building. As a result, for the last 13 years Hudson has been home
to Temple Beth Shalom. In 1987, Rabbi Stuart Gertman became the
Temple’s first ordained Rabbi and served the congregation
for five years. The current Rabbi, Susan Stone, has been at Temple Beth Shalom since 1994.
In the fall of 2005, Temple Beth Shalom moved into a new home at 50 Division Street in Hudson, the former site of the Western Reserve Christian Church. We are very excited by the opportunities provided by this new facility, and hope to greet new members there!
