With the signing of the sale agreement, the Canton Jewish community moves toward the next phase of Jewish communal history which began in the 1860s when the first Jewish people migrated to Stark County. The first synagogue was referenced in a Repository article in 1869. With the passing years, the major institutions of Canton Jewry, Temple Israel (founded in 1885), Shaaray Torah Synagogue (founded in 1890), and Agudas Achim Congregation (founded 1900) continue to exist today. Congregations previously existed in Alliance and Massillon but have since closed their doors. In addition to the Jewish community which is housed in buildings, the Jewish Community Federation, which began as a social service organization and now serves as the umbrella organization for fund raising, community planning, and services, was established in the 1930s.

 

At its height in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Stark County Jewish community numbered approximately 3500 individuals. With the passage of time, due to local family businesses being purchased by larger corporations as well as educational and employment opportunities in larger cities, the Stark County Jewish population has been reduced to about 1000 individuals. Concerns about the demographics were first voiced from the pulpit of Temple Israel in 2002. Representatives of the Jewish communal institutions came together for planning purposes which ultimately led to the formation of the Kadima (Forward!) Steering Committee in 2006. 

 

In response to the dwindling numbers and the increasing costs this committee proposed a “One Building Concept” bringing together two synagogues, a re-tasked Jewish Community Center, and the planning and coordinating body of the Jewish Federation in one state-of-the-art building designed for the needs of the Jewish community in the 21^st century. Agudas Achim, Stark County’s Orthodox congregation, has been a part of the conversations, but will continue its operation at 25^th Street and Market Ave. North.

 

Bialosky and Partners Architects, a Cleveland firm which specializes in the design of institutional worship spaces, has been commissioned to translate the concept into a reality.  Following inspection of the buildings, the architects recommended the use of Shaaray Torah’s building at 30^th Street and Harvard Ave. as the most appropriate building for renovation. Plans include two worship spaces sufficient for the normal needs of Temple Israel and Shaaray Torah, communal space including a reception area, large library, coffee bar, shared administration, classrooms for the religious education of children and adults, as well as wellness and youth programming facilities for the Jewish Community Center. The Jewish Family Services, a social service agency will be housed in the new building. The partnering institutions plan on sharing administrative expenses while retaining autonomy of programs. Jack Bialosky, Jr., son of the founding partner of the architectural firm, is “looking forward to creating this unique concept for Jewish communal cooperation. We’re excited about the project.”

 

Reacting to the sale of buildings and properties, Howard Smuckler, president of the Canton Jewish Community Center noted that while planning for new facilities would begin quickly, Jewish Center programs, such as Center Care, the CJCC pre-school, recreation and adult programming would continue operations through 2010. “We are looking forward to continuing to serve the needs of the Jewish and general communities - not only in our existing facility, but also in what is being planned for the future. We anticipate a new building will allow us to continue to fulfill our mission for many years to come.”

 

Lee Karelitz, Temple Israel president, expressed satisfaction that the sale of properties and plans for the future will “ensure a vibrant Jewish life for our members and continued contributions of the Jewish community in Stark County. Our Temple members have come a long way in accepting and supporting the one building concept. I think we are taking a wonderful step forward.”

 

Rabbi John Spitzer, retiring spiritual leader of Temple Israel, acknowledged that for some, leaving the Temple Israel building, dedicated in 1954, would be difficult. However, “The real Temple is not the bricks and mortar; it’s the people. We take our tradition and mission with us as we move to a new physical facility.” Spitzer also noted his satisfaction at the respectful relationship between Malone College and the Jewish community. “Malone students have had the opportunity to use Jewish Community Center facilities and to come and study at Temple Israel for nearly twenty years. Our discussions with Malone’s leadership and administration have been respectful and cordial. The sale of the properties is truly a ‘win-win’ situation.”

 

 

It is anticipated that planning and design will begin immediately, and that the sections of the Shaaray Torah building will be demolished, renovated, and augmented with new construction. The construction project could begin as early as spring, 2009. Greg Luntz, president of the Canton Jewish Community Federation expressed the hope that we might worship in our new facility as early as the Jewish Holidays of the fall of 2010.

 

Established in 1892 as Cleveland Bible College, Malone has enjoyed being neighbors with Temple Israel and the Canton Jewish Community Center since the College’s relocation from Cleveland to Canton in 1957.  Numerous Malone students have attended Temple, enriching their understanding of Old Testament studies.  They have also enjoyed the use of the CJCC facilities, with its racquetball and swimming privileges.  The neighbors have collaborated on several educational programs as well, offering a Holocaust Education Conference in the summer for teachers to gain insight and materials for classroom use.  Rabbi John Spitzer has also served as a popular speaker for the College’s Worldview Forum Series.

 

In the coming months, Malone College officials will meet with architects to make plans for the best utilization of the acreage located on Yale Avenue, Harvard Avenue, Route 62, and 25^th Street N.W.   Malone president, Dr. Gary Streit, affirms that the expanded campus will do much to “meet anticipated growth demands of the College.”