ABOUT US
OUR clergy
Rabbi Matt Cohen joined the Temple Emanu El community in July 2022. Born and raised in Beachwood, Ohio, he attended The Ohio State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He was ordained from The Hebrew Union College, in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2012. Rabbi Matt served Congregation Ahavath Chesed – The Temple, in Jacksonville, Florida from 2012-2018 and Congregation B’nai Israel in Galveston, Texas from 2018-2022.
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An experienced guitarist and singer, Rabbi Matt has led congregational, summer camp, religious school and youth group worship experiences for nearly 30 years. In addition to his solo rabbinic work on the bema, he has created and co-led worship services with teen and adult congregational bands. He looks forward to recruiting the musical members of TEE!
OUR BOARD
Board President Mitchell Cronig has been a member of Temple Emanu El since 1988 when he married his wife, Lisa (nee Waxman). Mitch has held many roles at TEE including President of Brotherhood, co-chair of a previous capital campaign, co-chair of the most recent Rabbinic Search Committee, several officer positions, and a member of many committees. As President, his main emphasis has been assisting the Hineini Capital Campaign with the goal of retiring our mortgage and creating Board Designated Reserve Fund.
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Professionally, Mitch has been an electrical engineer for 40 years, designing aircraft test equipment. His work has taken his him all over the world, including many trips to Israel. Mitch received his Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a Master’s degree from Cleveland State University, both in electrical engineering.
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OUR STAFF
Renee Delafranconi has been working as Temple Emanu El’s Executive Director since 1997. As a member of the senior professional staff, she functions as the Chief Operating Officer. Renee provides administrative, financial and logistical support to the sacred, social, communal, educational and cultural goals and programs of the Congregation. She is responsible for management of the Congregation’s business affairs, oversees the physical plant, maintains relationships with vendors, and works closely with the Temple leadership and other senior and support staff members.
OUR
VISION
Temple Emanu El is an inclusive, caring community that encourages individuals to discover what it means to be Jewish today and inspires our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. We empower our congregants to explore their passion for Judaism, lifelong learning, and social action within and beyond our walls.
OUR
MISSION
Temple Emanu El strives to make the practice of Judaism in integral part of its congregants’ lives.
OUR
HISTORY
Early Days
In the summer of 1947, a new congregation was formed to fulfill a long felt need to have a Reform presence in the Heights area. With the sponsorship of the Union of American Hebrew Congregation (now renamed the Union for Reform Judaism), and direct assistance from The Temple-Tifereth Israel and Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, Temple Emanu El was created.
Dr. Alan S. Green, who was associated with a congregation in Texas, was named rabbi and was to grace our pulpit for thirty years. Irvin Bushman became the first cantor, serving in that capacity from 1947 to 1983. When Religious School Principal Sophie Herman was hired, she became the third pillar of the triad of incredible leadership...
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