Ohav Shalom to Celebrate 125 Years

Throughout 2008, Congregation Ohav Shalom is celebrating its 125th anniversary. The year, known as Celebrating 125 Years in Cincinnati, & a Colossal 10 at Cornell, is filled with activities to highlight this milestone and to bring recognition to the synagogue's rich history and place in Cincinnati life.

The synagogue was first established downtown in 1882 by twenty Russian immigrants, hence its nickname the"Russische Shul". From that humble beginning, Ohav Shalom has grown along with Cincinnati's Jewish community and mirrored its move from downtown to Avondale to Roselawn.  As Jewish migration moved northward in Cincinnati, the congregation relocated to Cornell Road in Sycamore Township, and with that move in 1998, became the first synagogue in the northern suburbs.

Celebrating 125 Years has been recognized at several events throughout the year: the Sisterhood Donor Luncheon, the Men's Club Golf Outing, and Mitzvah Day. The celebratory year will culminate with a gala for the Jewish community as well as the larger Cincinnati community to be held on Sunday, October 5. The event will be hosted by Michael Flannery, previously of Channel 9. The main focus of this elegant evening will be on six honorees-men and women who have made major contributions to Ohav Shalom by providing direction and leadership at many critical times throughout the synagogue's history.

Four of the honorees-Debbie Fox, Ben Kraus, Shirley Nedelman and Marty Ruben - have served Ohav Shalom for many decades. Two of the honorees have been particularly active since the move to Cornell Road. They are Glenn Bochner and Lois Germain.

Steve Segerman, Chairperson of the event says, "We are reaching out to the Cincinnati community to take part in this terrific event, honoring six of our most active members as they reaffirm Ohav Shalom's role in the Cincinnati community."

The synagogue has had ongoing relationships with various inter-faith groups in the city, opened its doors to a local church when it sustained serious damage from the tornado in 1998, has hosted the prestigious Linton Music Series, and is currently involved in providing and serving meals at a soup kitchen in Over-the-Rhine.