Temple Israel Ner Tamid

Our History and Legacy

Temple Israel Ner Tamid is the result of a successful merger of two very active Jewish communities.

Rabbi Frederick Eisenberg founded Temple Israel of Greater Cleveland in 1985 along with 50 member families in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. At first, the families of the new reform congregation—many of whom followed Rabbi Fred from Fairmount Temple —met in a school building on Lander Road for services. By January 1986, membership had grown to nearly 200.

Rabbi Fred presided over Temple Israel for eleven years, overseeing its move to its present location at 1732 Lander Road. He officially retired to the title of Rabbi Emeritus in June 1996, when his son, Rabbi Matthew Eisenberg, came from Houston, Texas to assume the leadership of the congregation.

Temple Ner Tamid was founded in 1937 in Euclid, Ohio, serving Cleveland’s reform Jewish community. In 1997, the 50 year-old congregation had a quality religious school and active volunteer programs, including a very strong social service action group, yet lacked rabbinic leadership. The Ner Tamid Board of Directors took the initiative and approached members of Temple Israel about a possible merger.

Combining forces made a lot of sense: Temple Israel had a rabbi, but no religious school, and Temple Ner Tamid the reverse. It turned out to be an excellent match; the merger swelled our numbers and brought new and renewed energy to two fine congregations.

Today, Temple Israel Ner Tamid is a vibrant, busy, exciting place for people of all ages to come worship, study and celebrate together. In a world of anxiety, stress, and political and social insecurity, TINT is an oasis of friendliness and support for our members.

Our Mission Statement:

Temple Israel Ner Tamid is predicated on the belief that the creation and establishment of a congregation dedicated to the needs of Jewish people provides the environment necessary for the accomplishment of our purposes: the study, understanding and practice of Liberal Judaism warm to tradition amid an atmosphere of friendship and fellowship so that each individual member can develop the desire and have the ability to lead a meaningful Jewish life.  We are dedicated to promoting and maintaining family involvement in a Jewish life through total commitment to
family participation.