Rodef Sholom Temple: The Jewish Faith, Religion and Customs

The Jewish religion is a family and community- based one, so the home and the Jewish community center, the synagogue, are both very important. It is basically in these two places where the Jewish tradition, the Hebrew language, over 3,500 years of history, and all teachings are taught.

The Ohio-based Rodef Sholom Temple (means "Pursuer Of Peace"), has 127 years of maintaining and perserving tradition and heritage for the Mahoning Valley's Jewish population. It's the oldest and largest Jewish congregation. The temple sanctuary was built in 1915, and is one of the largest structures in the state.
There's a commitment to the entire neighborhood and the larger community as well; according to Rabbi Johnathan Brown, there are are regular meetings with pastors and other church leaders for different causes and celebrations.

Rabbi Brown's particular background is Reform Jewish. (Rabbi means "teacher." It's a form of title addressed to those who've been through a seminary who've been ordained either in reform or conservative instruction.

"I'm not just a teacher; I'm the temple's administrator. I run the facility, supervise many temple programs, religious and secular, set up committees,, weddings, funerals, and have done some counseling. I'm also involved with various boards and organizations both within and outside the Jewish community. I'm responsible for everything that happens here, EXCEPT for the musical area, of which the cantor's 'in charge', said Rabbi Brown. "And that's Cantor Merill Fisher."

A cantor's someone who is trained in the liturgy. He prepares special musical programs, the focus being the teaching of the music of the synagogue. There are normally no choirs in a Jewish service; the cantor's it. He and the organist provide the music. If there's a major service or special program, then professional singers or musicians may be brought in. Cantors and rabbis go to the same school. Cantors study many of the same things, too: They have to know Hebrew, be familar with the Bible, and know the different melodies for the Jewish holidays.