Senior Rabbi and Will & Jan Sukenik Chair in Rabbinics
Rnosanchuk@mishkanor.org
(216) 831-3233
Robert Nosanchuk (he/him/his) was appointed the Inaugural Senior Rabbi of Congregation Mishkan Or in 2024. He served as Senior Rabbi Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple from 2009 until the merger with The Temple-Tifereth Israel 2024. He was also named the inaugural Will & Janet Sukenik Chair in Rabbinics.
It is important to Rabbi Nosanchuk that members of the community join him in advocacy against virulent hatred and antisemitism and develop ties to the State of Israel by traveling to Israel with him to see the Jewish State with their own eyes. For several years, Rabbi Nosanchuk served on the American board of NATAL: Israel’s Trauma and
Resiliency Center, an apolitical Israeli non-profit that provides assistance to help people in Israel cope with trauma and stress due to the hostilities faced in the Middle East.
Previously to Cleveland, Rabbi Nosanchuk served as Senior Rabbi at Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation in Reston, VA and Associate Rabbi at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation in Baltimore, MD. While a student, he was mentored by the foremost liturgist of Reform Judaism Rabbi Chaim Stern, z’l, at Temple Beth El, in Chappaqua, NY, and served a monthly pulpit at Temple Beth Shalom in Bozeman, MT.
Since his 2001 ordination at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, Rabbi Nosanchuk has been known
for building and sustaining deep-rooted personal connections to members of the communities he has served, especially mentoring young leaders of the community. He also earned recognition through the Washingtonian Award in 2009 and the Best of Reston Award in 2009 for path-breaking interfaith work between the Jews and Muslims.
Here in Cleveland in 2011, he co-chaired “Out of Many, One: An Interfaith Remembrance of the 10th anniversary of September 11 . In 2017-18, with Pastor Richard Gibson, he served as one of the co-chairs of Greater Cleveland Congregations. At GCC’s founding assembly, Rabbi Nosanchuk stood proudly by Rabbi Joshua Caruso, a founding co-chair of GCC, telling the Cleveland Plain Dealer that GCC was best positioned to “rise against the tide of a despairing Cleveland.” In addition to his leadership in GCC’s work on criminal justice, he has also been a vocal champion in Ohio for reproductive rights. As recently as 2021 on Rosh Hashanah, he focused on the importance of learning about and advocating for abortion rights. In various communities where he has served, Rabbi Nosanchuk has been an outspoken leader against gun violence and in 2013 delivered his Yom Kippur sermon at Fairmount Temple while wearing a pierced police body vest to demonstrate how important it is to combat gun violence.
In 2019, Rabbi Nosanchuk completed post-graduate training in Counseling and Spiritual Wellness at John Carroll University in counseling and spiritual wellness. That year, he was also honored as our Senior Rabbi with a wonderful celebration honoring his first ten years as our rabbi, including a tribute book and the seed funding of the Tamid Initiative, a new path for engagement of young adults in temple life.
Rabbi Nosanchuk holds a Master’s Degree in Jewish Communal Service (1994) and a Master’s Degree in Hebrew Literature (1999) from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and in 2019, and he was awarded an honorary doctorate in Jewish non-profit management from HUC-JIR, in appreciation and honor of his more than 25 years of service as a Jewish communal leader. Rabbi Nosanchuk’s previous education was at the College of Arts and Letters at Michigan State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts with Honors.
A devoted spouse to Joanie Berger, he is a very proud father to two children, a young professional in Washington, D.C., and a high school student in Cleveland. Since 2019, Rabbi Nosanchuk has been leading our synagogue while simultaneously in medical treatment. He devotes a great deal of time to raise awareness about and support increased funding for cancer research at the Cleveland Clinic, and is passionate about saving lives, and improving the quality of life for people living with cancer. Rabbi Nosanchuk is grateful for strength of our community, his family, and wonderful medical caregivers and researchers in his fight against metastatic melanoma and he intends to add one more credential to his bio as soon as possible: cancer survivor.
Jcaruso@mishkanor.org
(216) 831-3233
Rabbi Joshua Caruso (he/him/his) was Ordained from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (NY) in 1998, Rabbi Caruso is proud to teach, preach, pastor, and personally engage in the practice of lifelong learning. He has officiated at numerous lifecycle events for generations of our community members at temple. It’s his joy to share in these moments.
Rabbi Caruso, who served on Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple’s clergy team from 2002-2024, sees social justice as an integral part of his rabbinate, bound up with the long and storied legacy of Fairmount Temple. He was inspired to bring Congregation-Based Community Organizing to Cleveland, first introducing it to temple leadership and nurturing its growth among its members. In 2011, his efforts led to the formation of Greater Cleveland Congregations (GCC), a coalition of more than 30 diverse faith communities from across Northeast Ohio committed to bringing social and racial justice to the fore. GCC is now the most powerful faith-based citizens’ voice in Northeast Ohio.
In addition to serving on the Strategy Team of GCC, Rabbi Caruso sits on the Cuyahoga County Citizens’ Advisory Council on Equity, is a member of the Commission on Social Action for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC), and serves on the Core Team of RAC-Ohio, a state-based justice project representing Reform Jews throughout the State of Ohio.
Rabbi Caruso is blessed to share life’s journey with his wife, Leah, and their children, Harper, Asher, and Shayna – all proud members of Fairmount Temple’s sacred community.
Ydadoun@mishkanor.org
(216) 831-3233
Rabbi Yael Dadoun has had a strong connection to her Jewish roots since she began teaching at her local synagogue right after becoming a Bat Mitzvah. Having been born into a Moroccan-Tunisian-Israeli family, she is excited about inviting people of all ages to explore their Jewish identity and journey with her.
Rabbi Dadoun has always remained closely connected to the Jewish community even while earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Theater from Hunter College in New York City. She has worked in the Jewish world for over ten years as a teacher, youth director and program developer in New York and served as cantorial soloist in a myriad of synagogues including Congregation Ohev Sholom in Harrisburg, PA for over five years.
After graduating with a Masters in Religious Education from the Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York, Rabbi Dadoun served as the Director of Education/Principal of the Religious School at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach, FL for three years. She was ordained from HUC-JIR in Cincinnati and joined The Temple-Tifereth Israel in July, 2020, and is now a clergy member of Congregation Mishkan Or.
Rabbi Dadoun is married to Joe Naroditsky who is the Director of Solar, HVAC, and Sustainability Programs at the Community Purchasing Alliance. They have three children.
Rklein@mishkanor.org
(216) 831-3233
Rabbi Roger C. Klein received his B.A. from Dartmouth College and earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Chicago with a dissertation on Plato. He was ordained by The Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion where he also received a Master of Hebrew Letters degree. He studied for a year at The University of Tubingen in Germany as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and for a year at The Pardes Institute in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Klein has served congregations in Indiana and Columbus, Ohio and has taught at The University of Kentucky, Wesleyan University in Connecticut, and at The Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem. He has lectured widely at synagogues, churches and universities around the country on Bible, Jewish Thought, Jewish Philosophy and Jewish History, Christian-Jewish Relations, Jewish Humor, and Music. He also presents pre-concert talks for The Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and The Cleveland Chamber Music Society.
Dedicated to lifelong learning, Rabbi Klein plays a pivotal role in Mishkan Or’s adult learning programs and conducts a well-attended Torah Study class every Shabbat morning. In addition, he cultivates relationships with other religious and educational institutions in Cleveland and around the country. He is intensely involved in the congregation’s life-cycle events, works closely with individuals and families, and oversees several temple groups.
Rabbi Klein joined The Temple-Tifereth Israel as a full-time rabbi in July 1999 after serving part-time for six years while teaching at The Laura and Alvin Siegal College of Judaic Studies and continues his work as clergy member at Congregation Mishkan Or.
Rabbi Klein grew up in Shaker Heights and graduated from Shaker Heights High School. He played varsity baseball in high school and in college and is a life-long, avid tennis player. He has three children and two grandchildren.
Sarah J. Sager Chair in Cantorial Music Chair
Vlapin@mishkanor.org
(216) 831-3233
Cantor Vladimir Lapin is the inaugural holder of the Cantor Sarah J. Sager Chair in Music at Congregation Mishkan Or (a unified synagogue community established in 2024 made up of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple and The Temple-Tifereth Israel congregations) in Beachwood, OH. He joined the clergy team of Fairmount Temple in 2020. As cantor at Mishkan Or, Cantor Lapin leads weekly, holiday and lifecycle services, engages in adult study, oversees the b’nei mitzvah program, offers continuing education lessons to children and adults, and offers pastoral support and care to the community. Cantor Lapin works diligently to weave together the threads of tradition and modernity, guiding congregants through moments of joy, reflection, and solemnity. Beyond the sanctuary, Cantor Lapin is actively involved in community outreach, contributing to various educational, musical, and cultural initiatives throughout Cleveland and beyond.
Cantor Lapin received his cantorial ordination from Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion’s Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music, from which he also holds a master’s degree in Sacred Music. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Relations from Temple University in Philadelphia and a graduate diploma in Vocal Performance from The Mannes College of Music in New York City. Prior to entering the cantorate, he worked as a public relations professional with wide-ranging clients including Yamaha, Siemens, and Manhattanville College.
Cantor Lapin has collaborated with wide ranging artists, and as an active recitalist and soloist, he has performed in sacred and secular music concerts throughout North America, Israel and Europe. Most recently, he was the featured soloist in Ernest Bloch’s Sacred Service with the Kent State University Orchestra and Choir. Cantor Lapin is an active member of the American Conference of Cantors (ACC); he joined its Executive Board in 2019. He also serves as a member of the Hebrew Union College -Jewish Institute of Religion’s Alumni Council.
Cantor Lapin was born in Belarus, and grew up in Philadelphia. He is married to Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum and together they are proud parents of two children.
To hear Cantor Lapin’s voice, please visit: https://www.vladimirlapin.com/audio.
Emuhlbaum@mishkanor.org
216-831-3233
Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum is delighted to be part of the inaugural clergy team of Congregation Mishkan Or! Rabbi Muhlbaum grew up in Cincinnati, graduated from The Ohio State University, and studied on the Jerusalem, Cincinnati, and New York campuses of Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. Ordained in 2016, Rabbi Muhlbaum served first at Temple Beth-El of Great Neck and then returned to the great state of Ohio to join the team at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple. Prior to ordination, she was a rabbinic intern at Temple Sinai of Bergen County in Tenafly, NJ, as well as student rabbi of United Hebrew Congregation in Terre Haute, IN and Mount Sinai Congregation in Texarkana, TX, and a rabbinic intern at Cedar Village Retirement Community in Mason, OH.
Rabbi Muhlbaum loves intersectional Torah study, creative and innovative ritual, pursuing social justice, and engaging in the miracles of Jewish community. She and her husband, Cantor Vladimir Lapin, are the proud parents of two adorable children and their dog, Gus.
Ksebo@mishkanor.org
(216) 831-3233
Cantor Kathryn Wolfe Sebo is part of the inaugural clergy team of Congregation Mishkan Or.
Cantor Semob was named the inaugural cantor of The Temple–Tifereth Israel in July 1999. She has served as a cantor since 1985 and studied with renowned hazzan, Dr. Max Wohlberg (of blessed memory) of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York.
She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music. In addition to her ongoing pulpit responsibilities, Cantor Sebo oversees the Arts and teaches at The Learning Center at The Temple. She officiates in life cycle events and coordinates with the rabbis to develop and implement The Temple’s musical programming and liturgical needs for worship services.
Her serene voice and caring manner spiritually transcends through prayer. Cantor Kathy is married to Rommie Sebo and they are the proud parents of Zachary, Joshua, Rebecca, and David.
Senior Rabbi Emeritus Block retired in July 2018. He had served as Senior Rabbi of The Temple–Tifereth Israel in Cleveland, OH since 2001. Designated by Newsweek “one of the top 25 pulpit rabbis in America,” Rabbi Block is a passionate, widely recognized advocate for Israel and the US-Israel strategic alliance. His recent writings have appeared in Time, The Jewish Daily Forward, Tablet Magazine, Huffington Post, The Times of Israel, The Tower Magazine, JTA, The Jewish Week, Haaretz and elsewhere, and are widely shared on social media. His publications include Sacred Pilgrimage: A Jewish Reflection on Life, Death, and Eternity and How I Wish I Could Fish! a book for children and parents. In 2007, HUC-JIR conferred upon him an honorary doctorate.
He is a Past President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the rabbinic leadership organization of Reform Judaism. As its president, Rabbi Block represented it on The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and chaired the Reform Leadership Council, comprised of the top lay and professional leaders of the CCAR, HUC-JIR and URJ. He is a past president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, the international umbrella organization of Reform, Liberal, Progressive, and Reconstructionist Judaism.
Rabbi Block served as President of the Greater Cleveland Board of Rabbis, and on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Cleveland Jewish Federation. On the Federation’s behalf, he chaired PACT, an international partnership of Jewish Federations and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee that assisted more than 10,000 Ethiopian-Israeli children and their families. He also chaired Federation’s Black – Jewish Relations Task Force. He was a public representative on the board of the Cleveland Bar Association. In 2012, he was honored by the Jewish Free Loan Association, Cleveland, as its “Man of the Year.” He is a member of the President’s Visiting Committee of Case Western Reserve University.
As Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills, CA, Rabbi Block inspired a national partnership for educational innovation, the Experiment in Congregational Education, integrated nearly a thousand families from the former Soviet Union in Jewish life, and Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco presented him its 1999 “FAMMY” Award, “in appreciation of extraordinary caring and dedicated community service.”
Rabbi Block was ordained at HUC-HIR in 1982, receiving awards for academic distinction, writing, and sermonic excellence. While leading Greenwich Reform Synagogue, Riverside, CT, he served as President of the Greenwich Fellowship of Clergy and founded Jewish Community Services of Greenwich. He received the Humanitarian Award of the Council of Churches and Synagogues of Lower Fairfield County for leadership “worthy of esteem and commendation” that “made a significant difference in his community and in our whole region.”
Rabbi Block graduated with honors from the Wharton School and from Yale Law School, where he was an editor of the Yale Law Journal. He was a law clerk to a federal judge and spent four years on active duty in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps, including assignments as a Special Assistant US Attorney and a faculty member of the Naval Justice School. He and Susan G. Block, a community leader and volunteer, have been married since 1969. They have two sons, Joshua, President and CEO of The Israel Project, and Zachary, a Vice President of Conde Nast. They are also blessed with two wonderful daughters-in-law and six beloved grandchildren.
Ssager@mishkanor.org
(216) 831-3233
Cantor Laureate Sarah Sager (she/her) has been serving the Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple Community since 1980. As the first invested Cantor in our temple’s history, she has been serving three generations of congregants.
When Cantor Sarah Sager first heard of the concept of merging Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple with The Temple-Tifereth Israel, she was gobsmacked by the audaciousness, the unexpectedness, the absolute rightness and farsighted vision of the the concepts. The reality of the unification has come with profound feelings in all directions and dimensions; of loss and of anticipation of grief, anxiety, and sense of anticipation, possibility, and optimism. I’m grateful for the Shehecheyahu opportunity to walk with our beloved community into the future.
A native of Illinois, she received Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude honors as an undergraduate at Brown University, and a Master’s Degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. At the time of her investiture by the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, she was one of the first women in the world to hold the title of Cantor.
Her stirring charge to the 1993 Biennial Convention of the Women of Reform Judaism in San Francisco, “Sarah’s Hidden Voice: Recovering and Discovering Women’s Spirituality,” resulted in WRJ undertaking the project of a transformative publication, The Torah: A Women’s Commentary (published in 2007), which has engendered feminist commentary and a growth in interpretations and scholarship. Cantor Sager “charged” the women of our Reform movement with the goal of “uncovering and recovering women’s voices from our tradition and enable women to interact freely with our sacred texts in the future.”
Cantor Sager has been honored for her contributions to the Jewish community and for her spiritual leadership by the State of Israel Bonds, and the Commission for Women’s Equality of the American Jewish Congress. She is proud to have served on movement-wide commissions on Synagogue Music and on Worship, Music and Religious Life.
Her devotion to the Fairmount Temple community continues in her role as Cantor Laureate. As Cantor Laureate, Cantor Sager, when requested and as her calendar allows, will participate in lifecycle events and other temple events. She has expanded her Wise Aging learning cohort and continues to support the work of the Women of Fairmount Temple along with other collaborations with Fairmount Temple.
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