The Temple in University Circle in Cleveland, Ohio, is the congregation’s former home, which is still used for special events and life cycle celebrations. The transformation of this historic building into the Milton and Tamar Maltz Performing Arts Center will be made possible through a lead donation of $12 million from the Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation. The initiative is expected to preserve the historic building as a place of worship.
Built in 1924, the Temple in University Circle is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Temple contains a library and a museum, as well as a beautiful chapel and sanctuary. The structure came into being through the vision of Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, who led the congregation from 1917 through 1963.
The university estimates that the total renovation of the building will require $25.6 million, with an additional $7 million needed for construction of a pedestrian bridge/walkway to connect the building to the university campus. CWRU acquired this property in 2001. Today, that parcel is home to the Cleveland Center for Structural and Membrane Biology as well as the Wright Fuel Cell Center.
According t Barbara R. Snyder, president of CWRU, the primary objective of the transformation scheme is to preserve the historic integrity of the building, along with modernizing the lighting, sound systems, seating and heating and air conditioning.
Presently, the Temple’s primary home is in Beachwood. The congregation still uses the Temple site in University Circle for High Holy Days and other holiday services, and events such as weddings, b’nai mitzvah ceremonies, and funerals.
