Celebrating Jewish life

By Mimi Vanderhaven

Striking a successful balance between the social and the sacred aspects of Judaism, Rabbi Rosette Barron Haim has created the fifth year of Celebrating Jewish Life, a subscription series of six Jewish holiday experiences to engage adults in ways that recapture the Jewish spirit and reconnect them to the Jewish community.

Rabbi Haim has served the Cleveland Jewish community for more than 30 years and brings a wealth of life cycle, pulpit, and counseling experience with her. She was recently elected as the first female chair of the Israel Bonds National Rabbinic Advisory Council. Rabbi Haim of Beachwood has instilled a sense of Jewish pride, confidence, and connectedness in people of all ages. Cantor Laurel Barr and musician Chuck Fink will join her to enhance each experience.

“We are thrilled to launch the fifth year of our series to address the largest population of the Cleveland Jewish community – those unaffiliated adults seeking ways to find greater meaning, identity and purpose in their Jewish experiences, and those wishing to enrich their other Jewish involvements, “ says Rabbi Haim, who is also affectionately known as “Rabbi Rosie.”

The 2022-23 Subscription Series
With more than 150 subscribers, this innovative program creates an opportunity for anyone to be involved in Jewish holiday experiences, especially empty-nesters, full-lifers, millennials, baby boomers, retirees and those who want to share holidays with others and enjoy their Judaism.

Celebrating Jewish Life centers on building community through gathering at creative venues to share a festive meal and to honor Jewish heritage and tradition.

The subscription series begins on Sunday, September 25 for an Erev Rosh Hashanah dinner and service at the Cleveland Marriott East (Beachwood) and continues with Erev Yom Kippur at the Cleveland Marriott East (Beachwood), Pre-Hanukkah Shabbat at La Danse Cleveland (Beachwood), Purim at Topgolf Cleveland (Independence), Passover Second Night Seder at Café 216 (Beachwood) and Shavuot Shabbat at Mayfield Country Club (South Euclid). (Find more information about each experience in the sidebar on this page).

Creating New Leaders
Rabbi Rosie hopes to channel her passion for social change that strengthens the Jewish community and creates Jewish leaders who may enjoy engaging with local and nationally based organizations such as Jewish Federation of Cleveland, AIPAC, Israel Bonds, Jewish National Fund, Na’amat, ORT, United Way and many more.

Fully Transferrable Subscription
The subscription series is $625 per person and includes all six dinners, services, and experiences. Subscribers may purchase additional individual experiences for friends or family at $125 each, or $100 for guests ages 36 and under. Experiences are fully transferable, but non-refundable. Subscribers are encouraged to transfer the opportunity to others if unable to attend.

Celebrating Jewish Life 2022-2023 Schedule

• Erev Rosh Hashanah: Sunday, September 25, at Cleveland Marriott East (Beachwood), 6:00 p.m. festive dinner followed by the Rosh Hashanah service and Oneg.
• Erev Yom Kippur: Tuesday, October 4, at Cleveland Marriott East (Beachwood), 6:00 p.m. dinner followed by the Kol Nidre service and Yizkor.
• Pre-Hanukkah Shabbat: Friday, December 16, at La Danse Cleveland—Cleveland’s Premier Dance Studio and Social Club (Beachwood), 6:00 p.m. with candle lighting, service, dinner and a chance to learn some new steps or just enjoy good music and fun spirit.
• Purim: Sunday, March 5, at Topgolf Cleveland (Independence). Begins at 4:30 p.m. with a Megillah reading followed by dinner and delicious hamentaschen. Use of the golf bays is included for fun and entertainment.
• Passover Second Night Seder: Thursday, April 6, at Café 216, SITE Building (Beachwood). 6:00 p.m. Seder, dinner, and desserts.
• Shavuot Shabbat: Friday, May 19, at Mayfield Country Club (South Euclid), 6:00 p.m. for the service followed by a festive meal and Oneg.

Celebrating Jewish Life will continue to follow best practices concerning the pandemic to keep everyone safe and healthy. The plan is to continue the in-person experiences at the various venues and make Zoom available.

To learn more, subscribe or sponsor a holiday experience, please contact Rabbi Rosie Haim at 216-223-8736 or email info@celebratingjewishlife.com or visit Celebratingjewishlife.com. Zoom experiences are also available.