The Park Synagogue Today
Membership has grown to roughly 1,850 families. Park has won Excellence Awards from the Conservative movement for Worship and Ceremonies, Library Computerization, Strategic Planning, Access and Concern for the Disabled, Programs and Celebrations, and Fundraising. The award for Worship and Ceremonies reflects a long history of services that include klezmer and traditional music and congregational involvement as prayer leaders.
Park Synagogue was one of the first Conservative synagogues to build (in 2000) a "Mikvah" (a ritual immersion pool of water, used to mark life transitions: conversion to Judaism, marriage, overcoming serious illness; additionally women may elect to visit the Mikvah on a monthly basis to mark the transition of the menstrual cycle). The mikvah seemed required after the newly-opened Orthodox mikveh was closed for ceremonies performed by non-Orthodox rabbis. Rabbi Skoff, Park Synagogue President Stuart Garson, and Charlottle Goldberg agreed to pursue the goal and through the generosity of the Goldberg family, Park Synagogue opened a Community Mikvah to serve the entire community.
in 2005 Rabbi Skoff received the honor of lighting a Hanukah menorah with the First Family in the White House. Rabbi Skoff spoke words marking the occasion, recited a blessing and lit the menorah as the President and First Lady Laura Bush watched and participated. For this special occasion, Park Synagogue supplied a menorah retrieved from the Nazis after World War II that resides in the synagogue's art collection.
In April, 2008, The Park Synagogue East facility hosted an episode of The Food Network's "Dinner:Impossible" series. In the episode, celebrity chef Michael Symon, in only six hours, prepared a Passover Seder kosher meal for 100 people. The episode, aired in August, 2008, included Rabbi Skoff and caterer Marlene Leitson ensuring Michael Symon's success in preparing a 100% kosher tour de force.
In 2010, the newly-opened National Museum Of American Jewish History in Philadelphia chose Park Synagogue as a "Featured Synagogue," one of only a dozen congregations chosen to represent the growth and appeal of Jewish life in America.
Park Synagogue continues as an institution devoted to Jewish culture and learning, with preschool and youth associations such as Kadima and United Synagogue Youth and Park's Hebrew School is a Conservative Movement "School of Excellence." Park's adult education includes Bible, Talmud, and Torah Studies as well as adult B'nai Mitzvahs preparation and outreach to intermarried couples. The synagogue's Brotherhood/Men's Club and Sisterhood interface with the larger community. Programming has included community speakers and pre-High Holiday "Institutes" with key figures such as former Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell, Ohio Education Chancellor Eric Fingerhut, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Governor Ted Strickland and U.S. Representative Marsha Fudge.' Today, Park Synagogue is a synagogue rooted in Cleveland's history, rearing successive generations and enabling them to practice as Jews.
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All in our gowns of green so gay
Into the Park a-maying!”
—Unknown. Sister, Awake! (L. 9–12)
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—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)