About Congregation Mishkan Or

Congregation Mishkan Or – “Dwelling Place of Light” 

Established by the members of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple and The Temple-Tifereth Israel on July 1, 2024.

History was made on March 6, 2024, when the members of both Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple and The Temple-Tifereth Israel voted overwhelmingly to merge.  With shared resources and new opportunities for worship, programming, education, community impact and more, Congregation Mishkan Or will now become a “Dwelling Place of Light” for approximately 2,000 families.  

“Temple members from each synagogue community believed that together, a new unified Temple can have a profound impact on our lives and our world for generations to come.”

– Beth Dery, Co-President, Congregation Mishkan Or

“This merger is unique in that two legendary, healthy, similar-size institutions proactively coming together to make a bold change based on vision, rather than necessity.”

– Michele Krantz, Co-President, Congregation Mishkan Or

“We have two pillars of Reform Judaism in North America – venerable, historic, long-standing, strong, vibrant places – saying, let’s not just think about the Jewish future, let’s build that future, and let’s do it together.”

– Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the North American Union for Reform Judaism.

“What a privilege it is to be serving as founding Senior Rabbi within the inaugural clergy team for Congregation Mishkan Or. Our two history-making temples, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple and The Temple-Tifereth Israel, came together to buid and even more vibrant community together! I look forward to the coming years, and I am grateful to be alive to see this dream come true. Expect me to be guided by the vision of the Prophet Micah in my endeavors: we can do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.”

– Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, Senior Rabbi and Will & Jan Sukenik Chair in Rabbinics