Rabbi Susan Stone to lead Celebrating Jewish Life

The air is filled with the hum of easy conversation and the aroma of festive dishes. The table is set. Worship promises the familiarity of beloved melodies and prayers along with meaningful teaching.

Yes, it is possible. It’s what Celebrating Jewish Life invites you to experience on Rosh Hashanah and throughout the year. Celebrating Jewish Life is a unique subscription series for six Jewish holidays, offering engaging venues for celebration and connection. Each holiday experience becomes an inspiring occasion, combining meaningful rituals with delicious meals, uplifting music and lively conversation. 

With so many subscribers, Celebrating Jewish Life creates opportunities for people across generations to celebrate together. Who is drawn to this community? Empty-nesters, full-lifers, millennials, baby boomers and retirees, including those interested in enhancing their current affiliation(s) and those who simply don’t want to cook! If you’d like to celebrate holidays with others and embrace your Jewish heritage in a joyful, supportive setting, Celebrating Jewish Life is an ideal choice.

New Leadership 

Now guided by Rabbi Susan Stone—whose warmth, compassion and commitment to Tikkun Olam (“repairing the world”) have enriched the Cleveland Jewish and general communities for more than 40 years—and by returning cantorial soloist Chuck Fink, each celebration radiates with spirit, stunning melodies and a sense of belonging.

“The opportunity to carry on the beautiful community founded by my beloved colleague and friend, Rabbi Rosie Haim, who died on May 6 from breast cancer, is both a humbling and exciting opportunity,” explains Rabbi Stone. “I’m honored to lead the ninth year of the Celebrating Jewish Life series geared to serving the largest segment of the Cleveland Jewish community: Adults seeking a meaningful way to deepen their identity, enrich their Jewish involvement and share holidays with others.”

Remembering Rabbi Rosie 

“When Rosie interviewed for rabbinic school at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, the Shabbat morning sermon she heard was my senior sermon,” Rabbi Stone recalls. “When Wayne (Easthon) and I got married, we asked Rosie to officiate. Thus, Rosie and I have long walked this path of service to God and the Jewish community both side by side and with one or the other taking the lead, caring not who was first but about the people who stand with us. I am honored by her husband Marshall and her daughter Shira’s trust and look forward, indeed, to Celebrating Jewish Life together.”



The subscription series is $650 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 they are unable to attend. 

For more info, visit CelebratingJewishLife.com or email RabbiSue@CelebratingJewishLife.com.