Ohev Tzedek Temple on Glenwood Ave. in Boardman will merge with Rodef Sholom Temple in Youngstown. Mark Huberman, president of Ohev Tzedek, confirmed this week.
      Nancy Burnett, president of Rodef Sholom said she was “approached by the president of Ohev Tzedek asking if we could find a path to merging our two congregations. An initial committee of six persons (Elliot Legow, Dick Shapiro, and me representing Rodef Sholom; Mark Huberman, Booker Kessler, and Sam A Roth representing Ohev Tzedek). Our proposed newly formed congregation will be housed in our historic synagogue on Elm Street and will be led by a Reform Rabbi. We will hold Reform services on Friday evenings and Conservative services on Saturday mornings.”
      The new, merged congregation will be known a Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom, a name chosen to be inclusive of all three congregations---Rodef Sholom, Ohev Tzedek, and Temple Beth Israel, the Sharon Temple with whom Rodef Sholom merged seven years ago.
      “Although the name will change, our mission and footprint in the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys remains the same,” Burnett said.
      The Board of Directors of Ohev Tzedek deems it to be in the best interest of Ohev Tzedek to carry out a statutory merger with Rodef Sholom, a proposed merger agreement says, noting the merger will become effective Nov. 1.
      Huberman told The Boardman News theat Saturday services will continue to be held at Ohev Tzedek, at least until next spring, unless the site of the Boardman temple is sold before then.