Declining membership and low attendance have led Temple Beth Sholom in Middletown to cut its service schedule beginning June 1 from every other Friday night to only the High Holidays, Chanukah, and Passover.

Rabbi Haviva Horvitz, who serves the 123-year-old congregation on a part-time basis, will continue to lead those services and officiate at life-cycle ceremonies for its 17 memberships.

The Reform temple’s president, Rachel S. Lewitt, said congregants are able to schedule and lead additional services. “Through a lot of generosity, we are able to remain in our building,” she said. “At this time, our largest issue is membership. Temple Beth Sholom is just such a huge part of my life and my heart, as it is with all of our board members, and I cannot be more grateful for the time they all put into our little temple that can and will survive.”

— Marshall Weiss

To read the complete July 2026 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.