Congregation Zichron Chaim, located on the border between Beachwood and University Heights, Ohio, is an orthodox synagogue of approximately 120 member and affiliate families. From our humble beginnings in a tiny rented office, we now have our own building, affectionately known throughout the city as “the shtiebel”, where the shul is centered throughout the week. On Shabbos, where our congregation is often swelled by guests and visitors, we can be found in the spacious main auditorium of the Yavneh girls seminary, part of the renowned Hebrew Academy of Cleveland.

The roots of our shul date back to 1975, when a group of like-minded area residents resolved to create an old-world style minyan, with strict adherence to the Shulchan Aruch and customs based upon the founders’ European backgrounds. The minyan began in an office space, which quickly proved too small to accommodate the burgeoning membership. Our building on 2203 South Green Road was thus established, where it remains to this day.

At the same time, Rabbi Moshe Garfunkel had started a daf yomi in the area, which soon led to the establishment of a shabbos minyan in his basement. In 1986, the two shuls merged under the united name of Zichrom Chaim, in memory of Chaim Wiesner, an original member of the shul, and whose father had been a driving force in establishing and maintaining the minyan. Since that time, our shul has been a catalyst for the further development of Greater Cleveland as one of the premier orthodox communities in the United States.

We welcome all new members and look forward to having you join us!