Clean Speech Cleveland

Day 30: We made it to the finish line!

But the journey to shalom isn’t over 🕊

Ready for your next step?!

Rabbi Chaim Feld has some advice to help.

Hear what he has to say now.

Rabbi Chaim Feld has a BBA in accounting from Emory Business School.

He planned to go into commercial real estate then open a bar in upstate New York.

After running with the bulls in Pamplona and studying in Israel, he decided to change direction and became a Rabbi.

Rabbi Feld is the director of Aish Cleveland and the Director of Clean Speech Cleveland.

He is the co-author of The Words Can Heal Handbook.

He is passionate about teaching Jewish mindful speech, and loves hanging out with his wife, kids, and grandkids.

Thank you to all the organizations who participated (list in comments).

Day 29: It's Channukah and Shabbos.

You only have one candle.

Which do you use it for?

The Talmud’s answer might surprise you...

Listen as Jeffrey Wild shares here.

Jeffrey J. Wild is a lawyer at Benesch Law.

He is the Administrative Partner, Chief Strategy Partner, Chair of their Real Estate Practice Group, and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.

Jeff is very active in the Jewish community.

He is the current Board Chair of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, a Trustee of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, Immediate Past President of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, and Past President of the Board of Trustees of Fuchs Mizrachi School.

He also sits on the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Federations of North America and the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency for Israel.

Jeff and his wife Danielle have three sons and live in Beachwood.

Day 28: They say laughter is the best medicine.

Turns out, when used correctly, it may also be the fastest way to diffuse a fight!

Just listen to Rabbi A.J. Kushner to learn the proper way to do so now.

Rabbi Ahron Yoel (AJ) Kushner is an ordained rabbi and graduate of Telshe Rabbinical College.

He continued his studies at Kollel Torah LIFE Institute, and in 2010 went on to become a rabbi at Agudas Achim Congregation in Canton, Ohio.

He is a member of the Agudas Harabonim of the Mid-West as well as the Vaad Harabonim of Cleveland.

He provides various services to the Cleveland and Canton communities in addition to serving as a chaplain for the police department, the prison system, and the community hospital.

In his free time, he enjoys....wait. He doesn't have free time 😉

Day 27: Arguments can feel like tunnels. Why?

Find out as Avigayil Ashwal explains in today's video!

And together, let's spread more light ✨

Avigayil is a student at Fuchs Mizrachi School.

She plays soccer and lifeguards.

She tries to learn Shimaras HaLoshon (Jewish ethical speech) and the Daily Dose of Bitachon (trust in G-d) every morning at school. She also has a chat where they share inspirational quotes.

Avigayil loves to cook and hang out with her friends.

She goes to Camp Stone in the summer.

Day 26: Move over, Avengers - there’s a new kind of hero in town 🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♂️

And this one doesn’t fly or shoot lasers.

It brings shalom 😌✨

And the best part? It doesn’t require superpowers.

It can be anyone. Including YOU!!!

Yachad Cleveland was founded in 1987 by Sarah Taub OBM, to ensure that Jewish teens and young adults with disabilities were included in the community at large.

Yachad's mission is dedicated to enriching the lives of Jewish Individuals with disabilities and their families, by enhancing their communal participation and their connection to Judaism through social and educational programs and support services.

Ahuva Taub continues her mother's legacy by being the longest running Yachad participant, attending programs spanning more than 2 decades.

She is an active board member of the Sarah Taub GO B'Yachad program: Yachad's women's only social club that was named in memory of her mother.

Ahuva especially loves Yachad Shabbatons, Chinese food, and spending time with friends.

Dassi Shtern's career in Special Education began as a volunteer for Yachad when she was in high school, and she credits Yachad for teaching her the value of inclusion.

She has since made it her mission to support inclusion in the Cleveland Jewish community through her role as Director of Special Education and SEGULA at the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, and through her community work including her role on the Cleveland Yachad Board.

Dassi and Ahuva have been good friends since high school and still enjoy spending time together. Thanks to Yachad, they are lifelong friends.

Day 25: Sometimes, it’s not about winning the argument.

Sometimes, it’s about choosing to be the bigger person—and creating peace in your relationship.

Listen as Bruce Rosenbaum shares more on this today.

Bruce Rosenbaum is President and Owner of American Foam Products, Inc., a Painesville, Ohio–based foam fabricator specializing in packaging solutions.

He previously served as Vice President of Operations and International at CBG Biotech and held earlier roles as an attorney with Burke, Haber & Berick and counsel for Centerior Energy Corporation.

He later became Vice President of Sales at PrimeSource Holdings and a turnaround consultant for Philip & Company.

Bruce holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, a law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management.

He has been actively involved in the Cleveland Jewish community, serving on the Board of the Mandel JCC from 2002–2015 and again from 2020 to the present, where he currently serves as Board Chair.

He was also on the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Hillel Foundation from 2005–2015, including roles as Treasurer and Vice President, and served on the Montefiore Board of Directors from 2017–2020.

Additionally, he has participated in various Jewish Federations of Cleveland committees and has co-chaired both the Federation’s Super Sunday event and Gross Schechter Day School’s Totally Kosher Rib Burn-Off.

Bruce and his wife, Sharon, live in Beachwood. Their daughter, Rabbi Alex Rosenbaum, serves at B’nai Jeshurun in Pepper Pike alongside her husband, Rabbi Josh Jacobs, and their other daughter, Alayna Rosenbaum, lives in New York City. Bruce and Sharon are proud grandparents of Noa and Oren Jacobs.

Day 24: We all know the song "Let it go" from the movie Frozen.

It's a classic!

But what does it actually mean to let it go?

Find out from Barry Feldman today!

Barry Feldman has been a passionate advocate for Israel, its people, and his own Cleveland community.

His philanthropy has been an integral part of his life, as evidenced by Barry's dedication to the Cleveland Jewish Community, the Jewish Community worldwide, and the greater Cleveland Community.

Barry is a member of Bnai Jeshurun, and serves on the Jewish Federations of Cleveland Board of Trustees, Bnai Jeshurun, Menorah Park Foundation, University Hospitals Arts Council, National Board of American Friends of Magen David Adom, Jewish National Fund, Federation Strategic Planning Committee, Kosher Food Pantry, and chaired The Jewish Federation St. Petersburg Committee for nine years.

His list of charities includes the Rainbow babi Babies & Children's Circle of Friends, Ronald McDonald House, J.N.F. Halutza Command Center in Israel, Magen David Adom Blood Center, Fullscript, Student Impact Program, Bikur Cholim of Cleveland, Kol Israel, The Maltz Museum, Respect for All Humanity, and Friendship Circle.

A native Clevelander and graduate of Ohio State University, Barry earned his C.P.A. and served as President of Kottler Metal Products, a steel fabrication company located in Willoughby, Ohio.

His work appears on projects including the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Polaris Center, the Short North Arches in Columbus, and the Watson Glen and Daytona Beach racetracks.

He serves on the professional board of the Ohio Structural Association and the Roller-Bender Committee of the American Institute of Steel Contractors.

Day 23: Still arguing?

Today we step out of the “Shooting Range” and back into real connection with one powerful word.

You know what it is.

But do you actually use it when it matters?

Brian Green is an attorney specializing in business litigation, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, banking, real estate, and personal injury.

He earned his J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis and a B.S. in Finance and Real Estate from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

Brian is actively involved in the legal and nonprofit communities, including the Turnaround Management Association and Bellefaire JCB Big Brothers Big Sisters, where he has served in multiple leadership roles for over 17 years.

He lives in Shaker Heights with his wife and two sons and is a dedicated triathlete and seven-time Ironman finisher.

Day 22: Ever feel like conflict freezes your whole world?

Today we explore the one word that can melt the tension and rebuild connection, even when you're not the one who was wrong.

Any guesses as to what this word is?

Find out as Gross Schechter Day School students, Zoe Wachsman and Adam Fishman, share in today's video!

Zoe loves to draw and listen to music. She attends Camp Wise in the summer.

Adam loves to play basketball, and he goes to Camp Ramah in Canada during his summer break.

Day 21: Not every question wants the whole truth.

Sometimes, it just wants a little kindness.

Before you answer candidly, ask yourself: Will honesty bring peace or just pain?

And always remember to choose the shalom response!

Just listen to Reneé Chelm to learn how.

Reneé is a prominent Cleveland-based leader with a long career in business, philanthropy, and community service.

She is recognized for her extensive leadership in the Jewish community, as a Life Trustee with the Jewish Federations of Cleveland and Board Chair of the Milton & Tamar Maltz Jewish Heritage Museum.

She is also involved with the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation Presents - Cleveland's Chai Steppers, Dress for Success, and the Cleveland Museum of Art.

In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cycling, golfing, hiking, pilates, gardening, listening to all genres of music, reading, cooking, and, of course, spending time with family!

Reneé Chelm lives in Pepper Pike with her husband Kerry.