Remembering Rabbi Sigma Faye Coran

First Yartzeit of Rabbi Coran

The Rockdale Temple family gathered for Shabbat on May 7^th, 2021 as we commemorated the first yahrzeit of Rabbi Coran. Rabbi Dr. Andrea Weiss, Ph.D., Provost of Hebrew Union College, delivered a D'var Torah in memory of Rabbi Coran.

The Rabbi Sissy Coran Memorial Fund

Rabbi Sissy Coran dedicated her life to Judaism and her rabbinate to making Rockdale Temple a warm and welcoming place devoted to the study of Torah, spiritual meaning, and loving acts of kindness. She especially admired K.K. Bene Israel's historical significance as the oldest congregation west of the Allegheny Mountains and its commitment to forward-thinking. Rabbi Coran firmly believed that Rockdale's longevity and openness to change were connected. The Rabbi Sissy Coran Memorial Fund will give Rockdale the ability to meet its most pressing needs, whether responding to challenging circumstances or supporting innovations that move the congregation forward. Rabbi Coran helped sustain Rockdale through some of its most challenging times and introduced new initiatives that have made Rockdale Temple a wonderful place to celebrate Judaism; this fund is a most fitting honor to her memory and legacy.

To give to this fund, please click here and under type select the Rabbi Sissy Coran Memorial Fund.

We remember and honor our beloved Rabbi Sigma Faye Coran. Below on the left is her memorial service which took place at 10:00AM on Sunday, May 10, 2020. On the right is a news story that ran on WCPO on May 15, 2020.

RABBI SISSY CORAN
Rabbi Sissy Coran, age 54, passed away May 8, 2020. She was the beloved daughter of Aubie (Sandy) Coran and the late Susan Coran and daughter-in-law of Marvin and Gerry Kraus; devoted spouse of Rabbi Matthew Kraus; loving mother of Jacob (Kim) Kraus-Preminger, and Shirah, Micah, & Eden Kraus; dear sister of Steve (Laurie) Coran & Jeff (Kim) Coran; also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues, and Rockdale Temple family. Rabbi Coran's family gathered for services Sunday, May 10 at 10:00AM. The community is invited to view the video of the service in the above window.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Rockdale Temple or Goldman Union Camp Institute would be appreciated.

Congregational Messages

Dear Rockdale Temple Family,

It is with great heaviness in our hearts that we inform you of the death of our beloved rabbi, Sigma Faye Coran. Rabbi Coran passed away peacefully on Friday morning after spending her last days surrounded by her family and loved ones.

We turn our hearts to her husband, Rabbi Matthew Kraus, her children, Jacob (Kim), Shirah, Micah, and Eden, and her entire family, as they grieve their enormous loss. We join them in sorrow, remembering Rabbi Coran with great love, admiration, and respect. As we sit with our own pain and grief, we ask for privacy for Rabbi Coran’s family.

Due to the current pandemic, funeral services will be private. We will have opportunities in the coming days to come together as a sacred congregation to mourn, remember, and honor our rabbi, teacher, and friend.

Baruch Dayan HaEmet – We praise You, Judge of Truth.

Zecher tzadika livracha – May the memory of our righteous one be for a blessing.

James G. Heldman, President

Rabbi Meredith Kahan, Associate Rabbi

Letters from Rabbi Coran with postscript from Jim Heldman and Rabbi Kahan; and from our board president, Jim Heldman. Click on the thumbnail to enlarge.

Mi Shebeirach Prayer Service for Rabbi Coran, May 6, 2020