CRANBERRY TWP — A township man is calling all residents of the Jewish faith.

Mike Bermon is looking to unite Jewish residents of southwestern Butler County. His goal is to connect Jews in the area for friendship, fellowship and possible worship.

“I am finding families of the Jewish faith here in Cranberry really have no connection in the area,” Bermon said.

He said the closest synagogues to Cranberry are in Butler and Squirrel Hill.

“It would be nice to have at least some presence in Cranberry Township,” Bermon said.

Because of that, Bermon has arranged a meet-and-greet gathering for Jews of all ages and backgrounds at 7 p.m. Dec. 28 at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center.

He hopes to attract people from eastern Beaver and northern Allegheny counties as well as southwestern Butler County to begin a communication network.

“I would like to hear from other people as to what they're doing and what they would like to see in the Cranberry area,” Bermon said.

“I'm hoping we can understand what the Jewish community in this area wants and needs, and we'd like to make an attempt to make it happen.”

Jack Cohen, chairman of the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, is championing the effort with Bermon. Cohen said he is anxious to see if enough Jewish households exist in the area to warrant a group.

“We hope there will be enough,” he said.

He said the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh has agreed to help him and Bermon identify those living in the Cranberry area if possible.

Bermon said that although he grew up in a Jewish home in Stanton Heights and was bar mitzvahed, he has not attended a synagogue in “a long time.”

His marriage outside of the Jewish faith means he and his family put up a menorah and a Christmas tree each holiday season.

“We always make sure the needles aren't too dry,” Bermon joked.

He said he is determined to involve his 13-year-old daughter, Ashley, in the Jewish traditions he fondly recalls from his childhood, but finds it impossible with no gathering place or programs in the Cranberry area.

“Ashley is proud of her heritage, and I wish I could share it a little more with her,” he said.

He said she is anxious to be bat mitzvahed, especially after hearing about the ceremony from a friend who lives in Cranberry and attends synagogue in Squirrel Hill. Bermon said he has tried to find a township resident to provide private lessons for the ceremony, but has had no luck.

“It's hard to travel to Butler or Pittsburgh to get the Jewish education she needs,” Bermon said.

He said Ashley lights the candles each Hanukkah and recites the blessing in Hebrew. The family also celebrates Purim, the festival of the harvest, each fall.

“It's a fun festival, celebrated with games and delicious treats,” Bermon said. “I recall it being a wonderful time of year.”

He hopes others with similar memories will attend the gathering on Dec. 28.

“We're hoping to have a wonderful turnout,” Bermon said. “We want to share contact information so that somehow we can all keep in touch.”

Bermon said if his effort garners enough interest, a worship or gathering facility could be made in Cranberry. He said a lay leader who is well-versed in the Hebrew language could lead weekly prayers.

For more information, call Bermon at 724-776-4343.