Dear Christ Episcopal Church leadership,
We the undersigned are the large group of students, movers, dancers, and families who make up the vibrant Sha'Ran Studios community. We are writing in support of Sha'Ran in hopes that you will consider the impact of evicting her from the studio not just on Sha'Ran, but on all of us. Sha'Ran has built a beautiful community to bring people from all walks of life together in the name of health, fitness, creativity, and togetherness. We are bound together not just by our love of movement, but our appreciation for Sha'Ran and what she brings to our lives. She has a gift of exuding positivity and affirmation which reaches countless children and adults, some of whom have been unreachable, uncomfortable, or felt unwelcomed in other settings. If you take away her space in such an abrupt manner, we all have nowhere to go. It impacts our health and wellness. Our Sha'Ran kids have been working hard preparing for our annual show this summer. Sha'Ran and her dance program are central in their lives and in the lives of their families. We will be heartbroken if that show can't move forward because the church has evicted Sha'Ran.
The incredible collective of teachers that Sha'Ran has brought together for her studio are also impacted as their livelihood is at stake. These artists and movers rely on Sha'Ran studios and the space to continue their great work in our community. And we rely on them for our health and wellness.
We urge you to reconsider this sudden eviction and to work amicably with Sha'Ran to settle on a date for her departure that will not have such a devastating impact on Sha'Ran and her studio community.
We stand ready to help Sha'Ran however we can, please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have ideas for how we can assist in ensuring our community can continue to have a space to convene until this summer.
Thank you for considering the wider impact of your decisions and reading our words with empathy and an open mind.
Sincerely,
The Sha'Ran Studios Family
Testimonial
"I moved to Shaker Heights in 2022 with my husband and young kids after living around the country and abroad for over 20 years. When we stepped into Sha'Ran studios the first time and I saw how Sha'Ran brought together a positive, diverse, and welcoming community, I knew this is why we moved to Shaker. In the past, my daughter had rejected every other dance class and refused to participate. Sha'Ran is magical. She knew how to reach her and got her moving with a smile on her face within minutes. My daughter will star in Sha'Ran Studio's production of Annie this summer. Sha'Ran changed her life."
-Nora Gordon, Sha'ran Studios Family
