42 Friday, February 4, 1977 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS American Jewish Life, Human Potential Movement By ALLEN A. WARSEN How to make religious N. N. N. N. N. N. N. N N. N. N. N. N N. N. Edmund Frank & Co. Liqu'idators & Appraisers Of Household Contents and Estates Sale held in your home all items tagged for your app\roval for info call 862 - 3273 or 875 - 7650 This Week At THE GIFT THESAURUS Clearance. Sale 25%-75% Off Ira Lucite; Wood, Crystal, Ceramics, Pewter, Glassware, China, Tea & Toast Sets, and Stainless' Steel Holloware and Flatware. Offer expires Feb. 12, 1977 CARLYLE TOWERS 23300 Providence Dr. Southfield 559-7605 parking & store entrance in rear Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m. SUNDAY FEB. 6th, 1977 OPEN 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. life more meaningful has been a problem confront- ing the American Jewish community for a long time. To solve it, numer- ous proposals were ad- vanced and programs tried. But the problem did not disappear. The most recent prop- osals based on modern educational philosophy and psychological theory were made by Dov Peretz Elkin in "Humanizing Jewish Life: Judaism and the Human Potential Movement" (A. S. Barnes and Company): The book, composed of essays, speeches and programs of activities, is divided into three parts: , 1. Humanizing the' Synagogue;' 2. Humaniz- ing Religious Education: 3. Humanizing the Inner Life. As the title indicates, the - author's approach is humanistic. ". -. that does not mean ethical cul- ture, God-less religion or anything of the kind. It means, simply put, person-centered." The synagogue, is re- garded by the author as a growth center, a place for personal and religious fulfillment. To give form and sub- stance to this humanistic views, Rabbi Elkin created a Family Life Council and organized "havurot" and "mis- hpahot" in Temple Beth El, Rochester, N.Y., where he serves as spiritual leader. The objective of the Family Life Council is "to foster a sense of warmth, trust, openness, and mutual respect within the temple community." The "havurot" consist either of single or diffe- rent age groups. Their aim is to provide opportunities for meaningful friend- ships, and help "overcome the loneliness and isloa- tion of modern society." The "mishpahot" are made up of entire families, including chil- dren of all ages, and adults of different gener- ations. They serve as vehicles "for strengthening Jewish family life and for overcoming much of the alienation and anonym- ity of modern life." Applying modern edu- cational theory to Jewish education, Rabbi. Elkin distinguishes between cognitive Jewish learning (they study of Hebrew, Bible, history, and other subjects) and Jewish hunfanistic education (transmission of values). Regarding the latter, he writes: "Judaism is a religion of great emotion, of color . . . and above all of high moral behavioral standards. If we don't at least attempt to educate in that direction, we are not really teaching- Judaism!" As an illustration of Jewish humanistic edu- cation, the author cites this hasidic tale: An avid student rushed to his master one day and shouted excitedly, "Rabbi, I went through the -whole Torah this week." Where- upon the Rabbi replied, ,:`Yes, but how much of the Torah went through you?" In like manner, Rabbi Elkin applied humanistic psychology to Jewish spiritual values, -and compiled a glossary of words expressing "Joy of life, the fulfillment of human potential and self-actualization." Included in the glos- sary are: • HESED Altruism; self-transcendence; love; mercy; compassion. • .NEFESH — Person- of absence hood; dichotomies. • BRAKHA — Awe, gratitude. • KAVANA — Inten- tion; concentration; ac- tive listening. • LE-HAIM — Joy of living; physical/spiritual wholeness. Humanistic psychology also profoundly influ- enced. Rabbi Elkin's preaching, and helped him relate more easily the lives of biblical per- sonages to himself and to phis congregants. he when Now, preaches, he, for in- stance, interprets "Joseph as an example 'of sibling rivalry, Korach 'as an example of personal and social conflict, Elija as an example of passion- ate radicalism, and Ruth as a searcher for mean- ing." "Humanizing Jewish Life" contains innovative Sat. Feb. 5th thru Mon. Feb. 14 No Charges on specials Claymoor Apts. 29260 Franklin Rd. Southfield, Mi. 358-19k The SHELDON ROTT ORCHESTRA INVITATIONS Featuring Weddings-Bar Mitzvas . Showers-Etc. 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Folks Farein Plans Anniversary Event The Yiddish Folks Fa- rein will have its 65th an- niversary dinner-dance 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at Cong. Beth Achim. The evening will fea- ture comedian Eric Man- nering and Eric Rosenow and his Continentals. Cocktails will be served. For information, call Esther Achtrrian, 543- 2827; Belle Bassin, 538- 4022; Betty Haimovitz, 255-1274; or Irene Schwartz, 548-3266. and challenging ideas, but lacks unity, coher- ence and is repetitive. * Farmington-32906 Middlebelt S 14 Mi. 855-9390 * Farmington-30850 f Orchard Lake S 13 Mi. 851.5868 * Bloomfield Twp.-1900 Woodward & Square Lake 338-4436 * Southfield-2715S Greenfield & 11 Mi. 557-0150 * Southfield-19855 Twelve Mi. & Evergreen 559.9829 WE CARRY A COMPLETE SELECTION OF YOUR SEAFOOD FAVORITES.