28 Friday, March 13,. 1981
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Conservative Judaism Is in Trouble'
By ALAN HITSKY
The Conservative Move-
ment in Judaism is in seri-
ous trouble according to a
former Detroiter, Rabbi
Joel Roth. He told Cong.
Bnai Moshe last weekend as
its visiting scholar-in-
residence that the move-
ment's problems may be for
the better in the long run.
In three Sabbath lectures,
Rabbi Roth traced the be-
ginnings of Conservative
Judaism, its current prob-
lems and their ramifica-
tions. He is associate dean of
the rabbinical school at the
Jewish Theological Semi-
nary of America and a
member of the Committee
on Law and Standards of the
Rabbinical Assembly.
He said the Conserva-
tive movement is in trou-
ble because too many of
its constituents define
their beliefs as not Or-
thodox and not Reform.
Too few, he said, keep
kosher, observe the Sab-
bath or actively practice
their Judsiam.
Rabbi Roth said many
Conservative congregations
would be horrified if their
rabbis were not observant
Jews, although the mem-
bers themselves are not ob-
servant.
He defined the Conserva-
tive movement as living
within Halakha (Jewish
law), but allowing Judaism
to be changed and influ-
enced by sociological
changes. He said this was
the major difference be-
tween the Conservative
movement and Orthodoxy.
Rabbi Roth asserted that
the Conservative approach
of allowing change is well
documented in Halakhic
history and Jewish tradi-
tion. While not publicly
stating an opinion on the
ordination of women as rab-
bis or women being given
aliyot or reading from the
Torah, Rabbi Roth em-
phasized his belief that
sociological criteria have
been an historically accept-
able basis for changes
within Judaism, within
Halakha.
Rabbi Roth was adam-
ant in his proposal that
Conservative congrega-
tions should be more ob-
servant. He said non-
observant members
should not be allowed to
sit on the bosards of Con-
servative synagogues.
S ynagogue
Services
ADAT SHALOM SYNAGOGUE: Services 6 p.m. today
and 9 a.m. Saturday. Jay Rotenberg, Bar Mitzva.
CONG. BETH ABRAHAM HILLEL MOSES: Services 6
p.m. today and 9 a.m. Saturday. Jeffrey Weiss, Bar
Mitzva.
CONG. BETH ACHIM: Services 6 p.m. today and 8:45
a.m. Saturday. Alyssa Wander, Bat Chayil.
TEMPLE BETH EL: Services 8:30 p.m. today. Rabbi
Schwartz will speak on "The `Sha' Syndrome." Services
11 a.m. Saturday. Rabbi Schwartz will speak on "The
Religious Dilemma — Conscience vs. Convenience."
He said this would be a
Jennifer Marx, Bat Mitzva.
divisive proposal that would TEMPLE BETH JACOB: Services 8:30 p.m. today. ReN,
lead to shrinkage and prob-
Phillip Koster, chaplain of Pontiac General Hospital,
ably the end of some Con-
will speak.
servative congregations.
BIRMINGHAM TEMPLE: Services 8:30 p.m. today.
This would not necessarily
Robert Marshall, minister of the Birmingham Unita-
be bad if it led to a stronger
rian Church, will speak on "Is the Age of Enlighten-
Conservative Judaism, he
ment Over?"
asserted.
CONG. BNAI DAVID Services 6:30 p.m. today and 8:30
a.m. Saturday. Joel Rosenbaum, Bar Mitzva.
WHAT IS THE JEWISH APPROACH TO HAPPINESS?
CONG. BNAI MOSHE: Services 6 p.m. today and 8:45
The achievement of happiness is the goal for the
a.m. Saturday. Michael Thirman will read the Maftir.
great majority of mankind. But, "happiness" implies
Neil Rockind, Sandy Rockind and Carin Rockind also
different things to different people. For some, it's a
will participate.
feeling of competence or perhaps the esteem of ones
The lectures are now DOWNTOWN SYNAGOGUE: Services 8 a.m. Saturday.
Prof. Marshall Sklare of
peers. For others, it signifies power or wealth. And,
named the Osias and
Brandeis University will
Rabbi Gamze will speak on "There Will Always Be a
for still others, it's a purely sensual experience.
Hannah Zwerdling
deliver the 1981 Zwerdling
Haman."
However, we soon become terribly disappointed
Memorial
Lectures.
lecture at Beth Israel Con-
TEMPLE EMANU-EL: Services 8:15 p.m. today. Cantor
when we realize that the pursuit of happiness was
For information, call the
gregation in Ann Arbor.
Sarah Sager of the Fairmont Temple in Cleveland,
more pleasurable than the happiness itself.
Beth Israel office, 1-665-
He
will
deliver
two
talks
Ohio, will be the guest. Rabbi Rosenbaum will be hon-
From the Talmud (Avoth 4-1, Brochoth 59b), we get
9897.
today and Saturday on the
ored by the sisterhood.
a different insight. Happiness is the result of a deeply
theme "American Jewry:
TEMPLE ISRAEL: Services 8:30 p.m. today. Rabbi Loss
satisfying sense of appreciation, dependent upon our
Morality Topic
Past, Present and Future on
will speak on "Time for Strength." Marc Nelson, Bar
belief in G-d (Orcath Tzaddikim). This quality of
the 100th Anniversary of of Wine Lecture
Mitzva. Services 11 a.m. Saturday. Jeffrey Seifman
appreciation, adds the dimensions of purpose and
the Beginning of Mass Im-
and Steven Hoffman, Bnai Mitzva.
completeness to our accomplishments.
"Morality, the Family
migration from Eastern
When we celebrate a "simchah" such as Purim, we
and Sexual Freedom" will TEMPLE KOL AMI: Services 8:30 p.m. today. Rabbi Con-
Europe."
rad will speak on "Facts to Remember." Tracy Silver-
are giving expression to this phenomenon.
be the topic of a talk to be
The first talk will be
man, Bat Mitzva. Services 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Rabbi
Purim is the "yom Toy" of the diaspora. It describes
delivered by Rabbi Sherwin
given 8:30 p.m. today, fol-
Conrad will speak on "Sacrifice Alone Is Not Enough."
the subtly hidden relationship between G-d and our
Wine 8:30 p.m. Monday in
lowing services at 6:15 p.m.
Dean Werba, Bar Mitzva.
people in the present diaspora. Our recognition of this
the Birmingham Temple.
and a dinner at 7 p.m. On
relationship, and our grasp of its significance to us,
The public is invited at a LIVONIA JEWISH CONGREGATION: Services 8 p.m.
Saturday, Prof. Sklare will
today. Rabbi Gordon will speak on "Remember the
makes us capable and worthy of leading a satisfying
nominal charge.
deliver part two of his talk
Amalek." Services 9 a.m. Saturday.
life.
at 11 a.m. during Sabbath
CONG. TCHIYAH: Services 7:45 p.m. today. Jeffrey Ram
Named
Treasurer
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, CALL
services.
will speak on "Friday the 13th and the Jews, Mysti-
NEW YORK — Abraham
The Zwerdling lecture-
THE RABBI OR HIS WIFE AFTER
cism and Superstition."
ship was established in Nowick has been elected
Regular services will be held at Cong. Bais Chabad of
7 Pm. AT 968-1268
1957 by the sons of Osias treasurer of the American Farmington Hills, Cong. Bais Chabad of West Bloomfield,
:
Community
Service
Of
The
Kollel
Institute
\immenimm
and Hannah Zwerdling. Jewish Congress.
Cong. Beth Isaac of Trenton, Cong. Beth Shalom, Cong.
Beth Tefilo Emanuel Tikvah, Cong. Beth Tephilath Moses
of Mt. Clemens, Cong. Bnai Israel, Cong. Bnai Israel-Beth
Yehudah, Cong. Bnai Jacob, Cong. Bnai Zion, Cong. Dovid
Ben Nuchim, Cong. Mishkan Israel Nusach H'Ari, Sephar-
A GOOD EDUCATION —THE MOST
dic Community of Greater Detroit, Cong. Shaarey
Shomayim (Jewish Center Jimmy Prentis Morris Branch),
Cong. Shaarey Zedek, Cong. Shomrey Emunah, Cong.
IMPORTANCE DIFFERENCE
Shomrey Israel (18995 Schaefer), Cong. Solel, Young Israel
of Greenfield, Young Israel of Oak-Woods and Young Israel
of Southfield.
C
ZAIGHT ANSWER
ITTI-
Brandeis U. Prof to Deliver
Zwerdling Memorial Lectures
JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIL
Come to the
HILLEL DAY SCHOOL
OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, March 26 8:00 P.M.
Accepting enrollments for fall 1981
Kindergarten and first grade
Hillel Day School — Kindergarten through ninth grade
Rabbi Robert Abramson, Headmaster June Weinberg, Executive Director
851-2394 — 32200 Middlebelt Road — Farmington Hills, Michigan 48018
Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit admits Jewish students of any race, color, national or
ethnic origin. Its admission and scholarship programs are non-discriminatory. No child will
be denied an education at Hillel because of parents inability to pay the full charges. Tuition
allowances will continue to be granted based on individual needs.
.Tri IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII111110111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111IN
Asher Tilchin Elected Head
of United Synagogue Unit
0
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Asher Tilchin of Adat
Shalom Synagogue has
been elected president of the
Michigan Region of the
United Synagogue of
America at its recent convo-
cation at Cong. Beth
Shalom.
Other officers are: Martin
J. Lederman, vice
president, Beth Shalom;
Leonard Baron, treasurer,
Cong. Shaarey Zedek; Shar-
lene Ungar, secretary,
China and PLO
HONG KONG (ZINS) —
China re-affirmed its sup-
port for "the Palestinian
and Arab peoples in their
struggle to recover their na-
tional rights and occupied
territories," the New China
News Agency reported. The
Chinese backing was ex-
pressed in a press statement
released in Peking at the
end of a visit to China by a
PLO delegation.
ASHER TILCHIN
Cong. Bnai Moshe. Im-
mediate past president is
Irving Lopatin of Bnai
Moshe.
Rabbi Benjamin Kreit-
man, executive director of
the United Synagogue, will
visit the Michigan Region
March 29. Rabbi David A.
Nelson of Beth Shalom is
Michigan Region director.
C =: