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CREATIVE JEWELRY
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29310 Orchard Lake Rd.
16
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Friday, September 12, 1986 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
►
barely into their thirties.
Personable, intelligent and
attractive, they exude a sin-
cerity and enthusiasm that
are disarming and contagi-
ous.
For them, Machon L'Torah
is not just a series of classes,
but an extension of their life
and values, intermixed joy-
fully with their five children
and modest home.
It is not unusual to find 30
or more people — students,
visitors and friends of every
observance level — at their
home every Shabbat. Two
long tables joined in a "T",
covered with freshly starched
white cloths, fill up their liv-
ing room and dining room. At
the head sit two large,
twisted, homebaked challahs,
along with the artwork and
schoolwork the children
finished during the week.
After the Friday evening
service, conducted in their
temporary basement shul, the
men join the women upstairs
for a festive and talkative
meal. Rabbi Jacobovitz in-
volves both his guests and
children in the D'var Torah.
These Shabbats are the
heart of his program. They
offer Judaism at its best —
food, family and ritual — all
in one happy, intellectually-
stimulating and satisfying
evening.
Over the past seven years,
Machon L'Torah has issued a
steady stream of cleverly-
worded pamphlets that ad-
vertise classes or weekend
sessions. "Spring Training —
Join Us For A Double
Header" introduced a two-
evening Passover workshop.
"Jew Yourself Up For A Real
Change" headlined summer
vacation programs. "Jewish
Apathy, Learn To Kick The
Habit" introduced an eve-
ning's discussion of Jewish
lifestyle.
Semester class schedules
boast the slogan, "Don't As-
similate, Re-Jew-Venate."
The courses are designed for
the intellectually motivated
who are involved in academic
studies or full time careers.
The most interest is shown
by college students or young
professionals. The teaching
staff is made up of the area's
Orthodox rabbis and lay
leaders.
On college campuses,
Jacobovitz often works in con-
junction with the B'nai B'rith
Hillel, offering a weekly class
or a special evening program.
Last year, Hillel House and
A E Pi fraternity at MSU
sponsored a talk about in-
termarriage entitled, "Eat,
Drink and Be Marry." More
than 60 students attended.
Part of Jacobovitz's success
is due to catchy fliers, timely
topics and, of course, re-
freshments. But his success is
also due to his soft-sell ap-
proach. "We try to make
everyone at ease, under no
pressure. They come to us.
It's not my nature to be
pushy," he explains.
If a student remains in-
terested, Jacobovitz is avail-
able for one-to-one dialogue
and instruction.
Several years ago, Boruch
(Bruce) Levine returned for
his senior year at MSU in de-
sparate need of housing. By
chance, he hooked up with
two students just back from
Ohr Somayach. He was not
intimidated by their need to
keep kosher or be Shomer
Shabbat. "I figured I'd be way
too busy to interfere with
their religious beliefs," he re-
calls.
One evening, they dragged
him to a class led by
Jacobovitz, and Levine was
smitten. "Something Rabbi J.
said triggered something in
me. I went up to him after-
words and asked him, 'What
is one's purpose in this
world?' "
After a Shabbaton weekend
held at MSU and sponsored
by Ohr Somayach, Levine de-
cided to spend his last term
studying in Jerusalem. "I
wanted to go back to the
source. Ohr Somayach was
fully accredited. I felt I
needed to define who I am be-
fore I get married and bring
other children into the
world."
"Torah began to fill up my
life, change my outlook on
life and my career goals."
Originally on a political
fast track, Levine had worked
as a summer intern for Sena-
tor Carl Levin and had run
MSU's student campaign for
Governor Blanchard. With
his degree in political science
and urban planning finished,
he remained in Jerusalem for
a year, then returned to a
branch of Ohr Somayach in
Monsey, New York.
Today he works in New
York City as the assistant to
the owner of a commercial
construction company. He be-
gins each morning davening
and tries to spend several
hours a day in Torah study.
"For the first time, I feel I'm
working towards a complete-
ness, a fulfillment and rich-
ness in life."
For Ed and Karen Hurvitz,
becoming observant was a
gradual eight-year process.
"It wasn't overnight," Ed ex-
plains. "We had our ups and
downs and our questioning
period."
Karen's two brothers had
remained close with several
Orthodox teachers " at the
United Hebrew Schools and
had become quite religious.
They inspired Karen to
explore traditional Judaism.
"At first, Karen was way
ahead of me," Ed recalls. "We
were dating in college when
she decided to keep Shabbos.
It meant no fraternity par-
ties, no McDonald's."
Together, they explored
and accepted the Orthodox
lifestyle.
Rabbi and Mrs. Jacobovitz
acted like a role model for
the Hurvitzes. "We saw them
Continued on Page 18