. , . 411wOrat"

Karen, Shira, Deena and Dr. Edward Hurvitz.

Rabbi Jacobovitz conducts a class at Machon L'Torah.

under his shirt, were noticeable at
his side.
Robbie Udman is a Baal
Teshuvah, a returnee to the Or-
thodox way of life.
Like many Detroit-area Jews,
Udman felt something incomplete in
his life, and had the courage to ask a
few questions and the time to listen,
re-evaluate and ask for more.
According to the Jewish Catalog,
"Teshuvah is the mitzvah involving
a psychological technique of self-
rehabilitation," The Baal Teshuvah,
or "master of repentance," or one
who turns," embarks on a journey
"... to regain his Jewish conscious-
ness through neglected observances
and symbols."
There are hundreds of Baalei
Teshuvah within Detroit's Jewish
community. They are not always
recognizable. Contrary to popular
stereotypes, not all become dark-
bearded chasidim or "born-again"
proselytizers.
Many are quietly re-affirming
their Judaism, studying and becom-
ing more observant, taking small
steps, year after year. Many are
coming together in organized study
groups or classes, forming their own
minyan, going away for a retreat
weekend, or like Udnian, leaving for
New York or Jerusalem.
In the last six years, Detroit's
Baalei Teshuvah movement has
blossomed into two full programs,

each with its own unique approach
and focus, and separate national and
international networks.
At the center of each program
are dynamic personalities.
Rabbi Avraham and Bayla
Jacobovitz are the founders and driv-
ing force behind Machon L'Torah,
The Jewish Learning Network of
Michigan, an energetic and growing
institution within the mainstream
Orthodox community.
Born seven years ago out of a
need to provide the Orthodox com-
munity with a program of courses to
improve the general level of Torah
knowledge, Machon L'Torah operates
with the full cooperation and
blessings of the Orthodox commu-
nity. A 12-member board of Or-
thodox community leaders, presided
over by Gary Torgow, oversees its
operations.
Machon L'Torah has also be-
come a quiet outreach program, with
courses offered on four college cam-
puses: Michigan State University,
University of Michigan, Central
Michigan University and Wayne
State University.
Rabbi
Most importantly,
Jacobovitz is the key person to con-
tact for Jews interested in learning
more about their Jewishness, for
those serious about a return to a
Torah true life.
Rabbi and Mrs. Jacobovitz are

Randy Deutch listens attentively.

Rabbi Jacobovitz leads the Havdalah service to end Shabbat.

"It just
builds and builds
and gets deeper."

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