SYNAGOGUES FTOR Attracts 'Centrist' Rabbis Committed To Jewish Tradition ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM Features Editor T Beada Beada Inc. 4203 Rochester Royal Oak, Mi. 48073 313 - 5858340 BASKETS & TRAYS & GIFTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS * SWEETEST DAY OCTOBER 21st Local and Nationwide Delivery: (313) 626-9050 29594 Orchard Lake Rd. Farmington Hills, MI *KOSHER & DIET RESTRICTED AVAILABLE 46 • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1989 tO, hirty-five years ago Rabbi Sherman Kir- shner sat across from a Hebrew Union College pro- fessor who said that within his generation Judaism would comprise only two branches. Today, Rabbi Kirshner is making the same prediction. In the coming years, Reform, Conservative, Reconstruc- tionist and Orthodox will be replaced by Traditional and Liberal, he says. Rabbi Kirshner, head of Congregation B'nai Israel of West Bloomfield, will stand in the Traditional camp. He believes so strongly in the concept of Traditional Judaism, which he describes as centrist and "following the traditions" of the religion, that he has become an active member of the Fellowship of Traditional Orthodox Rabbis (FTOR). Based in Kansas City, the FTOR was established two years ago for rabbis com- mitted to Halacha but who opposed the right-wing orientation of some members of the established Orthodox community, according to an FTOR statement. More than 100 rabbis, including Mor- ton Yolkut of Congregation B'nai David and Allen Blus- tein of Sinai Hospital, are members of the fellowship. Rabbi Kirshner serves as membership chairman of the FTOR and, during the group's recent conference in Connecticut, was named co- chairman of a project to create a national organiza- tion of constituent congrega- tions. Although they come from diverse backgrounds and religious practices, all FTOR rabbis hold Orthodox smicha (ordination). While divided on issues such as the use of a mechitzah, the curtain separating men and women during religious ceremonies, fellowship members are opposed to counting women in a minyan and allowing women to read from the Torah, Rabbi Kirshner said. While most FTOR rabbis serve at Orthodox congrega- tions, a number come from Conservative synagogues. The latter take issue with recent decisions by the Con- servative leadership to or- dain women rabbis and can- tors, Rabbi Kirshner said. Yet the rabbi stressed that the FTOR takes seriously women's interest in worship. At its convention, the fellowship reaffirmed its support for the right of women to conduct their own services at the Kotel, while board member Rabbi Avraham Weiss of Brooklyn spoke of women's prayer groups at his synagogue. The FTOR also supports coeducational instruction in Jewish schools and opposes any change in the Law of Return, which stipulates that only individuals con- verted to Judaism according . to Halachah may become Israelis citizens. "It's not that we support Orthodox conversions," Rabbi Kirshner said. "But there's a correct way and an incorrect way to do a conver- sion. We support the correct way." Among the FTOR's upcom- ing projects are expanding a committee to place its rabbis in synagogues throughout the United States. The fellowship already has plac- ed five rabbis and received requests from many other congregations, Rabbi Kir- shner said. ❑ New Reform Guide Stresses Faith, Ritual A new emphasis on tradi- tional Jewish ritual and sym- bolism, representing a depar- ture from former policies and practices of the Reform move- ment, is reflected in a new book published by the Union of American Hebrew Con- gregations, the central body of Reform Judaism. Every Person's Guide to Judaism; by Stephen Eins- tein and Lydia Kukoff, is a Every Person's Guide to JUDAISM the Jewish community. It in- cludes chapters on the Jewish calendar, the Sabbath and festivals, Holocaust Membrial Day and Israel Independence Day. It also contains chapters on the Jewish community, entering the covenant through birth or conversion and establishing a Jewish home. Rabbi Einstein is head of Congregation B'nai Tzedek in Fountain Valley, Calif. Kukoff is the director of the Joint Commission on Outreach of the UAHC and the Central Conference of American Rabbis. For information, contact, the UAHC Press, 838 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10021; telephone (212) 249-0100. Temple Slates Debate On Drugs STEPHEN ). EINSTEIN and LYDIA- K.UKOFF The UAHC's 'Guide To Judaism' 195-page primer of Jewish life, introducing basic Jewish concepts and practices and making Judaism accessible to the general reader. "This book is not simply about customs and cere- monies," the authors point out in their introduction. "Its focus is the deep connection between Jewish theology and Jewish living. Judaism is not merely a religion: • It is a system that suffuses the life of its adherents." The guide explains the wide range of customs and ceremonies existing within The Birmingham Temple will present the third in a series of three programs for the Symposium 1990 titled "A Debate: The Decriminal- ization of Drugs" 8:30 p.m. Monday. Featured guests will be Howard Simon, director, American Civil Liberties Union — Michigan, PRO; and Rep. John Conyers, CON. There is a charge. Consecration Service Is Set Temple Emanu-El will hold its Simchat Torah Consecra- tion Service 7:30 p.m. today. All first-grade students will be consecrated. A dinner for students and their families will precede the service.