they overlook the built-in drawbacks, such as hearing sermons from someone un- familiar with the congrega- tion. "The congregations used • to having students are very c open- minded," said 25-year- old Paula Feldstein, who did her first High Holiday ser- vices last year in Southington, Conn. 1 But it is easy to make small blunders when coming into a community, such - as when she preached to the Southington congregation about the need to help the homeless, not knowing that they were formally involved , in a soup kitchen project. II In a previous year, she said, "a rabbi gave a sermon 1 on AIDS, and they thought it was not appropriate because of the children." Raphael Kanter, 31, a stu- dent at the Jewish Theologi- cal Seminary, said that ex- perience as a High Holidays rabbi in small communities has taught him that it is best - not to 'preach at" a con- gregation, whose only con- tact with organized Judaism 1 1 may be the High Holiday services he is leading. "It shouldn't be so much trying to push people as it is I transmitting to them your --- feeling about the tradition and trying to give them some of that excitement," he said. A less philosophical but no less important issue for the student rabbis is the extent of their temporary congrega- tion's level of Hebrew lit- eracy and which tunes they L know for chanting the prayers. Efrat Zarren, a 26-year-old HUC student who has serv- • ed High Holiday congrega- tions in Redding, Calif., and Battle Creek, Mich., said she opts for the most traditional tunes, figuring that the greatest number of people will know them. • "Sometimes, I hum over • the phone to the president of the congregation and ask if the tune sounds familiar," she said. 1 While rabbis in larger congregations can rely on cantors for singing support, most of the rabbinic students have little choice but to manage musically as best they can. "Almost every rabbinic student doing this will be forced to sing," said Mr. Zarren. "Anyone who doesn't have a very good est Wishes for a Happy, Hedthy and Prosperous New Ye r from the Board of Directors, Officers and Staff. liberty State Bank& MEMBER FDIC Chesterfield Twp. 50650 Gratiot Ave., 949-5950 Clinton Twp. 16673 E. 15 Mile Rd., 792-1470 Clinton Twp. 41801 Garfield, 263-4000 Commerce Twp. 39440 14 Mile Rd., 669-9050 Commerce Twp. 3030 Union Lake Rd., 360-4800 Hamtramck 9301 Jos. Campau, 871-9400 Redford Twp. 25719 Grand River Ave., 538-4405 Sterling Heights 44500 Van Dyke Ave., 739-0300 Sterling Heights 2229 Metropolitan Parkway, 795-9300 Troy 801 W. Big Beaver Rd., 362-5200 Waterford Twp. 4396 Highland Rd., 681-4830 West Bloomfield Twp. 6705 Orchard Lake Rd., 626-3970 HAPPY NEW YEAR! so,,,, ica TO OUR CUSTOMERS • Y OURS FRIENDS 464-8170 Marilyn Gold from State Farm Insurance, Wishes Friends & Clients a Healthy & Happy New Year All Day Saturday Banking. LOBBY HOURS Mon.-Thurs. 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday 9:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EXTENDED DRIVE-IN HOURS Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Troy and Hamtramck hours vary from this schedule. Please call these offices for hours. HAPPY NEW YEAR To OUR CUSTOMERS & FRIENDS ..2'akte Southfield Plaza Southfield Rd. & 12 1/2 Mile Bridal Boutique (313) 557.2670 0 Chuck Randolph Travel & Tours Wishing All Our Friends and Customers A Healthy and Happy New Year THE VILLAGE KNOLL PLAZA 3588 WEST MAPLE ROAD • BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN 48010 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 91