= SOUTHFIELD A FAMILY AFFAIR So Downriver Jews have learned to depend mainly on themselves, he said. Those who belong to Beth Isaac have found a close- knit Jewish family, Mr. Freeling said. He discovered that a few years ago when his father died in New York. Coming home to Lincoln Park shortly after the funeral, Mr. Freeling was greeted by 28 people at his home who wanted to participate in a minyan for him. "We had a minyan for the next four nights." That togetherness, however, has not been uni- versal. After longtime lay leader Ralph Aaronson moved in 1965 to Niles, Ill. return- ing only for High Holy Days services and occa- sional bar mitzvahs, Beth Isaac tried to manage,. The congregation hired two rabbis in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but soon reverted to lay leadership. That was fine for a while, said Mr. Freeling, who often conducts services us- ing a Baille prayer book. But synagogue members felt they needed more spiri- tual guidnce and exper- tise which could only come from a rabbi. With only 40 families, the synagogue could not afford a full-time rabbi. In May 1989, after three years of discussions, Beth Isaac affiliated with the Reform movement because it best met the congrega- tion's needs and would provide a student rabbi, Mr. Freeling said. While the synagogue still uses Conservative prayer books and retains a kosher kitchen, the decision meant the loss of six families. Most left the con- gregation because they did not like the new affiliation. Phil Ellias, a longtime Beth Isaac member, said he attended a service led by student rabbi Debbie Pipe- Mazo, but felt it was too watered down. He now at- tends Congregation B'nai Moshe and has strong ties to Detroit's central Jewish community. But those who stayed at Beth Isaac couldn't be more pleased with the leadership of Ms. Pipe- Mazo and her successor, Ruth Alpers. Services are , held every Friday night, with the student rabbi coming once a month from Cincinnati. Congregation members lead the remain- ing services. The Sunday school has 17 students, although that will drop when the four D'Loss chil- dren move this summer. Like any synagogue, there are devoted core members. "The young peo- ple are just as active as we were, maybe more so," Mrs. Blumberg said. That includes many of the non-Jewish spouses. The Downriver area has always had a high percen- tage of interfaith couples, Mrs. Blumberg said. Revelyn Chernoff, who shares her Downriver home with her two sons, knows there is a good chance they will marry non-Jews. After all, in re- cent years, few Downriver Jews have married within the faith. "Because of the number of interfaith couples, we try to make them as welcome as we can," Mrs. Blumberg said. "Most of the time, the non-Jewish partner is just as interested." Mrs. MacNicol's hus- band, Nelson, has no plans to convert, but he is an in- tegral part of the congrega- tion. In May, he will become the synagogue's vice president, even though as a non-Jew he will not be able to serve as president. "It's hard to have the same people do all the work," Mr. Freeling said. "Without new blood, it will be difficult." "We have tried to get other Jews in the Downriver area to join the synagogue, but we've never really been suc- cessful," Mrs. Blumberg said. Despite the difficulties facing Downriver's Jewish community, few plan to leave. "When I first moved Downriver, it might as well have been Kalkaska," Mrs. Blumberg said. "But there is nothing I miss. My life is Downriver. This commun- ity has given me every- thing I need because my children were also able to get a Jewish identity. If that were impossible, I would feel differently." ❑ a variety of homes in every style and price range ❑ central location with easy access to all major freeways ❑ rich community life ❑ warm, friendly neighborhoods ❑ award-winning City services and recreational facilities Oa school system nationally- recognized for excellence For more information: City of Southfield Housing and Neighborhood Center, 354-4400 Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. SOUTHFIELD The Center of It All • • • Have your own diamonds reset in a stunning modern necklace, or choose from the best creations by top designers. 30 ' TO 50 % OFF All merchadise is offered at outstanding discount prices. All sales can be exchanged or refunded. Gift wrapping is free. W EINTIRAUU JEWELERS 29536 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034 HOURS: M - F 10 - 5:30, Sat 10 - 5 PHONE: 357-4000 ❑ THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 27