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PLAUT page 15

)

Federation President David
Page. "Participation is as
vital to our future as raising
the dollars to strengthen
our institutions and pro-
grams. Without people,
there would be no dollars,
and certainly not much of a
future."
Rabbi Plaut, along with
Jewish leaders nationwide,
recognize that federations
must overcome stereotypes
of being organizations that
solicit money, but do little
else.
"Those stereotypes are
false," Rabbi Plaut said. "I
hope that I can help to cur-
tail some of the negative
feelings. I'm hoping to
establish new programs and
make people aware of exist-
ing ones.
"I think that Federation,
by creating this depart-
ment, is really taking a step
toward demonstrating its
commitment to breaking
down the stereotype," he
said.
Rabbi Plaut, who is
scheduled to assume his
position on Aug. 23, will
report directly to
Federation Executive Vice
President Robert Aronson.
The rabbi says he is
"thrilled" about moving
back to Detroit. He brings
with him more than two
decades of congregational

rabbinic experience. For 12
years, he lectured at col-
leges and a university in
Windsor. He has served as
a Santa Clara University
adjunct assistant professor
since 1985. The rabbi also
hosted weekly radio pro-
grams in Windsor during
the 1970s and mid-1980s,
"Religious Scope" and
"Religion in the News."

"Without people,
there would be
no dollars."

David Page

Throughout his career,
Rabbi Plaut has been active
with Jewish federations,
affiliated agencies as well
as civic organizations,
including the Windsor
Western Hospital Centre
and the Credit Counseling
Service of Metropolitan
Windsor.
Rabbi Plaut and his wife,
Carol, have two children,
Daniel and Deborah,
attending universities in
California and Arizona. The
rabbi is the son of W.
Gunther Plaut, a well-
known spokesman for
Canadian Jewry who also
wrote a Torah commentary
for the Union of American
Hebrew Congregations. ❑

Midrasha Offers
Preparation Classes

LESLEY PEARL STAFF WRITER

7

One, Two or Three Rows
of Diamonds Set In

30400 Telegraph Rd. Suite 134, Bingham Farms • 642-5575

or Rabbi Aaron
Bergman of Congre-
gation Beth Abraham
Hillel Moses, prepara-
tion for any event is key.
So he is puzzled by many
people's notion that they
can attend synagogue ser-
vices twice a year, usually
during the High Holidays,
and expect to experience
anything spiritual.
"You wouldn't enter a
marathon without training.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur are the spiritual
marathon," Rabbi Bergman
said.
He is not alone in his
thoughts.
Anticipating the holiest
days of the year, Midrasha
Center for Adult Jewish
Learning and The Jewish
News are offering courses
to help individuals prepare
for Rosh Hashanah and
Yom Kippur services.
The four-part lecture

series, "Elul: A Time To
Prepare," and a three-part
mini-course, "Spiritual
Themes in High Holiday
Prayers," follows tradition
that the Hebrew month
before Rosh Hashanah
should be spent in religious
study and spiritual prepa-
ration.
There is no charge nor
knowledge of Hebrew neces-
sary for attendance, but
reservations are required.
Beginning Aug. 18,
Cantor Gail Hirschenfang
of Temple Beth El will pre-
sent the first Elul lecture
regarding the aesthetics of
worship of the High
Holidays. Rabbi Bergman
will follow on Aug. 24 with
a workshop exploring emo-
tional preparation for the
Days of Awe.
Through role-playing and
dialogue, Rabbi Bergman

MIDRASHA page 18

')/)