Kevin Early remembers the chicken and chal-
lah at Ms. Silverman's dinner table. He calls his
hostess a great teacher and talks fondly of watch-
ing the lighting of Shabbat candles.
Mr. Early has lived in Japan and Brazil and
attended university in Lisbon, Portugal. He
speaks half a dozen languages.
As an assistant professor of sociology at Oak-
land University, Mr. Early specializes in de-
viance and social control.
"I've spent most of my time trying to under-
stand people who are different
than me," Mr. Early said. "I
never heard my parents speak
against another group. We
learned to respect other people.
That's how I live my life.
"People tell me I'm not liv-
ing in the real world, but I be-
lieve the only way to change
society is to change what is
most immediate and what can
be changed — and that is your-
self. It doesn't really matter
that I'm the exception. I will
touch others."

n April, the United Syna-
gogue of Conservative Ju-
daism, the association of
Conservative congregations
in North America, hosted a
program focusing on bridging
the gap between Jews and
blacks, specifically Muslims.
Imam Abdullah El-Amin,
chairman of the Muslim Cen-
ter in Detroit, and Sharona
Shapiro, Michigan area direc-
tor of the American Jewish
Committee, spoke of black-
Muslim history and the differ-
ences between Nation of Islam
and other groups which follow
the writings of the Koran.
Similar plights and religious
beliefs were identified.
Ms. Shapiro suggested, "Jews and blacks
share a fear of danger and hatred in the United
States. Our security is based on finding ways to
fight hatred and get around obstacles like Louis
Farrakhan. We need to understand each other's
pains better."
Imam El-Amin added, "Interfaith work is
what God wants, while we each maintain our
own religions."
However, when the forum opened, no one
asked what actions could be taken to improve
relations. Instead, questions and comments fo-
cused around Jews in the slave trade, Mr. Far-
rakhan and Jackie Mason's use of the word
shvartze.
Temple Israel and Hartford Memorial Bap-
tist Church also have made efforts to strength-
en a liaison formed years ago.
Rabbi Paul Yedwab of Temple Israel recited
prayers in an ecumenical service after last year's
fire at the church. The temple's sisterhood and

the churdh's women's group joined forces to host
. Shabbat following a community play,
an Oneg
"Crossing The Broken Bridge," a work focusing
on intergroup relations.
Social action committees from the temple and
church have planned joint activities.
The relationship is not consistently active, ad-
mits Dr. Nancy Gad-Harf, programming direc-
tor for Temple Israel. In addition, Temple Israel
has not worked recently with the Wilshire Block
Club Association — located on the east side of

world hate us both. If they attack either of us,
the other is dose behind," Rabbi Sleutelberg said.
The efforts are not always easy.
Mr. Early said one experience Jews will nev-
er know is the inability to hide. Blacks cannot
"pass," he said. Churches and temples, howev-
er, offer a safe environment, sanctuaries where
people share the belief of brotherhood.
For Shir Tikvah and Plymouth, it has been a
slow road.
Added the Rev. Hood, "I don't think blacks

and whites interact a lot outside of the
Detroit — a group they joined with a few Joe Katz (left) and
work environment, where relationships
years ago to build a park and collect wife Diane (right)
are controlled and barriers are in place.
hosting dinners and
canned goods for food drives.
"Just
doing
what
It's somewhat rare that I purely so-
"It's often hard to sustain projects. It's
people do."
cialize with whites, much less Jews.
not for lack of caring or interest, though,"
"We live in different neighborhoods,
Dr. Gad-Harf said.
our children go to different schools, we
"This is a global issue. And I think
frequent different places. Yet I'm im-
there's the psychological development of
pressed with the common bond of humanity that
both groups to look at. Blacks are asserting them-
ties us all together."
selves and their needs. And civil rights are not
The Rev. Hood refers to the time he and his
at the forefront of most Jewish minds.
wife
attended a housewarming at Rabbi Sleutel-
"I do suspect in 10 years we'll be in a closer
berg's
home in Royal Oak.
space, working together even more."
"People brought gifts, a prayer was said and
a lot of food was cooked and consumed — high-
abbi Arnie Sleutelberg of Shir Tikvah
fat,
deep-fried — the kind I thought only African-
can't wait that long.
Americans ate. And I said to myself, We do all
He believes the elements that could be
these things, too.'
divisive to Jews and blacks can be used
"When we share a common meal, we all eat,
for positive ends.
we
all consume. These are good reminders we
"It could be said that we owe this relationship
have
a lot in common, as humans, not just as
to Farrakhan. I've always known that Jews and
Cl
peoples."
blacks need to be in coalition. The bigots of our

Ft

