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ne Shabbat, Daniel
Nevins, one of several new
young rabbis in town, was
playing a casual game of
basketball while discussing the
limited Jewish programming op-
tions available to young adults.
As the discussion evolved,
Rabbi Nevins and his game-time
adversary decided to experiment
by creating an informal Shabbat
service for any interested young
adult.
Forty-five people showed up to
a minimally publicized event and
a second service is slated for Oct.
20.
The event was a success, just
as the community-wide singles
Shabbat service consistently
draws between 250 and 300
young adults. But synagogues
s and temples face the challenge
of selling memberships to this
same population.
Although some area congre-
gations report an increase in
their young adult membership,
demographer Patricia Becker,
who has done extensive research
in the Jewish community, said
most people in their 20s and 30s
don't join on their own until af-
ter they are married.
"Unfortunately, young adults
have a low rate of affiliation, un-
til their children are of nursery
school age," Rabbi Nevins said.
"Many don't see it as a priori-
ty," he said. "Some have the per-
ception synagogues are family
centered and if they don't have
kids, they think they will feel out
of place. Or, often, young adults
are busy setting up careers.
Those who are single or don't
have children tend to focus on
work and entertainment."
Rabbi Nevins said young
adults fresh out of college are
used to a less-formal religious en-
vironment than most synagogues
provide.
Like many of his peers, Ron
Lippitt, 28, does not belong to a
congregation. While growing up,
he was active in Temple Emanu-
El. But once he graduated college
he was no longer part of his par-
ents' family membership.
"Temple was a big part of my
life," Mr. Lippitt said. "I've
thought about joining on my own,
but it's very expensive. The
clincher for me will be when I get
married. I think a spiritual foun-
Fran Herman, 30,
West Bloomfield
"I like hearing them blow the
shofar. I also like the symposium
they have at my temple (Kol Ami)
where people talk about how be-
ing Jewish affected their life."
Melissa Franklin:
Synagogue member.
dation is an important part of a
marriage."
Mr. Lippitt attends High Hol-
iday services, but even then his
parents buy his tickets. "Just
about everyone I know has their
parents buy their High Holiday
tickets," he said.
Once Melissa Franklin, 24,
moved to town from Orlando, one
of her priorities was to join a syn-
"The clincher for me
will be when I get
married."
— Ron Lippitt
agogue. The Michigan resident
of eight months sees it as a
means of feeling connected.
"I felt detached from the Jew-
ish community in Orlando and
as I got older, I began to realize
the importance of having a place
in my own community."
Almost two months ago, after
shopping around for a synagogue
and talking to several rabbis, she
joined Congregation Shaarey
Zedek.
Like most synagogues and
temples, Shaarey Zedek offers
lower membership rates to young
adults.
According to Malcolm Katz, an
administrator at Shaarey Zedek,
she is one of several new mem-
bers under the age of 30.
"Two-thirds of the people on
our new-member list are young
and single," Mr. Katz said. "I
think we can attribute this to the
activity we have going on here
for young people."
Tina Wals, 275
Royal Oalc
"Breaking the fast with my fami-
ly. It's the best meal of the year
Usually my father stays until the
shofar is blown and my mother
and I go home to get dinner
ready. As soon as we hear his
car pull up, everyone loads his
plate up so we can eat the
minute he walks in."
Rod Stem, 24,
West Bloomfield
"Being with my family and hav-
ing a chance to repent for every-
thing I did over the past year."