i iell11111‘._ 4 11111, THE SHIRT BOX IT'S SHOW TIME!! THE SHIRT BOX k: k 41AA kV, ')%NkOg qtAs.-1;EN THE SAXONY LEATHER CO. PRESENTS To Join Or Not To Join Saturday, October 7, 11-4 p.m. Young Adults are more likely to have a health club membership than a temple or synagogue affiliation. FALL '95 TRUNK SHOW •Take an additional 10% OFF orders on the day of this showing. JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER 0 •Featuring a wide range of styles, colors and lengths to choose from! 19011 West Ten Mile Road Southfield, MI 48075 (Between Southfield & Ever- green) Men's Furnishings And Accessories What do you like most about the High Holidays or what's your favorite holiday memory? (810) 352-1080 Mon.-Sat. 9:30-6, Thurs. til 7 ID AV I I) SALON 851 - 000c 4741 West Maple • West Bloomfield MANICURE & PEDICURE $3000 Savings of s10°° FREE HAIR CUT BLOW DRY With any chemical treatment Savings of $35 00 (For new clients only) Please mention this ad to receive your discount when you call for your appointment. 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."