An Open Letter To The Community
Jewish Community Council
An association of 250 fraternal. religious. social and community relations organizations
Allen Zemmol
PRESIDENT
Robert I. Brown
Elaine C. Driker
Kathleen Straus
VICE PRESIDENTS
BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN JEWS
An Open Letter To The Jewish Community
Betsy Winkelman
SECRETARY
We write this open letter to the entire Detroit area Jewish community to
encourage participation in a unique endeavor, JEWISH UNITY SHABBAT, on
November 10-11, 1995. JEWISH UNITY SHABBAT was created by the
Jewish Community Council's Unity Committee, comprised of lay Jews from
diverse backgrounds.
The Jewish People are linked by history, a shared purpose and a common
destiny. Our community is blessed with many individuals who focus on what
unites all of us as Jews. Yet it is not uncommon for Jews - Conservative,
Humanist, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Reform, Secular or Traditional - to
deride and demean one another. The Jewish Unity Committee came together to
build bridges between Jews and to foster an environment of mutual respect
which will encourage communication and unity among us.
The Committee asked: "How can we strengthen the ties which bind one Jew to
another?" We looked for ways to light the flame of Jewish unity, to keep the
fires of Judaism burning brightly. Our first public effort focuses on Shabbat.
Shabbat is a force that is unique to the lives of Jews, and a concept that our
people have given to the world. We need to utilize Shabbat's unifying potential.
On the Shabbat of November 10-11, let's celebrate together the unity of our
people!
On Friday evening, November 10, we ask that you first kindle an additional
candle - the Candle of Jewish Unity. By performing this one simple ceremony,
you will join Jews across metropolitan Detroit in recognizing our unity, and the
connection to the Jewish people which Shabbat brings. Please also choose other
Jewish unity activities. Some suggestions are listed following this letter.
We look forward to working with you "b'yachad" - together in unity. Please
share with us your ideas on other means of doing so!
Gerald Cook and Michael Seligson, Co-Chairs, Jewish Unity Shabbat
Michael Traison, Chairman, Jewish Unity Committee
Allen Zemmol, President, Jewish Community Council
Morris Baker, Alexander Blumenberg, Susan Citrin, Barbara Cook
Sandy Hansell, Julius Harwood, Irving Panush, Bert Schreiber
Deana Sperka, Walter Stark, Jeannie Weiner, Andrew Zack
Howard I. Wallach
TREASURER
David Gad-Harf
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Allan Gale
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
James M. Alexander
Morris Baker
James Bellinson
Pearlena Bodzin
Harvey Brode
Ilene Chait
Roberta Charnas
Barbara Cook
Robert J. Dickman
Dr. Mark Diem
Michael Egren
Michael Eizelmon
Gary Faber
Carol Weintraub Fogel
Rabbi E. B. Freedman
Alan Gershel
Johonno Gordon
Robert Gordon
Arline Gould
Lois Granader
Ronald Hodess
Laurence R. !merman
Joel E. Jacob
Austin A. Kanter
Ronald Klein
Brian J. Kott
Ellen Lobes
Barbara Levin
Hannan Lis
Robert Liss
Annette Meskin
Norman Naimark
Rabbi Daniel Nevins
Rabbi Norman Roman
Judith Rosenberg
Claude L. Schochet
Deana Sperka
Howard B. Sherizen
Steven G. Silverman
Rabbi Arnold Sleutelberg
Ellie Slovis
Brian Tauber
Gary Torgow
Leonard Trunsky
Wendy Wagenheim
Leon Warshay
Dr. Jeffrey Weingarten
Ann Zousmer
HONORARY MEMBER
Jeannie Weiner
Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit
6735 Telegraph, Suite 100 • Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 • (810) 642-5393 FAX: 642-6469
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Member of the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council
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HOW TO CELEBRATE JEWISH UNITY SHABBAT
We need your help to create a climate of respect for the diversity of Jewish ideas
3. Attend Shabbat services on Friday, November 10 and Saturday, November 11
at your congregation , or at any congregation in our community.
and practices. Here are suggestions for participating in JEWISH UNITY
SHABBAT, a historic effort to break down the walls of misunderstanding
4. Invite Jewish family, friends, and/or neighbors to your home to share in one
between Jews:
or more of your Shabbat observances on November 10 or 11. Use the songs and
discussion pieces on Jewish unity (which will also appear in The Jewish News,
1. Obtain and use our unity candles, songs about Jewish unity and additional at-
co-sponsor of JEWISH UNITY SHABBAT, on November 3 and November 10).
home readings. They will be available from Sunday, November 5 through
Friday, November 10, at:
5. Make a family contribution to charity. Doing !=o prior to Shabbat is a unifying
Jewish tradition which declares that We Are One ( in Hebrew, "Am Echad").
6600 W. Maple, West Bloomfield
Jewish Community Center
15110 W. Ten Mile, Oak Park
Jewish Community Center
Agency for Jewish Education 21550 W. Twelve Mile, Southfield
6. Continue your support for Jewish unity beyond JEWISH UNITY
SHABBAT, by sending us your suggestions for fostering Jewish unity, and
(east entrance)
sharing with us your experiences during JEWISH UNITY .SHABBAT.
6735 Telegraph, Bloomfield Hills
Jewish Community Council
Volunteer for future Jewish unity events, and to host guests for a Shabbat later in
the year. To do so, contact the Jewish Community Council, 6735 Telegraph
2. Attend the Jewish Book Fair lecture of David Ariel, author of What Do Jews
Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, (810) 642-5393.
Believe, Thursday, November 9 at 8:00 p.m. at the Maple/Drake Jewish
Community Center.
JEWISH UNITY SHABBAT is sponsored by the Jewish Unity Committee of
the Jewish Community Council and The Jewish News, and is endorsed by the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.