DETROITI

THE JEWISH NEWS

13 FRONT

This Week's Top Stories

Synagogue Marketing

High Holiday time is prime time
for synagogue shopping.

JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER

/- -

C

ongregation B'nai David
wants the community to
know "special introductory
low membership dues" are
available for prospective members
and include High Holiday tickets.
Temple Israel is offering com-
plimentary tickets to anyone be-
tween ages 22 and 35 for the
congregation's young adult High
Holiday services. Congregation
Shir Tikvah's ad in The Jewish
News — which boasts that its
congregants call their rabbi by
his first name — offers a free
three-month membership. And,

Israel Bonds' giant gala Sunday marks support for Israel and
cohesiveness at home.

BAILA LAZARUS SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

R

osie Schlussel doesn't
mince words when she
talks about Israel Bonds
as "an investment in Is-
rael that should be in the heart
of every Jewish person." It's
easy to see how their relevance
for her stems from her love for
Israel and how that love is
shared by her family.
"You couldn't have a Jewish
community here without Is-
rael," she says passionately. "Is-
rael is our homeland. I've been
there about a dozen times. Jew-
ish traditions are important to
us and we try to instill that in
our children; my children un-
derstand how important keep-
ing Israel is."
Mrs. Schlussel and her hus-
band Mark are among 11 cou-
ples who will be honored
> Sunday night at a special
Jerusalem 3000 anniversary
gala sponsored by State of Is-
rael Bonds at the Palace of
Auburn Hills.
Bernie Stollman, general
chairman of the Michigan chap-
ter of State of Israel Bonds, says
the evening is going to be a first:
"A number of synagogues and
temples have been involved in
, Israel Bonds in past events and
there have been a lot of events
in the community around the
Jerusalem 3000 anniversary.

\

This is the first time so Betty and D. Dan lent." More than 750
many have come togeth- Kahn will be among people are expected
the honorees
er for one event based on
to attend Sunday's
Sunday at the
a single theme."
gala. The organizers
Palace.
He hopes it will set a
need the whole floor
trend. "We've been seeing
of the Palace to set
some synagogues and temples up the stage, buffet and tables,
becoming involved in events and are still a little worried
who have not been involved in about fitting everybody in.
Israel Bonds in the past. It de-
The success of the event re-
pends on the success of the flects the support Israel Bonds
event. We're very encouraged. get from investors and the be-
The response has been excel- lief that Bonds are no less nec-
essary now than when they
were set up to help a newly cre-
ated State of Israel.
"At one time it was a matter
of
life and death," says honoree
Dorothy and Byron Gerson,
D. Dan Kahn, past chair of Is-
Congregation. Sliaarey Zedek;
rael Bonds for Michigan. "It's
Lana and Louis Golden, Tem-
not like that anymore but it's no
ple Kol Ami; He.len and Sy In-
less important for Israel to be
dianer, Congregation Beth
strong and to grow for four-and-
Abraham Hillel Moses; Betty
a-half
million people. Roads are
and D. Dan Kahn, Adat
still necessary, the water sys-
Shalom Synagogggi.14abs and
tem still isn't totally adequate
eth
EHle;r1a
Ela
.
Ka
inufi
ell
Ally
VA:I:-
And no less relevant is the
sky; Mple
fact that Israel Bonds are a good
e
investment, says Mr. Kahn.
Co J
l4tion
"You can't get seven-and-a-half
Edna and Philip
percent interest any other place.
gregation Beth Achim; Ann
They've never defaulted. Many
and Stan Rosen, Congregation
American
states hold Israel
Beth Shalom; Rosie and Mark
Bonds. They are more secure
Schlussel, the combined
than General Motors."
Young IsraeLs; Jane and Lar-
The gala was initiated by the
ry Sherman, Temple Israel.

Sunday Honorees

)1

BIRTHDAY page 18

PHOTO BY GLENN TR IEST

Birthday Bash

religious institutions like a busi-
ness, even though costs of mem-
bership, often exceeding $1,000
a year, tend to keep people away.
"Everyone wants a piece of
the cake," said Beth Abraham
Hillel Moses President Alfred D.
Bricker. "This is what we do
every year, try to attract as
many families as we can. Every-
one reaches out before the holi-
days."
This is the time of year when
most families shul-shop so their
children can attend religious
school. Being able to attend High
Holiday services also in-
spires some to join a tem-
ple or synagogue.
"This year, the begin-
ning of religious school
and the holidays are oc-
curring concurrently,"
Rabbi Moskowitz said.
"This is the time when
most people walk through
the synagogue doors and
congregations want to
showcase what they have
to offer."
Although there is an ur-
gency to attract new mem-
bers, some synagogue and
temple officials hesitated
before saying there isn't
competition among the
congregations.
"Different congrega-
Leonard Baruch: Creating a niche.
tions are trying to create
a sphere for themselves,"
the Isaac Agree Downtown Syn- said Leonard P. Baruch, the ex-
agogue, in advertising it's High ecutive director of Congregation
Holiday services, wants the com- Shaarey Zedek. "At the same
munity to know that tickets are time, in today's world, a congre-
not required.
gation has to be a full-service con-
Welcome to the weeks before gregation, serving a variety of ages
Rosh Hashanah, when congrega- and interests."
tions throughout metro Detroit
Mr. Baruch said Shaarey
actively pursue new members; Zedek's niche includes the con-
mostly through advertising High gregation's parenting center, ed-
Holiday services, religious school, ucational opportunities for kids
ice cream socials and family pic- and the synagogue's ability to
nics.
make itself affordable to those
"It's my sense that we are all who need assistance.
trying to do similar things," said
One-third of Shaarey Zedek's
Rabbi Michael Moskowitz of Tem- new members join the congrega-
ple Shir Shalom. "There are a lot tion at this time of year although,
of unaffiliated out there and it Mr. Baruch said, most join to en- —
would make us happy if they af- roll their children in the congre-
filiate with us or any congrega- gation's school. cc
tion."
At Temple Israel, President Lu
ca
With approximately half the David Tisdale said the temple
Jewish community unaffiliated, formed a group called the Young
it's no secret that synagogues and Adult Congregation.
temples have a host of untapped
"Our young
young adult members cr)
potential members. It's also no wanted to be more inviting of
mystery that financial realities people their own age," Mr. Tis- 3
require running and marketing dale said. LI

