Full Force Ahead

always happening, it's a very vi-
brant place, and there seems to
be something there for everyone."
He heralds the growing mem-
bership as "absolutely fantastic,"
adding that "we have accepted
in the last year approximately
30 new members without any
LYNNE MEREDITH COHN STAFF WRITER
dues whatsoever because of their
inability to pay."
n the door to Rabbi Daniel
Add to that "over 280 new
He says it's not a "membership
Syme's office are taped drive," because that implies the members ... as paying members,"
sheets of white paper, with temple needs to gain members and with the "normal amount of
large numbers written in at all costs. That is not true, Rab- deaths and people moving away,
dark marker. The exact numbers bi Castiglione assures. He de- in one year we've recaptured the
signify growing membership and scribed the programming budget membership as to where we were
synagogue coffers.
as "enthusiastic."
four years ago."
They show where Temple
When Rabbi Dannel Schwartz
Mr. May also says finances
Beth El stands in its ongoing left Beth El a decade ago, sever- have moved from red to black.
membership drive and program al hundred families followed him "Our ability to raise money has
endowment: somewhere around to what became a new congre- grown geometrically because
1,300 households and about gation, Temple Shir Shalom, in there are many, many programs
$1.28 million short of the budget West Bloomfield.
that people want to sponsor.
goal of $4 million.
"We are not grabbing people That hasn't been seen in years."
But the temple's rabbis don't from other congregations," says
Two years ago, Beth El was
want to talk about it; it's not the Rabbi Castiglione. "We're wel- without a leader, in the midst of
numbers that count, they say, coming home people who have declining membership and grow-
but the excitement they yield.
left."
ing debt. But in December of
After a little persuasion, Rab-
Congregational vice president 1995, the temple decided to hire
bi David Castiglione revealed Alan May says Temple Beth El Rabbi Syme, son of Temple Is-
that the Reform temple in is pulling individuals from oth- rael's Rabbi M. Robert Syme, ef-
Bloomfield Township had a er shuls — Orthodox, Conserva- fective July 1, 1996. Rabbi Syme
membership of "a little below tive, Reform and unaffiliated had lived 23 years out-of-state,
1,200 households" in July of 1996 alike, he says.
serving as a senior vice president
when he, Rabbi Syme, Cantor
A lifetime member, Mr. May, of the Union of American He-
Stephen Dubov and Joyce Seglin, 55, says Beth El has become en- brew Congregations (UAHC).
congregational educator, came gulfed in "a spirit of goodwill and And in February 1996, the con-
on board.
good feeling. There is something gregation hired Solomon Fried-

Temple Beth El's back with new members, money
and much enthusiasm.

0

Let's Take it Outside!

Moosejaw Mountaineering

Cantor Stephen Dubov and Rabbi Daniel Syme, counting growth at Temple Beth El.

man Advertising in Bloomfield
Hills to generate positive pub-
licity.
Next came Ms. Seglin, the con-
gregational educator who sits on
the bimah with the rabbis and
cantor, in clergy attire; Rabbi
Castiglione from Elmira, N.Y.,
who, unlike Reform rabbis of old,
always wears a kippah; and Can-

for Dubov, from a congregation
in New Orleans and before that,
Broadway.
The new team is reinventing
Beth El. Last summer, the tem-
ple started hosting Shabbat din-
ner after services, and last fall,
Rabbi Syme invited unaffiliated

FULL FORCE page 10

"Because Plumbing Doesn't
Have To Be Boring."

833 SOUTH HUNTER • BIRMINGHAM

CHECK OUT THE
NORTH FACE
SUMMIT SHOP

START
PACKING FOR
CAMP AND
YOUR SUMMER
ADVENTURES

(Between 14 & 15 Mile, next to the new Border's)

(248) 203-7777

"Moosejaw is not a chain.
We're fun. We're local.
And, We use and abuse all
of the equipment and
outerwear we sell."

Also visit our 2 other locations

The Best Selection of Great

555 E. GRAND RIVER

3405 ORCHARD LAKE RD.

Backpacks, SleePing Bags,

EAST LANSING

KEEGO HARBOR

Tents, Hiking Boots,

(517) 333-4000

(248) 738-5291

Outerwear, Canoes, Kayaks,

Raingear, and Much,

Much More!

Next time you feed your face, think about your heart.

A

dvance Plumbing Supply Company's showroom features the latest ,
products the plumbing industry has to offer.
Exceptional brands such as Kohler, Dombracht, Franke, Porcher & American
China are favorites of interior designers and builders alike.
Come see our showroom & let our knowledgeable sales staff make your bath
& kitchen ideas come to life.

ADVANCE

•

ee.ettzw, SteNtiet

8

Go easy on your heart and start cutting back on foods that are high in saturated L.
fat and cholesterol. The change'II do you good.

American Heart Association

WE'RE FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE

Store hours are 7:30-5 Mon.-Fri., 8-3 Sat., or other times by appointment.
1977 W. Maple Road, Walled Lake (Between Haggerty & Decker Rds.)

(810) 669-7474