Washington and 16,000 troops took
over. Harvard's dorms became tempo-
rary barracks for the soldiers.
When our tour trolley returned to
Harvard Square, we were ready to
explore Jewish Cambridge. First we
visited a handsome brick building
with palladium window at 74 Mt.
Auburn Street, headquarters for
Harvard Hillel.
Five different student congrega-
tions worship here, and this is also
the cultural hub for the large contin-
gent of Jewish students at Harvard.
Facilities include a kosher restaurant
open to the public, plus meeting
rooms for Hillel's varied cultural pro-
grams — everything from Israeli folk
dancing to Talmud courses.

Dorms where
Emerson and
Thoreau lived.

From here it was just a short walk
to Tremont Street, where Temple
Beth Shalom is located. Known as
the Tremont Street shul, it's a modest
building that is headquarters for the
city's one congregation.
Outside, we admired the land-
scaped garden enclosed by a color-
ful tile wall, with the tiles depicting
sites related to the city's Jewish histo-
ry.
This eclectic congregation holds
two services, one traditional and the
other egalitarian, in which women
are called to the bimah. The two
groups — both of which include stu-
dents from both Harvard and MIT
— conclude services together and
then share in a sit-down kiddush
every Friday evening.
True to the college-town ambiance
of Cambridge, this is a congregation
with an active cultural life. It hosts
a series called "Cambridge Lectures
on Contemporary Thought" and
other events such as klezmer concerts.
But the most famous event is the
annual Simchat Torah celebration,
when the entire street is closed to
traffic and young and old, students
and locals, sing and dance in the
street.
From Harvard Yard to the
Tremont Street shul, Cambridge is a
lively college town — so lively that
it's easy to forget that Boston is just
across the river and enjoy an entire
weekend here with the students.

Are You A
Humanistic Jew?

Take This Simple True or False Test:

1. Judaism is not only a religion; it's also the culture and
history of the Jewish People. Tor f

2. You have the power and responsibility to shape your own life
independent of supernatural authority. Tor F

3. You would like to experience Jewish celebrations — the High
Holidays, Hanukkah, Pesach, Shabbat and others — with
Hebrew songs, poetry and philosophic reflection. Tor F

4. You want to teach your children Hebrew, Jewish history,
culture and the ethics and values of Judaism. Tor F

If you think that all of these statements are true,
you may be a Humanistic Jew. Now, ask
yourself one more question. Is there a place
where I can find other people who feel as I do?
The answer to this one is easy: Yes.
You'll find them at The Birmingham Temple.

THE BIRMINGHAM TEMPLE

A Congregation for Humanistic Judaism

28611 West 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills

For more information, call (248) 4774410.

www.shj.org

LOCATED IN
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6385 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD
AT MAPLE
WEST BLOOMFIELD 48322

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248.855.4488

MONDAY - TUESDAY
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GOOD TASTE

and gallery

9/19
1997

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