E-)
Net Gains
Shir Shalom's young adults group takes off
as a way for couples to get more active within the temple.
PLYNNE MEREDITH COHN
StaffWriter
t really stands for "Not Enough
Time," but Temple Shir Shalom's
Net also serves as a way to catch
young adults and involve them
on a more personal level in the life of
the synagogue.
About two years ago, Rabbi Michael
Moskowitz and three member couples
— Rob and Debbi Lippitt, Debi and
Lee Weinstein, and Michael and Kim
Stahler — set out to create a group for
young adults, age 39 and younger, that
would provide programs for young
families.
"It's another aspect the synagogue
can offer for couples who like to do
things together," says Moskowitz. Shir
-Shalom, the decade-old synagogue in
West Bloomfield, didn't even have a sis-
terhood until last spring. The Net
debuted as the temple's first sub-group
and a way into active synagogue life for
many young adults.
"It's a less formal way, a less intimi-
dating way to get involved with the
synagogue," Moskowitz says. And it's
also an opportunity for couples to get
involved together, as opposed to the
days decades ago when wives joined the
sisterhood and husbands opted for
brotherhood — separately.
Andy and Danielle Mayoras, lawyers
in their 20s, coordinate the group with
Gary and Stacey Shuman, who are in
their 30s and have two children. The
group attracts "a lot of interfaith cou-
ples," says Danielle Mayoras. Those
;`include the Shumans and Mayorases.
"[My husband] Andy is Catholic —
if anyone would have felt out of place
in the synagogue, it's Andy, but he feels
like a member, and a lot of it has to do
with the Net," Mayoras, 26, says. "It's
just a nice community. Rabbi
Moskowitz goes to a lot of things — it's
unusual socializing with your rabbi."
Adds 35-year-old Gary Shuman,
"People felt there was a need at the
temple for a group for young people to
get together. Once you hit 40, you're
grandfathered. We have people that
started at 38 who are now 40, 41. They
can still come."
Net events range from building
sukkot to serving the hungry at a
181 S. Old Woodward Ave.
(1 Blk. S. of Maple, Next to
the Birmingham Theatre)
(248) 642-1690
Mon.—Sat.
9:30-5:30,
Thurs.—Fri.
9:30-8:30,
oi
vea"
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Top: The Net does family activities like sukkah-building and also adult-only pro-
grams at places like the Velvet Lounge.
Above, left: Gary Shuman, a coordinator of the Net, builds Shir Shalom's sukkah.
glemeinheo the
tO;teat RA;nov,
Above, right: William Shuman, son of two of the Net's four coordinators, is
engrossed by sukkah decorations.
Detroit soup kitchen to a night at the
Velvet Lounge cigar and martini bar in
Pontiac. They are held monthly.
While there is no such thing as
membership in the Net, Shuman esti-
mates that one-third of the synagogue's
members fall into the 24-40 age group.
Even non-members can come to
events, says Moskowitz.
Both Mayoras and Shuman agree
that the people attending Net events
are mostly couples.
"Most people who are single and 30
are generally unaffiliated," says
Shuman, "although there are single
people who do come to our events."
For several couples, the Net is a way
to meet other intermarrieds. For Shir
Shalom members who are not native
Detroiters, it's a way into a tight-knit
community, Shuman says.
The next Net event, an alternative
Kabbalat Shabbat service followed by
dinner, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan.
30 in conjunction with Rekindling
Shabbat. For information about the
Net, call Temple Shir Shalom at
(248) 737-8700. ❑
Pholoo t.• ra , • Inc
31543 W. 13 MILE RD.
FARMINGTON HILLS
(248) 553-4867
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12/26
1997
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