-
ment toward membership through the
program, Federation plans to issue a
local guide to the congregations in
1998.
Rabbi David Nelson of
Congregation Beth Shalom stressed
that the most important aspect of the
affiliation trend is not simply in syna-
gogues gaining larger membership
numbers but in families finding the
right fit.
When this happens, he said, fami-
lies "will be more comfortable and
more inclined to go and become
involved."
For the Kaplans, it isn't the fact that
/-(ney finally found a spiritual home,
but rather it is their attempt to find
one that makes their story special.
After moving from Boston, the fami-
ly joined a Reform temple recom-
mended by their former rabbi.
Disappointed by the limited use of
Hebrew at services, they decided to
- _ 'nvestigate a Conservative congrega-
tion, instead.
Although happy with the
Conservative synagogue, they left to
follow their multiply-disabled son to a
different Reform temple that accom-
modated his needs. That congrega-
tion was ditched when their other
Jaughter was becoming bot mitzvah.
/̀---
At first, Nancy Kaplan wasn't sure
about the West Bloomfield syna-
gogue. The congregation followed
a different prayer bodk than she
was used to and sung different
melodies; she didn't have many
friends there.
"For the first month, I sat by myself
and just absorbed what was going
on," she said.
But after a while, she got the hang
of the services, melodies and all. She
also found a group of regular shul-
goers who welcomed her.
And even though aspects of the
ongregation do not please her, there
are more than enough good things to
keep her going.
"These are some of my best
friends," she said. "This is better than
I imagined." CI
Tips For Shul Shopping
In many ways, finding the right spir -
renaissance," said Rabbi David
Although the best face is put forth
itual home is like finding the right
Castiglione of Temple Beth El.
during the Days of Awe, awe may
physical home. Without a comfort-
"Adults want a place where they
be the last thing a shul shopper will
able fit and the appropriate ameni-
can spiritually grow. Some are
feel during the High Holidays.
ties, congregopts may not get what
learning for the first time what they
Clergy generally is tied up in lead-
they desire from the synagogue or
some h ow missed when they were.
ing services and just getting through
temple. If they are
comfo4ble,
young y
ga s to notice a new face in
3
=i they will not be int rnecl to
crowd • N
ancy
Kaplan suggests
.w
The
tment
--. co "Ming on Shabbat or anoth e r
services and get involved in
gue
o g life said
-Rabbi
are really
,
re
:hen my husband
day The d High
ion Beth
Nelson of Congregaton
for a congregati *-
-w-- _, - . . „ atypica I They are chaos," she
Shalom
ed• some congregations
"Findir4the--t--
_
Get A Sense Of The
:tot. accepting of child participa--1:
with is esser_
4han ,i, ...c „tit
we
went
tO:2
-,-
-
.1Ltgy
. ., .._r_....tf
,., .r, . : .,.,,a4t,,...,_
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._.- . -
-
___ - : „..: „ - = 7 - - - ro le o the clergy is essential
yr h
-st s
„ i ..._____-
- _ .-
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nedo
----,-,_-_--it-:-. ' e congregation.
1 - 59:-' 1 -' ' -g4-_T - O -- , - - --- - - -----
we o_ t 4 0_, - 1 . .3.
, ccongregation They uplift„- 4- _ - _- : , ~
, -', , , ,_ -- . -----.
,„,
It hass-',
- -. ..-
-,.._ - _ f __. 5.- „-_- _' -' e ducate
irtfor- 40 -ANN 2,- _
7f--
comfort, supporf_
u - ca t e inform
.,______..-..
---- , ,- - -- 7. - - : . - - :%-.114-_,. 4 . L - ----„,--- - _-_-
- - .-
- ...
or they will rt
-z-__E- - - e ui0e_-ftr lriy?r77?F!:.-__.ts:7-
feel a part o,
----__.
,,,,
____ .: ,, _,,,
---.— , ,. --. .„ T - .„ ...„
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:: _ z_ ..„,
-_•_,...„..,,,,,,,,.„,____---
-
•
-
----s
co mm
- • —
,
rea
shown that people -
t he moSt- irnportan--
. ”
s ue 11 f e, Rabbi T:ft
at is a big resport,
ust rise up to meet
iLI
=
_ i , _
-----
- -
- „ - -,_-- - .:-,_ -------- ---,-
___ -,---- •--. ---.,--
------,---
- ---, ---_-___„
--z-, _ - _ -. -, -_,,- - : -,---,__
Ar..: ,-----
...„,:w6 - ;,-,.
- --,L
---,,
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- - - _- ,.. :- 7-
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-
--,
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_........_„:„.
_
-
--,
----
____:
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_ ...,,_.__...
,,,,, k ,2,,, , ,__
,_ x _
. .
s nagogu-M
the
randT
-...'-
`"----
-1 - He
day s
et,t
e-ygttlo •
-
L
school or. latk t er.
a factor.0.tu,
_
b e
late mem oer-
low - regular par-
_
I yo
•
-
: offered at
.
For adults who may.--.#7.*Zissed
out on Jewish educati&Wportu-
nities when they were young or
who have a growing appetite for
Jewish learning, finding a syna-
gogue with a strong adult-educa-
tion program might factor into the
equation.
"We are seeing a renewal, a
F-
loin .g
an im
Virtually a -667-
tcsWitens wi
work with you. --W6 - dues.:
are a mainstay of local
gogues, and many offer associate
membership or free membership
for one year.
:,-
6. Skip the Hi gh Holidays
-•••-
.•
•
gle congre;:
tiT . :i fill all
youriikds. Appreciate '' hat good
you have found, and learn to deal
with what you cannot change. El
1/2
1998
51