•TNCelebrate
AMAZING
what the
RIGHT
DRESS
can do.
A Place To Party
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Cantor Samuel Greenbaum and administrator Barbara Cook prepare for an event
in Beth Shalom's social hall.
06 Al / Go4 L5
APPAREL • ACCESSORIES • NOVELTIES
Inside the Orchard Mall
Open Sundays 12-5
(248) 851-1260
Area congregations say
social halls are worth the
effort, providing
congregants with a
convenient setting to
carry on the simcha.
JILL DAVIDSON SKLAR
Special to The Jewish News
SIMONE VITALE
BILL MEYER
JERRY FENBY
HOT ICE
TEEN ANGELS
THE CONTOURS
SIMONE VITALE
QUIET STORM
PERSUASION
SUN MESSENGERS
SUNSET BOULEVARD
TIM HEWITT
LOVING CUP
3/20
1998
C40
HOT ICE..
BILL MEYER
RENNIE KAUFFMAN
FENBY-CARR
ERIC HARRIS-DJ
PLEASE CALL FOR
ENTERTAINMENT AGENCY
APPOINTMENT
248-553-9966
hen the leaders of Con-
gregation Beth Shalom
were considering a facelift
for the shul, one of the
first and biggest areas targeted for reno-
vation was the social hall.
The change wasn't made simply
because the circa 1970 heavy brown
paneling, thin brown carpeting and dim
lighting was out of step with the 1990s.
The decorating scheme was not a draw
to the dozens of families holding sim-
chas at the synagogue who then booked
other venues for the ensuing celebra-
tions.
"The brides and grooms and their
families were booking places outside of
the synagogue or going to other syna-
gogues for their weddings because of
how drab and dreary the social hall
was," said Art Langer, past president of
the Conservative congregation in Oak
Park.
So the congregation poured almost
$1 million into a massive overhaul.
Where the thin, dark floor once lay is a
light, plush carpeting; where less-than-
attractive fixtures blinked, new gold
wall scones illuminate; where heavy
paneling clung, new wall surfaces lend
their touch to an airy, open environ-
ment. A chic entry way, complete with
ceramic tile, and a new foyer brim with
sunlight.
And all of the work achieved the
desired effect. Bookings are up signifi-
candy since the social hall reopened for
business and congregants are staying at
Beth Shalom for their simchas.
"They are ecstatic. Bookings are way
up," said Barbara Cook, executive direc-
tor of the congregation. "It is like the
whole place is reinvigorated."
Like many other area synagogues
and temples, Congregation Beth
Shalom realized the social hall was not
simply a place to stuff spillover ticket
holders on the High Holidays; instead,
it is a service to the congregants as well
as a showplace and point of pride for
the entire congregation and the Jewish
community.
And it is a potential money maker.
Although no local temple or synagogue
officials would comment on how much
of the overall annual income could be
attributed to the use of the social hall,
all said having the hall was a definite
benefit for the shuls. And with all of the
maintenance, polishing and updating
that goes into the halls, it is clear that
they are here to stay.