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Contract At Issue

Beth Abraham Hillel Moses congregants
will meet to discuss their cantor's future.

20

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12

Medical miracles
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JULIE WIENER
Staff Writer

r

or 16 years, • Cantor Ben-
Zion Lanxner's voice has
resounded through the
sanctuary of Beth
Abraham Hillel Moses (BAHM) in
West Bloomfield. His distinctive
Israeli accent also can be heard
throughout the synagogue's religious
school, which he has directed since
1995.
But if a recent board decision is
upheld, that voice will cease to be a
presence at the shul. On Monday,
BAHM members will convene in a
closed meeting to discuss recent
employment decisions concerning
Lanxnei.
According to an April 29 letter to
BAHM members from President
Henry Lonnerstater, Lanxner's con-
tract, which expires June 30, was

renewed for one year in February,
the meeting will persuade the board
despite executive committee and per-
to alter its decision.
sonnel committee recommendations
Further complicating the scenario is
that he not be renewed. Lonnerstater
that the board leadership is in flux.
wrote to the congregants that the
According to Lonnerstater, four offi-
board voted to rescind contract renew-
cers — including himself— will com-
al on April 21, even though the issue
plete their terms at-the end of May
was not on the meeting agenda. Input
and have declined to be nominated for
from the shul membership was not
another one-year term. A fifth officer,
solicited beforehand because, he
Howard Wallach, recently resigned as
wrote, "sensitive issues could be
first vice-president; he
Beth Abraham
raised which might be of great
declined to comment
Hillel Moses
embarrassment to the parties
about his reasons.
sanct uag..
and others and it is not the
Lonnerstater said he
intention of the Board to exacer-
does not know what will
bate the situation."
occur Monday night. He
Religious school parents and
would not say whether congregants
teachers have held two meetings to
will have an opportunity to vote on
discuss the situation. The Jewish News the issue before them.
was unable to find members or teach-
Lonnerstater declined to explain
ers willing to talk publicly about the
why the board rescinded Lanxner's
issue. Monday's congregational meet- contract offer. His April 29 letter,
ing has been scheduled in response to
however, stated: "The Board feels
a pro-Lanxner petition signed by 25
strongly that our clergy must set an
members, but it is unclear whether
example with regard to abiding by