GOING OUT OF BUSINESS Amy Rose's kitchen table. The once-a- week school now boasts three teachers and runs a bar mitzvah class. The con- gregation, which has 25 paying mem- bers and a mailing list of 100, also owns a miniature sefer Torah and employs a part-time rabbi, Ann Arborite Peter Gluck, and a cantorial soloist, Robin Liberatore, to lead monthly kabbalat shabbat services. Ann Arbor's Reconstructionist Havurah, founded as an alternative to the city's Orthodox, Conservative and Reform congregations, has no paid staff and, until January, had no board. With all services lay-led and volun- teer-coordinated, the havurah —in keeping with Reconstructionist philos- ophy — places a high premium on member participation. Unfortunately, the dependence on an active membership can sometimes lead to burnout problems, said the 2 other co-chair, Deb Kraus. "A lot of people would rather have something ready-made," she said. "But I've found that the most exciting moments for me spiritually have been when I'm doing something for myself, like leading services." Kraus, who grew up Orthodox, said she feels most corn- fortable now with Reconstructionism. "I like the fact that you can ques- tion, that you don't just do things because they've been done in the past," she said. Aaron Ahuvia, who founded the havurah with his wife, Aura, when they moved to Ann Arbor, thinks the prob- lem of burnout can be solved by culti- vating new membership and grooming new people for leadership roles. "We had an anti-growth ideology fOr awhile," said Ahuvia. "It was like, we're here and if you want to find us, cool, but we had no desire to get big. However, we learned a lesson from that. If you don't grow and you want SALE! 50% -75 % OFF to be active, then the same people will do all the work. You need to decide that's OK or find new people." The havurah holds monthly Friday night services and vegetarian potluck dinners in a church basement, occa- sional Friday night dinner discussions in members' homes and High Holiday services. Several months ago, it initiat- ed monthly Saturday morning services and acquired a full-sized sefer Torah on loan from a suburban Chicago Reconstructionist congregation. It does not, however, operate a religious school and a number of its members also affiliate with the Conservative Beth Israel Congregation or the Reform Temple Beth Emeth. A few belong to Detroit's Congregation T'Chiyah, which co-sponsored the March bat mitzvah. Bet Chaverim's members, on the other hand, do not have other nearby A recent board meeting of the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah. Clockwise from center: Harry Fried, Rebecca Kanner, Bev WIrshai, Deb Kraus and Danny Steinmetz. synagogues to choose from. "This is an answer to a prayer," said Rose, who lives in Canton Township. "Before we started, I didn't know how I was going to educate my children and keep them connected to Judaism." Both congregations hope to keep growing. Bev Warshai would like to see the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah offer more frequent services and programs, maybe eventually have a "small school and small building." Bet Chaverim's Miller would like to see increased membership and eventu- ally a building large enough for ser- vices and religious school. Growth or no growth, both congre- gations have more simchas to look for- ward to: six of David Rose's classmates from Bet Chaverim are preparing for their bar mitzvah ceremonies in the coming year, and several havurah members — including the Warshais — have elementary school children studying. ❑ Permit #131 FINAL MARKDOWNS EVERYTHING! We're closing our doors FOREVER.,.and you have the . ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY for tremendous savings on our fabulous collection of NAME BRAND FASHIONS, including SWEATERS, JEANS, BLOUSES, TOPS, SUITS, DAYTIME DRESSES, EVENING WEAR, ACCESSORIES AND MORE! EVERYTHING MUST GO • FIXTURES FOR SALE Hurry in for best selection before it's all gone! HANNAH L SE Bloomfield Plaza • Telegraph at Maple OPEN DAILY 10 AM - 6 PM; THURSDAY 10 AM - 8 PM; All Sales Final • Sale excludes prior purchases and special orders. / If you are not wearing it... sell it!... or BORROW on it! You can't enjoy jewelry if it's sitting in your safe deposit box. Sell or borrow on it for immediate cash. We deal in jewelry, watches & gemstones. A Service to Private Owners, Banks & Estates Gem/Diamond Specialist AWARDED CERTIFICATE BY GIA IN GRADING & EVALUATION 30400 Telegraph Rd. • Suite 134 Bingham Farms 248-642-5575 Fine Jewelers Est. 1919 Lawrence M. Allan, President 5:30 Sat. 'Til 3 WHEN RIDING A BIKE. HELMETS ARE A NECESSITY! Hebrew Memorial Chapel *IMMO 4•1•11=1 26640 Greenfield Rd. Oak Park MI 48237 248-543-1622 • Outside MI 1-800-736-5033 5/15 1998 23