Jewry's Role in
Human Affairs
A HOMELAND IS BORN, THE INGATHERING BEGINS
being observed in the main sanctuary.
The High Holiday success spawned a
The bar mitzvah boy chanted his
monthly informal service in the small
Haftorah while about 200 people fol-
chapel, a Minyan Midrash, which is
lowed along, stretched out in long
already well attended. This is in addition
rows with lots of space to spare.
to the already existing and successful
Alternative services have popped up
learner's minyan and children's services.
in both East and West Coast shuls
Shaarey Zedek Rabbi Joseph
belonging to the Reform, Conservative
Krakoff says the new offerings do not
and Young Israel movements. Religious
undercut the regular services at the
leaders say that although synagogue
Conservative synagogue. "This com-
membership rosters include hundreds
plements the services we already
or even thousands of families, only a
have," he said.
fraction of members attends regular
Religious leaders in the congrega-
weekly services.
tions say that, in offering the different
As large- to medium-sized congre-
services, they are fulfilling a request
gations offer the alternative services,
from congregants for at least a
they are attracting those who might
monthly opportunity, in a less-formal
otherwise not attend shul.
setting, to attend more heirnish ser-
Congregation Emanu-El in San
vices. These services offer a greater
Francisco, for example, has seven dif-
chance for the participants to lead,
ferent worship options for its 1,660-
using Jewish skills learned but rarely
family mem-
practiced in the
bership,
larger sanctuary
including
setting.
the tradi-
While Rabbi
tional ser-
Krakoff led the
vice, Tot
alternative ser-
Shabbat,
vices on the
Family
High Holidays,
Sharing
directing a text
Shabbat,
study, he offered
Service of
no sermon.
Peace and
"The rabbi is at
Comfort,
the service sim-
the informal Rabbi Daniel Nevins
ply
as a rabbinic
Rabbi Joseph. Krakoff
Shabbat
presence, sitting
La'Am and
with his family
two separate chavurot services. Its
rather than on the bimah," he said. "It
rabbi refers to the offerings as the
is important to empower the laity to
"Synaplex." At Temple Beth Hillel-
do the services themselves."
Beth El in Wynnewood, Pa., adults
Besides often being led by laity, the
can choose from three separate ser-
alternative services may be abbreviat-
vices.
ed in format. Jeff Supowit helped
Locally, Congregation Shaarey
implement Adat Shalom's Minyan
Zedek in Southfield successfully
Chadash, which is now regularly
kicked off its alternative service pro-
offered at 10 a.m. on the first Shabbat
gram during the High Holidays. At
of the month. Aimed at young fami-
the special service offered on Rosh
lies, the two-hour service features a
Hashanah, more than 500 people
shortened version of the shachrit,
crowded into the small chapel. Yom
abridged parts of the traditional ser-
Kippur services saw similar numbers.
vice and more learning.
Where To Find The Services
Half a dozen local synagogues now offer alternatives to their regular ser-
vices to better serve young families and others. Some of these alternative
services are held once a week, others occur once a month or irregularly.
Adat Shalom: Family and young adult services monthly.
Beth Shalom: Family service monthly on Friday night, sometimes with
dinner function.
B'nai Moshe: Family services regularly; occasional adult-only services.
Emanu-El: Young family Shabbat at one Saturday morning monthly; first
Friday young family service at 7:30 p.m. replaces regular service.
Shaarey Zedek: Family services, learners' minyan, minyan midrash.
Temple Israel: Less-formal alternative services at 7:30 p.m. every Friday.
As/
The roots of a new nation grew in the fertile soil tilled by two leaders of
destiny. The "dreamer" Theodor Herzl and the "architect" Chaim
Weizmann stood hand in hand as Zionist pioneers who helped end the
millennia of aimless wandering by a dispossessed people. They shaped a
miracle no less daunting than that of America's founding fathers.
THEODOR HERZL
1860-1904)b. Budapest, Hungary Zionism's
Political Founder The one-time lawyer. play-
.
right, literary editor and journalist crystallized his of
life mission when covering the Alfred Dreyfus
Affair as a news correspondent. The railroading.,
•
for treason of an innocent military officer, a
• • •
French Jew, convinced him that a national state
was the only alternative to European anti-
i
Semitism. The Jewish Stale, a pamphlet which he published in 1896.
pressed for an internationally mandated homeland in Palestine and
galvanized youthful idealists of the Hibbat Zion movement.
He was not the first to speak out for Aliya which had earlier been
proposed in principle by Napoleon Bonaparte, Prime Minister Benjamin
Disraeli and Moses Hess, a colleague of Karl Marx. But Herzl was,
above all, an activist who courted people in high position in behalf of the
cause. In 1897 he convened the first Zionist World Congress--despite sharp
opposition by many prominent rabbis--over which he presided.
A tall, imposing figure with a full black beard and prophet's
demeanor, Herzl electrified audiences with pleas to "lay the foundation
stone for the house which will become a refuge for the Jewish nation." But
not all were sympathetic. Emperor William II of Germany and Turkey's
Sultan refused to help charter immigrations to Palestine. The British also
dissented, only to see Herzl's followers form the Anglo-Palestine Bank and
Jewish National Fund pivotal to Israel's birth.
It was he, through strength of character and dynamism, who
unleashed the political power of Zionism to help realize the dream.
Harvested after his short life of 44 years. the fruits of Herzl's labors
fulfilled centuries' of aspiration of a people seeking safety, independence
and freedom. His fitting, memorial is a mountain bearing his name.
CHAIM WEIZMANN
I 874- I 952)b.Motol. Russia Zionist Leader and
First President of Israel One of 15 children born
to a humble lumber dealer, Weizmann was
schooled in Germany and in Switzerland where he
earned a Ph.D. magna cum laude in chemistry.
Settling in England in 1904, he became a
naturalized subject and combined a life of science
with a dedication to creating a Jewish state. In Ad-
dition to earning patents in organic chemistry, Weizmann synthesized
acetone for explosives used during World War One and rose to direct the
British Admiralty Chemical Laboratories (1916).
His international fame as a chemist was surpassed only by his
prominence as a politician with prodigious skills in negotiating for the
English Zionist movement. By sheer force of personality and conviction,
he prevailed in 1917, gaining, the support of Foreign Secretary Arthur
Balfour, Prime Minister Lloyd George, U.S. Justice Louis Brandeis and
others in drafting the Balfour Declaration which committed Britain to
establishing a Jewish state in Palestine.
During his career, the ardent advocate was named president of the
World Zionist Federation in 1917 and the World Zionist Organization in
1920. World War Two saw him organize England's Jewish Brigade. And
once more, Weizmann the scientist aided the Allied war effort, this time in
helping produce synthetic rubber.
The builder of a nation retired to Rehovot, Palestine, and formed
the now world-famed Weizmann Institute. While in frail health, the master
diplomat served twice as Israel's president until his death.- Saul Stadonauer
Were it not for Mr. Jacobson, Harry Truman's former Jewish business partner, the
U.N. might have rejected an Israeli state. He arranged for Weizmann to meet the
President who then had America cast an approving vote.
- Walter L. Field
Visit many more notable Jews at our ivebsite: www.dorledonorg
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12/4
1998
Detroit Jewish News LI