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Reform Synagogues Bestow Honors
ROBERT A. SKLAR
Editor
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1999
44 Detroit Jewish News
ight Reform Jews who have
given time and talent to bet-
ter their synagogues and the
Detroit Jewish community
were honored by the Reform movement
last week.
"They inspire others to social action,
tzedaka (righteous acts) and spirituality',"
•
said master of ceremonies Phyllis
Loewenstein ofTemple Beth El at the
1999 Fund for Reform Judaism awards
night, held June 1 at Temple Israel.
The Metropolitan Detroit Federation
of Reform Synagogues honorees received
the Lamed Vav award. Lamed Vav is the
number 36 in Hebrew. According to
Jewish legend, every generation has 36
righteous people. Reform Jews who
build up, strengthen and sustain their
congregations and their community
embody the spirit of Lamed Vav, said
Dennis Frank ofTemple Beth El.
Award recipients represented six
Reform synagogues:
'Temple Israel/Linda Brodsky. She's
past temple, sisterhood and American
Jewish Congress president. Also: active
in Union of American Hebrew
Congregations, Agency for Jewish
Education of Metropolitan Detroit,
Holocaust Memorial Center and
Hadassah. A temple educator for 41
years, her parents were among Temple
Israel's founding members. Linda said
she strives to create an environment
where we can "carry on our good deeds
in peace and tranquility"
'Temple Beth El/Judith and John
Kamins. Her former temple posts: chair
of religious school committee, co-chair
of Rabbi B. Benedict Glazer Institutes,
assistant treasurer of sisterhood, member
of executive committee. Currently, she's
on the art and Franklin Archives com-
mittees. She's a former officer of
National Council of Jewish
Women/Detroit Section. He's a former
temple treasurer and endowment board
member. During his presidency, Beth El
made major changes in staff and clergy.
They co-chair the Speaker Forum Series.
"We honor the generations who preced-
ed us and who perpetuated their legacy
for our children and neighbors, both
Jews and non-Jews," John said.
'Temple Shir Shalom/Merryl
Schwartz. Following her 1990 adult bat
mitzvah soon after the temple's found-
ing, she became a Torah reader. Also:
heads the temple Shiva Corps and is pri-
mary visiting minyan leader; serves on
religious school committee. Formerly a
board member and congregation secre-
tary. A leader in many social action pro-
jects, including: collecting blood for the
ill, food for the hungry, clothing for the
homeless. Through Shir Shalom, she
said, "I've found out what tikkun olam
(repairing the world) really is."
'Congregation Shir Tikvah/Janet
Schenk_ Service has ranged from fund-
raising co-chair to trustee to vice presi-
dent. Started drop-in preschool pro-
gram, coordinates gourmet-dining
groups, prepares publicity. Involved in
planning for construction of the new
synagogue building. "My congregation
has given me something I've not had
before — an inclusive community. It's a
place for everybody and it serves all dif-
ferent needs," said Schenk, whose family
is interfaith.
'Temple Kol Ami/Joel L. Smith. An
architect, his firm, Neumann/Smith of
Southfield, has designed five area syna-
gogues: B'nai Moshe, B'nai David, Shir
Shalom, Shir Tikvah, Beth El of Flint.
Active on many Kol Ami committees as
well as with the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit and Jewish Home
for the Aged. "It's truly been a privilege
to be involved in the shaping of the
Jewish community. It's truly been a
blessing," Smith said.
'Temple Emanu-El/Morton Wolin
and daughter Jennifer Wolin
Patterson. lie's a former
; temple president who's
active in brotherhood,
sings in choir and serves
on Emanu-El's Mature
and Exciting Set (EMES)
board. She's religious vice
president, a job her
father once had.
Formerly a trustee and
sisterhood co-president,
she's heads Nechamah,
the temple bereavement
group. Both teach in the
religious school. Their
families established the
Lee Wolin Memorial
Aitzim Chayim Fund at
temple in memory of
their late wife and moth-
er. Said Patterson: "We're
blessed to have had the
opportunity to serve at
Temple Emanu-El. I've
been one who has bene-
fited most from all the
years of involvement in
our synagogue and the
The honorees are, from left, back: Meryl Schwartz, Judith Kamins, Janet Schenk and Linda
Jewish community"
Brodsky, and f-ont: Morton Wolin, Jennifer Wolin Patterson, John Kamins and Joel L. Smith.