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"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.