Community Spirituality . 7.51. . • • • , tol O .-C Cti D pm r 1 1 rl aiaa."1.,a Robert Torgow says the blessing over the Shabbat wine. Volunteer group prepares Shabbat-service books for assisted-living residents. leaders, arranged for 40 Staff Writer copies of the siddur to be n most cases, an author publishes duplicated and a book and sets out to find read- bound. His ers. More rarely is a group target- group covered ed, and then a book created for Robert Torgow and Elan Village Executive the project's their needs. Director Marcia Mittelman cost. At Elan Village, an assisted-living Torgow says facility in Southfield, volunteers leading other Shabbat songs and staying to eat the Young Israel of Southfield involve- Shabbat services noticed many of the dinner with the residents. Although not ment at Elan Village originated many residents having difficulty reading the an official Young Israel visit, he says he years ago when synagogue member small, Hebrew print of their siddurim "usually takes a grandchild or two" from Irwin Posner visited residents at Prentis (prayer books). among his 13. Manor, a Jewish Federation of The group, comprised of Young Israel A newer facet of the program is the Metropolitan Detroit-supported agency of Southfield members, researched the inclusion of 10-12 of the synagogue's that was formerly at the site on Lahser purchase of new siddurim for the facili- youth. Last year, they began taking turns Road at Civic Center Drive. Posner ty. At the Jewish Library for the Blind in with the adult groups in conducting the wanted "to make sure there were ser- New York, they found Hebrew prayer services, then remaining with residents vices" every Shabbat and holiday, says books but without English translation. during the Shabbat afternoon. Torgow, so he brought his three sons Other books they located with both The group also visits during holi- with him, enlisted fellow member Hebrew and English either had very days, providing Yizkor pamphlets, Robert Weiss, and organized a group. small print or were too heavy for the blowing the shofar on Rosh HaShana When Prentis Manor was closed seniors to hold. and helping to carry Torahs and flags and privately reopened as a kosher Tackling the problem, Rabbi on Simchat Torah. facility, the synagogue members Elimelech Goldberg of the congregation The meeting of the Young Israel returned. The group has grown to 25 ordered a Davka-published computer group and Elan Village residents is not volunteers, who take turns leading ser- program called The Siddur. He spent limited to their time together at the ser- vices at Elan Village. many hours reviewing it, choosing vice. Volunteers arrive early on Saturday Torgow, involved with the Saturday prayers and locating appropriate transla- mornings, Torgow says, 'cm go to resi- morning group for 12-14 years, has for tions for creating an adapted siddur. dents' rooms or the lobby, bring them the last year-and-a-half included visits Rabbi Goldberg says the group then into the chapel, help with tallaisim" and "researched various binders, looking for with his mother-in-law Bluma Merzon. kippot. The women residents made He is also a weekly Friday evening one that would be protective, durable doilies to wear during the Orthodox ser- guest, making Kiddush and HaMotzi and easily usable" for seniors to turn vice, which is held in the chapel and (blessings over the Shabbat wine and pages and hold onto. Robert Torgow, divided by a mechitza (partition in a bread), singing "Sholem Aleichem" and one of the synagogue's Shabbat service SHELLI DORFMAN I 10/22 synagogue) made of two benches. And just like in any synagogue, following the service, everyone meets for a Kiddush of kichel and cake with time to socialize. Marcia Mittelman, Elan Village exec- utive director, appreciates the commit- ment of the Young Israel volunteers. "They are doing this from the heart," she says, "They don't expect anything back in return." The front cover of the new siddurim confirms that with this notation: "Dedicated by the members of the Young Israel of Southfield who are honored to provide Shabbat services for the residents of Elan Village." ❑ a a a ig M my" U AtOg . 0 0 se- . anUa a 0 J•1± rbe- Young Israel of Southfield creates siddur to make observance of Shabbat A easier for seniors.