Co m mun i ty

Spirituality

New assistant rabbi with Detroit roots
hopes to contribute to the rejuvenation
of a historic Baltimore temple.

Rabbi Eric B. Stark:
"I hope to bring my
congregation closer
to Judaism."

RONA S. HIRSCH
Special to the Jewish News

Upper Park Heights, Md.
uring Rosh HaShana services
at Temple Oheb Shalom,
Rabbi Eric B. Stark wanted
to lend a contemporary
slant to his sermon on the binding
of Isaac. So while speaking to about
500 congregants in the chapel, he
plucked a story from Woody Allen's
book Without Feathers, which dis-
cusses the comedian's interpretation
of the biblical story.
"It makes a commentary on the
Akeida (binding) in a social way,"
said Rabbi Stark, who grew up at
Temple Israel in metro Detroit. "It
was humorous with a message, a
modern midrash (parable).
This is just one approach he plan
to take as the new assistant rabbi of
the 146-year-old Reform congrega-
tion in Baltimore, a position he
started two months ago.
"It gives me an opportunity to do
a variety of different things — teach
study, work with children, adults
and seniors, and achieve personal
growth," said Rabbi Stark, 28, who
is single. "I hope to bring my con-
gregation closer to Judaism, myself
closer to Judaism and bring Judaism
closer to my congregation and
myself."
He will share the responsibilities
of leading the congregation of 1,200
member families with Oheb
Shalom's new spiritual leader, Rabbi
Steven Fink, who also started last
J uly after replacing Rabbi Emeritus
Donald R. Berlin. Rabbi Stark's pri-

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mary responsibility is working with
youth and young adults.
Because the congregation doesn't
have an active young adult popula-
tion, Rabbi Stark said, "as part of
the reinvigoration at Temple Oheb
Shalom, we want to energize our
young adults in the congregation
through educational, spiritual and
social programs."
Rabbi Stark, who will be installed
Nov. 19, was one of six finalists
selected by the temple's 15-member
search committee.
"He was selected because of his
maturity, sincerity, energy and ability
to get along with all different kinds of
people; his teaching ability; and his
love of Torah and Judaism," said
Rabbi Fink, who assisted in the search.
Born in Ann Arbor, Eric Stark
grew up in Southfield. He became a
bar mitzvah at Temple Israel, was
confirmed and attended the religious
school through 12th grade.
In 1991, he earned a degree in
economics and history from the
University of Michigan. Then, hav-
ing considered careers in medicine
and law, he decided during his col-
lege years that he'd rather pursue the
rabbinate.
"I realized this is what I like to
do," he said. "I made lists and when
I was done, I realized this is a career
that allows me to do what I like to
do, and that's being a rabbi."
He was ordained this year in New
York at Hebrew Union College-
Jewish Institution of Religion, the
Reform theological seminary.
Previously, from 1996-1997, Rabbi
Stark served as rabbinic intern at

Temple Israel in Memphis under Rabbi
Harry K. Danziger, a former intern at
Oheb Shalom during the 1970s.
The following year, Rabbi Stark
interned at Temple Israel in West
Bloomfield, which has 3,200 mem-
ber families. It's attended by his par-
ents — Jay Stark, a General Motors
executive, and Sandy, a retired
Interactive Distance Learning
instructor; grandparents Larry Yanitz
and Barbara Weintraub; and younger
brother, Michael.
Rabbi Paul Yedwab, one of
Temple Israel's four spiritual leaders,
will speak at Rabbi Stark's installa-
tion. He has known him for 13 years
as his teacher, counselor and friend.
"He's always been bright and
charismatic," Rabbi Yedwab said.
"One of the things about Eric is that
he's very approachable, very social

and laid-back. The kids are going to
love him. Adults will love him. His
sermons are of high quality. He
stands up tall and people respect
him."
Despite the challenges of his pul-
pit, Rabbi Stark, an avid ice hockey
fan, said he will find time to catch
his beloved Detroit Red Wings at
the MCI Center "or anywhere else
they're playing."
Rabbi Stark said he looks forward
to being part of upcoming renova-
tions to the temple's sanctuary that
will make it more intimate.
"We're in a period of rejuvena-
tion, and I'm looking forward to a
positive transformation taking place
at Oheb Shalom," he said. "I'm
happy to be a part of it, from the
physical renovations to spiritual
invigoration." ❑

Island Prayer

Rabbi Stacie Fine of Congregation
Ahavat Shalom in Traverse City
held an Aug. 13 Shabbat service
on Mackinac Island. Having trav-
eled there to officiate at a week-
end wedding, she discovered that
the next closest synagogue at
which she could celebrate Shabbat
was in Petoskey.
With the help of residents and
local clergy, she turned the service
into "an event marked by ecu-
menical participation."
Attended by 20 worshippers,
the service was held in the parish

hall of Trinity Episcopal Church.
With English translation of
Hebrew prayers, her.guitar and a
small traveling Torah in tow,
Rabbi Fine conducted an informal
service followed by an oneg
Shabbat and an "Ask the Rabbi"
session.
Excited to have brought this
experience to "an island known
for its welcoming approach to
people of all cultures,", Rabbi Fine
added, "Part of our mission as a
Jewish congregation is ecumenical
outreach." ❑

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