This Week
Insight
Moving On
Always a Detroiter, Rabbi Bigman finds the time is right for a change.
SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
StaffWriter
of the Ecumenical Institute for Jewish
Shook of Temple Israel. Rabbi Steinger
Christian Studies in Southfield.
moved to the St. Louis area to become
A volunteer at the Ecumenical
regional director of the Midwest
or Rabbi Amy Bigman, part
Institute during high school, the staff
Council of the Union of American
of accepting a new and
rabbi says she is involved with "teach-
Hebrew Congregations in 1996.
inspiring position out of
ing Jews and Christians about one
Her response at being offered a
state is saying goodbye to
another's religions in non-conversional
post at Temple Israel? "It was a nice
the familiar. She will be leaving her
ways, as a liaison between the Jewish
compliment but I told them I was not
congregation, her family and her
and greater communities."
looking to move."
hometown.
"She was a great one
Then, she considered the
"I'm just a kid who grew up in
to introduce her Visitor's
opportunity more, and says, "I
Detroit," says Rabbi Bigman, 34, who
Guide to Judaism, a
couldn't turn it down. It hap-
will become associate rabbi at
three- or four-part pro-
pened so quickly — it literally
Congregation Temple Israel in Creve
gram explaining about
fell in my lap."
Coeur, Mo., northwest of St. Louis,
Jews, Judaism and syna-
From first contact to when
on Sept. 1.
gogues," says David
the contract was signed in
Spending her childhood in West
Blewett, executive direc-
mid-June was a month and a
Bloomfield, she graduated from
tor of the Ecumenical
half.
Bloomfield Hills Andover High
Institute.
School and the University of
Rabbi Bigman also
Looking Back
Michigan. Following rabbinic training
has taught, explaining
and ordination at Hebrew Union
Now Rabbi Bigman says the
to Jews the importance
College-Jewish Institute of Religion in
hardest part of taking the
of interfaith relations.
Cincinnati, she returned home in the
position is leaving her home-
She helped to organize
Rabbi Amy Bigman
summer of 1992 to spend four years
town. "I was very fortunate
the Ecumenical
to find- my first three posi-
at Temple Emanu-El — three as an
Institute's local cable
assistant rabbi and the fourth as full
tions
here," she says. But she's
program What's Faith Got To Do With
rabbi and director of education and
very much looking forward to the
It? and attended clergy association
youth activities.
meetings throughout northwest subu r- move; she plans to continue her inter-
Since 1996, Rabbi Bigman has
faith work along with the synagogue
ban areas.
been at Temple Kol Ami in West
involvement.
Of Rabbi Bigman's new congrega-
Bloomfield, working with Rabbi
Leaving Kol Ami is difficult, she
tion, Blewett describes Temple Israel
Norman
Roman.
He
describes
her
as
says,
because she has known Rabbi
as
"the
leader
in
St.
Louis
in
the
area
c,
a marvelous asset to our congrega-
Roman for 18 years. Growing up as a
of Christian-Jewish issues."
tion." Her position there began as
Temple Beth El member and serving
For the time being, her -,wo posi-
b'nai mitzvah tutor. In time, responsi-
on its youth group board, she was a
tions 'will remain unfilled. Kol Ami is
bilities in the family Shabbat school,
senior
in high school when Rabbi
not searching for a new rabbi and
and in adult education, led to her
Roman joined the clergy there. She
Blewett says the Ecumenical Institute
coordinating both programs. Last July,
says working with him as a colleague,
is looking into the possibility of creat-
she became a rabbi of the congrega-
and with other rabbis she knew grow-
ing a new full-time position by the
tion, a role that has brought increased
ing up, took some adjustment.
end of the year. That position would
bima participation in leading services
Rabbi Roman says, "For me, per-
combine Rabbi Bigman's former
and giving sermons.
sonally,
it's been quite a privilege and
responsibilities with a focus on youth
"She has brought a great deal of
a
pleasure
to have one of my former
programming, public relations and
enthusiasm to adult education pro-
students working together as a col-
fund-raising. A speakers' bureau has
grams and did a lot of work with
league. I've taken great pride, and
been developed to respond to those
younger families — and made us aware
there is a great deal of satisfaction and
interested in Christian-Jewish pro-
of new ideas," says Rabbi Roman.
gratification in doing that. It's one of
gramming.
the highlights of my being a rabbi."
Taking the position at the 1,500-
With sincerity, Blewett of the
family Temple Israel was an unexpected
Interfaith Outreach
Ecumenical
Institute wishes Rabbi
turn in Rabbi Bigman's rabbinic career.
Rabbi Bigman's role at Kol Ami was a
Bigman
the
best:
"We sure enjoyed her.
Former Temple Emanu-El colleague
part-time position, leaving time for her
She
brings
a
spark
to the place with her
Rabbi Lane Steinger initiated Rabbi
work, since 1996, as assistant director
enthusiasm and her excitement." ❑
Bigman's introduction to Rabbi Mark
r
•
Remember
When • •
From the pages of the Jewish News for
this week 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50
years ago.
ro
Hineni, the first non-Orthodox
Jewish congregation, affiliated with
the World Union for Progressive
Judaism, opened in Moscow.
The Bais Moshe Downtown
Synagogue appointed Rabbi
Gershon Eisenberger.
The Discovery Room, a new
hands-on museum, opened at the
Jewish Community Center in West
Bloomfield.
Former Detroiter Gilda Radner
signed an exclusive contract with
NBC, the network carrying
Saturday Night Live.
.
The board of Jewish Family
Service honored Betty Monheit on
her retirement as office manager.
Former Detroiter Rabbi Zev
Schostak has been named headmas-
ter of a Hebrew day school in New
York City.
N. Brewster Broder was elected the
new president of the Jewish
Community Center.
The White House appointed
Rabbi Hershel Fishman of New
York to the National Advisory
Council on Education and
Professions development.
Henry Blank of Montreal became
the first Jew to serve in the Quebec
Legislative Assembly in a decade.
Braverman's Kosher Meats on
Hartwell in Detroit was offering rib
steak for $1.09 a pound.
Wt4r1,1, \
',„ttiEz.
Robert. N. Janeway, Chrysler
Corporation engineer, was elected
president of the Jewish Vocational
Service.
The Bobower Rebbe, Rabbi
Salomon Halberstam, visited
Detroit and spoke at services at
Congregation B'nai Zion on
Humphrey and Holmur.
— Compiled by Sy Manello,
editorial assistant
V
M
6/30
2000
27