A Michigan Press Association
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Rabbinic Impact
L
ike a master sculptor working fro m
a fragile mold, Rabbi M. Robert
Syme has shaped a Jewish way of
life for many Jews who never experienced
the joy of a Jewish- upbringing.
The people he has touched as a spiritu al
leader at Temple Israel and as a dean of th e
Detroit rabbinate weave an inspiring stn ry
of a sweet man who has become the Jewis h
ROBERT A.
conscience for two generations. Longevity
SKLAR
has helped him become a defender of
Editor
Zionism for one generation while a teache r
of Judaism for their children — my generation.
Staff Writer Shelli Liebman Dorfman, under Story Develop-
ment Editor Keri Guten Cohen, profiles this pillar of Detroit Jewry
beginning on page 6. Temple Israel honors his nearly five decades of
service and 80th birthday at Shabbat services tonight, July 7.
Since arriving at Temple Israel as assistant rabbi in 1953,
Rabbi Syme has grown steadily in stature. That's partly because
of Temple Israel's emerging role in the larger Jewish communi ty
and greater local interest in Zionist, interfaith and communal
causes. It's also because of the charm and sweep of the rabbi's
personality. Congregants have warmed as much to his wit, story
telling and approachability, as to his dogged pursuit of more tra
dition in the synagogue's ritual.
Illustrative of his range of concern, he was as comfortable
speaking up about Jewish merchant-black clientele relations in
inner-city Detroit in the 1960s as he was urging young families
30 years later to observe Shabbat and Jewish holidays in their
homes, and not just to send their children to Hebrew school.
Highly emotional, Rabbi Syme didn't shy away from criticiz-
ing a 1990s Detroit Jewish history photo exhibit that included
the Jewish "Purple Gang" ("We shouldn't dignify that sad mark
on our past," he said angrily), nor from welling up with tears
from the bima whenever recalling the mitzvot he learned as a
child in a devoutly observant home.
His wife Sonia, meanwhile, became known not only for the
success of her inter-religious colloquium, which teaches public
school teachers about Jews and Judaism, but also for being the
kind of Sunday school teacher who made Jewish learning fun.
Their youngest son Michael, who died far too young at 21, and
I were close friends with a shared love for the Temple youth
group in the mid-1960s.
On this special Shabbat for Rabbi and Mrs. Syme, the
Y'varech'cha provides a fitting tribute:
May God bless you with good, and keep you safe.
May God be with you, and be kind to you.
May you always know that God is close, and may God give you
the gift of peace.
Shabbat Shalom!
lo4c,/,644,
Dr111017
JEWEL NEWS
'TN
www.cletroitjewishnews.com
July 7, 2000
This Week
Tammuz 4, 5760
Vol. CXVII, No. 21
27 What Further Harm
After "Iran 13" sentences, strategists
ponder actions against Iran.
Editorials
33 Community Spirit
A tragic death draws Detroiters
behind the Michalsons.
Community
37 Closing The Gap
Jews reach out to inner-city Detroiters
through JCCouncil programs.
Spirituality
61 Getting Acquainted
Rabbi. Marla Hornsten starts her duties
with a teen contingent in Israel.
,
its
tertainment
69 The Search For Identity
A Lee Krasner retrospective
meshes life and art.
71 From Russia With Love
Russian klezmers perform at a
Yiddish concert in Oak Park.
Living
Well
89 Easy Grilling
It's summertime, and grilling
is easy ... and healthy.
AppleTree
97 A Beautiful Site!
Some of the best Jewish
family places on the Internet.
Finance
101 Double Benefit
Planned giving and advance
trusts help charity and donor.
DEPARTMENTS
Alefbet'chs, .......5
Anniversaries .... 59
AppleTree ....... 97
Births .......... 52
Business 103
Calendar ........ 50
Community . ..... . 37
Crossword ....... 82
...Answer 109
Cyber Spot . .. 83
Danny Raskin .... 84
Editorials ....... 33
Engagements . . . 54
For Openers ..... . . 5
Health . . . . . . . . . . 96
Insight . ..... . . . . 31
Marketplace 105
Obituaries . . 131
Out 1 About . . . . . . TO
Spirituality . . . . . . 61
Sports .. . . . . . . 92
The Scene . . . 94
Torah Portion . . . . 66
Weddings . . . . . • 59
Candlelighting
Friday, July 7
8:54 p.m.
Shabbat ends
Saturday, July 8
10:05 p.m.
Cover:
Rabbi M. Robert Syme,
on the sanctuary bima
at Temple Israel.
Photo, Glenn Triest
Page design, Debbie Schultz
©COPYRIGHT 2000
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
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•
7/7
2000