The
Way,
We

Learn

Congregation Beth Ahm

TRUE TO TRADITION ...
IN A NEW ERA

Plans For Improvement

Rabbi Tsaidi is confident that he and
Domstein have the professional and
lay leaders to rejuvenate Akiva.
"We are trying to make the school
the best it can be. Our goal is to get
our students into the best universities
in the United States and the best
yeshivot in Eretz Yisroel [Land of
Israel]," he said. "As soon as they [the
public] see what we have to offer, we
will build up our enrollment."
Innovative classes, such as this sum-
mer's computer classes and the
upcoming Yarchei Kallah (study ses-
sions for the month of Elul — see
story on page 6), also will help gener-
ate interest in the school, Rabbi Tsaidi
predicted. He said he hopes communi-
ty members, along with those already
affiliated with Akiva, will attend the
courses and become acquainted with
the school and its new leadership.
Additionally, the "open-door" phi-
losophy shared by Rabbi Tsaidi and
Domstein should help students with
emotional as well as academic con-
cerns, he said.
Founded in 1964, Akiva has faced
monetary and morale concerns over
the years. These began improving last
year, when the school moved to the
former home of Congregation Beth
Achim on 12 Mile Road, east of
Lahser.
The building had been purchased
for $2.5 million by the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit,
which is allowing Akiva to use the
space rent-free. The school has been
responsible for renovation — estimat-
ed at 51.5 million — and continues to
pay for maintenance. Once the school
completely pays for the renovations,
Federation will charge a nominal fee
for rental.
Throughout its existence, Akiva has
been a modern Orthodox school. That
makes it especially vulnerable to the
loss of students. "We have competition
on the edges of our enrollment —
between modern Orthodox and
Conservative, and between modern
Orthodox and haredirn [fervently
Orthodox]," Rabbi Tsaidi said.
In addition, the school is fighting a
tradition in some Orthodox families of
sending students away from home for
high school.

Class Was Small

In this specific 10th grade class at
Akiva, the number of girls had for sev-
eral years been significantly lower than

AKIVA on page 10

Bet

NEW MEMBERSHIP ONLY
$360*

Includes High Holiday Tickets
for 2000 and 2001

Come to our

Membership Mingle (open house)

on September 10, 2000 at 2:30 p.m.
Meet our clergy,

Rabbi Charles S. Popky and Cantor David NIontifiore.

Please be our guest as we remember our past and celebrate
our future with Cantor Montifiore and the Zamir Chorale in
concert immediately following the open house.

* THIS OFFER WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH
SEPTEMBER 24, 2000.
BUILDING FUND WILL ALSO BE WAIVED.
$1000 DOLLAR VALUE!!!

Call Today: (248) 851-6880

5075 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, URL: www.cbahm.org

********** ***************** *******
SHIRLEE BLOOM'S

ROSH HASHANAH CARRY-OUT MENU

COMPLETE DINNERS (Minimum 8 dinners)

• ROASTED 1/2 CHICKEN
• BONELESS GARLIC LEMON CHICKEN BREAST
• STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST

'13.99
'14.99

'15.99

with veggies rice stuffing (Baked in Orange Marmalade sauce)

• LEAN ROAST BEEF BRISKET

'16.99

with gravy

Dinners Also Include:

* Vegetarian Chopped Liver OR Beef Chopped Liver * Chicken Soup With Matzo Ball OR Mushroom Barley Soup

* Toasted Farfel With Mushrooms OR Potatoes Anna With Onions, Parsley & Herbs
* French Cut Beans Almondine * 1 lb. Challa (Loaf serves 6)

(Sorry, No Substitutions Can Be Made)

only Kosher
Products Used In
Preparation of Food

COMPLETE VARIETY OF A LA CARTE ITEMS
AND PAREVE DESSERTS AVAILABLE

ORDER YOUR
NIBBLES & NUTS
TRAY NOW!

All Food Cooked In Shiriee's Private Kitchen

855-9463

Fax: 626-8468

11 •71

**********************************

32418 Northwestern Hi • hwa between Middlebeit and 14 Mile Road

9/8
2000

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