DETROIT
JEWISH NEWS
JN
ww-w.detroitjewishnews.com
September 29, 2000
Elul 29, 5760
•
Remaking The Shul
W
hat's the purpose of shul? It's not to oust the home
as the epicenter of our spiritual lives. Rather, it's to
stir our neshama, our Jewish soul, no matter how
Torah-observant we are.
Ideally, shul is a life experience, village
green and spiritual energizer in one. It's a
place to learn and teach — where social
standing shouldn't matter (though we
know it may). It's a place to meet, mingle
and meditate — and shape a future built
on Jewish values and the prophetic vision
of social justice.
National studies show that less than
half of all Jews who maintain a Jewish
ROBERT A.
identity from birth belong to shul. Still,
SKLAR
shul is pivotal in helping us savor the his-
Editor
tory, customs and rituals of our 4,000-
year-old faith.
Synagogue 2000, new to metro Detroit, is a promising
national effort designed to prompt goose-bump moments at
shul.
For some, goose bumps already come.
But too many others aren't moved in
the least.
It's not always because there's nothing
there. I wonder if the naysayers who see
shuls only as dues collectors ever venture
inside one to survey the range of services
and programs. Parents who drive away
after dropping off their kids for a class,
instead of sampling what's inside too,
Dr. Wolfson
compound such apathy.
The panacea lies in shul leaders
empowering congregants, congregants
yearning for a spiritual or cultural awakening and everyone
tuning in to find innovative, energizing ways to come together
Jewishly.
Today's cover package, edited by National Editor Jonathan
Friendly, explores this phenomenon of remaking the shul. It
begins on page 58.
We Jews go to shul for lots of reasons. But ultimately, we're
no doubt in search of what Synagogue 2000's Dr. Ronald
Wolfson calls "the kishkas connection — a connection not of
the head, but of the heart."
L'Shanah Tovah Tikateivu V'Techataymu!
May you and yours be inscribed and sealed in the Book of
Life this Rosh Hashanah.
A Michigan Press Association
Newspaper of the Year
This Week
6 Joyous Procession
Shoah survivor donates Torah scrolls
to chapel for use in shivah homes.
Editorials
71 Furthering The Renaissance
The Jewish News joins Detroit Jewry
in building a better community.
Community
R1 First Among Communities
Tauber tells Hebrew Free Loans:
"Create a new destiny."
Spirituality
R25 The Women Count
B'nai Moshe votes to include
women in synagogue minyan.
Business
R35 Muskrat Ramble
General Auto Parts has seen
a lot of "business" in 71 years.
Arts
tertainment
R39 The Art Of Prayer
Books examine ways to bring
spirituality into our lives.
Shabbat Shalom!
Living Well
153 Not The Usual
Some easy, delicious recipes
for breaking the Yom Kippur fast.
NEW INSIDE: Dry Bones, an Israel-based political
cartoon, becomes a regular part of the Editorial page
today on page 71. Ask Wendy — an always insight-
ful, sometimes irreverent advice column — debuts
today in Marketplace on page 215.
158 Flying Start
Academy gets out quickly
with three athletic teams.
Vol. CXVIII, No. 7
DEPARTMENTS
Aletbet'cha
5
Anniversaries . . . R24
AppleTree
171
Ask Wendy
215
Births
120
Business
R35
Calendar
77
Carla Schwartz .. 168
Community
R1
Crossword
160
... Answer
196
Cyber Spot
162
Danny Raskin ... R64
Editorials ...... 71
Engagements . R21
For Openers
5
Food
153
Insight
69
Marketplace
180
Mazel Toy!
R19
Obituaries
221
Out 1 About .... R40
Spirituality
125
Sports
158
Staff Notebook .... 28
The Scene
167
Torah Portion
R31
Weddings
122
Candlelighting
Friday, Sept. 29, 7:01 p.m.
Cover:
Illustration, Ryan Lee
Page design, Debbie Schultz
©COPYRIGHT 2000
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
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9/29
2000
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