This Week

Looking for a fun
mitzvah project

Sunday, November 5, 2000

*An annual JFS Volunteer program serving homebound
older adults and others in need of minor home repairs
and outdoor cleanup.

Micki Grossman
Dr. Steven Dunn

Chairpersons

at
, for information
and registration, or complete
the form below.

Call

Co-sponsored by:
Beaumont Hospital, Comerica Bank,
Farmer Jack Supermarket and
The Jewish News

Please complete and return this form to Michelle Greenstein,
Jewish Family Service • 24123 Greenfield • Southfield, MI 48075

YES!!! I want to lend a helping hand at the Fall Fix Up!

Phone

Name

,

Address

Special Fall Fix Up Skills

I would like to work with (names and phone numbers)

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Women's Formal Wear

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1.0:00 am - 8:00 pm

*Sale on floor sample gowns only.

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2000

24

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Staff Notebook

Fund Opened For
Transplant Cost

Friends and family of Suzette
Herskovitz, who has been suffering
from cancer for the last three years,
have established a fund to help offset
the cost of a bone-marrow transplant.
First diagnosed with breast cancer
in 1997, Herkovitz, 31, underwent a
double, radical mastectomy. In
1999, she received chemotherapy
during the final nine weeks of her
second pregnancy when it was dis-
covered that her cancer had spread
to her liver and bones. Two months
later, she underwent a stem-cell
transplant, which shrunk her tumors
considerably. In January of this year,
it was discovered that the cancer had
spread to her brain, leading to
gamma-knife therapy and
chemotherapy that still continues.
Herskovitz and her husband Scott
Rabbi Klein
are parents to Jaylin, 3, and Jordan,
1 1/2.
When it was determined a bone-
days. He called blowing the shofar on
marrow transplant could save
Shabbat "an affront to all Jews."
Herskovitz's life, her sister Becky was
He wrote, "As a result of this experi-
tested and found to be a match.
ence, I cannot, in good conscience,
When her insurance carrier rejected
from now on accept the premise that
payment of $97,000 necessary for the
Reform Judaism has any place within
transplant, several fund-raisers were
the State of Israel."
planned. The first, a Nov. 16 silent
In his response, Rabbi Klein noted
auction/dinner-dance, will be at
that neither the Reform movement,
Canterbury Village in Lake Orion.
nor the Torah, recognizes the second
Items for auction, including Lasik sur-
day of Jewish festivals.
gery and hotel packages, were donat-
The tradition of two-day festivals
ed, as was the evening's entertainment
began to accommodate Jews living out-
by Simone Vitale.
side of Jerusalem. In ancient times, with
Donations may be sent to: My
the vagaries of the lunar calendar, Jews
Friend's Care, BMT Fund, P.O. Box
outside Jerusalem did not know precise-
1391, Clarkston, MI 48347
ly when the festivals began. By celebrat-
For information on the event or to
ing two days, they "would at least get
donate items for the auction, call Leah
one day right," Rabbi Klein said.
McLean, (248) 620-9515.
Advent of the modern calendar
— Shelli Liebman Dorfman eliminated the need for a second-day
celebration, he said.
Therefore, in Reform synagogues
where there is no second day of Rosh
Hashanah, when the holiday falls on
Shabbat, Rabbi Klein said, "I choose
to blow the shofar — otherwise, it will
Ever wonder why Reform synagogues
not be heard at all."
blow the shofar on Shabbat during the
To refrain from doing so because it
High Holidays?
is labor, he added, "makes little sense
Well, a visitor to metro Detroit did.
when Reform already allows Foy travel,
The man grew up Orthodox but has
electricity and other acts of labor."
been an active member of a
Not hearing shofar blasts on
Conservative congregation for 30
Shabbat is not an option, Rabbi Klein
years. On Rosh Hashanah morning,
said. "I want my folks to hear the
he attended services at Temple
sound of the shofar. It is a wonderful
Emanu-El, where, to his surprise, the
and memorable moment."
shofar was blown.
— Robert A. Sklar
In a letter to the temple's Rabbi
Joseph Klein, the man wrote that
STAFF NOTEBOOK on page 26
Shabbat takes precedence over all holi-

Shofar On
Shabbat?

