"He took them around town to
show them the different Jewish age-i
cies and schools, like Federation:
Yeshiva and the Jewish Center,' she
says.
Making A Connection
Her husband is one of a 20-mein-
Rabbi Spolter and his wife Rena
ber rabbinic search committee
chaired by Esther
Sherizen, Judah
Isaacs and E
Francc.s.
Impressed with
the couple
Sandra
Greenberg found
them attentive
and enthusiasitic.
"Many people
were struck by
the partnership
between the
rabbi and hiF
wife," Creei,berg
coup',
says ,, f
whose
are Sii-ncha.: 3,
and BeLalel,
Rend Spoitcr
earned her baelie-
Young Israel of Oak Park member Rabbi Joseph Hirsch pre-
lor's degree from
sents a "Booko Memories" to Rabbi Steven and Yael Weil at
Stern College in
a community farewell gathering last August.
New York with a
double major in
psychology and
Jewish studies and
spent the weekend of Nov. 17, visit-
received her master's degree in sec-
ing Detroit, sharing each Shabbat
ondary Jewish education from Azrieli
meal with a different group of con-
Graduate School for Jewish Education
gregants.
at Yeshiva University in New York.
"My interview at Young Israel was
She currently teaches Chumash
my first experience with the Detroit
(Torah), Neviinz (Prophets) and Jewish
community," Rabbi Spolter says.
history at the Hebrew High School of
"Both Rena and I really felt very
New England, and has led adult edu-
much at home."
cation classes in West Hartford and
While in town, the rabbi gave a
West Orange, N.J.
dvar Torah (lesson) on the weekly
Torah portion, delivered the
Saturday morning sermon and held a Present And Future
In the absence of a rabbi at Young
discussion class during seudah
Israel of Oak. Park, congregants have
shilishit (third Shabbat meal). Mrs.
been leading services. Manny
Spolter led a Saturday afternoon
Mittelman, the synagogue's second
class at a tea hosted by the syna-
vice
president and gabbai (sexton)
gogue's women. On Saturday
arranged
for guests from the com-
evening, the membership was invited
munity
to
speak to congregants each
to spend time with the couple.
Shabbat.
"Over 100 people showed up and
When spiritual questions have
they fired questions at them," Singal
arisen, advice has been sought from
says. Young Israel member Sandra
one of the several members who are
Greenberg, who chaired a community
rabbis or from Rabbi Elimelech
farewell event for the Weils' last sum-
Goldberg from Young Israel of
mer, was on hand to welcome the
Southfield.
Spolters the day they arrived in
In addition to a changing of the
Detroit for their visit. She joined
rabbinical guard, Young Israel of
them at Jerusalem Pizza in Southfield,
Oak Park is in the midst of a major
when her husband Joseph allowed
physical transformation involving
them a lunch break in his daylong
the addition of 12,000 square feet
tour of the community.

area classmates. He also spent the
1994-95 school year at Gruss Kollel
in Jerusalem.

7,000-square-foot
synagogue. A ilfw social hall and
the sanctuary are under
e:Tansion
way, with the exterior areas near
completion.
It was not easy for the congrega-
tion to say goodbye to Rabbi Weil,
his wife Yael and their five children
when they left the Detroit-area last
August. After six years at Young
I sra.; the rabbi accepted a position
as head rabbi of Beth Jacob
Congregation in Beverly Hills.
Like Rabbi Weil, Joseph
Greenberg sees Rabbi Spolter as a
bridge builder. "He is actively
involved in the community with
people from all walks of Judaism,"
Greenberg says of Rabbi Spolter.
Foi Rabbi Spolter, it is a priority
to work to unite Jews of different
backgrounds toward common goals.
He :;ay-; he will strive to serve "as a
z force in a diverse Jewish
coinrnuoity and to serve as a
spokcsman !or Orthodoxy."
Greenberg says: "Rabbi Weil edu-
cated :is ko what a community rabbi
really is."
While searching for a new spiri-
tual leader, Young Israel congregants
,veie adamant about one thing.
"We were not looking to replace
Rat-bi. Weil," Greenberg says. "We
were looking for what is going to be
best for the shul, and Rabbi Spolter
and Rena are exactly what we were
looking for. It was apparent to most
of the congregation that Rabbi
Spoken can really fill that role."
Eager to be part of the Young
Israel family, Rabbi Spolter says, "I
hope to be someone who helps
enhance the lives of my members —
religiously, spiritually and personal-
ly. I enjoy not only reaching, both
children and adults, but also helping
people in their times of need and
celebrating with them in life's joyous
moments
Hu. plan to provide "spiritual and
personal guidance to the synagogue
membership through words and
actions" already has been tested.
Joseph Greenberg felt comfort in
a long-distance phone call from
Rabbi Spolter when Greenberg's
mother passed away recently.
"I hope to continue the work of
my predecessor, Rabbi Steven Weil,"
says Rabbi Spolter. "He truly made
the Young Israel of Oak Park a shul
that welcomes every Jew from any
background, and serves as a focal
point for religious life in the Detroit
Jewish community: ❑

.

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