Spiritual Warmup

Learn together Jewishly, Rabbi Kushner tells SAJE audience.

SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN

StaffWriter

chavurah." He described Rabbi Kushner
as an accomplished author, who helped
shape the national agenda of personal
and institutional spirituality.
With a mixture of wisdom and humor,
Rabbi Kushner proceeded with the
evening's interactive study topic, inter-
jecting such tidbits as a condensation of
the first two commandments, which he
calls, "I'm God. You're Not."
Knowledgeably, he discussed the Bible
and told how "nothing in the world is
worth knowing that isn't in this Book."
He then unexpectedly added, "It's the
whole kazoo."

ith a combination of engag-
ing, sermon-like rhythm and
animated stand-up comedy,
Rabbi Lawrence Kushner
returned home to Detroit roots as the
Feb. 13 Second Annual Shiffman Family
Lecture speaker. His talk kicked off the
annual Seminars for Adult Jewish
Enrichment- (SAJE).
He drew nearly 600 people, some
standing, some sitting cross-legged on
the floor of the Marion and David
Handleman Hall in the Jewish
Community Center in West Bloomfield.
A Nice Kicko
Doris Blechman, who co-chairs this
SAJE Coordinator Elisa Freilich said, "It
year's SAJE with Jewish News publisher
was
a wonderful way to start an event
Arthur M. Horwitz, called the evening
with Rabbi Kushner "an
appetizer for the
month-long feast of
SAJE, the most
diverse, most inclusive
adult Jewish educa-
tion program in
Detroit."
Audience members
came to hear Rabbi
Kushner and to garner
complimentary signed
copies of his books in
return for registration
for multiple classes in
the multi-topic SAJE
lineup.
Before the rabbi
spoke, Sharon Hart,
JCC first vice president
Above: Rabbi Lawrence
that encompasses learning,
Kushner addre sses
and member of the
with a session of study."
SAJE Advisory
the SAJE audi ence.
Rabbi Kushner is the
Committee, welcomed
author
of articles and books
participants to what she
Above right: Sharon and Shel
focusing
on personal and
Rocklin
of
Farmington
Hills
termed "not a lecture,
communal spiritual growth
and SAJE volunteer Sue
but an evening of learn-
and modern Jewish mysti-
ing." "
Stettner of Huntington
cism. Regarded as a cre-
Rabbi Hal Greenwald, Woods participate in Rabbi
ative, religious writer, he
JCC director of Jewish
Kushner's study session.
has authored 12 books,
Education, who con-
with "The Way Into Jewish
ducts chavurot (study partner sessions)
Mystical Tradition", (Jewish Lights
there, then asked the audience to divide
Publishing)
published last December.
into pairs and discuss distributed study
The father of three children, Rabbi
sheets relating to Rabbi Kushner's
Kushner recently published his first book
upcoming speech, "The Silent Alef:
for young children, "Because Nothing
What Really Happened at Mt. Sinai."
Looks Like God," co-authored with his
The technique was an ideal introduc-
wife Karen.
tion to Rabbi Kushner, who, co-chair
He recently became the first rabbi-in-
Horwitz says, is "the originator of the

residence at Hebrew Union College-
Jewish Institute of Religion in New York
City, where he was ordained in 1969.
He teaches Jewish spirituality and mysti-
cism and mentors rabbinic students.
Before his current position, he served
for 28 years as rabbi of Congregation
Beth El in Sudbury, Mass. He was the
first rabbinic chairman of the Reform
Judaism's Commission on Religious
Living and has been a commentator on
National Public Radio's All Things

Considered.
Rabbi Kushner's lecture was sponsored
by Libby Mall, Jewish Family Service
and the Federation's Community
Outreach and Education Department.
Elaine Schonberger of West
Bloomfield remembers the rabbi from
his early days in Detroit. He is the son

of Miriam and the late Aid Kushner,
once archivists at Temple Beth El, who
were friends of her parents Miriam and
the late Izzy Malin. "He is an incredible
educator, and a fascinating, learned
man," Schonberger says of her old
friend.
Material in one of Rabbi Kushner's
books convinced teacher Clara Gaba of
West Bloomfield to come hear him. She
says his book, "The Book of Miracles: A
Young Person's Guide to Spiritual
Awareness," has been a regular part of
her lesson plan at Hillel Day School of
Metropolitan Detroit for four years. "It
has stories about looking for miracles
and how you can miss seeing a miracle if
you don't pay attention." ❑

who then
in-depth s
Classes are offered

Tuesdays: and Thursdays at
the 'Vest Bloomfield Jewis
CcAr044it.:Center
edneSda s at the 0
. Offsite classes, in

rep

rou
March 29, SAJE courses
y icai rabbis, can-
tors, educators,
scholars and commu-
nity leaders.
Subjects include
everything from
courses on Jewish
music, humor and
spirituality to Jewish
heretics, business
ethics and single par-
enting. Also look for
classes on Israel,
Jewish law and a
Bible study course
called "Sex in the
Texts.
New this year is an
on-line class, off site.

ucation an

News.

SAJE i s supported by a
gift from Cis lviaisel
Kdlinan.
Tuition for SAJE courses is
$15/course' 36ith ree or

2/16
2001

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