Spirituality Golf Outings 18 Holes on one of Oakland County's premier venues - Gracious Banquet Facilities to fit the funds available. "Harry Gunsberg and Rabbi Lehrman together provided the inspiration and enthusiasm to build a sanctuary for 800," said for- mer president Norbert Reinstein of Oak Park. The move from Oak Park to West Bloomfield in the early 1990s was also • bar & bat mitzvahs • showers • all special occasions Cantor Earl Ben-is and Rabbi Elliot Pachter are spiritual leaders influenced by the shufs past. Personal Menu Consultations for your Special Event BRFNTWOOD Golf & Country Club 2450 Have wood • White Lake • 684-2662 Call Debi Lang - Special Events Coordinator Under New Ownership - Farrell & Ann Moore, Adrienne Moore, Bonnie Kerner, Barrie Moore Events & Entertainment, Inc. Nou , offering Complete film and video services specializing in: Events and Entertainment, Inc. 24 1 56 HAGGERTY ROAD FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48335 Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Family Reunions Outings. -866-MY EVENT www.evermandeniertainment.com \\THERE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE .LAKES THE DIFFERENCE! eau* Few, Leading the industry with over 20 years experience! ADMIRAL, OPTICAL- known for its prices& service $99 FRAME iN 5/ 18 2001 58 Naomi Frenkel 4th generation & Progressive no-line bifocal. SCR&UV *offer expires May 31, 2001 difficult. The Oak Park building had been sold to the Jewish Federation for S2 million, but the new building would cost S4 million. During Michael Grand's presidency, the congregation held services for two years in the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield during the fund-raising and building process. The experience, said outgoing president Len Wanetik of West Bloomfield, was "a crucible that trans- formed us." "We were down to 175 members, and we didn't have a rabbi," he said. "Other shuls in similar circumstances have disappeared, but we did more than survive. We now have more than 500 members, so three-fifths of our mem- bership has joined since the move." Changing With The Times ewtom eeimea, Toz. 248.855.8747 Call today for your free in-home consultation Lan)/ Gunsberg and his mother, Renee Friedman Gunsberg, are members of ffnai Moshe foundingfizmilies. Larry will become shut president in June. $ 59 FRAME & Single Vision PLASTIC LENSES* IVESTWIND LAKE VILLAGE SHOPS • 248-960-2380 Haggerty Rd. & Pontiac Trail • W. Bloomfield A time traveler would be struck by the changes at B'nai Moshe in 90 years. The grandeur of the sanctuary has been replaced by a smaller space with a feel- ing of intimacy. Clergy now wear busi- ness suits during services instead of full- length black robes and high hats. Where women once sat in the balcony and took little part in ritual activities, they now count for a minyan and read from the Torah. Where the building entrance once stood atop steep steps, B'nai Moshe's current home is completely handicap- accessible. Religious school classes are held on Saturday, rather than Sunday Summer Friday night services feature musical instruments (before sundown). In the words of Rabbi Elliot Pachter, "This is not your father's B'nai Moshe." And yet it is. The term members most consistently use to describe B'nai Moshe is heimish — warm and friendly. All the things that make a house a home haven't changed, said president Wanetik. "There's a consistency across the genera- tions about the quality of the experience and the nature of the shul. We have vol- unteers doing many of the activities, like reading the Torah and preparing the kiddush. There's a down-to-earth men- tality, here that may be partially due to the fact that many of our members are Holocaust survivors. The soul of the shul has not changed." Departed clergy continue to make an impact. "We made the transformation from Cantor (Louis) Klein, who served us for so many years, to Cantor (Earl) Berris. But we're still singing many Cantor Klein tunes. His spirit is still very much with us," said Rabbi Pachter. The most constant factor at B'nai Moshe could well be Shalom Ralph. The sexton has been with B'nai Moshe for 52 years. Last September, the con- gregation dedicated an alcove in the synagogue lobby in his honor. "I'm an antique," he quipped. "When I was sick last year, a member sent me a card wishing me a speedy recovery because she said the shul wasn't the same without me." ❑ Congregation B'nai Moshe will cel- ebrate its 90th anniversary with a gala dinner May 23. The event, "Some Enchanted Evening," will honor the synagogue's past presi- dents and feature a musical presen- tation written for the occasion by Nancy Gurwin. Dinner reserva- tions must be made by noon Monday, May 21. Contact the syn- agogue office at (248) 788-0600.