..444.1*.FA

Cantor Dubov describes the musi-
more people are looking to their syna-
cians as a "unique blend of traditional
gogues to provide a sense of belonging,
klezmer mixed with Dixieland."
community and extended family.
"People like unique services; they
Cantor Corrsin describes Synagogue
like the chance to worship in a differ-
2000 as "an engine moving American
ent way," the cantor says.
Judaism toward changing its focus.
In the Orthodox community, where
"People have emotional needs that
musical instruments are not used dur-
our society today doesn't provide," she
ing religious services, other innovations
says. "The synagogue can, and should,
have been implemented to make syna-
change to provide this community."
gogues more accessible.
A relatively new way for congrega-
Ar Machon L'Torah in Oak Park,
tions to respond to their members'
the Artscroll Siddzir with English trans-
needs for more personal connection are
lation is used to make it easier for peo-
"healing" services. Cantor Glantz
Amy Maytlis of implemented a healing service at Adat
ple to follow the service; page numbers
West Bloomfield, Shalom a few years ago, for people
are announced regularly.
with daughters
Although the services remain
experiencing loss, grief, illness or emo-
Vanessa, 5
unchanged, "pre-prayer" classes are held
tional distress.
months, and
to explain the meaning and importance
Temple Israel's new healing service
Abigail, 7, at a
of the various prayers so the services
on Shabbat "provides an instant sense
Temple Israel
will be more meaningful, especially to
of community," according to Cantor
Shabbat
service.
those new to traditional Orthodoxy
Corrsin. "We pass around a small
"By tradition, by definition of who
Torah,
and everyone gets a chance to
out the world at the end of the 20th
Corrsin. "The outdoors is the perfect
we are, our services are held the same
hold
it
and say what's in their hearts."
century are the power of music and the
sanctuary, with the beauty of God's
way they were held for the last 2,000
Len
and Karen Redmond of Warren
benefits of informality." Outdoor ser-
work all around us."
years," says Rabbi Avraham Jacobovitz
found
what
they were looking for at
vices, accompanied by live music, are
Many of these innovations have
of Machon L'Torah. "But we are trying
Shir
Tikvah
in Troy. "The singing
becoming more popular as a way for
sprung from Synagogue 2000, a
to make our synagogue more beautiful,
makes
everyone
feel like a big family,"
congregants to welcome Shabbat in an
nationwide program designed to make
more accessible, and easier for people
she
says.
"I
really
miss being here
informal, natural setting.
synagogues more responsive to the
to relate to."
whenever
we
can't
make it."
The Reform outdoor services at
needs of their congregants. Teams from
Rabbi Jacobovitz said he feels it is
Temple Israel in West Bloomfield,
each congregation meet regularly to
not appropriate to hold separate chil-
Getting Connected
which draw 600-1,000 people, have
discuss ways to encourage greater par-
dren's services. "We believe that the
become "the thing to do on Friday
ticipation
and
involvement.
With
many
Rabbi
Nelson at Beth Shalom under-
best way to integrate children into the
nights," according to Cantor Lori
families
scattered
across
the
country,
stands
how important it is for congre-
synagogue is for them to be
there beside their parents,"
says the rabbi.
is a sampler of Shabbat services at other local
nights" featuring national guest speakers are held monthly. A
Because most of the chil-
ues. A complete list of local synagogues begins
monthly melavah malkah is held when Shabbat ends, including
dren in the congregation
a dinner and a group activity that is both spiritual and enter-
attend Jewish day schools,
OMFIELD CHAI CENTER,
taining.
they are able to follow the
new "Jewish Enrichment Program" is
TEMPLE SHIR SHALOM, West Bloomfield. During the
service. "And, even if they
m ornings and Wednesday afternoons to
summer months, a shorter (45-minute) Friday night service is
can't follow every word, they
ildren of all denominations in the
held at 6:30 p.m., outdoors when weather permits. Meditation
pick up a lot by osmosis. To
tp$eld Hills area
and healing services are held throughout the year, featuring
segregate the children is not
y,p:„ Oak Park. A special Shabbat service
guided meditations, chanting and singing. These services are
beneficial in the long run."
.
44,00:04*eared
to young families is held on
held either outdoors or in the synagogue's lobby.
Cantor Dubov of Temple
ay mornings. The first Friday night of every month fea-
THE SHUL, West Bloomfield. Shabbat services are held on
Beth El agrees. "We don't
tures a shorter service designed for younger children. Healing
the first Friday night and the third Saturday morning of each
hold separate services for our
,oktices:are held periodically. •
month. English readings and frequent discussions about the
youth," says the cantor. "If
01, AM1, West Bloomfield. Friday night and
prayers and their meaning take place throughout the service.
we honor our elderly, we
atur ay morning services feature guitar music by Rabbi
Friday night services include a family dinner. Following the ser-
want our young people to be
Norman Roman and congregational singing and a question-
vice, separate programs for children and adults are held, which
right there."
and-answer session after the reading of the Torah portion.
include games, speakers and discussions.
Family services are held monthly for Shabbat and during other
CONGREGATION T'CHIYAH, Royal Oak. The slogan for
holidays.
this Reconstructionist synagogue is "Judaism is not a spectator
God Outdoors
SARA
T1JGMAN
.BATS
CHABAD
TORAH
CENTER,
sport."
Members of the congregation take turns leading the ser-
According to Rabbi Wine,
West
Bloomfield.
Separate
children's
services
are
held
every
vices,
which
include music and are held on alternating Friday
"Two major trends that
Saturday
morning
and
afternoon.
Monthly
Sunday
"dinner
nights
and
Saturday
mornings.
emerged in religion through-

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7/13
2001

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