Retro Celebration
For its 50th anniversary, Temple Emanu-El members
step back in time to remember their roots.
cantor, worked with Barbara Alexander
and Margaret Stark, founding and long-
time choir members, to prepare the
choir
to sing the original melodies and
ow should a congregation
words.
Cantor Rose has been dedicated
celebrate its 50th anniver-
to the education and music program at
sary? The rabbi of Temple
temple for more than 30 years. Cantor
Emanu-El, Joseph Klein,
Rose's presence filled the sanctuary
thought the most appropriate way was
although he was absent because of ill-
to re-create the kind of service a Reform
ness. Euni Rose, the cantor's wife, led
temple would have had 50 years ago.
the choir and soloists as they beautifully
To get people in the proper frame of
captured the music of the period.
mind, why not have the kind of foods
Rabbi Klein delivered a sermon from
from 50 years ago served at the Shabbat
1956, originally prepared and presented
dinner preceding the event? This was
what the Temple Emanu-El congregation to the congregation by Rabbi Milton
Rosenbaum, who served as Temple
experienced last Erev Shabbat, Jan. 18.
Emanu-El rabbi for 44 years. The mes-
The dinner, undet the direction of
sage, "Who is a Jew?," was time-
co-chairs Jenny Patterson, Bea
-less
and thought provoking. Bea
Sacks, Barbara Klein, Muriel
Sacks, a past president, spoke
Sherbow and Sue Gross, was
about what she and the three
the largest ever served at
generations of her family gained
Temple Emanu-El. Some 325
by their membership in Temple
people enjoyed a dinner with
Emanu-El.
authentic foods from the
She also engaged the congre-
1950s: Bubbe's Chopped
gation
in a laughter-filled recita-
Liver Appetizer, Mama's
tion of some actual announce- .
Chicken Matzo Ball Soup,
ments from 1952: a Feather
Nana's Potato Strudel Knish,
Cantor Rose
Party, Hayseed Party and per-
Jell-O molds on each table
mission given to the "girls" to
and, of course, roast chicken.
bring their knitting to the rabbi's adult
All were wonderfully prepared by the
study session.
temple caterer, Classic Cuisine.
The featured speaker was Hannah
Founding member Barbara Alexander
Rosenthal, daughter of Rabbi Frank
lit the Shabbat candles. The Wolin-
Rosenthal, the first rabbi at Temple
Patterson family recited the Kiddush
Emanu-El. She spoke with energy and
and the Harold Onickel family made
passion about her father's legacy and
the HaMotzi (blessing over food).
captured the spirit of the celebration.
Founding member Marge Katz con-
Arthur Kretchmer, a member of the
cluded the dinner with her tales of the
first
confirmation class, led the Aleinu.
early days when Emanu-El was both the
Another
highlight was founding mem-
spiritual and social center of the mem-
ber and former religious schoolteacher
bers' lives. All of us felt the sense of
Walter Stark's invitation to his former
excitement that she and our founders
students to join him on the bimah for
experienced as they created the new
the Kiddush. More than a dozen stu-
Suburban Temple.
dents, who are now adults, joined him.
Dinner was followed by the Shabbat
Many memories were exchanged at
service in the filled-to-capacity Anne
the
oneg Shabbat, where everyone
Jospey Sanctuary. Rabbi Klein graciously
enjoyed the homemade baked goods,
welcomed the congregation to the spe-
many typical of the '50s. The evening,
cial Reform Sabbath worship, circa
filled with prayers, music, laughter and
1952. Copies of Service 1 from the orig-
reflections from the past, was the perfect
inal Union Prayer Book (no longer in
way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of
use) were provided to the congregants.
The opening song, God Is In His Holy Temple Emanu-El.
Many generations — founding mem-
Temple, immediately brought back
bers, new members and everyone in
memories of the services attended years
between — connected with our wonder-
ago. Norman Rose, the temple's beloved
ful heritage through this celebration and
Bruce Gordon of Huntington Woods is
gateway to our future. ❑
BRUCE GORDON
Special to the Jewish News
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• Are you battling with your
child over food?
• Is your child sneaking food?
• Is your child gaining too
much weight?
• Do weight problems
run in your family?
president of Temple Emanu-El.
"Healthy Kids Are Hap
1/25
2002
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