istorisr
Some of Shaarey Zedek's
past presidents include
Marvin Fleischman,
Myron Milgrom, Leonard
Baron, Yale Levin, Dottie
Wagner, Wally Handler
and Richard Brown.
BILL CARROLL
Special to the Jewish News
T
he Sisterhood used
to roll bandages for
soldiers fighting the
Civil War; now the
women have bingo brunches
with those who live at
Fleischman Residence, a West
Bloomfield senior citizen com-
plex. The rabbis used to sit in
their offices and study most of
the day; now they e-mail their
sermons to the congregation,
sing in synagogue shows, even
eat sushi with the members.
That's the changing face of
Congregation Shaarey Zedek,
the second-oldest synagogue
in the Detroit area, as it cele-
brates its 140th anniversary
this year. Although the actual
140th was in 2001, the cele-
bration began at the end of
last year, and continues
through the first half of 2002.
Two major upcoming events
include a musical show on
April 28 and a tribute to
Rabbi Irwin Groner on June
20.
The festivities got off to a good start when
Shaarey Zedek received the Beacon Award,
inspired by Detroit's 2001 Tricentennial celebra-
tion. The synagogue was the only Jewish organiza-
tion among 140 in the metro area chosen as "lead-
ers in their fields who have raised the quality of
life for residents.
declared Larry Berry of
Bloomfield Hills, a third-
generation Shaarey Zedek
president. "We're proud of
our contributions to the
community in the past as
we've developed a strong
spiritual, educational and
social haven for our mem-
bers over the years."
Berry was preceded in
the presidency by his late
grandfather, Louis, and
father, Harold. Shaarey
Zedek's presidential roster
includes such other noted
Jewish community leaders
and philanthropists as Max
Fisher, William Davidson
and David Hermelin, the
late ambassador to Norway.
James Safran will succeed Berry on April 24.
He's a second-generation president; his father was
the late Hy Safran.
"Shaarey Zedek is well-known for producing
many local, national and international leaders cov-
ering business, industry, finance and politics,"
pointed out member Judith Levin Cantor of West
Bloomfield, a professional archivist who estab-
lished the synagogue's permanent archives during
its 120th anniversary celebration in 1981.
"Staying together spiritually for so many genera-
tions has enabled most of us to survive the good
times and the bad times."
"Shaarey Zedek has an incredible heritage and
Shaarey Zedek marks its 140th anniversary
with musical show and tribute to Rabbi Groner.
Strong Past, Strong Future
In 1861, 17 men — calling themselves traditional-
ists — created a spin-off from Temple Beth El,
founded in 1850, and formed the Shaarey Zedek
(Gates of Righteousness) Society. The traditional-
ists, who later becoming Conservative, cited "irre-
solvable differences of opinion."
The Shaarey Zedek group established Detroit's
first all-Jewish cemetery, Beth Olem — now sur-
rounded by a General Motors plant site in
Hamtramck — and opened its first house of wor-
ship in a former church on Congress at St.
Antoine streets. After five moves over the years,
the congregation settled in in Southfield — with
its building recognized in national newspapers and
magazines.
With branches in West Bloomfield, Shaarey
Zedek now has about 2,100 member families.
"We feel 140 years is certainly a memorable
milestone to celebrate ... there aren't too many
synagogues around with our type of history,"
7AT
4 / 12
2002
53