• • • •

\4 /-1Sunny's

Cafe

In God We Trust

America's oldest Jewish synagogue faces the
realities of the 21st century as congregations around
the world cope with anti-Semitic violence.

DIANA LIEBERMAN
Copy Editor/Entertainment Writer

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• No Weekends or Holidays

exp. 6-30-02

–

West Bloomfield

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Downtown Novi
,

1-.C1t1 ■ . - .

(248) 626-3750
Hours: Mon-Sat

7am-3pm •

(248) 347-6690
Sun 8 am - 3pm

Shangvi-La

AUTHENTIC HONG KONG STYLE COOKING

*Featuring wonderful, traditional favorites...
a superb variety of dining specialties

The only
Chinese
restaurant
open until

(248) 626-8585

2:00 a.m.

Hours: Monday thru Sunday
11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

6407 Orchard Lake Rd.
(In The Orchard Mall)

MUSASHI

Bangkok
Gourmet

A New Thai Restaurant

JAPANESE CUISINE

Specializing in
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AND SUSHI BAR

Come in and
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39241

Grand River Ave
Farmington Hills

S.E. Corner of
Grand River & Haggerty)
in Pepper Square Plaza

Sp aBbv 14

the new nation a place where they
could practice their religion in peace.
The United States will "give to bigotry
no sanction, to persecution no assis-
tance," President Washington wrote to
"the Hebrew congregation in Newport."
Taking his inspiration from the
Bible, he continued: "May the children
of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in
this land, continue to merit and enjoy
the good will of the other inhabitants,
while every one shall sit in safety under
his own vine and fig tree, and there
shall be none to make him afraid."
In 1946, the federal government rec-
ognized the Touro Synagogue as a
National Historic Site. In April, the
building was named a National Historic
Trust Site. This designation, the first
ever given to an American religious site,
gives the building significantly more
assistance in marketing and upkeep.
Said Richard Moe, president of the
private, nonprofit National Trust:
"There has never been a more impor-
tant time in American history to cele-
brate the religious freedom that makes
our country so unique."

• Dine-in only

— Gourmet Breakfast Specializing in Eggwhite Omelette
— Fresh Squeezed Juices — Lunch Menu
"New Location"
No Smoking

* GRAND OPENING *

The Tuoro Synagogue in Newport, R. I.

Purchase One Entree
and Receive 50% Off
Second Entree of Equal
or Lesser Value.

• One coupon per table

I/

he only Jewish congrega-
tion in the United States to
be officially sanctioned by
President George
Washington still hosts daily services at
its 240-year-old building. -
But the Touro Synagogue in
Newport, R.I., is taking no chances
with security — an armed guard is sta-
tioned in a prominent position when-
ever tours, services or Hebrew school
activities take place.
"We feel we are the most visible
Jewish symbol in America," said Rabbi
Mordechai Eskovitz, who has led serv-
ices for the past six years for
Congregation Jeshuat Israel, which
calls the synagogue home.
Security is tight at Detroit-area syn-
agogues as well, as attendance swells
with each terrorist act. "We saw an
upsurge in attendance for about a
month or two months following 9-11,
then a few months ago with the intifa-
da worsening in Israel," said Rabbi
Daniel Syme of Temple Beth El.
"People come to the synagogue to
huddle together for warmth, but it has
nothing to do with the temperature
outside," Rabbi Syme said. "It's
because of the fear, trepidation and
anxiety that people feel. They come
for a sense of security in the world."
However, that security turned out to
be an illusion in numerous synagogues
during the past few years, as the tur-
moil in the Middle East has brought
to the surface buried anti-Semitism.
"Attack on German synagogue coin-
cides with Hitler's birthday," screams a
headline from April 2000. In May
2000, arsonists destroyed Philadelphia's
Congregation Beit Harambam.
And, just this spring, vandals attacked
the Anderlecht Synagogue in Belgium,
Beth Israel Synagogue in Quebec City,
the Jerbi Synagogue in Tunisia, and
three synagogues in the vicinity of
Sacramento, Calif. --- while an arson
attempt was foiled at Congregation
Beth Israel Judea in San Francisco.
Rabbi Doug Kahn, executive direc-
tor of the San Francisco branch of the
Jewish Community Relations Council,
encouraged all synagogues to "analyze

the procedures and steps 1.117 arP air-
ing to deter" hate-related attacks.
Commented Jonathan Bernstein, head
of the Central Pacific Region of the
Anti-Discrimination League: "These
sorts of things don't only occur in the
backwoods of Mississippi or in other far-
away places. Hatred exists everywhere."
So far, however, hated has not
defaced Rhode Island's Touro
Synagogue. Unlike most famous syna-
gogues, America's oldest synagogue
building has no gold filigree or
designer stained glass. What it does
have, however, is a 1790 letter from
President Washington assuring the
congregants that they had found in

OFF

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'Bangkok
Gourmet
10 Mile

Mon-Thurs Ilam-9:30pm; Fri I I am-10:30pm
Sat 12-10:30pm; Sun 12-9pm

Bring four of your friends
and one dinner is complimentary*

Private Room/Catering/Delivery

Rewictions upph ,

2000 Town Center, Suite 98
10'/2 Mile on Evergreen Road

(248) 358-1911

http://wwwmusashi-intl.com

5/31

2002

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