Livia
Remembering 9-11
Varied Reflections
Last year's tragedies unite faith communities
at Shaarey Zedek memorial service.
Clockwise from top left:
Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus addresses the
crowd.
Imam Mohamed Mardini, Michigan
Attorney General Jennifer Granholm
and U.S. Rep. Sander Levin enter the
Shaarey Zedek sanctuary.
Sol Hoberman of Oak Park, Byron
Block of Royal Oak and Laura
Lucassian of Troy listen to the service.
Differing Visions
SHELL' LIEBMAN DORFMAN
Stezffriter
hen 1,500 participants from a multi-
tude of religious backgrounds joined
together at a Sept. 11 interfaith worship
service, they were bound to leave with
varying reactions.
For many, the program at Congregation Shaarey
Zedek in Southfield reached its goal: to offer com-
fort and hope and allow them to reflect on their
lives in light of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. Others left
feeling conflicted, realizing that everyone didn't
respond to the tragedies as they did.
Deborah Anstandig, 17, of West Bloomfield, a self-
described "proud American" and Jew, was invited to
light a memorial candle at the program alongside •
members of the Muslim and Christian communities,
but found "I could not identify with them. I feel more
of an affinity to Jewish people than I do to non-Jews."
Yet, the evening bought her a chance to connect. "As
I was sitting next to this first Muslim girl I have ever
talked to in my life, I could not help but see her
humanity" Deborah said. "I realized the importance of
seeing the humanity in all people. After all, we were all
created in the image of God."
9 / 20
2002
92
peace, for an opportunity to join hands across the pews
with people of other faiths."
Just as participants of the program brought with them
Her hope is that Rev. Holley will contact her. "I
different viewpoints on the cause and effect of the 9-11
tragedies, so did some presenters.
would like to meet with him," Weiner said.
Many who attended were disappointed at the words
of the keynote speaker, the Rev. Jim Holley of Little
Intertwining Faiths
Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit. They dis-
While a few elements of the program, such as bells
approved of his choice of this worship service as the
place to speak out on violence in American history and rung by Kristin London of the First Baptist Church of
Detroit, were foreign to some present, the readings and
to put blame on Americans for the 9-11 attacks.
• "He talked about what is wrong with America, about prayers were basically non-denominational by design.
To watch non-Jewish clergy, impressive in their vari-
violence and violent events," said Jeannie Weiner of
ous robes, step onto a synagogue bimah (dias) and offer
Farmington Hills, who attended the service.
a resounding "shalom" for peace was a welcome first
`Americans were the victims and, after spending the
for many attending the program.
day in tears and watching TV and being constantly
For members of the local Jewish Zamir Chorale of
reminded of the events of one year ago, by nighttime,
Metropolitan Detroit, joining with seven church, pub-
we didn't need to be blamed," she said. "We needed to
lic school and community choirs, singing the words of
come together for solace and hope."
'Amazing Grace," certainly was a first.
For Weiner, though, there was also good that came
Those who attended the program were able to view
out of the service. "The rest of the evening was great. I
an inspirational Joint Color Guard Procession, reflect
felt proud for those who put their heart and spirit into
planning it."
in a moment of silence and sing "The Stu-Spangled
Weiner, a past president of the Bloomfield Township- Banner," led by the Pontiac Northern High School
choir.
based Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan
They heard a memorial prayer chanted in Hebrew
Detroit, says after thinking about the program's intent,
by Shaarey Zedek Cantor Chaim Najman and translat-
and the comfort most of it brought her, she decided to
ed into English by Dr. Dennis Papazian, University of
write a letter to Rev. Holley. Weiner has been involved
Michigan-Dearborn professor of history and director
in interfaith programming before and has enjoyed the
of the school's Armenian Research Center.
reverend's enthusiasm and passion when she heard him
Allan Gale, associate director of the Jewish
speak on other occasions. She says intent was not to
Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit, offered
chastise Rev. Holley, but to begin a dialogue.
the "Prayer for Our Country," and David Blewett,
In her letter, she wrote that she understands his con-
executive director of the Ecumenical Institute for
cern over violence in America, but wants him to know
Jewish-Christian Studies in Southfield, recited a
that she feels those who attended the program "were
looking for solace, for hope of a future world with
REFLECTIONS on page 95
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