Spirituality STRANGERS No MORE from page 55 services at B'nai Jeshurun. He went to hear Jewish singers, including Craig Taubman, who, like Rubin, is strongly involved in Synagogue 2000, an organi- zation leading synagogue-transformation efforts nationwide. Rubin even spoke with Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, chancellor of the Conservative, Jewish 'Theological Seminary of America in New York, telling him of his frustration. Clergy Involvement Finally, Rubin decided to go to his own clergy. A meeting was set with Adat Shalom Rabbis Daniel Nevins and Herbert Yoskowitz and Cantor Howard Glantz, where a discussion of the creation of a siddur specifically for use at Adat Shalom ensued. Also at the meeting was Rabbi Jay Strear — who has since left Adat Shalom. He contacted book publisher Dr. Joe Lewis of Oak Park. In addition to creat- ing several books used at Congregation Beth Shalom, Dr. Lewis also produced siddurim in other cities, including Friday Night Alive, a collaborative effort of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and synagogues in that area. "I have seen how synagogues that cre- ate their own siddurim can have hun- dreds of congregants participating in the services week after week after week," Dr. Lewis said. "So I sat down with the rabbis and the cantor and we discussed exactly what they wanted included in their sid- dur." He then set to work writing, translat- ing_and transliterating the traditional Hebrew text into modern English, help- ing design a siddur that follows the Friday night service at Adat Shalom. The new Adat Shalom siddur manner most resembling how they are often sung." Ndaseh Venishmah also offers excerpts written by Rabbi Nevins from The Kaddish Minyan: The Impact On Ten Lives, a book edited by Rabbi Yoskowitz in 2001. "This siddur can be used by anyone," Rubin said. "The service is complete for those who are fluent in Hebrew. And for those who are unfamiliar with Hebrew, there is the transliteration." An award-winning poet, Dr. Lewis included rhyming in the translated text. "There are lot of people who will be read- ing the English alone and others who will read the Hebrew but can still get a fresh look at a new translation," he said. In addition to being a Shabbat siddur, Nakseh Venishmah also offers prayers and blessing for festivals, including the Havdalah service and holiday candle lighting and kiddush. The Music Of Prayer What's Inside? "Each section of prayers in the siddur has an introduction written for our congrega- tion," said Rabbi Nevins, who, along with other synagogue clergy, determined its content and proofread the siddur. "Our team of clergy worked to make this siddur a personal reflection of who we are as spiritual leaders and to make this siddur an accessible resource for everyone," Cantor Glantz said. "It also includes practical guidelines about when to bow, sit and stand as well as running commentary," Rabbi Nevins said. Musical prayers in the siddur also were created to follow the Adat Shalom serv- ice. As a chazzan, it was important for me to look at the siddur as a sheet of music," Cantor Glantz said. "How would it best be arranged to be conducive for singing. At times, this meant the arrange- ment of the words on the page in the 4/ 4 2003 56 The new Adat Shalom siddur follows the recent release of the synagogue's Shabbat Rocks CD. The recording, given to all Adat Shalom members, includes the entire Friday night service. "Now anyone who wants to learn the service can listen to the CD, and follow along in the new siddur," Rubin said. But for those who still want more, he suggested to Cantor Glantz that he hold parlor meetings to teach the melodies and ideas behind the liturgy. "I will meet them anywhere, anytime," was the can- tor's response. While Cantor Glantz maintains pas- sages in the religious service are meant for reflection and absorption or to be said quietly, many "are naturals for com- munal singing." For those, he said, "I want the congregation to be comfortable enough with our service that they can drown me out." The new siddur will be used during monthly musical Shabbat Rocks Friday nigh t services, taking the place of the cur- rently used Siddur Sim Shalom. Until its review by the synagogue's ritual commit- tee, the new siddur will be used as a edu- cational supplement on weeks when the regular service is held. The siddur's title, Nakseh Venishmah is defined as, "We will act, and we will understand," said Rabbi Nevins. These words were spoken by the Israelites upon receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai. The phrase is also included in the design on the ark in Adat Shalom's Shiffilian Chapel, where Friday night services are usually held. Jewish songwriter and graphic design- er Steve Klaper of Oak Park created the siddur's cover. The cost of the publication of the new siddur was underwritten by nearly 40 m _ embers of the congregation. "Our hope is that this siddur will draw in many more people who currently are unable to follow the Hebrew text," Rabbi Nevins said. "Ultimately, we hope that all these people will take advantage of our Hebrew literacy and other adult education pro- grams so that the world of Hebrew text becomes open for their exploration." Rubin said: "Our goal should be to educate people in a manner so they can come to regular services, not only musical or special services. Everyone should have the opportunity to feel holy and partici- pate in the service and to love the spiritu- ality. No one should ever come to shul on a Friday night and feel like a stranger." ❑ A 5:45 p.m. Friday, April 11, Shabbat dinner and table discussion will be led by members of the con- gregation's Synagogue 2000 team chaired by Brenda Moskovitz and Synagogue 2000 chairpersons Phyllis Pilcowitz and T arry Slabotsky. Siddur Nakseh Venishmah will be introduced during the Shabbat Rocks musical service at 7:15 p.m. An oneg Shabbat will fol- low services. There will be program- ming for younger children. The evening will be chaired by Robert Rubin. For information on Siddur Na'aseh Venishmah, access the Web site of publisher Joe Lewis at: www.singlishsp.com Cost for dinner: adults, $10; children ages 3-15, $5. For reserva- tions call, Adat Shalom at (248) 851-5100. Shaarey Zedek Hosts Concert Congregation Shaarey Zedek Southfield will host "We Shall Overcome: An Interfaith Concert in Celebration of Passover, Lent and Easter" 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 6. The event will feature African- American gospel and klezmer music by Metro Detroit Area Fellowship Choir and Schmaltz. There is no charge. The concert is sponsored by the Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit together with nine ministers and rabbis who joined hands last spring on a mission to West Africa and Israel: Congregation Beth Shalom, Community of Faith Baptist Church, Greater New Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, Metropolitan Church of God, New Light Baptist Church, Peace Baptist Church, Plymouth United Church in Christ, Congregation Shaarey Zedek and Congregation Shir Tikvah. For information, call Janet Pont, (248) 357-5544. Seder Includes Labor Leaders The Jewish Labor Committee/ Michigan Region will hold its Labor Seder on April 10 at Congregation Beth Shalom. The invited attendees include labor leaders from a dozen unions. "The Labor Seder with the read- ing of the Haggadah is an excellent way to show our friends in the labor movement why our connection to them is well based in our heritage," said the region's executive director, Selma Goode. "We are told that when Rabbi Levi Yitzhak [of 18th-century Berdichev] discovered that the young women who had baked the matzah had worked from early morning until late at night, he pro- nounced the matzah treif [not kosher] because it was produced through oshek, oppression of work- ers." The labor movement's support of a Jewish homeland goes back to the 1920s, Goode said. Samuel Gompers, a Jewish cigar maker, was the first president of the American Federation of Labor.