Mission Accomplished
Spreading love for Torah and Israel was goal
of returning Kollel Torah MiTzion family.
B'nai Moshe Hosts Adult Learning
Tzvi Schostak,
right, new presi-
dent of Kollel
Torah MiTzion,
gives a plaque to
outgoing presi-
dent Dr. Phillip
Goldmeier; both
are of Southfield.
JULIE WALLIS
Special to the Jewish News
T
he mood was anything but
blue as Kollel Torah Mi'Tzion
bid farewell to Yossi and
Chamutal Revach at its annu-
al dinner June 8 at Young Israel of Oak
Park.
A love for Israel was ever-present in the
spirits of all who came to support Kollel
Torah Mi'Tzion, an organization sponsor-
ing three Israeli families who come to
Detroit to enlighten Detroiters about
Israel and inspire them to learn Torah.
The Revachs will return to Israel at
the end of this month, completing their
three-year mission.
Opening the ceremony, Dr. Phillip
Goldmeier, president of Kollel Torah
Mi'Tzion, praised the warmth and gen-
erosity of the Revachs as well as Rosh
Kollel Rabbi Shlomo Sobel and his wife,
Tali, and Rabbi Zvi Foss and his wife,
Niama. He especially praised the "tireless
efforts" of the three couples in their devo-
tion to teaching their students, both chil-
dren and adults.
"When our children and we
visit Israel, we will all have
family waiting for us
there," he said.
The idea
of sharing
love for
Torah, Israel and fellow Jews was palpa-
ble as the three couples embraced friends
and students throughout the evening.
Encouraging aliyah is no small part of
the Kollel Torah Mi'Tzion's mission. In
his farewell speech, Yossi Revach
addressed the crowd of supporters, fellow
teachers and students at Yeshivat Akiva in
Southfield, where the Kollel is based.
"You were always here for us," he said.
"From the first moment, we found
Detroit to be imbued by the same love of
Eretz Yisrael as at home. Each of us in
galut [disaspora] is here by Divine provi-
dence. We must return to Eretz Yisrael
to contribute our special talents."
The evening was highlighted by a
concert by Aaron Razel. During one very
mournful song, Yossi Revach moved
back and forth with the rhythm, almost
like a prayer. And then suddenly he
broke into a huge smile as two students
came up and embraced him.
At the close of the ceremony, Oak
Park artist Aliza Sosne presented a draw-
ing in appreciation of the education her
son received from the Kollel Torah
Mi'Tzion teachers. The drawing depicted
a dove encompassing
the State of
Israel.
Akt.
Yossi and Chamutal Revach with David, Eden and Ori.
Congregation B'nai Moshe will run a guest scholar lecture series and
a prayerbook Hebrew reading class for adults this summer. On Monday,
July 21, Jewish Theological Seminary of America Rabbinic Fellow
Rabbi Lauren Berkun will give a shiur (discourse) for adults and teens
titled "Jewish Views of the Afterlife."
The program will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The summer guest
scholar series will conclude on Monday, Aug. 18, at 7:30 p.m. with a
study session titled "Songs of the Heart: Psalms of Healing," featuring
Rabbi Lee Buckman, head of school for the Jewish Academy of
Metropolitan Detroit.
Tuition for the summer guest scholar series is $10 per session (B'nai
Moshe members, students, and Jewish educators receive -a tuition dis-
count). Walk-ins are welcome. No knowledge of Hebrew is necessary.
B'nai Moshe also will offer a weekly class for adults in prayerbook
Hebrew reading, taught by Nathan Roth 9:30-11 a.m. Sundays. Later
in the summer, the group will switch to material from the machzor
(High Holiday prayerbook). During the summer months, the class
meets in a private home near 14 Mile and Orchard Lake Roads in West
Bloomfield. In the fall, the class will resume meeting at the synagogue.
New students are welcome to join the class if the level is right for them.
Good phonetic Hebrew reading ability is a prerequisite. There is no
charge for the summer sessions. Tuition will be charged starting in the
fall. For information, leave a message for Rorh at the synagogue office,
(248) 788-0600.
JAMD Appoints Development Director
Michelle Lynn Brown, a native of Akron, Ohio, has been
hired by the Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit to
serve as its first director of development. Her duties will
include managing annual fund solicitation, planned giving
programs, corporate and foundation proposals and plan-
ning for major capital gifts.
Brown, who studied Near and Middle Eastern studies
and photography at Ohio State University, went on to earn
master's degrees in social work and Jewish communal serv-
ice in a joint program sponsored by Hebrew Union
Brown
College and the University of Southern California. She
worked and studied in Israel leading teen tours, studying at
Tel Aviv University; volunteering on Project Otzma and staffing missions at
United Jewish Appeal.
❑
The Shul Hosts Shabbaton
The Shul will host a Shabbaton with Mrs. Rivka Slonim 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 18, and at noon Saturday, July 19, at 6890 W. Maple,
West Bloomfield.
Mrs. Slonim will speak about Kabbalistic remedies for enhancing
relationships. She is an author, lecturer, teacher and activist, who has
traveled the world addressing the interface of traditional Jewish obser-
vance and contemporary life.
All are welcome to attend. The charge for the meal is $18 for adults
and $10 for children. For reservations, call the Shul, (248) 788-4000.
7/1 1
2003
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