Spirituality TRUST YOUR AFFAIR TO THE FINEST CATERER SYNAGOGUES FROM PAGE 49 TEMPLE KOL AMI 5085 Walnut Lake, West Bloomfield, 48323, (248) 661- 0040. Rabbi: Norman T. Roman. Rabbi emeritus: Ernst J. Conrad. Cantorial soloist: Susan Greener. Services: Friday 8 p.m. Saturday 10:30 a.m. CLASSIC CUISINE CONGREGATION SHAAREY ZEDEK Approved by Council of Orthodox Rabbis WE'LL BEAT YOUR BEST PRICE! • Weddings • Bar/Bat Mitzvahs • Showers • Banquets • Anniversaries • Reunions • Birthdays •- Etc. 1924 Coolidge, East Lansing 48823, (517) 351-3570. Rabbi Emeritus: Morton Hoffman. Rabbi: Richard Baroff. Cantor: Pamela Jordan Schiffer. Services: Friday 8 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. TEMPLE SHIR SHALOM 3999 Walnut Lake, West Bloomfield, 48323, (248) 737- 8700. Rabbis: Dannel Schwartz, Michael L Moskowitz. Cantorial soloist: Penny Steyer. Services: Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. Friday bat mitzvah of Mari Emma Landis, daughter of the late Susan Zussman, Jeff and Molly Landis, Joan and Mike Sussman. 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Year round holiday observances, Nokh Shabbes Havdalah once a month; secular bar/bat mitz- vah; Sunday school. 803560 5480 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, (248) 681- 3665. Rabbi: Michael Cohen. Services: Friday at candle- lighting time; Saturday 9 a.m., Minchah 1 1/4 hours before the end of Shabbat; Sunday 9 a.m.; Monday 7 a.m.; Wednesday 9 p.m., Thursday 7 a.m., 9 p.m. TRADITIONAL B'NAI DAVID 6346 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 100, West Bloomfield, 48322, (248) 855-5007. Cantor: Ben-Zion Lanxner. Services: Saturday 9 a.m. MINYANS FLEISCHMAN RESIDENCE Placing an ad in our classified section has never been easier. 1/30 2004 50 Call today! -248/351/5100- 6710 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, 48322, (248) 661- 2999. Rabbi: Avie Shapiro. Services: Saturday and Sunday 9:15 a.m. Minchah Monday-Friday 4:30 p.m.; Saturday 1:30 p.m. Maariv Monday-Saturday 5:30 p.m. YES H IVAT AKIVA 21100 W. 12 Mile, Southfield, 48076 (248) 386-1625. Services: During the school year, morning services at 7:30 a.m.; afternoon services at 2:40 p.m. The commu- nity is invited. Torah Portion Family And Community Ensure Jewish Survival begins with the final plagues being brought upon Egypt and with Pharaoh's heart hardened. The tide begins to turn, however, when Pharaoh inquires of Moses who will go from Egypt, should he allow anyone to go. Pharaoh wishes that only the men he book of Exodus begins should go (Exodus 1 0: 1 1). with an accounting of "sons Moses refused, telling Pharaoh, "We of Israel who came to Egypt will all go, young and old; we will go with Jacob" (Exodus 1: 1). with our sons and daughters, our flocks The Jewish Publication Society and herds ..." (Exodus 1 0:8). For Moses chose to translate b'nai yisrael as "sons" and the people, a few leaving while of Israel, when it is usually translated as others were left behind was not accept- "children" of Israel referring to the peo- able. They came as a family, ple as a whole. That choice a community, and that is was made, I believe, because how they would leave. of the phrase that follows the Jews continued to live words b'nai yisrael: ish dveito with this type of community bdu, "each coming with his mentality for centuries. household." Though often forced by out- This phrase is significant side authorities, Jews lived in because without it, we could corporate communities that assume that the sons of Jacob upheld corporate responsi- came down to Egypt alone, bility. Each community leaving behind family and assured that the needs of its household workers. By JENNIFER people were met. Whether including those three addi- TISDALE those needs were medical, tional words, we are informed KROLL financial or religious, institu- that the Israelites went down Special to the tions were established to to Egypt as a group, a collec- Jewish News maintain the dignity of both tion of households, a family. the individuals within the After the death of Joseph community and the community as a and the generation that arrived in whole. They faithfully upheld the rab- Egypt, the Israelites continued to build binic axiom of kol am yisrael eruvim ze up their households and families. The b'ze, "all the people of Israel are respon- Torah tells us that in Egypt, the sible for one another." Israelites were "fertile and multiplied" Hillel, through the text of the so much so that they spread through- Mishnah, reminds us that we "should out the land (Exodus 1:7). In Egypt, as not separate ourselves from the com- in the land of Canaan, they fulfilled munity.".Through the experience of the commandment of Peru u'rvu, to be our ancestors revealed in the text of fruitful and multiply, and u'kivshuha, Shemot and Bo, this lesson is taught. conquer the land. Their diligent fulfill- Hillel continues, "and let all who labor ment of these commandments made with the community labor with them Pharaoh uneasy. He saw in the for the sake of Heaven." Israelites a community that was strong We should care for each other and in numbers and strong in faith — take responsibility for one another not bound together by a common history just for the sake of historical continuity and united by a family network. or the health of our communities. We Pharaoh was threatened, and he must be eruvin ze b'ze, responsible for reacted by enslaving the people. This one another because that is the way did not hinder their strength or their God intended us to live. We must live growth. We are assured by the words of this way for God, for by doing so, we the Torah that "the more they were praise God's name. ❑ oppressed, the more they increased and spread out." Though this did not win them any popularity contests with the Egyptians, they remained resolute in their commitment to family and com- How can we uphold this high munity. standard of community responsi- In this week's portion, the Israelites bility in our own lives? How do are finally relieved of the centuries of we contribute to the health of our slavery that they endured. The portion communities? Are we using our Jennifer Tisdale Kroll is the rabbinic community resources to their intern at Temple Israel. Her e-mail fullest potential? address is rebjt@aol.com Shabbat Bo; Exodus 10:1-13:16• Jeremiah 46•13-28. T Conversations