Congregation Beth Ahm
Is _proud to be honoring

Lillian & AC Bricker

The rest of the trip went surprising-
ly smoothly.
"We wheeled the Torah toward
security and through the X-ray, and
they did not ask one question," Cantor
Dubov said. "When we handed our
tickets to the stewardess to board a
completely booked flight, she did not
question our oversized carry-on."
The day after the Dubovs returned
home, the Colmans were able to see
the Torah and compose the words that
would be embroidered on its cover.
The dressed Torah was ready to be
placed in the synagogue's ark in time
for Brooke's bat mitzvah service.
"Brooke was the first person at
Chaye Olam to read from the new
Torah," Debbie Colman said. "She
was even able to practice from it
before the day of her bat mitzvah. I
never dreamed it would be as wonder-

ful as it was to see and hear her read
from it. We are so glad to have been
able to do this."
At a formal dedication on April 23,
the congregation welcomed the new
Torah under a chuppah (wedding
canopy). "It is as if the congregation
marries to the Torah," the cantor said.
"We also pre-signed a ketubah
(Jewish marriage contract), promising
our faithfulness to the study and our
commitment to our Torah and each
other."
The Torah was placed beside one
on loan from Congregation Beth
Shalom.
"One of the greatest mitzvot is
passing our Torah on to our future
generations," Cantor Dubov said.
"May we seek to understand it more as
we grow to greater strength with Torah
in our lives." ❑

Humanistic Honoree

Honored as the longest-
serving volunteer of the
Society for Humanistic
Judaism (SHJ), Marilyn
Rowens is the recipient
of the organization's first
annual Sherwin T. Wine
Lifetime Achievement
Award.
"The award couldn't
possibly represent all that
she did," said Rabbi
Wine, founder of
Humanistic Judaism.
Volunteering for the
movement for 37 years,
Rowens has been
involved in aspects of
Humanistic Judaism
ranging from the cre-
ation of its first Sunday
school texts to Humanist Bert- Steinberg of San Francisco with award winner
Marilyn Rowens of Livonia, Birmingham Temple Rabbi
dramas for the
Birmingham Temple. She Sherwin T Wine and SHJ executive director Bonnie
Cousens of Southfield.
was among the founders
of the SHJ in
last year through a grant by IFSHJ
Farmington Hills.
officer and SHJ board member Bert
Rowen was instrumental in creat-
Steinberg of San Francisco, in honor
ing the International Institute for
Secular Humanistic Judaism, a train- of Rabbi Wine's 75th birthday.
"I was overwhelmed emotional-
ing center for rabbis and movement
ly," Rowens said of receiving the
leaders. She currently serves as exec-
award. "It is such a meaningful part
utive director. Rowen also helped
of my life. The whole 37 years has
establish the International
been one long emotional journey;
Federation of Secular Humanistic
there were so many highlights. I
Jews, based in New York City and
have made precious connections
Jerusalem.
with people and philosophy." Ili
The Wine award was established

For their many years of
Commitment & dedication to our shut -
At our Annual- Dinner/Dance
Sunday Nlay 23rd, 2004 at 6pm

Catering by Syerber's Xosher Catering

For more information or to

- pCease caCC 248-851 6880

839230

Dr. & Mrs. Levadi
invite the Jewish community to a celebration

Welcoming a new Sefer Torah
to Congregation Keter Torah

The Sefer Torah is dedicated in honor
of the memory of their late son

An Marc Levadi

Sunday May 23, 2004 at MOO a.m.
congregation Keter Torah

5480 Orchard Lake Road • West Bloomfield

For more information call Kadima Ben-Ezra
248.865.0717

840560

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2004

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