Sephardic Success
Keter Torah celebrates its building's second year with a first annual dinner.
SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
Staff
jr
ust two summers ago, Rabbi Michael Cohen
stood inside the unfinished, sawdust-filled
future home of Keter Torah Synagogue.
The synagogue, completed in August 2002, is
modeled after one in France — complete with its
Old World ambience, inlaid wood ark doors,
mahogany pillars and golden chandeliers.
"We've come quite a long way in a short amount
of time," said Rabbi Cohen, the congregation's first
rabbi. "And we're ready to hold our first annual din-
ner."
The event will be held at the Jewish Community
Center in West Bloomfield at 6 p.m. Wednesday,
June 23.
"They were chosen for all they've done for the
synagogue through the years," said Marcia Harris,
event co-chair, along with Suzi Benaderet and
Pamela David.
Born in Cairo, the Ben-Ezra family was among
Jews expelled from Egypt in 1956. As children, the
brothers quickly left the country with their parents
and siblings, leaving all their possessions behind
and moving to a one-room sheet-metal shack with
no plumbing, electricity or heat in Ashdod, Israel.
Eventually, they moved to a small apartment in
Holon, Israel. Later, the brothers settled in Detroit.
A mailing sent to Keter Torah members
describes their giving natures.
"Their humble beginnings have made them sen-
sitive to the plight of those in need," it read. "Their
financial success [in business] has allowed them to
fulfill the important mitzvah of
tzedakah [giving charity], and they
have put their heart and soul
behind Keter Torah Synagogue
and many other charities."
Keter Torah Today
Keter Torah dinner honorees David, Isaac and Albert
Ben-Ezra
Rabbi Cohen
Originally called the Sephardic Community of
Detroit, the congregation — founded in 1917 by
Turkish immigrants Judith and Jacob Chicorel —
met for many years in the homes of members and
in rented spaces.
Many of the members — whose families origi-
nated from countries including Algeria, France,
Egypt, Persia, Syria and Holland — are second-,
third- and fourth-generation members of the congre-
gation, including descendants of the Chicorels.
Among the membership are David, Isaac and
Albert Ben-Ezra, all of West Bloomfield. The broth-
ers will be honored at the dinner.
Keter Torah members display the synagogue's newest
Since opening its building, syna-
gogue membership has grown from Torah.
25 families to 70 families, with 40
percent of the members coming
Hebrew from scratch through the National Jewish
from non-Sephardic backgrounds.
Outreach Read Hebrew America program that we
"We are Ashkenazi and feel very,
host," he said.
very comfortable," Harris said. "We
Last month, the congregation welcomed the syna-
feel like we're among a
gogue's seventh Torah, dedicated by Dr. David and
very warm, friendly, won-
Laurette Levadi of West Bloomfield in memory of
derful family. Everyone
their son Ari Marc Levadi.
knows everybody else."
A large committee has been planning the first-
Until the current
time dinner event.
building was complete,
"So many of us feel we have a part to play in
services had been held
fund-raising for the shul," Harris said. "The dinner is
only on Shabbat, holidays
also a place to introduce members and maybe future
and Sunday mornings:
members to what our synagogue is all about."
With the building, morn-
The plan for the dinner, is "to make it warm and
ing services have been •
comfortable," Harris said.
added.
"The Sephardic community used to do a cabaret,"
"We also have ongoing
Rabbi Cohen said. "So what we're doing with the
adult education classes in
dinner is just a little more formal and religiously
the synagogue nearly
inclined, but still keeping it friendly."
every single day," Rabbi
The evening will feature Israeli singer and record-
Cohen said.
ing artist Yoel Sharabi, with additional music by the
Classes are open to non-members as well and at
ABZ Orchestra. A tribute ad journal also will be pre-
no charge. With a background in teaching, Rabbi
sented at the dinner, with the book's production
Cohen teaches many of them himself; Rabbi David
chaired by member Katie Marcus.
Shapero, executive director of Ohr Somayach Detroit
"And all of this, Harris said, "should just be a
in Southfield, also teaches a weekly Torah class.
glimpse into the successes to come." El
"Forty of our members have learned to read
V14.`
b•
,
6/18
2004
49