Just Imagine!

Young adults sign up for fun `journey groups" at Shabbat Unplugged.

ful for our young adults by creating
programming that fits their needs.
"We want them not only to be fully
integrated into the congregation, but
emple Israel's successful
also feel as though they are contribut-
monthly Shabbat Unplugged
programs for young singles and ing — that they have a stake and a
voice at Temple Israel."
couples, have led to a new venture.
Temple Israel began Imagine by
Imagine, a new group targeted for
inviting 40 to 50 young adults to
young adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s,
is for both members and non-members attend a four-part focus group to dis-
cuss ideas, concerns, desires and
of Temple Israel.
visions. They brainstormed ways to
"The Imagine group is our vision- of
make the temple more welcoming to
a young adult congregation within our
young people and to get more young
larger congregation," says 20-some-
people involved in the Jewish commu-
thing Rabbi Jennifer Tisdale Kroll, the
newest member of the clergy at Temple nity.
From these sessions, Temple Israel
Israel. She has had a large part in con-
structing the new group. "The purpose has organized "journey groups" — a
is to make membership more meaning- parent/toddler program at night for
working parents; a book
club, a dining club, a
professional networking
group and an outreach
club to provide informal
Jewish education in a
person's home.
Rabbi Josh Bennett is
even starting a
marathon-training
group. Members will
run on their own during
the week, but meet
every Sunday morning
to • train together.
"By doing journey
Steve Ben-Ezra, right, ofWest Bloomfield meets the
groups,"
Rabbi Kroll
Rubinsteins, Dave, Shoshana, Dalia, 5, and Blakey, 4,
says,
"young
adults can
of Farmington Hills.

JODI CHARNAS
Special to the Jewish News

T

do things they like and learn-in a
Jewish context with other Jews. It's a
way to do something you already love,
learn something new, and meet other
young Jewish adults at the same time."
The Wagners — Nicole, 34, and
Ted, 35 — of Birmingham were part
of the initial focus group. Now, they
are heading the arts and culture jour-
ney group and recently led 20 couples
to see the bands Chicago and Earth
Wind and Fire perform. Says Nicole
Wagner, "This has been a really posi-
tive experience for us. We've recently
moved from Chicago, and these groups
have helped us feel more connected
with the synogogue and with the com-
munity."
Jason. Hillman, 32, and wife
Merideth, 26, of Huntington Woods
were also a part of the planning stages
for Imagine. "It's an unbelievable
group! We're blessed with terrific rabbis
'who get so involved in something like
this. And it's a great way for us to give
back to a congregation that has given
so much to us," says Jason Hillman.
Following the June 11 Shabbat
Unplugged program, Imagine spon-
sored a "super oneg" with information
booths for each of the journey groups.
According to Rabbi Kroll, hundreds of
young adults signed up to take part.
"This is a new and exciting venture
for Temple Israel," says Rabbi Kroll. "It
is a way for the congregation and its
leaders to say to young adults: 'We

Duane Haldeman of Royal Oak and
fiancee Laurie Kepes of West
Bloomfield discuss their Imagine
choices with Carol Lynn Cooper, left.

Ron Yolks, center, of Birmingham signs up
for "tennis unplugged" with Stephanie and
David Lubin of Farmington Hills.

value you, we want • to make sure you
enjoy your Jewish experiences here.' It
is our way of communicating to them
that they do, in fact, have a voice
here." CI

More photos from this story are on

www.detroitjevvisluiews.com

The next Shabbat Unplugged program will be held 7:30 p.m. Friday July 9, at Temple Israel outdoors if weather permits.

Jig

7/ 2
2004

24

Ronald Gothelf ofWest Bloomfield talks with
Deborah Schiffer and Crystal Webster, both
ofWest Bloomfield, and Melissa Hortick
of Beverly Hills about the dining club.

Rabbi Josh Bennett, center, meets Steve Spiegel of
Kalamazoo and Shawn Rubin of Royal Oak.

Gayle Elias of Farmington Hills extols the Imagine book club.

