t4. No More Wandering Jews May the coming year be filled with health, happiness and prosperity for all our family and friends Madelon & Lou Seligman Congregation T'Chiyah makes a memorable move. SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN StaifWriter A L St IANAI-1 TovAri May the New Year bring to all our friends and family health, joy, prosperity and everything good in life. Judi, Joe & Brandon Schneider Heather, Brett, Caidey & Zack Schneider Bryan & Ethan Schnei oily, Brad & D.J. Schneder fter 25-years in temporary quar- ters, Congrega- tion T'Chiyah is settling into new space, corn- plete with a sanctuary that doubles as a meet- ing and celebration room and houses the congregation's ark, library books and treas- ured Torah. Congregation President Roz Schindler of Huntington "We have been the Woods claps to the music of the band. diaspora of the Detroit Jewish religious commu- nity," says T'Chiyah member Marcia Baum of Detroit. and with the joyous music of Neil "Now we have a permanent home in Alexander's Klezmer Fusion Band, the heart of our community." who performed along with Dave An Aug. 29 dedication commemo- Gitterman and Pete Kahn. rated the congregation's move to the "Music, dancing, and singing are so David and Miriam Mondry Building much a part of our rich culture and on the A. Alfred Taubman Jewish have provided such an appropriate Community Campus in Oak Park. way to begin this joyful celebration," The group celebrated by discussing said T'Chiyah President Roz Schindler. the congregation's historical moments What Is Reconstructionist Judaism? JUDY HARRIS Special to the Jewish News 1 e wish our friends & family a very healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. Mike and Harriet Travis * 'wish ourfriends & family a very healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. %TN 9/10 2004 26 Iry and Shirley Wineman T he Reconstructionist approach to Judaism grew out of the teachings of Mordechai Kaplan, who defined Judaism as the "evolving religious civilization of the Jewish people." Reconstructionist Jews recognize that Judaism changes within the framework of tradition. They strive to create a Jewish way of life that encom- passes the legacies of Judaism and of contemporary American life. They also believe that Judaism includes cultural aspects, such as litur- gy, music, literature, art, food and lan- guage, in addition to religion. Congregation T'chiyah is affiliated with the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, the fastest growing Jewish movement in the United States. Congregation T'chiyah provides its members with a feeling of connected- ness not only to Judaism but to each other as well. It is a relatively small congregation that promotes a sense of belonging among all members. It provides opportunities for every- one to participate, regardless of fluen- cy in Hebrew or previous religious training. It values the diversity within our heritage and welcomes active involve- ment and commitment of all its mem- bers — in member-led weekly Shabbat services as well as holiday services and life-cycle events celebrat- ed by the congregation, in thought- provoking discussions that are part of services, and in learning sessions that enhance synagogue life. E Judy Harris is a member of Congregation T'Chiyah.