Torah Portion/Synagogues Women In The Torah Show Strength, Courage Shabbat Toldot: Genesis 25:19-28:9, I Samuel 20:18-42 I n this week's Torah portion, we are presented with the story of Jacob's receiving a blessing (meant for his brother) through deception (Genesis 27). This decep- tion was instigated and insisted upon by his mother, Rebecca. Without getting involved in try- ing to explain her motivation or jus- tifying her behavior, what strikes me is the atypical assertiveness and strength that one would not expect from the "traditional Jewish female." Rebecca is certainly not the passive, reticent and dependent female that the stereotypical vision of the typical "traditional female" conjures up in our minds. Similarly, in Torah portions Lech Lecha (Genesis 16) and Vdayra Israel. (In much the same vein, Lot's (Genesis 21), Sarah, Abraham's wife, daughters act (Genesis 19:30-38), to controls Abraham's relationship with produce other ancestors of these first, Hagar and, later, his own son, same kings.) Yishmael. She demonstrates power In the beginning of and resolve. Exodus (1: 15-27), it is the In fact, the Torah is strength of will and replete with examples of courage of the midwives to atypical" women, to the defy the order of Pharaoh, point that proves that our the "all powerful" king of preconceived notion of the Egypt, that enables Moses, typical traditional Jewish the savior of the Jewish woman" is, in fact, a fallacy. people and the greatest of Later in Genesis (Chapter the Prophets, to be born. It 38), we have the poignant is also the mercy and kind- story of Tamar, Judah's ness of Pharaoh's own daughter-in-law. Having RABBI daughter and her courage been widowed twice, she is ELIEZER in resisting her father's essentially left abandoned COHEN demand that all Jewish by Judah. She may not Special to the male children be killed, marry another, and Judah Jewish News that enabled Moses to sur- refuses to allow his third vive. son to marry her. Yet, Later in Torah (Numbers 27:1- Tamar has the strength of character 12), the five daughters of to take matters into her own hands Tzelophchod assert their rights of to produce children whose descen- dants ultimately become the kings of inheritance in spite of the male- (( (( ISAAC AGREE DOWNTOWN SYNAGOGUE Shedding Light on Shabbat A girl should light Shabbat candles before her mother in case the girl needs help. Sponsored by Lubavitch Women's Organization. To receive Shabbat candles, candlesticks and brochures at no cost, contact Miriam Amzalak at (248)548-6771 or e-mail• miriamamzalakl@juno.com CONSERVATIVE ADAT SHALOM SYNAGOGUE 29901 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills, 48334, (248) 851- 5100. Rabbis: Daniel Nevins, Herbert Yoskowitz, Rachel Lawson Shere. Rabbi emeritus: Efry Spectre. Cantor: Yevsey Gutman. Cantor emeritus: Larry Vieder. Services: Friday 5:15 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 5 p.m.; weekdays 7:30 a.m., 5 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m. B'nai mitzvah of Erez Brandvain, son of Beth and Avi Brandvain; Matthew Wener, son of Alexandra and Joseph Wener. Aufruf of Rhondi Keller and Jeffrey Bennett. AHAVAS ISRAEL (GRAND RAPIDS) 2727 Michigan St SE, Grand Rapids, 49506-1297, (616) 949-2840. Rabbi: David J.B. Krishef. Cantor: Stuart R. Rapaport. Services: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 7:30 a.m.; Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. BEIT KODESH 31840 W. Seven Mile, Livonia, (248) 477-8974. Cantor: David Gutman. President: Larry Stein. 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Rabbi: Jason A. Miller; co-chairs Rebecca Murow and Perry Teicher. Egalitarian Carlebach-style service 5:30 p.m. Fridays. Monthly Shabbat morning service. Monthly Shabbat Mincha-Seudah Shlishit Check Web site for times vvvvvv.umhilleLorg 1457 Griswold, Detroit, 48226, (313) 961 ;9328. Chazan: Cantor Usher Adler. Baal Kriah: Rabbi Hoivard Marcus. Cantorial soloist: Neil Bards. Ritual director: Dr. Martin Herman. President: Dr. Ellen Kahn. Services: Saturday 8:30 a.m. also the second Friday of every month at 7 p.m. followed by an oneg Shabbat. CONGREGATION SHAAREY ZEDEK Rabbis: Joseph H. Krakoff, Jonathan E. Berkun, Eric S. Yanoff. Rabbi emeritus: Irwin Groner. Cantor: Chaim Najman. Ritual director: Leonard Gutman. Southfield: 27375 Bell Road, Southfield, 48034, (248) 357-5544. Services: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7:30 a.m.; Monday, Thursday 7:15 a.m.; daily 5 p.m.; Friday 5 p.m.; Saturday 8:45 a.m., 4:45 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m. Bat mitzvah of Darien Paige Sherman, daughter of Joyce and Larry Sherman. West Bloomfield, B'nai Israel Center: 4200 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323-2772, (248) 357- 5544. Services: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7:15 a.m.; Monday, Thursday 7 a.m.; daily 5 p.m.; Friday 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 4:45 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. Havdallah bar mitzvah of Matthew An Steinberg, son of Shelley Golsky and Larry Steinberg. TEMPLE ISRAEL 2300 Center Ave., Bay City, 48708; (989) 893-7811. Cantor: Daniel Gale. President: Dr. Jonathan Abramson. Services: Saturday 9:30 a.m. A liberal, egalitarian con- gregation serving the tri-cities area. Religious and Hebrew education programs for children and adults. INDEPENDMIT AHAVAT SHALOM 413 N. Division St., Traverse City, 49684, (231) 929- 4330. Rabbi: Chava (Stacie) Bahle. Weekly Shabbat cele- brations, holidays, year round programming, children's education. Summer programming for downstate visitors. dominated society in which they live. Moses and God, Himself, agree that their claim is just and thus Jewish Law protects a daughter's rights. What these episodes in the Torah clearly portray are women of charac- ter and courage; women of strength and resolve; women who, in spite of their position, do what must be done to protect and preserve us all. These are the real "typical traditional women of the Torah." Conversations Why aren't these role models better known? Where do our stereotypes of Jewish women come from? Is "feminism" at odds with traditional Judaism? Is there one "proper" role for women within Judaism? - JEWBILATION P.O. Box 130014, Ann Arbor, 48103, (734) 996-3524 or 995-1963. Rev. Lauren Zinn. Services: Friday 6:15, fol- lowing dinner. Jewish Roots with Interfaith Wings holds bi-monthly Shabbat dinner, services, kids' programs, family school and Hebrew school for all ages. ORTHODOX AGUDAS YISROEL MOGEN ABRAHAM 15751 W. Lincoln, Southfield, 48075, (248) 552-1971. Rabbis: Dov Loketch, Asher Eisenberger. President: Irwin Cohen. ANN ARBOR CHABAD HOUSE 715 Hill St., Ann Arbor, 48104, (734) 995-3276. Rabbi: Aharon Goldstein. Services: Friday at sundown; Saturday 9:45 a.m., 20 min. before sundown; weekdays 7:30 a.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. Times for weekdays and Sunday are for the academic year. ANN ARBOR ORTHODOX MINYAN 1429 Hill St., Ann Arbor, 48014. Rabbi: Rod Glogower. Services: Friday at sundown; Saturday 9:30 a.m. and 20 minutes before sundown; weekdays during the academ- ic year 7:30 a.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. BAIS CHABAD OF FARMINGTON HILLS 32000 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills, 48334, (248) 855- 2910. Rabbi: Chaim Bergstein. Services: Friday sundown; Saturday 9:30 a.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m.; weekdays 6:50 a.m. BAIS CHABAD OF NORTH OAK PARK 15401 W. 10 Mile, Oak Park, 48237, (248) 872-8878. Rabbi: Shea Werner. BETH TEFILO EMANUEL TIKVAH 24225 Greenfield, Southfield, 48075, (248) 559-5022. Rabbi: Yisroel Menachem Levin. GROSSE POINTE JEWISH COUNCIL (313) 882-6700. Rabbi: Nicholas Behrmann. Cantorial soloist: Bryant Frank. SYNAGOGUES on page 70 11/12 2004 69