Better Than New

Ann Arbor's Beth Israel Congregation makes big changes
inside and out.

SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
StaffWriter

Ann Arbor
long summer of construction and more
than a year of fund-raising culminated
into an autumn of much-deserved cele-
bration by members of Beth Israel
Congregation in Ann Arbor.
With pledges made for most of the $1.5 mil-
lion needed to renovate the synagogue, festivities
began with an Oct. 14 donor appreciation dinner,
held in the newly complete social hall.
Just two days later, a Shabbat morning dedica-
tion included an outdoor marching of the Torahs
into the refurbished sanctuary.
"There were five Torahs that were carried and
passed from board member to board member as
the congregation lined the way," said Harvey
Berman, co-chair of the synagogue's fund-raising
committee, member of the building committee
and Beth Israel's vice president of administration.
"Then we danced around the Torahs at the
entrance to the main building."
The dozens of area clergy of various religious
faiths who attended the dedication included
Rabbi Jason Miller, assistant director of
University of Michigan Hillel Foundation, and
Rev. Lauren Zinn of Jewbilation. Area Jewish
agencies and schools were also
well represented.
"Rev. Dr. Kenneth
Phifer of First
Unitarian

A

Master of ceremonies
Harvey Berman,
center, with Susan
and Dr. Barry Gros
all of Ann Arbor,
have fim at the
Oct. 14 donor
appreciation dinne

Universalist Church of Ann Arbor gave an excel-
lent speech encouraging and commending the
congregation for its endurance and restraint in
the face of the protesters," Berman said, referring
to a pro-Palestinian group that marches in front
of the synagogue each Saturday morning. The
protesters were there in their usual numbers the
morning of the dedication."
An Ann Arbor City Council resolution passed
two days after the dedication — affirming free-
dom to worship without interference and con-
demning the picketing of houses of worship —
has not stopped the weekly protests.

What's New?

Beth Israel's renovations were planned in two
stages and included work on most areas of the
building's interior and exterior, including a com-
plete restoration of the sanctuary and -structural
and functional changes in the social hall.
"It was gutted and new coved ceilings, carpet-
ing and lighting were added," Berman said.
"Wood was added to all partitions and a new

Rabbi Robert Dobrusin slices the challah at the Beth
Israel donor appreciation dinner.

entrance was added from the lobby. The stage was
deleted and replaced with a storage area."
Beth Israel Rabbi Robert Dobrusin said, "Our
sanctuary was always beautiful. I loved it the first
time I saw it. But now, with new upholstery and
carpeting, new lighting and a better sound sys-
tem, it is even more beautiful. than before. The
newly renovated social hall makes it even more of
a joy to linger at Kiddush and to celebrate sim-
chas in the synagogue."
Beth Israel's kitchen and lobby were completely
redone and the restrooms redecorated, with the
women's restroom also expanded.
Outside, the building has a new roof,
heating and air-conditioning system,
pavers — with donor
names inscribed, new
stairs, lighting,
landscaping,
railings and
concrete
,sidewalks.