Torah Portion/Synagogues

Look To Ourselves

Shabbat Tzav
(Shushan Purim):
Leviticus 6:1-8:36•
Jeremiah 7•21-8:3,
9:22-23.

W hat a sight it must have
been!
Parashat Tzav informs us
this week that God instructed Moses to
gather the entire Israelite community
together at the entrance of the Tent of
Meeting. Callinab forward Aaron and
his sons, Moses himself bathed these
soon-to-be kohanim, priests of the
Jewish people.
He dressed them, armed them with
the appropriate ritual tools and anoint-
ed them formally.
Their job was to maintain the sacri-
ficial cult. Their honor and that of all
the priests that followed derived from
their lineage. So long as Aaron's
descendants continued to have chil-
dren, the priesthood of Israel would
continue.
Of course, the roll of the kohanim
has changed dramatically in the last

Rabbi Aaron Stan- is the director of lifelong
learning at Congregation Shir Tikvah.

2,000 years. Today, they simply per-
bis tell us that the mamzer who is
form ritualistic functions in the syna-
learned takes precedence over the high
gogue service and the pidyon haben
priest who is an unlearned.
(redemption of the firstborn) lifecycle
As this text reminds us, the rabbis
event.
laid the groundwork for the transfor-
In fact, the Conservative rabbinate
mation within Judaism from a system
has lifted some of the ancient prohibi-
of religious leadership rooted in lineage
tions on them and the Reform move-
to one reliant on learning. No longer
ment has disbanded with the priestly
were the leaders of the Jewish people
caste system altogether.
simply born; now they had to be made.
Indeed, the role of the modern
Since then, Jewish leaders have earned
kohen bears little resemblance
their positions based on
to that of his ancestors.
knowledge, skill and their
Yet, the seeds for this
commitment to Jewish val-
modern revolution against
ues.
the priesthood were sewn in
Unfortunately, however,
events that took place millen-
not enough of the knowl-
nia ago. Certainly, the
edgeable, skilled and ethical
destruction of the Holy
among us are deciding to
Temple in the first century
take on positions of leader-
C.E. shook the entire founda-
ship within the Jewish com-
tion of Judaism.
munity.
RABBI AARON
Moreover, our rabbis
Since the descendants of
ST'
TA
sought to affect their own
Aaron no longer hold the
Specia 1 to the
changes to the caste system.
automatic right to guide us,
Jewis h News
M Horayot 3:8 informs us,
we must encourage those
"A priest takes precedence
blessed with special ability to
over a Levite; a Levite over an
choose to become Jewish
Israelite; an Israelite over a mamzer
professionals or lay-leaders.
(one born out of wedlock); a mamzer
We need more rabbis, cantors, edu-
over various forms of converts; and a
cators, communal service workers and
convert over a freed slave."
teachers in the community. We need
But this circumstance pertains only
more volunteers stepping forward to
when all of the above are equivalent. If
become synagogue board members or
the mamzer is someone learned and
committee chairs.
the high priest is unschooled, our rab-
We need more men and women to

Keeping Kosher

The separation of meat and dairy applies to dishes, cutlery, pots and pans and
utensils. Two sets of each are required: one for meat and one for dairy.

Sponsored by Lubavitch Wirme's
n Organization. For information on keeping kosher or for help
making your kitchen kosher; contact Miriam Anzzalak at (248) 548-6771 or e-mail:

miriamannalakl@juno.com

CONSERVATIVE

ADAT SHALOM SYNAGOGUE

29901 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills, 48334, (248) 851-
5100. Rabbis: Daniel Nevins, Herbert Yoskowitr, Rachel
Lawson Shere. Rabbi emeritus: Efry Spectre. Cantor:
Yevsey Gutman. Cantor emeritus: Larry Vieder. Services:
Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 6:45 p.m.; weekdays
7:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m.

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. Vice presidents:
Martin Diskin, Al Gittleman. Services: Friday 8 p.m.;
Saturday 9 a.m.

CONGREGATION BETH AHM

5075 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, 48322, (248) 851-
6880. Ritual director: Joseph Mermelstein. Rabbi emeri-
tus: A. Irving Schnipper. Cantor Emeritus: Shabtai
Ackerman. Guest rabbi: Aaron Bergman. Visiting scholar:
Dr. Howard Lupovitch. Services: Friday 6 p.m.; Saturday

9:30 a.m., 6:15 p.m.; weekdays 7 a.m., 7 p.m.; Sundays
and civic holidays: 8:15 am., 5 p.m. Saturday bat mitz-
vah of Mikole Levran, daughter of Joy and Zvi Levran.
Purim observed Friday, March 25.

BETH ISRAEL (FLINT)

G-5240 Calkins Road, Flint, 48532, (810) 732-6310.
Cantor emeritus: Sholom Kalib. President: Dr. Harold
Steinman. Services: Saturday 9:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; week-
days 7:30 a.m., 6 p.m.; Sunday and legal holidays 8
a.m., 6 p.m. Ivriah religious school (810) 732-6312.

BETH ISRAEL (AN ARBOR)
CONGREGATION

CONGREGATION B'NAI MOSHE

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 6 p.m.; Friday 6 p.m.;
Saturday 9 a.m., 6 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. Purim: Megilah
reading at Laker complex Friday, March 25, 7:15 a.m.

6800 Drake, West Bloomfield, 48322, (248) 788-0600.
Rabbi: Elliot Pachter. Cantor: Earl Berris. Services: Friday
6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 6:15 p.m.; Monday-Friday 7
a.m., Monday-Thursday 6 p.m.; Sunday and legal holi-
days 9 a.m.; Sunday 6 p.m. Bar mitzvah of Jacob Diskin,
son of Cynthia and Jeffrey Diskin. Purim: Thursday,
March 24, 6:15 p.m.; megNah 6:45 p.m. Friday, March
25, 6:45 a.m.

DOR CHADASH

—

U. OF MICH.

U-M Hillel; 1429 Hill St., Ann Arbor 48104, (734) 769-
0500. Rabbi: Jason A. Miller. Co-chairs: Naomi Karp,
Perry Teicher. Egalitarian Carlebach-style service at cas-
ndlelighting time Fridays. Monthly Shabbat morning
service. Monthly Shabbat Minchah-Seudah Shlishit.
Check Web site for times www.umhillel.org

ISAAC AGREE DOWNTOWN
SYNAGOGUE

CONGREGATION BETH SHALOM

CONGREGATION SHAAREY ZEDEK

146 South Ave., Mt. Clemens, 48043, (586) 465-0641.

Who in your community would
make a good Jewish professional
or lay leader? What is the differ-
ence between a Jewish leader and
a leader of Jews? What characteris-
tics do you look for in the leaders
of your Jewish community?

Friday, March 25, 7:15 a.m. Megilah reading at Laker
complex.

1457 Griswold, Detroit, 48226, (313) 961-9328. Chazan:
Cantor Usher Adler. Baal Kriah: Howard Marcus. Cantorial
soloist: Neil Bards. Ritual director: Dr. Martin Herman.
President: Dr. Ellen Kahn. Services: Saturday 8:30 a.m.

BETH TEPHILATH MOSES

Conversations

Services: weekdays 7:15 a.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.;
Sunday 8 am.

2000 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, 48104, (734) 665-
9897. Rabbi: Robert Dobrusin. Services: Friday 6 p.m.;
Saturday 9:30 a.m.; weekdays 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 5 p.m.

14601 W. Lincoln, Oak Park, 48237, (248) 547-7970.
Rabbi: David A. Nelson. Cantor: Samuel L. Greenbaum.
Ritual director: Rev. Samuel Semp. Services: Friday 6
p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 7 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m., 5 p.m.;
weekdays 7 a.m., 6:30 p.m.

assume positions on Federation or
other agency advisory boards.
Having shifted focus from lineage to
learning, we can no longer assume that
there will always be people to fulfill
leadership roles; we must actively
encourage our fellow Jews to take on
the mantel of leadership so that
Judaism may continue to shape our
lives and that of our children's, so that
we might continue to serve as a light to
the other nations.
This Shabbat, let each of us follow
the role of Moses our teacher by find-
ing someone special, placing our hands
on his/her shoulders and encouraging
him/her to become a Jewish profes-
sional or a lay leader.
The future of the Jewish people
relies not on a priestly caste system, but
on our ability to guide those with the
right skills and value system to assume
their rightful place among our people.
May this be God's will. ❑

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
am.; Monday, Thursday 7:15 a.m.; daily 6 p.m.; Friday 6
p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m., 6:15 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m.
Purim: Thursday, March 24, 6:45 p.m. Meg Nah reading.

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.

INDEPENDENT

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.

GROSSE POINTE JEWISH COUNCIL

(313) 882-6700. Rabbi: Nicholas Behrmann. Cantorial
soloist: Bryant Frank.

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.

LISTINGS

on page 60

3/24
2005

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