ip : iwww .irakaufman.com THE IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL Bringing Together Family, Faith & Community 18325 West Nine Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075 248-569-0020 • Facsimile 248-569-2502 www.irakaufman.com AIDS Claims Rabbi LARRY BROOK Deep South Jewish Voice We Get Questions Q : I need a certified copy of my father's death certificate. He died in Florida 16 years ago. Can you assist me? A: Absolutely. Call and let me know where your father died. I will call a colleague in Florida to send you as many copies as you need. "In Search of Jewish History," On Five Continents, From A to Z: One Historian's Journey," with author Sir Martin Gilbert 12:45 pm, Sun, Sept 25, 2005, Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 27375 Bell Road, Southfield Sir Martin Gilbert, historian and official biographer of Winston Churchill and author of several books on Jewish history, shares observations and insight on Jewish history spanning across five continents. R Presented in part by The Jewish Historical Society of Michigan. Made possible by Lois and Judge Avern Cohn, Elaine and Michael Serling. Admission: $7.50/ person, students with ID free. Reservations required. All welcome. For more information, or to reserve seats, call (248) 432-5600, ext. 2517. ne-fon- n e, N o ri-Itter what time you call to report a death, or ask about a Shiva or a memorial contribution, you deserve to speak to a member of our Email not an answerino- service. • •• • • • • *IN 9/15 2005 114 The Jewish Historical Society of Michigan (JHS) was founded in 1959 to preserve and commemorate our past for future generations, the only volunteer organization dedicated exclusively to this purpose. Programs, lectures and exhibits are an important part of JHS outreach to the community--through sole sponsorship or in partnership with many other Jewish community groups and others such as the Detroit Historical Society. JHS has been instrumental in having historical markers placed in important locations throughout Michigan. Community support and donations are vital to the JHS mission "to educate, celebrate and promote awareness of the contributions of the Jews of Michigan to our state, our nation, and the world." On-Line Donations Now you can make donations to the charity of your choice on-line! No stamps, envelopes or checks needed. Our on-line link will let you donate to many charities locally and abroad. It's safe, easy and secure. A beautiful acknowledgement card will be sent by mail to the recipient. Just log on to: wvvwJNOnline.com Jewish.com or vv-ww.irakaufman.corn and click on the Donations link. Participating Charities: Alyn Hospital Alzheimer's Association — Greater Michigan Chapter ARMDI — American Red Magen David for Israel Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Region Eastern Michig University Hillel Fresh Air Society and Tamarack Camps Greater Detroit Chapter of Hadassah Jewish Fathily.e of Metro Detroli The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit 6vg\ITWolite OneFamily - The Israel Emergency Solidarity Fund Hillel Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit Jewish Historical Society Hospice of Michigan Jewish Home & Aging Services Women's American ORT Michigan Region Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network University of Michigan Hillel JNF Trees for Israel Yad Sarah Congregation B'nai Moshe The Jerusalem Foundation Detroit Friends of Bar—Ilan University Jewish Community Council DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Birmingham, Ala. abbi Cynthia Culpeper, the first pulpit rabbi to announce being diagnosed with AIDS, died Aug. 29, 2005, after a 10-year battle with the disease. Rabbi Culpeper, 43, was diagnosed in 1995 shortly before her first High Holy Days after being ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary. A native of San Francisco, she was acci- dentally exposed to the virus the year before while working as a nurse there during a semester break from the seminary. At the time of her diagnosis, she was rabbi of Agudath Israel in Montgomery, Ala. She was hesitant about the reaction she would get from her congregants; but after announcing it, got hugs from all 150 in attendance. She continued as the full-time rabbi there until 1997, moving to Birming- ham, Ala., to receive to receive fur- ther treatment. She became a "rabbi at large" for Birmingham, teaching classes and, for a time, speaking to Jewish communi- ties nationally about AIDS. In 2000, she became the first female rabbi to lead religious services in Poland, con- ducting High Holy Day services at Beit Warszawa. In 2004, she participated in an Israel mission with her hometown congregation, B'nai Emunah in San Francisco. B'nai Emunah Rabbi Ted Alexander remembered how the young Cynthia appeared at his con- gregation one Shabbat evening, a Catholic high school student with a report to write about Judaism. She asked him questions after the service, returned the next week with more questions, then came back the third week with one question — how to become Jewish. One of the nuns at her school later met with Rabbi Alexander. Instead of telling him to stay away, she said Cynthia confided in her, and said, "I know she will not make a good Catholic, so make a good Jew out of her. She converted to Judaism as an adult and decided to pursue the rab- binate to deepen her personal com- mitment. ❑ Temple Shir Shalom THE IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL Bringing Together Family, Faith & Community 1018010