The Staff of Caucus Club wishes you a very Happy New Year
iscovering
zyntown. .
Our Greatest Potential
A t my shut, we had the privi-
These are fantastic tools for
self-evaluation when looking
back at our Jewish year
Did we do business faithfully
WAN. Technically, the movie
and honestly? Did we set aside
shed no new information to me
about the Holocaust. But it did
time trying to study God's
Torah? Did we have children,
powerfully convey just how
and invest our time and energy
strongly we prejudge people we
in them? Did we try and grow
have never even met. And by
both as people, grappling with
seeing how the people of
Whitwell, Tenn., changed the
wisdom and understanding, and
as Jews, by hoping for the
way they viewed both Germans
redemption?
and Jews, I also learned a great
But they won't ask us what
deal about myself, how I label
type of shut we belonged to,
and judge others and how they
and how often we attended
must perceive me.
services — which
Our Jewish Federa-
brings me to back to
tion is about to embark
the issue of labels.
upon a very ambitious
I struggle with the
population study to
understand the chang-
way we label ourselves
in the Jewish world.
ing nature and needs of
Orthodox,
our community. One of
Conservative or
the first questions on
Reform. While people
the survey is about
Ra bbi
synagogue affiliation:
Reuven Spotter use labels to identify
"Do you belong to a
Specia 1 to the who and what they
are, they also use
synagogue? lf so, what
Jewish News
them to describe what
denomination? How
they are not. It's comfortable for
often do you go?"
I certainly understand why
people to ignore what chal-
lenges them in life by using a
they ask these questions; they
label: "No, Rabbi, I don't do
are important measurements of
affiliation to the Jewish commu-
that because I'm not kosher."
Or, "Rabbi, I can drive because
nity. But according to the
I'm not Orthodox."
Talmud, they're the wrong ques-
tions to ask when evaluating
So, I've decided that this
year, I no longer want to be an
Jewish life.
"Orthodox rabbi." That seems
The Talmud teaches us that
when every person leaves this
very intimidating to people, I
guess. No, I'm still a rabbi; and
world and stands before the Holy
I still follow the tenets of
Tribunal to look back at his life,
Orthodox Judaism. But, in reali-
the court asks him a few ques-
ty, I'm just a Jew trying to follow
tions. Since Rosh Hashanah is
God's instructions and trying to
the Day of Judgment — the day
that God judges each of us and
help other Jews do the same
and grow closer to Him.
the world as a whole — it seems
logical to me that if these are
That, I think, is our greatest
the questions that I'm going to
potential: to be less of a move-
be asked at the end of my life,
ment that shuts others out —
then in some form, God asks
albeit unintentionally — and
these very same questions about
more like a family; open and
each of us on Rosh Hashanah as
loving and welcoming to anyone
looking to grow closer to God,
well. What will they ask us?
"Said Rava, when they bring a
His Torah and the Jewish people.
I wish each and every one of
person into judgment, they say
you a happy, healthy and joyous
to him: Did you engage in busi-
new year, and the prayer that
ness faithfully? Did you set aside
God grant us peace and pros-
time for Torah study? Did you
perity here, in Israel, and
engage in procreation? Did you
hope for the redemption? Did
throughout the world.
you grapple with wisdom? Did
Reuven Spolter is rabbi of Young
you understand one thing from
Israel of Oak Park.
another?" (Talmud Shabbat 32a)
lege of watching the movie
Paper Clips over this past Tisha
„721 September 29 • 2005
Xa
The Max, casinos,
opera, theater, sports
Our Famous Dishes...
Dover Sole, Sauteed Perch, Baby Back Ribs,
Pancho Burger; Medallions of Beef
*
the
* Caucus
'I'
Chlb
*
*
A Detroit Institution Since 1952
DINNER MONDAY-SATURDAY
LUNCH MONDAY-FRIDAY
Reservations Recommended
Private Party Room Available
150 West Congress Detroit
313-965-4970
Main Floor Penobscot Building
Our groomer is a graduate
of the New York School
of Dog Grooming
• Clean, comfortable professional
styling with a passion for pets
• Clothes for your spoiled children
with 4 paws
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7-6 • Sat: 9-4#
• "lie
Grooming Spa & Boutique
61 W. Long Lake Rd. • Bloomfield Hills •
248-203-9553
"If you haven't tried Ember's Deli, you're missing some great
food on a budget."
DANNY RASKIN Aug. 11, 2005
Approaching Holidays ...Think
Rose Guttman's Famous Homemade
• Potato Pancakes
•Roasted Chicken
• Chicken Noodle Soup
•Gefilte Fish
• Homemade Red
•Matzo Balls
Horseradish
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Kids Menu
Carryout
Catering
Trays
Mon-Sat 9-8
Sunday 9-3
3258 Orchard Lk Rd
North of Commerce
RESTAU RANT
248.683.3344
102E210
We wish our family & friends a very
healthy, happy and sweet New Year.
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