DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN JEWISH WAR VETERANS AND LADIES AUXILIARY INVITES THE COMMUNITY TO both private and public, as they would to no other man. He was a source of strength in times of trial, a comrade and friend in times of joy. Rabbi Adler loomed larger than his writings, addresses, public activities. His character was so rich that he sug- gested to us depths beyond the visible aspects of his life and work. We react- ed not only to his words, but also the eloquence of his personality. There was an indefinable, but inescapable moral authority that he exercised. You see about you, in this great synagogue edifice, the embodi- ment of his spirit. He dedicated him- self to implementing the vision of a new synagogue in Southfield in the • beginning of the 1960s and he worked with unflagging determination to real- ize that dream. This very edifice is a living monument to his life and labor. His Special Gifts He was striking and patriarchal, especially with his beard. He complex- ion was aglow with intellectual energy. His voice was mellow and resonant. His voice could change its timber in a moment and resound. He had a unique gift of bringing to classical texts personal relevance and a sense of immediacy. He had absorbed his learning from his father who was an Orthodox rabbi and from his teachers at the seminary, City College and from his own inquiry. He conveyed more than information. He had a ripe wisdom that reflected his insight, experience and broad view. When he was at his eloquent best, you felt that you were part of a fellowship through the binding force of his words. Maybe that is what we mean when we use the word "charisma." It is no small tribute to Rabbi Adler that he offered the example of a busy, creative, dedicted rabbi who not only did not neglect his family, but also made them willing and cheerful col- laborators in his career. Goldie Adler's great charm, wit and zest made her an important figure in the life of the congregation by her own unique gifts — candy and bubble gum for the children. Rabbi Adler was a loving father to Naomi. Eli was as a son to him, embraced by Morris' great affection and respect. The rabbi found some of the sweetest pleasures of life in the presence of his grandchildren. His intellectual curiosity and concern for Judaism was caught not only by Naomi, but also entered deeply in the lives of his grandchildren. Rabbi Adler was a passionate advo- cate and spokesman for Conservative Judaism. He was ordained at the semi- nary and he served as a visiting Homiletics professor in his mature years. All the leaders of the Conservative movement in Judaism of his time were either his teachers, his colleagues or his disciples. And yet, he was critical lovingly of certain aspects of the Conservative movement. I quote from an address he delivered at the United Synagogue Convention in 1948: "We must face the truth that we have been halting between fear and danger; fear of the Orthodox and dan- ger of Reform. We have set our watch- es by their timepieces. The time has come for our emergence from the val- ley of indecision. We must move for- ward to a state in which Conservative Judaism revolves about an axis of pos- itive and unambiguous affirmations. This will require a measure of bold- ness and vision in our part which, as a movement, I am sorry to say, we have not thus far manifested." He spoke of the "inertness which has settled in vital areas of American Jewish life. Multitudes of our people are untouched, uninformed, uncovenanted. They have not enough Judaism to live it, nor enough interest to reject it." Memories Linger Rabbi Adler was a passionate and dedicated man who made a difference in the quality of life of his time. He had his fingers on the pulse of Jewish life. He offered to the rabbinate, to the Jewish community, a worthy model of temimut, or wholeness. He fashioned a synthesis of thought and action, of mind and heart, past and present, of Israel and America. He was perceptive in judgment, rich in erudition, deeply in love with the dynamic spirit of Judaism, reverent of learning, scornful of vulgarity and shame, courageous in battle for the integrity of Judaism. His jubilance and jolly nature and wit matched his erudition. We have recalled aspects of the life and work and character of Rabbi Morris Adler. All of these and more offer convincing testimony that one man in his time can bestow a gift so great, so treasured, a gift without which his generation and the subsequent gen- erations would be much poorer indeed. May we always cherish the gift and be blessed by the memory of the giver. ❑ BROTHERHOOD NIGHT 2006 THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2006 AT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER 15110 W. 10 MILE ROAD between Cooldige and Greenfield OAK PARK, MICHIGAN 7:30 P.M. There will be four exciting speakers for the evening: Rabbi David Nelson, Congregation Beth Shalom, Oak Park Beverly J. Leneski, Chief Voluntary Services, Ann Arbor Veterans Medical Center Tyrone Chatman, Associate Executive Director, Michigan Veteran Foundation Rev. Henry Reinwald, Four Chaplains Following the program there will be a Dessert Reception catered by Jewel Kosher Catering Company. Tian you 1088460 to those who helped bring joy to over 4,000 community members through your participation in the Great Purim Parcel Project! To Audrey and Bill Farber for their generous sponsorship! and to the following groups who brought the Great Purim Parcel Project to their sites.. . 4 0.0.11, Beth Achim Religious School at Mat Shalom Synagogue, Congregation Belt Kodesh, Congregation Beth Ahm, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Congregation Shir Tikvah, Fleischman Residence/Brown Pavilion, Fountains at Franklin Apartments, Friendship Circle, Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit, Jewish Community Center-Oak Park, Jewish Parent's Institute, Pitt Child Development Center, Shalom Street... the Address for Jewish Discovery, Temple Emanu-El, Temple Kol Ami, Temple Israel, Yeshiva Beth Yehudah Pre-School, Yeshiva Darchei Torah, Young Israel of Oak Park Federation's /Alliance Itill tuf 1441,,t1, 1.1 This is Federation Visit us online: www.thisisfederation.org 1080910 March 9 • 2006 33