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10 of its very diverse members, includ-
ing Marion and Shlomo, the founders.
Their stories of aliyah all revolved
around their desire for their children
to be part of the Jewish people's future.
Feeling part of a family was the
theme that emerged as they shared
their connection to their congrega-
tion. For many of the women, the
synagogue community offered them
inclusiveness and egalitarianism. In
their transition to a new land, they
found it comforting to be participants
at Kehillat Hakerem.
Some spoke of their children's com-
mitment to synagogue life and follow-
ing in their footsteps.
After the Katyusha attacks, one
congregant, Michael Marcus from
Farmington Hills, spoke about
Karmiel's kindness in providing his
family with food and gifts.
After brainstorming with our new
friends, we recognized the need to
create some programs that would
build people-to-people connections
between our congregations. We spoke
of e-mailing and visiting one another,
b'nai mitzvah twinning, virtual book
clubs and financial assistance for other
programs and outreach opportunities
to the many immigrants who have no
religious connections in Karmiel.
We were energized by visiting with
our new family in Karmiel. We do not
want to remain tourists, but partners
in building our sister congregation.
I hope that our congregation at Adat
Shalom can build stronger people-to-
rocket attacks.
"Israelis sometimes take their
Jewish identities for granted so
when they meet Jews who have to
think about being Jewish, it's good
for them as Jews," Rabbi Landau
says.
For American Jews he says, "It's
good for them to see a real Jewish
society. It gives them a sense of
pride and a sense of belonging.
The more we connect with Jews
all over the world the more our
identities are strengthened."
Adat Shalom Rabbi Rachel
Shere, who visited Kehillat
HaKerem in late November during
a Masorti Movement mission to
Israel, agrees that the relation-
ship can strengthen both congre-
gations. She says each of Adat
Shalom's rabbis and departments
is looking for ways to connect with
their sister congregation.
"We want to give our congre-
people connections with our congre-
gational family in Karmiel. Only when
we connect face-to-face will redemp-
tion come.
As I reflected on our visit to Karmiel
and our new initiative, I was reminded
of Yehuda Amichai's poem, "Tourists,"
that resonates strongly in me:
Detroit's
Destination For
Winter Fun!
Dr. Renee Wohl is professional develop-
ment director at the Frankel Jewish
Academy of Metropolitan Detroit in West
Bloomfield.
gants an address in Israel that
feels like home," she said. "Rabbi
Landau's recent visit cemented
that commitment."
Rabbi Landau made aliyah from
New York 11 years ago. After five
years of study at the Schechter
Institute of Jewish Studies, the
Masorti seminary in Jerusalem, he
was ordained in 2001. He moved
to Karmiel soon after and recently
marked five years with Kehillat
HaKerem.
His bottom line is building unity
among Jews.
"With all the terrible enemies
of the Jews, wherever they are
located, we will get through it as
long as we are unified," he says.
"Unity keeps the Jewish people
alive."
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JN
January 4 ' 2007
1173740
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