The Home Remodeling Experts • • • • • • Kitchens Additions Baths Basements Garages Windows & Doors Design — Build — Remodeling EiMkt. Rabbi David Nelson of Congregation Beth Shalom removes the Torah from the Southern Michigan Correctional Facility in Jackson with the assistance of Dave Burnett of Lansing and Chaplain David Leach of Jackson. Torah Freed It began with a simple phone call. "Rabbi, we're closing the Southern Michigan Correctional Center as part of the size reduction of Jackson prison. Is there anything special we need to do to move the Torah scroll that has been located in an ark there to a new site?" That began the odyssey. Special preparations had to be made. Chaplain David Leach, who had coordi- nated the move, had to release the Torah from the closing facility. Transporting the ark was easy, but the Torah had to wrapped in a tallit (prayer shawl) and car- ried in a procession to its new home with a chuppah as part of the noteworthy celebration. Easily said. Challenging to do in a prison setting. The fact that Warden Sherry Burt and Dave Burnett, special activities coordi- nator for the Michigan Department of Corrections, participated made the impos- sible happen on Thursday, July 12. At a gathering of the 15 men who study at a weekly Torah class taught by volunteers, Rabbi David Nelson, emeritus rabbi at Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park, gave some explanation and commentary, then led songs and dancing. Afterward, the Torah donated about 40 years ago for use in the prison was trans- ferred safely and easily to its new home in an adjacent building. Full Service Interior & Exterior Renovations Over 45 Years Experience Licensed & Insured Free In-Home Consultation HOME BUILDING SOLUTIONS Professional Solutions For Your Home 31151 W. 10 Mile Road • Farmington Hills 2411.471.3800 www.homebuildingsol.com Financing Available • 90 Days Same As Cash Sherwood's Spectacular T e nt Sale is Here! Berkley To Vote On Creche A Christian group seeking a November vote in Berkley to force city council to resume placing a Nativity scene in front of city hall has turned in nearly double the number of signatures required. Berkley Citizens Vote Yes to Christmas Holiday Display needed 580 signatures of Berkley residents. The group last week turned in petitions with 922 signa- tures. Group spokeswoman Georgia Halloran said her group includes members from many Christian denominations. Last year, the American Civil Liberties Union challenged Berkley's annual holi- day display, saying it did not meet U.S. Supreme Court guidelines that require other religious symbols and secular elements. Halloran said for many years the city included a Star of David on the city hall wall behind the display. Many Christian clergy sided with the Berkley city council on removing the display, saying its religious symbolism should not be reduced by other elements. The city donated the display to the churches to display on a rotating basis. Haolloran said, "We thought the [city hall] display was in compliance" with U.S. law and its supporters want it back "in recognition of Christmas." She said the group had the assistance of the Thomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor in writing the petition language. The petition calls for the city to display the nativity scene and secular holiday symbols from the Monday after Thanksgiving until Jan. 6 each year on city hall property on Coolidge, a block south of 12 Mile. The petition must be approved by the state Attorney General's Office to be placed on the November ballot in Berkley. - Alan Hitsky, associate editor July 27* 28 • 29 30-50% (OFF* EVERYTHING IN THE GIFT DEPARTMENT Friday & Saturday 10-9 Sunday 10-6 6644 Orchard Lake Road just S of Maple West Bloomfield + 248.855.1600 *Excluding Mary Frances 8tuctio8 1284120 July 26 . 2007 9