Spirituality
Woodward Bound
A short move allows many benefits for one area synagogue.
Tamar Hadar looks
on as some of the
synagogue kids enjoy a
puppet show.
Shelli Liebman Dorfman
Senior Writer
M
embers of the Jewish Learning
Center of Huntington Woods
are ready to begin renovations
on a building that will take their services
and programs out of the rabbi's home and
into a synagogue setting.
The 21/2 -year-old Lubavitch congrega-
tion will relocate to the former site of a
photo developing company on Woodward
Avenue in Royal Oak, bordering
Huntington Woods. The building has been
purchased through a donation by Edward
and Gloria Meer of Bloomfield Hills.
The Orthodox synagogue will be named
the Woodward Avenue Shul and be direct-
ed by Rabbi Chanoch Hadar.
"It is centrally located between the cities
we wish to serve — Huntington Woods,
• For information on the Woodward
Avenue Shul at 25595 Woodward Ave. in
Royal Oak, call Rabbi Chanoch Hadar
at (248) 399-6265, e-mail the rabbi at
rabbi@woodwardshul.org or access the
Web site at www.woodwardshul.org .
Royal Oak, Pleasant Ridge and Ferndale
comfortable to participate she said.
— all well populated with Jews," said the
In addition, the environment of the
rabbi's wife, Tamar. "We have records of
6,000-square-foot facility will be more
over 3,000 Jewish families in all these
conducive to a synagogue agenda, includ-
areas combined!'
ing Shabbat and holiday services, meals
The space of
and family
the new building
events.
is much needed.
Educational
"We attract up
opportuni-
to 20 families at
ties include
each service, and
lunch-and-learn
there are well over
programs;
100 families that
Kaballah,
come to different
Hebrew lan-
programs and
guage, Tanya
learning classes:'
and Talmud
she said.
classes; as well
Rabbi Chanoch Hadar address the crowd at
Hoping to be in the synagogue's annual Chanukah event.
as the syna-
the new building
gogue's Jewish
by Purim (March
Women's Circle
21), Tamar Hadar said,
discussion and activity group directed by
"We are planning to renovate the inside
Tamar Hadar.
of the building and give it a facelift on
"The building will house a beautiful
the exterior. There is no structural con-
sanctuary, classrooms and well-equipped
struction, so it should only take a few of
areas with toys and books for younger
months."
children and couches, beanbag chairs, a
She suspects many residents know of
pingpong table and board games for the
the synagogue but are hesitant to attend
teens:' she said.
services in a private home.
"We have found very responsive, warm
"When we host future events in our new friendly neighbors with whom we've had
building, they will hopefully feel more
the pleasure of sharing many services,
Shabbat and holiday dinners and cel-
ebrating the Jewish festivals. Our shul will
be an attractive and warm place that will
serve as an anchor for members young
and old."
To Rabbi Hadar, "this project is merely
a second stage of growth, just the next
step on the path to creating a wonderful
center amidst a thriving Jewish commu-
nity."
❑
Heavenly Marriage
The Jewish Women's Circle of
Huntington Woods will host teacher-
lecturer Sara Karmely, who will speak
on "If Marriage is Made in Heaven,
What are We Doing Here on Earth?" at
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13. Karmely is j
known for inspirational talks on mar-
riage and counseling of couples on
traditional family issues.
Violinist Alley Lichterman will per-
form a medley of Jewish music.
The program will take place at the
Huntington Woods home of Jessica
Kwartowitz.
For information, directions or res-
ervations, contact (248) 399-6265 or
thadar@sbcglobal.net .
January 3 • 2008
A21