Opinion Dry Bones PaR oN Editorials are posted and archived on JNonline.us. TO SLIP INTO GAZA FROM EGYPT Editorial Kol Ami's Vision H eadlines draw attention to Temple Kol Ami's expansion plans, which include an on-site religious school for the first time and a larger social hall. In the interest of eco- Judaism, the ambitious building project is certified green, or environmentally responsible. But the bigger story is how this 425- family congregation that gathers in the long shadows of four larger synagogues not only has survived 41 years amid a declining local Jewish population, but also modestly prospered to the point of tackling a $5 million "We're Good to Grow" campaign, let alone breaking ground Dec. 9 on Phase I (classrooms and an office wing). Projections call for $4 million for construction and $1 million for an endow- ment. It's the story of a little synagogue that could — and did. Founding Rabbi Ernst Conrad must be beaming with how far his successor, Norman Roman, has taken the congrega- tion, born in the ferment of the human rights drama of the 1960s, from civil rights to women's rights to the anti-war movement. Rabbi Roman, who arrived from Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township 22 years ago, has built a loyal following within his congregation and has gained the respect of many Jews and the interfaith community outside of his congregational family. Cantor Kat Hastings joined Kol Ami in July 2006 and has enriched the synagogue with her music. The new religious school will secure the temple's standing with young families, always the standard for a synagogue that wants to grow. Kol Ami leaders are smart enough to realize if you don't self replen- ish your membership, you risk a withering congregation. Classes for the current enrollment of 165 kids have gone well in nearby rented space. But there's something special about having youthful learning going on within the temple walls — about having kids in the building on days other than when there is a bar or bat mitzvah. The new- found knowledge echoes and reinforces Kol Ami as a special place for families. Congregants view Kol Ami as unabash- edly progressive. They aren't afraid to acknowledge their inclusive, inviting approach to religious beliefs and ethnicity. While Kol Ami chose modest expansion, its Reform neighbors up and down Walnut Lake Road — Temple Shir Shalom and Temple Israel — were able to grow more quickly. With a mildly more proactive IN HOPES THAT IT WILL KEEP THE CRAZIES FROM DECIDING TO SLIP INTO EGYPT FROM GAZA! O DryBonesBlog.com approach, Kol Ami could have secured a broader membership base, and the addi- tional financial stability that comes from it, sooner. Still, Temple Kol Ami's building expan- sion will give Jewish Detroit a glimpse at a vibrant congregation. It may have often flown below the communal radar, but it now has the opportunity to showcase a capable clergy, a committed and diverse membership base and a vision for the future. E Reality Check Compulsion In Cleveland E very so often a man hears a call, compelling and Clear, that tells him unmistakably what he has to do. That call came through for me late last month. It told me to get to a Cheesecake Factory. These restaurants have attained a cult status among a great many people in Michigan. Because you always treasure most the things you cannot have. Many of us first encountered one of these restuarants on a trip to a warm place, maybe California or Arizona or Florida. For Sherry and me, it was during a stay in the Marina del Rey area of Los Angeles in 1991. A Factory was right down the block from our hotel and, when we got in late and didn't feel like taking on the freeways, we walked over. We went back for lunch the next day and two more dinners. I was ecstatic when I learned that it was a chain and came home to Michigan anticipating the day when they would arrive here. Still, as you well know, waiting. I have heard a thousand sto- ries why. The founder, who grew up in northwest Detroit, carries a grudge against his hometown. Or there is a family feud or a family trust involved — and aren't they usually the same thing? I thought it could be a reluc- tance to locate in this part of the country, but when they started popping up in Ohio I knew that was wrong. During the holidays, the separation anxiety became acute. I went online and found that the closest Cheesecake Factory is located in Westlake, Ohio, in the western suburbs of Cleveland. It is 172 miles away, or about two and a half hours by car. "I think we should drive down there for lunch:' I told my wife. "I think you've lost it:' she responded in her winning fashion. But a man's got to do what a man's got to do. I finally per- suaded her to make the drive with me. With no road construe tion and no schools in ses- sion, it was an easy trip. We left at 8:30 in the morning and by 11 a.m. we were turning off Interstate 90 on Crocker Road. This Factory is located in a development called Crocker Park, one of those outdoor malls configured to look like a traditional downtown. The restaurant didn't open for another half hour and I favored standing right at the front door until they let us in. Sherry, however, wanted to explore the shops. It was a pleasant day for late December, a nice time for strolling outdoors. But at 11:25 I started getting nervous. "We'd bet- ter get over there before the rush:' I said. "What rush?" answered Sherry "There's hardly anyone here Nonetheless, we walked in at 11:30 and were the second table seated. It was all that I could have wanted, with the bright interior pillars that resemble hallucino- genic mushrooms and a menu as thick as a Dickens novel. Sherry had the Chinese chicken salad, I had the fish tacos and we shared a gener- ous piece of oreo cheesecake. Then we got in the car and drove home. Maybe others took more exciting vacation trips over the holidays. Maybe others dined at Michelin establishments or cruised the Caribbean. But I'll guar- antee that no one ever enjoyed a trip to Cleveland more than I did. I'd like to say the same for Sherry, but she has abstained from that vote. George Cantor's e-mail address is gcantor614@aoLcom. „IN January 10 • 2008 A19