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A24

January 17 • 2008

'A Homecoming'

Adat Shalom welcomes new rabbi.

Robert A. Sklar
Editor

his time at Beth Ahm," Schostak said,
"Rabbi Bergman brought many young
families into a congregation that had
abbi Aaron Bergman, found-
been one of the oldest in the area?'
ing director of Jewish stud-
Bergman joined the charter staff
ies at the Frankel Jewish
of the Frankel Jewish Academy
Academy and former senior rabbi
of Metropolitan Detroit in West
at Congregation Beth Ahm, will join
Bloomfield in 2000. "He has developed
the rabbinic staff of Adat Shalom
and implemented innovative and
Synagogue in Farmington Hills on July
intellectually challenging courses for
1
students of many backgrounds and
The synagogue board recommended
created a variety of prayer experiences
extending an offer to
to allow different students to find their
Bergman following
own spiritual connections," Schostak
an executive session
said.
held on Sunday after-
Rabbi Lee Buckman, FJA head of
noon, Jan. 13.
school, said," I am proud of Rabbi
"We are very
Bergman and proud of Adat Shalom for
pleased that Rabbi
seeing a talented person and not pass-
Bergman has accept- ing on a special opportunity?'
ed our offer',' said
Buckman said his colleague "is a
Rabbi
David
Schostak,
syn-
warm,
smart, articulate and funny rabbi
Bergman
agogue president, in a who has a command of classical Jewish
letter to congregants on Monday. "Rabbi sources and contemporary culture. He
Bergman comes to us with superior
is a wise person whose ethical intel-
credentials and great familiarity with
ligence is impeccable. He gets along
the Metro Detroit Jewish community?'
with young and old alike and will be
Bergman said joining the clergy at
enhance every lifecycle event, whether
Adat Shalom is "a homecoming in a lot
filled with sorrow or simchah."
of ways. I hope to make it feel like home
FJA has left an indelible imprint on
for many others, too."
him, Bergman said. "I owe a debt of
The synagogue is filled with passion- gratitude to Rabbi Buckman and the
ate Jews who want to develop their own board of the school for the opportunity
spiritual connections, Bergman said.
they gave me. I am delighted that my
"They are also committed to the welfare children will be continuing their educa-
of the entire Jewish community and
tion there?'
the general community as well. I am
Bergman, his wife, Ruth, and their
so honored and blessed to be a part of
four daughters spent last Shabbat with
their family."
the Adat Shalom congregation. He
Bergman replaces Rabbi Daniel
mingled with members of all ages and
Nevins, who left Adat Shalom on July
addressed the congregation on both
1 after 13 years to become head of
erev Shabbat and Shabbat morning.
the rabbinical school at the Jewish
"Very quickly,' Schostak said, "it
Theological Seminary in New York City.
became evident that Rabbi Bergman
At Adat Shalom, Bergman joins Rabbis
is a perfect fit for Adat Shalom. He is
Herbert Yoskowitz and Rachel Shere
exceedingly personable, is an engaging
and Cantor Frank Lanzkron-Tamaro.
speaker and is a strong, compassionate
In 1991, Bergman was ordained at
and diplomatic leader?'
the JTS, where he also earned a master's
Rabbi Buckman said the FJA family
degree in Hebrew literature. He did
relishes having Rabbi Bergman con-
graduate work in Jewish folklore at
tinue as an ally in the community. For
Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He has
his part, Bergman is thrilled to remain
taught courses in Jewish mysticism,
part of Jewish Detroit as he returns to
humor, poetry, history and culture.
congregational life.
He is a former scholar-in-residence
"This has been my home for my
at Hillel Day School of Metropolitan
entire life and I am grateful to continue
Detroit.
to be a part of one of the best Jewish
Bergman served Beth Ahm, located
communities in the country, one that I
in West Bloomfield, from 1991 to 2000,
believe still has great untapped poten-
rising to senior rabbi in 1996. "During
tial;' Bergman said. 0

R