I

Spirituality

Shir Shalom Milestone

Congregants to dance to mark synagogue's 20th birthday.

Groundbreaking for temple building, August 1994: Wally Schwartz, Rabbi Dannel Schwartz, Dr. Alan Mindlin, David Levine and Robert Fineman

T

o celebrate 20 years since its founding, Temple
Shir Shalom will host "Dancing with the Stars" on
Saturday night, May 10.
The gala will honor past presidents of the West
Bloomfield synagogue. The nine honorees are Robert
Fineman, David Levine, Wally Sampson, Alan Mindlin,
Steven Simons, Bunni Lieberman, David Steinberg, Stuart
Bas and George Leikin.
"Each one has left a unique imprint on this synagogue
that has made us not merely viable, but also extraordinary
in our creative spirit and remarkable growth',' said Shelly
Newman, a trustee as well as entertainment chair for the
20th birthday celebration and the presidents' ball.
The synagogue has grown to 880 members and 367
member families. Shir Shalom began under Rabbi Dannel
Schwartz with 30 committed member families in 1988.
"From our earliest days;' Newman said, "Temple Shir
Shalom has been about relationships — people connecting

with people, congregants connecting with congregants."
Newman added, "The vision of Temple Shir Shalom is
to be recognized as a center for all Jews who believe in the
inclusion of all aspects of Judaism!'
The clergy include Michael Moskowitz, senior rabbi;
Dannel Schwartz, founding rabbi; Daniel Schwartz, assis-
tant rabbi; and Penny Steyer, cantonal soloist.
In addition to the main synagogue building at Walnut
Lake and Orchard Lake roads, Shir Shalom will open the
Corners later this year in the old Laker Center about one
mile to the east. Congregation Shaarey Zedek of Oakland
County sold the Laker Center to Shir Shalom in 2007.
The Corners is named for the biblical four corners of the
fields that must left for the poor.
"In our center;' Newman said, "we will be able to house
meetings, classes and activities dealing with all forms of
wellness services for Jews and non-Jews, members and
non-members!'

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Several Shir Shalom presidents: David Steinberg,

George Leikin, Steve Simons, Bunni Lieberman, Dr. Alan
Mindlin and Stuart Bas

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"Dancing With the Stars," Saturday, May 10. 7 p.m. cocktails and appetizers; 8, program and video; 9, dinner; 10, auction, 10:20, dancing demonstration followed by
dancing to the sounds of Sunset Boulevard. Tickets: Fran Bell (248) 706-0738, or Pam Kornfeld (248) 738-8823.

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May 1 • 2008