Spirituality

DIGEST

Twinning from page A29

Women pray in the sanctuary of the American Muslim Center.

Sharing Shalom

traditions, and supportive of our
shared vision for peace in our com-
munity"
Brenda Naomi Rosenberg, executive
producer of Reuniting the Children of
Abraham, added, "I was thrilled to be
part of the historic North American
weekend of twinning mosques and
synagogues, and I was most encour-
aged by the number of young people
who joined us and were interested in
learning more!'
There is no question that deep
issues have divided the Muslim and
Jewish communities for many, many
years. However, the historic weekend
of Nov. 21-23 is the start of an impor-
tant bond between the two groups, a
rapport that will cultivate respect and
understanding, and an appreciation
for all that we have in common. ❑

The annual Tri-Synagogue Women's Night Out at the Jewish Center in Oak
Park on Nov. 18 featured speakers Dr. Janet Snider of Young Israel of Oak

Park, Bobbie Lewis of Congregation Beth Shalom, Jodee Fishman Raines of

Temple Emanu-El and (far right) Susan Sheiner of Congregation T'chiyah. All
the synagogues are in Oak Park: Committee Chairwoman Beth Applebaum of
Emanu-El is pictured to the left of Sheiner.

The event brought together about 100 women from the four synagogues
for dinner and the speakers' insights on the topic of "shalom." Each guest

also received a tzedakah box to benefit Windows, a joint project of Jewish
Family Service and the National Council of Jewish Women to assist victims
of domestic violence.

The Tri-Synagogue Women's Project originated with the now-ended

Neighborhood Project, a Jewish Federation program that provided low-inter-
est loans to homeowners in Oak Park and Southfield.

Learn more about the Foundation for
Ethnic Understanding at www.ffeu.org.

P hoto by Bren da Naom i Rosen berg

councils and projects for 24 years.
"He's my mentor," Imam Mardini
said.
Rabbi Conrad added, "The bond
that we forged became deeper as the
years went on. As we became familiar
with each other, we felt freer to ask
each other questions and discuss
issues. We hope that this expands
to our respective Muslim and Jewish
communities!'
Rabbi Conrad's comment was
almost prophetic as there were no
controversial issues discussed on this
weekend. Rather, it was a time to learn
about each other's religions, get to
know each other and plan for a future
relationship that allows us to discuss
those difficult topics.
"It was a most successful and mean-
ingful weekend:' said Rabbi Roman,
"and we're looking forward to study-
ing, celebrating and working together
on projects that are true to our faith-

Members of Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield and the American Muslim
Center converse inside the Dearborn mosque after conclusion of the night-
time prayer session.

Editor To Speak
"For someone who doesn't believe in
God:' says the Jewish Literary Review,
"Lawrence Bush sure
knows a lot about
religion!"
Bush will intro-
duce his new
book, Waiting for
God: The Spiritual
Explorations of a
Reluctant Atheist,
Lawrence
on Saturday, Dec.
Bush
6, from 1:30-3:30
p.m. at the David & Miriam Mondry
Building of the Jewish Apartments &
Services Development, 15000 W. 10
Mile Road in Oak Park. Admission is
free. Donations are appreciated.
Bush has been a creative force
in American Jewish life as a writer,
visual artist and magazine editor for
nearly three decades. He edits Jewish
Currents, a 63-year old magazine now
published by the Workmen's Circle,
for which he conducts a "Religion and
Skepticism" column.
Bush was a speechwriter for a
dozen years for Rabbi Alexander M.

Schindler, the late leader of Reform
Judaism in America, and also served
for 13 years as the founding editor of
the magazine of the Reconstructionist
movement, Reconstructionism Today.
His essays, fiction and artwork have
appeared in the New York Times,
Village Voice, MAD, Tikkun, Reform
Judaism, and numerous other publi-
cations. He is also the creator of the
Sholem Aleichem Bobblehead Doll
and other Jewish visual artworks,
some of which will be on display.
Waiting for God is an exploration of
the experiences that led to a massive
religious "comeback" within the baby-
boom generation and subsequent gen-
erations during the past four decades.
Bush tells this story from a deeply per-
sonal, self-examining perspective that
includes consideration of the limits
and pitfalls of atheism.
The event is co-sponsored by the
Workmen's Circle-Arbeter Ring,
Congregation T'chiyah, and the Jewish
Parents Institute (JPI). For informa-
tion, contact the Workmen's Circle,
(248) 432-5677, or
micirclel@aol.com .

JN

December 4 • 2008

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