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Synagogues from page A15

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A116

July 30 * 2009

Strong Legacy
About 40 former synagogues remain
in Detroit, the oldest is Wayne State
University's Bonstelle Theatre,
designed by prominent Jewish archi-
tect Albert Kahn for Temple Beth El
in 1902.
Every other former synagogue still
standing in Detroit became a church,
whose members are mainly African
American.
Attendees watched a video showing
some of the former synagogues, and
inspected display boards showing how
they evolved into the current churches.
"You share more than a common
background of persecution and
prejudice:' Cook told the Jewish and
African American leaders.
"The clergy now minister to their
congregations from a pulpit that was
once a bimah. This meeting is most
likely the first time the Jewish com-
munity has publicly acknowledged
and thanked the African American
community for preserving these old
synagogues and welcoming various
Jewish groups back to the sanctuaries
built by Jewish congregations years
ago.
"We applaud the officials at these
churches for continuing to welcome
Jews on bus tours to their beautifully
maintained sanctuaries:' Cook said.
"The tours have brought hundreds
of visitors into Detroit — ranging
from young Sunday school students
to senior citizens. Some of the visitors
themselves worshipped and celebrat-
ed life events in these buildings."
Collens described "the amazing
beauty of these churches, and how
well they've been kept up throughout
all these years."
The Rev. Kenneth Davis of the New
Mt. Zion Baptist Church, formerly
Congregation B'nai David, replied,
"That's because all of us were deter-
mined to keep these beautiful build-
ings the way we got them from you;
very well-maintained. The Jewish
people and the Baptist people have a
strong affinity for each other."

Cook reminded the audience about
the poverty of most Jewish families
when they arrived in the United
States as immigrants, how others
helped them, and how they helped
themselves to nurture and educate
their families and become productive
citizens.
He described how Jews helped
fugitive slaves on the Underground
Railroad escape to Canada, told about
Jews active in the Civil Rights move-
ment and Jews who became elected
judges and other officials.
"We point with pride to the current
Jewish community involvement in the
city of Detroit, including Jewish phi-
lanthropists, business entrepreneurs
and leaders of community and civic
organizations:' Cook said.
"We convey a love of Detroit and
concern for its problems, and show-
case examples of both preservation
and new construction."
Filmmaker and local activist Oren
Goldenberg of Detroit, who attended
to film the interfaith gathering, stoked
the imagination of the Jewish and
African American leaders by sug-
gesting that groups of Jewish people
return to the synagogues-turned-
churches in the near future to conduct
services for the High Holidays.
"It would be great for Detroit and
the suburbs:' he said. "We could bring
Torahs and portable bimahs. Jewish
children who tour the churches often
ask: 'Why did we abandon these beau-
tiful buildings'?"
The Rev. Glenn Plummer, pastor of
Ambassadors of Christ Church (not
formerly a synagogue), agreed that
was an "excellent idea:' and added
that African American groups could
eventually "go to some suburban
synagogues to conduct some of their
holiday services.
"There's a great synergy between
Jews and blacks that could easily lead
to an exchange of services. The city of
Detroit and the state of Michigan are
in trouble — and they need our help
in every possible way." ❑

From Haven to Home: 350 Years of Jewish Life in America, the story
of Jewish immigration and life in America, with many interesting
Michigan elements, continues Wednesday through Sunday until Aug.
30 at the Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave. at Kirby.
Admission is free in July, then $6 for adults and $4 for seniors and
students, including parking. Private, docent-led tours, including a bus
tour Aug.13 that includes historical Detroit sites as well as the exhibit,
are available through the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan, (248)
432-5517, or www.michjewishhistory.org .