Metro Synagogues from page A15 n ary t wrapping Fine Designer Furniture • Stunning Accessories ; 111116,, Unique & Unusual Gifts always 30% off most mfrs 6644 Orchard Lake Rd just S of Maple West Bloomfield • 248.855.1600 • Mon Tue Wed Fri Sat 10-6 Thur 10-9 Sun 12-5 www.sherwoodstudiosinc.com c•wi AUCh08 We're delebrating the openin of our new Utica Rug Care Center & Showroom off rug cleaning when brought into any of our Rug Care Centers The Original ce 1939 HAGOPIAN Pick up & delivery available at regular price CLEANING SERVICES 24 Hour Water and Fire Damage Response Hotne„Cleaning SpeOals*_,; • 4 Rootils :9999 2 Rooms l-5999 7' Sofa or 2 Chairs *Some restrictions apply Rug Care Centers Oak Park 8 Mile W / Coolidge Ann Arbor The Courtyard Shops Birmingham S. Old Woodward N / 14 1 /2 Novi 12 Mile & Novi Rd 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 .