Obituaries

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Rabbi, Zionist And Playwright

Rabbi Jason Miller

Special to the Jewish News

R

abbi Efry Spectre led Adat
Shalom Synagogue for 22 years,
and upon moving to New York
City, took on the title of rabbi emeritus
of the Farmington Hills congregation. He
died in his Manhattan apart-
ment on Jan. 18 from compli-
cations of diabetes. He was 75.
Beginning in 1978, under
Rabbi Spectre's leadership,
Adat Shalom became one of
the leading congregations in
the Conservative movement
and a strong supporter of the
Jewish Theological Seminary
(JTS) in New York and the
Masorti movement in Israel.
Rabbi Efry
Rabbi Spectre was an
unwavering Zionist, leading
many congregational missions to Israel
among the countless trips he took there.
He vigorously rallied the community for
the cause of freedom for Soviet Jewry.
Among his many honors are an honor-
ary doctorate from JTS and the chairman-
ship of the Rabbinic Cabinet of Israel
Bonds Conference in Jerusalem.
Born and educated in Buffalo, N.Y., he
graduated Columbia University in New
York City. He was ordained by JTS in 1963
and served as associate rabbi of Har Zion
Temple in Philadelphia. In 1971, he found-
ed Nes Ami Penn Valley Congregation.
He was well known for the many plays
he wrote and translated into Hebrew, as
well as the original musical programs he
created for the Conservative movement's
Camp Ramah. His works were published
by Hadassah, shown on TV and officially
commended by the Israeli government.
In Detroit, he was a trusted spokesman
for Jewish concerns, serving on numer-
ous boards including those of the Jewish
National Fund, Hillel Day School and the

Midrasha College of Jewish Education.
Adat Shalom past president Irwin
Alterman remembers when the search
committee first interviewed Rabbi Spectre.
"He was one of the most knowledgeable
persons I have ever met on Jewish law. He
had a reputation of applying Jewish law
in a rigid manner; however, during my
presidency, I became aware
of some delicate ethical
issues in which he exhibited
extreme compassion. There
was unanimous agreement
that he excelled in comfort-
ing families in times of grave
illness and mourning."
Rabbi Daniel Nevins,
now dean of the Rabbinical
School at JTS, was 28 when
he came to work alongside
Spectre
Rabbi Spectre as assistant
rabbi. "I knew already that he
was a man of prodigious talents. He came
to Adat Shalom at a time of deep crisis
and, together with a group of lay leaders
and gifted professionals, he helped the
synagogue become a vibrant Jewish center.
"He was extremely perceptive, and
few rabbis could match his passion and
eloquence, whether at a funeral or in a ser-
mon. He encouraged me to be independent
on the pulpit and in the classroom, and he
supported my rabbinic development?'
Sharon Hart, a past president of Adat
Shalom and close friend described Rabbi
Spectre as "one of the most creative and
talented people. He was so knowledgeable
in the rabbinic world, but also in music
and theater. During the two years I served
as president, he promoted exceptional
Jewish education. His instincts and cred-
ibility in the area of adult Jewish program-
ming have served as an influence in my
life."
Rabbi Herbert Yoskowitz became Rabbi
Spectre's colleague at Adat Shalom fol-
lowing a merger with Congregation Beth

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Achim of Southfield. He remembers
Rabbi Spectre "rising to the highest level
of compassion for congregants who were
about to merge their identity with another
institution and give up the name of their
synagogue. He saw to it that I was treated
as an equal partner?'
Rabbi Spectre changed West Bloomfield
resident Bill Graham's life. "He taught me
what is important in life Graham said. "He
loved Israel; and when I would return from
Israel, he would say, `Welcome from home:"
In his closing salutation in letters and
e-mail messages, Rabbi Spectre often
jokingly referred to himself as "the Chief
Rabbi of Farmington Hills?' He was fond of
telling witty jokes, making puns and danc-
ing on Simchat Torah. During his more
than two-decade tenure at Adat Shalom,
Rabbi Spectre played a pivotal role in sev-
eral young people from the congregation
becoming rabbis. Mentoring continued into
retirement when he was hired as a lecturer
at JTS to teach rabbinical students the art
of homiletics — sermon delivery.
Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, executive vice-
president of the International Rabbinical
Assembly noted, "Throughout the length
of his career, Rabbi Spectre was known for
his pastoral skills. After retiring to New
York, he continued to be active in the rab-
binate serving as an interim rabbi for con-
gregations and playing a productive role in
interfaith activities?'
Services for Rabbi Efry Spectre were
held Jan. 20 at Eretz HaChaim Cemetery
in Bet Shemesh, Israel. He is survived by
his brother and sister-in-law, Rabbi Philip
and Barbara Spectre, and his sister, Ruth
Spectre. He is also remembered by his
adoring nieces and nephews.

❑

Rabbi Jason Miller, raised at Adat Shalom,

regards Rabbi Efry Spectre as one of his most

influential teachers and confidants. Rabbi

Spectre officiated at his bar mitzvah and wed-

ding and helped prepare him for the rabbinate.

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DR. SHELDON EICHLER, 78, of Sarasota,
Fla., died Jan. 11, 2010.
Prior to retirement, he was a dentist in
Westland for 20 years.
Dr. Eichler is survived by his daughters
and sons-in-law, Ricki and Rick Rogow,
Romy and Warren Erickson; son and
daughter-in-law, Roger and Marta Eichler;
grandchildren, Darren Rogow, Sarah Rogow,
Zachary Rogow, Matthew, Shanti and Ishan
Eichler; brother, Dr. Martin Eichler of
Georgia; nieces and nephew, Suzanne, Marc
and Dena; caregiver, Lisa Behn.
Interment at Hebrew Memorial Park.
Contributions may be made to American
Diabetes Association, 30200 Telegraph
Road, Suite 105, Bingham Farms, MI 48025.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

FAY FREEDLAND, 93,
of West Bloomfield, died
Jan. 13, 2010.
She was a member of
Adat Shalom Synagogue
and B'nai B'rith.
Mrs. Freedland is
survived by her sons and
Freedland
daughters-in-law, Dr.
Ronald and Barbara Stewart of Bloomfield
Hills, Dr. Daniel and Sherry Stewart of
Bloomfield Hills; daughter and son-in-

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BEVERLY SILVER BECKERMAN, 88, of
West Bloomfield, died Jan. 17, 2010.
She is survived by her sons and
daughter-in-law, Steven and Beth Silver
of West Bloomfield, Howard Silver of
Oak Park, Calif., Charles Silver of West
Bloomfield; brothers and sisters-in-law,
Melvin and Frances Glaser of Bloomfield
Hills, Bernard and Irma Glaser of West
Bloomfield; sister, Gloria Glaser of
Southfield; grandchildren, Michael and
Marisa Silver.
Mrs. Beckerman was the beloved wife
of the late Sidney Silver and the late Oscar
Beckerman.
Interment at Machpelah Cemetery in
Ferndale. Contributions may be made to a
charity of one's choice. Arrangements by
Dorfman Chapel.

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January 21 . 2010

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Obituaries

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