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Rabbi Yanoff leaving Shaarey Zedek for Philadelphia congregation.

"We will miss the everyday contact of
friendships and relationships that we
have built here over these years."

- Rabbi Yanoff

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Shelli Liebman Dorfman
Senior Writer

A

fter making a decision that
Rabbi Eric Yanoff described
as "so difficult for us," he
has announced he will leave his post
at Congregation Shaarey Zedek (CSZ)
this summer.
The rabbi, who
has been with the
Oakland County-
based synagogue
since 2004, has
accepted a position
at Adath Israel in
Merion Station, Pa.
Rabbi Eric
For Yanoff, his
Yanoff
wife, Dava, and
their 3-year-old son,
Aiden, the move to
the Philadelphia area
brings them close to
much of their family,
and is in fact, only
about 20 minutes
from where the rab-
Brian
bi's parents live.
Hermelin
He will be the sole
rabbi of the 650 fam-
ily-member Conservative congrega-
tion, which includes a preschool and
religious school.
The rabbi's decision was made at
a time when his contract would have
been up for negotiations.
"We are disappointed that the rabbi
will be leaving Shaarey Zedek," said
synagogue President Brian Hermelin.
"We wish he would have decided to
stay, but we understand him mak-
ing a choice that combines being at a
nice congregation and being near his
hometown."
Yanoff made his announcement dur-

ing services over the Passover holiday
at the synagogue's B'nai Israel Center
in West Bloomfield, where he regularly
leads services, and where he and his
family have formed close ties with
members.
"Given the newness of the situation,
there remain some unanswered ques-
tions about possible new clergy and
coverage at the B'nai Israel Center,"
Hermelin said. "The board will be
working to provide answers to the
congregation in the coming weeks.
For now, it will be business as usual at
B'nai Israel."
Hermelin dispelled rumors of plans
to sell the B'nai Israel Center, say-
ing, "It is not for sale and there have
been no offers, solicited or not, on the
building."
Rabbi Yanoff expressed his sen-
timent about his departure. "It is
because of the strengths and bless-
ings of Shaarey Zedek and the entire
Detroit Jewish community, where we
have found a warm home over these
past six years, that this decision was
so difficult for us," he said. "We are
excited to begin this next chapter of
our lives, and we feel so fortunate to
have the opportunity to raise our fam-
ily so close to our other family mem-
bers — while leading and being a part
of Adath Israel, a wonderful synagogue
community. Certainly, this is some-
thing that Detroiters, who celebrate
a unique intergenerationalism, can
understand.
"We will miss the everyday contact
of friendships and relationships that
we have built here over these years. We
hope to stay in touch, and to feel great
pride and joy from afar, as Detroit
Jewry builds on its considerable
strengths toward continued success!"

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18

April 15 • 2010

Kol Ami's Music Shabbat
Temple Kol Ami will hold its annual
Music Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 30.
This year's theme will be "The
Chassidic/Klezmer Tradition: Music
For The Soul."
Songs and melodies in the chassidic
style and readings from the chassidic
masters will be interspersed with the
traditional Shabbat liturgy.

Participants include Tiffany Green,
soloist, as well as members of the
Temple Choir and instrumental solo-
ists. Nathalie M. Conrad, music direc-
tor emerita, has prepared this service,
which will include some of her original
music and arrangements.
An oneg Shabbat will follow the ser-
vice. The public is invited to attend.
Temple Kol Ami is at 5085 Walnut
Lake Road, in West Bloomfield.

