Spirituality

Welcome To Southfield

YIS continues to attract young families to its community.

Jonathan, Josh, Naomi and Jordan Elberg

Shelli Liebman Dorfman
Senior Writer

opportunities" after Fischman presented
them with a slew of them.
"As time passed, we did more research
and
spoke with various people, but we
ven before the date of the next
felt
that
this would be a great place for
annual Young Israel of Southfield
our
kids
and it wasn't too far away for our
(YIS) Young Family Shabbaton
families
[in
Montreal] to come visit us,"
was announced, Josh Elberg and his fam-
Elberg
said.
ily were already signed up.
"No one from any other cities were as
The Shabbaton at the modern
warm
and welcoming as the response
Orthodox YIS and in neighboring homes
we
got
from Detroit so we figured that
Aug. 20-22 was created four years ago to
it
would
be the best place for us. We feel
showcase the synagogue community to
it
is
a
much
better community than the
young families interested in moving here.
one
where
we
currently live and is in
Last summer, Elberg and his wife
the
process
of
growing whereas ours is
Naomi, both 27 and of Montreal, hit it off
shrinking."
with Shabbaton founders Monica and Ari
"Four years ago, the members of Young
Fischman of Southfield at the Orthodox
Israel
of Southfield first approached the
Union's "Emerging Communities: Job
next
generation
of young Jewish lead-
and Home Relocation Fair" in New York.
ership
to
promote
all the community
The fair was organized for representa-
has
to
offer':
said
Dr.
Howard Korman
tives from cities nationwide to introduce
of
Southfield.
He
chaired
the first
families looking to make a move to a less-
Shabbaton
along
with
his
wife, Michal,
stressful community.
the
Fischmans,
Rabbi
Eric
Grossman and
According to fair promoters, Detroit's
Karynne
Naftolin
and
the
synagogue's
Jewish community was selected to par-
rabbi, Yechiel Morris, all of Southfield.
ticipate because of "its presence of Jewish
"Since the inception of this young fam-
life and resources, such as synagogues,
ily
weekend Shabbaton, the community
learning opportunities, kosher establish-
has
welcomed more than 18 new families
ments and other mainstays of a close-knit
to
the
YIS neighborhood': Korman said.
and warm Jewish community; and a rela-
"This
event and the momentum it has
tively low cost of living and charm."
created
has led to more and more people
They even added "multiple employment

E

Lailie Greenbaum, 17 months, with her parents, Gillian and Daniel

looking to this hidden gem: YIS."
The Shabbaton will provide a venue
for participants to meet other young
families and learn about the Southfield
community. Participants also will receive
information on job opportunities, schools
and area housing with the YIS commu-
nity offering interest-free loans for up to
$7,500 for those moving to the area.
"With a recent influx of younger fami-
lies, our Southfield neighborhood contin-
ues to be vibrant and
strong': Morris said.
He said the cost of
Jewish day schools
in Metro Detroit can
be half what they are
in the New York area,
where tuition may reach
$15,000 a year.
Rabbi Morris
"Spacious and afford-
able housing and a gen-
uinely warm and welcoming environment
are just a few examples of what attract
families to our community:' Morris said.
Another is YIS itself.
"Since the Shabbatonim, we have been
slowly gaining members and now are at
around 130 families': Morris said.
Shabbaton committee members
describe the synagogue as having inno-
vative programming, a dynamic youth

department and an active men's club, sis-
terhood and Young Families committee.
"In the past year, we have expanded
our shul with a new addition:' said Daniel
Greenbaum of Southfield, chair of this
year's Shabbaton with his wife, Gillian.
"This new space includes new rooms
for youth programming as well as a
new beit midrash [house of study];'
Greenbaum said.
"The addition will be used for class-
room space for children including group
activities on Shabbos. The new beit
midrash will be used for learning pro-
grams and weekday services."
Looking forward to experiencing the
community firsthand, the Elbergs, includ-
ing sons, Jonathan, 5, Jordan, 21/2, and
Noah, 2 months, are getting ready for
their trip to Southfield.
"We wanted the whole family to visit,
but needed a good opportunity': Elberg
said. And timing a trip to coincide with
the Shabbaton, he said, is "perfect:'
For information on the YIS Young
Family Shabbaton Friday, Aug. 20, through
Sunday, Aug. 22, contact Monica Fischman
at monicafischman@gmail.com or Daniel
Greenbaum at moshman7@yahoo.com .
For information on YIS, go to www.
yisouthfield.org or call (248)-358-0154. Li

August 12 • 2010

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