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Years Young

Downtown Synagogue celebrates its history
and the seeds of a revitalized future.

Shelli Liebman Dorfman

Senior Writer

I

n its heyday, the 90-year-old Isaac
Agree Downtown Synagogue was
frequented by daily worshippers,
was a regular stop for Jewish celebrities
performing in town and attracted 1,000
people for High Holiday services. Then, as
most Jews left for the suburbs, far fewer
frequented the aging building. Now, with
young Jews returning to the city, the con-
gregation, which is the only freestanding
synagogue in Detroit, is on the upswing.
In the past few years, the Conservative
congregation has grown to 150-200 indi-
vidual and family memberships. An addi-
tional contact list includes approximately
300 more names, and some 800 individu-
als participated in programming and ser-
vices last year.
And synagogue president Dr. Martin

8

March 10 • 2011

Herman of Detroit has "hopes and expec-
tations for substantial increases in the
future:'
On Sunday, March 27, a community-
wide celebration will mark the congrega-
tion's 90th anniversary, 1-3 p.m. at the
Gem Theatre, several blocks away.
"The program [facilitated by Noah
Ovshinsky of WDET-FM] will be a series
of stories highlighting the importance of
cultivating community throughout the
Downtown Synagogue's history," said Amit
Weitzer, 24, of Detroit.
The festivities will include danc-
ing, with refreshments sponsored by
CommunityNEXT, Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit's initiative designed
to attract and retain young Jewish profes-
sionals in the Metro area. Guests also will
be invited to tour the nearby synagogue.
"We want to celebrate what we love
about the synagogue: accessibility,

thoughtfulness, history and
vision:' Weitzer said.

Above: Amit Weitzer,

Blair Nosan, Jackie

Victor and Kate Bush,

and patrons.
Even with these funds
and the interest now gone,
the congregation con-
tinues a founding tenet:
Services, along with Friday
night Shabbat dinner and
Saturday lunch, are free
for members and non-

all of Detroit; Linda
Getting Started
Yellin, Farmington
The Downtown Synagogue
Hills; and Mitchel
was founded as the Agree
Alexander, Detroit
Memorial Society on Dec. 28,
1921 by the Agree, Canvasser,
Kaplan, Rosin and Zatnik
members.
families. It was created as an Orthodox
"And that includes High Holiday servic-
synagogue to memorialize Isaac Agree and
es
and a break-fast meal after Yom Kippur
his achievements in Jewish education and
for
the entire community at no charge —
philanthropy.
and
with no obligation:' Herman said.
The congregation remains committed
The
congregation moved to its current
to its original precept to provide a place to
location
in the early 1960s, when mem-
say Kaddish, observe a yahrtzeit or attend
bers
purchased
the Fyntex Department
a service for those who live, work or visit
Store
on
Griswold
in Detroit. They utilize
the city of Detroit.
the
basement
and
first
two levels of the
Membership fees today still are only $75
four-story
building.
per person and $100 for a family. In the
The sanctuary, which seats 70-80 con-
beginning, operating costs were under-
gregants,
is on the second level. The first
written by the founders, major benefactors

