Metro Detroiters
reflect on faith and
spirituality during
the High Holy Days.

Robin Schwartz
Contributing Writer

W

e're in the midst of a mystical
and powerful time in Judaism
— the Days of Awe — the 10
days of reflection, introspection, repen-
tance and prayer that begin with Rosh
Hashanah and end with Yom Kippur.
During this time, most Jews take part
in communal religious services; for
some, it's the first time they've entered
a sanctuary since the High Holidays
last year. Tradition dictates that we seek
reconciliation with those we've wronged
and fast and atone for our sins. While
we gather together, sing songs and recite
Hebrew and English words in our prayer
books, the experience for each individual
is deeply personal. What does it really
mean to pray? What makes prayer pow-
erful? The answers to those intangible
questions may be as varied as the num-
ber of people you ask.
"Prayer helps keep my life centered:'
says Stuart Lebenbom, 49, a collec-
tions attorney from Southfield. He did
not grow up in an observant home, but

Power on page 19

Finding Faith

Life-or-death crisis helps young mother
discover prayer.

Robin Schwartz
Contributing Writer

M

oments of quiet reflection are
part of every day for Jennifer
Barish. The 37-year-old wife
and mother of two young sons immerses
herself in prayer daily, observes Shabbat,
and even has a favorite psalm, No. 121,
an encouraging passage, appropriate for
all lifecycles. In part, it reads: God is your
protection at your right hand. The sun will
not strike you by day, nor the moon by
night. God will guard you from all harm,
God will guard your soul, your going and
coming now and forever.
"I read these words whenever I feel I
need a little confidence boost:' she says.

18 September 29 • 2011

"It puts me back on the right track."
But, less than a year ago, Barish didn't
have a go-to psalm to help her through
difficult times. In fact, prayer wasn't even
a significant part of her life. She admits
she was just another busy Farmington
Hills mom rushing from place to place
with her sons, Max, 6, and Blake, 3. Barish
worked full time as a human resources
manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers in
Detroit. Her husband, Dr. Ryan Barish,
is a family practice physician in Sterling
Heights. They're members of Temple
Israel in West Bloomfield.
"We were the typical, busy, young fam-
ily," she says. "We would have time for the
big Jewish holidays, but that's about it."

Finding Faith on page 19

Jennifer, Blake,

Ryan and

Max Barish of

Farmington Hills