said Miller of Farmington Hills.
"When they contacted me, they
were already fearing that they
would have to close. That they eked
out another five years makes them
The Little Shul that Could.'
Lewkowicz says she and many
members call Beit Kodesh the
"House of Miracles" because
they've managed to remain open.
"These days it's not unusual for
small Conservative synagogues to
either close or merge with other
congregations," Miller said. "The
national trend is a response to
the growth of Conservative syna-
gogues during the expansion years
and today's difficult economic
conditions."
Many of Beit Kodesh's member
families will join Congregation
B'nai Moshe in West Bloomfield,
which has a similar family feel
among its membership. However,
because of the distance, some
older members may not be able to
attend services often.
In exchange for membership,
Beit Kodesh will give B'nai Moshe
its assets, including its Torahs.
"The assets are nice, but I'm
excited about the people joining
us who feel a fit with our heimish
[warm] congregation," said Daniel
Sperling, B'nai Moshe president.
"I look forward to having them
join us on Shabbat, holidays and at
minyans."
Lewkowicz said, "It's bittersweet.
It's sad to leave, but I'm a very
rational person. I know it was
time. I think it will be a good
thing."
But that doesn't mean Beit
Kodesh won't be missed in
Livonia.
"The for sale sign has been out,
and I was cleaning up after a bar
mitzvah," Lewkowicz recalled. "A
young man stopped and asked
why the sign was up. When I told
him we were closing, he said, `You
can't:
"He was pastor of the church
down the street. He said the whole
continuity of Livonia will change
when we go. He offered to let us
hold services in his church and to
do a fundraiser for us. With tears
in his eyes, he told me, 'You will be
so missed:
"You never know for sure that
people recognize who you are and
what you are:' Lewkowicz said. "To
have someone come up to you like
that was very meaningful."

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Contributing Writer Shell! Liebman

Dorfman contributed to this story.

ORCHARD MALL • W T BLOOMFIELD

ORCHARD LAKE ROAD • NORTH OF MAPLE

October 27 • 2011

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