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Chabad Spirit
Detroiters join thousands who gathered
for the annual Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries banquet.
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lose to 5,000 rabbinical schol-
ars, Jewish community lead-
ers, educators and counselors
from around the world filled the landmark
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Nov. 27 for the gala
banquet of the 28th annual International
Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries.
Joining tens of thousands more who
watched the proceedings online, the crowd
of emissaries and their lay leaders, repre-
senting thousands of locations in commu-
nities large and small, gave British Chief
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks a standing
ovation as he ascended a rotating stage to
address the gathering.
Sacks took the podium and announced
that, having been personally touched by
the Rebbe, the late Rabbi Menachem M.
Schneerson, speaking in front of his emis-
saries was a deep honor.
"I can tell you from the depths of my
heart, I've received many honors, but none
as moving and as humbling as this:' he
said to thunderous applause, "because you,
the shluchim, are among the most impor-
tant people in the Jewish world today"
Highlighting the
partnerships between
Chabad-Lubavitch emis-
saries and lay leaders
in such disparate loca-
Lay leaders attended the banquet from locations across
tions as the Caribbean
the globe. From left, Alan Zekelman of Bloomfield Hills,
and North Africa, the
Rabbis Bentzion Stein and Yosef Kessleman dance at the
banquet capped several
banquet.
days of workshops, study
sessions and lectures. The event included
Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, the educational
its signature roll call of global locations
arm of Chabad-Lubavitch, and the ban-
served by Chabad Houses and, when
quet's emcee, invited all those in the hall to
Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice chairman of
stand, the room erupted in dance.
Imported From Jerusalem
B'nai Moshe's Israeli art exhibition drew patrons and religious school students.
C
ongregation B'nai Moshe in West Bloomfield
hosted a large exhibit of Israeli art from the
Safrai Gallery in Jerusalem Nov. 17-20.
The opening event featured a hors d'oeuvres, a sweet
table and champagne to viewers who wandered among
the 1,500 pieces of art. Menachem Safrai of the gallery
was on hand to talk about the artists and their work. He
also offered a gallery talk on Nov. 18.
Children in B'nai Moshe's LIFE program participated
in a scavenger hunt on Shabbat morning that led them
into the gallery to find various Israeli and biblical refer-
ences found in the art.
Left: Morton Scholnick of Bloomfield Hills with Joel Shayne of Farmington Hills
at the art exhibit reception. Shayne coordinated the event. Right: Jon Isenberg
of West Bloomfield, Dr. Jason Bodzin of Southfield and B'nai Moshe executive
director Charles Berris at the reception.
Corridors of art in the social hall greeted patrons of the Israeli art exhibit.
It's All In The Family!
Java Havdallah brings Kol Ami and Shir Shalom
communities together through music.
C
antor Penny Steyer of Temple
Shir Shalom and Cantorial Soloist
Tiffany Green of Temple Kol Ami
found a way to bring their temple corn-
munities together by creating a warm and
inviting evening called Java Havdallah, a
unique Saturday night music experience.
Beginning with Havdallah and spiritual
songs led by Heller, Steyer & Green, a group
that includes Penny (Heller) Steyer, her son
Matthew Steyer and daughter Tiffany Green,
the evening provided a showcase opportu-
nity for local talent in a coffeehouse-style
atmosphere.
Breaking through traditional congrega-
tional boundaries, music was used to reach
out to the Jewish community, bringing tal-
ent from each of the sponsoring congrega-
tions and also from the community at large,
re emonstrating that music and laughter can
foster relationships regardless of affiliation.
Previous Java Havdallah performers have
included Rabbi Norman T. Roman of Kol
Ami, Steve Klaper and Gary Cooper (from
the local band Who Cares?), along with
talented congregants from area congrega-
tions and members of the Zamir Chorale
of Metropolitan Detroit. Refreshments
and nosh, an open mic session and music
ranging from secular folk to contemporary
Jewish compositions provided a relaxed and
enjoyable evening.
Heller, Steyer & Green recently performed
at the 2011 JCC Stephen Gottlieb Music
Festival, receiving rave reviews. Their first
album, soon to be released, will be available
at future Java Havdallah performances. The
next is at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Shir Shalom.
Anyone who would like to perform in
an upcoming Java Havdallah or join the
'mailing list can send an email to penny@
shirshalom.org or tiffany@tkolami.org . f 1
The closing song: Sandy Jessop, Carol Berg, Flo Paterni, Matthew Steyer, Tiffany
Green, David Hearshen, Cantor Penny Steyer, John Horton, Shelley Newman, Dawn
Freed, Dave Hennig.
Left: Celepr iating Havdallah: Rabbi Daniel Schwartz, Cantorial Soloist Tiffany Green,
Gary Grosimen, David Hearshen, Matthew Steyer, John- riOrton, and Steve Klaper.
Right: The group Heller, Steyer & Green perform at Java Havdallah.
Decembe.r 8 2011
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