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One City, Many Voices:

Stories Of Jews
Living In Detroit

A minyan of meaning-makers.

BY JACKIE VICTOR
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

t's said that there are two kinds of people in the world:
meaning-takers and meaning-makers. One reason I
choose to live, work and raise my children in Detroit is
the unusually high concentration of the latter.
Perhaps because we live in a city where there are so
many unmeet needs, there are countless opportunities to
create: not just meaning, but institutions, organizations
and businesses. Even mundane activities in Detroit can
take on a deeper meaning because they are in the process
of creation: grocery shopping at the Eastern Market,
recycling at Recycle Here! and praying at the Downtown
Synagogue.
For most of the past 25 years, my Jewish identity was
on a completely separate trajectory from my life in Detroit.
Without a strong Jewish community in the city, I chose
to travel to a suburban synagogue that would provide a
vibrant Jewish educational experience for my children in
an open and caring community (Temple Emanu-El in Oak
Park). My business, Avalon International Breads, formed
a nexus of meaning around which my professional and
personal life revolved in Detroit. But my spiritual life
remained separate.
A year ago, all this changed with an invitation to join
the program committee for the 90th anniversary of the

Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue. Initially, I said "yes"
for two reasons. First of all, I was asked by my friend
Zak Rosen, a fellow University of Michigan graduate (20
years my junior) and Detroiter whom I greatly admire.
And secondly, because of the rich personal meaning the
Downtown Synagogue holds for me. My father, Steven I.
Victor, of blessed memory, said Kaddish for both of his
parents there. He also met his business partner and dear
friend Bill Yolles, who ultimately became an integral part of
our family's life throughout their decades of partnership.
I'm not sure what was more successful: the amazing,
over-capacity anniversary celebration at the Gem, or the
more intimate committee meetings, which we all came to
treasure as gatherings of kindred spirits. I do know that
my life in Detroit has been transformed.
Friday nights are now spent walking to the Synagogue
from my home in Lafayette Park, bringing in Shabbat
with song, prayer and a shared meal with this emerging
community, led largely by Jewish Detroiters in their 20s.
Thursday mornings bring minyan at 7:30, where I say
Kaddish for my father. We stumble through the service
with reverence and good humor, aspiring to co-create a
traditional, yet authentic ritual that connects us with our
ancient past and feeds our spiritual needs today.

Without a rabbi, we take turns leading. Without a
cantor, the congregation creates exquisite music through
the voices present. Without a secretary or deep pockets,
we rely on volunteers for everything from mailings to
cooking to deciding when to pray together. Without
the structures of an existing institution in place, we
are in the process of creation, dedicated to discovering
contemporary meaning out of rituals that have too often
become rote. We are not looking for perfection or flawless
performances. We are looking for that spark of the Divine
that happens when our voices rise together in the Shema,
and there is a minyan and we realize that we are all part
of a modern miracle.
We are in the process of creating a community of Jews
in Detroit at the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue on
Griswold Street. After 25 years, it's good to be home. I

Jackie Victor is the co-founder of Avalon International

Breads, a socially responsible artisan bakery in Detroit since

1997. A suburban "expatriate," Victor moved to Detroit after
graduating from University of Michigan in 1988 to be part of
the economic, cultural and spiritual revival of Detroit. Jackie

is the proud mother of Rafaella, 11, and Ari, 6.

Briefs

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!
It's Festivus for the rest of us. This year, the party takes
place from 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 25, at 5th Avenue
in Royal Oak, which is opening special for the event.
Due to a recent change in the law in Michigan, this will
be only the second year in
decades that it will be legal
for bars to be open and serve
alcohol on Christmas Day
evening.
The party is being
sponsored by CommunityNEXT
and ComePlayDetroit. Josh
Smith (Smitty), local singer/songwriter, rapper and multi-
instrumentalist, will be performing live. Admission is free
and you'll get $1 off drinks and 25 percent off from 9-10
p.m. There's a $10 cover after 10 p.m.
"I'm really looking forward to this event. It's a great
time to get everyone together under the same roof and
enjoy the holiday time together," said Aaron F. Belen,
owner of 5th Avenue.

First Annual Super BIG
Menorah Lighting In Detroit
Everyone knows that Jewish Detroit is growing every day.
This Chanukah, come down to Campus Martius in Detroit

Live Detroit Fund
Awards First
Subsidies
Three people have been
awarded $250 a month
rent subsidies from the
Live Detroit Fund, which
is taking applications
from "next generation"
change agents who
want to live in Detroit
and are willing to
host one event for the
Jewish and Greater
ilooft«..0
Detroit communities
Wanna Play?
each
month. The
ComePlayDetroit's Winter Leagues
program is sponsored by
Folks having a fun and friendly game of dodgeball at
are now accepting registrations.
CommunityNEXT.
Come Play Detroit
Many options are available,
Ben Friedman, Alex
including co-ed sports, dodgeballl,
Levine
and Ana Cukovic
volleyball, bowling (there are more
have been pre-approved and are now amidst their 60-day
than 100 people in the current league), floor hockey (new
time limit to turn in a lease. Friedman has already moved
to CPD) and Pilates.
into Corktovvn, and the other two will be looking for a
All leagues are recreational and fun for all; a great way
place in the next few weeks.
to meet new people and expand your world.
Applications are still being accepted. Information is
Register online, or check out upcoming events at
available at www.livedetroitfund.org .
www.comeplaydetroit.com .

on Dec. 20 and Light the Menorah
with The Shul-Chabad Lubavitch of
West Bloomfield, CommunityNEXT
and Quicken Loans.
An ice sculpture (Super BIG)
menorah will be lit from 5:30-
6:15 p.m., and the park will stay
open afterward for music and ice
skating hosted by CommunityNEXT.
Refreshments, including jelly donuts
and soup bar, will be provided by
Chef Cari. Parking is available in the
Compuware parking structure

December *15

2011

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