financial and membership goals.
"I believe that synagogues no longer
have walls — there's more click than
brick',' Schwartz said. "You have to be
very creative — find new delivery
methods or the congregation will have
limited survival life. You have to expand
beyond dues and annual fundraising
campaigns If you're not tweeting and
developing new apps, you're in the
wrong neighborhood."
Shir Shalom President Pam Kornfeld
said that the congregation became
her second family when she and
her husband, Rob, moved here from
Philadelphia with their two young chil-
dren.
"I would not know the people I know
without Dannel," she said. "He is defi-
nitely a visionary. It's a tribute to him
that the temple can exist now without
having him here on a daily basis."
A rabbi since 1972, Schwartz received
his doctoral degree from the Hebrew
Union College-Jewish Institute of
Religion in 1997. He is also a certi-
fied chaplain, serving on the staff of
Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.
He takes pride in the accomplishments
of his wife, an international award-
winning printer and photographer.
"Suzi and I make one very good
person',' he said. "We do a lot of things

This Holiday Season start
a new tradition!

Take your family bowling
and out to eat at

Twin sons Peter Schwartz of
London and Ari Schwartz of
Washington, D.C., spoke about
their father from the bimah.

STA-RILANES

RESTAURANT & SPORTS BAR

AT EMAGINE ROYAL OAK

together. She is my muse, and I'm hers."
The couple has identical twin sons, Ari,
a director at the Center for Democracy
and Technology in Washington, D.C.,
and Peter, an attorney and partner in
the London office of Weil, Gotshal and
Manges.
Grandchildren Gabriel, Eli and Ayal
are among Schwartz's most precious
treasures, and he looks forward to
"spoiling them rotten:"
"I have a very interesting life, and it
gets more exciting as the days go on','
he said. "I'm very intense — it's one of
my best qualities and also one of my
worst." I I

Rabbi Dannel Schwartz will begin writing a

monthly opinion column for the JN begin-

Open late Christmas De
k early Christmas Day!
Great menu to choose from!

STAR LANES AT EMAGINE ROYAL OAK

is a great place for your next get
together or to just hang out!

ning in January.

Chasidic Reggae Star
Shaves His Beard

JTA The world's most famous
Chasidic Jew has shaved his beard.
With a declaration last week
that he was "reclaiming" himself,
Jewish music star Matisyahu — aka
Matthew Miller — shaved his sig-
nature beard and wrote, "No more
Chassidic reggae superstar:'
The musician posted two photos
of his newly beardless face to the
social networking site Twitter and
added an explanation on his website
a few hours later.
"When I started becoming reli-
gious 10 years ago, it was a very
natural and organic process',' he
wrote. "I felt that in order to become
a good person I needed rules — lots
of them — or else I would somehow
fall apart. I am reclaiming myself."
Matisyahu's religious journey has
long been an object of speculation
and media fascination. Raised in a
Reconstructionist family in White
Plains, N.Y., he became affiliated
with the Chabad movement only
in 2000, after studying at one of its
institutions in Israel.
Four years later, after his debut
album, Shake Off the Dust . . . Arise,
was released by JDub Records,
Matisyahu began a rise that ulti-
mately would find him performing

join us at the Star LaliCS

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

—

Event to Benefit 1;Irietv The (7111dt- en's

Matisyahu without and with his
beard

on national television as well as at
Jewish events.
Here was a beat-boxing Chasid
borrowing lyrics from Jewish liturgy
on television while wearing the black
fedora and long black coat typical
of members of the Chabad sect.
Matisyahu represented a major step
forward in the visibility of traditional
Judaism in the mainstream media.
The singer's latest statement isn't
definitive. It doesn't rule out belong-
ing to Judaism or even a Chasidic
movement. At most, the statement
seems to indicate another stage of
spiritual exploration.
"Get ready for an amazing
year filled with music of rebirth:'
Matisyahu says in his statement.
"And for those concerned with my
naked face, don't worry ... you
haven't seen the last of my facial
hair."

Charity

Admission includes an Exquisite Buffet
from 8:30 -10:30. Pius a Champagne
Toast at Midnight, Dancing
Lots of Fun!
$50
$25
buffet
5:30-7-.30
Dining in the
choice
main Boliiing
dinner
with Luxury Seating,
min, •
Centel .
the
n
$Y3
/6
b
Z drink vouchers.

d
8 unlimite

near Dance
1°Lin ge
s_

popcorni

Floor

or to buy your ticket, please tall
1-1000 or come to the box office.

For more inh

.02-11S)

■
*.• • ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 711111-'

•

4-PPETMlii

OH

DESSERT

ft'

WITH PURCHASE OF 2 ENTREES •

RESTAURANT S SPORTS BAR

■

AT 1!1,40F4 ROYAI, 04 1

••••••••••••••

•
•
•
• •

Not valid for special events or on
New Year's Eve. No cash value. Cannot be
used to pay gratuities. This coupon is valid
through 1/2/12.
JN 12/11
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••

•

December 22 • 2011 11

