Conservative Jewry from page 96

Commentary

to make Detroit the movement's research and development test
market, with good ideas taking root here and exported to other
cities and the JTS.

On Tap?

Jewish Detroit's Bonds
With Israel Are Strong

Among the possibilities to be tested in Detroit:
• Develop, refine and articulate an exciting vision for what it
ewish Detroiters don't just get their
means to be a Conservative Jew in 21st-century America. "We are
Israel news, their Israel knowledge
not Orthodox and we are not Reform" doesn't cut it. Neither does
and their Israel feelings from read-
"this is where my family went!' Before addressing the structure of
ing the local secular press. In fact,
the Conservative enterprise, develop, nurture and communicate
that's probably one of the last places
its heart and soul. Despite its imposing title, the movement's new
they look. Because, as the 2005
guide "The Observant Life" provides a good basis for this.
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
• Align the cost structure and infrastructure with the vision.
Detroit (JFMD) demographic survey
Consolidate and share overhead and administrative expenses.
revealed, most Jewish Detroiters are
Have one central business office for the local Conservative con-
connected to Israel and care deeply
gregations, where human resources, insurance, building mainte-
about the Jewish state and their fel-
nance, marketing and membership recruitment, accounts payable,
low Jews living there.
accounts receivable and collections can be handled.
They visit Israel; some have visited
• Create an umbrella membership concept. While you will
several times. They talk regularly to
choose a primary congregation for High Holiday seating, your
friends and family in Israel. They read
membership provides you with full access and privileges at all
the Detroit Jewish News and "surf"
Conservative congregations in the area. A Conservative movement
Israeli news websites. They study
member will receive a complete and integrated list of all program-
about the holy land through their syna-
ming, lectures, classes, minyans, etc., from which to choose.
gogue in JFMD FedEd classes or in college
• Provide grants to hire Conservative movement "engagement"
classes.
rabbis not on the payroll of any of the synagogues, but who
So as we marked Yom Yerushalayim,
instead bring Judaism to the people, teaching and engaging folks
Jerusalem Day, last Sunday, May 20, Jewish
throughout the community.
Detroiters certainly know Israel beyond the
• Institute high-quality, movement-wide Hebrew classes with
headlines. They know about Israel's high-
dynamic instructors. If Conservative synagogues are going to pray
tech economy and its medical, agricultural
in Hebrew, shouldn't their congregants have a better grasp of how
and computer innovations. They know that
to read and understand it?
Israel is a great tourist destination for
• Re-imagine the sprawling Shaarey Zedek facility and cam
outdoor adventure, archeology, beach and
pus in Southfield. Brainstorm with local entrepreneur
Dan Gilbert and his Rock Venture real estate/develop-
ment mavens to identify additional uses for the space and
grounds that include the latest ideas in technology and
design. Maybe a synagogue version of the much-heralded
Madison Building in Detroit? Lofts for singles or young
NOW'S THE
families in a new structure? A mini-Eastern Market each
AMERICAN ECONOMY
week, open to all, selling made-in-Israel products, kosher
food products, crafts, etc.?
DOING, YOU ASK?
• With so much focus these days on retaining and bring-
ing young adults to the Detroit area, create yearlong Torah
fellowship programs here (similar to studying at Pardes
in Israel or Mechon Hadar in New York) for 20-30 people
who are seeking to meaningfully engage in Jewish study
while also doing community service in and around Detroit.
Perhaps some entrepreneurial developers would be willing
to secure and rent housing stock (maybe in or near Moishe
House and the emerging Sugar Hill Artists/Writers Colony
in Midtown) to create a living and learning community.
Conservative movement congregations have been the
breeding grounds for many of Detroit's greatest leaders and
IF YOU COMPARE IT
scholars. They have generated the most ardent support for
the creation and sustenance of a Jewish state. But the future
TO ME FASTER
of Detroit's Jewish community, and other Jewish communi-
SINKING
ties around the country, requires a Conservative movement
that is vital, vibrant, engaging and attractive. And it begs for
a lead entity or foundation that can be a game-changer with
its vision and resources ... with ideas tested at the local
level.
Surrounded by memorabilia attesting to the creativity
and excellence of the Detroit Pistons, perhaps this is the
kind of game-changing leadership Chancellor Eisen and
Gov. Snyder were envisioning? ❑

j

S.COM DRYBONES. COM

Dry Bones QUICKSAND

water sports, exploring the desert and, yes,
religious pilgrimage.
They know that Israel's people, especially
those who have relationships
with Detroiters through the
Jewish Federation's partner-
ship in the Central Galilee,
have the same goals, aspi-
rations and needs that all
people do. While Israel has
special security concerns,
Israelis mainly lead normal
lives, advancing their careers,
educating their children, cel-
ebrating family and celebrat-
ing being Jewish in the Jewish
homeland.
Jewish Detroiters do talk about the con-
flict and the need for peace. But they also
talk about the uncertainty that Israel has
real partners with whom to negotiate. We
express strong concern about threats to
Israel from Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists
— and from Israel's other neighbors, some
of whom, more than six decades after its
establishment, have still not made peace
with the Jewish state. We worry about Iran,
which threatens Israel, controls a worldwide
terrorist network, and pursues nuclear
weapons and the means to deliver
them.
Overall, we work to support Israel's
security needs, its military alliance
with the U.S., its battle against terror-
ists, and for the isolation and neutral-
ization of Iran.
But Jewish Detroiters do more
than just talk about Israel. They act.
They support the Federation Annual
Campaign, Israeli institutions, and
charities and other Israeli causes.
And when not visiting the Jewish
state, they buy Israeli goods, invest in
Israeli stocks and join organizations
that support Israel. Some become
advocates, writing letters to the editor,
meeting with congressmen, and talking
to non-Jewish friends, neighbors and
co-workers about Israel.
Others give of themselves in other
ways and open their pocketbooks when
necessary. Many feel deeply emotional
about Israel and carry those feelings
with them daily.
Yes, Jewish Detroiters talk, care
about and love Israel. We wouldn't have
it any other way. ❑

Allan Gale is associate director of the Bloomfield

Township-based Jewish Community Relations

Council of Metropolitan Detroit.

May 24

6

2012

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