Congratulations to the Jewish News on your 70th Anniversary v Pick Jason Pernick Oakland County Circuit Court Judge dePublic Citizen Troy Police Dept 6.5 years Ma* Crimes Prosecutor Parent Successfully prosecuted hundreds of high profile homicides. robberies and other serious crimes Library Advisory Board Boy Scout Leader VP Homeowners AsY3ciation Two children in the Walled Lake Schools Basektit & Softball Coach Married i F years Vote Tuesday, August 7,2012 or by Absentee Voter on the Non-Partisan Ballot Protecting Our Families * Protecting Our Community Paid for by Comin to Elect Irzuri Pernick. PO Box 1157, Union Lake, MT 48387 Bloomfield Township Now Open! uck Close:: M Celebrate with Us. Exper ienceMortgager For quick decisions on the financial issues that matter to you, choose your local Level One Banking Center. Our Mortgage Quick Close process promises a swift decision that will get you into your dream home sooner. In honor of our newest Banking Center enjoy $250 off at closing with this ad: Come in and take advantage of our unparalleled low rates. 7 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP • BIRMINGHAM • CLINTON TOWNSHIP FARMINGTON HILLS-NORTHWESTERN HIGHWAY• FARMINGTON HILLS-ORCHARD LAKE ROAD FERNDALE • NORTHVILLE L applications dated August 1, 2012. Level Member FDIC Cr 1760040 82 June 14 r 2012 v, Making It Official M ore than 600 people celebrat- ed the ordination of Rabbi Keren Packman Alpert on May 24 at Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township. Ordinations traditionally take place in a seminary setting with only family attending. On this occasion, Alpert was ordained in the presence not only of her family, but also her congregants and so many others she has worked with or taught. The ceremony was the culmina- tion of several years of study completed while Alpert worked full time as Temple Beth El's rabbinic associate, delivering sermons, meeting the needs of congre- gants, teaching in the religious school and high school, and serving the com- munity as an instructor in the Melton adult education program. The ordination was enriched by words from Beth El Rabbi Daniel Syme, Rabbi A. David Packman of Oklahoma City, Alpert's father, and her husband, Ted Alpert. Margot, oldest of the Alperts' three daughters, sang Hashkiveinu with Cantorial Soloist Rachel Gottlieb Kalmowitz. Younger daughters Ali and Lucy opened and closed the Ark. The ceremony concluded with the congregation joining in the Shehecheyanu and Kalmowitz blowing the shofar. Alpert then addressed the congrega- tion. "I cannot summarize everything the last few years have taught me, so in the next few moments, let me instead tell you just a fraction of what I've learned," she said. "I learned that Judaism is not a reli- gion about answers. When one asks, `What does Judaism say' about anything — abortion rights, euthanasia, whether tilapia is kosher — there are a multi- tude of answers. Answers can be found in the Torah, the Mishnah, the Talmud, the medieval commentators like Rashi Rabbi A ert with her father, Rabbi A. avid Packman and modern rabbinic authorities. No, Judaism isn't about answers. It's about questions. It's about the struggle to find meaning and to search for correct behavior. It's about having the freedom to wrestle with the issues of our time and issues that crop up in our own lives. "I learned that the most important reason to learn and study Judaism is because the study of Judaism continues to be relevant," she said. "We still turn to the 'the Jewish way' when we want to know how to remember a loved one who has died, when we ask ourselves during an election cycle, 'What's good for the Jews?' and when we weigh the ethical dilemmas we face as an individual or as a society. "I've also learned whom we need to value. We are told in the Talmud, in the words of Rabbi Chaninah, `I have learned much from my teachers, more from my colleagues, and the most from my students' (Ta'anit 7a). I would like to recognize those precious to me, my many students, who are also my teachers. "My kids kept calling tonight's cer- emony my coronation, and I feel like a bit of a princess; yes, a middle-aged princess who has to get her hair colored, but a princess nonetheless. In Judaism, there are three crowns: the crown of the priest- hood, which I cannot attain, as I am not descended from the Kohannn, the priest- ly family; the crown of Torah, which is the collection of special marks on the letters on the scroll. And the final Jewish crown is the crown of a good name. With God's help, I hope to become a person who is the owner of a good name. "I hope to be a rabbi who is a source of comfort, spiritual leadership and increased learning for this community. I hope I will have more opportunities to know more people more deeply, and that together, we will travel on this sacred journey for many, many years to come. Margot, Ted, Ali, Rabbi Keren and Lucy Alpert 37100 Woodward Avenue • Bloomfield Township, MI 48304 • 248-530-7401. levelonebank.com Disclosure information: 'All loans are subject to credit approval. For discount eligibility ad must be brought in at the time of application. Eligible applications must be dated on or after May 29, 2012 through ,t.tr 5 Rabbi Keren Alpert is ordained at Temple Beth El. Most Experienced * Most Qualified Community Leader 20 years s iritualit