Rosh Hashanah >> communal messages
Stepping Forward
R
osh Hashanah, with the reflec-
tion, renewal and sense of peace
it brings, is a precious time for
Jews everywhere. This year's holiday,
however, is particularly special to me.
This is the first time as president of
Federation that I have the honor and
privilege of extending warm wishes to
the entire community. I'd like to do so
by sharing what I've seen and learned
this year, for it's truly been inspiring.
Despite challenges in the economy,
Federation remains undaunted in its
efforts to raise funds to meet the criti-
cal needs of our at-risk populations,
including the unemployed, children
and the elderly. Our work in Jewish
education and in maintaining our close
connection with Israel enriches thou-
sands of lives. The resurgent
engagement of our young
people through Federation's
NEXTGen Detroit activities
has been nothing short of
amazing.
I also have seen, firsthand,
that those who do the work
of Federation — both profes-
sionals and lay leaders alike
— are among the most dedi-
cated and talented I ever have
encountered. The level of
transparency and rigor that is applied
to fundraising, planning and allocations
is exceptional. Despite the challenges
we continue to face, I believe that our
community is truly in good hands.
What excites me most of all is the
momentum and progress we
have been making. The reces-
sion hit our city harder than
most; but few have responded
with the degree of passion,
commitment and sheer gen-
erosity as Jewish Detroit.
Our Annual Campaign is
growing again, and more
and more Jews of every age
are becoming engaged par-
ticipants. In the words of our
Campaign theme, we have
heard the call to "Step Forward?'
Looking ahead, however, we must
continue. The work is just beginning.
We can never forget our responsibility
as Jews to help those in need, and that
every donation made is an investment
in our shared future. If we are to main-
tain our strength and vibrancy, we must
all be willing to Step Forward, together.
Finally, and perhaps most impor-
tantly, I want to offer thanks — to
our entire community — on behalf of
Federation and all those organizations
and individuals we serve. We are suc-
cessful because of you: your commit-
ment, your generosity and your love for
our Jewish home and way of life.
May your holiday be filled with
warmth, joy and all good things; and
may we all enjoy a healthy and peaceful
new year. El
that—like it or not — seem to
expect us to treat each other as
chaverim (friends) and reyim
(partners). We can't choose our
family members, only how we
act toward them.
3) Ben Franklin warned us
that either we stand together or
hang separately. The enduring
strength of Jews through ages
of adversity has been our abil-
ity to live in community with
each other despite our unavoid-
able disagreements.
The JCRC will work to make 5773 a year
of civility. A year when we learn to con-
verse with less accusation and more explo-
ration. A year when we maintain a sense of
the sacred in our dialogues. A year when
we see the face of God in our neighbors.
Neither they nor we can be perfect, but we
can strive to be so and we can recognize
that striving, even in those with whom we
strongly disagree.
Perhaps this will be the year we can truly
learn from each other.
and change. It's also an opportu-
nity to strengthen our bonds as
a community. Kol Yisrael arevim
zeh bazeh (all Israel is responsible
for each other) the Talmud teach-
es. If there is someone hungry,
we should not rest until he is fed.
If there is someone who wants to
learn, we must provide him with
opportunities to do so. If there is
someone lonely, we must reach
out to him.
This is all part of what we
strive to do at the JCC.
As we begin a new year, we will con-
tinue to make our two buildings, in Oak
Park and West Bloomfield, places where
everyone knows he is welcome and also
to expand our programs to accommodate
new needs and interests. We'll approach
each day with compassion, dedication, cre-
ativity and (very necessary) a good sense
of humor.
We'll also go forward with the knowl-
edge that we are here for our members and
our community — and for all of you, and
for our supporters, generous donors and
friends — we are deeply grateful. Shanah
Douglas Bloom is president of the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.
To A Year Of Civility
A
s we embark on our annual
round of self-scrutiny and soul
searching during the Days of
Awe, my wish for our community, our
nation and our Jewish people is that we
emerge with brilliant minds, open hearts
and a renewed commitment to peace —
especially with those who are different
from us or who hold opinions different
from ours.
May the coming year be one in which
we all learn to deal with each other with
greater civility and more Jewishly.
The Torah often reminds us that we are
a people whose tradition calls upon us to
treat with respect, especially
those who we believe couldn't
be more wrong about things we
consider important. We should
do this; we must do this for at
least three reasons:
1) No one except our Creator
possesses the whole truth
about anything. But through
vigorous respectful debate
with those who hold contrary
opinions, we can get closer to
that truth.
2) Jews are bound together by ties of
history, shared values and community
Sharon Lipton is president of the Jewish
Community Relations Council of Metropolitan
Detroit.
A Welcome To All
F
rom the first days of its creation,
the world has been a place of
diversity, adventure, freedom and
responsibility, learning and, above all,
family. Everything and everyone is inter-
related.
The Jewish Community Center of
Metropolitan Detroit is, in many ways,
a smaller version of the world. Walk
through our doors on any day and you will
see Orthodox, Conservative and Reform
Jewish families and members of every
other community on the planet. There
are babies and children, moms and dads,
senior adults, singles, teens and everything
in between.
62
September 13 a 2012
This uncompromising wel-
come is the distinctive feature
of the JCC. "Love your fellow as
yourself' God commands us. At
the JCC, we don't just say it; we
mean it. And we prove it every
day by presenting programming
to meet the needs of everyone in
our community. Where else but
the JCC could you find sports
and Jewish education, fitness and
performing arts, Jewish holiday
celebrations, book fairs and film
festivals, food drives and camaraderie all
under the same roof?
Rosh Hashanah is a time for reflection
tovah. LI
Brian Siegel is president of the Jewish
Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit.