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Rabbi For Life
Shir Tikvah celebrates 25 years with its beloved "Rabbi Arnie."
Karen Schultz Tarnopol I Special to the Jewish News
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Rabbi Sleutelberg, alongside Cantor Jalda
"Though Shir Tikvah is honoring me for
my 25 years as their rabbi, I honor them
for being my congregation for 25 years,"
Sleutelberg said. "It's been a beautiful part-
nership. We've grown together and shared a
lot in our lives with one another:'
Phyllis Wenig of Troy, a synagogue
founding member, says Shir Tikvah, for-
merly known as Troy Jewish Congregation,
got its start in 1982 in her living room with
18 families. The congregation, now with
350 member families, was created with the
intention of accommodating families east of
Woodward Avenue.
Years later, a group of founding members
met Sleutelberg at a Reform movement
biennial regional conference. The meeting
was beshert (meant to be). They knew he
was the rabbi they wanted for their congre-
gation once he graduated.
"It was a mutual love affair," Wenig says.
"We really only wanted him, nobody else:'
Fortunately for Shir Tikvah, when
Sleutelberg graduated from Albion College,
he realized what he loved most was teach-
ing, counseling, public speaking and living
Jewishly — all of the things rabbis do. He
received ordination from Hebrew Union
College in New York
"I had the immense good fortune to land
in Detroit," Sleutelberg said. "I love hav-
ing the opportunity to serve in Detroit in
cooperation with Federation and numerous
other agencies that are doing such incred-
ible work. It is a treasure of a community. I
feel immensely blessed to have come here
25 years ago:'
Over time, the congregation grew so fond
of their Rabbi Arnie that, in 2001, the board
offered him a contract for life.
"Everyone was aware of how important
Rabbi Arnie was to the congregation,"
Silverstein said. "It was very much a mar-
riage — rabbi and congregation:'
Pam and Rich Spitzer of Troy agree.
As founders of Shir Tikvah, this con-
gregation has brought us many gifts, the
greatest of which was finding Rabbi Arnie,"
they said. "From our roots as Troy Jewish
Congregation, Rabbi Arnie guided us
through our Jewish journey — us person-
ally and our beloved shul."
Sleutelberg's impact also reaches to his
fellow rabbis in town.
"I am blessed to have had Rabbi Arnie
in my life for the last 25 years," said Rabbi
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February 28 • 2013
Rebling of Berlin, Germany, reads from the
Torah that Shir Tikvah donated to her
congregation in 2010.
Aaron Starr of Congregation Shaarey Zedek
in Southfield. "I still remember the first ser-
vice he led at Shir Tikvah. I was a child. We
were mesmerized by his song and his spirit;
he brought us closer to God. Now, still, 25
years later, I continue to be mesmerized by
Rabbi Arnie's song and spirit. I am trans-
formed by his wisdom. I am strengthened
by his friendship. And, through it all, he
continues to bring me — to bring all whom
he encounters — closer to God:'
Rabbi Paul Yedwab of Temple Israel in
West Bloomfield, a longtime friend, said,
"It is difficult for me to be objective about
Rabbi Arnie, as he is known to so many, for
in our house, he is simply 'Uncle Arnie: He
is a classmate, a dear friend and, to me, an
inspiration.
"You see, it is rare to find such a seam-
less combination of both courage and
compassion. People who are courageous,
take strong positions, seek to change the
world, to live their lives by their ideals no
matter what, are often `hard'; they have to
be. People who are empathic, by virtue of
their compassion, are often seen to be 'soft:
But Arnie, somehow, magically, mystically,
amazingly, is courageous and compassion-
ate, soft and hard at the very same time.
He gives the best hugs, sings from his very
kishkas, preaches from his conscience and
teaches by his example:'
Eileen Nowikowski of Huntington
Woods, president of Shir Tikvah, sums it
up: "His special talent is his connection
with people; he is very engaging, with a
beautiful voice and a peacefulness about
him:'
Shir Tikvah is a reflection of Sleutelberg's
strong ideals, passion and empathy.
"I love the Jewish people," Sleutelberg
said. "I think we have such a rich heritage
and such a gift to bequeath to the world in
what we say and do. For centuries, we have
literally given our heart and soul to the
world, and what a privilege it is to be part of
the Jewish people:'
His embrace of Judaism truly directs Shir
Tikvalis services.
"He is very musical and comes up with all
the melodies," said Nowikowski. "We have
drums, guitars and pianos as part of our
services. You get into a really special space
during the service. It's a very meditative and
spiritual experience:'
Congregants often get up and play dif-
ferent instruments and many sing along
throughout the service. "It's very interac-
tive; people feel as if the service is theirs,"
Silverstein said.
Committed To Inclusivity
Shir Tikvah is the only synagogue cur-
rently affiliated with both the Reform and
Renewal movements. The foundation of the
Renewal movement is that it takes a look
at Jewish traditional practices and renews
them in a way to make them relevant and
meaningful for the modern-day Jew.
The synagogue also is known for its
warm and accepting atmosphere, welcom-
ing all who seek to find a spiritual place to
call home including intermarried couples,
gays and lesbians, Jews-by-choice, Jews-by-
birth, families and singles.
"Shir Tikvah has become a haven for Jews
who might have a difficult time feeling con-
nected and accepted in other synagogues,
and, consequently, we are invested in creat-
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