Come Home to other river called denial. We return home to find Mike (hus- band/dad) furiously emptying the base- ment of the wet furniture, carpet and drywall in an effort to prevent mold from setting in. I look at him sadly and ask, "You need our help now?" "Desperately," he says. We break our fast at 2:30 p.m. and change clothes to begin schlepping. Among our copious stuff, I find a previously undiscovered, lovely Rosh Hashanah platter that belonged to my late mother-in-law. I also discover a beautiful set of wine glasses, and I sal- vage my siddur from my consecration at Shaarey Zedek [in Southfield]. Sept. 15: Most of the houses in my neighborhood have rain or flood dam- age. We band together, people offering trucks, helping to schlep to the dump, offering showers (we've shut off the gas to the water heater) and demolishing drywall. Our shul, Congregation Bonai Shalom, is a 200-family Conservative egalitarian synagogue that backs up to a scenic creek. The building is now part of the creek. The main sanctuary is dry, but the rest of the building is flooded, soon to be gutted, and the rabbi's house next door is uninhabitable. The sukkah was proven kosher as it fell apart and floated away. About 13,000 Jews live in Boulder. Of the four synagogues with buildings, Bonai Shalom had the worst damage by far. We are borrowing office space from the Jewish Community Center, and have received help from Nechama (Jewish Disaster Response), the Jewish Federation and Jewish Family Services. Religious groups around town offered space and resources. We will hold services at the Reform synagogue, the Orthodox shul and at the Unitarian church this month (possibly longer). Recovery is just beginning, however, and normal is a long way off. The bills for the synagogue reparation are loom- ing large, and we would be grateful for any donations you could provide. Donate online at bit.ly/laMkTCN. Make your gift "in honor of Congregation Bonai Shalom" so the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism knows where to direct your donation, or send a check to Congregation Bonai Shalom, 1527 Cherryvale Road, Boulder, CO 80303, with "FLOOD RELIEF" in the memo line. ❑ Abigail Robinson grew up in Southfield and attended Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Tamarack Camps and Hillel Day School in Farmington Hills. She lives in Boulder with husband, Mike Kone, and sons, Jonah and Ezra Kone, both avid Tamarack campers. "Independent Living for the active, be as busy or as quiet as you choose." vf ri SENIOR SUITES Brand New to Southfield! (248) 200-0180 Available now for a limited time! Secure a special low rate when you reserve your newly remodeled home early. 4 Limited availability and time; Please Call today 248-200-0180. 50% Off . as f your first months rent ..fir Call for details Z"":: . 111••• ■ ** : ....... , ti AO' Amenities & Services • 24 hour doorman with valet • Individual Climate Control • Full New Kitchens w/dishwasher • Housekeeping Every Week • Two Meals a day (optional) • Scheduled Shuttle Bus Transportation • Imperial Cinema • Elegant Dining Room • Lounge for Cards • Coffee & Entertaining • Wellness Center • Fitness Center • Central Mail Area • Variety of Stimulating Events • Complete apartment/building maintenance, groundskeeping, landscaping, and much, more! Fall into the 55+ Club 27600 Franklin Road, Southfield, MI 248-200-0180 ww.SeniorlivingSouthfield.com October 10 • 2013 1868150 21