metro >> around town
Project 613
S
Temple Shir Shalom kicks off its yearlong journey to write a Torah.
now and ice couldn't keep away Temple Shir
Shalom congregants who came together Dec. 15
for the opening ceremonies of Project 613, the
West Bloomfield temple's yearlong journey in writing its
own Torah.
More than 400 congregants attended the kickoff event,
which included a parade of the entire religious school as
well as the writing of the first three letters.
"Project 613 is about each of us personally taking part
in the 613th mitzvah, which is the responsibility of each
Jew to write a Sefer Torah:' said Joshua Sherbin, project
chairman.
The writing of Shir Shalom's new Torah, in honor of the
temple's 25th year, will be a joint effort between the con-
gregation and scribing partner, Sofer on Site. The scribes
will work over the next year to create the 304,805 letters
Shir Shalom Religious school children parade into the
sanctuary.
The Ziff family, including children and grandchildren,
surround Marjorie Ziff to write a letter with Rabbi Levi
Selwyn.
that create the Torah, but will leave letters unwritten so
that congregants have the opportunity to write an actual
letter with the help of the scribe.
As tradition tells us, one who writes even a single let-
ter in a Torah fulfills the 613th and final commandment:'
said Rabbi Michael Moskowitz.
Advocating For Israel
Many congregants had a chance to fulfill this mitzvah
following the opening ceremony.
"I found the experience to be very moving and inspir-
ing:' said congregant Shari Dobrusin, who, along with
her family, was one of the first to meet with the scribe
and write a letter. "It was educational, meaningful and so
much fun. I loved every minute of it!"
❑
For future scribing dates and events, call (248) 737-8700 or go
to www.p613.org.
The Glick family — Eric, Josh, Jodi and Benjamin — join
Rabbi Selwyn to write a letter.
StandWithUs-MI fundraiser celebrates two honorees — and Chanukah.
A
bout 275 people came together at the
StandWithUs-MI Festival of Lights
celebration to honor Andre Douville
and Ed Kohl for their work on behalf of Israel.
Douville received the Beacon of Light Award
in recognition of his support for SWU-MI
and his other Israel advocacy activities, such
as spearheading the annual community-wide
Walk for Israel. Ed Kohl was recognized as the
Volunteer of the Year for his work on behalf of
SWU-MI and several other Israel-related organi-
zations, including Sar-El.
Keynote speaker was Rev. Kenneth Meshoe,
a member of the South African parliament,
who spoke powerfully about his political party's
strong support for Israel based on Israel's demo-
cracy and on its potential to help South Africa
deal with pressing agricultural and environmen-
tal problems.
The festive pre-Chanukah event also wel-
comed StandWithUs representatives from
Chicago as well as MZ Teen Interns, Emerson
Fellows and Israel Fellows, past and present, who
represent SWU programs in high schools, col-
leges and Israel and prepare students to advocate
for Israel on their campuses and wherever life
takes them.
For more info, go to www.standwithus.com or
email standwithusmichigan@gmail.com .
❑
14
January 2 • 2014
The family of Beacon of Light honoree Andre Douville:
standing, Alan Must, Suretta Must, Bruce Selik, Terri
Selik, Shirley Douville-Glinski, Jacob Douville, Zachary
Douville; seated, Emily Meretsky, Amy Douville and
Andre Douville.
The family of Volunteer of the Year Ed Kohl: seated, Lou
Landgarten, Shelley Kohl, Ed Kohl, Steve Kohl and Harriet
Sherman; standing, Louis Sugarman, Shannon Breisacher,
Jim Sugarman, Barb Sugarman, Jodi Niskar, Julie Bennett
and Jeff Bennett.
SWU Israel advocates: seated, Jamie Menuck, MZ
Teen Intern, Frankel Jewish Academy; Vida Velasco,
SWU MZ Teen coordinator; Assaf Grumberg, Central
Region campus coordinator (Chicago); standing,
Jesse Arm, MZ Teen Intern alum, Frankel Jewish
Academy; Zach Herschfus, MZ Teen Intern, Akiva
Hebrew Day School; Brett Cohen, national campus
program director; Corey Rosen, Emerson Fellow alum;
Rina Edelson, MSU Emerson Fellow; Evyatar Ben Avi,
Israel Fellow alum.