metro
ofivo'
Melton
Good Neighbors
SIYUM/GRADUATION 2014
Local synagogues add revenue
by helping the community.
The Jewish Federation's Alliance for Jewish Education,
the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit
and the entire Jewish community wish
Michael Higer
JN Intern
T
to the 5774/2014 Graduates
of the Florence Melton School
of Adult Jewish Learning
Tuesday
Evening
r
Thursday
Morning
Thursday
Evening
nid Bienstock
Ronda Brodsky
Susan Beresh
\ Neil A. Cantor
Vivian DeGain
Adriana Canner
Lori Cohn
Suzanne Flanders
Audrey Chapman
Danielle Nicole Gill
Carla Forst
Clifford Chapman
Frida Gill
Linda Friedlaender
Wilma Fellman
William Goldenberg
Lisa Garfinkle
Bruce Fisher
Iris Goldstein
Carol Gers
Laurie Fisher
Evelyn Siporin Goodman
Frances Greenebaum
Anita Lampcov
Caren Lorraine Harwood
Dolores Lax
Bette Landaw
Ilysa Koltonow
Karen S. Lowen
Amy M. Scapelliti
Janelle L. McCammon
Robin Melvin
Joel Shore
Linda S. Sahn
Donna Pelon
Marilyn Shore
Teri Sahn-Silver
Verne Royal
Judy Tann
Arlene R. Rubinstein
Lewis Tann
Barry Silverman
Frances Smith
Audrey Sobel
Linda Spigelman
Miriam E. Stillwell
Margie J. Winston
Join us in recognizing the students who have completed
their two-year commitment to Jewish study
Thursday, June 12, 2014
14 Sivan 5774 • 7:00 p.m.
The Berman Center for the Performing Arts
Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit
D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building
Eugene & Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus
6600 W. Maple Road • West Bloomfield, MI 48322
Todah Rabah/Thank you to our
Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning
instructors of the class of 5774/2014
Ruth Bergman Rabbi Michele Faudem Rabbi Eliezer Finkelman
Rabbi Arianna Gordon Aviva Panush
For more information, to RSVP, or make a tribute to a graduate
call 248-205-2557, or email: bronstein@jfmd.org
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May 22 • 2014
Jewish Federation '
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Education
A PROJECT OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM
jewishdetroit.org/melton
16
©
he economic crisis
of 2008 left many
families and busi-
nesses in Metro Detroit
struggling to stay afloat.
The local synagogues were
no exception.
Temple Beth El rents part of its parking lot to
"The economy in 2008-
nearby Erhard BMW.
2009 had a real significant
impact on all of us. We saw
said Paul Gross, Kol Ami co-president,
a significant drop in revenue, and a
who is pleased his synagogue could
lot of members moved out of state
help other Jews. "There is no profit
said Andre Douville, executive direc-
whatsoever in this arrangement:'
tor at Temple Shir Shalom in West
Earlier this year, Congregation B'nai
Bloomfield.
Moshe in West Bloomfield received a
The ramifications of the financial
proposal from Notting Hill senior and
downturn can still be felt today, but by rehab center across Drake Road to
lending a hand to others, synagogues
rent space in B'nai Moshe's parking lot.
are finally starting to see some gain.
Notting Hill employees needed a place
Three years ago, Pastor Bruce
to park. B'nai Moshe happily agreed.
Burwell of Light of the World Christian
"We were very receptive to the idea
Center (LOWCC), a non-denomina-
before they even offered to rent it,"
tional church, approached Shir Shalom said Steve Fine, executive director at
because his church needed a place to
B'nai Moshe.
conduct services each Sunday. It was a
For $1,000 a month, Notting Hill
perfect situation as Shir Shalom uses a
employees use the north area of the lot
separate location for its Sunday school. to park 30-50 cars each day. A shuttle
The temple receives $2,500 each
transports them to Notting Hill, except
month from the church for the use of
during the High Holidays.
its sanctuary and some office space.
Fine stressed this was not something
"It was never our intent to try and
they were doing to make money, but to
find extra revenue by renting to a
be helpful.
church:' Douville said. "It was never
Temple Beth El in Bloomfield
about money. It was always about
Township also rents part of its parking
`How can we help you?"'
lot. Erhard BMW on Telegraph Road
These past three years, Shir Shalom
was looking for nearby parking.
has built a strong relationship with
"We have a deal with them where
LOWCC. The church joins in food
they basically park both their new and
drives for Yad Ezra, at the annual Walk used cars here. Their employees park
for Israel event and even at the congre- here as well; said Tessa Goldberg,
gation's Passover Seder.
Beth El executive director.
"It's been a very rewarding and
Lines of BMWs can be seen in the
north area of Beth El's parking lot.
satisfying relationship, outside of the
monetary gain:' Douville said.
A shuttle takes Erhard employees
Shir Shalom is not the only syna-
between the dealership and the syna-
gogue to benefit by being a good
gogue — except on the High Holidays.
neighbor.
Goldberg declined to share how much
When Congregation Shaarey Zedek
the temple receives from Erhard.
closed its West Bloomfield B'nai Israel
"It definitely is a great help to our
Center, some congregants who wanted budget:' Goldberg said. "It is a real
to worship nearby asked Temple Kol
win-win situation:'
Ami if they could accommodate them.
Even with all of the struggles these
Kol Ami agreed, and they moved in
local synagogues have faced the past five
in September 2010. Renovations were
years, the ways they have found to boost
needed for worship spaces, so the con-
revenue have never been about making
gregations shared the cost.
money, but rather about helping their
"Currently, B'nai Israel only contrib-
neighbors in the community.
utes the cost of their use of building
As Fine put it, "It's just part of being
supplies, maintenance and utilities:'
a good neighbor"
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