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 [jpg -0 3-03 THE e E — NT 6- ER le a the Flo school May 22 • 2014 Jewish Federation ' OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT ri =511 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" ❑ 1912160