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Visceral Learning
CSZ sixth-graders learn about tefillin,
from construction to wearing.
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n April 19, Congregation Shaarey Zedek sixth-
grade religious school learners, each with an
adult family member, gathered to learn about
the mitzvah of wearing tefillin. Visiting sofer Rabbi Levi
Kagan of Oak Park taught the group about the different
scrolls that make up tefillin and the different animal prod-
ucts used to produce the sacred boxes.
The families also had the opportunity to use the sofer's
turkey feather quill to try Hebrew calligraphy on a piece of
parchment paper.
Wearing tefillin is quite literally wearing scrolls of Torah
verses on the body. Neuroscience has demonstrated the
connection between body and mind, that physical experi-
ences leave an indelible mark on our minds and emotions.
Tefillin practice is indeed quite visceral.
This is not a mitzvah to be taken lightly. As CSZ's
Hazzan David Propis explained to the group, the mitzvah
of wearing tefillin is not gender exclusive. Boys and girls
are encouraged to lay tefillin at Shaarey Zedek the week
leading up to their b'nai mitzvah. The sixth-grade families
now have a deep understanding of the properties and
meaning of tefillin.
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Rachel Nakisher of Huntington
Annie Citron of Huntington
Woods
Woods
AIL
Adam Arnold of Farmington Hills
Ethan Findling and Jacob Dwoskin of Huntington
Woods, Sam Kramer of Bloomfield Hills
Survivor's Story
Real Thing
Moishe House hosts a gathering on Yom HaShoah.
Joshua Nelson brings
gospel into the scope of
synagogue music.
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n Holocaust Remembrance Day or
Yom HaShoah, April 16, nearly 30
young Detroiters came together
to hear Holocaust survivor Miriam Ferber
share her story at Moishe House in Royal
Oak. The guests spent 30 minutes meeting
Miriam and Fred Ferber before the talk,
and then listened to Miriam's story.
The event was a partnership with Moishe
House, the Ramah Fellows and Repair the
World Detroit.
One participant at the event said that
this was the most meaningful event he's
attended.
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Miriam Ferber shares her story at
Moishe House.
A gathering of young people came to hear Ferber's story of survival.
32
April 30 • 2015
Jeff Moss and Estee Moss of
Bloomfield Hills
hen Oprah Winfrey names
an artist "the next big thing:'
you can be sure they have
talent. But Jewish gospel singer Joshua
Nelson takes talent to a whole new level.
He amazed the bustling crowd April
19 at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield
with epic vocals, exquisite piano and
Hammond organ solos, and a group of
Kosher Gospel Singers that could be heard
out in the parking lot.
While most Jews associate Jewish music
with the traditional sounds of Eastern
Europe or North Africa, many American
Jewish artists are now bringing other
musical material into the scope of syna-
gogue music. Nelson is the best example,
studying under gospel greats and com-
pletely at home in the genre.
Cantor Michael Smolash, who brought
Nelson to Temple Israel, said, "Lots of syn-
agogues try to include a gospel-style piece
here and there, but when you have heard
someone like Joshua, you realize that we
never even come close to the real thing:'
The Laker Concert is sponsored in lov-
ing memory of Sarah and Harry Laker.
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Joshua Nelson in full gospel mode
Nelson gets into the crowd.