metro >> around town Visceral Learning CSZ sixth-graders learn about tefillin, from construction to wearing. 0 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. ❑ 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. 0 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. ❑ W 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. ❑ Joshua Nelson in full gospel mode Nelson gets into the crowd.