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Legacy Of Relationships

Photos by Glenn Triest

“Rabbi Arnie” Sleutelberg retires from Shir Tikvah to start his Chapter 2.

In photos from a December 1997 JN story about the growth of Shir Tikvah in Troy, Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg meets in a home with the congregation’s high school class. He gives a
student a needed hug and then sits to listen in his characteristic attentive manner.

Barbara Lewis | Contributing Writer

O

n June 30, a changing of the guard
will happen at Congregation Shir
Tikvah in Troy.
Arnold Sleutelberg — “Rabbi Arnie” to
the congregation — is retiring after 28 years.
He’s the only rabbi the congregation has
had, and they are the only congregation he’s
served full time.
His successor, Rabbi Aura Ahuvia, takes
over July 1.
Sleutelberg grew up in a small town south
of Jackson. His parents, Holocaust survivors,
came to Michigan to join a relative who lived
in a nearby town. His father ran a clothing
store in tiny Hudson, population 2,500.
The Sleutelbergs were the only Jewish
family in town, but young Arnie always felt a
strong sense of Jewish identity.
He graduated from Albion College in
1980, and then attended Hebrew Union
College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
As a rabbinic student, he served
Congregation Beth El in Traverse City, and
was hired half time there in 1988, soon after
he was ordained. Shir Tikvah also hired
him half time a few months later and, for
two years, he commuted between Troy and
Traverse City. He joined Shir Tikvah full time
in 1990 and became “rabbi for life” in 2001.
At only 57, Sluetelberg says he wants to
explore other opportunities.
“I still love it,” he said, “I just want to do a
little less of it, and still be young enough and
healthy enough for Chapter 2.”
Chapter 2 includes summer visits to fam-
ily in England and Holland, and a return to
Traverse City in the fall. He’ll lead the same
congregation — now renamed Congregation

10 May 26 • 2016

His own civil marriage to
Robert Crowe, an elemen-
tary school teacher, took
place in Windsor, Ontario, in
2012, and is now recognized
WELCOMING
in the U.S. The couple held
ATMOSPHERE
two Jewish ceremonies the
When Sleutelberg arrived at
same year, one in Crowe’s
Shir Tikvah, the 96-family
native England and a sec-
organization was called the
ond, attended by many of
Troy Jewish Congregation.
their Shir Tikvah family, at
Services were held at
their Lake Orion home.
Northminster Presbyterian
Over the years, Sleutelberg
Church.
has built strong relationships
He liked that services
with non-Jewish religious
Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg
were almost entirely in
groups. His efforts inspired
Hebrew, unusual at the time
several African American
in Reform congregations, and
congregations to create
that everyone participated and sang in full
Passover seders to commemorate their own
voice. Music was so important to members
experience of slavery and their journey to
they incorporated it into their name — Shir
freedom.
Tikvah means Song of Hope — soon after
“He’s represented us very well in the com-
Sleutelberg arrived.
munity,” said Phyllis Wenig, Shir Tikvah
He was also involved in building the
founder.
synagogue, whose architecture seems to
CONNECTING WITH GOD
blend into the surrounding trees. There’s an
Sleutelberg feels he’s been able to help his
outdoor sanctuary in the woods as well as a
congregation connect with God in meaning-
Magen-David-shaped meditation labyrinth.
The rabbi helped guide Shir Tikvah’s affili- ful and fulfilling ways.
“I love to lead prayer services,” he said.
ation with Jewish Renewal and with Reform
Judaism, and believes it is the only congrega- “I see prayer as a means of helping people
transform from the pressures of everyday life
tion in the world with such dual affiliation.
to a place of peace and tranquility.”
Jewish Renewal, he says, is a way of tak-
His sermons are an opportunity to teach,
ing Jewish traditions that may have lost their
meaning for modern Jews and reinterpreting not to preach, he added. Teaching all ages, he
says, is another joy. But he says the best part
them so that they can speak to us today.
of his job has been working with people on a
The congregation welcomes interfaith
personal level.
families, Jews by choice and singles. “We’ve
“What I have cherished most is the deep
performed same-sex marriages in our sanc-
relationships I’ve been able to cultivate with
tuary since we’ve had a sanctuary,” he said.

Beth Shalom after a merger
— one Shabbat every month
as well as on the High
Holidays.

congregants over the years,” Sleutelberg said.
“I’ve been involved in their births, bar and
bat mitzvahs, wedding, losses. That’s the part
of my rabbinate that has humbled and nour-
ished me more than any other.”
He’s inspired at least one congregant to
become a rabbi. Aaron Starr, now rabbi at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield,
was looking forward to his bar mitzvah at
Shir Tikvah when Sleutelberg arrived.
“I remember his very first service, how
he engaged our minds with his words and
lifted our spirits with his song,” Starr said. “I
admire the welcoming community he has
built. I have learned from him the impor-
tance of joyful Judaism, and how powerful
stories and spiritual music further that mis-
sion.”
Congregants say he has a special way of
connecting.
“When he is talking with you, Rabbi Arnie
has the ability to make you feel like you are
the only person in the room, even if the
room is filled to overflowing,” said Michael
Silverstein, a past president. “And no one
hugs like Rabbi Arnie hugs. He has cultivated
a culture of warmth and embraces during his
time at Congregation Shir Tikvah.”
Sleutelberg will remain closely connected
with Shir Tikvah as rabbi emeritus. He’s
looking forward to sitting in the congrega-
tion next to his husband, taking on the role
of “elder” and learning from “Reb Aura,” as
Ahuvia likes to be called.
The congregation will celebrate
Sleutelberg’s retirement with a party
on Saturday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the
synagogue, 3900 Northfield Parkway, Troy.
Tickets are $54 and can be purchased online
at www.shirtikvah.org.

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