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Jewish Ferndale
Drasnin-Reuben Photography
Rabbi Finman’s group moves a lineup of
programs to a building of its own.
Shelli Liebman Dorfman | Contributing Writer
A
sk Rabbi Herschel Finman why
bringing Jewish programming
to Ferndale is a top priority, and
he’ll offer a simple, two-part response.
“There are no other Jewish ‘anythings’ in
Ferndale,” he said. “But there are Jews.”
After a year and a half of arranging
events within the city under the name
Jewish Ferndale, it became time to estab-
lish a physical base.
“We have held classes and lectures, pub-
lic Chanukah menorah lightings, Megillah
readings and Purim parties, Lag b’Omer
barbecues and a host of other programs,”
Finman said.
In May, Jewish Ferndale — welcom-
ing Jews of all denominations — found
a home in a former dentist office on the
western edge of the city’s downtown.
With a grand opening set for the fall, the
3,700-square-foot building is currently
undergoing renovations. An industrial
kitchen and ADA-compliant bathrooms
will be installed.
“The upstairs of the residence consists
of four bedrooms and two full baths,
which will be used for offices and rabbi’s
living quarters,” Finman said of the proj-
ect being funded by private donors. “The
basement is ideal for a game room featur-
ing a pingpong or pool table and couches.
A living room with a fireplace will remain,
and a cabana behind the garage may be
made into a mikvah [ritual bath].”
AN ARTIST’S DREAM
The building’s two-car garage will become
the Art Studio of Ferndale, for art to be
created and artists’ work to be displayed.
Finman’s wife, Chana, co-director of
Jewish Ferndale, looks for it to be a con-
tinuation of the Oak Park-based art studio
she has run for many years.
“I also hope other instructors will be
12 July 14 • 2016
attracted to teach what they are passionate
about,” she said. “I hope we can infuse a
Jewishness in all these projects. Perhaps
we will have trips to local studios, muse-
ums and even plein air [in the open air]
painting. Commitment to Judaism, artistic
development, friendship, support to artists
and a safe place to learn is the goal.”
According to Rabbi Finman, “The city
of Ferndale is doing everything in its
power to facilitate our being there. They
recognize a Jewish presence as being a
great anchor for the neighborhood and a
tremendous asset.”
Finman was awarded the Citizens for a
Fair Ferndale 2016 Good Neighbor Award
for his efforts in making Ferndale a wel-
coming and inclusive community and a
better place to live.
“We already have a slew of programs
ready to go once the building is finished,
including being the site of 12-step pro-
gram meetings,” said Finman, who is on-
air facilitator and founder of the Jewish
Hour, Michigan’s only Jewish radio show
on WLQV 1500 AM and faithtalk1500.
com, for which Chana Finman is the arts
and culture representative. The rabbi is
also an adult education Judaic teacher
and provides Jewish-based learning — on
video and in written word — through an
email Listserv.
Upcoming uses of the facility include
game/adult coloring book night, a pop-
up kosher restaurant night, classes and
lectures, a welcome center, a library and
Jewish movie and popcorn night.
For Samm Wunderlich, the more the
better. “I’ve attended menorah lightings
and classes as well as helped plan last
year’s Sukkah in the ‘Dale’ event at a local
bar,” said Wunderlich, 28, who lives in
Ferndale. “The Lag b’Omer event this year
was wonderful, and I loved that the crowd
Rabbi Herschel and Chana Finman have big plans for the new home of Jewish Ferndale.
was very diverse, not just
young professionals and
not just older community
members. Different ages
and different religious
levels. Very welcoming and
accepting.”
SO GREEN
Plans have begun for the
care of the three-quarters
of an acre of land sur-
rounding the building,
with some classes meeting Elizabeth Scafe and Melanie Rivkin study with Rabbi
Finman outside the home, which is being renovated.
outside this summer.
“We have planted fruit
trees along the property
nursing homes and public safety,” said
line in an area we will call
Finman, who is the official chaplain of the
chakal tapuchin kadishin, the holy apple
police and fire department and volunteer
orchard, that will provide a meditative
chaplain at both the city’s only nursing
reflection space,” Rabbi Finman said. “We
home and Kingswood Psychiatric Hospital.
have also been in contact with the Detroit
“I also provide education and dialogue
Chapter of Hazon: Jewish Movement for
Sustainable Communities. Its members are to assist in an understanding among the
on board to provide volunteers to maintain communities in Ferndale,” he said.
“Ferndale welcomes diversity. It’s a cool
the grounds by turning it into an urban
city with a vibrant downtown, and its cen-
farm. Jewish Ferndale would also provide
tral location makes it easily accessible to
an avenue for schoolchildren and con-
almost anywhere.”
cerned adults to learn about sustainable
For Wunderlich, “Having a Jewish pres-
food and nutrition.”
ence in Ferndale is wonderful. Growing
An enclosed porch area will be used as
up here, the city has a strong sense of
a green house. “We are also investigating
community and camaraderie, things I’ve
wind power and vertical gardens on the
also grown to love now with my increased
walls of the building,” he added.
involvement in the Jewish community,” she
“In addition, Solar Cascade, a nonprofit
said. “I am also excited to see Jews living
organization dedicated to supplying solar
energy, has pledged to donate solar panels in Ferndale who may not be active in the
community currently get more involved
to help with energy costs. A well is in the
now that there is something here. I am just
plans to help lower the water bill for the
very excited to see this grow.”
farm and mikvah.
“Jewish Ferndale will act as a central-
Jewish Ferndale is located at 1725 Pinecrest. For infor-
ized clearinghouse for all things Jewish in
mation or to make a donation, visit jewishferndale.
Ferndale, including being a liaison with
com or call Rabbi Herschel Finman at (248) 798-5087.
the community at large, city government,
*