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The Heart Of Judaism

Birmingham rabbi preaches kindness — and people respond in kind.

Rabbi Tzvi Muller of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chai Center

The marquee at the Birmingham 8 Theatre advertising a recent
Chai Center event

Barbara Lewis | Contributing Writer

W

ith an eagle-eye focus on kind-
ness, Rabbi Tzvi Muller is lead-
ing a small, one-of-a kind con-
gregation in the Birmingham-Bloomfield
Hills area into a bright future.
Muller, rabbi of the Birmingham-
Bloomfield Chai Center (BBCC, or simply
“the Chai Center”), says his vision of
treating fellow people with respect and
dignity follows that of the great sage
Hillel, who said the entirety of Judaism
is treating others as we would want to be
treated ourselves — the rest of Judaism
being commentary.
Muller aims to use his traditional con-
gregation’s programs to show how Jewish
rituals and practice can support the ethi-
cal values at Judaism’s core.
“Most people associate traditional
Judaism with what you can’t do,” said Lisa
Cohen, a volunteer with the congrega-
tion. “However, Rabbi Muller’s message

is about the things you can do, realizing
your vast potential for goodness.
“The scope of his knowledge is unbe-
lievable. He’s warm, personable, very
smart and he can connect with people at
every level of learning.”
Muller welcomes Jews of any back-
ground or stripe to his programs.
“Wherever people may find themselves
on the religious spectrum, they appreci-
ate the Chai Center’s offerings supporting
their ethics, values and inner humanity,”
he said. “The welcoming, unpretentious
and easygoing nature of our congregants
helps make that possible,” he added.

INFORMAL GETTOGETHERS
One of the most successful new programs
is “1st Shabbat” on the first Saturday of
every month. Muller leads a late-morning
discussion about Jewish values and prac-
tices, followed by a luncheon.

Muller says he likes to focus the discus-
sions on how to treat people and bring kind-
ness into interactions with others.
Reva Rosen, a Bloomfield Hills resi-
dent, said, “My husband and I find the
‘1st Shabbat’ discussions instructive and
inspirational. They help us set personal
goals for the month.”
The next “1st Shabbat” program
will take place 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 1. Muller will lead a dis-
cussion on making amends for having
pained others.
The luncheon afterwards will include
a gourmet honey tasting to honor the
upcoming New Year. (Because space is
limited, anyone interested in attending
should RSVP at jvalues@gmail.com.)
“Rabbi Muller’s dynamic and creative
approach to Jewish life has inspired
people to find deeper meaning in their
Judaism and to grow as Jews,” said Jack

Baum of Birmingham, who has been part
of the BBCC community since 1990.
Baum said Muller’s welcoming nature
has brought new people to the Chai
Center. “We are now on a growth track,
with overflowing attendance for our spe-
cial events, even when competing with
the secular calendar,” he said.
For the High Holidays, the rabbi is also
planning educational and meaningful
programs similar to his “1st Shabbat”
get-togethers. There will be no charge for
these, but space is limited.
On Rosh Hashanah, programs will
be held 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday
and Tuesday, Oct. 3 and 4, followed by
a holiday luncheon. For Yom Kippur,
a program will be held 11 a.m.-12:30
p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, but, of course,
without the luncheon. To RSVP for any
of the holiday events, email jvalues@
gmail.com.

continued on page 20

18 September 29 • 2016