84  September 14  2017 jn

T

he Isaac Agree Downtown 
Synagogue (IADS) will hold 
its 2017 High Holidays at the 
former home of Temple Beth El in 
Detroit  recently renamed the 
Bethel Community Transformation 
Center (BCTC) joining at least 
three other congregations holding 
annual services within the city limits 
this year. 
The other three are Congregation 
Tchiyah, the Reconstructionist 
Congregation of Detroit (RCD) 
and Chabad of Greater Downtown 
Detroit. 
IADS described the move as an 
affirmation of the congregations 
commitment to Detroit, an oppor-
tunity to partner with its neighbors, 
and an affirmation of the congrega-
tions commitment to Detroit and to 
partnering with its neighbors.
The BCTC building, recognized 
by the National Register of Historic 
Places, is undergoing a longterm 
renovation and re-envisioning; it was 
profiled in an April 2017 JN article. 
The effort is spearheaded by local 
Christian and Jewish clergy including 
Downtown Synagogues Rabbi Ariana 

Silverman and building owner Pastor 
Aramis D. Hinds. 
The Days of Awe are a time to 
reflect and return to the values that 
define us, Silverman says. Moving 
High Holiday services to the former 
Temple Beth El building represents 
the Downtown Synagogues commit-
ment to Judaism, justice and Detroit.
The Downtown Synagogues return 
to holding its High Holiday services 
in Detroit, after 20 years in the sub-
urbs, is part of a larger congrega-
tional trend. The Reconstructionist 
Congregation of Detroit (RCD) and 
Congregation Tchiyah, which parted 
ways in 1999, have held joint High 
Holiday services in Detroit for the 
past three years. Before that, RCD 
held its own services in Detroit con-
tinuously since its founding in 1999.
Matt Schenk, immediate past present 
at RCD, sees the up-tick in Jewish activ-
ity below 8 Mile Road as a good sign.  
We are delighted that the com-
munity has now grown to three syna-
gogues holding High Holiday services 
in Detroit, he says. This collabora-
tion is a wonderful step forward for 
the community.  

JUSTIN WEDES 
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

rosh hashanah

JAMIE FELDMAN

CAROL WEISFELD

HIGH HOLIDAYS IN THE D

 IADS will hold services at the Bethel 
Community Transformation Center, 8801 
Woodward Ave. (at Gladstone Street). 
Events are free and open to all, but 
pre-registration is requested online at 
DowntownSynagogue.org or by phone at 
(313) 962-4047. 

 Congregation Tchiyah and RCD will hold 
joint services at Plymouth Church, 600 E. 
Warren Ave., in Detroit. (There is no formal 
Erev Rosh Hashanah service.) Services 
are free and open to all, but registration is 
required by Sept. 15 online at tchiyah.org/
hiho2017.

 Two additional events will be held in 
partnership by all three synagogues: a 
Rosh Hashanah-day tashlich (casting away 
of sins) service at Milliken State Park 
on the Detroit River, and a Yom Kippur 
afternoon of study, minchah, maariv and 
break-the-fast meal at 8801 Woodward 
Ave. Free pre-registration is requested 
online or by phone to any of the three 
congregations.

 Chabad of Greater Downtown Detroit will 
host its second annual Eat Pray Blast on 
both days of Rosh Hashanah and include 
a buffet lunch, prayers and meditation as 
well as the ritual sounding of the shofar. 
The event is free; RSVP on Facebook is 
appreciated by Sept 18.

 JFamily, The Well and NEXTGen Detroit are 
co-hosting a free Rosh Hashanah on the 
River community-wide taschlich event at 
the Belle Isle Boat House on Sunday, Sept. 
24. The Well is also hosting Havdallah 
and Hit The Town Downtown after Yom 
Kippur break fast. More information and 
registration for both events available at 
meetyouatthewell.org/rosh.

For timing and details of all events, visit the 
respective congregations websites. 

D

Four congregations 
to make Motown 
their High Holiday 
home this year. 

In The 
Services

TOP: Exterior of the former Temple Beth El synagogue 

at Woodward and Gladstone in Detroit, recently 

renamed the Bethel Community Transformation Center. 

ABOVE: Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroits 

tashlich on Sept. 10, 2010, at the lighthouse in 

Milliken State Park on the Detroit River.


