“We have always had an inclusive
approach — welcoming all Jews
from all walks of life, no matter
their level of observance,” Silberberg
says. “This open-door policy makes
it comfortable for anyone to come
learn, pray or celebrate in our shul.”
Located near Maple and Orchard
Lake, the Torah Center was built in
1982. At first, the halls echoed with
emptiness and convincing families
to move to the area was no small
task.
“The rabbi had to knock on doors
to get a minyan for Friday nights,”
recalls Jerome Katz, who moved
from Southfield to West Bloomfield
30 years ago with his wife, Malca,
and children, Tamar and Joey.
Why did they move?
“We loved the Rabbi and Chaya
Sara,” Malca recalls. “People have no
idea how amazing those two are —
kind, caring, dedicated.”
The population grew so that by
1998 the building underwent an
expansion. But in the ensuing years,
as the children of the first genera-
tion left to attend college and begin
careers, there were worries about
how to attract new congregants.
Seven years ago, the Torah Center
got the youthful shot in the arm it
needed with the arrival of Rabbi
Shneur and Zeesy Silberberg (she is
32). They work tirelessly to connect
with and inspire young people in the
area.
As outreach and program direc-
tors, they have organized com-
munity-wide youth activities and
programs, such as the annual Shofar
Factory and Chanukah Wonderland.
Shneur, the sixth of 10 children
of Elimelech and Chaya Sara,
teaches the ongoing series of Jewish
Learning Institute courses that con-
nect contemporary subjects with the
religious world.
Every month, Zeesy organizes

a fun, educational evening for the
Jewish Women’s Circle and teaches
Jewish-themed art, music and
cooking classes for young children.
Shneur travels to college campuses
across the state to hold pizza-and-
learning sessions.
They have held community
Pesach seders, Rosh Hashanah din-
ners and monthly Shabbos meals
for singles in their home, all while
juggling the demands of five small
children under age 8.
“We bought our house around
the same time we knew Zeesy and
Shneur were moving in,” recalls
Tamar (Katz) Bernhardt. When she
became engaged to Josh Bernhardt
from San Diego nine years ago, she
was sure she was going to have to
move.
“People were surprised we stayed,”
she says, “but Josh loved the com-
munity and, as an electrical engi-
neer, was able to get a good job.”
The Bernhardts, like the Katzes,
believed the Silberbergs would be
able to attract young couples.
Now the Bernhardts are raising
their three children, Talya, 7, Eitan,
5, and Ma’ayan, 8 months, down the
street from “Saba and Savta.”
So how many families are official
members at the Torah Center?
“About 130,” Silberberg says. “But
that number doesn’t represent the
many hundreds of people we serve
all year with our classes and pro-
grams.
“Our biggest challenge now is that
we’re outgrowing our current build-
ing. We look forward to expanding
our building once again, God will-
ing, to adding classrooms, offices
and play areas.”
Pointing to the strollers crowd-
ing the Torah Center’s entryway on
Shabbos, he smiles and points to the
logjam and says, “That’s a good —
no, a great problem — to have.” •

This Rosh HaShanah,
make a healthy New Year a reality
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Whether the emergency is a terrorist attack or a heart attack, the
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As we ente-r the new year hoping for peace, we must continue to
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If you’re looking to make a difference for Israel and secure the
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than through a gift to MDA. Please give today. Shanah Tovah.

AFMDA Midwest Region
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Northbrook, IL 60062
Toll-Free 888.674.4871 midwest@afmda.org
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O

Josh Goodman and Rochel Leah Silberberg

jn

September 14 • 2017

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