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.