34 | SEPTEMBER 26 • 2019 

Jews in the D

individuals may attend some 
services. 
Because services are open 
to the public, security is par-
ticularly important. “We have 
a security plan with amaz-
ing people from the church 
helping as well as the Detroit 
Police Department. For the 
first time we have hired secu-
rity guards,” she 
says.
While logistical 
planning is essen-
tial, rabbis are 
most concerned 
with how to lead 
their congregants 
spiritually during the High 
Holidays. “To properly lead 
the High Holidays, it takes a 
real personal preparation. Elul 
is the month of preparation 
and of closeness to God. I 
take stock of myself,” says 
Rabbi Schneur Silberberg, 
associate rabbi of the Sara 
and Morris Tugman Bais 
Chabad Torah Center in West 
Bloomfield.
He is focused on his “con-
nection to the Almighty and 
others. I am asking myself the 

difficult question — what it 
means to be a Jew and rabbi.” 
Silberberg says he makes 
special efforts to reach out 
to congregants — providing 
added encouragement to those 
who have had a difficult year 
and a “gentle push” to encour-
age increased religious obser-
vance for others.
Silverman says she learns 
from Facebook rabbis’
 groups 
that offer many ideas for this 
time period — including rec-
ommendations for books to 
read and advice to also “take 
care of yourself.” 
To provide time for official 
responsibilities and her own 
family, she eliminates non-
essential meetings during Elul. 
Sukkot enables her to spend 
time with her family in their 
sukkah while fulfilling her 
official role.
“I am mindful of my obli-
gations as a parent as my 
children get older,” Silberberg 
says. He and his wife, Zeesy, 
are involved in running the 
Sherrill Brown Shofar Factory 
— a pre-holiday event requir-
ing a lot of work. 

Silberberg

Rosh Hashanah

Dos is Rosh Hashanah and In shul mir vel gayn 
Mir zaynen farputzt yeder one is zayer shayn.
Mir zitzn un shtayen, zayn a Yid is azay 
shver Ich bin mid, zayer mid. 
Avu is my chair?
But mir zaynen tzuzamen, ich bin never alayn.

Dos is: This is
In shul mir vel gayn: We will go to synagogue 
Mir zaynen farputzt: We are made up beautifully
Yeder: Each
Zayer shayn: So beautiful
Mir zitzn un shtayen: We sit and we stand
Zayn a Yid iz azay shver: to be a Jew is very hard 
Ich bin mid: I am tired
Zayer mid: Very tired
Avu: Where
Mir zaynen tzuzamen: We are together
Ich bin: I am
Alayn: alone

By Rachel Kapen

continued from page 32

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