pandemic, as we have created a
community-wide website to bet-
ter communicate about resourc-
es and upcoming programming
and educational opportunities.
”
After Purim, the website,
which is hosted by the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit, will remain as a
resource for the synagogues
to continue collaborating on
efforts to serve the Jewish com-
munity. Beth Ahm Executive
Director David Goodman said
the website will be a central
place to learn about and register
for events, classes and other
activities.
FOR ALL AGES
Though there will be none of
the usual in-person revelry of
carnivals, costume parades or
gragger-filled Megillah readings,
leaders in the Conservative
Jewish community say that
online programming will cater
to a variety of age levels, from
family-friendly and traditional
readings to discussions for teens
and young adults about the
Feast of Lots.
Hazzan Daniel Gross of Adat
Shalom in Farmington Hills
said he and Ari Reis, director
of youth and family learning at
Shaarey Zedek, worked to plan
the family musical Megillah
party that is geared for families
with young children but will be
“entertaining for all ages.
”
“We created an original shpiel
based on Cinderella to time
with the premiere of the new
Cinderella movie,
” Gross said.
“Clergy and staff from all the
congregations will perform to
some original musical num-
bers.
”
Rabbi Steven Rubenstein of
Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield
said in typical years, Purim
celebrations happen outside the
home — in a synagogue or out
in the community. But unfor-
tunately, for the health of the
population, celebrations must be
confined to one’s home.
“Purim is a tough holiday
to do on your own from a dis-
tance,
” Rubenstein said. “But I
think that our plans this year
will give everyone an opportu-
nity to feel a real celebration this
Purim even though we will be
online.
”
Rabbi Aaron Starr of Shaarey
Zedek said just as there is no
mention of God in the Megillah
and that instead God’s pres-
ence was conveyed through
the actions of the heroes of the
story, Mordechai and Esther,
we can see parallels in how the
coronavirus story has unfolded
in the last year.
“This Purim, while we cele-
brate from a distance, we give
thanks to today’s heroes: the
scientists who developed the
COVID-19 vaccine and espe-
cially the health care profession-
als who have protected us, cared
for us and who will deliver to us
the vaccine,
” Starr said.
“We seek to follow their lead
and their wisdom. In this way,
by honoring today’s heroes and
yesterday’s heroes, by caring
for others and for ourselves, we
fulfill our role as God’s partners
in the sacred covenant.”
FEBRUARY 11 • 2021 | 25
“WE CREATED AN ORIGINAL SHPIEL
BASED ON CINDERELLA TO TIME
WITH THE PREMIERE OF THE NEW
CINDERELLA MOVIE.”
— HAZZAN DANIEL GROSS
Supported through the generosity of The Jewish Fund and the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Family Foundation.
Need
Housing
Support?
☐ Call jhelp at 1-833-445-4357
☐ Visit jhelp.org
☐ Chat online with a staff
member or schedule a
call at jhelp.org
☐ Do all of the above
X
Q
We Have Answers.