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12 | DECEMBER 9 • 2021 

Fintex Men’s Clothing store. 
Board member Rick Agree said 
his parents, George and Shirley 
Agree, led the group that pur-
chased the four-story building. 
Located at 1457 Griswold 
Street, between Clifford Street 
and Grand River, IADS is mem-
orable for its brightly colored 
window squares.
Walking distance from 
numerous Jewish-owned 
clothing shops and profes-
sional offices, the Downtown 
Synagogue served residents 
and transients alike until the 

1967 civil disturbance hastened 
the flight of the city’s Jewish 
population to the suburbs. The 
synagogue began to falter. IADS 
then became an egalitarian 
congregation and gained addi-
tional new members for weekly 
services.
Dr. Martin Herman, retired 
from Wayne State University, 
served as the Downtown 
Synagogue’s de facto ritual 
director after Rabbi Gamze 
retired. Still a member in his 
90s, Herman has provided 
steady leadership. But, by 2000, 

Members
RICK AGREE
Board; Isaac Agree descendant
Joined 1951
“Isaac Agree was my great-grandfather. 
I never met him but heard wonderful 
things about him from my grandfather, 

Nathan Agree.”

VADIM AVSHALUMOV
Board President
Joined 2012
“The Centennial will be a celebration of 
the individuals who built our community 
over the last 100 years.”

LEOR BARAK 
Former President (two terms), 
2010-2015
Joined 2008
“With a renovated building, the Jewish 
community will have a long-term place 
in Downtown Detroit to be a beacon for Judaism 
throughout the region. While we can conduct activ-
ities anywhere, having a polished, renovated space 
goes a long way to welcoming a diverse group of 
people and holding a wide variety of programming.”

OREN GOLDENBERG
Board VP; 100 Years Committee
Joined 2008 
“100 incredible years, getting ready for 100 
more! Because of its vision being accessi-
ble and inclusive, I felt IADS was a Jewish 
space worth committing my time to — a place where 
I felt comfortable and at home in the city, and a place 
where I felt I could think about what it means to be 
Jewish in Detroit.”

JAY HACK
Board; Capital Campaign; great-great-
grandson of Isaac Agree
Joined 2013
“The vision for the remodeled synagogue, 
that includes collaborative space for 
Jewish organizations, better facilities for children and 
families, a proper environment for the rabbi and staff, 
and, of course, space for Jewish life cycle events, is 
inspiring.”

DR. MARTIN HERMAN 
Former president and board member; 
former Ritual Director
Joined 1989
“I am gratified to have been one of a small 

100 Years of IADS

Longtime leader Martin Herman, circa 2015

OUR COMMUNITY

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Rabbi Silverman talks with young people.

