MARCH 10 • 2022 | 25

F

or 41 years, Alan Yost has been 
a building block of Adat Shalom 
Synagogue.
The Farmington Hills’ synagogue’s 
long-time executive director, who is set 
to retire this month, has carried the con-
gregation through equally successful and 
challenging times, laying the groundwork 
for future generations and Adat Shalom’s 
continued success.
As of March 1, Michael Wolf is serv-
ing as the synagogue’s new executive 
director.
“As our executive director, Alan Yost 
was the heart and soul of Adat Shalom,” 
says synagogue president Joan M. 
Chernoff-Epstein. “He had the vision for 
our future growth and saw us through 

many challenges. He was a jack-of-all-
trades.”
Chernoff-Epstein says Yost always had 
his plate full with organizing, construc-
tion, fundraisers, membership drives, 
staff hirings and community relations. 
“Anything in the daily operations of Adat 
Shalom, he had a hand in its success,” she 
continues.
Even during the interview for this 
story, Yost, 71 of Farmington Hills, was in 
the middle of overseeing roof construc-
tion on a cold and foggy February day, 
showing his unwavering commitment to 
Adat Shalom and Jewish life just weeks 
before retiring.
His motto: “Am Yisrael chai,” or “the 
people of Israel live.”

ENSURING SURVIVAL 
OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE
“I see the survival of the Jewish people and 
the State of Israel linked so closely together,
” 
Yost explains. “I’m a big advocate and strong 
supporter of our community and the Jewish 
people.
”
It’s a lifelong goal that Yost has always 
worked toward. After graduating from 
Wayne State University in 1974 with his 
master’s degree in social work, he imme-
diately dove into working with the Jewish 
community. After working as a program 
director at a JCC in Houston, Yost saw an 
advertisement for a youth director role at 
Adat Shalom.
In November of 1980, Yost was hired 
as the synagogue’s youth director. Yet an 
unexpected opening for executive director 
appeared in July 1981, which Yost applied 
for and got the job. “They took a walk on 
me, so it worked out great,
” he laughed.
Yost’s early years at the synagogue were 
spent creating a game plan for its future suc-
cess. He was also highly involved in the fight 
for freedom for Soviet Jewry alongside his 
wife, Beverly. The two traveled to Russia and 
continued on page 26

OUR COMMUNITY

‘Beacon of Strength’

Adat Shalom’s executive director Alan Yost 
retires after 41 years.

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Alan has maintained 
an open- door policy. In 
his words, “If you have 
questions … if you have 
concerns… if you want to 
stop in and chat or just say 
“hi”… the welcome mat is 
out for you.”

