I

t was a warm, spiritual and total-
ly welcoming Shabbat service as 
Congregation Shir Tikvah honored 
Rabbi Alicia Harris on her installation at 
Shir Tikvah on March 11.
The rabbi’s family, special guests from 
Jewish, Muslim and interfaith groups, 
along with Mayor Ethan Baker of Troy, 
Mayor Roslyn Grafstein of Madison 
Heights, and Sooji Min-Maranda, the 
executive Director of ALEPH, joined the 
congregation to celebrate the new rabbi 
and spiritual leader. Expressing support 
from afar, a congratulatory letter was read 
from Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 
President Rabbi Rick Jacobs.
After two years of worship at a distance, 
the sanctuary was full of song, prayer and 

a feeling of a new beginning. “It was us — 
it was like us in the pre-pandemic days,” 
said Lorelei Berg, executive director at Shir 
Tikvah. “It felt so good to finally be back 
together, in our building, in community.”
Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg, Rabbi Emeritus 
of Shir Tikvah, spoke to the congrega-
tion, recalling how they supported his 
time at Shir Tikvah and will do the same 
for Rabbi Alicia. With heartfelt remarks, 
he spoke directly to the rabbi, “You are 
the real deal, so deeply caring … able to 
express that caring in a way we feel palpa-
bly.” 
The installation was conducted by Rabbi 
Alicia’s friend and local colleague Rabbi 
Jennifer Lader of Temple Israel. Lader, 
along with the congregation, led the bless-

ings for Rabbi Alicia. 
 Rabbi Lader told the parable about 
blessing a tree so that all its seedlings 
grow: “It’s in that way Rabbi Alicia will 
lead the congregation, encouraging growth 
for all its members,” she continued. “With 
Rabbi Alicia at the helm, Shir Tikvah will 
continue to be a place where not only all 
are welcome but are celebrated … for the 
tent is open wider and wider.”
During Friday’s service, Rabbi Alicia 
spoke of how she was called to Shir 
Tikvah. As a new rabbi looking for a con-
gregation during a pandemic, she faced a 
job search where no one was meeting in 
person. Even with only virtual interviews 
and no on-site visits, her beliefs and how 
she expressed them made it clear to the 
Shir Tikvah Search Committee that they 
had found a match. Rabbi Alicia started 
with Shir Tikvah in July 2020 as an inter-
im rabbi and became the principal rabbi in 
July 2021. 
From the strong connection that’s devel-
oped to the double rainbow in the sky 
after Yom Kippur services, Rabbi Alicia 
knows she has found her place. 
“There have been a million moments 
that have pointed me here, to this 
moment, this time,” she said. 
The celebratory installation Shabbat ser-
vice included a festive oneg with a “to-go” 
option. Saturday’s festivities brought a vir-
tual Havdalah and Schmooze and Jewish 
Bingo with Rabbi Arnie. Rabbi Alicia was 
presented with a video from the congre-
gation. Members recorded messages of 
encouragement, memories and thanks. 
On Sunday, as families gathered for 
services, the Religious School madrichim 
presented Rabbi Alicia with a bejeweled 
kippah made by a Shir Tikvah member. 
Shir Tikvah has dedicated a fami-
ly tzedakah project to celebrate Rabbi 
Alicia’s installation. Students in religious 
education classes decorated tzedakah 
canisters for every family at Shir Tikvah. 
Throughout the year, families are encour-
aged to contribute to what will become a 
donation to HIAS, a group that supports 
services to refugees and asylum seekers 
around the world. 
Rabbi Alicia arrived at Congregation 

SHIR TIKVAH

IT’S OFFICIAL! 
Shir Tikvah Installs 
Rabbi Alicia Harris.

KATHRYN NELSON AND VALERIE MERCADANTE SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

24 | MARCH 31 • 2022 

OUR COMMUNITY

Rabbi Alicia Harris 
and Rabbi Arnie 
Sleutelberg

