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