24 | JUNE 9 • 2022 

C

ongregation T’chiyah, Ferndale’s 
resident Reconstructionist con-
gregation, has a central goal of 
providing meaningful programming and 
spiritual experiences for its members 
while also integrating deep commitments 
to social justice in a warm, welcoming 
and inclusive community. T’chiyah’s 
goals, which align closely with the 
Reconstructionist movement as a whole, 
have also aligned with the congregation’s 
growth over the past seven years. 
Reconstructionism Judaism was found-
ed in the United States in the mid-20th 
century, based on the ideals of Rabbi 
Mordecai Kaplan. Kaplan understood 
Judaism as the “evolving religious civili-
zation of the Jewish people” that is con-
tinually reconstructed as it responds to 
contemporary society, rather than being 
fixed and unchanging. Kaplan was also 
committed to a vision of social progres-
sivism, a hallmark of Reconstructionist 
communities.
T’chiyah means “revival,” “rebirth” 
and “renaissance” in Hebrew. When 
Congregation T’chiyah was founded as a 
chavurah (circle of friends) in 1977, the 
founders picked the name as an homage 
to the newly built Renaissance Center 
in Downtown Detroit, a reflection of its 
approach to Judaism. 
The congregation has had a few homes 

over the years, including space in the St. 
Mary’s Community Center in Greektown 
and the David and Miriam Mondry 
Building in Oak Park on the Taubman 
Jewish Community campus. The congre-
gation now gathers in a dedicated room 
in the First United Methodist Church in 
Ferndale on the west side of Woodward 
Avenue between 8 and 9 Mile roads.
After years of being led and supported 
by its own membership, visiting rabbis, 
rabbinical students and scholars, Rabbi 
Jason Miller became the congregation’s 
first rabbi in August 2008. The congre-
gation engaged Rabbi Shawn Zevit as its 
visiting rabbi for the 2012-13 year. During 
the 2013-2014 year, services were lay-led. 
Seven years ago, the congregation hired 
Rabbi Alana Alpert as a part-time rabbi. 
Since her arrival, T’chiyah’s membership 
has nearly tripled in size and attracted 
a group of enthusiastic millennials and 
new families from diverse 
backgrounds. Rabbi Alana’s 
flexible, creative services are 
a beloved feature of her lead-
ership, facilitating a holistic 
experience of spirituality 
incorporating music, medita-
tion and poetry.
Rabbi Alana has enhanced the congre-
gation’s social justice efforts in a major 
way. During her seven-year part-time ten-

ure, she was also the executive director of 
Detroit Jews for Justice (DJJ), the commu-
nity organizing initiative that grew from 
her hire and T’chiyah’s desire to become 
the social justice shul in Metro Detroit. DJJ 
has seen rapid development and growth, 
as has the congregation, which led to 
T’chiyah recently bringing Rabbi Alana on 
as its full-time rabbi. 
Outgoing president Mary Ellen 
Gurewitz believes Rabbi Alana’s work and 
the synergy between DJJ and T’chiyah has 
attracted people — serving as a pathway 
for many Metro Detroit Jews to delve into 
social justice work in a Jewish way. 
“The opportunity to engage in social 
justice activities through a Jewish organi-
zation is clearly something many people 
are very responsive to and grateful for,” 
Gurewitz said. 
Koby Levin, whose dad, Andy Levin, 
was president of T’chiyah some years ago, 
became president in May 2022. Gurewitz 
served as president for the last four years. 
T’chiyah also hired Jake Ehrlich, now 
operations and engagement manager, 
thanks to a grant from the D. Dan and 
Betty Kahn Foundation in 
June 2018.
With the significant growth 
and forward change, T’chiyah 
has seen a shift in member-
ship. 

Congregation T’chiyah has tripled in 
size in seven years. 

Inclusive, Progressive 
Reconstructionism

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

Rabbi Alana 
Alpert

Koby Levin

Rabbi Alana Alpert 
on piano and Jake 
Ehrlich on guitar 
lead a musical 
service.

OUR COMMUNITY
SYNAGOGUE SPOTLIGHT

