20 | JULY 7 • 2022

T

roy’s Congregation
Shir Tikvah (Song of
Hope) was formed
in 1982 as the Troy Jewish
Congregation by two mothers
desiring conveniently located
Jewish education for their
children.
After developing and
understanding its identity as
a congregation, Shir Tikvah
joined the Reform movement.
It began attracting new mem-
bers looking for a smaller,
inclusive, come-as-you-are
congregation. Today, Shir
Tikvah serves members from
throughout Metropolitan
Detroit and is a convenient
congregation for families
living along the I-75 and

Woodward corridors.
In keeping with the Reform
movement, Shir Tikvah makes
no distinction between those
who are born Jewish, who
are Jews by Choice or who
are non-Jewish partners. It
is also equally welcoming to
individuals and families of all
backgrounds, races, ethnici-
ties, disabilities, sexual orien-
tations and gender identities.
“We strive to be
a spiritual home
for everybody,”
said Shir Tikvah’s
Rabbi Alicia
Harris. “We’re a
singing communi-
ty. Our services are
super-dynamic, they’re inter-

active, and it’s a place we hope
anybody can walk into and
feel welcome and spiritually
engaged.”
In 1988, Shir Tikvah wel-
comed Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg
and flourished with him as its
spiritual leader. With his inspi-
ration, Shir Tikvah joined the
Renewal movement, being one
of the few congregations with
joint Reform and Renewal
affiliation in North America.
In 2015, Rabbi Arnie
announced his plan to retire
and now serves as Rabbi
Emeritus. Rabbi Aura Ahuvia
became head rabbi in July
2016 but left the congregation
in the summer of 2020. In July
2020, Shir Tikvah welcomed

Harris as the head rabbi.
Besides Harris, Shir Tikvah
has two full-time staff members,
Director of Lifelong Learning
Sarah Chisholm and Executive
Director Lorelei Berg.
Tikkun olam is at the fore-
front of Shir Tikvah in many
ways, with an army of volun-
teers providing shelter and food
to those who need it, and social
activities for all.
Shir Tikvah’s Sisterhood

Rabbi Alicia
Harris

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY

SYNAGOGUE SPOTLIGHT

Troy’s Congregation Shir Tikvah celebrates its diversity.

A Spiritual Home
for Everybody

Watch “Ask
the Rabbi”
with Rabbi
Alicia Harris.

The exterior of Shir Tikvah

The sanctuary at Shir Tikvah.

PHOTOS COURTESY PAUL STOLOFF PHOTOGRAPHY