52 | JULY 14 • 2022 

JAMIE FELDMAN

OUR COMMUNITY

A

s the Isaac Agree Downtown 
Synagogue will be out of 
its historic building for the 
remainder of the year due to its com-
prehensive renovation, they are in a 
time of their own diaspora. 
 To bring its community 
together and build rela-
tionships, the synagogue 
is presenting the Diaspora 
Dinner Series — a rotation 
of Downtown Synagogue 
members welcoming new 
and familiar faces to their 
home (or backyard) for a 
Friday night Shabbat meal 
each month.
Hosts and attendees for 
July and August are now being booked. 
Upcoming dinner dates include July 
15, July 22, Aug. 19 and Aug. 26. Those 
interested in hosting a dinner at their 
home and/or attending a dinner are 
invited to fill out a form that can be 
found at www.downtownsynagogue.
org/services.
The idea came about this past spring 
at a board meeting as construction 
on the building began, said Nicole 
Feinberg, community, engagement 
and advancement manager at the 
Downtown Synagogue.
“We were looking for ways to encour-
age more engagement and connection 

between our community members 
coming back in person and just finding 
creative ways to enhance their Shabbat 
experience while we’re still out of our 
normal building,” Feinberg said. “It’s 
just a nice opportunity for 
everybody to reconnect with 
the community they haven’t 
seen in a couple years.”
The series kicked off in 
May. Feinberg says the din-
ners have gone well. 
“We’ve had a couple din-
ners centered on families 
with children so families 
and parents can meet 
other parents in the area,” 
Feinberg said. “There’s been 
some other ones with older folks that 
can connect in retirement. It’s been 
really great. People have made a lot of 
new friends and connections.”
Feinberg says the series could be 
something that continues after the ren-
ovations are done.
“We hope so, Maybe it will be less 
frequent. We’re doing it twice a month 
right now. But definitely, especially in 
the summer months where people can 
be outside and it’s an alternative to 
coming down to the city every week-
end,” she said. “Our focus once we’re 
back in the building is of course to go 
back to normal Shabbat services, where 

we have meals, but I think it would be 
nice to find a way to continue some-
thing like this.”
Feinberg says the dinners are open to 
anybody, whether they’re a member or 
someone looking to learn more about 
membership or the synagogue in gen-
eral.
“This is a really nice way to get a feel 
for our community and meet people, so 
it’s open to the public,” Feinberg said. 
“Our hope is that our community can 
maintain the connection of Shabbat and 
the ritualistic aspect of coming together 
and sharing a meal and just really stay-
ing connected and being creative with 
how we can offer these opportunities 
for our members.” 

Downtown Synagogue kicks off series during building renovation
Diaspora Dinner Series

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

The Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue is 
being renovated.

Nicole Feinberg

Darchei Torah Hosts Summer Food Plan

Yeshivas Darchei Torah is sponsoring 
a Summer Food Service Program for 
children. 
 Free meals will be made available to 
children 18 years of age and under or 
persons up to age 26 who are enrolled 
in an educational program for the 
mentally or physically disabled that is 

recognized by a state or local public 
educational agency. 
 The meals will be provided without 
regard to race, national origin, age, sex 
or disability, and there will be no dis-
crimination in the course of the meal 
service.
Campers must be enrolled in the 

program to receive the meals, which 
will be provided through July 29 at 
Yeshivas Darchei Torah Campus, 21550 
W. 12 Mile Road in Southfield. Lunch 
is served between 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. A 
snack is served between 2-4:30 p.m.
For more information, call (248) 948-
1080. 

