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.