SEPTEMBER 22 • 2022 | 67

Yet prayer in Judaism, 
especially around the High 
Holidays, isn’t always easy, 
Dahlen continues. “It’s a differ-
ent language,
” he says. “It’s not 
something that most young 
people feel competent or com-
fortable or even proficient in.
”
Adding in the element of 
High Holiday liturgy, he adds, 
makes prayer even less accessi-
ble for young adults. 
“We have to try and meet 
young people wherever they 
are,
” he says. “Synagogue life 
is more than just your prayer 
experience. It’s first and fore-
most about community and 
family.
”

GETTING CREATIVE
To build that sense of com-
munity for young adults, 
Shaarey Zedek thinks outside 
of the box. “There are different 
avenues to get close to God,
” 
Dahlen says, “and we [syn-
agogues] need to figure out 
which ones work best for you.
”
One route to take is to sim-
ply add a little creativity to 
High Holiday services. 
“The prayer experience is 
filled with a lot of complexi-
ty,
” he says. “Everything is in 
Hebrew. There are things in 
Aramaic. It’s even harder to 
understand; it’s three or four 
hours long.
”
This can cause some peo-
ple, especially young adults, 
“to open up the prayer book, 
throw their hands up and say, 
‘Well, this is way too much,
’” 
Dahlen describes. 
To improve accessibility 
during the High Holiday expe-
rience, Shaarey Zedek weaves 
in participatory music that 
takes people outside of the 
prayer book and directly into 
the community experience — 
which Dahlen says is success-
ful for engaging young adults.
“People can easily sing 

along,
” he says. “There are dif-
ferent avenues that are just as 
valid as prayer.
”
Shaarey Zedek also priori-
tizes programming geared for 
young adults, such as Shabbat 
professional networking din-
ners, to help younger mem-
bers build a sense of commu-
nity and find meaning in their 
engagement with the syna-
gogue. This, in turn, boosts 
yearlong participation during 
important Jewish events such 
as the High Holidays.
“There’s no expectation of 
praying beforehand,
” Dahlen 
says. “It’s really simple, but 
at the same time, one of the 
best things we can do for our 
Jewish journeys.
”
Alternative services are 
another solution to boost 
young adult engagement. 
Once a month, Shaarey Zedek 
holds education-based services 
to discuss different ethical 
issues that pertain to Jewish 
life. “This seems to be a better 
access point,
” Dahlen says.
Overall, Dahlen says young 
adults are more prone to par-
ticipate in synagogue matters, 
especially around the High 
Holidays, when they find true 
meaning in synagogue life.
“For millennials, I think 
we’re kind of a cynical gener-
ation,
” Dahlen says. “What we 
care about more than anything 
is authenticity.
” 

JOHN HARDWICK

Rabbi 
Yonatan 
Dahlen

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

What Is

Your Plan?.....

Call Us.

We focus on Probate Litigation 

and Administration. Administering 

estates where everyone is on the same 

page. Protecting you from self-dealing 

parties appointed by will, trust or the 

court. Protecting you from family 

members who always want more.

michprobate.com

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

What Is
Your Plan?.....
Call Us.

We focus on Probate Litigation 
and Administration. Administering 
estates where everyone is on the same 
page. Protecting you from self-dealing 
parties appointed by will, trust or the 
court. Protecting you from family 
members who always want more.

michprobate.com

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

What Is
Your Plan?.....
Call Us.

We focus on Probate Litigation 
and Administration. Administering 
estates where everyone is on the same 
page. Protecting you from self-dealing 
parties appointed by will, trust or the 
court. Protecting you from family 
members who always want more.

michprobate.com

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

What Is
Your Plan?.....
Call Us.

We focus on Probate Litigation 
and Administration. Administering 
estates where everyone is on the same 
page. Protecting you from self-dealing 
parties appointed by will, trust or the 
court. Protecting you from family 
members who always want more.

michprobate.com

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

michprobate.com

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

We are here for you 

and any of your 

legal needs during the 

COVID-19 outbreak.

The Probate Law Firm of

The Probate Law 
Firm of

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

What Is

Your Plan?.....
Call Us.

We focus on Probate Litigation 
and Administration. Administering 
estates where everyone is on the same 
page. Protecting you from self-dealing 
parties appointed by will, trust or the 
court. Protecting you from family 
members who always want more.

michprobate.com

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

What Is
Your Plan?.....
Call Us.

We focus on Probate Litigation 
and Administration. Administering 
estates where everyone is on the same 
page. Protecting you from self-dealing 
parties appointed by will, trust or the 
court. Protecting you from family 
members who always want more.

michprobate.com

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

What Is

Your Plan?.....

Call Us.

We focus on Probate Litigation 

and Administration. Administering 

estates where everyone is on the same 

page. Protecting you from self-dealing 

parties appointed by will, trust or the 

court. Protecting you from family 

members who always want more.

michprobate.com

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

The Probate Law 

Firm of

Happy New Year!

