MARCH 2 • 2023 | 27

OUR COMMUNITY

D

avid Glass of 
Huntington Woods, 
writer/content strate-
gist for the Jewish Federation 
of Metropolitan Detroit, will 
be traveling to Israel for the 
first time on Federation’s 
Motor City Mission. 
Glass, 60, grew up in Oak 
Park and has been in the 
advertising business for over 
30 years.
Glass never truly had an 
interest in visiting Israel 
until he started working 
for Federation four years 
ago. Being so immersed in 
Federation on a daily basis, 
including in the Israel & 
Overseas Department, which 
he does a lot of work for, the 
idea of going to Israel became 
a reality. 
“Part of it is job-related 
because I write about Israel 
and obviously being there 
and experiencing it will 
help me in that manner,” 
Glass said. “But every single 
person I’ve spoken to that’s 
been to Israel has said it’s 
been life-changing. I guess I 
want to see what everybody’s 
talking about, for real, as far 
as it being life-altering. It’s 
almost hard to believe it’s that 
impactful.”
As a Federation staff mem-
ber, Glass’ main function on 
the trip will be to help staff 
the mission, being on a bus 
as a point person and making 
sure everybody has a smooth 
trip and a great time. 
“I guess my perspective 
is a little different as a staff 
person, but I’m still going 

to Israel as a Jewish person 
who’s never been, who’s at 
Federation and around it all 
the time,” he said. “It’s not 
to be a tourist, but I’ll be 
in Israel doing it. That’s a 
bonus.” 
Glass will be going with his 
wife, Laurie, who is also mak-
ing the trip for the first time.
“I do want her to be more 
of a tourist,” Glass said. “In 
the couple of meetings we’ve 
had, we got to meet some 
people, there’s been great 
information on how to pack, 
what to bring, what not to 
bring. I’m very excited.”
Glass knows part of 
Federation’s mission is to 
connect the Detroit Jewish 
community with Jewish 
communities around the 
world — and how much 
bridge-building they do 
between Michigan and Israel 

with the partnership region 
in the Central Galilee.
“That’s one of the things 
I’m looking forward to the 
most, getting this real person-
al look into Israel from these 
people from our partnership 
region,” Glass said. “Part of 
our mission is to take care 
of Israel, to build a shared 
sense of Jewish identity. 
There’s something to be said 
about traveling as a Detroit 
Jewish community. I think it’s 
important work.” 
There isn’t a specific sight 
that Glass is most looking 
forward to — it’s simply the 
special feeling and experience 
of Israel that he’s heard so 
much about.
“I’m looking forward to a 
spiritual, moving kind of con-
nection, not just with Israel 
and my Judaism, but in gen-
eral. Life as a whole.” 

David Glass, writer/content strategist for 
Federation, is joining the Motor City Mission.
A Federation First-Timer

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

MOTOR CITY MISSION COUNTDOWN

David and 
Laurie Glass

Shir Tikvah To Present 
Artist-In-Residence 
Rebekka Goldsmith

Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy 
plans a joyful weekend of creative, 
meaningful song, 
learning and prayer 
with professional art-
ist, vocal coach and 
ritual leader Rebekka 
Goldsmith. All voices 
(and people) are wel-
come to join for three 
days of dynamic pro-
gramming for young and old alike. 
On Friday, March 3, at 7:15 p.m. 
will be Kabbalat Shabbat: Beautiful 
music and a joyful Shabbat service 
followed by a delicious oneg.
On Saturday, March 4, at 7 p.m., 
there will be a Community Concert 
where Rebekka will lead participants 
in an interactive and participatory 
evening of communal song. Come 
sing and learn and stay for a lovely 
Havdalah — prayers, spices and 
chocolate to ease the soul back into 
the week. 
On Sunday, March 5, at 9:30 a.m., 
there will be a Family Education 
service and song session. At 10:30 
a.m., enjoy Shema Koleinu: Hear our 
Voice. For generations, Jews have 
used music to mark time, celebrate, 
grieve and pray together. During this 
session, you will learn and sing sev-
eral different kinds of Jewish songs 
(to explore the ways that embodied 
music and silence can connect you 
more deeply to yourself, others and 
the Source of all living beings. 
Join Shir Tikvah’s artist- 
in-residence Rebekka Goldsmith on 
this soul-lifting and widening musi-
cal journey. There will also be some 
time at the end for conversation and 
questions about the session. 
Come if you love to sing. Come 
if you love the idea of singing. All 
voices are welcome. Let’s sing.
Prospective members and 
non-members interested in attend-
ing, contact Executive Director 
Lorelei Berg at Lorelei@ShirTikvah.
org, and she would love to assist 
you in joining us on this special 
weekend. 

Rebekka 
Goldsmith 

