20 | AUGUST 3 • 2023 

Now Rabbi Emeritus Dannel 
Schwartz is proud to witness Shir 
Shalom’s expansion. A mission-driven, 
post-denominational congregation is 
what was needed in Detroit around 
the time of Shir Shalom’s creation, 
Schwartz says, and the continued 
growth shows there’s still something 
to that.
“During the pandemic, a lot of 
congregations lost members, but we 
gained them. We’re not just a service 
station; we’re a meaningful place in 
people’s lives,” Schwartz said. “The 
rabbis really care, and they’re attentive 
to their roles as not merely a rabbi, but 
as a friend. I think Rabbi Moskowitz 
and Rabbi Schwartz have made that a 
part of their being.”
Shir Shalom represents a cross section of the Jewish world, 
and even at 900+ families, the congregation prides itself on being 
intimate. 
“I think we’ve held true to our mission, from what Rabbi 
Dannel Schwartz envisioned and what 30 families hoped for 
when they first came to him and said we want you as our rabbi,” 
Moskowitz said. 
“People being connected to one another, caring for each other 
and engaging through relationships. I think that’s really what has 
helped us succeed 35 years later.” 

Rabbis Dannel 
Schwartz and Michael 
Moskowitz beside the 
almost-complete Shir 
Shalom building in 
1995.

Rabbi Dannel Schwartz 
carries a Torah during 
a march to the new 
Shir Shalom building in 
1995.

OUR COMMUNITY
SYNAGOGUE SPOTLIGHT

continued from page 19

Hadassah, The Women’s 
Zionist Organization of 
America, voted to adopt 
two new policy statements, 
“Strengthening the Abraham 
Accords” and “
Affirming 
Support for Reproductive 
Health Medication,” at the 
organization’s annual National 
Business Meeting, which was 
held in Chicago. 
 The two statements reflect 
Hadassah’s commitment to 
ensuring the peace that is 
critical to Israel’s security and 
prosperity, and protecting 
access to reproductive health 
services.

“
As a Zionist organization, 
we recognize how important 
continued American 
leadership is for the future 
of the Abraham Accords and 
Israel’s vitality,” said Rhoda 
Smolow, Hadassah’s National 
President. “Hadassah is 
committed to safeguarding 
Americans’ right to access all 
forms of birth control and 
reproductive health care, and 
we will continue to champion 
policies that advance these 
protections.” 
“Strengthening the 
Abraham Accords” reaffirms 
Hadassah’s position that 

American leadership is critical 
to ensuring that Israel has 
strong, peaceful relationships 
with its neighbors. Hadassah 
calls on officials to establish a 
U.S. State Department Special 
Envoy for the Abraham 
Accords with the rank of 
Ambassador, to join forces 
with the House and Senate 
Abraham Accords caucuses to 
strengthen their impact, and 
to promote contributions of 
medical partnerships.
“
Affirming Support 
for Reproductive Health 
Medicine” reaffirms 
Hadassah’s support for 

legal protections for 
patients, providers and 
allies who facilitate access 
to reproductive care, and 
Hadassah’s commitment 
to advocating for complete 
and affordable access 
to reproductive health 
services, including 
medication. Hadassah calls 
on policymakers to expand 
access to medication, such as 
mifepristone, that can mitigate 
a wide range of severe health 
effects and protect both those 
seeking and those providing 
reproductive care from legal 
and civil action. 

Hadassah Adopts New Policy Statements