AUGUST 24 • 2023 | 19

Guterson, Justin Hamburger, Lauren Kalman, Andrew 
Kaplowitz, Merav Ong, Robert Schefman, Katie 
Shulman, William Irving Singer, Jacob Smith, Lois 
Teicher and Reuben Telushkin. 
“The Metropolitan Detroit Jewish community 
is strongest when we’re united across our diverse 
community and when Jewish life in the city of Detroit 
is strong,” Roberts said. “The Downtown Synagogue 
building is the perfect place to unite with your fellow 
Jewish Detroiters and help build and sustain Jewish life 
in the city. Whether it’s to daven, attend a program, 
co-work, or just have a meal, cocktail or cup of 
coffee, we want the whole community to come join us 
downtown.”
“As we open this new, innovative and 
accessible physical space, we’re also 
building community spiritually,” added 
Samantha Woll, IADS board president since 
2021. “We’re building a warm, friendly 
community of support, and connecting 
people in multiple ways through shared 
values, which will launch additional ideas to 
benefit all of Jewish Detroit and beyond.”
The endurance and vitality of IADS is especially 
personal to Jay Hack, a descendant of Isaac Agree and 
IADS board member. “The Agree Synagogue is a family 
legacy, a current place of belonging for my children and 
family and a future for the broader Detroit community.”
The IADS community is grateful to all who have 
donated to make the vision of this reimagined 
communal space a reality. Funders include the William 
Davidson Foundation, the Jewish Fund, the Max and 
Marjorie Fisher Foundation, the D. Dan and Betty 
Kahn Foundation and the Gilbert Family Foundation, 
as well as more than 300 individual donors from across 
Metro Detroit and the nation.
Because of unprecedented inflation and economic 
challenges over the last few years, some parts of the 
renovation had to be postponed until additional funds 
are raised, particularly turning the rooftop into a 
space that can be used to gather and host events. Also, 
IADS hopes to purchase a parking lot and establish an 
endowment.
“The Downtown Synagogue is a community that 
crosses lines of race, faith, class, gender identity, age 
and geography. It’s a community that embraces families 
in all of their beautiful diversity,” Rabbi Silverman said. 
She invites all to come to the grand re-opening 
Aug. 27 at 11 a.m. and see for themselves the great 
things happening on Griswold Street. Following the 
event, catch a Tigers game at Jewish Heritage Day at 
Comerica Park. 

To learn more and to invest in IADS, contact Rachel Rudman at 

rudman@downtownsynagogue.org. IADS Grand Re-Opening on Aug. 

27 is free and open to the public. Registration is requested and can be 

made at www.downtownsynagogue.org/grandreopening.

Samantha 
Woll

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