We thank the following foundations for their generous grant support of the work of the Downtown Synagogue:
The Jewish Fund for their support of our Tzedek Detroit Project, a project committed to fostering a more racially and economically equitable Detroit through repairing and rebuilding relationships among the Jewish and Black Communities in Detroit.
Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation for their support of our Dor Detroit Project, a project dedicated to meet the needs of a growing Jewish Detroit population through expanded young adult and family-focused programming.
Hermelin Davidson Center for Congregation Excellence for their support of our Racial Inclusion project, a project that supports the continuation of our dedicated works towards a more racially equitable and inclusive Jewish community, and our Enhancing Community Shabbats initiative.
Additionally, we thank the following foundations for their support in Reimagining The Downtown Synagogue through our comprehensive building renovation:
Norman and Esther Allan Foundation • Mandell L. and Madeleine H. Berman Foundation • William Davidson Foundation • Max and Marjorie Fisher Foundation • Gilbert Family Foundation • The Jewish Fund • D. Dan and Betty Kahn Foundation • Donald R. and Esther Simon Family Foundation • Ben Teitel Fund
The Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue has received significant media attention. Here’s our most recent local and national coverage:
The Detroit News: Detroit’s last free-standing synagogue is getting a $6M makeover
The Detroit Jewish News: Downtown Synagogue Block Party Celebrates Centennial and Groundbreaking
The Detroit Jewish News: Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue Renovation Construction Begins
JTA: Detroit’s last synagogue, now turning 100, hopes to be a beacon of the city’s Jewish communal future
The Forward: The last free-standing synagogue in Detroit is growing fast--and set for $5M renovation
Here’s a collection of some of our press coverage over the past few years:
Architects Newspaper
A design competition brings kaleidoscopic Sukkahs to downtown Detroit
Curbed Detroit
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue Building starts power washing, facade improvements
The Downtown Synagogue is getting a new mural
Sukkah installations arrive in downtown Detroit
Crain’s Detroit Business
Detroit Downtown Synagogue Undergoes $4.5 Million Renovation
Deadline Detroit
A Free Haircut And A Little Joy and Dignity at the Downtown Synagogue
Documentary: A Detroit Garden Bring Blacks and Jews Together
Downtown Synagogue to Host High Holiday in Detroit; First Time in 20 Years
Mural Symbolizing Happiness and Good Luck Goes Up on Detroit's Downtown Synagogue
Detroit Downtown Synagogue to Get $4.5-million Renovation
Detroit Free Press
Detroit veterans, seniors enjoy the holiday haircuts
Homeless Detroit men treated to free shave, haircut
Sukkah x Detroit celebrates design and the Jewish holiday Sukkot
Detroit Jewish News
The Binds that Tie: Black and Jewish Communities Both Share a Common Abhorance of the Evils of Slavery
Passover: Detroit Style
The Downtown Synagogue's Torah scrolls take a ride up Woodward Avenue
Fred and Arlene Frank each lead a local synagogue
Dancing In The D: Downtown Synagogue Holds A Festive Simchat Torah Service
Sukkah x Detroit at Capitol Park
Common Thread- Synagogues Led By Women
A New Generation of Jewish Families in Detroit
i.Detroit Spotlights 100 Detroiters and Their Community Involvement
To RBG, with Love: Jewish Bar Association of Michigan to Honor Revered Supreme Court Justice
Musician-in-Residence Uplifts Downtown Synagogue
IADS Wants Your Memories
A Passion for Healing Detroit: Meet Jodee Raines, New Detroit Inc.’s New Jewish Ally
Downtown Synagogue Plans $4.5 Million Renovation
The Hermelin Davidson Center Makes an Impact Throughout the Community
Celebrate 8 Nights of Chanukah with the Downtown Synagogue
Downtown Synagogue Celebrates Centennial and Plans to Enhance its Future
Jewish Women’s Foundation Announces Grants
Downtown Synagogue Kicks Off Diaspora Dinner Series During Building Renovation
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue Renovation Construction Begins
Downtown Synagogue Block Party Celebrates Centennial and Groundbreaking
Detroit Metro Times
Rebuilding the temple
Detroit News
Detroit Synagogue gets first Rabbi in 16 years
Detroit Synagogue appoints Executive Director
Detroit Designed abodes centerpiece of Jewish holiday
Community Foundation awards $14M in grants to southeast Mich. groups
Forward
Growing a New Eden (Garden) in Detroit
The last free-standing synagogue in Detroit is growing fast — and set for a $5 million renovation
Hour Detroit Magazine
Rebuilding the Bridges Between Detroit's Jewish and African-American Worshippers
Huffington Post
Detroit Synagogue Relies On Crowd-Sourcing For Building Renovation Campaign (VIDEO)
Detroit Synagogue Sparks Resurgence Of Downtown Jewish Life
Hyperallergic
Detroit’s Downtown Synagogue Put Their Best Sukkah Forward
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Detroit’s last synagogue, now turning 100, hopes to be a beacon of the city’s Jewish communal future
Michigan Radio (NPR)
What does it mean to be neighbors again for Black and Jewish communities in Detroit?
The Last Shul In Detroit
MLive
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, Detroit’s last freestanding one, launches fundraising campaign
L.A. muralist Bunnie Reiss puts final touches on Detroit's Downtown Synagogue
ModelD Media
Downtown Synagogue launches crowdfunding campaign to keep its programming free
Downtown Synagogue to begin renovations with grant money
Young, diverse, and full of moxie, Detroit’s Jewish community is making a comeback
Faithfully theirs: Young Jewish Detroiters engage community life, embrace urban identity
Downtown synagogue hires rabbi, plans major renovations
Rabbi Ariana Silverman finds new ways to connect the Jewish community in Detroit amid the pandemic
Moment Magazine
Jewish life in Detroit isn’t dead. In fact, it’s having a hipster rebirth
My Jewish Detroit
Motor City Synagogue: Let there be Lights, Shabbat and Parties
Downtown Synagogue to Bring High Holy Day Services Back to Historic Beth El Building
Pause With Pittsburgh
Together We Remember-In honor of those we lost, we commit to strengthening the Jewish community by coming together in a moment of solidarity.
Urban Innovation Exchange
Leor Barak
WDET
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue Set For Renovation
Christian and Congregations Come Together in Historic Place of Worship
We have shared many simchas together, including baby namings, b’nai mitzvah, conversion ceremonies, auf ruf celebrations, and weddings.
We have collaborated with many other organizations including PresenTense, NextGen, Hillel of Metro Detroit, Moishe House, JTot, Jewish Historical Society of Michigan, Keshet, Riverfront East Congregational Initiative, Detroit Jews for Justice, Repair the World, Hazon, Cohn-Haddow, Chabad, Detroit Interfaith Outreach Network, Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit, and BBYO, in addition to developing exciting partnerships with other synagogues, houses of worship, and community organizations.
Many local and national tours visit our iconic, historic building and it’s been photographed extensively for a variety of publications.