Events
Upcoming events:
Aufruf ceremony for Mitch Alexander and Barbara Blum: Saturday, May 5th from 9:30am-12:00pm @ IADS
These two Downtown Synagogue members hope members and friends will join them as they begin a month of pre-wedding celebrations with the Aufruf as part of our regular Shabbat services. Mitch, Barbara, and Barbara’s parents (Dr. George Blum and Mrs. Joyce Blum) will be sponsoring the Kiddish lunch following services. Remember, all Jewish celebrations come with good food!
Lunch and Learn, Monday, May 7 at 12:00 @IADS with Judge David Groner
We are very lucky to have Judge David Groner, who will be speaking on law and ethics. Judge Groner, one of the most respected legal minds in the region, was first elected to serve on the Wayne County Third Circuit Court in 2004, famously presiding over the case of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Free Kosher lunch will be provided. Please RSVP if possible.
The IADS book club: Wednesday, May 9th at 7:00pm @ IADS
We will be reading the short story “The Kiss of G-d” by Edmund Fleg on p. 161 of the green anthology The Jewish Caravan by Leo W. Schwartz which is available by contacting DaVid Powell, Karen Knox, or Sydney Skully at srskully@comcast.net. We will be using this anthology for the next five months.
Lag Ba’Omer bonfire: Thursday, May 10th at 9:00pm
This event will be held at: 33 East Parkhurst, Detroit 48203. Join us for a bonfire and bow arrows as we commemorate the Jewish revolution. Bring your own food, beer and bow and arrows!
Partners in Torah Lunch and Learn: Monday, May 14th at 12:00pm @ IADS with Rabbi Leiby Burnham
The topic will be “Truth or Dare: What Happened at Sinai 3,324 Years Ago.” Shavuot (May 27-28) is the holiday when we celebrate the Jewish people receiving the Torah at Mt Sinai. But did an entire nation really see G-d speaking to them from the top of a mountain in the desert? Join us for this discussion where we will try to dissect this momentous event in Jewish History in a scientific manner. A delicious lunch will be provided by Partners in Torah.
Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metro Detroit Shabbat: Friday, May 18that 7:00pm @IADS
The trustees and board of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metro Detroit will be providing us with good food, good company and our evening’s D’Var Torah. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming them!
Rosh Chodesh Women’s Circle of IADS: Tuesday, May 22nd at 7:00 PM @ IADS
Weather permitting, we may go to a nearby outdoor venue. This being “Ethics Month”, Rabbi Dorit will be leading group sessions focusing on values clarification revolving around Jewish moral issues. Please contact Sydney Skully at srskully@comcast.netfor questions.
Shavuot service: Monday, May 28that 9:00am, Yizkor will begin at approx. 11:00am
Join us for the second day of Shavuot for two reasons: first and foremost it is one of the four days during the year that Yizkor is said; and second, Memorial Day, a holiday, will be celebrated this day.
Come celebrate the second Bar Mitzvah of Martin Herman: Saturday, June 23rd at 9:30am @ IADS
A second Bar Mitzvah is observed when one has lived three score years and ten plus thirteen. Following services will be a Kiddush luncheon. Those wishing to further honor our dear friend may do so with a contribution to the Martin Herman Ritual Fund. To RSVP for the occasion on June 23rd, or to have someone contact you for a tribute donation, email downtownsynagogue@gmail.comor call 313-962-4047.
Services and ongoing events:
Thursday Morning Services: EVERY week @ 7:30am
What better way to start your day? Join us for morning services!
Friday Night Soul & Service: EVERY Friday, doors @ 7:00pm
Stop by the Downtown Synagogue on Friday evenings at 7:00pm for meaningful Shabbat Services. Join us for thought provoking prayer, a local food feast, and lively conversation. Interested in being part of leading services in the future? Contact Miriam at miriamliebman@gmail.com, or Noam at noamkim00@gmail.com.
Torah Study: EVERY Saturday morning before services from 9:00 – 9:30am
Study Torah before our weekly Shabbat services with Rabbi Dorit Edut.
Shabbat Services: EVERY Saturday @ 9:30am
Please come make minyan with us each Saturday morning; a free Kiddish luncheon will follow.
Classes and life-long learning opportunities:
Register for a mini-mester (MAY-JUNE). Classes are Sunday mornings at the Downtown Synagogue:
a) Conversational Hebrew – for beginners – for fun and survival
b) Intro to Judaism (continued – but you can always join us)
c) Issues in Israeli Politics Today
If you are interested in taking any of these courses, please call Rabbi Dorit at 248-543-4255 or email at mutzim@aol.com. The classes will go for five sessions, $15 per session or $70 if pay for all five in advance.
Hebrew Prayer – Melody and Meaning: An intimate course exploring the Sabbath prayer service, to deepen familiarity and fluency in reading the Hebrew service, and understand the history and meaning of the prayers. An intermediate level “seminar,” students will be expected to have some limited ability to read Hebrew, and be willing to work one-on-one and in groups to improve fluency. We want to create a rich spiritual space where prayer is offered as devotion, submission, celebration, meditation and more. Please join us for this ongoing seminar. Please let Harry (hreisig@yahoo.com) know which time would work best for you, and we will schedule at the most popular time for a weekly 45 min class – Saturdays 1:00pm or Sundays 10:00am.
The next meeting of the Detroit Interfaith Outreach Network (DION): Monday, May 14that 5:30pm @ IADS
IMPACT Seminars: We need adults of many different professions who are willing to spend ONE HOUR on ONE DAY this school year to talk to middle school students about their careers, their lives, and the importance of what these students are learning. Please contact Rabbi Dorit at mutzim@aol.com about either of these programs.
The Riverfront East Congregational Initiative (RECI) will be offering its second congregation-wide book club! Thursday May 17th 6:00-8:00pm @ Iroquois Christ Lutheran Church (2411 Iroquois Avenue)
We will be reading “The Color of Water” by James McBride—an autobiography of his life as a black man being raised by a white Jewish mother. Kosher dinner will be provided.
Join State Representative Jim Townsend and Governor Snyder’s Senior Strategy Advisor Dennis Schornack for a transportation strategy session with clergy, MOSES leaders, and regional transportation advocates from metro-Detroit: Tuesday, May 1stfrom 7:00-8:30 pm@ Temple Emanu-El 14450 W. Ten Mile Rd., Oak Park, 48237
Interested in helping prepare meals for Shabbat? Contact: e.wodowski@yahoo.com.