Rabbi's Message: Lifelong Learning

One of the central tenets of Judaism is a commitment to lifelong learning. The Synagogue is proud to be offering more educational opportunities than ever before. In addition to our ongoing programs, we have two adult education series beginning this spring. And we are always eager to hear what else you would like to learn.

JTot Detroit, which has proudly served families raising Jewish kids in the City of Detroit, is growing so rapidly that we are discussing starting a Jewish education program for 4-6 year olds and their families this fall.We will be formalizing the plans at an upcoming retreat, May 5-6, at Tamarack Camps (please see below). If you, or someone you know, may be interested in a Detroit-based Jewish family education program, please let me know.

As we grow as a community of learners, please do not hesitate to be in touch if there are other topics or formats that interest you. If we don't yet offer something at the Synagogue, I would be happy to refer you to other educational opportunities in Metro Detroit and online.

May we share in the delight of new ideas and even more questions,
Rabbi Silverman

Rabbi's Message: Passover

The Hebrew word for Egypt is Mitzrayim, which evokes meitzarim, the "narrow straits." When the Israelites were freed from slavery, they were freed from a narrow place, a place that constricted them. And the haggadah instructs us to personally identify with the Exodus narrative such that we imagine that we ourselves came forth from Egypt, from those narrow straits.

Today, when asked the question "where are you from?" regardless of where our house sits in the Metro area, many of us respond, "Detroit." Detroit comes from the French word, détroit, which means "strait." We live in a place that similarly challenges us to examine our own experiences of narrowness - in our personal lives, in our communities, and in the structures that shape them.

So as we tell Passover's personal and communal narrative of redemption, it is a time to reflect on what is constraining us, and the people around us, from redemption today. And to commit to doing something about it.

One of the things that excites me about our March 25 seder is the chance to do just that. To hear the Exodus story, to hear others' stories, and to examine our own.  It might make that night different from all others, or it might inspire us to keep marching toward our own vision of a Promised Land.

With gratitude,
Rabbi Silverman

Rabbi's Message: Gratitude

The Hebrew word  עבודה (avodah) is often translated as work, but it also means service, and often, sacred service. It can be understood as manual labor, and also as prayer.

Thank you to our outgoing board members: Jay Basin, Jon Koller, Noah Purcell, and Jackie Victor for their avodah. They have done the manual labor that prepares our building to be a sacred space and they have devoted their hearts and minds to building sacred community. Thank you for serving and shaping this synagogue.

And thank you to our incoming board members: Lauren Hoffman, David Kirsch, and Sam Woll for taking on this sacred task. We are so fortunate that you will share your talents, wisdom, enthusiasm, and love for the Synagogue in this new role.

Each of us has a part to play as the Synagogue grows and I encourage you to try something new. Consider learning to lead a service or chanting Torah/Haftarah (we can teach you!). Share your passion and insights in a committee. Let us know if you have an idea you would like to explore or skill you can contribute. It is the avodah we do, to serve one another and to serve the Divine, that will build a remarkable Jewish future.
Thank you for what you have done and for all that is yet to come. 

With gratitude,
Rabbi Silverman