Rabbi's Message: Chag Pesach Sameach

Rabbi's Message: Chag Pesach Sameach

We are all asking questions. As Rabbi Neil Gillman has pointed out, we ask questions, and especially theological ones, when our familiar patterns are disturbed. Over the past month, and particularly as we celebrate a holiday that was supposed to feel familiar, our questions have intensified. We ask what is expected of us. We ask when everything will be normal again. We ask why God allows good people to suffer. And some of us face this holiday with tremendous pain and ask why God allowed our loved one to die.

Rabbi's Message: Facing COVID-19

Rabbi's Message: Facing COVID-19

Judaism is about choices. Jewish texts, and the laws we draw from them, can instruct us in almost every moment of our lives. Sometimes, that can be empowering. We often have the power to choose whether to treat someone with kindness, how we spend our time, how we spend our money, whether to put someone else's needs over our own, or not.

Rabbi's Message: Facing Mental Health

The winter months, and particularly the time around the winter holidays, can be very difficult for people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and/or addiction. If someone in your family or one of your friends or colleagues seems to be struggling, please reach out. No one should suffer alone.


If you are struggling with mental illness, please do not hesitate to reach out to someone you love, to me, to a medical professional, or if needed, to the suicide hotline: 800.273.TALK.


We all know it is a Jewish obligation to care for the sick. And fortunately we are pretty good at reaching out when someone is in the hospital or has the flu. We also need to fully see and support people who are wrestling with mental illness. We can be a part of fighting the stigma and changing lives.
Thank you for all that you have done and will do. May you, your loved ones, and everyone in our extended IADS community, have a year of better health and newfound joy.

Rabbi's Message: Finding Light in Kislev

Rabbi's Message: Finding Light in Kislev

During Hanukkah we kindle and see light. We appreciate the miraculous and remember that sometimes the seemingly impossible becomes possible. And we celebrate the joy of being together.

I encourage you to dedicate this time to bringing light into the darkest corners of our lives, to recognizing when the seemingly impossible becomes possible, and to asking for help when we need it. Individually and collectively we can kindle light.

OUR VALUES

ACTION • HUMILITY • PLACE-BASED • COURAGE TO LEARN & HAVE DIALOGUE • KEHILA/ABUNDANCE • DIVERSITY & INCLUSION • KINDNESS & COMPASSION • INTEGRATING RITUAL & ACTION

Thank you to the following foundations for their generous support of our work and mission to serve Jewish Detroit.

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