A Tale of (More Than) Two Synagogues: How Our Lives Intertwine
June 7, 2011 
6 Comments
by David A. Henig
In 1966 I moved to the Pontiac, Michigan area, which was at that time a fairly vibrant community with a significant Jewish population. The town supported two synagogues, one Reform, Temple Beth Jacob (z”l) and one Conservative, Congregation B’nai Israel.
R’ Ernst J. Conrad, z”l, who had been the Rabbi at TBJ, just prior to my arrival had left that post to establish what is now Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
I became a member of Temple Beth Jacob, taught in the Religious School, was a youth Group Advisor, got married there, my daughter was named and consecrated there and sadly we helped close the facility in 1991. The building was sold and the members moved on, many to Temple Beth El, where many of the artifacts are now displayed and others to each of the other Reform congregations in the SE Michigan area. The Torah scrolls benefited some smaller congregations; indeed one of them is now in Germany where it has found new life in a Renewal Congregation, whence it was passed by Congregation Shir Tikvah, of Troy, Michigan where it lived for many years.
In the late ’70′s, early ’80′s it could be said that Congregation B’nai Israel was a bit ahead of the game and saw that their future in Pontiac was not to be, as the Jewish population was not staying there and sold their building. About a year later a new building was constructed in West Bloomfield Michigan. Sometime after that they merged with Congregation Shaarey Zedek of Southfield, Michigan giving that congregation an additional campus in West Bloomfield to serve the needs of SZ members living in the area, especially those who were Shomer Shabbat.
So here we had two dynamic congregations a little over a mile apart on the same street, Along with two more Reform congregations and one Sephardic Congregation.
Fast forward to the new century and the economic downturn. Everycongregation in the Metro Detroit area is losing members, some aremoving out of state to places where they find jobs, and some are simplydropping their synagogue membership because they cannot afford it due tonot working or some simply cannot pay dues, but retain theirmemberships.
The multi-campus Shaarey Zedek finds it must close the WestBloomfield facility and sell it; the original B’nai Israel folks plusmany who have cast their lot with that group for many varied reasonsbegin the process of organizing and looking for a home. The leadershipof B’nai Israel approached the leadership of Temple Kol Ami. (There aresome relatives on both sides) Negotiations continued into early summer2010 and agreements were made. On September 19, 2010, the day after YomKippur, the renewed Congregation B’nai Israel of West Bloomfieldjoyously walked their Torah scrolls the mile or so down the road toTemple Kol Ami where an equally exuberant congregation welcomed them.
There have been many shared opportunities along the way. In Augustmany B’nai Israel members joined Temple Kol Ami members for our annualFun(d)raising for Nets (the Nothing but Nets campaign in which the URJis a partner) and also on the 19th helped us raise our new Sukkah. Thatwas a busy weekend! We have supported each other’s fundraising effortsand in some cases helped make a minyan. Upcoming, on Shavuot, we willshare in Tikun Leil Shavuot.
We do have separate services, but share a Kiddush lunch after Shabbatmorning services, a great time to shmooze, make new friends and renewold friendships.
The relationship certainly exemplifies B’nai Israel’s motto: Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh b’Zeh! (AllIsrael is responsible for one another) And, if I might say, the Jewishworld is certainly connected, figuratively as well as literally.
Dave Henig is a member of TempleKol Ami in West Bloomfield, Michigan where he serves as co-chair of theReligious Services Committee, coordinates the Shiva Corps, the Usher Corps andas unofficial Gabbai. He recently became President ofthe Metropolitan Detroit Federation of Reform Synagogues, was invited to serveon the URJ Central District Council and the URJ’s Joint Commission on Worship, Music andReligious Living.
He is seriously consideringchanging his name so no one can suggest him for any more positions. 
Mr Henig:
John Wofford here, of Temple Emanuel in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I believe we spoke a few times online following a piece I wrote for the RJ blog.
This was an excellent piece, and an encouraging take on creative ways in which congregations across the United States are responding to the demands of the economic downturn.
Be blessed! I wish you and all of these congregations the best.
Shalom.
Thanks John – I hope you are well. let me know what you are up to these days.
Dave
Dave,
Some of our congregation toured Temple Beth El last Friday evening and even were invited to attend a young ladies Bat Mitvah. Very interesting
“He is seriously considering changing his name so no one can suggest him for any more positions.”
Dave, take it from someone who knows — you can run, but you can’t hide.
On a more serious note, your post raises two issues that could be explored at length — the repercussions of mobility and the ensuing need to abandon physical structures and regroup or scatter, and also the many possibilities of merger and co-habitation.
An arrangement that I have heard more often is a format in which a Reform and Conservative congregation merge, maintain affiliation both with URJ and USCJ, and use Mishkan T’filah on Friday night and Sim Shalom on Saturday morning. I find your separate Shabbat services, coming together for lunch, interesting, and suggestive that a long-held theory of mine has been confirmed — when people care at all about the label for their affiliation, it has more to do with worship style preferences than it does with ideology. (I assume that Kol Ami accepts the dietary standards of B’nai Israel, but it may be that your kitchen was kosher or vegetarian before the coming together.)
As I said in a recent post, http://blogs.rj.org/cgi-bin/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=15&search=Shutafim, cooperation and collaboration between and among congregations, across denominational lines, and often involving Federations, is an idea whose time has come. Keep us posted on how your intertwining goes forward.
Larry, Interesting points you bring up. I may not have made it clear, but the two congregations remain separate entities. We are the landlords, so to speak. B.nai Israles president comes to our staff meetings in order to work out conflicts, etc. and share calendar items to ensure that there are no conflicts.
there is a standing committee made up of people from both congregations. One side benefit is our new sign with both names. We had talked about one for a while, but did not do it due to budget constraints. The cooperative effort afforded the opportunity to accomplish the new sign. (I don’t think I can insert a picture.)
They have modified their food preparation models because our kitchen is not kosher, only kosher style (no pork, shellfish or mixed meat and dairy)they have separate serving pieces and utensils (dairy) and cover the counters while preparing food.
When we do share programming, we use mainly kosher snacks.
last night’s Tikkun L’eil Shavuot was well attended, muinly by B’nai Israel folks and some community people. Our assistant rabbi taught as well as their rabbi and assorted community people, educators, one rabbi, and a High school student.
So after 1 1/2 hours of sleep I went back for services this morning. did a couple of errands, had an hour nap this afternoon and am functioning reasonably well – we’ll see at about 10:00 tonight
Dear Dave……………….So wonderful to read your post. Having known you many years ago I see how the Temple Beth Jacob experience took hold. We often spoke of you and your family fondly and are so proud that you are a devoted member of your community. What great memories have been madee and shared and passed on. There are definitely ideas that I will share with our congregation. Thank you for sharing.
Ann Lois Ballon