Gail Katz WISDOM President
Monday, October 13, 2008
Jewish Holiday of Succot
I would like to share with you an explanation of Succot, written by Todd Mendel, president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Metro Detroit.
At sundown tonight,Monday, October 13th, the Jewish holiday of Succot begins. This is a holiday that Jews observe not only for its rituals and spirituality, but also for its social justice message that links the Jewish community to the world at large. A main feature of the holiday is to build a Succah. This is the structure that Jews lived in several thousand years ago while they wandered the desert for 40 years. During that time period, the Jews left slavery in Egypt (celebrated by the holiday of Passover), received the Torah at Mount Sinai (celebrated by the holiday of Shavous) and then entered the land of Israel. The structures that you may see around town or in someone’s backyard are these Succahs. Jews eat most meals in the Succah for the duration of the eight day holiday. Some Jews even sleep in them. The rules and regulations for building a Succah are quite extensive and have ensured for millennia that these temporary structures are very much like the original structures. Even today, they continue to serve the same spiritual purpose as they always have by bringing Jewish families and the community together to spend time with and appreciate each other. Special prayers are said in the synagogue during the holiday, and it is also required to shake a Lulav and Esrog. A Lulav is the spine of a palm branch, with some smaller myrtle and willow tree branches attached to it with a holder. An Esrog is a fantastic smelling citrus fruit that is somewhat similar to a lemon. The Hebrew bible specifically mentions that these items are to be used during Succot, and numerous reasons have been asserted over thousands of years as to why these items were specifically chosen.
There is one more special observance on the day following the last day of Succot. It is called Simchat Torah. On that day, there is great celebration in the Jewish Community. Each week during the year, a difference chapter of the five books of Moses is read and studied in the synagogue. They are read in order, starting with “In the beginning, God created…” and the last one is just after Moses dies and the Jews are to go into the land of Israel – the Promised Land. On Simchat Torah, when the chapters are all finished, the Jewish community around the world starts reading the Torah over and goes back to the beginning for another year of reading and studying these texts. This is one more set of traditions and holidays that has maintained the cohesiveness of the Jewish people and that has helped us survive throughout the ages.
The holiday of Succot also leads us to focus on the importance of shelter and housing, our mandate to welcome others into our homes, the environment and the exigencies of nature. It is a reminder that the Jewish people’s pursuit of social justice is never complete. Metro Detroit’s Jewish community is profoundly committed to fulfilling that responsibility. Our social service agencies, such as Jewish Family Service and JVS, provide many lifesaving and life-enhancing services for those in need in both the Jewish and Non-Jewish communities. Requests for service from those agencies have increased dramatically in recent months due to worsening economic conditions, and the agencies’ response has been nothing short of heroic. The Jewish Community Relations Council is working in coalition with other ethnic communities to preserve and grow the flow of federal funds supporting those and other agencies’ service.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration
From Every Tribe, Race and Nation:
We, the People
AN INTERFAITH CELEBRATION
Sponsored by the major faith and cultural communities of Metro-Detroit
Wednesday,
November 26, 2008
7:30 PM
Westminster Presbyterian
17567 Hubbell St.
Detroit, MI 48107
Featuring:
• The MOSAIC Youth Theater
• Prayers, readings and
meditations representing 8
different faith traditions
• .Hindu Dance
• Music by Gesu Parish, Roman Catholic choir
A free will offering will be gathered for the work of the MOSAIC Youth Theater.
For more information, call: Westminister Presbyterian, Phone 313-341-2697
Directions to the the Church
WEST onto 7 Mile Rd. Drive to the first stoplight, which is Hubbell Street.
TURN LEFT (south) onto Hubbell. Travel 5 blocks and look for Westminster
Church on your right. Park in the north or west parking lots.
From the Southfield Freeway North
McNichols Rd. exit. TURN RIGHT (east) and travel 5 stoplights (including the
6 Mile-Southfield freeway intersection). TURN LEFT (north) onto Hubbell
Street, drive past the church and TURN LEFT into the church parking lot.
From the Southfield Freeway South
across the freeway onto 7 Mile Rd. Travel to Hubbell Street. TURN RIGHT
(south), and travel 5 blocks until you see the church on the right.
Address: 17567 Hubbell Street at West Outer Drive.
Phone: 313.341.2697 Ext: 200
Saturday, September 27, 2008
November 9th WISDOM hosts journeys to three Eastern Religions
WISDOM is proud to announce our next Educational Day about three Eastern Faiths – Sikhism, Hinduism, and Jainism called “Sacred Spaces/Eastern Faiths”on Sunday, November 9th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (lunch included) for a $25.00 charge.
We are very excited about this wonderful day of learning. Please mark your calendars, register, and let’s all come together as women of many faith traditions to increase respect and understanding in Metro Detroit!! A maximum of 75 people for this event, so register early.
Gail Katz
WISDOM President
Sacred Spaces/Eastern Faiths
Join WISDOM
Sunday, November 9th from 11:00AM – 6:00 PM
Learn about the faiths of our neighbors!!
Tour a Hindu Temple, Sikh Gurdwara & a Jain Temple
Bharatiya Temple of Metropolitan Detroit in Troy
Gurdwara Sahib - Hidden Falls in Plymouth
Jain Society of Greater Detroit in Farmington Hills
Get Answers to Basic Questions
What does the house of worship look like?
Who is the founder of the faith?
What are the scriptures?
What are some core beliefs?
What are the life rituals and customs of the faith?
Increase Your Knowledge
A basic history of the faith community in the world & in America.
A question and answer session along with a tour of the premises.
An opportunity to be part of a prayer service/religious event
Take-home materials for further reference.
Directions from House of Worship to House of Worship
November 9th, 2008 WISDOM Event
Driving Directions Link:
Start address: Bharatiya Temple 6850 N Adams Rd Troy, MI 48098 End address: Jain Temple 29250 W 12 Mile Rd Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Start at: Bharatiya Temple 6850 N Adams Rd Troy, MI 48098
1. Head south on N Adams Rd toward Repton Ln - 0.9 mi
2. Turn right at E Square Lake Rd - 0.1 mi
3. Turn right to merge onto I-75 S toward Detroit - 12.7 mi
4. Take exit 61 to merge onto I-696 W toward Lansing - 16.4 mi
5. Take the exit toward I-275 S/I-96 E - 0.8 mi
6. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Toledo/I-96 E/Detroit and merge onto I-275 S/I-96 E - 6.6 mi
7. Take the exit on the left onto I-96 E toward Detroit - 1.5 mi
8. Take exit 173 toward Levan Rd/Newburgh Rd - 0.3 mi
9. Merge onto Schoolcraft Rd - 52 ft
10. Slight left toward Schoolcraft Rd - 371 ft
11. Turn left at Schoolcraft Rd - 0.5 mi
12. Continue straight to stay on Schoolcraft Rd - 1.0 mi Arrive at: Gurdwara Sahib 40600 Schoolcraft Rd Plymouth, MI 48170
13. Head northwest on Schoolcraft Rd toward N Haggerty Rd - 0.1 mi
14. Turn right at N Haggerty Rd - 1.9 mi
15. Turn right at 6 Mile Rd - 0.5 mi
16. Take the ramp onto I-275 N/I-96 W - 4.1 mi
17. Take exit 165 to merge onto I-696 E toward Port Huron - 4.8 mi
18. Take exit 5 for Orchard Lake Rd - 0.4 mi
19. Turn left at Orchard Lake Rd (signs for Orchard Lake) - 0.3 mi
20. Turn right at W 12 Mile Rd - 1.2 mi Arrive at: Jain Temple 29250 W 12 Mile Rd Farmington Hills, MI 48334
SACRED SPACES/EASTERN FAITHS
WISDOM EVENT
REGISTRATION FORM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Cost $25.00 to cover lunch and expenses
Name: _________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
City: ___________________________________________________
State, Zip: _______________________________________________
Telephone: Home __________________________________________
Work __________________________________________________
Cell ___________________________________________________
E-mail Address: __________________________________________
Faith Tradition __________________________________________
Please complete the form and send with your $25.00 check by November 5th to:
WISDOM P.O. Box 525 Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48303
Questions? Call Gail Katz, WISDOM President
248-978-6664
Or e-mail gailkatz@comcast.net
Sacred Spaces/Eastern Faiths
Tour a Hindu Temple, Sikh Gurdwara & a Jain Temple
with WISDOM on Sunday, November 9th 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Outline of The Tours
The first House of Worship (HOW) is the Bharatiya Temple of Metro-Detroit:
6850 N Adams Road, Troy, MI 48098 (Enter from South Blvd because of the construction)
We will start our tour here at 11 a.m., and leave to the next HOW after a light vegetarian lunch.
The second House of Worship is the Gurdwara Sahib - Hidden Falls:
40600 Schoolcraft Rd, Plymouth Township, MI 48170
We will start our tour here at 2:30 p.m. and leave to the next HOW after this segment.
The third House of Worship is the Jain Society of Greater Detroit:
29278 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
We will start our tour here at 4:30 and expect to conclude the day by 6 p.m.
What to Wear & What to Do
People are usually dressed modestly, and will have showered before coming. Please dress appropriately so that you can comfortably and with decency sit on the carpeted floor in the Prayer Hall. Those who are unable to sit on the floor will be provided folding chairs in the Prayer Hall at the Hindu Temple.
All visitors entering the Prayer Halls will have to remove their shoes and place them in the shoe racks provided. At the Gurdwara, you will be asked to cover your head. Scarves will be provided or you can bring you own.
Strictly No Smoking is allowed on the premises. Visitors cannot enter the HOW while under the influence of Alcohol or Drugs.
What to Expect
Answers to basic questions – who is the founder, what are the scriptures, life rituals and customs of the faith, central figures, a basic history of the faith community both in the world and in the American context – will be provided. There will be a question and answer session along with a tour of the premises. Participants may have the opportunity to observe or participate in a prayer service or another religious event. Take-home materials will be provided for further reference.
November 16th WISDOM sponsors speaker at the Jewish Community Center Book Fair
This is a reminder of the upcoming WISDOM sponsored Jewish Community Center’s Book Fair event featuring interfaith activist Rabbi Brad Hirschfield on November 16th at 8:15 PM. Rabbi Hirschfield’s book is entitled You Don’t Have to Be Wrong, for Me to Be Right. Rabbi Hirschfield will be introduced by Imam Achmat Salie from the Muslim Unity Center in Bloomfield Hills. The address of the Jewish Community Center is 6600 W. Maple Road West Bloomfield 48322. The Jewish Community Center is located at the intersection of Maple and Drake Roads. The phone number at the JCC is 248-661-1000. This event is free and open to the public.
Along with WISDOM, the other co-sponsors of this event are Pathways to Peace Foundation, the American Jewish Committee, and the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion. Rabbi Hirschfield seeks to build bridges among people of different faiths – and those with no faith at all. He is devoted to teaching inclusiveness, celebrating diversity, and delivering a message of acceptance. His book provides a pragmatic path to peace, understanding, and hope that appeals to the common wisdom of all religions. Rabbi Hirschfield addresses:
- the ways faith has many faces
- how justice can coexist with forgiveness and mercy
- how unity does not necessitate uniformity
- the ways we can learn to disagree without disconnecting.
At last year’s book fair WISDOM sponsored the three authors of The Faith Club. We hope that this year’s interfaith presentation at the Jewish Community Center’s Book Fair will be as well attended by our interfaith community!! (Last year’s event attracted over 600 people!!) Please mark your calendar for a wonderful, stimulating interfaith evening.
Gail Katz
WISDOM President
Rabbi Brad Hirschfield
Author of:
You Don’t Have to Be Wrong for Me to Be Right
“A wise and important story, engagingly told. I hope everyone, from the most
piously committed to the most militantly atheist, reads it and absorbs its
lessons.” – Rabbi Harold S. Kushner
“Brad Hirschfield brings a unique understanding – forged in years of theological
study and personal interreligious dialogues – of where so many great faiths have
gone wrong…” – Joseph Telushkin
Orthodox Rabbi, and former activist in the West Bank, Rabbi Hirschfield has
a bright outlook on life and diversity. He shares his personal experiences
and applies them to Jewish text, and the knowledge he communicates is
appropriate for those of all religions. You Don’t Have to be Wrong for Me to
be Right ultimately provides a realistic approach to peace, harmony and
acceptance.
Rabbi Hirschfield was listed in Newsweek as one
of America’s Top 50 Rabbis. Currently, he is
President of The National Jewish Center for
Learning and Leadership (CLAL).
Sunday, November 16, 2008 ● 8:15 p.m.
Free of charge
Co-sponsored By:
Pathways to Peace Foundation, American Jewish Committee, WISDOM, Muslim Unity Center, and SAFE For All Seasons
Friday, September 19, 2008
Stories of Forgiveness and Upcoming Jewish Holidays
I am forwarding a request to you from a Free Press Journalist by the name of Cassandra Spratling. She is working on an article about the power of forgiveness tied to a new garden of forgiveness being opened at the Dominican Center for Religious Development in Detroit.
In addition to that garden, she will be writing about a couple creating a park in Highland Park so kids have a safe place to play—part of their forgiveness of a man who killed their 2-year-old son in a hit and run.
She is looking for other examples of expressions of forgiveness or personal stories that demonstrate the power of forgiveness.
Since the garden is in Detroit and the playground will be in Highland Park, she especially needs to find people or examples in Oakland or Macomb county. If you can help Cassandra with her article for the Free Press, please reply to me at wisdom@interfaithwisdom.org with your contact information and I will forward it on to her. Thanks!!
While we are talking about forgiveness, I would like to mention that the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are fast approaching. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement is centered around forgiveness. I would like to wish our Jewish Sisters a Happy and Healthy New Year (the Jewish New Year!!). Please read on for more information.
Gail Katz
WISDOM President
Rosh Hashanah, the first Jewish holiday of the year, begins at sundown on Monday, September 29th and ends at sundown on Wednesday, October 1st. Rosh Hashanah literally means “head of the year” and is New Year’s Day for the Jewish people. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the day when God created Adam and Eve. At this time God judges everyone and weighs their good deeds, or mitzvot, next to their sins. Thus, Rosh Hashanah is also called the Day of Judgment. If you have a superabundance of good deeds, you will immediately be inscribed in God’s Book of Life and Blessing. If you have way too many sins, and you are wicked, you will be inscribed in the Book for Death and Misfortune. Most people, however, are not in either of these extremes. So God gives people an extra ten days to improve their lives by committing to the Ten Commandments, and by asking their fellow human beings for forgiveness for hurtful words that may have been said, or hurtful acts that may have been committed during the year. Jews are supposed to be mindful of making peace and reconciliation.These ten days of repentance end on Yom Kippur, which begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 8th and ends at sundown on Thursday, October 9th. This repentance must be accompanied by a commitment to change. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, the day when God’s written decree for each Jewish person for the coming year is about to be sealed. This day is supposed to be spent fasting, in prayer and meditation, in confession of sin, and in reconciliation with God and with his/her fellow man and woman.
Yom Kippur is the conclusion of the 10 days of repentance that began with Rosh Hashanah, and the time when God will inscribe you in the Book of Life and Blessing (or not, as the case may be). But it also has a story from the Bible (Torah) connected with it that gives it special meaning. When the Jews were brought out of Egypt, they made a golden calf and worshipped it. This was a horrible sin against God. Moses begged God for 40 days and 40 nights until he could obtain His forgiveness. The day that God forgave the Jews for this major sin (the 10th of Tishrei on the Jewish calendar) was selected as the Day of Atonement for future generations. This is became the day of Yom Kippur for future generations.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Visiting Sacred Places Exhibit at the DIA
Please continue on to the next blog entry to view upcoming interfaith initiatives in Metro Detroit!!