"Through this inititative, we are finally able to provide Jewish resources to the
smaller communities."
- Susan Herman
Director
Michigan Jewish Conference
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Phone (from) Home
Now Jews - everywhere in Michigan - can gain a personal connection to
Jewish life and wisdom...on the phone! Explore
Judaism with a personal touch from the comfort of your own home. Jeff Surowitz, Statewide Outreach Coordinator,
leads the phone discussions and allows participants to probe Jewish topics of
their choice. We learn, we argue, we laugh.
If only Hebrew School
had been like this!
Classes meet over the phone and there is no charge and no commitment. Check out below for the disscussion topics and how you can join a class today.
The Secret to Happiness
Mondays 9:30 - 10:30 am
The key to happiness is to appreciate what you have. Sounds simple. So why are so many people unhappy? Join us as we work through the book Gateways to Happiness and learn some practical ways to be more happy.
Introduction to Jewish Prayer
Tuesdays 9:30 - 10:30 am
Prayer is not waving a magic wand and hoping for the best. Prayer is an exercise in introspection and self-transformation, where a new,
better "self" emerges. We'll journey through the prayer book and find some age-old practical wisdom.
Jewish Philosophy/Kabballah
Wednesday 10:15 - 11:15 pm
A study in a classic book in Jewish philosophy called "The
Way of G-d." The book lays out clearly,
layer by layer, the very fundamental principles of the universe, and the very
things expected of us all as a consequence of them. Sounds heavy? It is. But if you like a good philosophical schmooze, this is for you!
High Holiday Primer
Thursday 8:30 - 9:30 pm
The most important time of the Jewish year is often the most misunderstood. Here's all the basics you need to know to have the upcoming High Holidays become more meaningful.
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To join one of these exciting classes, call Jeff Surowitz at 248-914-1138 or send Jeff an email.
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Greetings!
I hope you're enjoying your summer! The staff working on the Ravitz Initiative has been working hard and schvitzing to bring good things to the small Jewish communities throughout Michigan. From Houghton to Benton Harbor; from Flint to Traverse City we're making Jewish opportunites available via camp scholarships, community grants for Jewish programming, on-site Jewish educational programs and much much more. We'll be sending out a monthly newsletter updating you on some of the great successes in your communities, and also will alert you to some of the great Jewish programs and resources available to you and your Jewish community. |
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A Fair to Remember
 Celebrate Israel's historic 60th birthday in grand fashion - with thousands of other Michigan Jews at the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit on August 21st. We are arranging free transportation from various communities throughout the state. To arrange transportation or for more information, send me an email. For ticket prices and other info, click on the ticket to your left. This is one party you don't want to miss! Bring the
entire family to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime, one day only event.
We've booked the entire State Fairgrounds for our exclusive
celebration. In addition to all the rides and usual entertainment,
you'll enjoy:
- Israel-focused activities
- Kosher food
- All-star musical concert featuring Peter Himmelman and Moshav Band
- Tree planting
- Gefilte fishing
- And much much more...
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Jewish Camping and Israel Programs
 The First-Time Jewish Experience Subsidy Fund provides partial
subsidies for Michigan Jewish youth to participate in a variety of Jewish
experiences. This summer the Subsidy Fund assisted over 40 Jewish youngsters from 12 different communities to
participate in a variety of Summer Camps and Israel trip programs. The Fund also provided a full scholarship to Kayla Lett, 7, of Traverse City as the lucky winner of its 2008
Full Scholarship lottery. Kayla is a second grader at Mill Creek Elementary in Elk Rapids
and is active at Congregation Ahavat Shalom in Traverse City. Kayla went to Camp Tamarack this summer, where her father went to camp
when he was a boy! Kayla's mom relates that Kayla was excited that she could "go somewhere where
there are so many other Jewish kids" since "Jewish experiences aren't
as readily available as some other [bigger] communities."
Now that this summer is coming to an end, it's time to start planning for next year. You can already pre-register for subsidies for programs during
Winter '08 and Summer '09.
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Community Programs
The Ravitz Initaive began funding a variety of Jewish programs to over a dozen small Jewish communities throughout Michigan. Each community designs its own programs to enhance the city's unique Jewish feel. We will reveal more details about some of the programs in future newsletters.
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Spotlight on Houghton
Each month we will briefly profile a different Michigan Jewish community.
We'll start off by taking a peek at the northern-most
community: Houghton/Hancock.
The warmth of this small, tight-knit Jewish community is obvious
to the many visitors who come through town and receive private tours of their
beloved Temple Jacob
- the only active synagogue in Michigan
on the National Historic Register. You
can feel the warmth in the monthly Mah Jongg games the ladies play or the weekly
Torah study sessions held at the home of a local family or in the synagogue. And you
can feel it when the community gets together in a local family's sukkah or for
the other community holiday celebrations and summer BBQs.
It's a community that also values Jewish education. This year, outside speakers discussed Israel, Purim, the Dead Sea
Scrolls and the Revelation at Mount Sinai. It's also a community whose parents go to
great lengths to invest in their kids' Jewish education... more than half of the kids
who go to the Sunday school also go to Jewish summer camps! Also, one family travels more than 50 miles each
way to make it to Sunday school!
What an effort!
The Houghton community received funding from the Ravitz
Initiative to bring a student rabbi to their community four times in the coming
year. As a very small community, the community has not had a spiritual leader run regular Shabbat services in many years. They will be sharing the talents of Daniel
Bogard with the nearby community of Marquette
as the student rabbi splits time between the two communities.
To see more on this Jewish community, visit their newly
updated website at thetemplejacobwebsite.com. Return to Top
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I hope you found our first newsletter helpful! Please forward it to others in your community and encourage them to join the list by clicking the button to the left.
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Be well,
Jeffrey Surowitz
Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit
Outreach Program Coordinator
surowitz@jfmd.org
248-914-1138 (cell)
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