LETTERS

To the Editor:

I want to thank Shelli Dorfman for the timely article about Congregation Beit Kodesh, the Conservative shul in Livonia (September 21, 2006). The article accurately portrayed the predicament in which this small congregation finds itself. Beit Kodesh has much potential with its warm, friendly, and caring membership, and it is centrally located in an area with many unaffiliated Jews; however, it lacks the necessary financial resources to survive on its own.

As the article demonstrated, there is a cadre of dedicated leaders who work tirelessly to keep the synagogue’s doors open, ensure there is a minyan for prayer services, and maintain a small religious school for the children. These congregants will not be able to shoulder this responsibility forever, but in order for new leaders to emerge the congregation will need to recruit and retain new members. It is incumbent on the greater Detroit Jewish community to step up and secure the continuity of this congregation for future generations. It would be a shame for this community to allow a synagogue to die while it could have done something to prevent it.

Anyone interested in supporting and sustaining Congregation Beit Kodesh is encouraged to send a contribution to: Beit Kodesh, Attn. Jeffrey Kirsch, 31840 Seven Mile, Livonia MI 48152. As our tradition teaches, kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh, we are all responsible for each other.

Rabbi Jason A. Miller
Columbus, Ohio
(Former Rabbinic Advisor of Beit Kodesh)