SPIRIT
Smith 74th
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rthur and Dotty Smith of West Bloomfield celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary on Jan. 27, 2022. The couple met at a Hillel dance after which Arthur had his more outspoken but similar sounding brother arrange their first date. Arthur served as a communications officer in the Navy in WW II, completed his college education at Wayne State University and worked as a CPA and entrepreneur. Dotty got her teaching degree and taught special education for 30 years. They had two children and have four grandchildren. They describe raising their children as their golden years. The couple enjoy reading, travel adventures, and sharing closeness and love with friends and family.
Sokol-Daien
M
ara and Gary Daien of Livonia are thrilled to announce the engagement of their daughter Rachel Elizabeth Daien to Barry Samuel Sokol, son of Michele and Dan Sokol of Dayton, Ohio. Barry surprised Rachel with a romantic November 2021 engagement in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Rachel is an elementary school counselor and former middle school teacher for Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. She graduated with a B.S. in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University, earned her M.A. in teaching from Marygrove College and graduated with an M.A. in counseling from Eastern Michigan University. She is also a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) for the state of Michigan. Barry is a mathematics and social studies teacher formerly of the Columbus, Ohio, area. He received his B.S. and M.Ed. in education from Ohio State University, with a specialization in middle grades. Barry previously coached seventh-grade boys basketball and is passionate about sports. The couple reside in Commerce Township. They are excited to celebrate their May 2022 wedding with family and friends in Novi. A Hawaiian island-hopping honeymoon is planned for June.
TORAH PORTION
Developing Relationships
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bout 2,000 years ago, substitute for the Temple until it when the Temple is rebuilt, is a place to work on in Jerusalem was our relationship to come closer destroyed, the concept of havto the Creator, the Controller ing a synagogue in every neigh- of the world. This relationship borhood was a brilliant innova- ultimately defines all other relation that has since been tionships in our lives. duplicated by religions The greatest love in the all over the world. world is that of a parent for In this week’s Torah a child. This type of love portion, we read one of is greater because of the its longest narratives. It selfless devotion a parent discusses the construcpours into their child. Rabbi Tzali Freedman tion of a temporary As physical beings, we temple to be used by could not have a relationParshat the Jewish nation while ship strictly based on an Tetzaveh: journeying through emotional level that only Exodus the desert. The Torah utilized our hearts. We 27:20-30:10; usually reveals vast needed the physical service Ezekiel amounts of details in a in the Temple, today rep43:10-27. concise manner leaving resented by our service in it to the Talmud to the synagogue, as a place elaborate on the specifics. to develop our souls, analogous The laws of kosher, Shabbat, to going to the gym to develop mezuzah, tefillin and holiour bodies. days are all taught with just a This week’s portion discusses few verses or several words. the korban tamid, the sacrifice Conversely, the construction brought in the morning and of the temporary temple is a the afternoon. It was exactly glaring exception to the normal the same twice every single day brevity. The question is, why because service does not necthis exception, particularly for a essarily have to be innovative. mitzvah that was only relevant Greatness often comes from for a brief period? repetitive efforts. The fact that the Torah dedAll relationships, whether icates so many chapters to the with humans or our Creator, laws of this temporary strucbenefit from devotion that is ture indicates that it wishes to both disciplined and consisemphasize a point. Although tent. This is the reason why throughout much of Jewish his- we have services in our synatory we would be bereft of our gogues twice daily. There, in Temple, it should never be forthis sanctified space, we are saken as its lessons will remain able to express our allegiance central to the Jewish practice and ensure that our personal for eternity. relationship with the Creator of The Temple’s main service the universe remains constant, was the sacrifices. The Hebrew meaningful and robust. word is korban, more accurately Rabbi Tzali Freedman is regional translated “coming close” from director of Central East NCSY in the Hebrew word karov. The Southfield. synagogue, which serves as a FEBRUARY 10 • 2022
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