A Community Ally

OUR COMMUNITY

A Community Ally

Temple Emanu-El looks to the future while holding on to traditions of the past.

New seating in the sanctuary

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In the midst of many positive changes temple is part of a larger effort to build and new initiatives underway, Temple relationships between synagogues and Black Emanu-El aims to stay true to its over- churches. arching goal: to try and “repair the world “In a world right now that feels like we’re through the Jewish lens.” seeing a lot of hate speech, antisemitism and

“The temple has always seen itself as racism being brought to the forefront, it’s engaged with the world around important that we understand what allyship it,” explains Rabbi Matthew can do in terms of strengthening our entire Zerwekh. “The times we’re in community,” Zerwekh explains. “Not just dictate action. Our congrega- the Jewish community, but the Jewish and tion is welcoming the opportu- the Black community. It can help us interact nity to engage.” with that problematic speech and become Rabbi Matt As the only Reform congre- more unified.” Zerwekh gation in their area, Oak Parkbased Temple Emanu-El is taking strides to connect and inspire the Jewish community. They’ve implemented racial justice training for members, completed new renovations in their sanctuary and are home to the Jewish Gay Network, which supports Metro Detroit’s LGBTQ+ community.

Yet these initiatives are only the beginning of a myriad of programs being developed and rolled out by the temple.

“I’m a leader who is showing people ways how they can do that,” Zerwekh says of repairing the world through the Jewish lens. “There’s so much going on right now that we feel like we can’t affect or have any real control over, except for our own personal action.”

Temple Emanu-El is starting by joining important conversations on race. They’re partnering with Detroit Jews for Justice to help spark and inspire understanding of racial biases that divide the world, particularly within the area. By working alongside leadership at Detroit’s Bethel Community Transformation Center, among others, the

“THE TEMPLE HAS ALWAYS SEEN ITSELF AS ENGAGED WITH THE WORLD AROUND IT.”

— RABBI MATT ZERWEKH

USING HIS VOICE

Zerwekh says that’s one approach of his work as a rabbi and congregation leader, to address what the community is “ready for and calling.” The other, he says, is to use his voice in places where he finds himself “unable to use it.” This takes form by participating in a variety of local marches and peaceful protests, including to advocate for George Floyd and the NAACP.

“To be able to use my voice in the way I could and to be able to pray in that way has been very meaningful to me,” Zerwekh explains. “It’s meaningful to my rabbinate and to my community.”

The temple’s action and engagement in addressing social, political and cultural issues reflects in its membership growth, which has seen a 20% increase in two years. Previously unaffiliated families are now joining, which Zerwekh believes also stems from having a strong religious school shared with Beth Shalom. “This again speaks to that string through allies,” he says. “The congregations realized they were stronger together in educating the kids.”

Zerwekh says that because the congregation was the first of its kind developed outside of the city limits of Detroit, and the last remaining one in its vicinity, this has helped Temple Emanu-El establish itself as a key Reform presence in southeastern Oakland County. “It’s so powerful,” he says of that presence. “We’re setting ourselves up to be a center for the community to support various ongoing Jewish efforts.”

One of Temple Emanu-El’s biggest endeavors is serving as the home for the Jewish Gay Network. “The leaders of the network were looking for a new home,” he says. When they approached the temple, Zerwekh said the decision was easy to make since JGN aligned well with the congregation’s overall mission of helping people connect with their Judaism.

“We are an open, inclusive community,” Zerwekh describes. “Being able to provide that place for JGN to land was something I feel very fortunate that we were able to do.”

JGN co-chair Faith Robinson Renner agrees with the sentiment. “Temple EmanuEl has always opened itself for many types