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Shared Memories of Adat Shalom
I spent many years at Adas Shalom. It was originally called the Northwest
Hebrew Congregation and I remember when they built the sanctuary. I was
the co-chair of the Confirmation class in 1959, (unsure of the year), with
Alyssa Kahn. There were about 65 girls and I still have the recording of
the service! Our picture hangs in the current building.
Marion
Yes
i was married at adas shalom synagogue on curtis. You have the proper
pictures. We were married on 12-24-57. Our first born was bar mitzvah
at
adas shalom in october 1971. When the synagogue was sold and the new adat
shalom synagogue was built in farmington hills. We are still members and
my
three daughters and so far one of my four grandchildren had her bat mitzvah
january,2000 to make that a family tradition. Rabbi adler was never the
rabbi at our synagogue. I hope this helps. If you need more info let me
know.
Carol
This
huge conservative synagogue along Curtis Road was built in 1946. It reflects
a new post-war design when congregations expanded their buildings to include
much much more than just a place to pray (daven.) Although the sanctuary
was the size of a theater with The Ten Commandments atop the corner dome,
the building also provides classrooms, offices, library, social hall,
kitchens, and other non-liturgical facailities. Ofcourse, a parking lot
also had to be provided. The multi-purpose synagogue was necessary after
WWII since the second generation families were now native born Americans,
and the neighborhoods no longer were tightly knitted Jewish enclaves with
external supportive services. The families had less internal Jewish languages,
less at-home religion and Yiddish-keit. So the synagogue's mission was
broadened to include more services with bigger buildings.
Arnie
i was bar mitzvahed at Adat Shalom in 1963. There was a tour of Jewish
Detroit this summer sponsored by Adat Shalom. We went into the former
Synagogue-it was still beautiful. it was like the Jewish members never
left. the foyer was still the way it was , as well as the Stars of David
above the entrance as well as in the main sanctuary. the velvet seats
were the same in the sanctuary. the church has maintained the building
very well. in the lobby the big area for the plaques was still there.
in the small chapel there was a clock on the back wall that had USY around
the circle. In the school wing i went into the office area which was up
a few steps-on the entrance door to the offices it still has United Hebrew
Schools stenciled in gold letters on the main door.my bar mitzvah party
was in the lower level. it is the same conditioned as it was then. the
stage still looks good as well. i was quite pleased to walk in to the
building. the foyer was as stunning as it was then-the marble columns,curved
staircase and the marble floor is in great shape.
NN
I think the Curtis location is Adas Shalom, a conservative
powerhouse. It probably is the Adat Shalom today in the suburbs. Call
them to confirm. The change in name is because of Israeli domination of
the Hebrew language. They took on Sephardic Hebrew and so in the diaspora
(dispersion), Jews are dropping the Ashkenazic Hebrew pronunciations.
Instead of seeing a Hebrew letter pronounced "S", it is now
pronounced "T". It is the same letter in print.
As for Adas Shalom Synagogue, if you show me a cornerstone
or anything with the Hebrew lettering, I could tell you for sure. The
bldg. was built in the 50s. Remember year 2001 is 5761 in the Hebrew calendar.
That could tell you when it was built if you find a cornerstone. Shalom,
- Arnie P
This was the conservative synagogue for many of the Jewish
community that lived west of Woodward. This neighborhood extended north
and south along Seven Mile Road. Affiliation was robust during the years
up through the 1960's. Eventually the congregation, made up of families
of Ashkenazim, built a building in the suburbs. The congregation is still
very active in the new location. The original pronunciation was Adas due
to the origin of the families being from northern Europe. It was spelled
that way on the marquee. Later, at the time of the move, the name took on
the modern, Sephardic inflection.
I reminisce about the vibrant activity that took place
there, four days a week after school. The requirement of passage was to
attend Hebrew school for four years, at least until Bar Mitzvah or Confirmation.
The school building was adjacent to the main sanctuary. There was a social
hall in the basement, that doubled as a sanctuary during the High Holidays.
My sister's wedding reception was there. She was married in the main sanctuary,
where I had my Bar Mitzvah. It was a beautiful, domed, wood lined semi-rotunda.
The ceiling was covered with a gold leaf. The seats were a deep blue velvet.
The rabbi would appear on the bema magically, when he entered though a
door that appeared suddenly from one of the wood panels near the ark.
The main lobby was covered with marble on the floor and walls.
There were so many kids of Bar Mitzvah age, due to the
baby boom, that we had to share our portions. The Rabbi was Jacob Siegal
and The Cantor's name was Finkel. No one who took Bar Mitzvah lessons
there would forget Mr. Plofkin.
- Joe R
My bar mitzva was there in 1968. My parents were married
there in I believe 1953, I think I have a 16mm movie of the event w/ Rabbi
Morris Adler.
- HC
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