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NEWS & EVENTS
Oct. 20, 2026
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WHY DO WE KEEP THINGS?
In today's commentary, Rabbi Falick reflects on why certain objects remain precious long after their practical value has passed.
From photographs and saved messages to a mother’s gift rediscovered at a daughter’s wedding, he explores how memory lives not only in the mind but in the tangible reminders of the people we love.
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Topics and programs subject to change. Please check the calendar or latest newsletter.
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✦ SHABBAT SERVICE
THIS Friday, Oct. 23, 7pm
GEORGE MOLNAR WILL SPEAK:
"A LEGACY OF HOLOCAUST EDUCATION HONORING PAUL AND PRISCILLA MOLNAR"
| | Longtime member and congregational leader George Molnar will join us for a special Shabbat presentation honoring the legacy of his parents, Paul and Priscilla Molnar. | | |
Paul was deeply committed to Holocaust remembrance and education, serving an important role as an educator at the Zekelman Holocaust Center by telling his story to thousands of people
Now the Molnar family has established the Moral Courage Legacy Fund in Memory of Paul and Priscilla Molnar, dedicated to preserving the truth of the Holocaust, confronting hate, prejudice and antisemitism, and strengthening Holocaust education for generations to come.
George will share the story of his father and his legacy, including a short film about Paul, and talk about the work the family hopes this new fund will make possible.
This is also a story especially close to home: Paul and Priscilla were foundational builders of our congregation beginning in 1963, the year that the Birmingham Temple was founded.
Please join us for this very personal tribute to them and to the values they sought to pass on.
The service streams on YouTube at THIS LINK.
⬇AT THIS WEEK'S ONEG SHABBAT⬇
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✦ SHABBAT SERVICE
Friday, Nov. 6, 7pm
FROM LANDFILL TO LUNCHBOX: RETHINKING FOOD WASTE
WITH MATHIAS BAHNMUELLER, CREATIVE COOK & VOLUNTEER AT "MAKE FOOD NOT WASTE"
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What happens to the food we don’t eat—and what can we do about it?
Join us as Mathias Bahnmueller, a creative cook and volunteer with
Make Food Not Waste, shares practical ways to reduce food waste, keep food out of landfills, help feed people, and turn kitchen scraps into healthy soil. Make Food Not Waste is a Michigan nonprofit working to cut the state’s food waste in half by 2030.
The evening will include slides, food samples, and plenty of ideas you can put to use at home!
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✦ SHABBAT SERVICE
Friday, Nov. 13, 7pm
SHANAY WATSON-WHITTAKER, DIR., REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL
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Shanay Watson-Whittaker is the Director of Michigan Campaigns for Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL). She will join us for a progress report on issues related to reproductive freedom here in Michigan and around the nation.
Ms. Watson-Whitaker served as Director of Strategic Partnerships for Michigan Voices and convened the Michigan Voices Reproductive Justice Work Group that launched the 2022 Michigan Proposal 3 Campaign. She also served as Proposal 3’ s Deputy Campaign Manager, earning 57% of the vote.
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Next Session:
Monday, Oct. 26, 6:30pm
in the Sherwin Wine Library
Join Russell Linden and Yossi Ben-Gal for our new monthly Current Events Discussion Group.
Each 90-minute gathering offers an opportunity for thoughtful conversation about important political, economic, national, and international issues. Possible topics may include upcoming elections in Israel and the United States, conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, artificial intelligence, and other major issues in the news. The group will focus on current events rather than religious or personal matters.
Join us for lively, respectful, and engaging discussion!
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UPDATE
THE AMERICAN JEWISH EXPERIENCE, PT. 2
Returns on Mondays, Dec. 7 & 14 at Noon
with a review of Pt. 1 of the class: 1654 - 1870.
First Session of Pt. 2 will begin in Jan.
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Join Rabbi Falick most Mondays at Noon for the continuing story of Jews in America.
Please Note:
This class is for CHJ members only (unless by special arrangement); in person with a Zoom option available on request to rabbi@chj-detroit.org.
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SPECIAL EVENT!
A Women’s Dinner Honoring Gloria Steinem
Wednesday, October 28, 6:30pm
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Join us for a special evening for the women of our community as we celebrate and honor Gloria Steinem—and enjoy an opportunity to spend time together, connect, and get to know one another better.
Over a delicious dinner prepared by Chef Julie Claire, we’ll share our own reflections on Gloria Steinem and her remarkable life and work. Come prepared, if you wish, to share how she inspired you, a favorite quote, an accomplishment that especially touched you, a story about her, or simply what her work has meant to you.
Members: $30 | Non-members: $45
Please RSVP to Michele at office@chj.org by Wednesday, October 21.
Let the conversation continue!
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WED., NOV. 4, 6:30PM
HARLEM RHAPSODY
by Victoria Christopher Murray.
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Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray tells the extraordinary story of Jessie Redmon Fauset, the woman whose work helped ignite the Harlem Renaissance. In 1919, Fauset arrives in Harlem to become literary editor of The Crisis, the influential magazine founded by W. E. B. Du Bois. The first Black woman to hold the position, she is determined to discover and nurture a new generation of Black literary voices.
Among the young writers Fauset champions are Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, and Nella Larsen. Under her leadership, The Crisis flourishes, and Fauset finds herself at the center of a remarkable renaissance in Black literature, music, theater, and the arts. At the same time, she is navigating a complicated and potentially damaging secret: her affair with Du Bois, her boss and a married man fourteen years her senior.
As Fauset’s own first novel earns acclaim, she must balance her ambitions as a writer with the enormous influence she has gained as an editor and mentor. Harlem Rhapsody brings to life a woman who helped shape a generation of literary legends while struggling to secure her own place in history. People calls it “a gripping narrative,” while novelist Tayari Jones describes it as both “a page turner and history lesson.”
| | Members, No charge / Nonmembers welcome, $10 | | |
SPECIAL PROGRAM
SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 10:30AM
A VISIT TO THE DIA EXHIBIT...
GEORGIA O’KEEFFE:
ARCHITECTURE
...AND HER LESS WELL-KNOWN ARCHITECTURAL ART
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Join us for a visit to the Detroit Institute of Arts to see GEORGIA O’KEEFFE: ARCHITECTURE, a groundbreaking exhibition exploring a fascinating and lesser-known side of one of America’s most celebrated artists.
The exhibition brings together approximately 35 paintings spanning four decades and is the first devoted exclusively to O’Keeffe’s fascination with the built environment—from Manhattan skyscrapers and rural barns to the adobe homes of New Mexico.
We will meet in the lobby of the DIA at 10:30am on Saturday, Nov. 7, and plan to join one another for lunch afterward at Café DIA. Admission to the special exhibition is $20 unless you are a museum member.
Please RSVP to office@chj-detroit.org by October 17.
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SAVE THE DATE
POP-UP ART STOP
Saturday, Nov. 14, 1-5pm
The LOVE Building
4731 Grand River Avenue, Detroit
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Join our Social Justice and Programming Committees for a field trip to the Pop-Up Art Stop, a free afternoon of art and performance hosted by Linkage Community.
This organization—where temple member Frannie Shepherd-Bates serves as Director of Development—is a statewide creative network led by and for people with lived experience of incarceration.
Through the arts, Linkage works to build connection, reduce isolation, and create opportunities for its members.
The Pop-Up Art Stop is free and open to everyone. Stop by anytime between 1 - 5pm to experience the art, performances, and community.
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In Hebrew, Kesher means Connection — and that is the purpose of a wonderful new committee at CHJ.
The Kesher Committee—chaired by Sarah Markowitz—helps our congregation stay connected through life’s simchas (joys) and tsuris (troubles) ... celebrations, illnesses, losses, recoveries, milestones, and difficult moments.
If you are interested in volunteering...
please contact Sarah at: 1Luciannn1@comcast.net
or the CHJ staff at: office@chj-detroit.org.
Please let Sarah know if you or another congregant could use a phone call, card, meal, visit, or any other gesture of support.
LET'S KEEP CHJ CONNECTED!
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HELP CHJ MEMBERS IN NEED!
The Kesher Committee is looking for people to volunteer for a new program for meal delivery. As a volunteer, you will make or purchase a meal, and then deliver it to the CHJ member in need.
Volunteers will be provided with the amount, type/preferences, and allergen info of the recipient, and the ability to sign up for your chosen date/time of delivery.
PLEASE CONTACT:
Linda Kahn Gale
248.320.3725 / avrum52@aol.com
...to be added and join us in the opportunity to serve your friends at CHJ!
| | | SHOW YOUR PRIDE IN CHJ WHILE SUPPORTING THE SOCIAL JUSTICE CMTE. | | |
Through an arrangement with TeePublic, CHJ receives a share of the profits to support the work of our Social Justice Committee.
Shop CHJ clothing, hats, bags, gifts and more, featuring all kinds of designs, styles, colors and sizes. Just click the button to get started!
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SAVE THIS DATE!
FOR OUR CHANUKAH CELEBRATION
& SOUPER SUPPER!
FRIDAY, DEC. 11, 6PM
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SOUPS of all kinds wanted (and other food, too!)
Contact Audrey (audreypleasant@gmail.com) for more information or to donate.
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We are continuing to collect food and other needed items (e.g. diapers--especially large sized, feminine hygiene items, cleaning products, toiletries) for local charities. When you come to our building for an activity or are just in the neighborhood, you can drop some off.
To learn of additional efforts—current and planned—contact Audrey or come to an SJC meeting. All are invited.
Success depends on the help of many people.
For more information, contact Audrey (audreypleasant@gmail.com).
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JOIN THE SJC EMAIL LIST!
We have so many plans in progress!
To keep up to date, be sure you are signed up for the SJC email list
Contact Audrey Pleasant:
(audreypleasant@gmail.com) to sign up!
No obligation!
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR HALLOWEEN PARTY
Volunteers are needed to help with Freedom House’s Halloween Party for children on Thursday, October 29, from 4:30–7pm. at their new residence.
Contact Audrey (audreypleasant@gmail.com) to volunteer or for more information.
| | JEWS FOR A SECULAR DEMOCRACY | | |
Dr. Bradley Onishi, scholar of religion, former evangelical minister, and co-host of the Straight White American Jesus podcast, returns to JFASD for an urgent conversation about Christian Nationalism, authoritarianism, and the future of American democracy.
Drawing from his newly released book, American Caesar: How Theocrats and Tech Lords Are Turning America into a Monarchy, Dr. Onishi will explain how Christian Nationalists, reactionary religious networks, and powerful technology leaders are finding common ground in support of concentrated executive power.
What does this alliance mean for the separation of religion and government? What are the consequences for Jews and other religious minorities, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ equality, public education, and our democratic institutions? Most importantly, what can we do about it?
Register today: https://bit.ly/BRADLEYONISHI
The program is free and will include time for audience questions. Please join us and share this invitation with others who care about protecting religious freedom and pluralistic democracy.
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WELL WISHES
BEST WISHES FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY TO
Joe Barclay
Lee Bricker
Rabbi Jeffrey Falick
Natan Fuchs
Jim Walker
Please inform us if you know that someone is ill or in need.
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ONLINE, IN-PERSON & BOTH!
Classes are for members only or by arrangement with Rabbi Falick or Ann-Marie Fisher, exec. director.
THE AMERICAN JEWISH EXPERIENCE
In person and online. Members only. Mondays at Noon.
Resumes Dec. 7.
SOCRATES CAFE
Tuesdays, 11am
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/182488428
MAH-JONGG
Tuesdays, 1-2:30pm - In-Person
For more information, contact Denise Parker, 248.321.9428.
YOGA
Wednesdays, 9:30am - In-Person
with Connie Grossman
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