Our Beginning
In 1982, a small group of people desired to establish a Jewish community for those residing east of Woodward. In time, we selected as our name Congregation Shir Tikvah (Song of Hope), reflecting the strong roles that music and prayer, learning and laughter, faith and healing play in our community. Today, the Shir Tikvah family consists of members from the western edge of Oakland County to the eastern edge of Macomb County, and to the northern-and southern-most points of I-75. We built our building in 1998 located only one mile north of Somerset Mall in Troy.
Our Mission Statement
"Congregation Shir Tikvah is an innovative, yet traditional, friendly and inclusive congregation, valuing diversity, where all can seek G-d and strengthen spiritual, social, educational and cultural aspects of Jewish life. As a bridge between our membership, our community and the State of Israel, Shir Tikvah embraces our heritage, provides continuity and encourages the evolution of Judaism into the future."
We consider this a living document and it guides every decision we make. We believe everyone is made in G-d's image and we strive to respect the needs of all members.
Religious Orientation
Congregation Shir Tikvah is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism and is part of Aleph: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. “As a Reform-Renewal synagogue, Congregation Shir Tikvah is committed to the on-going study of the full range of mitzvot (Jewish sacred obligations) and the expression of those mitzvot as they are relevant to us as 21st century Jews. Moreover, the Shir Tikvah family is committed to welcoming all who desire to find a home with us: including intermarried couples, gays and lesbians, Jews-by-choice, Jews-by-birth, families, and singles.
Worship That Works
Reform Judaism magazine chose us as one of four exemplary congregations in their Spring 1997 issue.
We hold Shabbat services every Friday night and Saturday morning. A mix of formats each month (spirited music, contemplative, earlier, later, tot-oriented) allows congregants to choose what best suits their interests and schedules. About once a month, we have a congregational Shabbat dinner before Friday night services prepared by our Dinner Divas. When the weather cooperates, we sometimes hold services in our outdoor sanctuary in the woods behind our main building.
The balance of Hebrew and English in our services varies, although the English content is always sufficient to make the service understandable and meaningful to all. Men and women participate equally in all services, and the wearing of kippot (traditional head coverings) and tallitot (prayer shawls) is left to the individual's discretion.
We come together as a congregation for High Holy Day services, with only one seating for all services. We observe the first day of Rosh Hashanah at the Shul and the second day at a local park for a family-friendly musical "Tashlich" service. Family services are offered on the afternoons of both the first day of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur. We conclude the closing service of Yom Kippur with a congregational potluck break fast. Of course, we also have services for other holidays and festivals.
Ecclesiastes tells us, "To everything there is a season." Because lifecycle events are an important part of Jewish family life, we strive to make each one memorable, meaningful and beautiful. Within the congregation, we have all the resources for lifecycle observances, including Brit Milah (the bris, or circumcision), baby-naming, bar and bat mitzvah, confirmation, marriage, burial, mourning and conversion.
Our Rabbi
Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg or "Rabbi Arnie" as he is known, has been our spiritual leader for over 20 years, and he has a lifetime contract with the congregation. Rabbi Arnie's spirituality and his extraordinary gift for connecting with people set the tone for our congregation, and his wonderfully rich and melodic voice enlivens our services with song. In addition to leading services, Rabbi Arnie is a strong presence in almost every aspect of congregational life. He teaches both children and adults, meets with bar and bat mitzvah students and their families during the months leading up to the service, participates in committees, counsels and kvells with congregants and conducts life-cycle events. Rabbi Arnie is also active in the wider community; he served as President of the Michigan Board of Rabbis in 2006-08, is a frequent speaker at events across Michigan and serves as a chaplain for the Troy police department.
What We Offer
We offer a full range of programs and services for adults and children. These include traditional and modern observances of holidays and Shabbat, a professionally run Family Education Program, as well as adult education and social programs. Shir Tikvah also boasts other groups covering a wide array of interests such as a social action group, a Sisterhood, a book club, and a group for high school students that are affiliated with the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY). We also sponsor a Purim Carnival, Congregational Seder, Sukkot service at Rabbi Arnie’s home, Hanukkah festivities and a family oriented Labor Day weekend retreat.
Our Shabbat services are the focal point for our religious observances. We hold services every Friday night and Saturday morning. The structure of the service will vary to serve all needs. Once a month we have a congregational Shabbat dinner before services.
Our High Holiday services are deeply appreciated by our congregants. For these services we use The New Mahzor. We observe the first day of Rosh Hashanah at the Synagogue and the second day at a local park for a traditional "Tashlich" service. Family services are conducted on the afternoons of both the first day of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur. We conclude the Family service on Rosh Hashanah with apples and honey and the closing service of Yom Kippur with a Congregational Potluck break fast.
Recognizing that participation in life cycle events is an important part of Jewish family life; we have within Shir Tikvah all the resources for life cycle observances. Those include Brit Milah (bris), baby-naming, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, confirmation, marriage, burial, and shiva.
Education
Congregation Shir Tikvah is deeply committed to lifelong Jewish learning. Our highly-regarded Sam and Jean Frankel Family Education Program is unique in the Detroit metropolitan area: it is a religious school focusing on family education. Students, teachers and parents are regularly involved in special activities throughout the school year, helping to strengthen the family's Jewish identity and create positive Jewish memories. Many of our teens serve as madrachim (teaching assistants) in the Family Education program, giving the younger students role models and connections with older students, and giving the teens leadership training and work experience.
Our creative and energetic Director of Lifelong Learning, Daniella HarPaz Mechnikov, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her position. Daniella holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Michigan, and she taught at Brandeis University and at the University of Michigan. She has a strong background in Hebrew and Yiddish language and literature and speaks five languages.
The Family Education Program spans pre-kindergarten through high school. Pre-K through third grade meets on Sunday mornings; fourth through sixth grade meets on Sunday mornings and Tuesday afternoons. Seventh through ninth grade meets on Monday evenings at CST and tenth through twelfth grade meets on Wednesday evenings at the Birmingham office of their teacher. The Hebrew curriculum focuses on Hebrew through prayer, so that students are familiar with the Hebrew prayers in the service well before they begin formal bar or bat mitzvah preparation. For nine months prior to their bar or bat mitzvah, students also meet weekly with one of our talented private tutors for intensive assistance with Torah and Haftarah.
We also offer an adult component to our Family Education Program with a variety of classes in Hebrew, Judaic studies and contemporary issues affecting Jews. These classes are offered at various times during the year by various instructors (both from CST and outside) and are tailored to meet the changing interests of our members. Torah study meets every Saturday morning at 8:45 a.m.
Location
Congregation Shir Tikvah is located at 3900 Northfield Parkway, just south of Wattles between Coolidge and Crooks in Troy. After being in several temporary locations, we moved into our own new building in April 1998. The building is very versatile and can accommodate up to 600 people in theatre seating or 240 for sit-down banquet-style. We also have an outdoor sanctuary in the woods behind the main building. It can accommodate up to 150 people for services, weddings or meditation as weather permits.
Membership
Our synagogue is open to all. Membership rights are never denied or restricted based on financial circumstances. If there is a need for assistance on dues, it is simply a matter of discussing this with our Administrator. We feel strongly that finances, while essential for us to continue, are secondary to fulfilling our Mission Statement. Also, our non-Jewish spouses or partners are welcome and enjoy all membership privileges.
Communications
A monthly newsletter called the "Town Schrier" is mailed or emailed to all current & prospective members. The newsletter includes a wide range of articles from the Rabbis’ message, calendar of services and events to Board of Trustee notes. We also maintain an e-mail notification service.