Our Mission

 

The principal mission of the Downtown Synagogue is to serve as a beacon for the entire Jewish community of Metropolitan Detroit by maintaining an egalitarian synagogue, rooted in Jewish tradition and affirming of pluralistic practice, in downtown Detroit. It encourages intergenerational engagement and promotes broad-based participation by offering a wide range of programming and acting as a conduit for Jewish activity in the city. It is committed to supporting the revitalization of Detroit; and assuring accessibility to all. 

 
 

Our Blog

Featured
IADS Library: Samantha Loved Books
IADS Library: Samantha Loved Books

Samantha loved books.  All kinds of books.  Old books, new books, recycled books, used books, books on Judaism and Jews, books on politics, books on social justice, books on feminism, books on politics, books on urban affairs, books on religions, books on philosophy, self-help books, books to help others, books on virtually any topic. 

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IADS Library: There’s No Such Thing As Jewish Religion

I say that mostly to be provocative, you know, sort of as a conversation starter. No, but it’s true. Religion, as a discrete, cordoned off area of one’s life is actually a European-Christian concept, borne out of the Religious Wars of the sixteenth and seventeenth-century, in the German Holy Roman Empire, and surrounding kingdoms.

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IADS Library: An Intentional Approach
IADS Library: An Intentional Approach

As a part of our building renovation, we decided to build a library adjacent to the main sanctuary. First, we had to design the shelves, which we did with the help of our interior designer Laavu. Then we had to buy the wood, and we decided to use reclaimed oak wood, which we purchased from a local non-profit called Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit. Parenthetically, I’ll note that the wood was actually from Congregation Shaarey Zedek, which donated the wood when they renovated the small chapel a while back.

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Photos From our Events

OUR VALUES

ACTION • HUMILITY • PLACE-BASED • COURAGE TO LEARN & HAVE DIALOGUE • KEHILA/ABUNDANCE • DIVERSITY & INCLUSION • KINDNESS & COMPASSION • INTEGRATING RITUAL & ACTION

Thank you to the following foundations for their generous support of our work and mission to serve Jewish Detroit.

Norman and Esther Allan Foundation • Mandell L. and Madeleine H. Berman Foundation • William Davidson Foundation • Max and Marjorie Fisher Foundation • Gilbert Family Foundation • The Jewish Fund • D. Dan and Betty Kahn Foundation • Donald R. and Esther Simon Family Foundation • Ben Teitel Fund