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Adat Shalom’s History

The Synagogue began modestly in 1943 to serve the religious needs of the Jewish community in Northwest Detroit. Some 52 members formed the nucleus of a small, neighborhood congregation and applied to the State of Michigan for a charter under the name “Northwest Hebrew Congregation.” High Holy Day Services were conducted in 1944 in a building on Livernois near Seven Mile Road. A traditional service was led by a guest rabbi and cantor. Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the first election of officers took place, and by resolution of the new Board of Trustees and a decision of the general membership the congregation joined United Synagogue of America in February, 1945, thus officially identifying with the Conservative Movement.

Adas-Shalom-Synagogue-Detroit

Rabbi-Jacob-SegalMembership grew dramatically, and the need for permanent quarters became evident. In the fall of 1945, under a huge tent, a ground-breaking ceremony was held on Curtis Avenue for the initial wing of the Synagogue. By September, 1946, we had 400 member families and had decidedly outgrown our school facilities and private service quarters of preceding months. Plans were made to establish a branch of The United Hebrew Schools within the new building, the first such union of a communal Hebrew School and a Synagogue in Michigan. That same year the Synagogue purchased a 25-acre cemetery on Six Mile Road near Middlebelt, now called Adat Shalom Memorial Park.

In August 1946, Rabbi Jacob E. Segal was engaged as the Synagogue’s first spiritual leader. As the congregation grew, attention focused on the beauty of the worship service and cultural expression of the Jewish People. Rabbi Segal was the congregation’s founding visionary, whose view was that the Synagogue was the center of the Jewish community. Pavel Slavensky became our first permanent cantor, succeeded in 1949 by Cantor Nicholas Fenakel, who served for 26 years. Along with a now active Sisterhood and Men’s Club, an Institute of Jewish Studies was formed, the Religious School blossomed, and the first Confirmation took place in 1948.

Adat Shalom Synagogue

In June of 1951, after much study and research, a general meeting was held to select a new name for the congregation, more in keeping with a spiritual institution. Adas Shalom, ” Congregation of Peace,” was the popular choice. A brand new sanctuary was dedicated with ceremony and reverence in the spring of 1952. Adat Shalom now truly anchored a Jewish neighborhood, while, at the same time, the Synagogue became a leader among congregations in the support of Israel.

Our youth movement intensified, and Rabbi Segal tirelessly pursued another dream: to afford Jewish children the opportunity for a deep, informed Jewish day school education. In 1958, Hillel Day School came into being. With the aid of equally compelled and dedicated congregants, Adas Shalom and Hillel began a relationship that would grow ever closer and productive in the following decades.

cantor-larry-viederCantor Larry Vieder arrived on the scene early in 1960 and undertook a unique program of youth involvement in the adult worship services. In those years the groundwork was laid within the congregation for many future Jewish communal leaders.

Synagogue membership had reached its capacity at the Curtis building, which was now “bursting at the seams.” Most of the congregation’s families were relocating farther northwest into the suburbs, and the time had come to move. A bold proposal to build a new synagogue complex at Middlebelt and 13 Mile Roads in Farmington Hills was accepted. At the same time, in keeping with the Sephardic pronunciation of Hebrew in Israel and the new modern Hebrew used during services, Adas Shalom became Adat Shalom.

A magnificent new edifice was planned and constructed at the Farmington Hills site, incorporating echoes of the then-new Israel Museum in Jerusalem, with its indoor-outdoor ambience. After impressive ceremonies leaving the Curtis building and bringing the Torah Scrolls to the new location, the campaign was on to re-attract former members and to become a known and visible address in a social context vastly different from the closeness and warmth of the original neighborhood.

Rabbi Seymour Rosenbloom, who joined the Synagogue as our Assistant Rabbi in 1972, came to the aid of Rabbi Segal during the illness before his death in 1975. Rabbi Rosenbloom was named Rabbi of the Congregation in 1975 and guided the congregation with detailed concern and firm decision through the growing pains of new life in the suburbs until he departed for Philadelphia three years later. Creative energy resulted in many impressive accomplishments in all areas.

Rabbi Efry SpectreRabbi Efry Spectre assumed his duties as Rabbi of Adat Shalom on Sukkot of 1978. A dramatic Ner Tamid Campaign successfully ended crippling bank obligations, and the Synagogue was poised to grow dramatically. Executive Director Alan Yost headed the administrative department as membership totals climbed and many exciting new programs were developed. Rabbi Elliot Pachter was hired as Assistant Rabbi in 1987 and served the Synagogue for five years. In the summer of 1991 we welcomed Cantor Howard Glantz, who succeeded Cantor Vieder in 1993. The following fall Rabbi Daniel Nevins joined our clergy. Rabbi Nevins is now the Pearl Resnick Dean of the Rabbinical School at the Jewish Theological Seminary.

rabbi-daniel-nevinsHaving celebrated our 50th anniversary in 1995, the congregation continues to play a vital role in the lives of more than 950 member families, in the Detroit-metropolitan Jewish Community, and in the Conservative Movement. Our Adat Shalom-Beth Achim Learning Community offers educational and social programming from Parent-Toddler classes through 12th grade. Family and adult education programs, social action opportunities, affiliates comprised of our Sisterhood, Men’s Club and Social Action Committee, Tikkun Adat, Empty Nesters, and Young Adult Group all combine to make Adat Shalom stronger than ever. In June, 1998, members of Congregation Beth Achim overwhelmingly approved a merger with Adat Shalom Synagogue, along with the sale of its building to the United Jewish Foundation. Following months of merger negotiations, the Beth Achim congregational vote was the last in a series of official steps leading to the two congregations worshiping together in Farmington Hills by the 5759 High Holy Days.

Cantor Larry Vieder z”l passed away on October 12, 2008. Cantor Vieder served the Synagogue for 48 years. During that time, he has earned wide respect as a compassionate friend and an inspirational teacher to hundreds of Adat Shalom youngsters and adults. After his official retirement in 1993, he continued to work with Bar/Bat Mitzvah students, officiate at High Holy Day Services, and remained very much a vital part of the congregation up until the time of his death. He was active in the Cantors Assembly, was a life member of its executive board, and was honored by the Assembly with the Kavod Award for 40 years of distinguished service. Cantor Vieder was given an honorary Doctorate Degree in Music by the Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary. He was supporter of many Jewish organizations. He was survived by “his” Gitta, loving sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rabbi Efry Spectre was the rabbinic leader of Adat Shalom for twenty-two years, beginning in 1978. Under his direction, we became one of the leading congregations in the Conservative Movement and a strong supporter of the Jewish Theological Seminary, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and, in Israel, the Masorti (Conservative) Movement. After the Six Day War, Rabbi Spectre vigorously advocated for the cause of Jews in the former Soviet Union. He received many honors worldwide, was recognized with an honorary doctorate from the Seminary, and chaired the Rabbinic Cabinet of Israel Bonds Conference in Jerusalem. Locally he was a vigorous spokesman for Jewish concerns, serving on the boards of numerous organizations. Rabbi Spectre made an indelible impression on our congregation. He led us toward more meaningful and spiritual lives, demonstrating a single-minded commitment to Jewish values and observance and to the Conservative Movement. He became Rabbi Emeritus in the fall of 1999. After this retirement, Rabbi Spectre moved to New York City and taught a course in homiletics (sermon delivery) at the Jewish Theological Seminary. The cultural offerings of the city gave him opportunities to further pursue his passion for music and theater. Rabbi Spectre died in January, 2010, and is buried in Israel.

Rabbi Herbert Yoskowitz joined the Adat Shalom clergy in July of 1998, becoming Rabbi Emeritus in 2018. Rabbi Rachel Shere was a member of our clergy 2004 to 2021, when she announced her retirement. Cantor Frank Lanzkron-Tamarazo served as cantor from 2007 to 2009. Rabbi Aaron Bergman joined the Adat Shalom clergy as its Mara d’Atra, July 1, 2008. Hazzan Daniel Gross joined our clergy in July of 2009. Rabbi Daniel S. Horwitz joined the clergy team in July 2021. At the same time, Rabbi Blair Nosanwisch joined our staff in the position of Director of Spiritual care, transitioning into a full-time clergy position in July 2022.