May 13 - May 19 | 12 Iyar - 19 Iyar, 5782
Upcoming Shabbat Schedule

Friday, May 13th - Kabbalat Shabbat
6:00 PM (in-person and livestream)
To view the livestream, click here.

Saturday, May 14th - Partnership Shabbat with RCD
9:30 AM Torah Study (in-person only)
10:30 AM Shacharit (in-person and livestream)
To view the livestream, click here.

Services are held at Christ Church, 960 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48207.

Torah portion for this weekend: Leviticus 21:1−24:23

For a full calendar of services:
Events at IADS
Lag B'Omer Bonfire
Thursday, May 19th, 7:30 p.m.
Eden Gardens, 12273 Glenfield Ave, Detroit, MI 48213
Join us for a special Lag B'Omer celebration featuring holiday learning with Rabbi Silverman, a bonfire, snacks, and schmoozing as we come together with our dear Eden Gardens Block Club community!

Family Farm Day at Oakland Avenue Urban Farm
Sunday, May 22nd, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Oakland Avenue Urban Farm, 9227 Goodwin St. Detroit
Calling all Detroit families - Join us for Family Farm Day at the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm! In collaboration with Downtown Synagogue, Dor Hadash, and Repair the World, we'll have a fun morning of farm work and Jewish learning. Come dressed for the weather. In case of rain, we will be in an indoor greenhouse.


X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X
Sunday, May 22nd, 2:30 p.m.
Detroit Opera Theater, 1526 Broadway Street, Detroit, MI 48226
We invite you to join the Downtown Synagogue and Bethel Community Transformation Center communities for a special viewing on Sunday, May 22nd. Discounted ticket sales have ended, but regular price tickets are still available here.

The astonishing life of one of the most misunderstood men in history unfolds in X: The Life and Times of Malcom X. This distinctly American opera by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Anthony Davis (Central Park Five) and directed by Tony-nominee Robert O’Hara (Slave Play) features a jazz ensemble incorporated into the orchestra and Detroit Opera 21-22 Artist-in-Residence Davóne Tines embodying the role of Malcolm X.

NEW: Diaspora Dinner Series
All May dates are full!
As we will be out of our historic building for the remainder of the year due to our comprehensive renovation, we are in a time of our own diaspora! To bring our community together and build relationships, we present to you the Diaspora Dinner series - a rotation of Downtown Synagogue members will welcome new and familiar faces to their home (or backyard) for a Shabbat meal each month.

Though May dates are now full, we're planning for June! If you're interested in hosting a dinner at your home and/or are interested in attending a meal, we invite you to fill out this form.

Save The Date: Tikkun Leil Shavuot
Saturday, June 4th, 7:00 p.m.
Locations TBA closer to event date
We are so excited to announce the return of our annual Tikkun Leil Shavuot! As we look forward to celebrating our treasured communal night of learning, we are seeking members of the Downtown Synagogue and Congregation T'chiyah that are interested in leading a learning session on the topic of their choice - if you would like to lead a session this year, please complete this form.

Stay tuned for more details!

Save The Date: Eden Gardens Community Association Fundraiser
Saturday, July 9th, 8:30 p.m.
Detroit Repertory Theater, 13103 Woodrow Wilson St, Detroit, MI 48238
We invite you to come out to support our friends at the Eden Gardens Community Association for their next fundraiser at the Detroit Repertory Theater for a play viewing! To learn more about the fundraisers and play, please contact former IADS Board Member Chava Knox directly at 313-587-4949.

Thursday Torah Study with Rabbi Silverman
Weekly on Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Can't get enough Torah? Neither can we! Join Rabbi Silverman weekly on Thursday afternoons for virtual Torah Study to study the weekly parashah. We welcome those of you who cannot make it to Torah Study on Saturdays, those who are searching for an alternate virtual option, or those who just want to connect with your fellow partners in Torah.
Get Involved! Join a Commitee at IADS

Are you looking to make a difference in the Downtown Synagogue community? Do you have creative ideas for programming and engagement opportunities? Look no further than the NEW Membership & Engagement Committee! The committee will be meeting on the last Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

If you are interested in joining this committee, or want to learn more about ways to get involved with the Downtown Synagogue, reach out to Carrie (Committee Co-Chair).
Be a part of Reimagining IADS
The Downtown Synagogue is celebrating its 100th anniversary! Since the beginning, we have been rooted in the City of Detroit and focused on nurturing a welcoming and inclusive community. As we celebrate our centennial, let us make sure that we meet the needs of Detroit’s Jewish community for the next 100 years.

The Downtown Synagogue Board, staff, and lay leaders have spearheaded a $5.2 million capital campaign to make this vision a reality. We are thrilled to share that, to date, we have raised $4.9 million. We invite you to join us in reaching our goal of $5.2 million. Every dollar matters toward this effort. Join us and be a part of our exciting future with your financial commitment.
Community Support
The staff and board of the Downtown Synagogue is thinking of ways to support our community's needs right now. If you or a loved one needs help, please let us know- we will endeavor to connect you to services or help you directly. Please reach out to Rabbi Silverman with resource inquiries.
Call for Mi Shebeirach
During our Shabbat morning worship, we read the names of people in our community who are in need of healing. As we invoke God's blessing, we also become more aware of the people who could use a little extra care. Please let us know if you would like us to read the name of a loved one.