Clergy
Rabbi Michael L. Moskowitz
Most often, you can find Rabbi Moskowitz out in the community, engaged with our congregants, whether naming a child, studying together over coffee, serving dinner at a homeless shelter in Detroit, performing a wedding for a young couple he’s known since bar mitzvah, making a hospital visit or just getting together for a bite to eat. For Rabbi Mike, Judaism is about building relationships, connecting with one another through the time we share together and Temple Shir Shalom has grown through his living this mission, from 500 families when he came here in 1995, to over 900 families today.
A student of progressive values and innovation, Rabbi Moskowitz is game for trying new ideas and programs to celebrate Judaism and create holiness in our lives. From the dozens of Israel trips with teens and families to Shir Shalom retreats with our youth, wherever we find ourselves, there are always opportunities to live one of his favorite teachings—” to make the old new and the new holy.” He feels blessed that Temple Shir Shalom has been a gift in helping him live this vision since day one. From his roots in St. Louis to the Gothic playground of Duke University to even Hebrew Union College, each step of his journey has crystallized this passion. While he lives this every day, if he’s not with our members, there’s a pretty good chance you can find him with his wife, Leslie, and their children, Ellie, Asher, and Nathan, and of course their dog, Addy.
Rabbi Daniel A. Schwartz
For Rabbi Daniel Schwartz, being a part of the Jewish community is about sharing a set of values and cultural experiences, making the world a better place, participating in Jewish communal life, commemorating events and celebrating Jewish holidays. It is also about being a mensch (a person with integrity and a good heart) and looking at our lives, relationships and daily decisions through a “Jewish lens.”
Whether it is at a Lunch & Learn or a conversation in passing; in a formal class or in the streets of Jerusalem (or in one of the many other cities where he leads trips), Rabbi Daniel views it as a privilege to partner with members of our community as he shares this meaningful way of life and brings beauty and understanding to our rituals and traditions.
A native of St. Louis, Rabbi Schwartz continued to strengthen his Jewish foundation at URJ Goldman Union Camp, Oberlin College, and Hebrew Union College, along with a number of other congregations where he taught or served as student rabbi or rabbinic intern. When not spending time with his Temple family, Rabbi Daniel is often enjoying the naches (pride) with his wife, Elana, of raising their three children, Jenna, Avi, and Micah.
Cantor Penny Steyer
Often described as “all things music at Temple Shir Shalom”, Cantor Steyer enjoys using her diverse musical talents to create a sense of spiritual inspiration and holiness at services, as well as helping others express their own Judaism by teaching our adult choir, youth choir, Shoresh students, song leaders, Klezmer Band, Shofar Corps, and our “Not for Prime Time Purim Shpielers”. Growing up in the world of professional musicians in New York, Cantor Steyer learned that music brings joy and builds lasting relationships. After having the opportunity to lead services as a teenager, she became determined to help others find their Jewish pathway through music.
Cantor Penny found her spiritual home at Temple Shir Shalom while looking for a religious school for her young children, Tiffany and Matthew, now Cantorial Soloists themselves. Embraced by this warm and welcoming community, she was excited to partner with the Rabbis to help Temple establish itself as a unique and innovative synagogue. Whether reminiscing with a founding family over dinner, guiding a B’nai Mitzvah student in Torah chant, or discussing new possibilities at an Introduction to Judaism class, our Cantor enjoys spending time with individual members and building personal relationships—the hallmark of Temple Shir Shalom.
Rabbi Dannel I. Schwartz, z"l
Dannel I. Schwartz began Temple Shir Shalom in 1988 with just 30 families in a converted office building on Maple Road. Within three months of its founding, Shir Shalom had grown to almost 500 families. Five years later, he spearheaded the design and construction of the structure that is presently our home. Rabbi Schwartz founded a congregation of over 900 families that is one of the most innovative Temples on the American scene today.
Rabbi Schwartz began his rabbinic career in 1972 and received his doctoral degree from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1997. He was elected President of the Michigan Board of Rabbis and the Vice President of the North American Board of Rabbis. Before the genesis of Shir Shalom, Rabbi Schwartz served as the Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth El in Birmingham, Michigan. A certified Chaplain, Dr. Schwartz most recently served on the staff of Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan.
An author, Rabbi Schwartz wrote "Finding Joy: A Practical Spiritual Guide to Happiness" published by Jewish Lights and translated into both German and Hebrew, and a hospital prayer book used in 200 leading hospitals in North America entitled "On The Wings of Healing" published by Heliographis, Ltd. His numerous articles on religion and spirituality have appeared in scores of magazines and journals. He served as a technical consultant in Jewish mystical practices on the TV show The X-Files.
Beloved husband of Suzi Romanik. Cherished father of Ari (Jennifer) Schwartz and Peter (Leia) Schwartz. Proud grandfather of Gabriel, Eli, and Ayal.
PHOTO CREDITS: Deanna Spivey and Brett Mountain