Shaarey Shomayim

UPDATE 2021: The former Shaarey Shomayim synagogue site has risen again as the site under the name BULK Santuary with the ambition of serving an artist residency program. The plan has called for its renovation.

The interior of the former synagogue and later church had been cleared out but it remains unclear if the site will continue to be developed. The surrounding neighborhood is largely abandoned with many vacant structures and untended lots.

Vistors examine an exhibit of metal sculptures on a chilly November day.

The BULK Sanctuary site describes the project as follows:
On the corner of Muirland and Midland, you will discover BULK Sanctuary, a site-specific installation space designed to engage emerging interdisciplinary artists seeking to create sensory experiences thriving beyond the canvas. Previously known as Shylo Arts Detroit, This space is undoubtedly unique, as it was originally constructed in 1923 as a Synagogue, built to serve a once predominantly Jewish community. Over time it became Shiloh Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, officially closing its doors in 2012. In 2017, the remnants of this structure were reimagined as a creative sanctuary for artists traveling throughout Detroit.

The only visible remains of its Jewish heritage were found in these pews in the basement.

At the time of my visit, nothing had been done to restore the exterior and the windows were only covered with plastic sheeting. The Mogen David stained glass window that was once in the rear of the building [see below] was missing.

elevate

Art installation by Manal Shoukair

Established as a Jewish Synagogue in 1925, the historic Shiloh Tabernacle was transformed into a Church of God in 1984. Having been abandoned for some years, the space now fosters the potential for creation- a point of intrigue that Shoukair, a Muslim Arab-American woman could not overlook. As the fourth iteration in a series of interactive site-specific installations, Shoukair has transformed the space into one of spiritual inquisition and curiosity. Elevate is one in a series of installations that ask viewers to journey consciously through the space they occupy. It directs awareness inward, engulfing it’s audience in the stillness of it’s gesture, making evident subtleties of each body’s exertions.

CLICK IMAGE FORM MORE SHAAREY SHOMAYIM

Muirland at Midland
aka
Fenkell Shul

Now
Shiloh Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C

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Shared Memories of Shaarey Shomayim / Fenkell Shul

Shaarey Shomayim on Muirland
Rabbi Herbert Eskin listed this synagogue as his employer on his Army registration in 1940.

Thank you
JM

This shul happened to have been the only one in it's neighborhood. It moved to 10 mile in OP where it was demolished to make way for the freeway. A successor minyon under the leadership of Rabbi Goldman currently meets in the Jewish Community Center of OP. My grandfather Bernard Shapiro prayed here from the 1930's until it closed, when he moved to Beth Moses as the next closest shul.
- PK

My father, of blessed memory, was president of this synagogue. I had my bar mitzvah there, in 1949. Another president of the shul was Harry Horowitz, a friend of my fathers, his son, David Horowitz, is a good friend of mine, he can give you more information regarding this shul.

We had a blind cantor, conduct the entire Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur services one High Holiday year. There was a United Hebrew School, two blocks away, on the corner of Parkside, and Midland, a yellow one-story building. My grandfather, Peretz Weinziger, was a Shomer Shabbas, and was a very active member of the shul. It was an orthodox congregation, with separate seating for the men and women, the women were separated from the men with a small white elevated area, on the southern side of the synagogue.

There was a recreational hall down the basement. It did not have a full time rabbi; Rabbi Leo Goldman was the last rabbi of the shul when it was on Muirland and Midland. The shul is still in existence with Rabbi Goldman in Oak Park. My parents had two sefer torahs donated to the shul. Thank you for bringing back many memories of the shul.
- Arbit

The Shaarey Shomayim located on the corner of Midland and Muirland originated in the early thirties. It was some times referred to as the Fenkell Shul. It was a modest wooden structure with the bema in the center. The balcony on one side was for the women. The social hall was in the basement. Many dinners and parties were held there.

My Aunt Lillian Goldman married Al Harrison there in 1934. The sister hood held picnics and parties at Belle Isle and Mt Clemens. My grandfather Peter [Paisha] Goldman was a founding father and shamos. He also read torah and taught bar mitzvah boys. My father Morris Sax was a founding father. Rabbi Moldofsky was the rabbi for many years. Three of his sons were killed in WW2. All of the congregates and rabbi were all from Russia.

The other early members and founding fathers were:
Henry Keyhole, and
The Levine family were prominent Detroiters
Joseph Balberor was president of SS.
Harry Horowitz,
Sam Goldman [my mothers brother]
Barnett Katz [my mothers cousin]
The Gussin family,
Levy,
Pearlman
Weisner family,
Nayer,[mother in law of Abe Satovsky]and
Strotzky

Two years ago SS was on the bus tour sponsored by Adat Shalom and the
Jewish Historical society. SS is now relocated on Wyoming and 10 mile road
in Oak Park, Michigan

I have lived in the Chicago area for many years although my family is
still in the Detroit area. I do not know when SS was closed and reopened in
Oak Park.
- Doris

This was Rabbi Levine who was head of the VAAD Ha Rabonnim's Shul.
- Ruth M.