Micki Naiman: Touching Lives, Building Jewish Community
Temple Israel member and community volunteer extraordinaire Micki Naiman is someone who immediately welcomes you into her universe of friends. Vivacious and genuine, Micki’s generous spirit has rippled out to touch the lives of hundreds here at Temple for more than five decades.
Born in Germany to parents of Holocaust survivors, Micki and her family arrived in Minneapolis from Sweden with only a few suitcases, their possessions lost in a ship that sunk in the North Sea. Although she grew up on Minneapolis’ Northside with Jewish families (many of whom are Temple members and are among her circle of friends today), Micki’s parents did not belong to a synagogue and choose not to practice their religion. “It was not until I went to Herzl Camp on a scholarship in the fifth grade that my Jewish spirit was ignited. I connected with my Judaism through ritual, including Shabbat. It all made sense in my 10-year-old mind,” Micki said.
“My Jewish awakening began at summer camp but my re-awakening occurred at Temple Israel. I joined as a young bride in the 1960s and my sons went through the education programs and confirmation. Two of my grandchildren have had their b'nai mitzvahs at Temple and have attended Camp TEKO with two grandkids still to come,” Micki said.
Micki has served on Temple Israel’s Board of Directors and Sisterhood among dozens of committees. “What I feel I contributed to this work is fairness, insight and an ability to coalesce ideas,” Micki said. She also brought her fun and engaging spirit, performing in Temple’s musical revues for many years.
Her commitment to the Jewish community goes well beyond Temple and is legendary—from Sholom Minneapolis to B’nai B’rith and the Sabes Jewish Community Center. But she always made time for her ever-expanding circle of friends, often inviting people new to the community for Shabbat dinners at her home. “Building community and giving back has always been a big part of my life,” Micki said.
“The importance of Temple for me grows every year. Recently, I opened up my eyes in the recovery room after having surgery and saw Rabbi Zimmerman smiling down at me. I said, ‘It’s Friday night aren’t you supposed to be at services?’ She said, ‘I was at services and now I am here with you.’”
“The clergy and our many friends in the congregation have always been there for us. We are so blessed to have Temple Israel at the center of our community and Jewish life.”
For 140 years, Temple has been imparting the wisdom of Judaism from generation to generation, meeting people wherever they are on the journey and whenever they need us. Gifts of all sizes to the Annual Fund for Temple Israel help fund 15 percent of our operating budget and create the exceptional experiences that set Temple apart. For more information, contact Rachel Schachter at rschachter@templeisrael.com or 612-374-0302.