THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS—Friday, February 6, 1959-12 The Suburban Community Name Chairmen of Academy Banquet Bernard Jonas and Mrs. David Dombey have been named gen- eral chairmen of a banquet be- ing planned by the Hebrew Academy of Oak Park to cele- brate the completion of its first full year of operation. The anniversary banquet is scheduled for April 2, at Rain- bow terrace, and will be under the auspices of the Friends of the Hebrew Academy. Assisting the chairmen are Seymour Ribiat, treasurer; Mrs. Irving Palman and Mrs. Charles Snow, arrangements chairmen; and Mrs. Ernest Citron and Mrs. Joseph Gittleman, reservations. Other committee members are David Dombey, Mrs. Seymour Ribiat, Ernest Citron, Mrs. Leo Hoffman, Mrs. Isaac Barzilay and Mrs. Max Silverman. For reservations, call Mrs. Citron, EL 6-7808, or Mrs. Gittleman, LI 1-4575. Bnai Brith Award Cites Achievements of Dr. Pepper By the Oak-Woodser An Oak Park educator, whose reputation as a school administrator has earned wide- spread national prominence both for him and the school system he heads, has been chosen to receive the seventh annual Brotherhood Award of Oak-Woods Lodge of Bnai Brith. He is Dr. James Nelson Pep- per, superintendent of the Oak Park Schools, who in seven another as people." Oak Park Mizrachi Planning Bake Sale The first annual bake sale of the Oak Park Chapter of Mizrachi Women will be held this Thursday, at Federal De- partment Store, Six Mile and Schaefer. DR. JAMES N. PEPPER In addition to fancy cakes and pastries, which will be sold years has seen the system as take-home items, the group develop from one rural school will prepare sandwiches and to a community of Class A coffee for shoppers. schools. Proceeds will go to Israel to When Dr. Pepper came to aid in the emergency drive to Oak Park in an advisory ca- resettle thousands of newly-ar- pacity in 1951, the school riving immigrants from Roma- system consisted of an old nia, many of whom are chil- frame building with seven dren who will go to Mizrachi classrooms. He remembers institutions and grade schools. that four of the rooms had just been added "to take care of the needs of the district for the next five years." We Remodel Double breasted suits to single breasted models • 2-button wide lapel to 3-but- ton narrow lapel model • Full flare coots to new tapered models with push-up sleeves • Taper skirts and dresses • Leather coots COMPLETE STOCK OF BRAND NAME: SUITS • SUBURBAN, COATS • SLACKS • SPORT COATS • TOPCOATS Alterations Free Complete Service on Tuxedo Rentals RADOM TAILORS Clothiers & Cleaners 22155 COOLIDGE SO. of 9 MILE RD. Free Pickup & Delivery LI 7-1511 OPEN SUNDAYS 11 - 3 He assumed full-time direc- tion of the schools on July 1, 1952, just. after the close of school in June, when there were 384 students attending class in the Oak Park District. The six-plus years that fol- lowed, Dr. Pepper said, have been the most interesting and challenging he has ever ex- perienced. This is what has happened: 1. The district has been ele- vated from a three-man County School Board to a third-class school district with a self- governing board . of education; 2. The total population of the school district has climbed to over 23,000 people (this is not the Oak Park population, since there is an overlapping of school districts. Many Oak Park families are in the Berk- ley and Ferndale districts) ; and 3. The student population, which has necessitated the building of seven elementary schools and a combined high school, junior high school, has grown from those 384 pupils in 1952 to 5,300 youngsters. The biggest problem, of course, has been finances. "Peo- ple who moved from Detroit expected the same services, and We Make Our Own Glasses HEADQUARTERS FOR • LATEST DOMESTIC AND IM- PORTED FRAME FASHIONS • PRESCRIPTIONS FOR GLASSES ACCURATELY FILLED • Immediate Repair • Reasonably Priced — ASK ABOUT OUR CONTACT LENS ROSEN OPTICAL SERVICE 13720 W. 9 MILE nr. COOLIDGE OAK PARK, MICH. there was pressure to do things right away. Because of finan- cial support thus far given, the schools have been permit- ted to grow," Dr. Pepper said. But it has taken more than finances to make the Oak Park schools great in such a short time. Dr. Pepper sums it up this way: "This is the first com- munity I have served that has seen eye to eye with the supervisor. Even though we have minor differences, we have acceptance of one LI 7-5068 Hours: Doily & Sot. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. — Thursdays to 9 p.m. And it is people, primarily children, which Dr. Pepper has stressed in his work with the schools. More than with just academic development, the schools have been vitally con- cerned with emotional and physical development, as well. In efforts to acquaint him- self with the new and growing community, Dr. Pepper has sought and accepted advice from ministers and rabbis, civ- ic groups and PTA organiza- tions. Being Presbyterian, Dr. Pep- per, before coming to Oak Park, had little knowledge of the Jewish people. "Now," he jokes, "I know more about the Jews than about my own re- ligion." In a school population which is about 60 percent Jewish, however, there have been no problems that have been left unsettled. Dr. Pepper said: "In meeting with rabbis, I and other members of the supervisory staff have come to know the holiday seasons, and we have been able to work out agreements on what holidays the children will be off." The Oak Park schools, which have no Negro stu- dents, do have a Negro teacher. This is in keeping with Dr. Pepper's policy of finding the best possible teachers for the system. He also has introduced a for- eign teacher exchange pro- gram, and, presently, there is a British teacher in Key School, while an Oak Park teacher has a leave of ab- sence to teach in England. "While we stress emotional and social outlets for our youngsters through music, art and similar courses, we do not have a soft program. The kids have to work," he said. Dr. Pepper, who is listed in "Who's Who in American Edu- cation," received his doctorate from Wayne State University in 1954. Previously, he earned his bachelor's degree at East- ern Michigan College and his master's at the University of Michigan. He lives in Farmington Township with his wife, Mabel. They have five children, in- cluding a married daughter, now in Germany, and a grand- child. Dr. Pepper will receive the Oak-Woods Lodge Award for Brotherhood at a banquet in his honor at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 26, at Sammy's. Jersey City Schools to Drop Religious Census Practices JERSEY CITY, N.J. (JTA)— The Jersey City Board. of Edu- cation agreed to discontinue religious censuses in the city's public schools following a com- plaint by the American Jewish Congress to the State Educa- tion Commissioner. The com- plaint was filed only after informal talks failed to obtain abandonment of the practice. Emanu-El Sisterhood Host Church Women Center Slates Music Programs; Varied Events A concert of Israeli music will be offered for Older Ad- ults and friends of the center at the "Young - at Heart" Lounge of the Jewish Com- munity Center Ten Mile branch at 15110 W. 10 Mile, at 8:30 p.m., Tuesday. Avram Rosenthal, a member of the Center Symphony Or- chestra, will play the flute and the halil. Rita Sloan, pianist and student of Julius Chajes, will perform a Tocata by Julius Isserbies, a Hora by Arkadie and a selection entitled "Kou- guell." Rosenthal will demonstrate four kinds of halil—sopranoo, baritone, alto and tenor, in addition to the playing of nu- merous selections. A dance group from the Jewish Parents Institute will perform Israeli dances and teach horas to those present. Guests are welcome. The second annual Young People's Concert in honor of Jewish Music Month will be held at the Ten Mile branch. Rosenthal will play the halil, tell children's stories, and lead in community singing and hora dancing. Marilyn Lucas, 16-year- old pianist, and Annette Firs- tenberg, violinist, will also per- form. The regular Sunday fun pro- gram will not be held that day. There are a number of open- ings for club members at the Ten Mile branch in various age groups. The branch also will offer a new film series the second Wednesday of each month, be- ginning at 8:15 p.m., this Wednesday, with a print of a Charlie Chaplin film since with- drawn by the comedian. Larry Silverman, assistant director of Wayne State University's audio visual production center, will lead discussions on the film. Fourth to eighth grade young- sters will learn basketball tech- niques from Detroit Piston star Gene Shue at a clinic planned for 4:30 p.m., Thursday. Church women of all faiths in the South Oakland County area have been invited by the Sisterhood of Temple Emanu-El to attend a luncheon and pro- gram at 12:30 p.m., Feb. 25, at the temple, 14450 W. 10 Mile, Oak Park. Over 250 women are ex- pected to attend the program, at which three speakers will outline "The Fundamentals of Reform Judaism." Speakers include Rabbi Mil- ton Rosenbaum, of the host con- gregation; Rabbi M. Robert Syme, of Teinple Israel; and Rabbi David A. Baylinson, of Temple Beth El. This is the second annual program conducted by the Sis- terhood in an effort to foster better interfaith relations. Young Israel Sisterhood to Hold Donor, Feb. 11 Final plans have been made for the annual donor luncheon of the Sisterhood of Young Israel Center of Oak-Woods, it is announced by Mrs. Bert Ap- plebaum, chairman. The event will take place Wednesday, at the Center, and will feature a musical program with Hal Gordon, music direc- tor at WXXYZ, and his wife, singer Jean Lawrence. A num- ber of prizes will be awarded. For tickets, call Mrs. Samuel Gianz, LI 5-3809. Alonah Plans Games Night Alonah Chapter of Pioneer Women will hold a games night night program at 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, in the home of Mrs. Anne Shapiro, 19758 Freeland. For information or transporta- tion, call Mrs. Fern Baker, LI 4-2772. Religious activities in Boy Scout camps are carried out un- der religious leaders of all faiths. - TIRED OF CLEANING FLOORS Call Ray Arnold of SUBURBAN FLOOR CLEANING Specializing in all types of floors - LI 5-0218 THE DREAM...a reality, The GREAT . , . ,• NEW MAIN BUILDING • .. .• . • MEYERS at CURTIS jetvisn Community Center JOIN NOW! Be An Honored "CHARTER MEMBER" Phone WE 3-7380 Full Details Will Be Mailed to You Oa adieus. 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Come! Bring the Family The physical education department opens Monday, February 16. Come see and marvel at it the day before, Sunday, Feb. '15! JOIN NOW! "CENTER is for everyone" • ALL Interest Groups • ALL Income Groups • ALL Age Groups