4.7th ANNUAL
REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
OF THE
JEWISH wittFARE FEDERATION OF DETROIT
IPeople and Services andgems • Life
moved in late summer into the newly-com-
pleted Federation Apartments in Oak Park.
More than just a place to live, the program for
residents will include recreational facilities at
the nearby Jewish Community Center, as
well as referral to services when help of any
kind is needed.
The Jewish Vocational Service and Com-
munity Workshop's move to its new building
in midtown Detroit, makes it possible to serve
many more people in its program of rehabili-
tation for the occupationally and mentally
handicapped. This is truly a community agency
serving many mid-Detroit residents, as well as
the Jewish population.
ALAN E. SCHWARTZ
The President Reports
As the Jewish Welfare Federation reaches
its 45th year we come to a point where we
can look back at our achievements and for-
ward on the unmarked path created by ever-
changing problems in our community.
The achievements of Federation—and the
Detroit Jewish community — are marked not
only by the buildings where myriads of health,
welfare, educational and cultural programs are
conducted but by the shadows of the thou-
sands of people who have worked together to
build those buildings and organize those pro-
grams.
Many family names appear with frequency
in the continuing history of Federation, as
father and mother convey to their children the
feelings and tradition of service. The names
of men and women who gave of themselves—
their time and talent and means—make up a
long, long list.
In this Federation report to each individual
in the community through the media of the
Jewish News, we would like to pay tribute to
the people who have given our community its
present, and to those who are now planning,
deciding, working, giving, fund-raising, helping
for the future. These are Federation. These are
our Jewish community agencies. These are the
people who are larger-than-life in their concern
for their fellowman.
It took the planning and work of many to
bring about the Henry M. Butzel Older Adult
Village at Ortonville which opened this year.
Senior citizens, had a summer recreation ex-
perience, and conference groups of many kinds
have already found its Conference Center a
desirable meeting facility.
More than 220 elderly men and women
The result of years of effort on the part of
so many, Sinai Hospital is now fulfilling the
dream of the community for a growing insti-
tution which would care for greater numbers
of the sick and delve into research which would
benefit all mankind in the future. The study of
methods of maintaining a diseased heart has
resulted this year in a phenomenal stride
toward the perfection of a Mechanical heart.
The world has taken notice.
Building on the beginnings made in past
years to reach college-age youth, Federation
with the help of the Jewish Community Foun-
dation has begun to put increased financing
into Jewish cultural and educational programs.
At the University of Michigan, a Jewish
student newspaper is one of several funded
programs which are beginning to draw to-
gether youth on several college campuses. At
Oakland University, our Midrasha has se+ up
new courses in Jewish history and culture.
And, in Detroit, students at Wayne State Uni-
versity will meet at regularly scheduled lunch-
eon seminars in discussion groups with out-
standing Jewish leaders.
In our effort to provide added services for
problem children, the Fresh Air Society spon-
sored a specialized camping program at Camp
Tamarack for emotionally-disturbed boys. It
is a good beginning to meet a need which the
Jewish community must face.
As the population of the metropolitan area
continues to move, institutions and programs
have also had to change locations to remain
meaningful to the people they serve. Such
change is always painful and difficult but we
hesitate to have Jewish needs neglected be-
cause of physical location.
The Jewish Home for Aged established a
new branch in Southfield while maintaining
Borman Hall and closing out older units. Its
plans include additional facilities. The Jewish
Community Center and other agencies like-
wise are planning ahead on their capital re-
quirements.
A dramatic concern, the plight of thou-
sands of our Soviet brethren crying loud for
freedom, can not be minimized. The Jewish
Community Council placed this issue at the
top of its communal agenda and geared acti-
vities toward awakening the American con-
science and keeping the issue of emigration
of Jews from Russia in the world's public mind.
An annual report is an interim report be-
cause our community changes as people and
needs change. Each of the year's 365 days
sees movement toward an established goal.
Sometimes our progress seems slow but we
are trying to build solidly and as well as did
previous generations.
Our report for the year would not be
complete without our congratulations to the
leadership and workers of the 1971 Allied
Jewish Campaign-Israel Emergency Fund. And
to you who gave so that the drive could raise
more money than ever before for the assist-
ance of needy Jews here and overseas.
Israel faced great hardship because, after
her necessary military spending, she could
spare little to care for the housing, education,
and welfare needs of her people and the spe-
cial needs of immigrants. Her appeal in 1971
to Jews of the world to help was desperate.
In response you pledged well over $13,200,000.
It was a remarkable unprecedented amount.
As you look through this report you will
note many more important activities of your
community that I have not mentioned. This
brief message, like the printed report itself,
can only hint at and highlight the full scope of
your federation and activities.
We hope that you will note the names and
faces of the many who have been involved
in the leadership of your Federation this year.
And there are many, many more of you who
have contributed in no small part to the wel-
fare of our community. To all, I would like to
say "Thank You."
Vassi. Sea
Alan E. Schwartz