CLOSE-UP The Right Road New leaders Paul D. Borman and David Gad-Harf aim to continue Jewish Community Council programs . . . and promote Israel KIMBERLY LIFTON Staff Writer p aul D. Borman's philos- ophy is illustrated in a poem he keeps framed on his office wall: Keep It Simple. It's an approach he applies to meetings, writing and American travel to Israel. Accordingly, Borman said his mission as the newly elected president of the Jewish Community Council is clear-cut — he simply must help boost American travel to Israel. Borman isn't alone in his views. In fact, his sentiments are echoed by Council Executive Director David Gad-Harf, who came to Detroit to replace Alvin Kushner, who retired after 14 years with the Council. "Our target is the Jewish com- munity," Gad-Harf said. "We are fin- ding ways to encourage and help get people to go to Israel?' In September, the duo launched a campaign to increase American travel to Israel. Travel has declined by at least 25 percent since Arab unrest in the West Bank and Gaza Strip started last December. At Borman's urging, the Council tried its hand with advertising. A local newspaper ran a full-page spread in September which depicted Moses leading Jews through the Red Sea into the Promised Land. "Remember when nothing stop- ped people from going to Israel?" the ad reads. "It is convenient. And Safe . . . Just remember, whatever you do to get there, don't let anything stop you." Now for the first time in its 50-year history, the Council is plann- ing a mission to Israel. Details and the date of the trip are expected to be announced at the Council's Israel Travel Fair — This Year In Jerusalem — to be held Dec. 8 at the Maple/Drake Jewish Community Center. "There now is an abandonment of American Jews going to Israel," Bor- man said. "It is shocking, and my gut feeling is that is must be dealt with. It is my No. 1 project?' As the new executive director, Gad-Harf said he wants to build on the existing foundation set by the Council's last leaders. Borman, chief - defender of the federal defender's of- . 24 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1988 want to make Detroiters more aware of the Council's role in the communi- ty. They hope to continue improving Jewish/black and Jewish/Arab rela- tions in Detroit and its suburbs. "We will meet with leaders of other ethnic communities and discuss priorities," Gad-Harf said. "The key is personal contact. We will look for opportunities to collaborate with these groups and pool our resources. We need to solidify such relationships in order to move into the second phase of the strategic plan." Borman said he will follow his simple philosophy to tighten up JCCouncil meetings, and make them more specific and organized. By the end of March, Borman add- ed, the Detroit Jewish community will know that the Council is an in- dependent agency waiting to serve the public. "It is important to get viewpoints from all over," Borman said. "Instead of long speeches from Council board members, we want to hear from you. We will always be represented from Allementschen. Borman, who moved up with the Council from the treasurer's spot, is a past chairman of the Allied Jewish Campaign. Among his ac- complishments, Borman was the 1987 Jewish Labor Committee's 1987 reci- pient of the Labor Human Rights Award. Gad-Harf came to Detroit from St. Now it's easier to go than ever before. And now is the right time to go. Visit where more information about traveling Louis, where he headed the Jewish And it's not just easy. It's convenient. Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, Safad, Jaffa; and Eilat. to Israel will be available to you. Community Relations Council since And safe. Probably safer than other places Missions or Special Travel Groups for all (For information call 962-18801. many of us are planning to visit this year. ages are always available, and in October, Just remember, whatever Jewish 1984. What's more, unlike back then, today in The Detroit Jewish Community Council you do to get there, don't Community Originally from Erie, Pa., Gad- Council Israel there are many friends to greet us. will host a "This Year In Jerusalem" rally, let anything stop you. Harf graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a The ad helped the Jewish Community Council launch its campaign to boost tourism. bachelor's degree in government. He Tice, also said he wants to put the separate religion and state, foster then worked in a variety of political blueprint into use. Among the plans coalitions with other ethnic and health-related jobs, and earned a are strengthening relations with minorities and coordinate activities of master's degree in public health from other ethnic and racial communities its constituent organizations. the University of North Carolina and attracting more volunteers. On the drawing board are pro- before joining the Jewish communal Those who know Borman and posals put into place by immediate world. Borman, who earned undergradu- Gad-Harf said their partnership is a past president Leon Cohan, who co- good shidach for the Council, the um- workers said left the Council with its ate and law degrees from the Univer- brella of the community that aims to first long-term strategic plan and in- sity of Michigan and a master's bring together Detroit's estimated itiated a proposal to restructure the degree from Yale University, has spent most of his career working for 300 Jewish organizations. The Coun- organization's internal makeup. cil, completely funded by the Jewish Gad-Harf, Cohan said, brings causes. In addition to his position as a Welfare Federation, aims to further youth, character and a "sense of high the interests of Detroit's estimated professionalism" to the Council. Bor- defender, Borman — a self-professed man, he added, is commited and "FDR-Democrat" — has worked in 65,000 Jewish population. the legal departments of the U.S. rib do so, the Council works to sup- energetic and cares about people. Gad-Harf and Borman said they Commission on Civil Rights in port Israel, combat anti-Semitism, Remember when nothing stopped people from going to Israel.