THE JEWISH NEWS
SERVING DETROIT'S JEWISH COMMUNITY
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
JANUARY 17, 1992 / 12 SHEVAT 5752
Tough Choices
For Federation
NOAM M.M. NEUSNER
Staff Writer
W
hen Jewish Federa-
tion staffers and lay
leaders sit down
and count results from this
year's Campaign, they may
find more than they did last
year.
The Campaign has been
going strong so far, although
Federation officials are hesi-
tant to declare any pre-
mature successes.
Still, the Federation will
have to make some tough
choices about where the
money will go.
This year's Allied Jewish
Campaign has focused on
domestic needs — un-
employed Jews, hungry
Jews, homeless Jews. Some
community activists say
that the Federation should
back up its Campaign rhet-
oric with cold cash.
But according to several
Federation leaders, there
are no plans to change a
Detroit formula that has ex-
isted as long as most can re-
member: 60 percent of the
Campaign funds goes to
Israel and 40 percent stays
home.
"It's a matter of historic
precedence in this commun-
ity," said Robert Aronson,
executive vice president of
the Jewish Federation.
The allocation process
takes place in the spring,
after the Campaign is com-
pleted, so no one can say now
where the community chest
will be spent. But with the
most influential members of
the board of directors
—which has the final say —
firmly committed to helping
out Israel, Federation offi-
cials say any cuts will be
made in domestic outlays.
"I would find it very
difficult to take funds from
Israel and give it locally,"
said Conrad Giles, chairman
of the executive committee
and past president of the
Federation. The executive
committee makes recom-
mendations to the board of
Continued on Page 32
Feet Up, But
Speeding Ahead
ALAN HITSKY
Associate Editor
H
elen Naimark and
Albert Ascher tell a
remarkably similar
tale:
"For the next month, I'm
playing," says Mrs.
Naimark, who just retired
after 15 years as executive
director of Jewish Federa-
tion Apartments. Then she'll
look for a part-time job.
Mr. Ascher, who ended his
20-year career as head of
Jewish Vocational Service
on Dec. 31, plans to travel
with his wife, do some con-
sulting "and join the In-
stitute for Retired Profes-
sionals at the Jewish Com-
munity Center."
Retirement of two veteran
Detroit Jewish agency
leaders has not left a void.
Both have been replaced by
well-qualified professionals:
long-time associate director
Barbara Nurenberg has
taken the reins at JVS and
former Detroiter Marsha
Goldsmith has returned
from heading the Denver
Jewish Community Center
to serve a nine-month ap-
prenticeship and take over
at Federation Apartments.
Mr. Ascher expressed con-
cern last fall in a letter to
The Jews News about the
shortage of Jewish profes-
sionals. He said last week, "I
have been replaced by an
outstanding executive, but
there is a shortage of
outstanding Jewish profes-
sionals."
With the appointments at
JVS, Federation Apart-
ments and the recent nam-
ing of Phillip Schaengold of
Kansas City to become pres-
ident of Sinai Hospital, the
Jewish community still has
three vacancies to fill. Sam
Fisher left the Fresh Air
Society last fall to head the
international B'nai B'rith
Continued on Page 32
ONE YEAR LATER