BUSINESS THREE WAYS TO BUY A CAR Covenant Credit Union: A 'Best Kept Secret' AL HARRIS ARNIE WEISS MIKE GERMANSKY KIMBERLY LIFTON Staff Writer TAMAROFF M BUICK • HONDA • NISSAN • IZUZU • DODGE New Used or Leasing Open Tues., Wed., Fri. Til 6 Open Mon. & Thurs. Til 9 28585 TELEGRAPH ROAD ACROSS FROM TEL-12 Southfield 353.1300 WE HAVE A REPUTATION To PROTECT American Protective Alarms' own 24 hour, cen- tral monitoring station is the safest, smartest way to protect your home, business or property. We've been protecting homes like yours for over 2 5 years. Today's systems are more advanced, more affordable and simpler to use than ever before. PROPERTY PROTECTED BY AMERICAN PROTECTIVE ALARMS 864-8600 A liv v In HOLD UP FIRE BURGLAR THE FINEST IN HOME SECURITY SINCE 1968 NOBODY BEATS Amok NISSAN f) '92 MAXIMA GXE 16Ir BARNETT w. $22,220 NOW $18,360 (SAVE $3800!) Automatic, Air, Sunroof was BARNETT PONTIAC-NISSAN 14505 MICHIGAN Conveniently located on Mich. Ave. Bet. Greenfield & Schaefer FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 28. 1992 Ui Your Savings Hot Line 846 1122 ■ ALL CARS SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE PRICES ARE PLUS TAX AND TITLE . embers of B'nai B'rith Covenant Credit Union want to change the status of the place they bank. They say nobody really knows much about the Covenant Credit Union, one of a few non-profit financial institutions in the United States serving the Jewish community. "It is the best kept secret in the world from our Jewish community," said President Nate Pollack. Chartered in 1956 as a service for members of B'nai B'rith, credit union organi- zers hoped to boost member- ship in the parent organiza- tion. By broadening its base and providing additional banking services, B'nai B'rith was successful in the endeavor. Though still somewhat unknown to the community, the credit union boasts 6,500 members, and its assets are $6.4 million. In addition, its board is not giving up ex- pansion. In 1985, B'nai B'rith decided to reach out again to the community, expanding the credit union mission to provide a complete range of financial services at favorable rates to member owners affiliated with the Jewish Community Council in Michigan. Also in 1988, the Covenant Credit Union joined hands with the Neighborhood Pro- ject, which offers interest- free loans for Jewish people who purchase homes in selected areas of Oak Park and Southfield. The Covenant Credit Union ever since has ad- ministered its own loan pro- gram, providing loans for home improvement at the prime interest rate (up to $ 5 , 000 ) for Jewish homeowners in the Neigh- borhood Project vicinity. To date, the credit union has loaned $47,000 for 37 home improvement projects in the Neighborhood Project areas. To qualify for the Neighborhood Project loan through the credit union, applicants must be Jewish and must already live in the targeted area. "This is an easier place to get loans," Mr. Pollack said. "The earnings of the credit union float back to members so they get their own profits. When you pay interest to a credit union, you earn the profit yourself because you are a member of it." To join is simple: members must be a member of any Jewish organization, or they must be employed by one. Membership is free, but users must open a savings account. As a member, services are the same as a full-service bank, ranging from savings, checking, higher interest deposit and individual retirement accounts, money market funds, loan services, credit card program and vehicle leasing. Credit union service charges are generally less than a bank, and interest earned is greater. According to B'nai B'rith Credit Union Supervisor Linda Blan- chard, its main selling point is the non-profit status which "makes them able to pay higher interest rates and provide lower interest loans." In addition, she said, the credit union stresses its per- sonalized banking services, and it provides a notary ser- vice, budget counseling, an auto appraisal book service and direct deposit services. Board members now are looking for a new home for the credit union, located on Southfield Road between 10 Mile and 11 Mile roads. They anticipate a move in the coming months to Farm- ington Hills or West Bloom- field. ❑ I FOR SENIORS I Senior Events At Maple Drake JPM Seniors Plan Events The Senior Adult Depart- ment of the Maple-Drake Jewish Community Center, will present Liz Hurwitz reviewing the book Chutzpa by Alan Dershowitz 1 p.m. March 4 in the Allen Lounge. There will be a charge for non-members. Senior Adults will take a "A Gallery Walk" down the streets of upscale Royal Oak and lunch at the Les Auteurs restaurant March 25. Included will be docent tours of the Sybaris and Carol James Galleries, with op- tional stops at Swidler's Gallery or Gayle's Chocolates, and an opportunity to browse through antique and other unique shops. Maps of downtown will be provided. Buses will depart from Maple-Drake at 9:20 a.m., and JPM at 9:50 a.m. There is a charge. For information, call Senior Adults, 661-1000, ext. 345. The Jewish Community Center's Yiddish Film Series will feature the 1937 musical comedy Jolly Paupers 2 p.m. March 1. The film includes English sub-titles. There is a charge. Students from the sixth grade of Hillel Day School will visit members of the Senior Adult Choir at JPM 12:30 p.m. March 2. The visit is part of the Dor L'Dor project being sponsored by the JCC, Hillel Day School, the Na- tional Council of Jewish Women and the Jewish Home for Aged. The Senior Adult Depart- ment is offering a theater-trip package for the March 7 per- formance of Ellis Island at the Maple-Drake building. Tickets and transportation from the Jimmy Prentis Mor- ris building are available at a reduced rate to Yiddish Culture Club members. The Senior Adult Depart- ment will hold a hearing sup- port group 10 a.m.-noon each second and fourth Friday of the month, beginning March 13. The group, an educational, recreational and social net- work affiliated with the na- tional organization of Self Help for Hard of Hearing Peo- ple (SHHH), is patterned after a similar group de- veloped at Maple-Drake. Speech reading techniques will be a part of each session. Call Margo Weitzer, 661-1000, ext. 314. Temple Beth El Hosts Program The Children's Suzuki Ensemble and Choir will entertain the Middle Years Group of Temple Beth El 1 p.m. March 8. The youngsters have been trained at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. The program, preceded by cake and coffee 12:30 p.m. in the temple's Alpert Room, is open to seniors 55 years old and older at no charge.