pening Its Doors
The community turns out for the dedication of the
renovated Jimmy Prentis Morris Jewish Community Center.
LESLEY PEARL STAFF WRITER
with top-of-the-line exer-
cise bikes, stair-climbing
machines and treadmills
awaited Mr. Katz and
other members, along with
other luxuries like a steam
room and whirlpool.
The Katzes said they
rarely used the Maple-
Drake JCCenter in West
Bloomfield because it is too
far away. But they expect
their daughters to enroll in
JPM programming and use
the pool a lot.
Julia and Michael
Gilbert also attended the
festivities with their chil-
dren.
Janet Levine (above) and Marcy
Feldman take a dip in the new
pool, clothing and all.
JCC President Irwin Elson
(right) addressed the crowd.
couples out this way who
are very excited about
this," Mrs. Gilbert said.
Michael Barash of
Southfield is most interest-
ed in the JPM for its exer-
cise possibilities; he said
he waited for the opening
to become a member,
rather than join another
health club in town.
"As a kid, I was raised
with the Jewish Commun-
ity Center," Mr. Barash
said. "Why go someplace
else? This is where it all
happens."
"This is a great
neighborhood
where a lot of
positive changes
have taken
place."
Julia Gilbert
14
I t started with a
splash.
Two lay lead-
ers and advocates
of the renovation
of the Jimmy
Prentis Morris
Jewish Commun-
ity Center, Marcy Feldman
and Janet Levine, jumped
into the swimming pool.
Fully clothed, they swam a
lap and exited dripping
wet and hugging each
other in celebration of a
dream come true.
It was one of many
moments among the buzz
of excitement Sunday
afternoon at the dedication
ceremonies of the JPM in
Oak Park.
The building will be com-
pletely open for operation
on Sept. 8 at noon.
Formerly a location used
mainly for class offerings,
JPM's renovation, which
began at a ground-break-
ing ceremony nearly one
year ago, now offers a
swimming pool, cafeteria,
health club, weight room,
library, dance studios and
multi-purpose rooms.
In celebration of the new
building, tours of the new
facility were offered, along
with pony rides, Israeli
dancing, family art activi-
ties and a taste of the
world's largest challah,
baked by Zeman's.
A brunch and tour for
major donors at 11 a.m.
kept anxious onlookers
waiting patiently in the
rain.
Sheri and Bob Katz of
Huntington Woods spent
the time watching their
daughters, Jackie and
Danielle, enjoy a pony ride.
"We're really excited,"
Mr. Katz said. "I've
already joined the health
club. So now I'm going to
see what I have."
A mirrored room filled
West Bloomfield resi-
dents and members of the
Maple-Drake location, the
Gilberts came out on
Sunday in support of the
JCCenter's latest endeav-
or.
"We're here to see the
growth of the building, the
growth of the area. This is
a great neighborhood
where a lot of positive
changes have taken place.
We know a lot of young
At the formal dedication
of the Wally P. Straus
Recreational Wing,
JCCenter President Irwin
Elson led community lead-
ers to the podium in recog-
nition of their efforts and
commitment.
Rabbi Lane Steinger, of
JPM neighbor Temple
Emanu-El, led the benedic-
tion. Rabbis David Nelson
of Congregation Beth
Shalom, and Avi Cohen,
principal of Yeshiva Beth
Yehudah, also spoke
briefly.
The much-hoped-for suc-
cess of the JPM was
addressed by Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit President David
Page.
"The true test will be the
numbers of young and old
who use this center for its
social, communal and exer-
cise facilities. By the
turnout today, I'm sure
we'll more than make the
mark," Mr. Page said. ❑