75¢

DETROIT

THE JEWISH NEWS

2 4 SIVAN 5754/JUNE 3, 1994

Digging In The Dirt

Yeshiva Beth Yehudah begins expansion; other schools
continue to explore options.

LESLEY PEARL STAFF WRITER

LEONARD L. LEWIS

D-Day 50 years ago
left its mark here and overseas.

Inside

DETR IT

HEALTH

Sweet Song

Remembrance
Candles

The Chugars
are making music.

Page 14

here's a garbage can fill-
ing with water in the
center of a hallway at
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah.
It catches drops from a
hole in the roof.
The can is a re-
minder of what the fa-
cility was, as builders,
carpenters and masons
create its new facade.
After years of "Band-
Aid" repairs, Yeshiva Beth Yehudah is
forging ahead with efforts to modernize
its school.
"The renovation and construction pro-
ject at our Lincoln Road boys' facility will
help us meet the needs of our growing in-
stitution for years to come," said Gary
Torgow, president of Yeshiva Beth
Yehudah.
Since securing a challenge grant of
$250,000 in February from the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, the
yeshiva approved the demolition of its
administrative building, along with the
tearing out of windows, ceilings, heating
and air-conditioning units.
Robert Aronson, Federation executive
vice-president, said in February that the
challenge grant was approved because "fi-
nances are under control. They have
proven fiscal accountability through lay
leadership and learned to live within their
budget." In addition, the yeshiva remains
vital to the 10 Mile Road corridor. For
now, eight administrative staffers are
sharing a small office (a new wing will
house all administrators and support staff)
and temporary walls of plywood allow for
the continuing of classes.
Five new classrooms are being built
— one housing 10 new IBM 486 comput-
ers and a printer donated to the school —
and ha lockers will be replaced with new-
er models positioned within the class-
rooms.
Students, administrators and lay lead-
ers are particularly excited about the con-
struction of a new gymnasium. A long,
narrow carpeted room used for meetings,
additional classes and physical activity,
now just dirt, has been widened and is the
future gym location.

BUSINESS

Interfaith vigil
illuminates AIDS.

Food For
Thought

Page 32

Different backgrounds, but the
same goal.
Page 40

New window installation is among the many
upgrades at the boys' facility.

All together, the renovations will cost
about $1 million. Federation's challenge
grant supplies Beth Yehudah with
$250,000 when that amount is met in fund
raising by the school. Private gifts are be-
ing solicited. The slight tuition increase
for 1994-95, about $350 per student above
1993-94 costs, is related to the general
budget and will not be used for enhance-
ments.
In accordance with a request by the
Southfield City Council, improved land-
scape is also a part of the plan. The city
council last week unanimously approved
the expansion and renovation of the
school.
The carpeting, lighting fixtures and
bathrooms are originals from 1964.
Mr. Torgow said a "state-of-the-art look
and use" is the expected outcome.
"The opportunity to create an upgrad-
ed facility gives us great hope for contin-
ued growth and success in the future," he
added.
For the 1993-94 school year, about 250
boys in grades kindergarten through eight
attended the school. Three-hundred are
expected next year.
June 27, the approximately 200 stu-
DIGGING page 8

CAMPUS LIFE

Stop And Think

Sex too important
to be taken lightly.

Page 78

Contents on page 3