Carrying On

This week, the David-Horodoker Women's Organization celebrated
a new beginning.

JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER

A

ll that was supposed to be left of the
David-Horodoker Women's Orga-
nization was a few of the original
members and an assortment of
memories passed down through the gen-
erations.
But last year, when 400 people showed
up at what should have been the organi-
zation's farewell dinner, the remaining
Horodokers and their descendants felt a
need to keep the organization alive. With
little cajoling, Roz Komisar Blanck and
a younger generation of Horodokers took
over.
"At that point, we realized it was ab-
surd to end it after we received such a
tremendous response," said Ms. Blanck,
a fourth-generation Horodoker.
Just before World War I, her great-
grandparents and others emigrated from
the shtetl of David-Horodok in what is now
called Belarus. In America, the emigres
founded the David-Horodoker Women's
Organization, which included an active
chapter in Detroit.
The purpose of the organization has
evolved with time.
Originally, the members wanted to raise
money for charity and maintain connec-

tions with their homeland. After the Holo-
caust, their funds went to Israel.
Ms. Blanck said today, the Horodokers
will continue the charitable work of their
parents and grandparents.
"Tor a long time we struggled with what
our reason for existence today should be,"
Ms. Blanck said. "Then we realized con-
tinuing gave us an excuse to see family
and friends and do things that are Jew-
ish."
Last summer, they planned a picnic.
One hundred and fifty people attended. A
"generation-to-generation" T-shirt was
printed for the event, listing the names of
300 relatives who immigrated from David-
Horodok to Detroit. The Detroiters also
have kept up with members — over 180
families now spread throughout the Unit-
ed States — with sporadic mailings.
On Tuesday, the Horodokers gathered
with family for their 59th annual donor
luncheon, held at the Detroit Historical
Museum. Attendees also had the oppor-
tunity to see the museum's exhibit on "Be-
coming American Women: Clothing and
the Jewish Immigrant Experience 1880-
1920."
Ms. Blanck and Eileen Helman

Aboulafia, a third-generation Horodoker,
wonder out loud why they continue to call
it a donor luncheon. But they agree that
changing the name wouldn't sit well with
the original Horodokers.
Ms. Blanck and Ms. Aboulafia said they
will continue planning a few activities
throughout the year and also hope to give
the organization a presence on the

Horodok women in a raincoat factory in 1926.

Internet as a means to communicate with
other Horodokers around the world.
"If you throw a handful of stones, you
will hit a Horodoker," Ms. Aboulafia said.
"It seems like so many people who are ac-
tive in the Detroit Jewish community have
relatives who came from Horodok." 0

CASUAL OUTDOOR FURNITURE AT COMPLETELY RELAXED PRICES

GAS BOGS

'3 4 /4
There is no better
place to shop for the
perfect barstool to suit
your needs! Hundreds
bar and
of
counter stools to
choose from.

QUALITY

Gas log sets add beauty and warmth with the simple turn of a
knob. Clean and efficient, these realistic logs are safer than wood.
Save big on all ceramic gas logs — with names like Clo-Fire,
Real-Fvre by Peterson, Fireside Accents & Rasmussen.

Installation is availalc.

NOW OPEN SUNDAY • PLEASE CAL FOR STORE HOURS
BIRMINGHAM 810-644-1919 • 690 S. WOODWARD
LIVONIA 313-522-9200 - 29500 W. 6 MILE RD. • NOVI 810-348-0090 - 48700 GRAND RIVER

R USTICS

IONA,

'NOW

As you've heard by now, we're making news in design!

Whether its planning your new home, remodeling your existing one,
or furnishing a room—we invite you to explore the difference
in interior design and encourage you to interview one
of our designers for your next project.

32506 Northwestern Highway
Farmington Hills, MI • (810) 851-7540