• A Sad Passing Focus: HOPE became a leader in Harf said. "He gave people ferent backgrounds, religions improving human relations, throughout the metropolitan and races. reaching out to various segments area the opportunity to play a "In a way, he served as our con- of the community and science," he continued. "Even utilizing their resources. though he wasn't Jewish, David Gad-Harf, ex- he served as a reminder of ecutive director of the ▪ our obligation [to] the poor, Jewish Community L._ the disadvantaged, whether `"Q Council, recalled bring- African American or white. ing a contingent of Is- He pricked our conscience an infection due to his treatment raeli Arab and Jewish 8 to feel the needs of others." for cancer of the gallbladder. mayors visiting Ameri- 6-- Rabbi M. Robert Syme of Father Cunningham began ca as a part of Partner- • Temple Israel said Father his career as an English teacher ship 2000 to meet with Cunningham's impact on at Detroit's Sacred Heart Semi- Father Cunningham at the Jewish community was nary in the 1960s. But after the Focus: HOPE. The far-reaching. Named Man 1967 race riots in the city left round-table discussion of the Year by the temple's their profound mark on race proved to be lively and brotherhood, Father Cun- relations, Father Cunningham, informative, he said. ningham was the only joined by a cadre of loyal volun- "Focus: HOPE has Catholic priest to speak teers, began seeking solutions to been a big part of our op- from the pulpit at the tem- the racial unrest and social erations, so it was a nat- ple. injustice that followed in the ural to bring the mayors "His goodness was con- wake of the uprising. With long- to meet with Father ta.gious," Rabbi Syme said. time activist Eleanor Josiatis, he Cunningham," Mr. Gad- "When you were in his started Focus: HOPE, a civil and Harf said. "I think [the presence, you felt peace and human rights organization. Israeli mayors] got a lot brotherhood would some- Focus: HOPE became syn- out of that meeting." day become a reality." onymous with helping the poor Mr. Gad-Harf felt that A public funeral will be and underprivileged with its sup- much could be learned held at 11 a.m. Saturday at plemental food programs and a by Father Cunning- the Catholic Church of the program to train machinists. A ham's example. Madonna. Contributions recent addition to the program, "He was charismatic, can be made to the Catholic the Center for Advanced Tech- a dreamer, a nudger, Church of the Madonna, Father William Cunningham: Worked for peace and nologies, offers training and ed- someone who just plain 1125 Oakman Blvd., De- ucation for future engineers and loved [people], no mat- brotherhood. troit, MI 48238 or to Focus: technicians. ter who they were, no matter But perhaps most important, what their status was," Mr. Gad- role in Detroit revitalization and HOPE, 1355 Oakman Blvd., De- brought people together from dif- troit, MI 48238. 0 Father William Cunningham left his imprint on the Jewish community. JILL DAVIDSON SKLAR STAFF WRITER abbi David Nelson re- members listening to ac- tivist and racial relations leader Father William Cunningham speak and being mesmerized by the message. "He had a way of talking that just drew you in," Rabbi Nelson recalled. "I could see how corpo- rate executives would give him what he wanted. He was so gift- ed to rally the forces of the corn- munity to establish what he did." But more than his way with words, Father Cunningham by his own example taught Rabbi Nelson the potential impact one could have as a member of the clergy. "He taught me how, as a cler- gyman, you are capable of mak- ing a tremendous impact on society," he said. Father Cunningham, founder of Focus: HOPE in Detroit after the 1967 riots, died Monday morning of complications from special mom ent 0 CAMP GOODS BASIC GOODS O O CAMP GOODS 0 0 8 TRACK CO ANIMAL WATCHES BE AS YOU ARE co BEANIE BABIES 0 BULLDOG 0 CARTERS 0 CG DESIGN O CO-OPERATIVE MOSSIMO a_ CRAZY CREEK CHAIRS FREE PEOPLE HARDTAIL A sparkling diamond engagement ring from Tapper's exquisitely set in platinum is the perfect way to say "I love you". 0 o cn SWEATSHIRTS MOD 0 DOC 0 O SHORTS MADE IN DETROIT 0 O SUTTERS T-SHIRTS/BABY T's HARD CANDY O RE DENIM TANK TOPS SCRUNCHIES r) 3> POLAR FLEECE JEANS - o CUT-OFFS CAPS U) C) "CHALKIES" O FLANNEL SHIRTS O c:3 CG tpjjeril ?!"- Diamonds /6 /Fine Jewelry Orchard Mall . Orchard Lake Road at Maple Road West Bloomfield, MI 48322 810-932-7700 . 1-800-337-GIFT 0 O 0 NEC GOODS w 3> Camp Stuff Arriving Daily 243 West Maple Road Downtown Birmingham 810.645.0600 O O ciT"\