JOIN US AT THE FLEISCHMAN RESIDENCE
for the best cycle of your life!

City On The Rise

Two Detroit women are giving back to their
hometown in the form of an organic bread store.

LONNY GOLDSMITH STAFF WRITER

F

Three Kosher Meals Daily

Daily Shabbat & Holiday Services in our Synagogue
Daytime and Evening Activities
Transportation, Laundry & Housekeeping

Medication Assistance
Health Clinic

Around the Clock Security

Registered Nurse & Personal Care Assistance

Respite & Guest Rooms Available

Nosh Nook, Gift Shop, Beauty/Barber Shop

For More Information, please Contact:

CAROL ROSENBERG

ADMINISTRATOR
FLEISCHMAN KESIDENCE/BLUMI3ERG PLAZA

6710 W. MAPLE ROAD, WEST BLOOMFIELD, (810) 661-2999
(LOCATED ON THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CAMPUS)

The shirt Box's Summer
Sizzler Clearance Made

30 -70% OFF*
RETAIL
ON ALL
SUMMER
MARCHANDISE

3

'

or years, downtown Detroit "Most of our breads are natural-
has been maligned by the ly leavened, and we draw the
local and national press as wild yeast out of the bread. It's
a desolate and dangerous how traditional cultures baked.
place. Two native Detroiters de- It also makes for a better prod-
cided it was time to do their part uct."
to change this perception.
Much of the two women's ex-
In early June, Jackie Victor perience comes from working
and Ann Perrault opened Aval- with non-profit organizations.
on International Breads at 422 Since 1986, Ms. Victor has been
W. Willis in Detroit's Cass Cor- active in the peace and justice
ridor.
movement. In 1989, she became
"We live in the city and saw executive director of Peace Ac-
the need for a bakery in this tion.
neighborhood," Ms. Victor said.
Ms. Perrault is the founder
"Avalon is our contribution to cre- and co-producer of the Detroit
ating a dynamic, healthy and Women's Coffeehouse, which
compassionate Detroit." The bak- supports women artists. The
ery does a retail and a wholesale DWC has sponsored a monthly
business.
performance at the Red Door
The hallmark of Avalon is its Theater, produced by Ms. Per-
all-natural ingredients, includ- rault, that brings in local and na-
ing organic flour, filtered water tional women musicians, poets
and sea salt, and a French and artists.
hearthstone oven purchased from
The two began co-producing
Zingerman's Bakehouse in Ann the Detroit Women's Coffeehouse
Arbor.
in 1994, and the organization has
"Our aim is to do good by do- seen a 25 percent rise in profits.
ing well," Ms. Victor said. They
It was their experiences in
figure they move about 1,200 these types of grassroots organi-
loaves of bread weekly.
zations that helped them to raise
The name of the bakery, Aval- the funds necessary to approach
on, comes from a mythical soci- the banks.
ety where people lived in peace
Early this year, Ms. Victor and
and harmony with nature.
Ms. Perrault launched a unique
"It held the values and ideals fluid-raiser in which they pre-sold
to which we aspire," Ms. Victor "bread dough" in the form of cer-
said.
tificates that could be redeemed
The names of the breads re- at the store. They raised $6,000.
flects the multicultural area in
This fund-raising effort got the
which the bakery is located — attention of the Eight Sisters, a
Dexter-Davison rye, Greektown group of women who put their re-
Olive and Moroccan and Persian sources together to make low-in-
flat breads, to name a few.
terest loans to women starting
Ms. Victor and Ms. Perrault businesses. They also received
use a traditional method of bak- a loan of $2,000 from the Zen
ing.
Buddhist Temple in Ann Arbor,
"We don't use yeast in most of
our breads," Ms. Victor explained. CITY page 12

Not valid with other discounts,

promotions, sales, special orders,
and or previous purchases

The Shirt Box. Shirts And A Whole lot More.
Always 20% • 35% Off Retail

Courtyard Center • 32500 Northwestern Hwy • Farmington Hills

(248)851-6770

HOURS: Mon. - Sat. 9:30.6 Thursday till 7:00

The Perfect Family Gift...
A Subscription To The Jewish News.

(248) 354-6620

e

Jackie Victor and Ann Perrault prepare the dough.