A Grand Expert

Writer Sunie Levin has some ideas on how to keep
grandchildren Jewish.

LONNY GOLDSMITH STAFF WRITER

A

concern of all religions is
how the youngest gener-
ation is being raised from
a religious point of view,
especially with a high number
of people intermarrying.
Sunie Levin, an author who
has become an expert on grand-
parenting, will speak at the
Maple/Drake Jewish Commu-
nity Center on Thursday, July
31, on the topic "How To Keep
Your Grandchildren Jewish."
The topic comes from Ms.
Levin's most recent book, Min-
gled Roots: A Guide for Jewish
Grandparents of Interfaith
Grandchildren.
"Keeping a child in a particu-
lar faith is important," Levin
said.
She has three daughters, one
of whom married outside the
Jewish faith, although her son-
in-law eventually converted to
Judaism. She also has a sister-
in-law who had two children
marry non-Jews.
"Fifty to 60 percent of all fam-
ilies experience some sort of
mixing of religions," Levin
said. "It can be higher in some
areas."
Levin began her "crusade" in
1989, when she had "long-dis-
tance grandchildren."

"There was not enough infor-
mation that talked about grand-
parents having a relationship
with their grandkids," Levin
said. "I have a background in ed-
ucation, so I just created my own
information.

Sunie Levin will be in town Thursday.

"Now I can e-mail my grand-
kids, so we talk every day. After
the age of 5, they're computer-
savvy."
Levin continues to write a
grandparenting column for the

It to that Nose

Kansas City Star, Senior Wire
Service, and Active Times. She
is also the editor of the bi-
monthly newsletter, "Your
Grandchild: For Today's Young
Grandparent."
According to Levin, one of the
key ways to keep a relationship
with your grandchildren of in-
terfaith parents is through diplo-
macy.
"You have to be careful not to
offend the spouse of the other
faith," she said. "You can't go
against their wishes.
"It's important not to prophe-
sies about the religion when
talking to the grandchild."
The July 31 talk will also be
directed to those grandparents
who aren't involved in their own
faith.
"It's important to have an
identity, so that the child can
have one," Levin said. "So often
I hear grandparents say that
they feel like a stranger to
their grandkids. I give them
Suggestions because it is impor-
tant to the grandparent and
child."
The main thing, Levin said, is
to keep up-to-date with the
grandchild's life. Knowing who
their friends are, and what their
hobbies are, helps a grandpar-
ent talk to a grandchild in their
language, and it avoids one-word
answers.

❑

To register for the 7:30 p.m. lec-
ture, call the JCC at (248) 661-
7649. There is no charge to
attend, and refreshments will
be served.

Donating Quietly

Monday's parlor meeting will raise money for a local
zero-profit charity, which does its business
anonymously.

LONNY GOLDSMITH _STAFF WRITER

I

n what is a unique way to give
charity, Matan B'Seter — He-
brew for "giving in secret" —
holds its annual parlor meet-
ing 8 p.m. July 28 to raise funds
for local people in need.
The founders, who wish to
remain anonymous, began the
organization in 1989. The distri-
bution committee is made up of
three rabbis: Eric Greenbaum,
Shaul Broner and Menachem
Greenfield.

Giving in secrecy.

"We get a request from a per-
son in need, or from a third par-
ty who sees that someone needs
help, and we step in and investi-
gate," Rabbi Greenbaum said.
`The people who receive the mon-
ey know it's from Matan, but they
do not know who is responsible
for giving it to us. It can range
from $100 to $500 per family, and
sometimes more depending on
the circumstances."
People have been helped with
mortgage payments, tuition pay-
ments, medical expenses, car
payments, food and utilities.

According to Stuart Snider, an
attorney who has been involved
with the organization since its in-
ception, more than $95,000 has
been raised and distributed.
"We do two mailings during
the year, one at Purim to raise
money at Passover, and another
around Chanukah," Snider said.
"Then we also have the parlor
meeting annually."
The keynote speaker at Mon-
day's meeting is Rabbi Peysach
Krohn of Flushing, N.Y., a mo-
hel, author and lecturer.
The organization is Orthodox,
according to Rabbi Greenbaum,
but "we do not care if the people
we give money to are Orthodox
or not."
Unlike some charity organi-
zations, according to Snider, the
money is not a loan that needs to
be repaid. "All the money we give
is a gift. We take no money off the
top either. Whatever comes in
gets given out."

❑

The Matan B'Seter meeting .
will take place at the home of
Fran and Ron Rogers, 17254
Lincoln Dr., Southfield. For
more information, contact the
Rogers, (248) 559-0771.

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