r _SUPPORT 1- aptE,9]Q from page 14 chair of the education allocation divi- sion. He says Federation has signifi- candy increased education allocations, but adds that education must be bal- anced with other community needs, such as care for the elderly. "Education is the No. 1 priority, but it's not the only priority in the community," he said. Dr. Krugel expressed support for establishing a "continuity endowment" that would include funding for educa- tion and scholarships, but said he knows of no current proposals or seed money to create such an endowment. He added that future funding for edu- cation will depend largely on the Federation's future fundraising success. 'As long as dollars are available, we will do what we can to continue to increase allocations," he said. Federation's total allocations for Jewish education have increased almost one and a half times from $2,127,409 in 1995-96 to $3,011,316 this school year. However, much of that increase reflects additional funding for after- noon school scholarships, the Michigan-Israel Connection and the teen mission to Israel. Increases in allocations to four of Detroit's five day schools have been more modest, going up by roughly 20 percent from 1995-96's $1,124,000 to the current $1,385,700. Leaders of Detroit's day schools and yeshivot expressed support for the goals of Sunday's conference. However, all were careful to praise the Federation for increasing education allocations and none plan to attend the conference. Hillel's headmaster, Dr. Mark Smiley, says Hillel leaders are follow- ing the issue closely. "If something is not done to allevi- ate the struggle of middle-income families to have affordable day school educations and to allow Orthodox day schools to run in a fiscally sound man- ner, then some day schools here will be in serious trouble," he said. Dr. Smiley wants to ensure that Hillel does not become "an elitist school." He supports creating a local "superfund for Jewish education," an idea proposed by Federation Executive Vice President Bob Aronson. Stuart Teger, president of Akiva Hebrew Day School, is grateful for Federation's generosity, but hopes to see a community-wide scholarship endowment in Detroit. Some 2,188 students currently attend Detroit's day schools and 0 yeshivot. Fall Head Over Heels From Our STUART WEITZMAN Fall Collection in black suede black peau x190—° LCZ & SI-1UUM Bloomfield Plaza • Telegraph at Maple Road • Open Mon-Sat. 10-6 p.m., Thurs. til 8 p.m. IVY BEINGS Riding News r` heck out next Friday's fine arts coverage in The Jewish News. Wel keep you post- ed on what's what and who's who in the national and local art scene. Don't miss it the last Friday of every month in the Entertainment section. DETROIT JEWISH NEWS JN 9/19 1997 25