The Scene
ELANA HARRIS
Special to The Jewish News
ic Gould, 33, met his wife
Miriam Foner-Gould at a
AD event. His brother
arc met his wife Amy on a
YAD boat cruise. It's no wonder that
Gould is now the president-elect of the
Young Adult Division of the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit for
1998-99.
Everybody needs a helping hand
when they're getting settled in the com-
munity, and that's why Gould, a native
Detroiter, turned to YAD when he
moved back to Detroit after getting his
master's degree in law and taxation from
the University of Florida.
"When I came back from Florida I
realized that the others I went to
[Wayne] law school with were already
settled," explains Gould. "I wanted to
meet people and have a life outside
work."
.
So when he saw an ad in The Jewish
News for the YAD kick-off event, he
went.
First, Gould signed up for the politi-
cal awareness committee; his involve-
ment in YAD snowballed from there.
Above all, he enjoyed meeting new peo-
ple and getting reacquainted with old
friends who were also involved in YAD.
"I got a lot of satisfaction from the
time I spent in YAD and Federation
activities, and when they asked me to
do something, I said yes," he says.
Slowly but surely he became super
involved in the Young Adult Division,
including the Allied Jewish Campaign
and the division's volunteer committee.
He raves about a Christmas day pro-
gram spearheaded by YAD. "Volunteers
help out at soup kitchens and shelters,
which are often short-staffed because
people are celebrating the holiday. I'm
very proud of how this program has
expanded from a YAD program to a
Federation-[wide] program."
In 1993, he created YAD's Kesher
El
Cool People
Knee-deep in YAD, Eric Gould is
loping every minute of it.
comfortable in YAD and it's a delight to
committee, to ensure that a connection
work with him," says Jim Rosenberg,
is made with people who attend events
YAD director.
and show interest in joining committees
Recently, GOuld won the Mark
as well as with individuals whose names
Family Young Leadership
have been given as potential
Award, which is given to some-
members.
Eric Gould
one who demonstrates com-
Gould's commitment and
shows off an
mitment, leadership and
hard work didn't go unnoticed
award given to involvement through YAD.
— after his second year of
him by the
Now, Gould is looking for-
involvement, Gould was asked
Federation.
ward to his term as president,
to be on YAD's general board.
which begins next June. His
Since then, he's rapidly risen
major objective is to continue motivat-
through the ranks of the division and
ing people to be involved in YAD.
has been a member of the executive
board since 1993, serving in a number
"We've made a lot of progress in try-
ing new things to appeal to a wider
of capacities.
"Eric is great — he has the special
audience, and I want to lend whatever
ability to make others genuinely feel
leadership skills I have to move that
process along," he says. "[The] needs of
young, Jewish adults need to be met;
YAD does that."
Mostly, Gould hopes that the people
involved with YAD "not only have a
sense of giving, but also a sense of get-
ting. I want them to get satisfaction out
of it," he says.
Gould's Jewish involvement isn't lim-
ited to Federation. He has been attend-
ing Congregation Sh22rey Zedek from
"nursery school until today" Now, in
addition to joining his parents, Arline
and Paul, he's accompanied by his wife
Miriam, and their two sons, Adam, 2,
and Michael, 1 month.
One thing this Royal Oak resident
doesn't have much of is down time,
especially with a new baby in the family,
and just this year Gould made partner j
at the Cross Wrock law firm. But when
he can relax, he enjoys golf and outdoor
activities like apple picking with his
family.
A University of Michigan alum,
Gould is an avid Wolverines football
fan. Although he doesn't have much
time for TV, he tries to catch "Seinfeld"
and "ER" every week. His music taste is
broad, in part due to a stint with Joe
Cornell in high school and college, but
jazz and classical music are faves.
The Goulds certainly take advantage
of living in Royal Oak — hanging out
downtown and taking son Adam, who
is fascinated with trains, on trolley rides.
Gould also likes to travel, especially
to Israel. He visited the Jewish state on
two recent Federation trips, once as a
mission leader and once to check out a
public health education and awareness
program in Detroit's Partnership 2000
region. Gould is very excited about this
program, which is funded by a portion
of Detroit's new Campaign gifts as well
as increased gifts through YAD.
"The issues this program deals with
are especially relevant to Ethiopian
aim," explains Gould, "and the pro-
gram is making a huge difference."
Apparently, so is Eric Gould. O
111APPE111110S
Saturday, Nov. 29
Viper hockey at the Palace with the
B'nai B'rith Leadership Network.
Meet at 7 p.m. at the Boston Market,
Square Lake and Woodward. Cost:
Free for members, $5 non-members.
Call (248) 788-NEWS.
Monday, Dec. 1
Hillel of Metro Detroit coffee house
11/28
1997
84
night at Lonestar Coffee Co., 207 S.
Woodward, Birmingham. 9 p.m.
Bring cans of kosher food to donate
to Yad Ezra. Call (313) 577-3459 or
email hillel@cms.cc.wayne.edu .
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Recruitment meeting for the National
Young Leadership Cabinet in
Washington. 7 p.m. At the Max M.
Fisher Building, 6735 Telegraph
Road. Call Tanya Mazor-Posner,
(248) 203-1456.
Singles. 7:30 p.m. At Borders in
Birmingham. Call David, (248) 398-
9370.
Holiday happening, singles 35-55. 7
p.m. At Wabeek Country Club, 400
Clubgate, Bloomfield Hills. Cost:
$40. Call Dale Rubin, (248) 203-
1471.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Coffee night, Jewish Professional
Mix and mingle, Jewish Professional
Singles. At the home of Jackie,
13324 Ludlow, Huntington Woods.
RSVP by Dec. 4, (248) 399-2283.
Cost: $8.