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.