LYNNE MEREDITH COHN
Sta ffWriter
sk Barbra Tunick, 28, if
there's anything she won't
do, and she'll shake her
head. No way. There's just
too much to try.
Barb is either running around the
Fleischman Residence comforting,
cajoling and kidding with seniors who
live there, or she's driving through the
rural South with friends, headed for
the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage
Festival.
"It's really important for me to have
fun every day," she says. "I suck every-
thing I can out of every day. In my
work, I see that there might not be
another day."
Fleischman's assistant administrator
speaks loudly, in an ever cheerful
voice. She's the one greeting people at
Jewish community events. And Barb
will try anything once.
In Arizona last month, she skied
downhill and cross-country in
Flagstaff, offroaded in Sedona in
search of Indian pictographs, hiked
the Grand Canyon and mountain
biked in Scottsdale. Oh yeah — "We
went to the Fiesta Bowl block party to
watch the biggest tortilla chip get
dipped in a vat of salsa, and I learned
to juggle.
"You just don't. know what you can
do until you try it," says Barb. "That's
the greatest way to live."
Sandwiched between awards from
the Michigan Association of Social
Workers in Health Care and St.
Joseph Mercy Hospital (where she last
worked), a silver menorah and candle-
sticks sit on the credenza in Barb's
office. A few minutes there, and you
begin to see what Barb is all about:
outstanding professional achievement
and life as a mensch.
_ Leaving the administrative offices,
Barb cranks the power to high, calling
out hellos across the lobby. She knows
every resident by name. With one, she
slips into a mock Yiddish accent. She
chides another about his love interests.
Barb slides into a cushioned chair
beside each senior, talking close like a
dear friend.
They need this, but so does she.
She plants a kiss on one resident's
cheek and for a minute, you think it's
her grandparent. The seniors light up
when she walks by, and although
working the room seems almost politi-
cal, Barb brings only genuine concern.
"I notice you've been hanging out
in this corner lately, rather than over
there," she tells one man.
"It's a better neighborhood," he
replies.
They laugh. "Just wanted to make
sure you were OK," she says.
'Anything I can do for you?"
"Certainly. But you'd get in trou-
ble."
Barb laughs a loud guffaw, then
walks over to a tiny woman with a
dignified accent. And the day contin-
ues.
"We cover up a multitude of
deficits," Barb explains. "You don't
know who has mental illness. We
make sure they have the dignity and
respect they would want if they could
take care of themselves. It's a hard job,
but it's a mitzvah coming to work
every day." ❑
HAPPENINGS
Friday, Jan. 30
Monday, Feb. 2
"Becoming a successful individual."
Singles Shabbat at the Birmingham
Temple. 8 p.m. Call Ronda Shapiro,
(248) 683-2629 or (248) 669-1040.
Hillel of Metro Detroit's coffeehouse
night. 9 p.m. At Lonestar Coffee Co.,
207 S. Woodward, Birmingham.
Collecting cans of kosher food for Yad
Ezra. (313) 577-3459.
Saturday, Jan. 31-Sunday, Feb. 1
Hillel of Metro Detroit ski
retreat/overnight at Camp Tamarack.
Meet at camp at 8:30 p.m. for
Havdalah service, skiing Sunday at
Mt. Holly. (313) 577-3459.
Sunday, Feb. 1
Jewish Professional Singles, brunch at
Little Daddy's. 11:30 a.m. Call Steve,
(248) 356-7326.
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Tuesday, Feb. 3
"Understanding the opposite sex,"
sponsored by Jewish Professional
Singles. 7:30 p.m. Cost: $5. At the
Agency for Jewish Education, Friedman
Room. Call Cindy, (248) 542-9166.
Wednesday, Feb. 4
Coffee with Jewish Professional
Singles. 7:30 p.m. At Muddee Waters
Coffee House, Berkley. Call David,
(248) 398-9370.
Friday, Feb. 6
Crisis in the Middle East, young adult
Humanists luncheon with Rabbi
Sherwin Wine. Noon. At the
Birmingham Temple. Cost: $5. (248)
477-1410.
Sunday, Feb. 8
Amnesty International benefit concert.
6 p.m. At Cass Cafe, 4620 Cass
Avenue. Featuring local artists and
bands, including Banner 200, Sean
Blackman, Joe Brown. Cost: $5. To
buy tickets, call Jane, (313) 577-3453.
Teva Tu b'Shevat seder. 1 p.m. At the
Maple/Drake Jewish Community
Center. Cost: $2 suggested donation.
Call Kari Grosinger, (248) 642-4260,
Ext. 241.
B'nai B'rith Leadership Network bagel
brunch. 11 a.m. At Einstein Brothers,
Orchard Lake and Maple Roads.
(248) 788-NEWS.
Brunch with Jewish Professional
Singles and Ann Arbor Schmoozers.
11:30 a.m. At Zanzibar Restaurant in
Ann Arbor. Call Phyliss, (313) 973-
8699.