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Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit

Join us for a
Great Personality

On a more serious note, Franken
9wish comedians — and [felt] humor
shows his concern that others have
was definitely a part of the Jewish cul-
enough to eat by serving on the board
ture. My parents really loved and
of the Congressional Hunger Center, a
admired comedians, and I'm sure
Washington group not funded by
that's why I finally decided I could do
Congress.
it, that I wanted to do it."
The organization trains hunger
Franken likes to think he falls right
advocates,
usually recent college grad-
in line with a line of family jesters.
uates, who spend six months out in
"My mom is funny both in her
the field helping feed people through
:ense of humor and in being funny
different programs earmarked for
odd," he explained. "She's hysterically
inner city, rural and reservation cen-
funny and hysterical. My dad had a
ters.
very dry sense of humor.
After the field experience, partici-
"My dad died about four years ago,
pants spend six months in Washington
and a few days before he died [at
learning how the government works so
home], the young rabbi came over to
they hopefully can become future
[visit]. I went into his bedroom and
leaders in eradicating hunger.
said, 'Dad, the rabbi's here; do you
want to see him?'
"He said, 'Which rabbi?' and
I said, Rabbi Black.'
"He said, 'I don't really know
him, but if he feels it would do
him some good, fine!'
"That was my dad, and I miss
him terribly."
Franken also misses Gilda
Radner, the Detroit-bred come-
dian who worked with him on
:Saturday Night Live," the series
that brought him four Emmy
Awards for writing and one for
producing.
"Gilda was someone whom
you couldn't help but love, and
she was a [close] friend,"
Franken recalled. "She threw a
baby shower for my daughter,
Thomasin, when she was born
Q 17 years ago.
"Gilda was a very loving per-
Above: The cast of "Lateline," where officepoli-
son, and I've done some speak-
tics meets Washington politics. Top row: Al
ing at fund-raisers for Gilda's
Franken, Megyn Price, Robert Foxworth,
Club (a network of outreach
Sanaa Lathan, Miguel Ferrer; front row: Ajay
centers for people coping with
Naidu,
Catherine Lloyd Burns.
cancer)."
The New York-based Franken,
"My professional goal is just to
who also has a 13-year-old son, Joe,
keep doing interesting work and get-
knew he was in Gilda's territory when
ting overpaid for it," said Franken,
he came to promote a book at one of
whose wife, Franni, handles the family
the annual book fairs sponsored by the
finances.
Jewish Community Center.
"Basically, I'm a parent and I do
"I went to the Detroit Jewish
my work. I like to read about politics
Center when my Stuart Smalley book
and watch the information programs
(I'm Good Enough, Bn Smart Enough,
about politics. To relax, I watch
and Doggone It, People Like Me) came
movies and cook a little. Every so
out [in 1992]," recalled the comic,
often, I make a brisket, and that's my
who has since written Rush Limbaugh
Jewish [specialty]." ❑
Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other
Observations.
"I was really very warmly received,
and I loved it.
"I usually open Jewish events when I
say, 'First I'd like to answer the question
that I've been asked most frequently
tonight. Yes, I've had enough to eat!"'
FRANICENLY SPEAKING on page 90

MITCH
ALBOM

Author of New York Times Bestseller

Tuesdays with Morrie

Tuesday, April 21 1 1998
7:30 p.m.

D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building

$5 JCC Members / $7 Non-Members

Tuesdays with Morrie will be available
for sale and Mr. Albom will be
signing books after his talk.

Refreshments will be served.
Enjoy the Israeli Art Expressions exhibit and sale
in the West Bloomfield lobby, April 19-26.

Call (248) 661-7649 for tickets.

SPONSORED BY:

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THE kRT OF WRITING

4/3
1998

89