LW/Health Families... • • 1 • ■ Yad Ezra provides kosher food packages to 1,000 families every month. The families helped by Yad Ezra include: single parents disabled working poor the elderly those in emergency situations. new Americans With your help, all families in our community can enjoy a nutritious and satisfying meal. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Photos by Krista Husa $ 18.00 A weekday meal for 3 small families $ 36.00 A Holiday meal for 4 small families $ 50.00 A Shabbat meal for 5 small families $ 72.00 A Holiday meal for 4 large families $ 100.00 A year of Holiday meals for 1 family $ 200.00 A year of Holiday meals for 2 families $ 500.00 A year of Shabbat meals for 1 small family Enclosed is my check in the amount of as a tax deductible contribution to Yad Ezra to help feed the Jewish hungry. Your contribution is eligible for a 50% Michigan Tax Credit (subject to certain limitations). Name Address City Phone Zip State Make checks payable to Yad Ezra or charge your contribution to your VISA/Mastercard or Discover. (Minimum sug- gested donation - $18.00) Exp.Date Card No. Signature Name Mail to: 26641 Harding ■ Oak Park, MI 48237 Tributes and Memorials available. YAD EZRA reeddig the IeMeh flithgry For more information call 810-548-3663 Atv40A1T144, SERVING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY SINCE 1970 ISRAEL FAMILY TOURS Bar Mitzvah Child Travels Completely Free! (no hidden costs) We Offer The Best Tour Staying At The Best Hotels For The Best Prices! Featuring The KING DAVID & DAN Tel Aviv Hotels SIGN UP NOW & RECEIVE ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS FOR SUMMER 1998 ir LET US CUSTOMIZE YOUR TOUR TO ISRAEL! 4/24 1998 124 1•-..v* 301/3844660 1-800-338-7075 give someone was putting them in touch with a survivor who had expe- rienced what they are now handling." The women explored different options in establishing a cancer sup- port group, and learned about the formation of Gilda's Club in New York by actor Gene Wilder, Radner's husband, and Joanna Bull, who had been Radner's therapist with the Wellness Community in California. "We thought it was a natural for Detroit, because her family is here, she was originally from Detroit, and we have her brother and cousins involved," says Lester. "We also really liked it because it was a support group for women, men and children, and not all of the other groups are." Michael Radner laughs. "I got a call from some women in Detroit, that they wanted to start a Gilda's Club here, that there was a need for emo- tional and psychological sup- port for people with cancer, and there was a natural con- nection with Gilda's home- town. I said I was support- ive, but that I usually do not get involved. "Then they invited me to a meeting, then to a board meeting, and then to the executive committee. Now I Geri Lester and Gilda's Club executive Joyce Bich- am happily involved up to ler talk in a lounge area. my chin." In January 1994, Gilda's Club Maureen Martinez, Sherry Medsker, opened an office in Farmington Hills. and the late Carol Silverman, began The initial purpose was to train staff to meet in the spring of 1993 with the and to raise funds for a Gilda's Club purpose of establishing a cancer sup- that would provide services in a warm, port community. homelike environment. A staff of reg- "The Detroit area is strong med- istered/certified professionals were ically, but it wasn't emotionally," says trained at Gilda's Club in New York. Lester. - After much searching, the commit- "Just recognizing the emotional tee found a home in Royal Oak that well-being of a patient, and what seemed to be the perfect spot. It just he/she is going through, is very wasn't in perfect shape, and a lengthy important. It enhances the ability to and complete renovation was needed. handle the treatments better, and to "It was difficult finding the right recover." spot," says Grekin. "We didn't want Jacqueline Grekin of Farmington to just open anywhere and have to Hills is a psychologist who specializes move. We wanted a homelike setting, in cancer counseling. She recognized which was difficult to find. It also the need after attending a support took a while to find the right director, group with her late sister, Rosalie program director, and staff." Brown, when she battled breast can- Lester believes the home they cer. "It seemed to energize her when found was meant to be. "The house she would attend these support was originally a Sears catalogue house groups," says Grekin. from 1913," she says. "Sears has come "Speaking to someone who had on board as a million dollar sponsor your same kind of cancer and is still nationally, and is paying for the grand walking and talking is a great motiva- opening celebration," slated for the tor. It gives hope. In my 18 years spe- May 1 weekend. cializing in cancer counseling, I have found that often the best help I could GILDA'S DREAM on page 126 someone else who has or is dealing with cancer," Michael says. Breast cancer survivor Geri Lester of Franklin knows firsthand. "Cancer is a disease that is a common denomi- nator," says Lester. "When you are going through radiation, the dispari- ties in social, economic, age --- you name it — are gone. We were all there, and we were going through the same garbage, and there were no longer any barriers. "There was an ability to talk and to listen together, and to heal." Lester took her understanding of what it takes to get through the hor- rors of dealing with cancer, and along with seven others — the late Bernice Gadon, Marcia Gershenson, Jacque- line Grekin, the late Ina Kadish, ,;