,—,
/-'
who served as "the real backbone" of
a very important role for Bar-Ilan to
Bar-Ilan.
play, and I think he was right."
Through the help of people like the
The elder Stollman is the only liv-
Stollmans, American support, especial-
ing founder of Bar-Ilan.
ly in the Midwest, continues. In the
Barbara Stollman believes Bar-Ilan
past two decades, Rabbi Rackman said
would not exist if it weren't for her
the Midwest has realized about a 600-
family. She currently serves on the
percent increase in gross revenue
international global board of overseers
raised for Bar-Ilan.
_ for Bar-Ilan. She's also a vice-president
Currently, there are six Detroiters
/--) of the national board and president of
who graduated from Bar-Ilan: Les
the Detroit Friends of Bar-Ilan
Goldstein, who works in the universi-
University.
ty's Detroit office; Lea Luger, executive
"It is the only university in Israel
director of Yad Ezra; Martin
where you must take Judaic studies,
Hochbaum of Israel Bonds; Rabbi
and in this day and age where we are
Karmi Gross of Akiva Hebrew Day
ignoramuses about our own history
and culture, it's really
important to be able
to have a place where
you can take those
classes," she said.
"I'm into Jewish
identity, and Bar-Ilan
says a lot for Jewish
identity. It's the
bridge. Bar-Ilan
bridged the gap when
nobody was doing
anything with the
Sephardic families ...
We had more
Ethiopian students
than anyplace else. I
remember sitting and
listening to the trans-
lation of a mathemat-
ics student there who
was in tears. She came
from Russia. She said,
`I knew nothing
about Judaism,' and
at Bar-Ilan she found
her family's roots. I
mean what more
valuable thing could
someone have, to find
Rabbi Emanuel Rackman, chancellor of Bar-Ilan
their identity? She
University.
said, 'I didn't know
who I was; at Bar-
School; Daphna Ruby of the
Ilan, I found who I was.' I got goose
Weizmann
Institute; and Tanya
bumps."
Mazor-Posner, who works at the
The Stollman family originally
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
came from Russia, when Phillip was
Detroit.
around 18 years old, and set up a
In 1981, the late Philip Slomovitz,
business in the building trade about
founder of The Detroit Jewish News,
70 years ago.
received an honorary doctorate from
"They were an Orthodox family
Bar-Ilan. Because of that, said
initially, the grandparents were,"
Rackman, the university established
Barbara said. "There are still two
the Slomovitz Chair in
cousins who are Orthodox rabbis
Communications.
(who have both made aliyah) — it's a
Dr. Gerald Stollman admitted that
varied family. The rest of the family
the university "certainly grew way
has strayed; the majority are probably
beyond anything my father imag-
Conservative."
ined."
Phillip was one of six brothers, but
it was he and his sister-in-law, Freida,
❑
Adat Shalom
Synagogue
Salutes
starring
Theodore Bikei
Jon Voight
Sunday, May 17
7:15 p.m.
at Adat Shalom
Tickets for the concert may be obtained at the
Synagogue. They will be distributed on a first-come,
first-served basis. There is no charge for general
admission. Tickets are $18 per person for a
SPECIAL RESERVED SECTION
and include a Gala Afterglow.
Israel
Sponsored by the Adult Study Commission
Chaiipersons
Lauren & Marvin Daitch
Judy & Robert Rubin
To purchase Chai tickets, please send a cheek for S18 per person to
Adat Shalom Synagogue, 29901 Middlebelt Road,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334. Chai tickets will be held for you
at the door. For further information,
please call ihe Synagogue office, 851-5100.
5/1
1998
19