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199B-199915759 Ecition

Federation Mensch

our

Jewish Living In

Bob Naftaly leaves after three years of service.

forming the Commission on Jewish
Eldercare Services (COJES), an orga-
Staff-Writer
nization that brings together once-dis-
parate Jewish agencies and programs
ou don't expect a 60-year-old
that serve older Jewish adults.
high-level executive to be sep-
"It got away from turf and laid out a
arating paper coffee filters to
road map," he said. The Jewish Fund,
brew a pot of coffee, but there
he noted, has also provided monies for
he is.
home health care and developing two
Bob Naftaly, outgoing board presi-
day-care centers for Alzheimer's patients.
dent of the Jewish Federation of
Despite higher campaign contribu-
Metropolitan Detroit, is often described
tions — this year's Allied Jewish
as a mensch.
Campaign took in $29
After serving three one-
million — Naftaly
year terms as the top lay
•
acknowledges that
leader, he will relinquish the
fund-raising within the
position to Penny
Jewish community has
Blumenstein on Sept. 28.
gotten more difficult.
Alifetime Detroiter,
"It was actually easier
married with two sons, two
when Israel was under
daughters and an 11-week-
assault," he said. "It was
old grandson who has cap-
clearer that you needed
tured his heart, he has
to support the remnants
served as a board member
of the Jewish communi- 1
or officer since 1979.
ty in Europe and save
"He's such a mensch.
Jewish lives."
There's no attitude about
A person had to be "pret-
anything with him. He has-
ty tough and harsh and
a common touch with peo-
self-serving not to be
ple of every social type,"
willing to be part of a
said U.S. District Judge
Bob Naftaly
process that formed the
Paul Borman, a Federation
State of Israel and protected her from
board member.
her Arab neighbors," Naftaly said. "It's a
Naftaly, executive vice-president and
little tougher when you talk about
chief operating officer of Blue
Jewish education and Jewish continuity
Cross/Blue Shield, sat in his Southfield
Naftaly sits on many boards,
office earlier this week, coffee mug in
including the United Way of
hand, and looked back.
Southeastern Michigan and the
"Three years. When I looked ahead,
Karmancts Cancer Institute.
it looked like it was going to be a long
"When I grew up, Jews were not
time," he said. "When I look back, it
involved in anything but the Jewish
looks like it was a moment in time.
community," he said. "Nobody was on
How quickly it has gone."
the board of the Art Institute or other
During his presidency, the Federation
hospitals. Today we can be involved in
increased services to the elderly, devel-
anything we want. "The question is
oped plans to revitalize and expand the
do we care enough about our commu-
Jewish Community Center, created the
nity to take care of it as well as the
Jewish Fund with proceeds from the sale
general community," Naftaly said.
of Sinai Hospital and increased cam-
"Now we're not forced to be Jews. It's
paign contributions by over $2 million.
more that we choose to be Jews."
He's also proud of the Federation's
He said he sees the role of past
Israel agenda. "We're the leaders,"
president as being supportive of the
Naftaly said, citing Partnership 2000, a
new president. "David Page, the presi-
United Jewish Appeal project that pairs
dent before me, never interfered, just
the Diaspora Jewish community with 28
gave me advice.
Israeli regions, and Miracle Mission III,
"I want the legacy of a stronger, more
a 10-day deluxe trip to Israel planned
caring Jewish community. I'd like to feel
for April 1999.
that what we've started here is going to
He returns to the cause of the
be something my grandson will be
elderly, which is obviously close to his
proud of." ❑
heart. Naftaly was instrumental in

HARRY KIRSBAUM

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16 Detroit Jewish News

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