MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

ear Readers:
Welcome to the second edi-
tion of the JN SourceBook: Jew-
ish Living in Metropolitan Detroit.
I'm pleased to be part of this useful,
comprehensive guide to nearly every-
thing Jewish in this area. And believe
me, there's plenty. We are lucky to be
part of this generous, diverse com-
munity that has learned over the last
century to take care of its own and to offer exciting, ac-
cessible social/cultural enrichment for all ages.
I'm a relative newcomer to this area, so I see it with
fresh eyes. Yet I can honestly say I have never lived in a
Jewish community with such breadth and depth. It
seems there's an organization, agency, school or private
service for every need, all built upon a solid foundation
begun before the turn of the century.
Benefactors and visionaries may have set things in
motion, but I believe it's the vast network of volunteers
who keep things moving smoothly and compassionately.
What would the Jewish Federation be without its
volunteers? Or how about any synagogue, school or
organization?
Volunteers doing all sorts
Honorable Menschen
of mitzvot, from delivering
kosher Meals on Wheels to
Carol Blumenstein
115
providing respite for parents
Rabbi Steven Burg
33
of disabled children, are
Harry Granader
153
making the difference in
our collective quality of life.
Man Holtzman
53
This
edition
of
Nancy Kaplan
75
SourceBook celebrates
Darren King
143
those volunteers, mostly
Diane Lehman
163
unsung heroes and heroines
of all ages who perform acts
Cary Levy
93
of loving kindness not for
Celia Lubetsky
24
recognition but for personal
Sydney Weinstein
24
satisfaction.
I've dubbed them
"Honorable Menschen"
For mini-profiles, see Honorable Menschen

D

not to be confused with "honorable
mention" because there's nothing
second-rate about these folks. These
are blue-ribbon volunteers.
More than 85 nominations came
in from this community and around
the state. From those, 10 were
t selected to become full-blown profiles
Li heading each chapter; another 20 or
so are featured in smaller stories
scattered throughout the book. You'll see them labeled
with the words "Honorable Menschen." Guidance in
the selection process came from community activists Ron
Elkus and Gina Horwitz, Rabbi Bunny Freedman of
Jewish Hospice, freelance writers Debra Darvick and
Jill Davidson Sklar and Volunteer Impact founder Liz
Kantor Groskind. To them I offer my sincere
appreciation. The task was not easy.
In talking to the "Honorable Menschen," I noticed a
common characteristic. Most didn't want the publicity
and felt others gave far more than they did. They agreed
to tell their stories only as an inspiration, in hopes that
more people would be moved to volunteer. That's my
hope, too, as you use this SourceBook throughout the
year to find the information you need. Perhaps one
person's story will catch your eye and inspire you.
Finally, this SourceBook is dedicated to the memory
ofAlexandra Graham, 17, who died of cancer Jan. 25 of
this year. The extraordinary daughter of Susie and William
Graham of West Bloomfield left a living legacy as her
final wish. She made known that the best way to honor
her memory would be through performing mitzvot.
Family, friends and strangers continue to respond with
a shower of good deeds.
May Alex's wish and those of our "Honorable
Menschen' keep coming true.

0

Keri Guten Cohen
JN SourceBook Editor

in the index.

12

JNSourceBook

