MICHIGAN JEWISH ANTS COALMON
Interviews with three special friends
It was my great pleasure to
be asked to interview three
very special friends of
MJAC: Sylvia Block,
Eileen Eisenberg and
Jimmy Popkin for the
publication of our MJAC
Moments Newsletter in the
Jewish News. I have the
Mary Ann Siege! (Left) Sr Linda Lee
opportunity to speak to
these people often but this was a unique chance to have them share their
MJAC moments with many readers. I hope you, the reader, will be moved
by their stories. Knowing and working with these wonderful people
has enhanced my life, as I know it will enhance yours.
. -
•
— Edwina C. Davis
Interview with James Popkin, July 22, 1999
About four years ago, Jimmy was walking around MJAC'S display of
Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilts at the Jewish Community Center.
He came upon the panel made in memory of his daughter Shelley Popkin
Zagacici and her name was spelled wrong. At that moment he stopped to
talk with Susie Leemaster. Susie assured Jimmy that the people at MJAC
would make a new panel for Shelley. She also asked him to fill out the
balance of a board term due to a recent resignation. Jimmy said yes because
he would do anything associated with Shelley. At that time he felt quite
vulnerable and hoped MJAC would be of some comfort. The rest is history
for which all those associated with MJAC are forever grateful.
Currently Jimmy is one of the most valuable facilitators of our curriculum.
Our team of facilitators at Temple Emanu-El has been working together
and is deeply connected. Jimmy is a member of Temple Emanu-El, so
there is special significance when he speaks there. During his presentation,
Laura Kohn, another one of our facilitators who was Shelley's Social
Worker, usually interviews Jimmy about Shelley, her life, her family and
AIDS. Jimmy shows a beautiful picture of Shelley. Shelley had two sons,
Zachary, now 21, and Eric, 10. Jimmy and his wife are very involved in
the lives of their grandsons.
When the AIDS Memorial Quilt was displayed in Washington, D.C. a
few years ago, Jimmy joined Linda Lee, Mary Ann Siegel, and myself for
an extraordinary weekend. The first morning Jimmy seemed to be
miraculously guided to Shelley's panel among the thousands displayed.
We all cried together. Jimmy spent each day at the panel and the evenings
with us, As we were traveling home he said he felt as if he had just spent
the weekend with his beloved Shelley and he was in a much different place,
quieter and much more peaceful.
Jimmy has a grand sense of humor and an innate sense of sweetness. These
days he can and does talk freely about Shelley Jimmy has become our
beloved Jimmy.
Interview with Sylvia Block, July 20, 1999
It has been more than six years since Sylvia first interviewed for a volunteer
position with the Michigan Jewish AIDS Coalition. At that time she told
us about her son who was living with AIDS. Sylvia says that MJAC has
always been there for her with open arms
and she has certainly been there for
MJAC. Every Monday, rain, snow or sleet,
Sylvia is at her desk in the MJAC office.
She will do absolutely anything and
everything asked of her. She has been a
vital part of our growth. She was co-chair
of our major fundraiser, the Raffle, she is
the chair of MJAC'S participation in
AIDS Walk Detroit, and she is always
active in our Hospice programs.
When her son Nathan David died from
the complications of HIV, we all felt the
loss for our beloved family member Sylvia.
Sylvia Block
She will always receive much love and
support from her MJAC family. Sylvia started MJAC's first named fund
in memory of Nathan David.
Through the years, Sylvia has gained the strength to become one of the
most effective facilitators of our HIV/AIDS Education Curriculum. One
of the most poignant moments came this year when Sylvia spoke to a
group of fifth graders at Kennedy Elementary School. She spoke about
her son and made him so very real that at the end of her comments, many
of the students were in tears and one boy came up to her and said "I'm
close to my mom like you were to your son." This was an unforgettable
moment for all. The 90 students were so touched by Sylvia's story and
her bravery in sharing difficult memories that they all formed a line to
hug her before returning to class. Sylvia believes that to be part of the
MJAC family is special. That is because Sylvia Block is truly special.
•• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • •
ECHO
Educating our Community about
Homosexuality through Outreach
The ECHO Project originated in 1998 when it became evident through
MJAC's HIV/AIDS education programs that homophobia existed in the
Jewish community. In
addition, many of our
volunteers and board
members had voiced feelings
of being disenfranchised
from the Jewish community
because of their own sexual
identity or that of a relative,
and the lack of acceptance
they experienced.
Edwina Davis (left), Arlene Sorkin,
The overall goal of the
Petula Clark, Ron Elkus
ECHO Project is to ensure
inclusion of GLBT
individuals in all facets of Jewish life by developing binah (understanding
and insight) regarding how we accept gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender
people within our community, reduce myths and misconceptions regarding
homosexuality, and increase the sensitivity of the Jewish community to
the dignity of all persons. In order ro carry out this project, I was hired
in September of 1998 and the ECHO Advisory Committee was formed.
With the help of a generous grant from the Max M. Fisher Community
Foundation, the ECHO Project is up and runt -ling. We have developed
a "Model of Indusion" for use by synagogues and community organizations.
Being inclusive is not just making a statement but changing such documents
as registration and membership forms to make them gender neutral, and
adding "sexual orientation" to any clauses that prohibit discrimination
among other changes. Currently, Temple Israel, Temple Beth El and the
Jewish Community Center have formed committees to assess how they
can be more inclusive to the GLBT Jewish community and other non-
traditional Jewish families. Congregation Shir Tikvah has historically been
welcoming to all.
In addition to our HIV/AIDS library located in our office, we have an extensive
library of articles, books and videos available for individuals to borrow for
• • • • • • • • •
personal or educational use on GLBT issues. Our resources include subjects
such as coming out, helping parents accept their children, lesbian and gay
couples and parenting, Judaism and sexual orientation, and children's books
for ages 3 and up, which illustrate differences and promote acceptance . We
have assisted Temple Israel by providing speakers for a teacher's training
seminar addressing GLBT issues on October 10, 1999.
Interview with Eileen Isenberg, Sept.13, 1999
When I first asked Eileen how she came to know about MJAC, (Michigan
Jewish AIDS Coalition) she hesitated for a moment and then said, "I guess
whatever you really need to know in life will be revealed CO you if you are
willing to open your mind and heart." She remembers speaking with Sue
Efros, who had recently lost a brother to HIV/AIDS. Sue told Eileen that
a group was being created to educate the Jewish community about this
new disease. Around that time, the Jewish News wrote an extensive artide
about MJAC, which led her to call Susie Leemaster, the group's founder.
Eileen had recently learned that her son, Steven, was HIV positive, and
she began a personal quest to learn all she could about the disease. Not
only did she want to become knowledgeable; she wanted to strengthen
herself emotionally and physically to prepare for this challenge to her family.
When MJAC began intensive curriculum training sessions, Eileen attended
and planned to be a quiet observer and support person for the newly
trained facilitators. But Reuven Rotman, chair of MJAC'S Education
Committee, recognized an able communicator and learned of Eileen's
experience teaching health and sex education. Meanwhile, Steve was
teaching HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention to teens through the
San Francisco Jewish Family Service. It was his courage and dedication
that inspired Eileen to undertake the same work in Michigan. Her openness
and honesty have made her a gifted teacher.
In the mid 1980's, many members of our Jewish community considered
HIV/AIDS a mark of shame, a shined, and felt it could not possibly touch
a Jewish home. Eileen was determined to work with MJAC to dispel this
and many other myths.
When Steven Isenberg died this
past January, the complete love
and support of Eileen's MJAC
family sustained her. Steven was
a member of that family. He had
attended our meetings whenever
he came to town and had been a
guest speaker for MJAC at
Temple Beth-El. He knew most
of us, and we loved him. Steven
was famous for his hugs: when
he hugged you, you knew you
were being'huKed by the Best!
Jimmy Popkin & Eileen Isenberg
•• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
World AIDS Day
A new curriculum has been written. It contains exercises that deal with
oppression, discrimination, diversity, acceptance and homophobia.
We will be training facilitators to bring these important topics to community
and youth groups.
There are currently many projects in progress. We are putting together a
brochure and bookmark for ECHO to get the word out about what we
have to offer. One of our priorities is to prepare resource kits for
parents/family members, dergy, educators and individuals exploring their
sexual identity. In addition, we are developing an agency/school staff
training program. Our library will be duplicated at the Jewish Community
Center Kahn Building. Since theater can be an effective educational tool,
it is our hope that we will be able to fund the presentation of a play entitled
"In the Beginning I Did Not Speak In Secret", which portrays the lives
of eight characters ranging in age from 16 to 70 who are GLBT and Jewish.
Our very creative ECHO Advisory Committee members are constantly
coming up with new projects to undertake.
I have been fortunate to personally meet and work closely with many
members of the GLBT community since I began my position as ECHO
Project Coordinator but most people have not had that opportunity. That
is why education is so important. Just as our HIV/AIDS presentations
include the faces of people with AIDS and those who have lost family
members, we will need to also show the faces of the GLBT community
and their family members who can talk about their experiences. The
challenge has been in finding those who are willing to come forward and
tell their stories to audiences which may not feel safe and welcoming. This
reality is a due to the fear that is predominant in the GLBT community
of the repercussions that might occur, especially in the work place, as a
result of coming our in this way.
If you would like ro become a fiicilitaror, speaker, are in need of resources
or would like to book an ECHO presentation, please call Arlene Sorkin
at MJAC.
— Arlene E. Sorkin, MS.W, CS.W
Board of Directors Installation - 1998
The concept of World AIDS Day was created by the United Nation's
World Health Organization 15 years ago to be observed annually on
December 1st. This day reminds us of the impact HIV and AIDS has
had on all our communities —
local, national, and global. It
also reminds us to reflect upon
our individual contributions
and responsibilities in curtailing
this horrible disease which
continues to infect our children,
our parents, and our friends and
remains without cure or
vaccination.
On Wednesday, December 1,
1999, MJAC will hold a Jewish
healing service for World AIDS
Day. It will be held at 7:00p.m.
at Adat Shalom Synagogue,
Peggy M. Frank Sr Ron Elkus
29901 Middlebelt at 13 Mile
Road in Farmington Hills. The
service will include messages from local rabbis, panels from the NAMES
Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, and music performed by the Bel Canto
Choral Society. The public is welcome and invited to attend.
— Peter Cooper and Burton Fogelman
MJAC • 30161 Southfield Road, Suite 102 • Southfield, Michigan 48076 • 248-594-MJAC (6522)
Detroit Jewish News
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