C o mmun ity

New Projects

Fisher Foundation allocates $130, 000 in grants.

adults with lower-cost prescription
he Jewish Federation of
medications.
Metropolitan Detroit's Max
• Kadima Jewish Enrichment
M. Fisher Jewish
Program: $22,000 to provide oppor-
Community Foundation
tunities for participation in, learning
will distribute $130,000 in grants to
about and celebrating Jewish culture
seven Jewish community social ser-
and heritage. Kadima serves people
vice, cultural and educational pro-
with
mental illness.
grarris.
• Yad Ezra
The Fisher
Kosher
Food Bank
Foundation was
$18,000 for kosher
established in
lunch assistance
1964 to fund the
program for Jewish
start-up period
day schools, which
for innovative,
will increase the
creative projects
quality of kosher
that enhance the
food-assistance pro-
quality of life for
grams within the
members of the
schools. The pro-
Jewish communi-
gram will be piloted
ty. While
at Yeshiva Beth
Federation's
Yehudah with hopes
Annual
to replicate it in
Campaign meets
other schools in the
essential; ongoing
future.
budgetary needs,
• Women's
the Fisher
League for
Foundation pro-
Conservative
vides resources
Judaism Eilu v'
for demonstra-
Eilu: $23,000 for
tion grants.
adult Jewish educa-
Funding
tion, which offers
comes from the
year-round
classes at
annual grant allo-
various
levels
to the
cated to
entire community
Federation from
taught by rabbis and
the United
other leaders in a
Jewish
Eilu v' Eilu program coordinator Nancy variety of venues.
Foundation of
Kaplan at a Nov. 10 women's minyan
• Jewish
Metropolitan
at Congregation Beth Shalom.
Community
Detroit.
Council: $10,150 to
The seven
increase
the Jewish
programs to receive Fisher Foundation
community's involvement in the fight
grants are:
against illiteracy through the Detroit
• Jewish Association for
Jewish Coalition for Literacy.
Residential Care: $20,000 for
• Fresh Air Society: $22,000 for
Spiritual Access for People with
Horizons
Avoda, an "inclusive" voca-
Developmental Disabilities, a program
tional
program
for campers with
that interprets religious and spiritual
special
needs
who
have graduated
rituals, customs and symbols to its
from
the
Horizons
program.
participants; partners with community
Participants
are
supervised
in a camp
members on spiritual and educational
work setting and are considered part
programming to enhance the quality
of the camp's workforce.
of Jewish life of its participants; trains
Letters of intent for the next cycle
JARC staff to become transmitters and
of grants are due Aug. 11; full pro-
implementers of Judaism and provides
posals are due Sept. 22. For informa-
socialized bereavement services for this
tion on the Max M. Fisher
population.
Foundation Jewish Community
• Jewish Apartments and Services:
Foundation, call Jordana Weiss at
$16,700 for prescription program for
Federation, (248) 203-1467.
seniors, a program to connect older

•

3/10

2000

50

`Champions For
Children'

Muhammad Ali and his wife appearing at Detroit
benefit for neglected children.

SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
StaffWriter

A

shows their "continuing efforts to,
champion the causes of abused and
neglected children throughout
Michigan." The Alis have adopted
two such children.
Martina says she feels Jewish chil-
dren can receive meaningful life val-
ues that are not solely Jewish, like
helping those in need. "We can give
support because the work is impor-
tant," she says.
The evening
will include a
showing of the
Oscar-winning
documentary

s the mother of two sons,
and president and publish
.er of Metro Parent
Publishing Group in
Southfield, Alyssa Martina is always
on the lookout for ways to better th e
world for children.
An avid sup-
porter of Jewish
causes, she sup-
ports the belief
--I
that "at the core of ,
our faith is a
±:
strong value sys-
When We Were
tem." On occa-
2
Kings, about the
sion, she says,
1974 heavy-
t.
she'll find an indi-
weight champi-
vidual with differ-
onship bout in
ent religious
Zaire between
§
beliefs, but with t
champion
the same respect
George
for the care of
Foreman and
children. One of
underdog chal-
them is boxing
lenger
great Muhammad
Muhammad Ali.
Ali. "We share the
A sports memo-
same value sys-
rabilia auction
tem," Martina says
will be held,
about the Muslim
with items
Ali, which is why
including Ali's
Muhammad Ali is shown greeting an
she is joining him
autographed
infant in Zaire, in the film, "When We
to plan an upcom- Were Kings."
boxing robe and
ing Lutheran
boxing gloves
Child and Family
and a framed,
Services event to promote foster care
autographed poem specially written
and adoption placement.
by him for the event.
"In an age where we are so celebri-
Sponsors are General Motors
ty-fed," she says, "we receive images .
Corporation, Bohle Machine Tools,
of actor and football player murder-
Comerica Inc. and Betty and Barry
ers and wife beaters and drug users."
Olson-Computer Horizons
But Ali, she adds, "doesn't drink,
Corporation. ❑
doesn't smoke and is against gam-
bling."
Appealing to teens because of his
"Champions for Children: An
athleticism, she also sees him as a
Evening
with Muhammad and
consistent role model for youth —
Lonnie
Ali"
takes place at 7 p.m.
including her own son, Rafi, 15,
Saturday, March 18, at the
who met "The Champ" at a kickoff
Detroit Opera House. Tickets
event for the program.
are $50-$500. For tickets, call
Martina says "Champions for
(248) 645-6666.
Children: An Evening with
Muhammad and [wife] Lonnie Ali"

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