Living Well 1.4 for life AttaibI" vIT'W>, - A4 or if they need somebody to talk to, like a big brother. If they say 'yes' we call them up and ask if they want to have breakfast or whatever, on a Sunday, or just have a group meeting with the guys and talk. This is part of the Golden Gloves' mentoring program, which has little to do with boxing. "The 10-12 kids who go with me to the Nationals (each year), we really get very close and we talk about a lot of things," Hirsch explains. "I try to have meetings in my office in Southfield. They come up and talk. "Boxing is almost irrelevant. It's more about the realities of life, and being a kid. "To get up in the morning and go to school and then work out, it keeps them out of trouble with drugs," Hirsch says. "It keeps them out of a whole bunch of problems that they might get into otherwise." Golden Gloves participants also have other opportunities, including free outings at Camp Nehilu in Brandon Township, free tutoring and even college scholarships. The organization recently gave out two scholarships to Wayne State University. William Barr, the Metro Golden Gloves treasurer, says Hirsch is "very dedicated, hard-working, very enthu- siastic. He's got the kids in mind ... He spends all kinds of time and money (on Golden Gloves)." Hirsch works about two hours per day on Golden Gloves business, although neither he nor any of the organization's officers earn a salary. He has an ambivalent relationship with some of the Golden Gloves' vol- unteer coaches. Some, Hirsch says, don't treat the Golden Gloves in a businesslike manner. They miss meet- ings, he says, then blame Hirsch for failing to communicate. "If it was just dealing with the kids, the kids are basically wonder- ful," he says. "The coaches are the hard part, although you can't neces- sarily blame them. They don't get paid to do what they do." Barr notes that Hirsch is "so gung- ho in getting things done. A lot of people don't react well to that. His enthusiasm doesn't harm kids. It just seems that some adults take it the wrong way. Some people misunder- stand enthusiasm. They're almost ashamed that they aren't as enthusias- tic" as Hirsch. To those who see boxing as a bru- tal sport, Hirsch says, "That's not " SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION. SAFETY CURTAINS. WHIPLASH PROTECTION SYSTEM. IT'S A SECURITY BLANKET FOR MOMMY AND DADDY. THE NEW VOLVO VII THE NEXT GENERATION FAMILY CAR ISO•FIX BABY/CHILD SEAT ATTACHMENT • DUAL THRESHOLD AIR BAGS • WHIPLASH PROTECTION SEATING SYSTEM • SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS • INFLATABLE SIDE CURTAINS • HIGH- STRENGTH STEEL PASSENGER SAFETY CAGE • 197•HORSEPOWER, TURBOCHARGED ENGINE VOLVO www.dwyerandsons.com $498 imo DWYER AND SONS VOLVO -MSRP $38,025- $2,392 Due At Signing. Includes $550 Refundable Security Deposit. 248-624-0400 On Maple Rd., West of Haggerty - OPEN SATURDAY 1041 1 - '39 month closed end lease. 39,000 miles allowed. 20( per mile over 39,000. Tax & plates are additional. Why Wait? Solve Future Baldness No all 48-645-1552 ree & Private Consultation or Men & Women Birmingham HAIR TRANSPLANT CENTER 180 E. Brown • Birmingham Mi. 48009 gienaig,416$004",?4,44, Phyllis F. Fine, R.N., B.S.N., D.N.C. kfi L. Scott Grant. M.D. THINKING ABOUT SELLING YOUR USED CAR? Advertise it in the Jewish News Classified! CALL 7 ' NOW 410,04. 5/5 2000 118 248-354-5959 DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 111'N Sports what I perceive boxing to be about. Boxing is more of a skill. If you don't get hit you're better than you would be if you do get hit." He acknowledges that "there's a serious downtrend in boxing in gen- eral ... There's so many other things that kids can do these days." But he's proud of the role of Jews in boxing. "We're at the top of our field. We're some of the best that there are — best judges, best referees and best commis- sioners. And some of the best doctors, who really take a lot of time and effort, and don't receive much compensation. So I'm very proud to be Jewish and be at the top of our field." Nevertheless, Hirsch plans to stop judging professional fights for a while, to spend more time with his family and at home tending his gardens and koi fish ponds. He's also planning to step down as president of the Metro Golden Gloves. "I've fulfilled what I always wanted to do in Golden Gloves," he explains. "I've structured a corporation that can make some money, although it's non- profit. "Emotionally, because of the things you go through, it's time for me to maybe move on and give it to some- body else." Hirsch says he'd like to work on Michigan's boxing commis- sion and, perhaps, follow in Dr. Kirschenbaum's footsteps as commis- sioner. He doesn't rule out a return to professional judging. "I'd like to take a little hiatus here and take a deep breath for awhile, and then get back into it," he says. ❑ B'nai B'rith Sports Results Basketball Playoffs: Downtown-Fox I 52, Brotherhood IV 51. Leadership I, 62, Pisgah 52. Pisgah 54, Great Lakes 44. Brotherhood V 44, Brotherhood III 37. Brotherhood I 53, Bloch 52. Softball Openings: There are still openings for the 29th season of the B'nai B'rith Softball League. Games will be played at Drake Park in West Bloomfield starting on May 21. All games are doubleheaders. Contact Gary Klinger, (248) 398- 5297; or Marty Melton, (248) 553- 3428.