SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN

Staff Writer

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if Cuomo now would follow the tradition
of running for national office, as did the
yeshiva's 1996 dinner speaker Sen. Joseph
Lieberman and 1993 guest speaker Dick
Cheney, before him.
Penny Blumenstein, president of Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, salut-
ed Newman for the meaningful connection
he has made with the children of our com-
munity. She said his lifelong commitment
to Israel, which includes spending time in
the Haganah (the Jewish defense organiza-
tion) under David Ben-Gurion and help-
ing found the Israeli Air Force "reminds us
of the unbreakable bond we have with
Israel."
Blumenstein urged those present to join
the Federation and Jewish News sponsored
Michigan Unity Mission to Israel in
January, visiting Israel "not just in times of
peace, but in times of stress... to be with
and meet the people of Israel." (See related

he look on her face said it all.
On a special night, as her hus-
band Rudolph Newman was to
receive this year's Yeshiva Beth
Yehudah Golden Torah Award, Ann
Newman listened with happiness to three
dozen boys in the school's choir.
For her and others at the dav , school's
86th annual dinner on Nov. 19, the choir's
performance highlighted the purpose for this
evening --- to support the children of Beth
Yehudah, part of Detroit's Jewish future.
Under the direction of teacher Rabbi
Yerachrniel Stewart, the choir offered a musi-
cal salute to Rudolph Newman. It was sand-
wiched between inspiring speeches and a
moving video describing the Southfield-based
school's educational and outreach qualities.
The event was intertwined with good
story: page 44)
wishes for the honoree, talk of Israel and
Newman's son William described his
support for Jewish education through the
father's sense of humor and commitment
yeshiva.
to the Jewish community. "He's been like a
Guest speaker Andrew Cuomo, U.S.
compass, guiding us in our relationships,
Secretary of Housing and Urban
education, religion and business." He said
Development, addressed 2,120 guests
his father taught him and siblings, Robert
attending the dinner at the Marriott Hotel
and Eugene, "to be respectful, not to lie
Renaissance Center in Detroit. Describing
and how to keep a promise."
his first visit to Israel recently, where he
Looking over the crowd, Yeshiva Beth
met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders,
Yehudah President
Cuomo spoke of
Gary Torgow
the need "for true
thanked those who
and lasting peace
support the 800-
in Israel."
student school, rec-
Eliminating
ognizing that most
basic injustice and
do not have chil-
inequalities" back
dren there and that
home, he men-
many of the stu-
tioned the mitzvot
dents are on schol-
of fikkun olam
arship.
(repairing the
Torgow pointed
world) and
out members of
tzedakab (righteous
the community
acts), and of
who
share a con-
"reaching across
nection
with the
the breach" that
school, giving
divides us.
HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo
mention to dais
The line
participants
between a city and
Detroit Mayor
a suburb is mean-
ingless," Cuomo said "Air pollution, traffic Dennis Archer, U.S. Sen.-Elect Debbie
Stabenow and particularly Michigan
and crime don't stop at the county line. We
Attorney
General Jennifer Granholm.
are interconnected and we must heal the
Torgow
called
her and her husband,
divisions. When one is pulled down, we all
Daniel Mulhern, "quiet supporters of the
sink down."
yeshiva."
Describing the vital need for educating
Stabenow spoke to the gathering about
Anierica's children, he compared wealthy
the feeling shared by Newman's friends and
school districts' computer systems with
other supporters of the yeshiva. "Because
those whose most sophisticated piece of
of the caring in this room," she said, "a
electronic equipment is a metal detector.
newadon will continue in educa-
After appreciative applause, dinner
ener
tion.
chairman Selwyn Isakow wondered aloud

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86th

"The line between
a city and a suburb
is meaningless . .
When one is
pulled down, we
all sink down."

crab Award to I&dolph
edueation.

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