Insight
Remember
When • •
From the pages of The Jewish News
College Bound
for this week 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50
years ago.
1990
jeff Jenks prepares to cast his vote as a member of the Electoral College.
JILL DAVIDSON SKLAR
Special to the Jewish News
eff Jenks never thought that by accepting a posi-
tion in the Electoral College that he would be step-
ping onto the pages of history.
But on Dec. 12, he will join the other 17 mem-
bers of Michigan's Electoral College in Lansing to cast their
votes for Vice President Al Gore in the closest presidential
election in 40 years and the most contested one in
American history. The electors_ will assemble in Lansing in
mid-December to sign the seven ballots required by federal
law. The ballots have different destinations, but one will be
handed to Gore, also president of the U.S. Senate, to be
read into the congressional record. Another ballot will
become a part of the National Archives.
"I knew it was going to be close, but I had no idea it
would come to this," said Jenks. Watching a broad-
cast of the attorneys for presidential candidates
Gore and Gov. Texas George W. Bush as they
argued before the Florida Supreme Court last
week, he added, "It's thrilling."
Political Roots
Jenks is a passionate Democrat, through
and through. He first became involved in
politics when he was 12, pleading with his
parents to send him to the national con-
vention; they acquiesced. In the first elec-
tion when he was of legal age to vote, he
cast his presidential ballot for John F.
Kennedy. He so strongly believed in
Kennedy's message that he signed up for
the Peace Corps and served during the first two years of the
program.
Jenks is also a passionate Michigander, through and
through. He was born and raised in northwest Detroit. He
graduated from the University of Michigan and received his
post-graduate education in applied anthropology from both
Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University.
In one of the state government jobs he has held, Jenks
was a troubleshooter of sorts, someone who predicted
future snafus in the law enforcement community and head-
ed them off before they surfaced.
The two identities, those of Democrat and Michigander,
have imbued him with a sense of civic duty. Jenks has
worked on a number of campaigns for Democratic Party
candidates. In addition, he has run for the state Senate
twice, narrowly missing the second time by a 1,200-vote
margin.
"I may have lost, but you have to remember that this is a
traditionally Republican district, so I consider that slim
margin an achievement," the Huntington Woods resident
said.
Jenks did succeed in his latest attempt at public office.
He is in his first year of a four-year stint as city commis-
sioner for Huntington Woods.
"Jeff is our newest commissioner. He has proven to be
very active and very diligent in the things he does," said
Huntington Woods Mayor Ron Gillham. "He is concerned
with what is going on in the political arena and has proven
to be an excellent addition for the city government."
Jenks added to his political responsibilities with the
acceptance of his historic role as a member of the Electoral
College this summer during the state Democratic Party
convention. •
"They give the position of elector to people who have
worked hard for the party. It is sort of a reward or honor
for being a hard-working, dedicated [member of the
Democratic Party]," he said, adding that the posi-
tion is short lived and most likely will be given
to another person in the next national election.
"I knew it was going to be
close, but I had no idea it
would come to this."
— Jeff Jenks
In The Spotlight
Because of the tight and contested outcome of this presi-
dential election, Jenks has been thrust into the media spot-
light. He has given interviews to the Flint Journal, Oakland
Press, Daily Tribune, Mirror Newspapers and Cable News
Network. He finds himself explaining the role of the
Electoral College and the responsibilities of being a mem-
ber over and over.
Aside from his political duties, Jenks owns a travel agency
and works there part-time. He also serves as president of
the Caribbean Tourism Association, president of the
Southeast Michigan Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and
belongs to an advisory council for the Jewish Community
Council of Metropolitan Detroit. He is a member of
Temple Beth El.
"I think this is a great opportunity to learn about the way
the government works," Jenks said. "This has been a big
civics lesson for a lot of people." ❑
The memberships of Congregation
Shaarey Zedek of Southfield and
Congregation B'nai Israel of West
Bloomfield voted to merge.
Lawyers for Klaus Barbie, the for-
mer Gestapo chief, asked Paris
courts to release their client to be
treated for terminal cancer.
Susan Miller and Edwina Davis
of Southfield were honored for
their years of service by the Jewish
Educational Loan Service.
1980
In observance of Chanukah,
Northland Center in Southfield
displayed a six-foot brass menorah
in its outdoor Fountain Court.
President Anwar Sadat of Egypt
assured President Jimmy Carter
that he wanted to continue the
Egyptian-Israel peace process.
1970
Twenty-seven new cases of cholera
were reported in the Gaza Strip,
bringing the total to 115.
Dr. Alex S. Friedlaender of
Detroit was elected president of the
American Association of Clinical
Immunology and Allergy.
1960
A launching ceremony for the new
Israeli ship Moledet was canceled
because of a strike of French ship-
yard workers who asked for special
pay for the ceremony.
Edward Tober and Joel Wootner
of Detroit's Mumford High School
participated in a panel discussion
held by the High School
International Club.
1950
Detroit Henry Morgenthau Jr.
resigned as general chairman of the
United Jewish Appeal.
Construction began on the
University of Michigan B'nai B'rith
Hillel Foundation.
The Michigan Millinery Center
on John R in Detroit offered to
clean and block felt hats for $1 each.
Compiled by Sy Manello,
editorial assistant
12/1
2000
55