Simpiv the best Brater in the business 197'4 Skyline & The Back Street Horns Nate Shapiro sets the standard for JCCouncirs new award at its annual meeting. Rumplestiltskin • Shnone Vitale Band • Hot lee Vizitor • .kiyRide • Nightline Radio City • Higher Ground a • Persuasion • VOA • Cheers • Intrigue • Nouveaute Sun Messengers • Teen Angels ▪ Alexander Zonjie Staff Writer Jerry Bess-Michael Brock Band 505 S. Lafayette • Royal Oak • www.lorioross.com ENGINE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS • Mufflers • Brakes • Shocks • Alignment • Maintenance r AIR rCONDITIONING BRAKES1 starting at r EXHAUST SYSTEM-1 starting at '59.95 '29.95 '79.95 L Plus Refrigerant j LMost American Cars j OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY 32661 NORTHWESTERN HWY. FARMINGTON HILLS • 851-3883 We want to hear about your college memories for a cover story that we are working on. Please mail. fax or e-mail us at: THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 27676 Franklin Rd. Southfield, Michigan 48034 Fax: (248) 354-6069 E-mail: sluckennanethejox islmew s.com DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 5/18 2001 20 T HARRY KIRSBAUM Lorio Ross Entertainmen Call (248) 398-9711 Activist Of The Year he night belonged to Nate. Some 175 people, including many members of the African American community, attended the Jewish Community Council's annual meeting at Temple Beth El on May 10, as Nate Shapiro of Southfield received the first "Activist of the Year Award." The award was created to pay tribute to someone who best exemplifies the mission of the Council by acting upon Jewish values to create a better community. The Council's selection committee was faced with the challenge of choosing someone 'who would set the standards for all future recipients of this award," said Council's execu- tive director, David Gad-Harf. "No one better fits the title of Jewish ambassador to Detroit than our awardee, Nate Shapiro." Shapiro, 81, who grew up with the late mayor of Detroit Coleman Young, spent months feeding Detroit's homeless last year and still works full time for the engineering firm he founded. Shapiro, who holds many awards for his work with the African American community, was introduced in a powerful speech by close friend the Rev. Wendell Anthony, president, Detroit Branch-NAACP. "If you want to want to project the historic relationships between mem- bers of the Jewish community and the African American community, then Nate Shapiro conveys that message," the Rev. Anthony said. "If you want to reflect the best in all of God's people, regardless of race, ethnicity sex, age, chronology or phi- losophy, Nate Shapiro reflects the best of all of them. You don't honor him by making him the activist of the year, you really honor yourselves, for he represents the best of all people." In a short but thoughtful speech, an overwhelmed Shapiro said that in the past the African American and Jewish communities were very close and sup- portive of each other. It is important that this relationship be revived, he said. The Southfield resident told a story about a trip to Washington, D.C. for a civil rights march on a bus that broke down. He met a young African American man who wondered why a white man was on the bus. Shapiro told the young man about Hitler and the Jews in World War II, and how Hitler knew other groups wouldn't Above: David Gad-Half presents Nate Shapiro with the Activist of the Year Award. Left: The Rev. Wendell Anthony introduces Nate Shapiro. Below: New Council president Ann Zousmer. help the Jews, just like no other groups had helped prevent the Armenian geno- cide at the turn of the century "I told this young man that if ever anyone tries to eliminate any group, including African Americans, that I would do everything in my power to organize major groups to oppose this action," he said. "I will be there for you and I damn well expect you to be there if anyone tries the same thing to me." After the speech, the Council's new officers were installed, including Ann Zousmer as Council's president. She took the reins from Kathleen Straus, whose presidency was marked by accomplishments in areas of advocacy, intergroup relations and community solidarity. Education was a central focus of her term, and included a successful fight against school vouchers. El