Financial Angels
BBYO is rescued by four philanthropists.
Now Pre-Leasing 25 Limited & Exclusive Retail Opportunities
On Haggerty Road, North of Maple in West Bloomfield
Complete shopping center totals 50 stores
Occupancy November 2001
JULIE WIENER
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
New York
T
wo months ago, when
B'nai B'rith International
announced it would spin
off its youth program into
an independent nonprofit, leaders said
the move would make it easier to raise
money for the youth group.
If new gifts total;)ig $1 million from
four mega-philanthropists are any indi-
cator, the move seems to be paying off.
The donations — $250,000 each
from Edgar Bronfman, Lynn
Schusterman, Michael Steinhardt and
Newton Becker — will fund regional
offices and other needs for B'nai B'rith
Youth Organization, one of the largest
Jewish youth groups in North America.
Steinhardt is chairman of Jewish
Renaissance Media LLC, the parent
ompany of the Jewish News. He was a
ajor contributor to Birthright Israel,
hich has sent thousands of young
orth American Jews on free 10-day
:rips to Israel.
The $1 million for BBYO also will
i- ompensate for the approximately $1
illion decrease in allocations this
, ear from B'nai B'rith International,
hich — due to the fraternal organi-
s ation's ongoing financial and mem-
rship reductions — has consistently
cut funds to BBYO in recent years.
Until the decision to make the BBYO
i ndependent, many involved with the
8-year-old nondenominational youth
roup had worried about its future.
According to B'nai B'rith officials,
aere are about 20,000 North
tmerican teens in BBYO, although
Itst month BBYO's Web site placed the
umber closer to 11,000. The site no
nger provides membership statistics.
BYO in Michigan has approximately
00 members, plus 200 more in the
re-BBYO Teen Connection program.
According to some insiders, major
priors had been reluctant to contribute
hen BBYO was a B'nai B'rith depart-
l ent out of concern that gifts had to
k channeled through B'nai B'rith,
hich could siphon money off the top.
This spring, the situation looked so
eak that an internal memo circulat-
to BBYO's 39 rr:;ions warned that
ey might lose all national funding
, July and would have to raise all
H
their own money.
The regions vary in their dependence
on the national office. Some raise large
amounts locally or receive Jewish federa-
tion allocations, while others get almost
their entire budget from B'nai B'rith.
Michigan Region receives 25 percent
($78,400) of its $313,400 budget from
BBI, and $74,500 from the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.
However, the regions' allocations
will not be cut this year — and may
even be increased — according to for-
mer Detroiter Richard Heideman,
B'nai B'rith's international president.
BBYO's national operations will con-
tinue - to receive office space, in-kind
services and $1 million in funding
from B'nai B'rith, but officials hope to
continue to attract new donors.
The group is forming a new gover-
nance structure with representation
from B'nai B'rith, teen-age leadership
and philanthropists.
The changes will "stabilize BBYO, set
it on a path for growth and expansion
and keep B'nai B'rith International
involved forever," Heideman said.
Over the past several months, repre-
sentatives of BBI, the B'nai B'rith
Youth Commission, the Charles and
Lynn Schusterman Family
Foundation, the Jewish Community
Centers Association and the United
Jewish Communities have worked
together to stabilize BBYO and to
explore ways to enhance the scope and
reach of its youth-led programs.
High among the priorities of the
advisory team will be to assist the
BBYO search committee in identifying
a new executive director for BBYO.
According to Gary Saltzman, chair of
the B'nai B'rith Youth Commission,
Mark L. Meridy, associate executive
vice president of B'nai B'rith, has
agreed to serve as the BBYO interim
international director.
Michigan Region executive Arnie
Weiner has been serving in the interim
position part-time.
Lynn Schusterman, president of the
Schusterman Family Foundation, will
serve as chair of an advisory team over-
seeing the BBYO transition. "Like many
others," he said, "we recognize the valu-
able role BBYO plays in fostering Jewish
identity and developing leadership skills
among Jewish teens from affiliated as
well as unaffiliated families." ❑
Contact:
Bruce Goodwin, bruceg@freg.com
Harry Cohn, harryc@freg.com
Liquor License Available
248-737-3600
www.friedrnanrealestate.com
Local anchors:
Walmart, Meijer, Target, Kmart & Home Depot
Purchase
Oriental Rugs
at Wholesale
Prices
Come to
asmine Oriental Russ
during the
Michigan Design Center
sample safe.
Buy the rug of your dreams at
60'
70
to
0,0
off
original prices.
Michigan Design Center
1700 Stutz Drive Troy, Michigan Suite 29
248-637-7337
Admission to sample sale is $6.00 and is refundable with
your Jasmine purchase.
COMPLAISANT
Jackets, Pants, Skirts, Sweaters
& Accessories • Women's Sizes 2-16
COMPLAISANT
6720 Orchard Lake Road
West Bloomfield (next to Deli Unique)
248-855-6566
TINT
itiPM
7/27
2001