Mort Crim subs for Andrea Mitchell and
livens Hadassah opening meeting.

DEBBIE WALLIS LANDAU
Special to the Jewish News

contributions, Simko originated
the Ducky Derby annual summer
fund-raiser.

video surprise, an uplifting message by its
president and a witty yet wise commen-
Crim's Remembrances
tary by veteran newsman and author Mort
Crim, WDIV-TV 4 news
Crim combined to make the Oct. 16
anchor/senior editor from 1978-
luncheon of the Greater Detroit Chapter of
1997, author of six books and host
Hadassah an exciting afternoon for the more than
of the syndicated radio series
700 guests gathered in Congregation
"Second
Shaarey Zedek's sanctuary.
Thoughts," edu-
NBC anchorwoman Andrea Mitchell
cated and enter-
had been the scheduled speaker for the
tained the audi-
event, but she was assigned to accompa-
ence.
ny Secretary of State Colin Powell on his
Among his
mid-Asian trip, so she had to cancel. She
most entertaining
did send a videotaped message, however.
anecdotes were
Touching on Israel's increased vulnera-
those about
bility after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks
President Ronald
on America, Mitchell said, "When push
Reagan and about
comes to shove, I think Israel knows the
his own visits to
Keynote speaker Mort Crim with Hadassah leaders, clockwise from
United States is still its strongest ally."
Israel.
left, honorary chair Buena Lichter and co-chairs Sharon Fishman and
Hadassah President Elaine Sturman
"I was invited to Nancy Finkel.
saluted the Detroit-area membership and
Paula Jarnicki,
the White House in
told the audience that the local chapter
chair of Hadassah's
1985, and noticed
now comprises 5,500 men and women.
Crim used that vignette to implore Americans to
National Young
that, despite other questions, all
Hadassah has 350,000 national members.
realize
we are part of the larger world beyond our
Leaders Advisory
President Reagan seemed to want to
The organization's local programming
shores.
Council, presents
talk about was Hollywood and peo-
has expanded to include breast and testic-
"The job begins with opening our hearts and
Randi Simko with
ple he had worked with," Crim said.
ular cancer awareness units in the schools
minds," he said, adding that increased communica-
the Judith Epstein
"So I asked him, 'Mr. President,
and the Make-A-Doll program, Sturman
Memorial Award.
tion is the way to change and improve the world.
do you miss being an actor?'
said. On the international scene, she
"People are talking to each other more, but not
"He looked at me and said, 'Why
added, "Hadassah hospitals abroad are a
necessarily listening. We need to improve our listen-
Mort, this is the greatest role I've
scene of peace, even in times of war."
ing and our empathizing," he told the group.
ever played.
Before turning the microphone to the luncheon
"It's hatred, misunderstanding, poverty and igno-
Crim also described the visit he and local docu-
event's co-chairs, Sharon Fishman and Nancy Finkel,
rance that breeds terrorism," Crim stressed. "It's not
mentary film producer Harvey Ovshinsky made to
Sturman urged Detroiters to show solidarity in the
enough just to kill the terrorists.
the home of the mayor of Ramallah, on the West
fight against terrorism by continuing their life-
We have to understand the desperation that
Bank. The Palestinian mayor graduated from Wayne
affirming programming. She also thanked special
makes people want to join up with them. Hitler
State University.
attendee Buena Lichter, her own mentor and the
understood this. So does [Osama] bin Laden."
The trio shared tea and watched the mayor put
chapter's president from 1962-1965, for her dedica-
In spite of all the evil that exists in this world,
his young son to bed. Noticing these common-
tion - to Hadassah.
Crim proclaimed his eternal optimism.
place, reassuring signs of home life, Ovshinsky had
Ruach chapter member Randi Simko of
"I think we will be a better nation because of the
turned to Crim and told him it was the first time
Farmington Hills received the 2001 Judith Epstein
challenges we now face," he said. ❑
he'd ever been in a Palestinian's home.
Memorial Award for her guidance and inspiration as
"I will never be the same," Ovshinsky told him.
advisor to other young women leaders. Among other

10/26
2001

37

