abifeVZ,"

31C : 75 And Still

their activities took place at Curtis
and Meyers. Sheri and Andy were
both early participants in Ms. Bessie's
mother-toddler program at the Jimmy
Prentis Morris Building. Designed to
prepare toddlers to become independ-
ent, socialize and get ready for nurs-
y recollections of the
ery, Ms. Bessie's classes developed a
Jewish Community
fine reputation. Her classes were so
Center span most of
full that moms would try to register
my life and five differ-
early to ensure that their youngsters
ent buildings.
would be able to enroll.
As a youngster, I remember going
Building on my personal rec-
to a large building that was
ollections of the Jewish
on the Detroit street with
Community Center and believ-
the trolley car, which I now
ing that it was an organization
know to be Woodward
that touches the lives of more
Avenue. As a child it
people than any other agency
amazed me because within
in Detroit, I was thrilled when
the building, there was a
asked to serve on the JCC
swimming pool that could
Board of Directors in 1978.
be used year round. By my
Twenty-three years later, I am
teen years, the Dexter-
LINDA LEE,
still attending meetings and feel
Davison building was full of
Special to
t the a tremendous sense of pride
activities, including clubs
Jewish ,• IVews when I see each building
and roller-skating. It was a
buzzing with activities. Times
place where we could hang
have changed and family pat-
out and just be with our
terns certainly look different than
friends.
they did then. Instead of being a place
The Curds and Meyers JCC was
to
just belong, the JCC now has to
opened when I was in high school
serve a very consumer-driven society.
and was a nor significant part of my
I truly feel that we have demon-
life until was a young adult and a new
strated our ability to grow and
mom. Even though I lived in West
enhance the agency to meet current
Bloomfield in the late '60s, the JCC
needs. We are still the best place for
in Detroit was a destination point.
all Jews to feel comfortable, whether it
The beautiful auditorium was a gath-
is for social or recreational needs, a
ering place for communal activities.
location where a single parent can
Community rallies, the Center
spend quality time with his or her
Symphony, theater productions and
kids, where parents can learn about
the always-exciting Book Fair made
the JCC the center of our local Jewish Jewish holidays along with their chil-
dren, older adults can keep their
world.
minds and bodies active, individuals
My children attended gym and
with special needs are made to feel
swimming classes in Detroit before
welcome, or an informal educational
they were old enough to attend the
setting where quality learning takes
mother-toddler classes in Oak Park.
place. El
Our schedules revolved around when

Still the best place
or all Jews to
l comfortable.
fie

•

Linda Lee and Douglas Bloom are co-chairing the JCC 75th anniver--
sary celebration and are both past JCC presidents, she from 1990-1992
and he from 1994-1996

The Northwest Activities Center is the former site of the Jewish
Community Center's main building

It is a wonderful pike for our very
young
. to begin learning Jewish val-
ues and traditions. It is a place for
young Jewish parents to learn and
participate with their children in dis-
covering the richness of Jewish life. It
hy should we care that
is a setting for Jews to celebrate
the Jewish
books at the oldest Jewish Book Fair
Community Center is
in America. Jewish children can
celebrating its 75th
swim together, play roller-hockey
year of service to the Jewish commu-
together, learn about holi-
nity of Detroit? There is an
days together and make
obvious reason that it is a
matzoh together. Adults of
remarkable feat for any
all ages can exercise their
organization to survive and
bodies and their minds in a
prosper for 75 years. But for
Jewish friendly atmosphere.
me, this reason is too sim-
For many, the Center is a
plistic.
non-judgmental entry into
For many in Detroit the
the greater Jewish commu-
JCC was a place for Jews to
nity of metro Detroit. It is
play, swim, study and to
DOUGLAS of interest to riartliItthe
meet. The JCC is still fulfill-
dynamic Jewish revival in
BLOOM
ing most of these reasons.
the fornier.Sovier :.: " '„:--
Special to the •
Many of these reasons are
.
co in and led
ceriT
leci
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5otoaliT
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..,,vy.„.
wiere7vi
st ill 5 tal

Continuing vitali
is reason enouah
to celebrate.

W

•

ago.
Today however: jews, can swim
Today,
and gather
, i n se
. that are not
necessarily Jewish:In riivre. So, why
should we care if the Center is 75
years old? We should care and We
should celebrate because the Center
continues to be a vital place for Jews
of all ages and all levels of belief to
gather and enjoy their Judaism.
. .

,gr

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has evolve'dWi
arS'Shaat-'.'.'-
' '. er
n
.th .:70511TY.je-eWi
has
niry. our Jewish
changed
.world
so has our Center. The Center has
continue
played, is plavin n o - , and
......
.,.;,‘, will
play a vital role itv,ott Jewish life.
minting vitality is ,!... on
' lite ____,
- H5
0. , 41,:a. ..07
efioill g.... h :. viteitib
this vibty.,
a great
for this celebration.

I

.,

•

JCC Hosts Open H o use . .
At Old Meyers-Curtis Site

The Detroit Jewish community will have a chance to visit their old
JCC together at a Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit-
sponsored open house at the now Northwest Activities Center, 18100
Meyers, at Curtis, in northwest Detroit.
Tours and refreshments are planned. Entertainment by the Jeff Haas
Trio, with special guest artist Marcus Belgrave, will run from 3 to 5 p.m.
Admission is free.
Transportation will be provided from both JCC locations: 1:30 p.m,
from the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Building in West Bloomfield and 2
p.m. from the Jimmy Prentis Morris Building in Oak Park.
The event is part of the JCC's 75th anniversary celebration. It is made
possible by a grant from the Kaufman Memorial Trust and the Jewish
Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit's Detroit Jewish Initiative.

11/23

2001

35