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EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK

-44

Nature's Way

T

heir generosity will help children appreciate
and protect one of God's greatest gifts: the
animal kingdom.
And it's yet another example of the
Jewish community reaching out to enrich the cultural
jewels of Detroit.
In the vastness of giving opportunities, Mandell
"Bill" and Madeleine "Madge" Berman have chosen
to endow something that brings people from all social
and economic classes together, the Detroit Zoological
Society.
The Bermans decided to reach deep
into their souls — and tap significant
personal resources — to bring us closer
to nature, especially animals.
There's more to animals than keeping
them as house pets or enjoying them in
the wild. The way they interact with us
is as much a part of their wonder.
That's why the Bloomfield Hills
Madge and Bill Berman
ROBERT A. couple's endowment of more than $1
SKLAR
million to create the Madeleine
domesticated. Their zoo endowment was rooted in a
Editor
Berman Academy for Humane
desire
to teach people of all ages about the need to
Education is so exciting.
watch
over
"the marvelous creatures" that "share our
It goes beyond traditional zoo education topics like
world,"
Madge
said.
ecology and zoology. It speaks to how we "talk to the
Specifically
through
their gift, Bill said, "We hope we
animals," as "Dr. Doolittle" put it, and to what choices
can
teach
young
children
to protect and care for the ani-
we make in our encounters with other living creatures.
mals that share their homes and their neighborhoods. In
The Detroit Zoological Institute (DZI), which
this way, we hope they also can learn to deal humanely
encompasses two zoos and an aquarium, hopes to
with
the young people who share their lives."
develop a cutting-edge teaching curriculum via the
I
especially
like Bill's idea of applying the lessons
Academy.
learned
from
humanely
treating animals to how we treat
Endowed by the Mandell L. and Madeleine H.
each
other.
Berman Support Foundation, the Academy will train
selected teachers in southeast Michigan to become part-
ners in shaping classroom and outreach teaching tools.
Lesson plans will trace the "intricate connections"
The Detroit Zoo was a national pioneer in the use of
between humans and animals as well as suggest what we
moats instead of cages. It has built a reputation for
can do to safeguard these close ties, like recycle,
innovative exhibits and programs. And it boasts a sup-
control trash and
port
society — today 55,000 strong — that dates back
respect natural habitats.
to 1911.
Teaching ideas
But it has aged a bit and sometimes is lost in the shad-
include theatrical pro-
ows
of newer zoos. Still, it strives to be world class — last
ductions, a short film,
fall,
it
opened the Arctic Rings of Life, the world's largest
interpretive classes and
polar bear exhibit.
cooperative ventures
Together, the Detroit Zoo, Belle Isle Zoo and Belle Isle
with other "humane
Aquarium
are one of Michigan's top tourist attractions,
interest" groups.
drawing
more
than 1 million visitors each year.
What intrigues me
Detroit
Jewry,
I'm glad to say, also provides substan-
most is the promise
tial
support
to
such
other urban gems as the Detroit
that the Academy will
Symphony
Orchestra
Hall, the Detroit Institute of
explore what it means
Arts,
the
Detroit
Historical
Museum, the Detroit
to "walk softly on the
Public
Library,
the
Michigan
Opera Theatre and Wayne
Earth" against the
State University.
backdrop of nature's
From small donors to big givers, the Jewish community
delicate balance.
also generously supports the United Way, the University of
Ron Kagan
Thanks to the
Michigan, Michigan State University, the Detroit Medical
Bermans, the
Center, Henry Ford Health Systems, the Barbara Ann
Academy will help
Karmanos Cancer Institute and many other worthy secu-
"instill an ethic of gentleness, empathy and kind treat-
lar causes based in the city.
ment toward other living things," says DZI Director
I sense that we give so broadly because we truly know
Ron Kagan, one of the few Jewish zookeepers in North
what
it means to embrace not only Jewish causes, which
America.
obviously need our dollars, but also the notion of tikkun
The Bermans are longtime philanthropists with a
olam, of making the larger world a better place for all. ❑
passion for animals, whether exotic, endangered or

• N.

Circle Of Giving

r

JARC
HeartWarmers

Very special
gifts that
make a very
big difference

P assover Seders for

people served by JARC

After-school Respite
for one child

Cell phone and service
for emergency use by a
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A night out for dinner
and a movie

And many more ...

When you want to send
more than a regular
tribute ...give a
JARC HeartWarmer

Call

248-538-6611

to send a JARC
HeartWarmer

30301 Northwestern Highway
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
jarc@jarc.org • www.jarc.org

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4,1 14

2/8
2002

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