Helaine Zack Seeks Seat
On County Commission
Event Targets
Blended Families
Menorah House
Seeks Essays
America, Zack went to New York City
Helaine Zack of Huntington Woods,
as part of a UAW-sponsored team that
has begun her campaign for Democratic
provided trauma counseling. The experi-
nomination for a seat on the Oakland
County Commission. Her 22nd District ence inspired her to get involved in local
politics. "Today, voters want
includes Oak Park, Huntington
government to help them be
Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Royal
and feel safe, reduce social
Oak Township and part of
problems and improve the
Southfield.
quality of life," Zack says. "I
Zack is a social worker at
want to be our community's
Oakland Family Services, where
voice in Pontiac to represent
she works with many school
the needs of our older estab-
districts on programs dealing
lished communities."
with student depression and
The Democratic primary
•
substance abuse.
will be held Aug. 6.
This experience, she says,
State Rep. Gilda Jacobs, D-
makes her especially attuned to
Helaine Zack
Huntington Woods, is sup-
her district's problems. "I'm
porting Zack for the position
running to tackle important
that she held 1994-1998.
issues faced everyday by
"Helaine's roots in the community
Oakland County residents," says the 30-
and her background as a parent, com-
year Zack. "I want to make sure that
our community's concerns are represent- munity volunteer and social worker
make her the perfect fit for the job,"
ed on issues such as 'roads and commu-
Jacobs says.
nity mental health."
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on
The Single Jewish Parents Network
and Jewish Women's Foundation will
present "When More Than Two Say I
DO!," an educational forum for
blended families. The forum, on
Sunday, April 14, will address the
most frequently expressed issues con-
cerning the often-complicated process
of blending families.
Some of the issues covered include
the role of the stepparent; helping
children become siblings with respect
and cooperation; developmental stages
of each family member; the complex
range of emotions; handling Jewish
holidays and special events; and finan-
cial responsibilities.
The program is open to stepparents,
single parents and grandparents of
children being raised in a blended
family, family therapists, clergy, educa-
tors, lay leaders and others who work
with families.
Keynote speaker will be Janice
Tracht, a family therapist and author
specializing in divorce and re-mar-
riage.
The event will be held at Max M.
Fisher Federation Building,
Bloomfield Township, with registra-
tion and continental breakfast starting
at 8:45 a.m. The forum ends at 12:30
p.m. The fee is $10 per person.
For reservations or information,
contact Rosann at (248) 642-4260,
ext. 206 or at
barak@jfmd.org Walk-ins are wel-
come.
In recognition of National Nursing
Home Week, May 12-18, Menorah
House, a skilled nursing home in
Southfield, will sponsor an essay contest
for local high school seniors.
Menorah House will award a $250
scholarship to one senior from each of
seven area high schools: Yeshivat Akiva,
Oak Park High School, Southfield High
School, Southfield-Lathrup High
School, Yeshiva Beth Jacob, Yeshivas
Darchai Torah, Yeshiva Gedolah.
One essay, judged the best, will
receive an additional $250.
The American Health Care
Association has chosen the theme
"Celebrating the Seasons of Life" for
National Nursing Home Week. The
essayists will be asked to compose an
essay of 1,000 words that speaks to the
theme, with an emphasis on the elderly
in long-term care settings.
Participants will be encouraged to
visit Menorah House as part of their
preparation.
Essay rules, application materials,
deadlines and other information will be
available in the guidance counselor or
principal's office of the seven schools.
Winners will be notified by May 15,
and awards will be presented at
Menorah House on May 19.
For information, contact Menorah
House, (248) 557-0050.
AJC Explores Cost Of Living Jewishly
The American Jewish Committee,
Metropolitan Detroit Chapter will host
a town hall meeting that will focus on
national AJC findings that demonstrate
the costs of living an intensely Jewish
life.
The meeting, held in conjunction
with an open board meeting, will begin
at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 15, at the
Max. M. Fisher Federation Building,
Bloomfield Township.
Keynote speaker is Rabbi Noam E.
Marans, associate director of AJC's
Department of Contemporary Jewish
Life.
Panelists will include Rabbi Judah
Isaacs, executive director of the Agency
for Jewish Education, Stephen Weiss,
executive director, Congregation Beth
Shalom; and Howard Neistein, director,
the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit's Planning and Relations
Department. They will discuss the
obstacles that must be overcome, as well
as the opportunities that are locally
offered to become communal partici-
pants.
The evening will include a memorial
in commemoration of Yom HaZikaron
(Israel Memorial Day) and AJC's annual
reception to honor the community's
rabbis.
There is no charge, but reservations
are requested.
Event co-sponsors are the Jewish
Theological Seminary Michigan office.
AJC board member Debra Bernstein-
Siegel is the event chairwoman.
A copy of the formal study can be
obtained by calling the AJC office in
Bloomfield Township at (248) 646-
7686 or online at wvvvv.ajc.org
Film Festival Seeks Sponsors
New Hebrew
Classes Are Slated
The Lifelong Learning Program of
the Agency for Jewish Education in
Bloomfield Township is offering two
new beginner Hebrew classes, starting
Thursday, April 18.
A lunch-and-learn format taught
by Nira Lev will meet on Thursdays
from 12:15 1:15 p.m. The evening
class, taught by Tziona Ragowsky,
will meet Thursdays from 7:30-9:30
p.m.
Both classes meet at the Max M.
Fisher Federation Building in
Bloomfield Township and there is a
charge.
To register or for information, call
Nira Lev, (248) 645-7860.
-
The Jewish Community Center of
Metropolitan Detroit is seeking sponsors
for its fourth annual JCC Lenore
Marwil Jewish Film Festival.
The festival will take place Sunday,
April 28, to Sunday, May 5, at the
United Artists Commerce 14 Theatres;
April 30 and May 1 at the Birmingham
8 Theatres; May 5-8 at the Michigan
Theatre in Ann Arbor.
Gifts are tax deductible and will help
ensure the future of the film festival.
Sponsor names will be included in film
festival publications.
For sponsorship information, call the
JCC Jewish Life and Learning
Department, (248) 432-5577.
Author Speaks
At Fund-Raiser
The Women's Campaign and
Education Department of the Jewish
Federation will present Passages author
Gail Sheehy as guest speaker at its
annual CHOICES fund-raising
luncheon 9:45 a.m. Thursday, April 18,
at Adat Shalom Synagogue.
Joan Chernoff Epstein is chair of
CHOICES; Kathleen Wilson Fink is
associate chair; Amy Schlussel is YAD
associate chair; Cheryl Guyer is past
chair and adviser.
Paula Glazier is president of
Federation's Women's Department.
Nancy Grosfeld is campaign chair and
Nancy Jacobson is associate campaign
chair.
' A minimum $218 women's pledge to
Federation's annual campaign 2002 is
required to attend the event, plus a $30
admission fee, which includes the
program and luncheon.
For information or reservations, con-
tact Heidi Hes, (248) 203-1459.
4/12
2002
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