Community Sarah and Harold Gottlieb Gottliebs Help Jewish Students el 1 U S 1 - L C ( DIANA LIEBERMAN Copy Editor/Education Writer 7 he first graduation ceremony of the school year took place April 7 at the Fleischman Residence-Blumberg Plaza in West Bloomfield. About 90 men and women, all resi- dents of Fleischman or of the adjacent Hechtman and Meer Apartments, received diplomas for their participation in the Jacob's Ladder program. Through this program, the seniors enjoyed intel- lectually stimulating courses brought to the comfort of their own homes. "The program has so much value — social as well as educational," said Myrna Katz, Fleischman's program director. "One lady had tears in her eyes at gradu- ation. She told me, 'In my life, the way it was when I was young, I never had the opportunity to graduate from any- thing before.' " The program began in the fall with classes on travel, Jewish art and writing an autobiography. For the second semes- ter, all participants took a class in Jewish music, from the biblical lyre and timbrel to Jewish folksinger Debbie Friedman and Jewish rock group Schlock Rock. "It brought a value to their lives, an understanding that, even though you are what society calls 'old,' you can still learn, you can still grow," said Gail Greenberg, who taught the music class. Greenberg, a program coordinator for Jewish Experiences for Families, played the guitar and sang at many of the Sunday afternoon classes. Participants heard CDs of religious, classical and popular music from Jewish cultures throughout the world. The sessions also included lectures, with handouts on the 4/19 W02 38 topic of the day. Greenberg said she welcomed the opportunity to share her knowledge while also learning from her students. Among the participants were Mary Papo, who commented on Sephardic music and culture, and Rabbi M. Robert Syme who offered musical insights. Both are Fleischman resi- dents. At one session, Rabbi Syme, rabbi emeritus at Temple Israel, pointed out the melodic similarities between the song "It Ain't Necessarily So," from George and Ira Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess, and the Boruchu, the Hebrew prayer that opens the Shacharit (morning) service. "Everyone is fascinated when I tell them about that," Greenberg said. ❑ Clockwise from top: West Bloomfield resident Elana Balkin photographs Audrey Lacoff of West Bloomfield and Jacob's Ladder graduate Belle Freedman, a resident of Hechtman I Apartments. Proud graduate Helen Bluestone of the Fleischman Residence. Storyteller Corinne Stavish enter- tains the Jacob's Ladder partici- pants and their families. Sadie Braver of Hechtman I and Mildred Neumark of Hechtman II Apartments chat at the gradu- ation party. Sarah and Harold Gottlieb of Birmingham have underwritten major funding to the Jewish Educational Loan Service. Harold Gottlieb wrote a check for $500,000 to JELS to benefit Detroit-area Jewish students in perpetu- ity. JELS, to be known from now on as the Sarah and Harold Gottlieb Jewish Education Loan Service, is a program of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, administered through two of its agencies, JVS and Hebrew Free Loan. Fund-Raiser Aids Special Children Proceeds from SpringElation help fund Farminton Hills-based JARC's Harris Children and Family Division, which provides services to families who have a child with special needs. This year the event will be noon-4 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at GameWorks at Great Lakes Crossing Mall in Auburn Hills. The chairs are Jeff Cohen of West Bloomfield, Craig Erlich of Bloomfield Hills and Steve Rosenthal of Franklin. Tickets are available at the door or online at www.jarc.org. Admission: adults $40; children ages 5-15 $20; younger than 5 are free. Mom-Daughter Event Planned National Council of Jewish Women Greater Detroit Section will present "Carefree Cooking: An Evening for Busy Mothers and Daughters" with Annabel Cohen 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, at the NCJW office. Edie Broida, Beverly Stone and Mary Schwartz are co-chairs. Guests may bring an easy recipe with each reserva- tion. Send $20 per person to NCJW, 26500 Lahser, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48034 by May 1. A light supper will be served. Call NCJW, (248) 355- 3300.