To*N177 ,1::: EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK **di EL & TIM RICE'S Building A Better Detroit n mayor and his wife, Carlita, have 6-year-old twin boys and e's a big man with big ideas for the city of a 5-month-old boy. Detroit. And Detroit Jewry seems eager to Statistics show that 82 percent of all juvenile delinquency embrace Kwame Kilpatrick in his first term as in Detroit takes place after school. So there's urgency to his mayor. call to develop young minds, not just young bodies, via Many of us who call suburbia home grew up in Detroit after-school youth programs that hone computer and job and have fond memories of those years. Whether you lived interview skills. This approach requires not only urban near Dexter and Davison, Curtis and Meyers or Seven Mile leadership, but also assistance from suburbanites. and Schaefer, the schools were good, the streets were clean Kilpatrick, who learned the ropes of bipartisanship during and the neighborhoods were safe. Detroit was our home three terms in the Michigan House, acknowledges that. and we were proud to tell the world that. He caught my ear when he challenged those of us in the Things after the 1967 riots, which accelerated 0 changed b Excalibur audience to reconnect "to the community that white — and Jewish — flight from the city. Jews had gave you your start." He was talking to each of us who can begun leaving the city for Oak Park, Southfield and West trace our humble beginnings to Detroit and who Bloomfield years before. parleyed the vast opportunities of its public Jews have continued to live in the city, or have schools into successful lives and careers. moved west or east, but the epicenter of Detroit "That connection," he said, "is what draws Jewry is now north, in Oakland County. Over time, everyone back to the central responsibility of most of the synagogues followed their congregants making sure the next generation of people have a there. Today, only two synagogues are in Detroit. foundation upon which to build their business Still, we've kept a presence south of Eight Mile. career or their political career." Jews live and work in the city as well as support its He was challenging those of us who have a sub cultural jewels. Jews also are investors in property urban zip code, but a love for the city, to not feel Kwame management and land redevelop- like outsiders. "We're going to work together," Kilpatri ck ment. Many synagogues have part- Kilpatrick said. "For us to be the global commu- nerships with Detroit churches or nity that we purport to be, it's Detroit and the schools. The Jewish Community region. We really need to have that mentality if Council of Metropolitan Detroit struck gold with its Detroit Jewish we want to compete for our children's sake." Coalition for Literacy. Sustaining The Energy Mayor Kilpatrick, just 31, owes a debt of gratitude to Jewish support. Many of Soon after speaking, the mayor left for a four-day trade ROBERT A. his top contributors are Jewish profession- mission to Dubai, Detroit's partner city, in the United als who work or invest in the city and S KLA.R Arab Emirates on the Persian Gulf. The American Arab yearn for it to be the next great urban Chamber of Commerce-arranged trip raised eyebrows Editor turnaround. among Jews, who wondered if Kilpatrick was taking sides Detroit has plenty of challenges, including blight, crime, in the Mideast conflict. public transit, an insufficient retail base and a cash- Given that he visited Israel on a Jewish Community strapped school system under the governor's control. Council-sponsored trip in 1999 and may return - But if anyone can add more sheen to Detroit's tar- there this year, and that many of Detroit Jewry's nished image, it is Kilpatrick — if he can strike a most respected leaders back him, I sense the pre- productive relationship with the city council. vailing mood is to take Kilpatrick's word on this Addressing the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan issue. The mayor says he went with no agenda Detroit's occasional luncheon series of speakers on other than to boost trade between the two areas May 7, Kilpatrick sketched out a vision that's rooted and bring foreign investment to Detroit, given in educating the city's children, and assuring clean the large number of Arab Americans who live or and safe streets. work there. He says all of southeast Michigan Joshua "Many of us think of world-class cities that have would benefit, though I fear that hope is a mere Opperer thriving restaurants, a thriving retail downtown and pipe dream. huge buildings that you can see for miles," he said Kilpatrick put it this way in his Federation before 300 people at the Excalibur Center in address: "We're beginning a new feeling of all of us partici- Southfield. "But really global cities, cities that are talked pating in the progress and prosperity of the city so that it about all over the world, are cities where families feel safe can enhance the total quality of life in this region, so that and secure with their children, and which are clean — and it can compete against the rest of the world. That is the the world knows it. new spirit and the new energy in the city of Detroit." "When we have that," he added, "the other things come. Joshua Opperer, one of Detroit Jewry's rising young lead- In turnaround situations all over this country, it started ers, was drawn to Kilpatrick a year ago. The Huntington with some very basic quality-of-life issues." Woods resident recalls Kilpatrick saying, " 'We're going to do it right here, right now. We're going to change this city Giving Back and we're going to change the world.' And the voters of the city believed that he had the vision, the intellect and the Kilpatrick's optimism springs from his hope for a city drive to get it done. And we're very proud of him for that." where, for kids, "cognitive skills are celebrated and not just I like the mayor, too. He's a man with integrity. I hope athletic prowess." he survives the ultimate test — that of time, with his feet "Then you have a city where everyone can constructively to the political fire. ❑ participate in its progress — -zrity," he said. The AIDA THE TIMELESS LOVE STORY JARC'S 2002 Spectacular Fall Fundraiser! September 30th October 1st Fisher Theatre A powerful complex love story, where bigotry and hatred are swept out the window, and love, compassion and forgiveness triumph. ATTENTION FISHER SERIES TICKET HOLDERS: When you purchase tickets to JARC's AIDA, the Fisher Theatre will buy back tickets from any series ticket holder. Call 248-538-6610 ext. 304 for details. 30301 Northwestern Highway Farmington Hills, MI 48334 jarc@jarc.org • www.jard.org ****4111.111-1111.41 5/17 2002 5