Words

Speakers from

generation to

generation share

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DIANA LIEBERMAN

Copy Editor/Education Writer

T

hirteen-year-old Andrew
Stern knows the value of a
good Jewish education — .
and he's happy to tell you
that's exactly what he received in his
nine years at Hillel Day School of
Metropolitan Detroit.
"I still remember the excitement I felt
after we learned our daily prayers, and
we each received a siddur decorated by
our mothers," he-told more than 700
Hillel supporters at the school's annual
Dream Maker dinner and auction held
May 23 at Adat Shalom Synagogue.
The Hillel awards ceremony, held in
the synagogue's sanctuary, was outstand-
ing for the depth of emotion exhibited
by its speakers, both the educational and
religious professionals and the commu-
nity members — of all ages.
Stern, the event's eighth-grade speaker,
used as his theme the scholar Hillel's
words from the Pirkei Avot (Ethics of
Our Fathers): "If I am not for myself,
who will be for me? If I am for myself
alone, who am I?
"And if not now, when?"
In the confident, relaxed tones of a
practiced orator, the son of Joan and
Kenneth Stern of Orchard Lake said his
Hillel education was crucial in establish-
ing his identity as a Jew.
And this education consisted of more
than sitting in a classroom, he said.
"The values of appreciation, respect and

thoughts at Hillel

awards dinner.

love for Judaism and Israel," she said. "It
a love of Torah, a passion for others and
kindness can never be taught through a
is not only our privilege, but our obliga-
a sense of tikkun olam [repairing the
textbook"
tion to help ensure the future of this
world]," he said.
As part of the required curriculum at
school."
Accepting
the
Rabbi
Jacob
Segal
the K-8 day school, he volunteered at
Rabbi Efry Spectre, former rabbi at
Award were Herman and Dina Brodsky
Yad Ezra, the Berkley-based kosher food
Adat Shalom, returned from his post at
of Huntington Woods, members of
bank; bonded with seniors at the
the Jewish Theological Seminary of
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
Hechtman Apartments in West
America in New York City to present
Contributions from real estate devel-
Bloomfield through the Dor lDor (gen-
the Hillel Dream Maker Award to Saul
oper Herman Brodsky and his entire
eration to generation) program; and
and Elaine Bluestone, his longtime
family "adorn the hearts, walls and halls
worked on joint projects with JARC
friends and former congregants.
of Hillel Day
home residents who have
Left
to
right:
"The Talmud tells us, 'A man can see
School,"
said
Dr.
developmental disabilities.
((Being Jewish means I am not Mark Smiley, the
- no more in a dream than is in his own
"I have learned the moral
heart,' " Rabbi Spectre said. 'And it is
school's headmaster.
values and responsibilities of a alone," said Hillel eighth-
the dreams of Saul and Elaine that have
Among the family's
Jew," Stern said. "When con- grader Andrew Stern.
so enriched both Hillel Day School and
contributions is a
fronted with adversity, I have
Saul and Elaine Bluestone of stained glass win-
this congregation."
learned what is the appropri-
Farmington
Hills, recipients of dow in the school's
Instead of a standard acceptance
ate Jewish response."
the 2002 Hillel Day School
speech, Saul Bluestone used the Adat -
library.
The eight-grader's speech
Dream Maker Award.
Shalom pulpit to exhort the Jewish
Most of the fami-
was greeted by a standing
ly attended the May community to remain united in the
ovation. Said Robyn
Dr. Mark Smiley Hillel head- 23 event, including
face of violence in Israel and the
Glickman, the school's early
master, presents the Rabbi
resurgence of anti-Semitism around
83-year-old Lee
elementary principal,
Jacob Segal Award to Dina
the world.
Rothstein, the last
"Sometimes you doubt what
and Herman Brodsky.
"There must be a solidarity among all
of Herman
you do every day, whether
Jews," Bluestone said. "Now is not the
Brodsky's eight sis-
you're making a difference.
time for dissent."
ters and brothers. Seven of Herman and
But after hearing a speech like that, it
The Farmington Hills attorney said
Dina Brodsky's grandchildren are Hillel
makes it all worthwhile."
every Jew must realize he or she can
graduates, while another four currently
make a difference.
attend the school.
Making A Di erence
"Every morning, some say 16
In accepting the award, Dina Brodsky
prayers," he said. "For the rest of us,
This year's recipients of Hillel's top com- said times had changed since she and
each of us should say as a blessing every
her husband began raising their family.
munity awards have spent a lifetime
morning the words that [slain Wall Street
Despite the bombardment of outside
practicing the values praised by the 13-
Journal reporter] Daniel Pearl said before
influences, however, their children and
year-old honors student, said Robert
his gruesome murder: 'I am a Jew. My
grandchildren
have
been
empowered
by
Orley, Hillel president.
mother and father were Jews.'
their Hillel education.
"Their compassion and generosity
"And we must say it proudly." ❑
"Hillel has reinforced in our children a
have allowed us to instill in our students

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