The Birmingham Temple
in cooperation with
(
Detroit's Jewish Future,
said Steve Becker, a
begun in 1998, has
health and physical edu-
grown to $58 million,
cation and recreation
$33 million of which is
consultant for the Jewish
earmarked for the JCC.
Community Centers
Association, the New
York-based umbrella
A Balancing Act
agency. "It's a shame, but
Lis said there is prece-
[racquetball's] popularity
dent for the Center to
is waning."
reallocate the space of a
Squash, however, is
less-popular venue for
another story.
the betterment of the
Though the Center
JCC's Hannan Lis: "The
lumped squash and rac-
JCC provides programs and community. He point-
ed out that "we had a
quetball together as
services for the whole
baseball diamond for
"dying sports," squash has community, not only
many years, which is
remained popular over
members."
now the site of the
the years, said player
Jewish Academy [of
Harry Krim, 80, of
Metropolitan Detroit]."
Farmington Hills.
But it was Sorkin's comment in the
The National Squash Association
Jewish News last week (May 31, page
and athletic clubs in the Detroit area
15) that rankled Woerdeman.
agree with Krim that squash is far
"When I read his quote that 'we lost
from dying.
75 tennis players and gained 1,000
• Mike Hymer, deputy director of the
new members,' I was astounded," she
United States Squash Racquet
said. "He basically was saying that
Association in Philadelphia, said that
those 75 members were expendable."
while racquetball playing had a dramat-
"And not all 1,000 people are mem-
ic increase in the 1980s, but declined in
bers,
either," added player Krim.
the 1990s, squash has maintained a
But that's the point, Lis said.
steady growth throughout.
"Mostly, we raise money to provide
"We even had a slight increase due
services and programs for people who
to the growth in our junior develop-
are not members . . . The JCC provides
ment (younger than 18)," he said,
adding that some racquetball courts in programs for the whole community."
He said thousands come to the
athletic clubs nationwide are being
Center for the annual book fair, Israeli
converted to squash courts.
festival, in-line hockey, films, lectures
"Squash is the No. 1 extracurricular
and other events. They may take advan-
sport at Ivy League schools," said Jeff
tage of the Center's day care or summer
Sneyd, head squash professional at the
camp, which may be that child's only
Birmingham Athletic Club in
Jewish experience for the year.
Bloomfield Hills. Three years ago, the
Just like King Solomon decided, the
BAC renovated its five squash courts
baby can't be split. Yet both sides
and probably will add another double
remain determined.
squash court, he said.
"We've met with the players and
Demographically, squash players are
know they'd like to keep the courts,"
well-educated and affluent, said
said Lis. "But sometimes, we have to
Hymer, whose opinion is that the
make difficult choices."
JCC renovations are aimed at attract-
Woerdeman, naturally, has a differ-
ing the very same crowd that plays
ent perspective. "The JCC in the past
squash.
should have given more weight to pre-
Meanwhile, the current players
serving our racquetball community and
already grieve for the impending loss
the camaraderie we've established over
of the JCC courts.
the years," she said.
"The squash courts are a lifesaver,"
"I was always taught that Jews take
said Krim, who suffers from rheumatoid
care of each other and I thought that
poli-mygia, a disease of the joints. "I
was, what the JCC was all about," she
don't know what I'll do without it. It
added. "It would be different if they
keeps my muscles and mind working."
were discussing whether to build courts
He finds the situation ironic. Many
and if that would be the best use of
fellow players "were very generous
their funds. But the courts already exist.
donors to the [Jewish Federation of
We've established these communities
Metropolitan Detroit's] Millennium
and relationships for years — and it's
fund that raised money for the very
not right to destroy that. They're taking
renovations that now will destroy our
the Jewish community out of the
courts," he said.
Jewish Community Center." El
The Millennium Campaign for
The Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit
Presents
Ambassador
Alon Pinkas
Thursday
June 13th
8:00 pm
The Distinguished Consul-General
of Israel in New York will discuss:
The Future of Israel
Alon Pinkas is currently one of the major
voices of Israel in North America. As the
Consul-General in New York he appears
regularly on American Television and Radio
to discuss the Israel-Palestinian Crisis.
Brilliant, witty, incisive and bold, he is greatly
admired by thousands of Jews and non-Jews
in this country. Young and dynamic, he served
as the chief assistant to Ehud Baruk when
he was prime minister of Israel and was
intimate with the development of the peace
offer that Arafat rejected. He is also one
of the leaders in the world movement
of Secular Humanistic Judaism.
The Birmingham Temple
28611 West 12 Mile Rd.
Farmington Hills, Michigan
On the south side of .12 Mile Rd.
Between Inkster and Middlebelt
(248) 477-1410
No Admission Charge!!
6/7
2002
21