Staff Notebook

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Remembering Dr. Gretchko

Caribou Ousts Al-Qaradawi

enerations of West Bloomfield children now have
another reason to remember the late Dr. Seymour
Gretchko, the beloved superintendent of the West
Bloomfield Schools who died of a heart attack March 19.
On Saturday, June 29, the West Bloomfield Public Library
will rename the youth services room at the main library on
Walnut Lake Road in Dr. Gretchko's memory. Attending the
ceremony that starts at 6:30 p.m. will be Ilene Gretchko, wife of
the late superintendent; sons Allan and Steven and their wives;
daughter Susan; and four grandchildren.
The day before his death, Dr. Gretchko
had been at the library, attending a cere-
mony that honored participants in an ele-
mentary school reading program.
"Dr. Gretchko's participation in this cer-
emony and his involvement in many other
library programs was indicative of the level
of support he gave to cooperative efforts
between the school district and library"
Dr. Gretchko
said Judy Holtz, president of the West
Bloomfield Library board of trustees.
In 1997, Dr. Gretchko had supported
the West Bloomfield Library's millage request, recommend-
ing that the district's board of education endorse it — the
only time the board has made such an endorsement.
"The library board's decision to dedicate this popular
room in memory of Dr. Gretchko is a demonstration of the
board's high regard for this educational leader, who sup-
ported literacy and learning for-children in West
Bloomfield for almost 20 years," Holtz said.

he First Islamic Investment Bank, majority owner
of Caribou Coffee, has "officially severed all ties"
with Muslim cleric Sheik Yusef Abdullah al-
Qaradawi, according to David Crosland, a director of First
Islamic.
A Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, al-Qaradawi has pro-
vided religious sanction for suicide bombings against
Israeli civilians and harsh criticism of the United States.
Al-Qaradawi had served as chairman of the Islamic bank's
Shari'ah (Islamic religious law) advisory board.
A story in the June 21 Jewish News investigated a widely
circulated e-mail highlighting the relationship between
Caribou and al-Qaradawi. The article confirmed the con-
nection and included denials by the Islamic bank and
Caribou that they support terrorism either philosophically
or financially..
According to Crosland, First Islamic "accelerated the
review process" because of the seriousness of the charges,
saying the directors had not been aware of al-Qaradawi's
support for terrorism. He said when the advisory board
meets next on July 5, it will officially approve al-
Qaradawi's resignation.

G

T

— Don Cohen

FBI Alerts Jewish Agencies

n June 24, John Hamburger, an owner of Elan
Village in Southfield, confirmed the facility will be
closing its doors- at the end of July.
Elan Village has been the state's only private and kosher
assisted-living facility since opening in April 1998. Located
at Lahser and Civic Center roads, Elan Village replaced the
former Prentis Manor nursing home, which was sold to
Hamburger and partner Dick Fink's company, Assisted
Living Associates.
No reason was immediately given for the closure. Marcia
Mittelman, Elan Village executive director, said a statement
will be issued next week.
The Commission on Jewish Eldercare Services (COJES)
is working with Elan Village officials to resettle the 50 resi-
dents of the facility, with a view toward placing them in
residences operated by the Jewish community.
The choices include the Lillian & Samuel Hechtman
Jewish Apartments in West Bloomfield and Harriett & Ben
Teitel Jewish Apartments in Oak Park. Filled to capacity is
Fleischman Residence in West Bloomfield, operated by
Jewish Home and Aging Services. Fleischman is the only
Jewish assisted living facility among the residences.
"We are meeting with families one-on-one and doing
whatever we can to help make the transition as .smooth as
possible," Mittelman said. "This is a very difficult situation,
and my focus is on being attentive and taking care of the
needs of my staff, residents and families."
While Elan Village does not receive funds from the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, it has been considered a "pre-
ferred provider," receiving referrals from Federation agencies.

non-specific alert issued June 21 by the FBI warns
against potential terrorist attacks involving fuel
tankers that may be targeting Jewish synagogues
and gatherings. "Be alert for any trucks - or tankers in
your area," said Betsy Kellman, Michigan Region director
of the Anti-Defamation League in Bloomfield Township,
in a warning to local Jewish agencies and synagogues.
She suggested that members of Jewish organizations
keep an eye on their parking lots and immediately report
anything suspicious to local law enforcement agencies.
The Orthodox Union has scheduled a day of safety
training for synagogues, schools and community facilities
to be Web cast from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday,
July 10, at www.ou.org
In Baltimore and Omaha, two of the five cities slated
to hest teen athletes at the 2002 JCC Maccabi Games in
mid-August, community officials are strengthening secu-
rity. At the JCC of Omaha, officials have been requiring
car tags for members and employees. In Baltimore,
Maccabi fans will not be allowed to carry bags into stadi-
ums.
"We, and I, believe all of our congregations and Jewish
institutions will be taking both our regular and also some
extraordinary precautions as a result of the warning," said
Temple Israel Rabbi Paul Yedwab, the Michigan Board of
Rabbis president.
"Our experience is that our members will be drawn
even more to the synagogue in the face of this challenge,
just as they were after Sept. 11th. We are, after all, a
`stiff-necked people,'" he said. "I guess it is for times like
this that God made us that way."
"Threats against Jewish targets by Osama bin Laden
and his terrorist cohorts are nothing new," said Abraham
Foxman, ADL national director. "We will continue to
exercise caution, just as we will continue to maintain our
Jewish practices and customs, including wearing
yarmulkes and taking pride in our religious identities and
traditions."

— Harry Kirsbaum and Debra Isaacs

— Shelli Liebman Dorfman

— Diana Lieberman

Elan Village Closing July 31

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