EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK
*IRA& lik-1111 141-ilk
ELTON JOHN
& TIM RICE'S
Court Of Judgment
they didn't find out that all the courts would have to go in a
budget move until after that decision was finalized in mid-
May. Many say they would have been satisfied with four to
eight courts remaining so they could continue to play at the
JCC, once a racquet sports hotbed.
"What a terrible commentary on the administration of the
JCC, the JCC board and the Federation in not understanding
the meaning of community," Perle said.
He tied the decision-making process to "the most autocratic
and secretive mindset," a charge that disturbs me greatly. The
players would have contributed important data relative to
their cause, and ultimately to the JCC, had they been repre-
sented early on.
IV ithin moments, the mood changed from cele-
bratory to contentious. That didn't surprise
me, but it was still unsettling.
The Jewish Community Center of
Metropolitan Detroit had just ended its June 19 annual meet-
ing, filled with highlights and awards, at the D. Dan and
Betty Kahn Building in West Bloomfield.
That's when Eugene Perle, a Wayne State University profes-
sor and veteran squash player, and Hannan Lis, a communal
activist and JCC board vice president, passionately addressed
the planned elimination of the racquetball
Sorry But Certain
and squash courts as part of expanding the
Lis thanked the players for their passion and reminded them
sports and fitness wing at the Kahn Building
that the board consists of people who volunteer "not for per-
this summer.
sonal
gain," but "because we believe in the community and
The expansion is part of the JCC's four-
because
we have a love for the community."
year, $33-million project to renovate both of
He acknowledged that the board would not "be able
its buildings and build an endow-
to
satisfy the needs and the wishes of the racquet play-
ment for informal Jewish learning.
ers.
The project is part of the
"We are truly, truly, truly not happy to lose any
ROBERT A. Millennium Campaign for Detroit's
member,"
Lis said. "We spend the best part of our
Jewish
Future,
co-managed
by
the
SKLAR
time
attracting
people to participate in the JCC, not
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Editor
walk
away."
Detroit and its finance arm, the
"No one here is proud and happy we are losing
United Jewish Foundation.
members
over this," he added. "If anything, we would
As I left the annual meeting, I found myself emo-
Eugene Perle
like not to lose one member. However, there are limits
tionally torn over this latest controversy tarnishing
on what we can accomplish based on the situation."
the JCC, part of my Jewish landscape since the
JCC spokespeople have explained that it would be
1960s. You could say the JCC taught me how to interact as a
too costly to keep the courts and the agency's $10 million •
Jew, just as the synagogue taught me what it means to be a
budget balanced, as mandated by Federation, while creating
Jew.
the kind of sports and fitness wing that would draw new
To this day, the echoes resonating from the corridors of the
members and spur new revenue.
JCC speak to me as a Jew, whether I'm at the Kahn
Where the JCC erred, and for which Lis apologized,
Building or at the Jimmy Prentis Building in Oak
was in not having a racquet sports enthusiast serve as a
Park — and whether I'm attending a class, taking in
liaison for the players to the board. Had the players
a program or working out in the health club.
been part of the decision-making from the start, they
Throughout its history and five main buildings,
might
have been able to inspire enough support to
the JCC has been Detroit Jewry's central address for
possibly
redesign the new wing or raise the $4 million
informal learning and mingling, whatever one's
necessary
to save half of the 16 courts.
Jewish background. Year after year, the JCC touches
The
controversy
boils down to the JCC not having
more lives than any other Jewish agency. All the con-
the funding to keep any courts, but also not alerting
Hannan Li
struction dust of the past few years hasn't diminished
those most directly involved, the players, until it was
that fact.
.
too late to change the plans. I can understand the
players' deep frustration.
Disturbing Discord
Unquestionably, plans for the new wing look inviting. Lis,
So it caught my ear when Perle, a spokesman for the up to
who openly admits the board has made mistakes with the
200 racquet sports players loyal to the JCC, said, "Renovation
health club and the courts, promises "a first-class operation." I
decisions are forcing many JCC members into a gut-wrench-
have no reason to doubt that, given the high regard I have for
ing end of a lifelong association.
him, the caliber of recent JCC additions and the lessons
"They helped provide funds to build this place," he said.
learned from the mismanaged health club.
"They helped provide the funds to maintain this place. They
have invested their beings in this place. And now they are
Troubling Trend .
being asked to leave this place. What a tragic tale. It is a sce-
Communication
is an art form. Like when it closed the
nario fitting for grand opera rather than local life."
tennis
courts
at
the
Kahn Building and the day care pro-
He predicted that 100 players, who pay about $1,000 a year
gram
at
the
JPM
Building,
the JCC should have been
in fees, would bolt the JCC for the racquet courts of the
more
sensitive
to
the
impact
of closing all the racquet
.Franklin Fitness and Racquet Club or the YMCA of
courts
on
a
loyal
segment
of
its
constituency. Also, racquet-
Metropolitan Detroit. The JCC and Franklin have partnered
ball and squash don't seem to be as waning as the JCC
in a special offer to allow the players to use the Southfield club
would suggest.
while remaining JCC members. Time will tell how many
For their part, the players were shortsighted in down-
players accept this dual offer.
playing
the popularity of treadmills and yoga and in alleg-
The players say talk of losing some of the racquet courts
ing
the
JCC
was taking the "Jewish out of the JCC" by
first began three years ago as usage declined amid a growing
eliminating
racquet
sports. Clearly, the sudden turn of
need to improve the health club, which produces revenue. But
EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK on page 6
Al DA
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
JARCs AIDA, the Fisher Theatre will
buy back tickets from any series ticket
holder. Call 248-538-6610
ext. 304 for details.
(W3
30301 Northwestern Highway
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
jarc@jarc.org • www.jarc.org
illt iltAlr