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Another View
Of A Mentsh

In response to the letter from Lisa Lis
regarding the elimination of the racquet-
ball and squash courts at the Jewish
Community Center of Metropolitan
Detroit ("JCC Anguished Over
Decision," June 21, page 6): It is under-
standable that the wife of one of a JCC
board vice president would see his point
of view. It is incomprehensible, however,
that she would imply that those of us
who are voicing our objections to the
proposed plan and to the JCC board's
handling of the situation are, therefore,
not mentshes.
A mentsh would first consult with
members as soon as a problem arose to
ensure that every alternative had been
explored. A mentsh would not discount
the feelings of those who consider the
JCC a home away from home, who
have been loyal members since the
beginning.
We do appreciate the many fine pro-
grams the volunteer board members
provide, but that does not make them
infallible. The successes they have had
do not negate their failure in handling
this matter. The board members must be
responsive to the members they repre-
sent.
We have been apprised of the "rea-
sons" for the board's decisions. We just
don't agree with them.
We have suggested holding off on the
renovations until enough money can be
raised to do it right. We have suggested
finding another location for the studio
rooms, which will take the place of the
4-6 courts (out of 16) we would like
saved. Studio rooms are just rooms after
all, and new ones could be built in the
future much more easily than racquet-
ball or squash courts.
Another reason given was that racquet
sports are dying. We have refuted that
statement with independent national
studies and with the fact that the
Franklin Fitness and Health Club, a for-
profit business, is investing in them.
We just want to remain loyal mem-
bers of the JCC. We just want to keep
our friendships alive at the center. We

Many of us agonized, at least for a
while, as to whether we would support
[former Gov.] James Blanchard or
[Attorney General] Jennifer Granholm.
It's
true that Mr. Blanchard has had a
Lisa Taylor Woerdeman
close association with so many of us for
West Bloomfield
a long time. I have known him for more
than 20 years. He has supported Jewish
Alan Reinstein causes and has a viewpoint in line with
Farmington Hills most of our community. He is experi-
enced and full of energy. So why are so
many, including me, supporting Jennifer
In response to last week's letter from Lisa
Granholm?
Lis that claimed that those who oppose
What about her lack of experience?
the Jewish Community Center of
When Jim Blanchard became governor,
Metropolitan Detroit's decision to close
he was only 40, two years younger than
I was moved to write after reading Lisa
all of its racquetball and squash courts
Granholm is today. He, at that time,
Lis' letter defining a mentsh ("JCC
are not mentshes ("JCC Anguished
had not held any statewide elected
Anguished Over Decision," June 21,
Over Decision" June 21, page 6), I first
office. In fact, both G. Mennen
page 6).
wish to commend she and her husband,
("Soapy") Williams, who served for 12
To me, a mentsh is someone who can
Hannan, for their long-term support for
years,
and George W. Romney, who
appreciate other people's needs and
the Detroit Jewish community.
served
for six years, had no previous
wants. I am not a racquetball player, but
However, she does not know me well
statewide
elected experience yet both
I have a niece who is. She is a single
enough to claim that I and the nearly
were
considered
top-rated governors. By
mother of three who has made racquet-
200 JCC members who will soon leave
contrast,
Ms.
Granholm
has four years
ball and the Jewish Community Center
the JCC are not mentshes.
as
an
aggressive
attorney
general.
of Metropolitan Detroit a big part of her
Simply put, the JCC and the Jewish
Yes,
but
this
isn't
really
enough. What
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit lead- life. She plays racquetball several days a
is
so
special
about
her?
She
is a strong
ership made a poor decision from both a week. When possible, she takes her chil-
supporter
of
Israel
and
Jewish
causes;
dren with her to the JCC. They swim in
business and Jewish perspective.
but
far
beyond
that,
she
is
extremely
the pool, eat there and participate in
Businesses should not displace long-
smart and articulate, and most impor-
term, loyal customers in the hope of get- other activities. This will no longer be
tantly, is comfortable with technology
viable for them.
ting newer, younger ones. For example,
and new ideas. The world is changing
She cannot afford to spend more than
when Buick Motors sought to lower the
rapidly, and Jennifer Granholm is
$100 per month to play at the Franklin
average age of its new car buyers, it did
attuned more than any of the other can-
Fitness and Racquet Club, and will have
not seek to displace its current drivers,
didates to the dynamic events unfolding.
no alternative but to go to the YMCA.
who have already displayed their brand
Beyond that, those of us who are
Do you think this will help matters?
loyalty.
Democrats want a winner. While I am
I
attended
the
JCC
annual
meeting
Sound businesses also do not operate
not going to criticize Gov. John Engler,
and heard all the laudatory remarks by
in secrecy; they seek their customers'
it seems like it is time to change course.
all the officers, administrators and the
input before abandoning them. We
While we can debate Jim Blanchard's
board. Why is it that the JCC member-
never heard officially that the JCC
record
as governor (in fact, innovative
ship is dwindling? Or is that unimpor-
would close its courts until a few weeks
programs
were created during his
tant?
ago.
administration),
as the nominee he
Celia Cowan
Also, Mrs. Lis' claim that we should
would
be
held
by
the Republicans to his
Huntington Woods
see this closing as benefiting all Jews is
numbers (taxes, unemployment and a
akin to expecting laid-off employees to
large budget deficit). I'm not saying that
celebrate because this action may benefit
any of these criticisms are valid, but they
their former employer.
are campaign issues.
From a Jewish perspective, the JCC
Don't get me wrong; Jim Blanchard
should not abandon members who have
would be a fine governor. It is just that
paid dues for many decades, merely
Thank you for your excellent cover
Granholm supporters believe that she is
telling us that we are part of a dying
story "Who Will Lead Michigan?" (June a stronger candidate and would do an
sport (although U.S. racquet sales have
21, page 14). The Jewish community of
even better job as our next governor.
increased over the last several years). Jews Michigan has two strong friends run-
Harvey Bronstein
should not also seek to end long-term
ning in the Democratic primary, as was
Southfield
friendships among the many of us who
indicated in the story.

just want to belong to the Jewish
Community Center. We just want our
voices to matter. Who is really acting
"unmentsh-like" here?

JCC Overlooked
Player Loyalty

EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK from page 5

events that erupted when word leaked about the
court closings is cause for public alarm about how
the decision was made. But over the last three years,
the JCC has lived up to its billing as Detroit Jewry's .
center for informal learning and culture, day camp
and special needs opportunities, and now, fine
kosher dining. The planned Weinberg Judaic
Enrichment Center will enhance that stature.

6/28
2002

6

have played racquet sports for decades.
Finally, since the JCC and the
Federation have used our donations to
destroy what we love, we should no
longer give them our financial support.
Instead, we pledge to redirect even more
of our charity dollars to other, more
worthwhile Jewish causes.

Hearing Us
Does Matter

Granholm: The Best
Bet For Governor

.

The players' threat to withhold future Federation
donations is, of course, their prerogative, but such a
response is bound to hurt Detroit and world Jewry
more than help their cause.
Meanwhile, I urge President Sharon Hart, who truly
cares about the JCC and the community, and her new
board to focus on affirming the value of joining, using
and supporting the JCC. That's the only way member-
ship and endowments, both so vital, will rise substan-
tially.
At the annual meeting, Hart said, "We study, we
learn, we outreach and we raise the community aware-

ness of the multifaceted activities and programs of our
Jewish Community Center."
She's right to be proud of that.
But I think back to what Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin of
the JCC of Greater Baltimore said at Hart's installa-
tion. She called JCCs "the great uniters" — "where all
Jews are equal citizens" and "where you become
embraced simply because you are there."
In that light, I want my JCC to be as scrupulous
about communicating with loyal patrons as it is _- about
--
ensuring high-quality improvements. E

