.S

ty, five years in the planning, is four
times larger at 10,000 square feet.
Zack recognized some of Yad Ezra's
original members in the crowd. They
included past president Mickey
Eizelrnan of Oak Park, and his par-
ents first executive director Jeannette
Eizelman and her husband Seymore of
Oak Park, an early warehouse volun-
teer; past president Howard Zoller of
Huntington Woods; and Rabbi A.
Irving Schnipper, rabbi emeritus of
Congregation Beth Ahm.
"The stars of the show are the vol-
unteers who keep the place going,"
Zack said. "They stock shelves, deliver
food to shut-ins, sweep floors and pro-
vide a respectful atmosphere for the
clients."
Co-director Elaine Ryke presented
the Diane and Emery Klein Volunteer
Recognition Award.1,Q . Erwin (Irv)
Robinson, 79, of F;a1Mington Hills.
"We know clients are in good hands
on Tuesday and Thursday nights when
he's here," Ryke said. "He has worked
for eight years in the warehouse, enter-
taining clients, kibitzing with them in
English or Yiddish, passing out candy
to their children — he's on a first-
name basis with everyone.
"He treats clients just as he would a
friend," she added. "He goes the extra
mile and never sits down until all the
clients are serviced."
"I feel a debt to the Jewish people,"
he said, relating that he was 9 when
his father died, leaving the family des-
titute. Robinson said he enjoys speak-
ing in English or Yiddish to those in
"dire straits to get them to relax."
Ellen Labes of Bloomfield Hilly and
June Stillman of West Bloomfield co-
chaired the dedication.
Stillman said the volunteers
"exchange stories, recipes, jokes and
memories with clients," in a dignified
and respectful Nvay, "exemplifying the
importance of extending kindness to
one another."
Labes put Yad Ezra's role in perspec-
tive. "When we started 12 years ago,
we hoped we would be out of business
by now," she said. "Sadly, there's a des-
perate need in the Jewish community
for this service."
Labes praised Yad Ezra (literally, the
Hand of Ezra) for its "wonderful
camaraderie." She said: "The volun-
teers are like mishpachah and they
transfer that feeling of being family to
the clients. That's what being Jewish is
all about." El

For information on Yad Ezra, call
(248) 548-3663.

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