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4 *4'* 04 ,4, 4,

8/23

2002

66

Lawrence Jackier of Birmingham,
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit president, vice chairman;
industrialist Marvin Fleischman of
Bloomfield Hills, secretary; investor
Yale Levin of Southfield, treasurer;
and trustees Doreen Hermelin, com-
munal activist of Bingham Farms;
retired businessmen Leonard Baron
of West Bloomfield and Myron
Milgrom of Southfield; retired
health care company executive
Robert Naftaly of West Bloomfield;
and Alan S. Schwartz of Franklin,
newly named chief executive officer
of the Detroit law firm of
Honigman Miller Schwartz and
Cohn.

Walking Tour

Builder Richard Bleznak of
Birmingham, a trustee emeritus and
chairman of the grounds committee,
described each improvement as the
group walked among the 26 sections
that divide the cemetery into single
lots, companion lots (two graves) -
and family circles. They paused at
the area to the right of the main
entrance to check the refurbishing of
Rabbi Morris Adler's grave and the
Laker and Hermelin family areas
nearby. They walked among the
many stones and flowers that look
alike on purpose to enhance the aes-
thetic values of the cemetery.
"The beautiful appearance of the
cemetery is the result of maintaining
the aesthetics of the stones, flowers
and shrubs, which also provides a
strong continuity,to the grounds,"
Levin said. "The flowers and perpet-
ual care are now covered by the cost
of the plots."
Added Milgrom: "These new
improvements will make a big differ-
ence, only adding to the beauty and
value of the cemetery.",
Hermelin said she accepted a
request to serve on the board
because she feels the group needs a
woman's view and perspective on the
various issues. "I checked the plans
and design for the new office build-
ing and suggested some changes that
were incorporated to make it a less
imposing structure," she pointed
out.
"Our board members are very
conscientious and have demonstrat-
ed outstanding leadership, using
prudent judgment in their decisions
on the expansion," said Laker. 'All
of our decisions are in the best inter-
est of the families ... to make sure
they have as pleasant a cemetery

Doreen Hermelin, Richard Bleznak and Alan S. Schwartz discuss cemetery
expansion plans.

experience as possible."
He gave much of the credit for
the fine care and appearance of
Clover Hill to Executive Director
Baruch, Superintendent Andrew
Phythian and Assistant
Superintendent Mike McClintic.
The cemetery has four full-time
employees and 11 part-time caretak-
ers. Shaarey Zedek also is responsi-.
ble for the upkeep of the .140-year-
'old Beth Olem Cemetery on the
grounds of the General Motors
Cadillac Plant in Hamtramck.
Baruch, 80, of Southfield, _is in
his fifth career. He also has been a
teacher, summer camp owner, execu-
tive in a commercial business and
even executive director of Shaarey
Zedek. "I believe you have to stay
busy and keep working in order to
feel young," he said. "Overseeing a
huge cemetery like this is very chal-

lenging."
One of Clover Hill's most impor-
tant days of the year will be 2 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 25, when it holds its
third annual Time of Remembrance,
sponsored by the cemetery and
Shaarey Zedek. Relatives of departed
loved ones are asked to gather in the
chapel for a brief memorial service,
conducted by Shaarey Zedek Rabbis
Joseph Krakoff and Jonathan
Berkun. They will explain the grave-
side prayers included in personal
prayer books to be distributed to
each participant, who then can visit
the graves of family members.
"It's customary to visit graves
prior to the High Holiday Days, and
we feel not enough people are doing
that," said Baruch, "so we started
the Time of Remembrance a few
years ago to help people re-institute
that tradition." ❑