oors 9Mindows nvire factor," Davidoff says, "but I think "Where are we today?" Davidoff that many, a vast majority of donors, asks. "We're closing the 2002 Annual make their decision [on how much to .Campaign, and it's our largest cam- give] based on need and responsibility, paign ever." and separate that from their stock He says that 16,00G donors pledged portfolio today." $37.25 million, which includes the Others agree. Jodee Fishman Raines, almost $7 million Israel Emergency director of the Jewish Fund, a $60 Fund. Almost half of the dollars (after million foundation started with the subtracting the emergency fund) goes money from the 1997 sale of Sinai to the Federation's 18 constituent Hospital to the Detroit Medical agencies, including day schools, health Center, attends monthly meetings of and human services and Jewish cultur- the Council of Michigan al groups. The remaining Foundations. There, she funds go to Israel and over- meets with officials from seas for Jewish needs, around other major foundations in the world. the metropolitan Detroit The pledged amount repre- area. 22 percent increase a sents "Comparing the Jewish over last year's campaign total community to the broader of $31.5 million. community, I think we're In addition, the Federation really blessed to have such a and Foundation closed its giving community," she says. year ending May 31, 2002, Though that does not having raised an additional mean that fund recipients $40 million in new endow- Mark Davidoff here are having an easy time, ment and capital funds, executive director she says, the Detroit metro Davidoff says. of the Jewish Jewish community "is not "Why in-the face of eco- only charitable, but they nomic difficulties is our com- Federation of Metropolitan have good knowledge of munity rallying to break a Detroit. what's going on in their record in campaign giving?" community, their needs and he asks. "That's the type of they really care. So we tend community we are." to fare better than the general commu- nity in times like this." She adds that while the Jewish Fund True Tzedakah is facing a $100,000 shortfall from "Giving has never been about what's this year compared to last, other foun- comfortable for the giver, but about dation officers she meets with are talk- helping the person in need," says ing about "how horribly affected they Rabbi Tamara Kolton of the are, in the millions, with huge cut- Birmingham Temple. "That's why it's backs." called giving, not taking." Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg of the Sara Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Vulnerable Affected Center says, "Giving is more signifi- That said, Raines, along with other cant in tough times like these. Some heads of Jewish agencies and founda- believe that charity is for excess tions, recognizes the hardship these money, but true mitzvah charity or cutbacks have on the most vulnerable tzedakah is when_it hurts. These are in the community. definitely hard times, but we can also Adds Davidoff, "Anywhere where look at them as a challenge and an scholarships and social service needs opportunity to enhance ourselves and are affecting families, the elderly or make the world a better place." employment, all issues get stretched in This year, 1,000 Jewish Detroiters, economic hard times." This June, who have never given to Federation Davidoff worked collectively with all before, gave their first gift to the Federation agencies to make a difficult Annual Campaign, Davidoff says. But decision. The agencies were allocated he declined to say if the gifts of big only a 1 percent, across-the-board donors have dropped off or if addi- increase in order for Federation to tional smaller ones have become more provide for Israel. generous. The effects of that decision already "Every gift is important," he says. have rippled through the agencies. "We spend a lot of time cultivating all "Things are already tough," says levels of donations." Mary Keane, Hebrew Free Loan exec- He has found that Jewish giving is utive director. "In the last year, our not simply tied to the stock market. "The impact of the economy is a TIGHT TIMES on page 20 "A Beautiful Home Starts At Your Front Door" We Specialize in: •100% Solid Mahogany and Oak Doors • Exterior and Interior Doors •Highest Variety of Customized Glass Inserts Come visit our main showroom at 9125 Telegraph Road in Redford ask to see David Ben-Ezra, Att let him make you an educated consumer! 1-800-541-3667 offlowszsgetuassettolor *Opening soon in West Bloomfield 622436 fter completing a 2,800-square-foot renovation and a 750-square-foot addition to their Farmington Hills colonial, the thing that impressed homeowners Pam and Randy Smith most about the Gittleman Construction team was its word. A "Everything they said would happen, happened," Pam said. "There were no surprises. 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