religious practices would be accepted
and placed him in a JARC home so
that his stepmother would not have to
worry about his future if she could not
look after him."
In another instance, Nurenberg
remembers the gratitude of a widow
who suddenly had to support her fami-
ly but hadn't worked since college. JVS
steered her toward computer training,
introduced her to a group of women in
similar circumstances and found her a
managerial job.
In yet another instance, JVS was able
to help a young woman who fled an
abusive husband in another city and
wanted to set up a new household with
her 3-year-old son. Although her father
had been Jewish, she was neither raised
as a Jew nor practiced Judaism.
When asked why she turned to JVS
instead of.another agency, the woman
said, "I knew my father's people would
,,
take care of me.
Many people attending the Sept. 14
event are taking care of JVS clients by

reserving blocks of seats for them.
"Seeing Jay Leno will be a great
evening for everyone who attends," says
JVS board member and corporate spon-
sor Nathan Forbes. "He hasn't performed
in Detroit since 1987, and 11 t . h show will
be a nice way to cap the summer.
"All of us involved with JVS want to
do what we can to help the agency con-
tinue its services and so we want this
benefit to be a success. Although we can
see Jay Leno on television, there's some-
thing special about watching in person.
"I know this will be a very exciting
evening and the audience will have
lots of fun. He obviously appeals to
people of all ages." ❑

1.

Jay Leno will appear in a benefit for
JVS 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at
the Fox Theatre. Ticket categories
include the following: $600 (sponsor
benefits); $250 (VIP seating); $200
(premium seating); $100 and $50
(general seating). (248) 559-5210.

4189 ORCHARD LAKE AT PONTIAC TRAIL IN WEST BLOOMFIELD

(248) 865-0000
Open 7 Days a Week for Lunch & Dinner

NOVI
43224 W. 11 Mile

Joking Matters

ust weeks before Jay Leno was
1 scheduled to appear at the JVS
benefit in Detroit, one of his
late-night opening monologues was
inspired by an incident in the
Michigan Jewish community — a sub-
ject that was made funny for the audi-
ence but not for the people involved.
Leno's remarks had to do with a
Jewish clergy member's arrest for
allegedly driving under the influence
while on his way to preside over a bris.
Finding humor in news items reg-
ularly is part of the Leno mono-
logue, and a compilation of items
makes up his book Police Blotter,
humorous newspaper clips involving
encounters with the law.
"I don't do wife jokes because I
don't find them to be true," Leno told
People magazine about his personal
censorship system. "I don't find that
wives nag or hate sex."
Leno and his wife, Mavis, have
been married for 21 years, 10 of
which have been dominated by his
work as host of The Tonight Show
with Jay Leno. Geared to an "every-
man" style, the comedian starts
preparing his monologue for the next
day as soon as he goes off the air.
Before becoming host of Tonight,
Leno, 52, had been the exclusive guest
host on The Tonight Show Starring
Johnny Carson. His first appearance

In the Novi Town Center
Next to the Movie Theatre

248-347-7444

13

OAK PARK
25282 Greenfield

SE corner of Greenfield & 696

248-968-2225

BIRMINGHAM
239 N. Old Woodward

Across from the Palladium

248-645-6999

Jay Leno with his wife of2I years,
Mavis: No wife jokes.

with Carson was in 1977, a decade
before he was named guest host.
Leno, raised in Massachusetts,
continues to appear periodically at
comedy clubs, on college campuses
and in Las Vegas nightspots. Besides
touring across the country to build
his career, he has traveled outside
U.S. borders to entertain American
troops in Bosnia and Italy.
Leno tells his life story in Leading
With My Chin, published by
HarperCollins. His hobby -- col-
lecting and working on vintage cars
and motorcycles — puts him in gear
with many Detroiters.
"Anyone can have a life," Leno
has told interviewers. "Careers are
hard to come by." ❑

— Suzanne Chessler

• 35 to 1400 guests
• Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
• Corporate events

• Seven banquet rooms
• Weddings & Showers
• Holiday gatherings-

Modified Kosher Available

Lunch served M-F, 10:30am - 2:00pm - $5.75

Call for package rates!

586-759-6500
6015 E.Ten Mile Rd.Warren MI

(exit Mound Road South from 1-696)

www.decarlosbanquets.com

We Wish Our Friends and Customers
A Healthy and Happy New Year

OtMen Phoenix

Chinese American Restaurant

Sugar Tree Plaza

6257 Orchard Lake Rd.

■

West Bloomfield 855-3570

9/ 6

RS0780

2002

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