Dear Amber,

As you sail into the
future, may the wind
always be at your
back and the sun
shine upon your face.
We love you very
much and wish you
a journey filled with
happiness, good
health and success.

Love always,
Morn, Dad and Ani

Way To Go

Lctuivtevx
1/ti es

-

1-7

N othing is vno•e

wohcJewfMI

than havivls a

like yout.

\A )e. ap.e so pi,otAci!

GO BLLACI!

.Love,

Geanclma Myp.a &

Gp-ancipa Cawl Goenbein

707580

WBHS Class of 2003
Temple Israel High School Class of 2003

,

Yo u re a precious daughter and sister,

and a kind, gentle and caring person.

You gave us naches From preschool

through senior year! We love you and

we're very proud of you. We wish you

happiness, personal fulfillment and

success in college and beyond.

We our love always,
Mom, Dad, Stephanie and Laura

.40

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Ready For Play

Meers honored at dedication of Akiva gym.

Edward Meer affixed a mezuzah to
the
doorpost of the new gym at the
Special to the Jewish News
conclusion of the ceremony.
Following the program, a student vs.
C ailing Yeshivat Akiva "a win-
staff basketball game was played, with
ning team," benefactor
another game between Akiva students
Edward Meer accepted
and students from Mizrachi Hebrew
kudos, referee shirts and
whistles and other tributes of apprecia- Day School in Cleveland held later in
tion for the new gymnasium dedicated the day.
Akiva's new gymnasium sports lofty
by the Southfield school on May 7,
brick walls painted bright Israeli blue
Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence
and white, six retractable basketball
Day).
hoops and a highly polished wood
The Meers are major supporters of
floor featuring a central Star of David
local Jewish organizations. They have
logo with the school name in Hebrew
generously donated to causes such as
and English.
the new Berkley building for the Yad
"It's an awesome gym," said Akiva
Ezra kosher food bank, Yeshiva Beth
parent Mark Nadel. "The kids are so
Yehudah's new preschool building in
proud of it."
Southfield, Jewish Federation of
Use of the new gym has been much
Metropolitan Detroit's senior citizen
anticipated by students of the school.
apartments, shuls and a new gym at
According to Greenbaum, the Meer
Beth Jacob School for Girls in Oak
family's gift was announced in January,
Park as well as the gym at Akiva.
2001; the school broke ground for the
"So many Jewish organizations
gym in June, 2002; and the building
throughout the city have benefited
was finished in December. Previously,
from the Meer's kindness," said Akiva
Akiva students used the facilities at the
parent Jill Greenbaum, who chaired
Jewish
the dedication program. "They have
Community
no ulterior
Center in
motive ... it
Oak Park
really teaches
for far less
our children a
frequent
lesson about
periods of
giving."
physical
The dedica-
education.
tion-program
"It's great
was attended
to have a
by members
gym right
of the Meer
here," said
family; par-
eighth-grad-
ents, students
Edward
Meer
a
xes
the
mezuzah
to
the
door
er Avi
and staff of
of the gym as his wife, Gloria, looks on.
Ettinger.
Akiva;
"The new
Federation
gym makes the school complete," said
officers; Southfield Mayor Brenda
Rabbi Tsaidi. In his speech of appreci-
Lawrence; and other government dig-
ation to the Meers, Rabbi Tsaidi
nitaries.
stressed the religious importance of
The program included a perform-
the gym as a place for the practical
ance by the Akiva Youth Choir and
observance of "V'Ahavta L'Rayecha
speeches by School President Marc
Ignocha," the Torah commandment to
Jerusalem, Federation's Allan Gelfond,
love one's fellow Jew, by way of good
Akiva Educational Director Rabbi
sportsmanship and fair play.
Yigal Tsaidi and Student Council
"Health and physical fitness is
President Sydney Schechet.
important to instill at a young age,"
Marc Jerusalem unveiled the first
said Elaine Kahn, mother of three
brick of the newly inaugurated "Path
boys at Akiva. "It adds to a well-
of Honor" for Akiva supporters. The
rounded education. My kids' favorite
inaugural brick honors Edward and
class is gym." 0
Gloria Meer.

SUSAN TAWIL