Something Extra Learning To Lead T wo Hillel Day School seventh-graders took part in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. The two are Brooke Selik of Bloomfield Hills and Lori Goldman of Beverly Hills. The Oct. 25-30 conference introduced young people to the tradition of leader- ship throughout American histo- ry while helping them develop leadership skills. Participants vis- ited historic national landmarks, including Colonial Williamsburg. Conference spon- sor was the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, a non-prof- it, non-partisan educational organization. Brooke Selik "The most significant thing I learned was the eight main traits of a leader," Selik said. "By deeply discussing these traits in my Leadership Focus group meetings, I was able to under- stand what each one meant, and how each one is both helpful and important when it comes to being a leader." Goldman told her non-Jewish roommates from the South that she wasn't Christian and didn't celebrate Christmas. "For all I knew," she said, "their fathers were a part of the KKK. It took courage for me to tell them that I did not have the same beliefs as they did, I didn't cele- brate the same holidays and I was different." The girls showed a keen interest in her Judaism. "They asked about my beliefs, asked if any of my relatives were in the Holocaust, and asked about how and why I kept kosher," Goldman said. "We became closer and I believe that they respected me as a result of my being open. "This experience showed me in real life what we learned at the conference: how leadership comes from courage, communication and character." — Robert A. Sklar Iraqi Duty y eshivat Akiva students are taking part in a school project to write letters to an Israeli rabbi stationed in Iraq as a U.S. Army chap- lain. Mordechai Schwab, 37, was deployed Nov. 4 and is settling in after temporarily sleeping in a tent. "He is getting his license to drive a Humvee, which he has, with his name on it," said Yoni Sherizen, 25, a former classmate of Rabbi Schwab's and now a rabbinic intern at Oxford University in England. "I have spoken to Mordechai a number of times, sand he is receiving all the packages and mail I am sending." The two met at Yeshiva University in Jerusalem. Yoni is the son of Esther and Bruce Sherizen of Oak Park. He and wife Dalia, have a son, Zev Nesanel, 13 months. Rabbi Schwab will remain in Iraq til August. He is a chaplain with the 1st Military Intelligence Battalion, stationed in Weisbaden, Germany. Akiva students and others can write him in care of: HHSC, 1st MI Bn, V Corps, LSA Anaconda, APO AE 09391. Mail delivery takes at least a week. You are mailing to an American address, so letters and packages receive normal postage. Send e-mail to mmzschwab@yahoo.corn "Thanks to everyone for your support," said Rabbi Schwab's wife, Miriam, who will stay in Boca Raton, Fla., until the end of her husband's deploy- ment. "We have gotten some amazing e-mails that have really touched us with the depth of feeling and friendship. Mordechai really appreciates it. We hope all of you are well and will keep in touch!" — Robert A. Sklar Jolly Gould Fellow R obbie Sherman of Farmington Hills recent- ly participated in the Women's American ORT/World ORT Mission to London and Israel as a Nathan Gould Fellow. She was one of two young leaders in the country chosen for the fellow- ship, which fosters the growth of young women charged with leading the WAO into the future. "This mission was my first experience in Israel and it was just wonderful," says Sherman, a lifetime ORT member. "Seeing the projects that we support, meeting the students and teachers, was an amazing experience. It only strengthened my commitment to Women's American ORT and what we do." Sherman also participated in the United Jewish Communities General Assembly in Jerusalem, but only after visiting several ORT sites, including schools in Holon and near Tel Aviv. Sherman currently is board treasurer of WAO Michigan Region. She and husband Scott Sherman have three young children. — Keri Guten Cohen Rabbinic Chaplain Mordechai Schwab the day he was deployed to Iraq. Octogenarians Needed lc now any outstanding seniors over age 80? Jewish Apartments & Services is calling for nominations for its 2004 Eight Over Eighty, an annual event honoring eight seniors who have made a positive impact on the local Jewish community through their volunteerism and commu- nity involvement. These seniors will be inducted into the JAS Senior Adult Jewish Hall of Fame. Nomination forms must be completed in full and be received by Jan. 31. Nominations will be judged by community leaders unrelated to the nominees and will be announced in early spring in the Jewish News. The event will be held Sunday, May 2. All pro- ceeds from the event help the JAS meal subsidy fund that ensures low-income elderly residents a quality kosher meal. For information or a nominating form, contact JAS Marketing Director Pete Wurdock, (248) 592- 11 01 or Pwurdock@Jasmi.org — Keri Guten Cohen Robbie Sherman of Farmington Hills with Rana Danzigen principal of an ORT school in Holon. Deadline For Artists T he Detroit Jewish News Chanukah Art Contest deadline is noon Tuesday, Dec. 9. The newspaper has received approxi- mately 100 entries for the contest to design the Chanukah cover of the Jewish News for .Dec. 19. Past experience says that 200-400 more entries will be received at the newspaper on Monday and Tuesday. Children through age 12 can enter the contest. For complete information and an entry form, see page 68 in this issue. And good luck! — Alan Hitsky . SOMETHING EXTRA on page 18 12/5 2003 15