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Saluting A Hero
Statewide recognition for an eighth grader's speech
and a moms determination.
ALAN HITSKY
Associate Editor
B
randon Lebowitz had the perfect topic in
mind for an eighth-grade speech at
Orchard Lake Middle School in West
Bloomfield.
It was something he was close to, something he
had been observing for all of his 14 years — his
mother's battle with liver disease.
Paula Lebowitz, 46, contracted hepatitis C from
an infected blood transfusion in 1971. According to
huband Jeff, Paula had been battling the disease's
attack on her liver ever since. In the year 2000, Paula
Lebowitz was placed on the transplant waiting list.
Last October, Paula received a new liver. But her
battle, according to Brandon's speech, was just
beginning:
"Her physical capabilities were minimal, and her
expectations about the future were depressing. A
hematoma, a blood clot, caused a major setback in
the recovery process. Other unusual results were
found in the blood tests, but the blood levels soon
returned to normal.
May 28
Leslie (Spilkevitz) and David Doran of
Rochester welcome with love and joy
the birth of their daughter, Flinbeth
Paige (Eta). Their excitement is shared
by big brother Adam Mitchell.
Delighted grandparents are Geri and
Stuart Spilkevitz of Southfield, Lucille
Doran of Redford and Gerald Doran of
Redford. Elizabeth is named in loving
memory of her maternal great-grand-
mother Ethel Itskovitz.
May 18
Denise (Rubinoff) and Mitchell Bokolor
of West Bloomfield announce with
much love the birth of their daughter,
Jordyn Lindsey (Yehudit Azriela).
Welcoming her home is big sister
Samantha, 3. Sharing in their joy are
grandparents Trudy and Ray Rubinoff of
West Bloomfield and Luba and Mark
Bokolor of Southfield. Excited great-
grandfather is Sidney Seidman of West
Bloomfield. Jordyn is named in loving
memory of her paternal great-grand-
mother Ides Kunis and maternal great-
grandfather Louis Rubinoff.
Baby pictures welcome!
6/25
2004
52
"But difficult physical therapy sessions and daily
visits from a personal nurse assisted in reinforcing
the great woman's expectations for healthy living.
"But her approach to getting better was not
always in high spirits. There were times when she
thought the pain was too much to live with and
when, she contemplated the possibility of not seeing
her children graduate from high school, that was
agonizing for her family to hear.
Brandon, Jeff and Paula Lebowitz
"But once the hands of time mended the cuts
and bruises, she knew that if she didn't think,
Last Sunday, June 20, she watched older son
work, and expect the best from her future, she
Jordan, 18, graduate from West Bloomfield High
wouldn't have become a stronger-minded woman
School.
than before her life-altering surgery"
She has become "a walking example" of the ben-
Brandon, in his speech, framed his mother's
efits of organ transplants, she said. She wants peo-
struggle against the backdrop of America's struggles
ple to know how important it is to sign the back of
— of hopes, fears, terrorism and trying to be the
your Michigan driver's license to allow organ dona-
best. His speech won his school contest, and
tion and to let your family know of your wishes in
Brandon presented it three more times, winning
the event of death.
the West Bloomfield, regional and state contests
"It saved my life and I'm very grateful," said
sponsored by Optimist Club International and a
Paula. 111
$1,500 college scholarship.
This month, Paula Lebowitz returned part-time
To read Brandon's complete speech, go to
to her job as a pharmaceutical sales representatiVe.
wvvw.detroitjewishnews.corn
May 18
Julia and Joel Satovsky of San Francisco
announce the birth of identical twin
daughters, Jenna Raquel and Jessie
Mireille. Thrilled grandparents include
Olga Frumkin and George Titus of San
Diego; Risha and Joseph Stern of
Plantation, Fla.; Michael and Sheri
Frumkin of San Jose, Calif.; and Gail
Asarch and James Satovsky of Boca
Raton, Fla. Proud great-grandparents
include Nelly Kogan of San Diego;
Valentina Frumkin of Moscow, Russia;
Dora Kalman of Los Angeles; Simone
Titus of San Diego; Blanche Stern of
Sunrise, Fla.; and Arthur and Syd Meyer
of Palm Beach, Fla.
May 3
Michelle (Schwartz) and Peter Kalina of
Rochester, Minn., are delighted to
announce the birth of their son, Samuel
Bradley (Aharon Gavriel). Sammy is
welcomed with much excitement by his
big brother Jacob Adam and big sister
Sydney Victoria. Sharing in the joy are
grandparents Ivan Kalina of Port
Jefferson, N.Y., and Joanne and Mark
Schwartz of Las Vegas, Nev. Loving
great-grandparents are Elaine Glazer of
West Bloomfield and Jeanette and
Norman Schwartz of Las Vegas. Sammy
is named in loving memory of his mater-
nal great-grandfather Bernard Glazer and
his two paternal great-grandfathers.
May 5
Denny (Bachman) and Bob Rosinski of
Farmington Hills are very excited to wel-
come home with love their daughter,
Hannah Rose (Channah Rosha). Proud
grandparents are Barbara and Robert
Bachman of Farmington Hills and
Marion and Robert Rosinski of Canton.
Very proud great-grandmother is Roslyn
Kaufman of West Bloomfield. Hannah
is named in loving memory of maternal
grandfather Herman Kaufman and mater-
nal great-grandmother Rose Kaufman.
April 26
Marcie (Eskin) and Ethan Goldstein
announce with much love the birth of
their son, Seth Tyler. Welcoming him
home is excited big brother Benjamin, 2.
Sharing in their joy are grandparents
Mort and Barbara Eskin of West
Bloomfield and Mery and Carol
Goldstein of Newport Coast, Calif.
Proud great-grandmother is Zelda
Golstein. Seth is named in loving mem-
ory of his maternal great-grandmothers
Sylvia Pelavin and Tillie Eskin.
April 21
Lauren (Trahey) and Jeord Morton of
West Bloomfield are delighted to
announce the birth of their daughter,
Ashley Rose. Welcoming Ashley home is
excited big sister Elaine "Lainey", 2 1/2.
Sharing in their joy are excited grandpar-
ents Gary Trahey of White Lake and
Kathleen and Ken Morton of Troy.
Ashley Rose is named in loving memory
of her paternal great-grandmother Alma
Reise and maternal great-grandmother
Rose Zack.
April 1
Risa (Schwartz) and Ian Flashner of Las
Vegas are thrilled to announce the birth
of their son, Matthew Noah (Mordechai
Noah). Welcoming Matthew is big
brother Justin Cole. Proud grandparents
are Barbara and Ira Flashner of Del Ray,
Fla., and Joanne and Mark Schwartz of
Las Vegas. Thrilled great-grandparents
are Elaine Glazer of West Bloomfield
and Jeannette and Norman Schwartz of
Las Vegas. Matthew is named in loving
memory of his maternal great-great-
grandmother Mary Bernstein.
March 21
Jodi (Green) and Michael Brin of