TROY Population: more than 80,000 Square miles: 34.3 Became a city: 1955 Claims to fame: The Somerset Collection, K-Mart headquarters Jewish institutions: Congregation Shir Tikvah AUBURN HILLS Population: 20,000 Square miles: 17 Became a city: 1983 Claims to fame: The Palace of Auburn Hills, home to the NBA champion Detroit Pistons and women's basketball champion Detroit Shock; local philan- thropist Bill Davidson is managing partner of the Pistons and founder of Guardian Industries Corporation, also located in Auburn Hills; Daimler-Chrysler headquarters. ROCHESTER Population: 10,770 Square miles: 3.9 Became a city: 1948 Claims to fame: Oakland University, charming downtown with restaurants and boutiques, good parks A FRIENDLY COMMUNITY Schools, synagogue and shopping are Troy attractions. hen Michael and Linda Silverstein and their son Eric moved back to the Detroit area from California, they chose Troy because of the good schools and the presence of the then-fledgling Congregation Shir Tikvah. Eight years later, they are confident their decision was the right one. "We had friends who were mem- bers of Shir Tikvah, and we knew the congregation would be thriv- ing," says Michael, who became the new president of the synagogue last month. "We're very comfort- able here. We've been thrilled with the schools, and the congregation has grown beautifully." The Silversteins have found the Troy community to be very friendly, and have made a lot of friends, both through their son's school and their congregation. They enjoy the VV proximity to the Somerset Collection and also to downtown Birmingham. Michael, who is a business train- er and meeting facilitator through his own company, Silverstein Solutions, has served as a facilita- tor for Synagogue 2000 sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. The couple also has participated in adult Jewish education courses through the SATE program at the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit. "Our son is getting a tremendous education, both from the public schools and the religious school at Shir Tikvah," says Linda, who works for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn as director of remarketing business operations. Ronelle Grier ROCHESTER HILLS Population: 68,825 Square miles: 32.2 Became a city: 1984 Claims to fame: Meadow Brook Music Festival, Meadow Brook Hall Favorite Community Hangout: "We love going to the Troy Recreation Center, which has a new pool and gym," Michael says. "I swim, Linda works out and Eric plays basketball. It's a great place." Michael and Linda Silverstein with their son Eric, 11. 18 ■ 2004-2005 Community Directory