lar
but declined to comment further.
"We will work hard to ensure that
JCCouncil's Allan Gale said he was-
future contributions at any level
n't sure how much pressure the Arab
remain in our primary focus areas of
community was actually putting on the
the arts, education, health and human
banks, but observed, "If the Arab com-
services, and housing and economic
munity is heading in that direction, it
development," he said.
),
can backfire on them.
Bank One also said that no decision
Making it clear that Council would
one way or the other" has been made
not respond by challenging
regarding the FIDF. Thomas
corporate support for Arab
A. Kelly, spokesman for Bank
social services, he is con-
One, explained that the bank's
cerned the ADC's politiciza-
foundation gives grants in
tion of issues that are not
three areas: economic empow-
political could keep corpora-
erment, youth education and
tions from contributing to
community life, focusing on
both communities.
arts and culture. But as was the
In a Dec. 29 e-mail to
case with Comerica, the con-
Jewish community members,
tribution to the FIDF was
Alan Gale
Council encouraged sending
made by a business unit that
pro-FDIF letters to the editor
had the authority to do so.
of the Detroit Free Press,
The bank will be working
which covered the controver-
with all its business units on
sy on the front page of its
how to review grant applica-
Dec. 24 business section. The
tions soon after a new contri-
e-mail included "talking
butions manager begins work
points" stressing the FIDF is
in March. Kelly acknowledges
a wholly non-military legal
that ADC's concerns are "one
American charity and that
of many factors" involved in
Imad Hamad
the "Arab organizations'
the review. "We always listen
action is an unfair divestment
when contacted by con-
campaign."
stituents," he said.
The FIDF's Oppenheim,
Repeated calls to
who has been consulting
Huntington Bank for com-
with Council, agrees with the
ment were not returned.
approach.
When told what four banks
"It won't help us to bother
had said to the Jewish News,
the banks with this. It is bet-
Hamad stressed the impor-
ter to support the banks
tance of dialogue and insisted
Amos Guiora
through the newspaper," says
the ADC was "pretty much
Oppenheim.
satisfied" with the response of
Both Gale and Prof.
each bank, except Bank One.
Guiora believe it is important that
The Jewish Response
even though the FIDF is completely
separate and distinct from the IDF, the
"A small group from an Arab
Jewish community and the American
American organization attacked these
people should not accept that the IDF
banks for nothing," said Tamir
is not worthy of American support.
Oppenheim, new director of the
"It is no surprise that the Arab com-
Michigan Friends of the IDF.
munity is critical of Israel's military,"
He is not aware that any bank has
says Gale, "but the American political
ended its support of the organization.
position, long supported by the major-
"We feel they are going to support us
ity of the American people, is that
again," he said.
Israel is a valuable military ally."
Larry Hochberg of Chicago, nation-
Prof. Guiora, who developed a pro-
al chairman of the FIDF, is "quite con-
gram to teach Israeli soldiers to follow
fident that once [the banks] under-
stand the whole picture, they will con- an ethical code of conduct, believes
media coverage of the IDF focuses on
tinue to support us.
its mistakes and is mostly negative.
In at least one specific case, that of
"Just turn on CNN, BBC or
Standard Federal, he says, "They cer-
MSNBC; the IDF is not portrayed
tainly have not agreed to end support
well," he says. "Sometimes we screw
to the FIDF, and have given no
up, but you can't forget the context,"
apologies for what they did in sup-
he says. "We are fighting on a play-
porting us."
ing field that has not been seen
He added that the Anti-Defamation
before. It has been said that we are
League (ADL) is reviewing the situa-
tion. The ADL acknowledged the situ- the test tube for the world on how to
fight terrorism." ❑
ation has been brought to its attention
((
Heartfelt Gift
Philanthropist surprises Federation with
a valuable annuity trust.
grandchildren Matthew and Kailey.
ometimes good fortune just
A widow for 21 years, Kolovsky
falls from the sky. Or so it
was
married to Max, was a wholesale
would seem. Just ask Stacey
seafood
purveyor and owner of
Crane, endowment director for the
Lakeside
Fisheries in Detroit's
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Eastern
Market.
Detroit.
According to Allan Nachman,
Out of the blue a few
president of the United Jewish
months ago, she received a
Foundation, Federation's
letter from a law firm stat-
banking-real estate arm, it's
ing that client Esther
been a hard year for the com-
Kolovsky named the
munity, yet a good year for
Federation the recipient of
philanthropic giving.
a charitable remainder
"While the Federation
annuity trust worth nearly
is
up to pace in meeting the
$750,000.
community's
2004 Annual
"We had no idea that a
Campaign
goal,
we are
gift of this magnitude was
challenged
by
more
requests
lovsky
Ko
Esther
coming our way," Crane
for help than ever," Nachman
said. "Very quietly, on her
said.
own, Esther made the deci-
"Gifts in the form of
sion to give the community
unrestricted
funds and generous
a gift that would touch generations
bequests
such
as Esther Kolovsky's
to come."
are
miracle
workers
in the sense that
Kolovsky, 88, who has homes in
they help meet unforeseen needs
West Bloomfield and Hallendale,
from year to year.
Fla., said, "It was the right thing to
"Mrs. Kolovsky's gift is one of hope
do. I tried to think where to do the
and
promise and we owe her our grat-
most good, and the Federation came
itude
for her generosity and vision." ❑
first to mind. There are many wor-
thy causes, but I chose what I felt
was best."
College Aid Offered
Over the years, and with her
JVS, a nonprofit human services
recent bequest, Kolovsky has
demonstrated her belief in the power organization, will host a parent
informational meeting on the Sarah
of tzedakah, supporting a variety of
and Harold Gottlieb Jewish
Jewish organizations as well as
Educational Loan Service (JELS) and
secular causes here and in Israel.
additional financial aid options for
In addition to Federation, she has
college students 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan.
directed significant gifts to
25, at JVS, 29699 Southfield Road,
Congregation Shaarey Zedek,
Southfield.
Providence Hospital in Southfield,
JELS Coordinator Marvin Berman
Magen David Adorn in Israel, and
will discuss how to apply for an
the Holocaust Memorial Center in
interest-free loan offered through
Farmington Hills.
JELS. JELS is open to Metro Detroit
"It's not something I talk a lot
Jewish residents and is administered
about," she said. "I simply do what
through JVS, Hebrew Free Loan
I can."
In the den of her West Bloomfield Association and Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit.
condo, she points with pride to the
Dr. Berman will address the avail-
family portraits, the wedding and
ability of financial assistance
bar mitzvah photos. "It's all about
through state, federal, institutional
family," she said, enumerating the
and private sources. Although the
people who are central to her life.
meeting will be directed toward par-
Nearby, in Bloomfield Hills, is
ents, students are welcome to
daughter Ilene Emmer, son-in-law
attend. For advance registration or
Howard and grandson Max. In
information, call Marvin Berman,
Montreal, Kolovsky has son Jeffery,
(248) 233-4209.
daughter-in-law Elizabeth and
S
TIN
1/13
2005
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