NOW MORE THAN EVER
'
To a Tin Man who was
a better salesman than I,
and to a Mother who was
oo.,*R.ffoiti*
always there.
Still In My Heart
SANDY NORMAN
Joseph Norman
Dec. 14, 191I—Sept. 13, 1993
Sarah Norman
Arov. 25, 1914—Jan. 1, 1994
THEY SAY THE MEANING OF THE KADDISH IS TO CREATE A BRIDGE
FROM THOSE WHO ARE GONE TO THE LIVING.
EVEN THOUGH THE PETAL HAS FALLEN, IT SHOULD NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
My Father never made more than $20,000 a year. My Mother gave new meaning to what nurturing mothers do,
so in their memory I've chosen to step up. I grew up in a very middle class background in Northwest Detroit in the
1950s11 960s. Some areas were very affluent, however, the vast majority that existed were middle class...the financial
status for a few was much higher and sometimes, whether self-imposed or not, people with less money were intimi-
dated by people with more money. It should not be that way, and sometimes it was self-imposed, which was even
more ridiculous! Everyone back then should have felt an equality whether they had a monied background or not.
A friend of mine who headed up Federation once said to me, "Sandy, we go back to the same people over and
over.... raising money is very tough and every year we've got to back and it simply starts over again."
During the past few years financial icons in the Jewish Community have matched funds when goals were met
increasing the year's fund-raising efforts. Quite an admirable contribution. Recently, I thanked a childhood friend
from kindergarten for the financial contributions made by his family. He graciously said "thank you." At a Minyan
group I attend, one of the Minyan leaders said, a few years ago when the contributions of another icon were men-
tioned, "Father of the Jewish Community? He can't even speak Jewish!" I never. forgot that comment. It was a real
cheap shot and doesn't speak to any real issue... it only spoke to someone who was intimidated by someone who
had money. There is importance in what everyone does. Everyone should stand up and be counted, and not neces-
sarily with respect to the amount of money you give but because of the mere fact that you give.
Giving to Federation is more important than ever.As we've watched horrorific pictures of suicide bombings the
past few years, we must now see the relationship of donating to peace and security. We must reach out and see
the hope in the recent democratic elections in Palestine and other areas throughout the Middle East, and say that
real peace has never been closer; therefore, giving is more important than ever. Rather than gravitating to not giving
because a rationale exists and you think, "Well, they can give millions... heck, that's a drop in the bucket compared
to my $50 or $100 contribution."
Thousands of Jews don't contribute, however, deep down they should know their contributions are equally
important. Everyone's $10, $50, $100 and $ I ,000, and even non-financial contributions are important! Federation
needs you NOW MORE THAN EVER. Everyone has to stand up, be counted and be proud! Everyone in the
Jewish community can play a role. Everyone must play a role because of these most recent opportunities for a
chance for peace in the Middle East.
Israel represents the consciousness of being Jewish for all of us. Israel is why we say "no more" when we think
of Chanukkah, Masada, the death camps, Munich 1972... and say "never again" and every other anti-Semitic event
that each of us has ever faced. Israel's toughness represents all of us... you can't afford not to help... SO NOW
MORE THAN EVER.
2/17
2005
10
S.23 7;7 ')