Ask The Orthodontist

"I frequently get asked
"Is orthodontics a priority in today's society?"

Rabbi Schneor and Estie Greenberg with Leibel, 7 months, in their new sanctuary.

`People's Shul'

Commerce Chabad interacts
with growing Jewish community.

I is hard to miss the large meno-
rah on Commerce Road, just a
few blocks east of Huron Valley-
Sinai Hospital. And that's the point.
On the property of the Chabad
Jewish Center of Commerce, also the
home of Rabbi Schneor and Estie
Greenberg and their four small chil-
dren, the menorah serves as a beacon,
a sign of organized Jewish life in the
township.
"We're here to help any Jew in any
aspect we can help them, regardless of
affiliation or lack of affiliation," says
the Israel-born rabbi. "A Jew is a Jew."
Three years ago, the Greenbergs
moved to Walled Lake to establish an
organized and visible Jewish presence
in the area. In March 2004, they
moved to Commerce.
"We got a feel for the community,
and decided we wanted to end up in
Commerce," Estie says. Like many
young Chabad-Lubovitch couples,
they left the heart of the American
Chabad community in Brooklyn to
reach out to Jews living somewhat off
the beaten track.
"We've met very, very welcoming
people, non Jews as well as Jews,"
Rabbi Greenberg says. "Everyone is
very accepting, and we've had excel-
lent relations. We've had many people
driving by see the menorah and stop
by. They feel more comfortable as
Jews because we are here."
. The Greenbergs provide many of
the programs that Chabad Centers
across the country provide. Courses
are offered in Jewish history, Talmud
and just about anything that people
want to learn. There are pre-holiday
programs for families that combine a
bit of teaching with hands-on activi-
ties for all ages. And every six weeks,
Estie Greenberg hosts a Women's
Chavurah for women to gather
together to build relationships and
discuss and engage in projects to pro-
vide a Jewish home.

But the Greenbergs don't wait for
folks to see the menorah and stop by.
They began by sending mailings regu-
larly to 900 homes in Commerce and
Walled Lake identified by a Jewish-
sounding last name. Before each holi-
day, they try to call about 100 of the
homes to introduce themselves and
verify that Jews live there. They find
about 60 percent of the homes identi-
fy as Jewish, leading them to believe
600-700 Jewish families live in the
area.
"We find about a 50-50 split
between affiliated and non-affiliated
families," says Estie Greenberg. "The
younger families are more likely to be
affiliated because of their kids going to
Jewish schools. But families from both
groups come to attend our programs."
The effort to identify and serve the
Jewish community in Commerce is
snowballing. "We cannot keep up
with everyone we hear about," says
Estie Greenberg. "We meet one per-
son and they tell us about others who
live here, and they tell us about anoth-
er."
The Greenbergs have set up a "hos-
pitality room" so family members of
Jewish patients can stay with them on
Shabbat to be within walking distance
of the hospital. A Russian couple held
their wedding and reception in their
back yard. They've hosted dozens of
people to share Shabbat dinner. They
hope to start a religious school in the
next year, and are currently putting
the final touches on a synagogue in
the lower level of their home where
they already host Shabbat services
twice a month.
"We think of it as the people's
shul," says Rabbi Greenberg, noting
that community members helped
design, build and furnish the sanctu-
ary.
"Our goal is to give them the joy of
Judaism every day," says Rabbi
Greenberg. ❑

Although some half million new patients begin
orthodontic treatment each year, an estimated ninety
percent of all youngsters between the ages of twelve and
seventeen with correctable mail-occlusions or dental
alignment problems are left untreated. Those who fail to
seek treatment in the belief that they cannot make either
the monetary investment or the commitment in time
Nelson Hersh DDS, MS
and energy necessary to have their teeth straightened
Licensed Specialist
and bites properly aligned, should know that the
potential health dividends coming to them as a result of
having done so, will far outweigh the cost of treatment. Not only does
orthodontic treatment improve the appearance and function of the teeth, but also
it brings about an improvement in self-esteem. Additionally, properly positioned
teeth are easier to maintain and can lessen the potential of future dental
problems, not just decay or cavities.

These benefits are not being lost on adult patients, who for whatever reason, had
to forego orthodontic treatment in their youth, are choosing to receive
orthodontic correction now It is never too late to undergo orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontic problems can affect one's emotional and psychological status, as well
as physical health. When people look better, they generally feel better about
themselves. This enhances self-esteem and self-confidence which play an
important role in social life and career opportunities. To help you evaluate your
own situation or that of your child, visit an orthodontist specialist for a
consultation.

You may call or write us at our office for any topics you would like discussed
in this biweekly column. The office is located on the border of:

West Bloomfield I Commerce Township.
(248) 926-4100.2300 Haggerty Suite 1110

Nelson (Nick) Hersh
DDS, MS

Licensed Specialist

1004020

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offering Many youth and nirAL
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Sports we offer
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astro play turf field
rooms with showers
II sided soccer fields
ark(' strength training
program
line Hockey Rinks
Stirvice Snack Bar
rvite grill
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7/28

2005

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