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Bittker Tribute
New young adult chapter honors memory
of ffnai Hrith activist.
T
hey had the main dining room of Tribute
restaurant in Farmington Hills all to them-
selves and 40 couples made themselves right
at home — mingling and enjoying gourmet food and
drinks in the trendy, upscale setting. The gathering
was the inaugural event of the
David L. Bittker Unit of B'nai
B'rith Great Lakes Region.
The new group for young Jewish
couples and their families plans to
hold a social or family event every
other month. "It's a way to meet
new people and help bring in
other Jewish families that aren't
really involved in any other way in
ROBIN
the Jewish community," said Eden
S CHWARTZ
Elbinger of Farmington Hills, who
Columnist
attended with her husband, Kevin.
The group is named in memory
of the late David Bittker of Franklin — a man who
had a passion for helping others as part of the corn-
munity service organization. "It's an amazing thing
that they wanted to name the chapter after him —
his whole life was B'nai B'rith," said son Ron Bittker
of West Bloomfield.
The family made a generous donation to get the
group started, and also matched the cost of the
Tribute event. "He was a wonderful man, he put
tremendous time and effort into B'nai B'rith," said
Steve Rotenberg of Farmington Hills, one of the
event's co-chairs.
Bittker, 73, died of pancreatic cancer in February.
Spotted among the crowd at the kickoff event
were: Howard and Marlana Weiner of Farmington
Hills, Brian and Audrey Seifman of West
Bloomfield, Noah and Ellen Krugel of Novi and
Robert and Lisa Grodman of Commerce Township.
"If the future of B'nai B'rith is in the hands of
these young people who are so active in the commu-
nity, then I know B'nai B'rith will never have to
worry again," said Fran White of Commerce
Township, the local chapter's regional coordinator.
The next event will be a family picnic at
Sprayscape sprinkler park in Plymouth on Sunday,
Aug. 28. For information, contact the B'nai B'rith-
Oakland County office at (248) 646-3100.
Robert and Lisa Grodman of Commerce Township
and Vicki Murray and Rod Brown,
both of Farmington Hills
Shawn and Lisa Stearn of Farmington Hills
and Todd Stearn of Beverly Hills
Left Top: Eden and Kevin
Elbinger and Eric and
Danielle Gottsagen of
Farmington Hills, and Lezlie
and Eric Foreman of West
Bloomfield
Left Bottom: Mariana and
Howard Weiner and Laura
and Matt Katz, all of
Farmington Hills
Sam and Laurie Zeidman of armington Hills, seated;
Brian and Audrey Seifman of West Bloomfield, standing
3N
8/25
2005
20
The Bittker children, top row, Keith Tobin, Allen Bittker, Ron Bittker;
bottom row, Jodi Tobin, Sandy Bittker, Caryn Bittker