ou,

T he

1 - eman

first thing Moishe and Helene Last did when they
decided to add onto their home of the past 16 years was to
interview builders they thought could do the job. First one,
then another, and then—Scott Gittleman.
"We chose him because of his great organizational skills,"
said Moishe, a retired school teacher and an instructor of
guitar who has written books on the subject. He now kindly
refers to the builder "as a great kid," and Helene confirms that
Gittleman "was absolutely phenomenal."

What the Lasts wanted—and what they got—was a room that
exposed a gorgeous 1 1/2 acre backyard that had never before
been part of their daily vista.

From the beginning, the Gittleman team helped the couple
develop their ideas of how the new room should be and how it
should look. Helene, said Moishe, "was the director of ideas"
and Scott helped refine them.

"Collectively, we thought everything through, as a trio," he said.
Gittleman's experts were often on the job to help resolve issues
and offer suggestions on materials or color selection. Amazingly, said Moishe, the entire team was terrific.
Helene, who was braced for a tumultuous remodel, was pleasantly surprised. "It was, I truly can say, a
delightful experience."

Gittleman completed a reconfiguration of the Last's dining room and the addition of what the couple now
refers to as their "special" room with windows all around and a soaring cathedral ceiling above. It has
become, said Moishe, their haven, a respite of sorts, from all other things that happen in their house
during the course of a day. Even their dog ChaChi knows the room is "special."
"We absolutely love it," raved Moishe and Helene.

So next time you want to add a "special room" to the home you love, turn to the team that can help you
build your best idea and rely on Gittleman.

JUST ASK THE LASTS.

rin
GITTLEMAN
N.-8N..

CONSTRUCTION inc

28580 ORCHARD LAKE RD., SUITE 102
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334

248.538.5400

www.gittleman.net

CUSTOM

RENOVATIONS

Twig tla the
Jew ceatt

with a

Tonatton...
► iteauttigta wag
to honott Voued ones.

Metro

A Matter Of
Science

A new era of SAJE programs
opens with a provocative
discussion on stem cell research.

'Diana Lieberman
'special to the Jewish News

hen Bill Frist, majori-
ty leader of the U.S.
Senate, came out in
support of extending embryon-
ic stem cell research, he called
the issue "not just a matter of
faith.
"It's a matter of science," he
said.
Faith, science and politics all
were on the agenda Sept. 26 as
Seminars for Adult Jewish
Enrichment (SATE) hosted a
panel discussion titled "Stem
Cell Research — You Be the
Judge." The discussion, which
attracted about 100 to the
Jewish Community Center in
West Bloomfield, was the first
presentation for the newly
revamped SAJE program.
"We call it 'SATE for All
Seasons," said Judy Loebl, SAJE
director. "Instead of limiting the
program to a mini-series of
classes in mid-winter [which
will continue], our goal is to
provide year-round learning
opportunities that are com-
pelling, meaningful, enjoyable
and available to the entire com-
munity."

.

New Insights

different local and

Israeli charities.

Visit jewish.corn
(Click on 'Donations)

The panel discussion, which
featured local experts from the
scientific, political and religious
arenas, gave the audience new
insights into a complicated
issue, said Susan Marwil of
Bloomfield Township, who co-
chairs the SAJE committee with
Carol Weintraub Fogel of West
Bloomfield.
"Each of the three presenters
was so well informed," Marwil
said. "They were able to corn-
municate their particular views

on an issue of great importance
that has been discussed and
misunderstood on every level."
With proper funding and
political support for embryonic
stem cell research, scientists
have a good chance of finding
cures in our lifetimes for
Parkinson's and Alzheimer's
diseases, juvenile diabetes,
spinal cord injury, multiple
sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease,
liver diseases and a host of
other conditions, moderator
Sharona Shapiro told the audi-
ence.
This is not a Democrat versus
Republican issue, said Shapiro,
who serves as Michigan area
director of the American Jewish
Committee. Instead, the power-
ful lobby of the Christian reli-
gious right, with its strong and
vocal constituency, has an
influence that far exceeds its
actual numbers, she said.
"A small group is making all
the decisions for the rest of us:'
Shapiro said. "We all have to be
better informed."

Science and Theology

Medically speaking, embry-
onic stem cells are much better
suited than adult stem cells to
fight degenerative disease, said
Cathie Miller, Ph. D., of Henry
Ford Hospital's Hermelin Brain
Tumor Center.
They can become tissue of
almost any organ, without addi-
tional information from sur-
rounding cells. In addition, they
have the potential of replicating
an infinite number of times.
"Biomedical research is the
Internet of the 21st century:' Dr.
Miller said. Currently, 18 coun-
tries are funding research into
embryonic stem cell research,
she said, noting that Korea is at
SAJE on page 40

October 6 . 2005

tTN