AROUND TOWN

Fran White,

executive director

of the Great Lakes

Region, and her

husband, Ron,

of Commerce

Getting

Younger

B'nai B'rith creates David L. Bittker
Unit to involve young couples.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE BAAN

Great Lakes Region President Steve Zorn of
West Bloomfield and his wife, Lila, with Hillary
Rubin of Wolverine Lake

Craig and Lainie Bauer
of Bloomfield Hills

T

he late David L. Bittker of
Franklin was a forward-thinking,
passionate man who loved to
inspire young leaders. So it's only fitting
that the newest unit of the B'nai Brith Great
Lakes Region bears his name. More than
100 people gathered at the Franklin home
of Bittker's son and daughter-in-law Alan
and Sandy Bittker on Jan. 14 for a dessert
reception and the official installation cere-
mony.
David Bittker's widow, Arline, presented
the international charter in her husband's
memory. She also watched proudly as offi-
cers were installed to lead
the new group for young
Jewish couples and their
families. "I am blown away
by this group," she said.
"You've become part of our
family."
The Bittker family then
ROBIN
presented a $5,000 check to
SCHWARTZ
the new unit "to get things
COLUMNIST
going."
"B'nai B'rith was my
father," said Alan Bittker. "To see this group
form within a year of his passing really
means something to our entire family."
"It's my dream come true to see this hap-
pen. This is our new leadership," said Fran
White of Commerce Township, the local
chapter's executive director.
Creation of the David L. Bittker Unit

symbolizes a new beginning for the 160-
year-old community service organization.
Like many charitable groups, B'nai B'rith's
membership population is aging. The goal of
the new unit is to reinvigorate the local
chapter with more young adults and provide
a model for other chapters across the country.
"We'll give back to the community and
allow it to continue to thrive," said Steve
Rotenberg of Farmington Hills, the newly
installed president of the Bittker unit.
"We're excited about what the future
holds," he said.
The charter presentation and installation
of officers was such a momentous occasion,
the two top leaders of B'nai B'rith
International flew in from New York City
and Washington, D.C., to participate. Both
men knew David Bittker personally.
"David's legacy really is the legacy of
B'nai B'rith. I think \ v e have a moral obliga-
tion to make this world a better place than
when we came into it," said Joel Kaplan,
president of B'nai B'rith International.
"I just have a feeling he's kind of smiling
down on us as we do this."
Added Dan Mariaschin, executive vice
president of the international organization:
"He was a man who cared passionately about
the community. I can't think of a more
appropriate way to honor his name."
The new slate of officers for the David L.
Bittker Unit includes: Steve Rotenberg of
Farmington Hills, president; Kevin Elbinger

Joel Kaplin, president of 13'4
Internatiohal, with Dan Maria,
executive vice president of B

Sandy and Jay Colvin of West Bloomfield

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FEBRUARY

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JNPLATINUM

