Representing

JVS: Paul
Silverman
of Franklin;

standing, JVS
President

Barbara
Nurenberg; on
phone, Leah

Rosenbaum of
Southfield.

are our neighbors, friends, family members,
middle-class or upper-middle-class people
who never thought they would ever go into
the Hebrew Free Loan. Since 2001, the vol-
ume of dollars loaned out has increased 80
percent."
In 2005, Federation allocated $121,000 to
HFLA.
Last year, HFLA loaned out a record
$700,000, Keane said. "In 1996, we gave out
$90,000 in loans."
She said 30 percent of the loans are in
West Bloomfield, 24 percent in Farmington
Hills, 18 percent in Oak Park, and 8 percent
in Bloomfield Hills.
Business also is booming at Jewish Family
Service, which received $1.85 million in
Federation allocations last year.
"The number of people in need just keeps
growing," said Norm Keane, executive direc-
tor. "A lot of it is related to economic issues,
and the population is also growing older.
Those are key populations that continue to
grow in need."
"Federation dollars are used by us to
serve Jews who really have nowhere else to
turn," he said, adding that the organization
also depends on shrinking funding from

other outside agencies like the United Way.
"Whatever increases we might get from
the Federation, in order just to maintain
our level it has to make up for diminishing
resources."
Federation President Peter Alter said the
needs are everywhere. "It is heartwarming to
see that, especially in tough economic times,
many of those who are able to pledge more
to the Annual Campaign are doing so," he
said. "At the same time, those in real need
are multiplying as more layoffs throughout
the auto industry and beyond affect many
of us.
"More money is needed for emergency
relief funds and more money is needed for
many scholarships for students, as hundreds
of families in our community are tightening
their belts.
"In addition, the needs in Israel also con-
tinue to mount as an increasing number of
Israeli children [and families] fall below the
poverty line. Certainly, we also need to and
will help our brothers and sisters in Israel
who are facing such economic struggles.
"Truly, every increased dollar to the
Annual Campaign is so vitally needed and
put to such good use." ❑

Honored

Aronson lends name to
JCC youth fund-raiser.

T

he Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan
Detroit is organizing an Israel Celebration din-
ner to honor Robert P. Aronson, CEO of the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, as he begins his 18th year
of service to Detroit's Jewish community.
Proceeds from the event will benefit JCC youth programs
through the new Robert P. Aronson Youth Activity Fund.
The event, which includes a strolling dinner, Israeli enter-
tainment and a special tribute to Aronson, will take place on
Yom HaAtzmaut/lsrael Independence Day, Wednesday, May
3, at the JeWish Community
Center in West Bloomfield.
Aronson is internation-
ally known as a driving
force in philanthropy and a
passionate supporter of the
State of Israel. His vision
has contributed to Detroit's
celebrated reputation as
an important voice within
American Jewry.
Since taking the helm of
the Federation, Aronson
has been instrumental in
creating its largest fund-
raising effort, the $60 mil-
lion Millennium Campaign
for Detroit'sJewish Future
to enrich Jewish family
experience including the
renovation and renewal of
the
community's two JCC
Robert Aronson
campuses.
Other achievements
include upgrading communal services for older adults, over-
seeing the largest mission to Israel undertaken by a Jewish
community, strengthening Detroit's ties to Israel through
Federation's participation in prcigrams with its Partnership
2000 region in the Central Galilee and launching the Detroit
Legacy Initiative.
As a private philanthropic consultant, Aronson serves as
advisor to William Davidson, owner of Auburn Hills-based
Guardian Industries Corp., and Michael H. Steinhardt, chair-
man of Jewish Renaissance Media, which includes the Detroit
Jewish News, Atlanta Jewish Times and Jewish.com.
Aronson serves on the board of trustees of the Jewish
Theological Seminary in New York.
"Bob's involvement and commitment to the Center, our
local and national Jewish communities and the State-of Israel
are examples of the strength of our people and something
for which he should be recognized;' said JCC President Irwin
Alterman.
Dinner and program are $180 per person. For information,
call (248) 432-5418. 111

April 13 R 2006

17