AROUND

L

Steven Tapper and University of Michigan student

Josh Cohen, both of West Bloomfield

Honorees Alan Jay and Sue Ellen Kaufman of Bloomfield Hills

Craig and Renee Erlich

of Bloomfield Hills

A Good Investment

MSU Hillel benefits from a gala tribute dinner.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARMANDO RIOS

Janie Hamburger of Commerce Township and

Rob Starkman of Southfield

Jeffrey and Paula Lebowitz

of West Bloomfield

Jodie Kaufman, Emily Kaufman, Nate Korash and Ceil Singer, all of
West Bloomfield, with Sue Ellen Kaufman

Avi Davidoff of West Bloomfield; MSU Hillel Executive Director Cindy Hughey;

Heather Kerwin and Jennifer Bloom, both of West Bloomfield

T

here's been a long-running rivalry between
The couple demonstrated their philanthropic spirit
Alan Kaufman of Bloomfield Hills and his
as they accepted their award, helping launch a
wife, Sue Ellen. He's a proud graduate of
lion endowment campaign for programming. The
Michigan State University in East Lansing,
Kaufmans pledged to match any endowment
while her loyalties lie with her alma mater,
contributions made to MSU Hillel over the
the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
next year. Among those cheering them on were
But, when it comes to Hillel, the couple
their three children, Emily, Danny and Jodie
wholeheartedly agree.
Kaufman, who is a third-year law student at
"We're supporting our students, and we're
MSU and president of the Jewish Legal Society
investing in their Jewish futures," Sue Ellen
"For us, this is the culmination of several
Kaufman said.
years of hard work — from our capital campaign,
Because of their support, the Kaufmans
when we built our big building, to an evening
ROB IN
were honored by MSU Hillel during the
like this," said Cindy Hughey, MSU Hillel's
SCHWA RTZ
organization's inaugural tribute dinner at
executive director.
COLUM NIST
Tam O'Shanter Country Club in West
In October 2002, the organization dedicated
Bloomfield. Approximately 300 people
the $3.1-million Lester J. Morris Hillel Jewish
attended the April 26 event, called "Inspiring Future
Student Center. The building is now the center of
Jewish Leaders," to applaud the Kaufmans for setting
Jewish life at Michigan State. About 3,000 Jewish
such a glowing example.
students attend the university on a campus of about
"They've been two angels to us," said Jonathon
45,000.
Koenigsburg, MSU Hillel's associate director.
"Hillel is our Jewish home away from home," said

12 •

JUNE 2006 •

JNPLATINUM

Co-chairs Patrice Morris Phillips and Pam

Bloom, both of West Bloomfield

Jody Greenspan and Michelle Marsch, both of West

Bloomfield, and Maura Leviner of Bloomfield Hills

Heather Kerwin of West Bloomfield, co-president-
elect of MSU's Jewish Student Union along with Avi
Davidoff, also of West Bloomfield.
"I study there; I take off my shoes; I walk in and say,
`Hi,' to everyone. It's such a familiar, comfortable place,"
Kerwin said.
Added Hughey, "Hillel is a place where Jewish col-
lege students can come and connect with their Judaism
culturally, socially and spiritually. We think of ourselves
as the place to build our future Jewish leaders."
Among those spotted in the tribute dinner crowd
were: Event co-chairs Patti Phillips and Pam Bloom,
Dr. Rick Phillips, Natalie and Bill Newman, Cheryl
and Dr. Ron Kerwin, Caryn and Ron Bittker, Margie
Dunn and Mark Davidoff, all of West Bloomfield;
Marc Cohen, Patti Kelter and Ken Korotkin of
Birmingham; Elaine and Michael Serling of Orchard
Lake; Ron Elkus of Huntington Woods; Doreen
Hermelin of Bingham Farms; Marcie and Rob Orley,
Rhonda and Jerry Byer, all of Franklin; and Renee and
Craig Erlich of Bloomfield Hills.

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