T
0 LAIC

AROUND TOWN

Israel Champions

D

From top:
Honorees Joseph

Savin and his

wife, Diane, of

West Bloomfield;

U.S. Rep. Joe
Knollenberg; and

ZOA President Saul
Waldman of Keego

Harbor

Dr. Michael Savin

and his wife, Julie,

of West Bloomfield

Spencer Partrich of

Bloomfield Hills and
his wife, Myrna

ZOA honors Savins for longtime support
of Israel and Jewish causes. .

iane and Joseph Savin
of West Bloomfield were
Zionists before the State of
Israel even existed.
Back in the 1940s, Mrs. Savin
recalls collecting money for the Jewish
National Fund to help buy the land to
create a Jewish state. She and her hus-
band first traveled to Israel together in
1958 and have been fervent supporters
ever since. Because of their leader-
ship, dedication and philanthropy,
the Zionist Organization of America
honored the Savins at a tribute brunch
on Sept. 17.
About 70 people gathered at Franklin Hills
Country Club in Farmington Hills to applaud the
couple as they received the Justice Louis D. Brandeis
Award, the ZOA's highest citation of merit.
"At such a critical time in Israel's history, all
friends of the Jewish state are supposed to stay firm
and strong — and our honorees are exactly like
that," said Maya Veprinsky of West Bloomfield,
the ZONs executive director.
Joseph Savin, a successful businessman, archi-
tect and builder, is a past president of the ZOA
and currently serves as chairman of the organi-
zation's Michigan region. His wife is secretary of
the ZOA board. Both lobby on behalf of Israel in
Washington, attend rallies and travel to New York
each year for the ZOA's national dinner. They also
regularly participate in missions to Israel.
The Savins are active members of Congregation
Shaarey Zedek in Oakland County and have been
involved in Zionist organizations throughout their
lives.
"I grew up in a very Jewishly identified family','
said Diane Savin. "We've tried on a daily basis to
keep in touch with what's happening in the State of
Israel. It's been our main interest:'
"I'm committed to the ZOA because it's active

At right:

Dr. Morris Rubin of
Bloomfield Hills and

his wife, Rosalyn,
with grandchildren

Farmington Hills

Kim and Jeffrey
Savin, both of West

Ann Silver of
Bloomfield Hills,

Bloomfield

ZOA Executive

5;

-

Director Maya
Veprinsky and her
husband, Dr. Mark

Nulman, of West

Bloomfield

34

October 5 2006

Ruben Isaacs and
his wife, Irene, of

former ZOA
president

in promoting Israel's interests, lobbying,
combating anti-Semitism and raising
money,' said Joseph Savin. "One of the
things I like most is that it was formed
in 1897. It's probably the longest ongoing
Zionist organization."
The tribute.brunch included a perfor-
mance by Shaarey Zedek Cantor Meir
Finklestein, who sang Israel's national
anthem and a medley of Israeli songs. The
event was also a fundraiser highlighting
the Zaks 73rd annual Balfour Concert,
set for Oct. 29 at Adat Shalom Synagogue
in Farmington Hills. Broadway star Mike
Burstyn, a comedian, singer, dancer and producer,
will be the featured performer. Proceeds from the
Balfour Concert will help maintain the ZOM efforts,
including providing scholarship grants to send
Michigan area students to study in Israel. In spite of
the recent conflict with Hezbollah and the ongoing
fight against terrorism, Joseph Savin is optimistic
about Israel's future.
"Like America after 9-11, the Israeli community
has woken up to the realization that it's an all-
out effort against the terrorists:' Savin said. "The
Israelis have always been able to face down their
enemies and I don't see why they can't continue to
do that. It will be a long haul, but I think they will
prevail."
Spotted among the crowd at the tribute brunch
were the Savins' son and daughter-in law, Michael
and Julie Savin of West Bloomfield, along with
their children, Jeffrey, 16, and Kimberly, 13; U.S.
Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Township;
ZOA Michigan President Saul Waldman of
Keego Harbor; Harriet and Norman Rotter
of Bingham Farms; Frank Stella of Detroit; and
Beverly Baker of Bloomfield Hills. Event co-
chairs included Drs. Leora Bar-Levav and Gary
Edelson of Franklin; and Dr. Natalie* and Rayna
Kogan of West Bloomfield.