W

hen Tom and Barb Kowalski decided it was time to
upgrade their master bathroom and closet in their
1979 colonial, the decision to hire Gittleman was a
simple one. In addition to the fact that Gittleman had
done kitchen renovations for them three years prior, the
Kowalskis knew Gittleman brought more than just
superior craftsmanship to the table.

"We had a high level of confidence in their work and
knew they were knowledgeable." Tom explained. "But
we also knew Gittleman would be easy to work with
because they have all of the building contractors
available to do the job from start to finish."

Gittleman came up with a solution for the Kowalskis
that was lower in cost than what they had anticipated.
They now enjoy a spacious master bath and closet,
which extend over the first floor family room and provide an extra 130 square feet of living space.

Barb said the decision to turn to Gittleman was based on the assurance their team provided in the
past. "It's about trust. You have these people coming in and out of your home when you're not there
and you can trust them to clean up after themselves and double lock the door before they leave."

The finished project encompasses everything the Kowalskis were looking for — more space, more
light and premium features — and has added to the entire home's ambiance. "It upgrades the whole
house to a more contemporary style of living that you would see in a new home," Tom noted. "It
makes the master bedroom more usable and house far more resalable."

So the next time you want to expand your living space and enhance your life, turn to someone you
can trust to give you what you are looking for at a price that's fair — turn to Gittleman.

JUST ASK THE KOWALSKIS.

G ITTLE MAN

CONSTRUCTION inc

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

248.538.5400

www.gittleman.net

CUSTOM

RENOVATIONS

The holidays can
reveal some changes
in your parents.

The Fountains at Franklin can help.

Disinterest in regular activities. Unusual
forgetfulness. Changes in behavior.

The holidays can make you aware of subtle
changes in a senior loved one that may concern
you. Sunrise Senior Living can help you recognize
the significance of these changes and help you
plan ahead for life's adjustments.

Happy Holidays from all of us
at the Fountains at Franklin.
Please call 248-353-2810
or stop by and visit us today.

THE FOUNTAINS

AT FRANKLIN

A SUNRISE SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

ta y

. ;0 m
L
A

11 /06

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1 a

28301 Franklin Road, Southfield, MI 48034
Independent Living • Assisted Living • Alzheimer's Care

For more information and a FREE online newsletter, visit www.sunriseseniorliving.com

22

December 21 • 2006

Conservative day schools discuss
policy on non-Jewish students.

Sue Fishkoff
Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Boca Raton, Fla.

T

he Conservative movement's
Solomon Schechter day
schools are considering mak-
ing their admissions policies more
flexible.
Currently, the 76 Schechter schools
in the United States and Canada admit
only children who are Jewish accord-
ing to Jewish law: children born to
a Jewish mother or those who have
converted, or children whose families
have committed to completing the
conversion process within one year.
At the Solomon Schechter Day
School Association's national con-
vention last week, school officials
discussed a draft proposal that would
remove that one-year deadline. The
child would still be expected to con-
vert before bar or bat mitzvah age, but
it would be up to individual schools
to determine how long that process
should take.
"We think it has to be before bar or
bat mitzvah, preferably by age 10, but
we're not going to say it has to be done
within two or three years," said Elaine

Not So
Fast

Our resident-centered approach to senior living
puts the senior first, giving them options to
meet their individual needs and wishes. We offer
a variety of living arrangements, personalized
assistance and care, amenities and services,
delicious meals, stimulating activities and
scheduled group outings.

Visit or call The Fountains at Franklin, a
Sunrise Senior Living community, today and
let us be your resource for senior living options.
In Southfield, we offer Independent Living,
Assisted Living and Alzheimer's Care.

Enrollment Debate

Local schools
unlikely to adopt
new proposal.

Alan Hitsky
Associate Editor

H

eads of school at
Hillel Day School of
Metropolitan Detroit in
Farmington Hills and the Hebrew
Day School of Ann Arbor — the
two southeast Michigan schools
affiliated with the Solomon
Schechter movement — said their
schools are unlikely to change

Cohen, national consultant to the
Schechter schools. "We'll leave it to the
discretion of the school"
The association's board of directors
"will continue the discussion" after the
conference, she said, before making
any policy changes.
The idea comes as the Conservative
movement has increased outreach
efforts to the growing numbers of
intermarried families. After years
of resisting more inclusive outreach
policies urged by its liberal wing, the
United Synagogue of Conservative
Judaism, the movement's congrega-
tional arm seems to have taken the
reins of a movement in flux and is
steering it in the direction of greater
openness.
Earlier this year, Rabbi Ismar
Schorsch, outgoing chancellor of the
Jewish Theological Seminary, urged
the movement's Ramah camps to
admit the children of non-Jewish
mothers. That change has not yet been
instituted.
This month, the movement's high-
est legal authority paved the way for
same-sex commitment ceremonies
and the ordination of gay and lesbian
rabbis.
Movement leaders said the day-

their current policies on admitting
non-Jewish students.
Both Hillel's Steve Freedman
and Ann Arbor's Dina Shtull
attended the Schechter conven-
tion last week in Florida.
Freedman said the proposal
by Rabbi Jerome Epstein of the
Conservative movement's United
Synagogue "was not well received
at all — by me or most of my col-
leagues." He said most people in
the room were opposed to the
idea, including some who were
very passionately opposed.
Most, he said, saw no benefit
in delaying the conversion time-
table fora non-Jewish student
who wants to attend a Jewish day
school. "Our mission is to encour-
age active Jewish life," Freedman
said. "That must be a commit-
ment." He said Hines experience

