tont Line
\ =hen Tom and Barb Kowalski decided it was time to
st 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.
GITTLEMAN
CONSTRUCTION inc
28580 ORCHARD LAKE RD., SUITE 102
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334
248.538.5400
www.gittleman.net
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1201460
10 December 28.2006
Respecting Others
Talmudic lecturer teaches
the "Dignity of Self."
Susan Tawil
Special to the Jewish News
N
oted lecturer Shira Smiles
frequently broke into tal-
mudic singsong as she
addressed a crowd of 150 women at
the Max M. Fisher Federation Building
in Bloomfield Township on Dec. 11.
Her topic, "The Dignity of Self,"
dealt with valuing and treating oth-
ers with respect.
Federation's Alliance
for Jewish Education
(AJE), Yeshivat Akiva,
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah,
Yeshivas Darchei Torah
and several private
individuals sponsored
the talk.
Although Smiles
Shira Smiles
currently lives in
Ramat Bet Shemesh, Israel, where she
teaches at Darchei Binah Seminary,
her lectures are videocast Sunday
mornings at Yeshiva Beth Yehudah.
Smiles is the sister of AJE Director
Rabbi Judah Isaacs, and this was an
opportunity to hear her in person.
"It was like meeting a celebrity,"
said Seema Selmar of Oak Park, who
regularly attends the Sunday video
hook-up.
Smiles began her talk citing the
Torah passage in Deuteronomy where
Moses recaps the Jews' 40-year journey
through the desert. Rashi, the fore-
most biblical commentator, explains
that Moses is rebuking the Children
of Israel, but veils his criticism within
the names of the places recounted to
uphold the dignity of his people.
This key passage, said Smiles, teach-
es the obligation to be sensitive to the
feelings and honor of every individual.
"The most important lesson we
must teach our children is the impor-
tance of appreciating all people, of all
ages and backgrounds. Everyone has
kedushah (holiness) and is worthy of
kavod (respect)," she said.
Smiles brought the talk to a short
discussion of practical, mundane
issues of life that reflect kavod, or the
lack of it. For example, she asked, why
do we write notes to our kids' teachers
on whatever scrap of paper we lay our
hands on?
"Surely, our children's teachers
deserve more respect than that!" she
admonished.
Smiles further suggested showing
appreciation for the dignity of friends
by starting e-mails with "Dear (name):'
Then she laughed and disdainfully
bashed that nemesis of honor, the call-
waiting telephone feature.
Smiles told a story illustrating the
importance of the simple act of greet-
ing one's fellow. By extending ourselves
to say hello, we show that we
recognize the other person's
existence and affirm their
sense of worth.
People hunger for this rec-
ognition, she explained, and
we have so many opportunities
to take an interest in others.
By paying attention to details
in the lives of others, such as
remarking on such things as
new shoes or a haircut, we make them
feel they are irreplaceable. Someone
feeling alienated will consequently not
see themselves as a worthwhile part of
the community.
Citing the Mishnah in Pirkei Avot
that says: "There is no man who
doesn't have his time, and no thing
that doesn't have its place," Smiles
noted that everyone has value and
urged the audience not to confuse a
person's value with what he achieves.
"Who are we to judge? That person
could be using his potential to the
utmost," she said.
Referencing the writing of Rabbi
Abraham Twerski, Smiles taught that
everyone has a unique purpose in life
that cannot be fulfilled by anyone else.
"It was inspirational to see women
from across the spectrum of the
Jewish community attending this
class," said Devorah Rich, senior plan-
ning associate at Federation and pro-
gram organizer.
"I've gotten wonderful feedback
from the lecture. What Mrs. Smiles
taught about respecting others is really
a universal message."
Shira Smile's lectures are avail-
able to download at www.613.
org . For information on the
Sunday videocasts, call Yeshiva
Beth Yehudah at (248) 557-
6750.