Front Lines

NOTEBOOK

Men!' e

Rallying For Ana

S

cott Gittleman was
Vasquez has always been
struck by a TV
an outgoing person — the
news story updat-
one doing the giving, help-
ing the worsening condition
ing others. Now she's on
of Ana Vasquez, a young
the receiving end — and is
Warren woman diagnosed
appreciative of the aid from
with stage IV colon cancer
compassionate doctors and
a year ago after a lingering
medical staff, family and
stomach ache.
friends. She's recovering
The December update
from an extensive operation
on Fox2 News revealed
and grateful for all the blood
that Vasquez was living in
donors.
a home badly in need of
Fox2 anchor and health
repairs. Gittleman, president
reporter Lila Lazarus has fol-
of Farmington Hills-based
lowed Vasquez's story since
Gittleman Construction, said
the summer when they went
he felt compelled to respond
on a hot-air balloon ride
to help make her life more
together
as part of a health
Rob Domanski, Ana Vasquez, Scott Gittleman and Lila Lazarus
comfortable and enjoyable.
report after the Southfield-
He proceeded to organize
based TV station found out
a group of contractors to donate manpower and materials. They had
about the woman's condition.
72 hours to completely renovate the home that Vasquez and Rob
"It's the most heartwarming story;' Lazarus said. "Ana's perspective
Domanski would share after returning from an early honeymoon in
on life and her views on death are just so inspirational. She has such
Mexico. Everything from the electrical to the plumbing to the carpen- an amazing attitude. After such extensive surgery at age 25, she's still
try to the paint to the finishes got a makeover. A clothing designer
smiling. She's just a beautiful, beautiful girl."
even placed an evening gown in Vasquez's closet to brighten her
Last week, Vasquez got word that she earned a master's degree in
wardrobe.
social work from Wayne State University in Detroit.
The couple's dream home is the result. "When I heard about the
Vasquez told Lazarus on the air last week that she could be worse
opportunity to do it," Gittleman said, "I felt I could really help these
off. "I could be homeless and having cancer:' she said. "And I could be
people out. I've been fortunate to be able to do that"
alone. And I'm not, so I'm not going to dwell on what's bad."
Domanski's mother, Elizabeth, said the outpouring of support
Vasquez added,"I don't even want to be cured. I just want remis-
touched her. "I am so grateful for all the generosity and help of these
sion. I just want to live a normal life again and go back to work."
wonderful people."
- Robert A. Sklar, editor

A Capital Experience

Sue Luria of West Bloomfield was one of 30 U.S. Hadassah advocates
who greeted lawmakers on Swearing-In Day in Washington. She is
advocacy coordinator for Greater Detroit Hadassah.
"I shook many hands, including those of our two Michigan sena-
tors and many of our Michigan representatives:' Luria said. "They
really responded to me when I told them I was a volunteer from
Michigan."
Luria hopes to repeat this empowering
experience in two years, accompanied by
other local Hadassah members. She was
chosen by National Hadassah's Washington
Action Office.
The Hadassah team's mission was to
facilitate future meetings between Hadassah
members and lawmakers, not only in
Washington, but also in home districts.
"When we mention that we are the larg-
Sue Luria
est membership organization in the country,
with a member in every congressional district:' Luria said, "it really
helps. We also want them to know that we are very interested in
health legislation as well as Jewish issues and support of Israel."
All volunteer advocates wore large stickers reading: "YES to STEM
CELL Research," a Hadassah cause.

- Robert A. Sklar, editor

Israelis Seek Day Care
More than 500 Israeli women demonstrated at the Knesset in
Jerusalem to demand free day care for young children. Na'amat
Israel organized the Dec. 4 rally.
Free early childhood education
is necessary so women can hold a
full-time job to help support their
families. "Free day care will break
the cycle of poverty, strengthen our
economy and enhance the status of
women in our society," said Na'amat
President Talia Livni.
Evelyn Noveck, president of the
Greater Detroit Council of Na'amat, said, "It is critical for mothers
to know that their young children are safe and well cared for so that
they can work to help support their families. This is the core of our
organization: To help women and children in Israel."
About 400,000 Israeli women do not work or work part time
because they cannot afford full-time day care for their kids, Livni
said. "Women who do not work during their child-bearing years
often find it difficult to return to the workforce later:' she said.
Demonstrators called on the Israeli government to build into the
2007 budget free day care for kids in northern Israel and around the
Gaza Strip. It would cost the government about $74 million.

It is critical for
mothers to know
that their young
children are safe."

- Robert A. Sklar, editor

This Week

Web Extras

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click on Web Extras on the
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JBlog

Arnie Goldman, 50 years
young, brings back memories
with his nostalgic musings
about Detroit Jewish life
– and life in general. Jeff Klein
offers his Metro Perspectives
on everything from dating to
friendship. Or perhaps you'd
rather read about the adven-
tures of Laurie Freeman's
China Punim, 4-year-old
Amanda?
Only at JNonline.us . Just
click on JBlog on the menu on
the left.

Latest From Israel

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from Israel? Check our stream-
ing news from Ynetnews.com
for continuous updates and
longer news, opinion and fea-
ture stories.
Just visit JNonline.us and
click on a scrolling story on
the left.

Results from last week's poll
question:
Will concern about global
warming spur you to change
your own actions to be more
environmentally friendly?

Yes 69%
No 31%

This week's poll question:
Do you agree with President
Bush's assessment of the state
of the union?
Visit the JNonline.us
homepage to cast your vote.

January 25 ® 2007

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