Choir soloist eighth graders Jacob Korman and Dovi Nadel

"Keep Israel strong," exhorted at
Akiva's anniversary dinner,

A

mid tables festooned with handmade centerpieces draped with the words "mind,
body and soul," more than 500 people gathered at the Dearborn Inn to celebrate the
43rd anniversary of the Southfield-based Yeshivat Akiva.
Founded in 1964 as the only Orthodox Zionist school in Metro Detroit, the school now edu-
cates 325 nursery through 12th-graders.
Community Leadership honoree Marilyn Kohn reflected upon 15 years of Akiva basketball.
She also challenged others to "roll up their sleeves" and volunteer on behalf of Akiva.
Dr. Donna Zwas, alumna awardee and a Harvard-educated cardiologist who will be making
aliyah this summer, thanked her Akiva teachers for "stimulating and nurturing [her] intellec-
tual growth and spiritual curiosity."
The evening's crowd was then brought to its feet by Pastor Glenn R. Plummer's passionate
delivery and charismatic rhetoric in support of standing together to keep Israel strong. As
always, a highlight of the evening was a moving performance by Akiva choir, accompanied by
an ensemble of upper-school soloists and musicians.
Serving as honorary chairs of Akiva's largest annual fundraiser were Jerry and Elyse
Schostak, Eugene and Julie Sherizen, Ed and Gloria Meer and Jim and Marge Hiller. 1 1

Rabbi Eliezer Cohen presents the Alumna
Award to his former student, Dr. Donna Zwas.

Third grader Nati Faber expresses thanks Akiva musicians (clockwise from top) Lainie Levi, Anat Nachshoni, Moriya
Buznach and Ayala Urim
to Pastor Plummer for his support of

Israel.

16

March 29 2007

Applauding the choir are Akiva Educational Director Rabbi Dr. Yigal Tsaidi,
Pastor Glenn R. Plummer, Akiva President Mark Nadel and Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit Vice President Linda Giles.