Publisher's Letter WOMEN'S EUROPEAN & AMERICAN Reinvigorate Jewish Detroit! w e see empty houses and zoning violation notices glued to front doors in our neighborhoods. We see friends who, after a lifetime of giving to char- itable causes, are now in need of some charity themselves. We see an army of independent contractors and business consultants — in those roles by necessity, not choice. We see adult children moving to other cities for economic opportunity. We sift through the findings of last year's Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit demographic study and see an aging, shrinking community. Is it any wonder we see the glass as half empty? Or, that we add our voices to the chorus of negativity about our future as a Detroit Jewish community? The economic and demographic trends in Southeast Michigan are alarming and envelop the Jewish community. But it's time to stop surrendering to the perceived inevitably of decline and decay. It's time to aggregate the attributes of our region and our community in ways that make us a magnet — yes, a magnet — for Jewish entrepre- neurs and their families from around the country ... includ- ing our kids who moved to Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Boston. And it's time to fast- track Jewish community revitalization to the top of Federation's strategic agenda. The Accelerators What are these attributes? • Attitude adjustment. Folks, let's start by changing the conversation from "CAN'T DO" to "CAN DO." It's counterproductive to hear parents, community leaders and rabbis tell their children and congregants that if they want a future, they should leave Detroit. If we don't believe in our future, who will? • Jewish communal infrastructure. The quality of Jewish life in the Detroit area is extraordinary and unique. We assume that every community is like Detroit. Wrong! The array of social, educational, religious, cultural and recreational opportunities are broad and of high quality, with a safety net of services for vulnerable populations. The Federation plan- ning and endowment umbrella helps keep the community pulling in the same direction. • Access to venture capital and venture capitalists. Within Detroit's Jewish community are some of the most cre- ative businesspeople, and job creators, in America. They are willing and able to support business ideas, provide mentoring and are testimonials that you can be successful right here in Southeast Michigan. • Quality of life. When we scrape off the "rust" from our belts, Michigan offers a beautiful place to live, play and raise a family. • Ann Arbor. Forty-five minutes from where most of us live is the University of Michigan, one of America's finest universities, and Ann Arbor, one of America's finest university towns. Make Ann Arbor part of Jewish Detroit's allure. • Affordable housing. The glass is half full on this one! By the way, have you seen what homes in Highland Park, Ill.; Livingston, N.J.; the San Fernando Valley in California; Bethesda, Md.; and Newton, Mass., cost these days? • Brainpower. The University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University form a powerful research triangle" that surrounds our community with inno- vation, creativity and laboratories of opportunity. In response to the demographic trends, Federation assem- bled a task force to study ways to attract Jews, especially those in their 20s and 30s, to the area. Its recommendations are likely to advocate coordinating community agencies, private resources and metro-area foundations to find and create jobs — and promoting the quality of Jewish life here. The recommendations must be funded aggressively. Many of the community's endowments provide dol- lars for Jewish agencies, programs and services in perpetuity. What good are perpetual funds if the Jewish com- munity diminishes dramatically on our watch? DESIGNER CLOTHING COLLECTIONS ACCESSORIES HANDBAGS SHOES (( Business Energy The Jewish News in your hands includes the debut of our monthly business section. It will highlight /gm the emerging generation of ...sr. business leaders and entre- preneurs, the ones who will help reshape and revitalize Detroit's / Jewish community. It includes a monthly profile of a per- son who has "come back" to Detroit and achieved business success. It is sponsored by ePrize, whose CEO Josh Linkner, came home, achieved success and created hundreds of jobs in the process. The section also includes a monthly Doer Profile. It is sponsored by Southfield-based Telemus, one of America's hot- test investment firms and led by young doers who are deeply committed to the Jewish community. Part of our community's uniqueness is the Jewish News. According to the Federation demographic study, Detroiters read their hometown Jewish News with more frequency than do the members of any other American Jewish community studied. We will use our "bully pulpit" to keep revitalization of Jewish Detroit at the top of the community's strategic agenda. I 1 0 : What else should Federation do to rally U) W us around an aggressive response? Z z 0 0 a. a- What community strengths should we play up as retention/attraction tools? THE SALE TENDER 271 WEST MAPLE DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM 248.258.0212 SUNDAY 12-5 MONDAY-SATURDAY 10-6 THURSDAY 9 1226750 July 12 • 2007 5