Editor's Letter
A Fund That Echoes
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t was born with proceeds from the sale of Sinai Hospital
Senior Thrust
to the Detroit Medical Center in 1997. Today, the Jewish
Having Robert Naftaly chair the Fund as well as the
Fund reverberates with the heart and soul of Jewish
Federation task force looking at serving the needs of our
Detroit. It continues the Sinai tradition of assuring excellent
seniors gives the Fund and Federation a pivotal liaison; 41
and compassionate health care and support services not only
percent of Detroit Jewry is age 55 or older. The ideal result
for vulnerable Jews, but also the general community. Further,
would be a more effective model for meeting the needs of our
the Fund has strengthened the all-
vulnerable groups, especially older adults.
important ties between the Jewish
Notably, the Fund has awarded $11.5 million to subsi-
community and the city of Detroit. We
dize critical services coordinated through Federation's
Jews cannot isolate ourselves from the Commission on Jewish Eldercare Services for 2,000 low-
central city — the region's urban core. income seniors each year. The Fund has ticketed $2.4 million
The Jewish Fund will maintain the
in support of 20 other collaborative, experimental efforts to
memory of the historic milestones
help elevate aging in place.
that collectively led to Sinai's ground-
Too often, our elderly are shunned instead of revered. Their
breaking in 1951 — including the
hard work and devotion have given many of us the golden
Orthodox rabbis' "Brick by Brick"
opportunities that we enjoy. I applaud the Fund board for
march along Hastings Street in Detroit seeking to help prevent frailty or at least prolong good health.
in 1912.
Says Naftaly, ever perceptive: "Our goal is to become a mar-
Sinai sprang from the discrimina-
ket leader in services that even the most discerning person
tion facing Jewish doctors who sought hospital privileges in
would want to purchase. This may help finance subsidies for
the early years of the 20th century. Till it closed in 1997, long
those who cannot afford services, but in any event will assure
past its heyday, Sinai was a symbol of the Jewish community's
that we are offering top-notch care, which everyone deserves,
enterprising spirit and resolve.
whether they can afford it or not."
The Jewish Fund, thanks to its array of partner agencies,
became that symbol when DMC bought Sinai for $65 mil-
Moving Forward
lion. But unlike through the treatment and care provided by
Wise investing and spending have allowed the Jewish Fund to
Sinai Hospital for 46 years, the Jewish Fund will represent the
give away an amount equal to almost half the original corpus
Jewish community's commit-
and still secure the original
ment to tzedakah in a less tan-
endowment. The burden falls
gible way: through grant dollars.
to the Jewish Fund board to
The Sinai sale 10 years ago
be vigilant and responsive to
seeded the endowment for the
community desires as it awards
independently run grant-mak-
grants twice a year. Applicant
ing fund, a wellspring for local
scrutiny can't lag; fund dollars
health and social welfare needs
are precious.
of Jews and non-Jews alike. The
Meanwhile, the Fund's rela-
Fund was created via a collabo-
tionship with DMC must stay
ration: the Jewish Federation of
vital given the money at stake.
Metropolitan Detroit, the boards
The Fund holds $8.7 million in
of Sinai Hospital and the Sinai
restricted funds raised by the
Health Care Foundation, and
Sinai Health Care Foundation
Betsy Kellman, Anti-Defam ation League/Michigan
other local leaders.
and the Jewish community
Region executive director i n Bloomfield Township;
to benefit Sinai Hospital. The
Ben Falik and Michael Gold berg, Summer in the City/
Jewish Framework
Fund has paid $9.5 million
Detroit co-founders; Sharo n Luckerman, Wayne State
Typically, the sale of most Jewish University/Detroit develop ment officer
to DMC/Sinai, including $1.6
hospitals during the health
million to re-engage a heart
care upheaval of the 1990s resulted in new foundations that
program at Sinai-Grace Hospital, $1 million to build the Sinai
weren't affiliated with the organized Jewish community.
Center for Women at Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital and $6.9
Detroit Jewry had the foresight to create the Jewish Fund, a
million to buy equipment for almost every department at the
lasting asset that will serve Metro Detroit in perpetuity.
two hospitals.
In its first 10 years, the Fund has awarded $35 million in
The Jewish Fund board should consider the 10th anniver-
grants to 80 nonprofits helping thousands of people across
sary as a springboard to more prominent recognition of the
our region. I visited Sinai many times over the years at its
people who made Sinai Hospital so meaningful — namely,
West Outer Drive location in northwest Detroit. Given the rap
the founding and long-serving doctors. Many felt overlooked
that Jews got for leaving Detroit in droves after the 1967 riots,
in the euphoria of Sinai's sale. After 10 years of showing the
I found Sinai's diverse patient base and staff uplifting.
good that has bubbled up from that momentous sale, a rec-
The Jewish Fund is a catalyst for innovation because its
onciliation of sorts with the good doctors would be the right
nonprofit partners, who turn grants into life-altering services, gesture.
are encouraged to test new approaches to entrenched prob-
Over the long haul, the Jewish Fund has the potential to
lems. I like such spark. Consider Summer in the City; young
endure as a source of pride and purpose for the Detroit Jewish
volunteers from the city and suburbs work together in Detroit
community. It's our obligation, indeed God's calling, to assure
to improve neighborhoods and institutions.
that potential is fully realized.
Become a
JARC judaic
Volunteer
• Enjoy Shabbat Dinner or
Shabbat Afternoon at a
ARC Home
• Share Your Yiddish
Memories, Slides of Israel
or Jewish Music Talent
• Welcome ARC Friends at
Your Synagogue or
Temple
ANOTHER SHABBAT SHARING IDEA?
LET US KNOW!
Call Karen Rosenstein
248.538.6610 x353
Email karenrosenstein@jarc.org
jam:
Helping people with disabilities be
fully included in their community —
all through their lives.
30301 Northwestern • Suite 100
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
www.jarc.org
1226760
August 2 2007
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