Editor's Letter
28th Annual Fall Fundraiser
jarc
THE LION KING ilk
Aislinn's Inspiration
DETROIT
OPERA HOUSE
S
DECEMBER 2ND
2007
tion about her.
he can't speak but is very bright, deeply caring,
"We are honored to be a part of this process:' says Rabbi
funny and a good athlete. She's also a poet. And she's
Kasriel
Shemtov. He and his wife, Itty, make the Shul pulsate
studying to become a bat mitzvah. She uses a device
for
Jews
of all backgrounds. "We see firsthand how Jewish
called a lightwriter and a laptop computer to communicate.
education
is for all and we can always find a way to make it
Aislinn Wendrow, 14, has regressive autism, a neurologi-
work. This is our goal at the Shur
cal disorder that didn't manifest itself until she was about 18
After her Sunday-morning study sessions with Mann,
months old. Developing normally as
Aislinn
meets with her tutor, Melissa Lieberman of Novi,
an infant, she had a small vocabulary
who
uses
the Facilitated Communication method devised by
and used three phrases at the age of
Sandra
McClennen,
professor emeritus of special education at
18 months, then stopped progressing.
Eastern
Michigan
University.
Lieberman is a school teacher.
Eventually, she lost her speech.
Aislinn's
Holocaust
poetry
displays
perspicacity and com-
"Aislinn did not enjoy the normal
passion.
The
following
verse
comes
from
a 2006 poem she
elementary school experience," says
wrote
after
visiting
the
Holocaust
Memorial
Center on the
her father, Julian. "She was assumed
Zekelman
Family
Campus
in
Farmington
Hills:
to be cognitively impaired by educa-
tors despite our knowing different.
On the life of truth, freedom was pilloried.
When she moved on to middle school,
On the opportunities not allowed, souls pitched into the gar-
my wife, Tali, and I dug our heels in,
bage dumps.
insisting that she be afforded academ-
On the disdain of evil doers, hell reigned.
ic and general access to the school experience."
On the whim of the persecutors, many died.
Aislinn will enter Walled Lake Central High School this fall
On the bigotry of the ignorant, thousands were pushed into
after graduating middle school with honors. In middle school,
slavery.
she did the same coursework as her peers with some accom-
On the long road to oblivion,
modation for her condition.
too
many suffered.
This summer, this ener-
On
the fear of others, few
getic and determined teen is
resisted.
training with her high school
On the hope of survival, fail
cross-country team while learn-
lived.
ing with Rivky Mann at the
On the witness of the victims,
Shul-Chabad Lubavitch in West
mankind
must heed the lesson.
Bloomfield. As part of her bat
mitzvah celebration on Sept.
Very Much A Giver
1, Aislinn will share her dvar
Bassie Shemtov heads
Torah, read by her mother, on
Friendship Circle's LifeTown,
tikkun olam, repair of the world.
formally the Weinberg Life
Her brother, Ian, will observe his
Village, which gives the kids
bar mitzvah then.
and their friends the chance to
Aislinn Wendrow, center, wearing her benefit run medal,
"Aislinn has a thirst for
learn
and practice life activi-
works with tutor Melissa Lieberman, left, and bat mitz-
knowledge," says Mann, whose
ties
like
banking, scheduling
bond with her young charge
vah tutor, Rivky Mann, at the Shul.
appointments
with a dentist
continues to grow tighter. "She
or
physician,
navigating
traffic
signals,
and
buying
tickets for
absorbs like a sponge, is receptive and wants to hear more.
the
22-seat
movie
theater.
Friendship
Circle,
led
by
Bassie's
She remembers things very well."
husband, Rabbi Levi Shemtov, unites teenage volunteers
and kids with special needs for hours of fun, friendship and
Driven To Succeed
shared experiences. Hannah Cohen, 17, of West Bloomfield is
As we usher in Elul, a month of introspection and spiritual
Aislinn's 1-on-1 teen partner.
invigoration for the High Holidays, Aislinn's amazing story
"Aislinn is friendly to everyone,' says Bassie. "I would
really resonates. She exemplifies courage and commitment
imagine
that not having speech would be difficult and cause
against adversity. And she's inspiring. Last week, she was
frustration
when interacting with people, but Aislinn is always
camping up north with her cross-country team. On Sunday,
sweet
—
at
the ready with high-fives and hugs."
she was an age-group winner in a 10K run to benefit Angela
Beyond
that,
Aislinn runs with Friendship Circle volunteers,
Hospice in Livonia. She ran as part of the West Bloomfield-
but
often
is
the
motivator to push farther, thanks to her grit
based Friendship Circle/Achilles Club team.
and
determination.
She's a serious runner who wants to do a
Aislinn's body language yields a strong will to learn."She
can sometimes look dreamy, but I am always surprised by her marathon.
Aislinn Wendrow clearly sets high goals.
answers — she's taking it all in," Mann says.
Bassie Shemtov, one of Jewish Detroit's most engaging lead-
Despite special needs, Aislinn shuns special attention. At
ers,
beautifully captured why this West Bloomfield teenager
her first bat mitzvah lesson with Mann, she laid the ground-
who
can't speak has given to others so much in the way of
work for how she wanted to learn. She typed: "Mom, go away
life's
lessons: "With her parents' belief in her and constant
— this is our private time together preparing for my bat
support
and effort, Aislinn has really shown us what you can
mitzvah."
accomplish
when you set your mind and heart to it." El
The depth of Aislinn's drive percolates from any conversa-
-
1 PM MATINEE
Check October's mail
for your event invitation
don't miss
this astounding
theatrical event!
For individual or
corporate sponsorship
information,
contact Eric Adelman,
24438,6610 x 343
ericadelman@jarc.org.
Season Ticket Holders:
For information on
exchanging season tickets,
contact Judy Burnett
248438.6610 x304
judybumett@jare.org
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
jarc,
1226770
August 16 • 2007
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