Letters Thanks Patti, JWF We are so grateful for your excellent cover story on the Hermelin ORT Resource Center's "Better Job Opportunities" program ("Second Chances:' Feb. 14, page A16). However, there is an individual and an organization that also deserve great credit for our programs and accomplishments. Patti Aaron's vision for our center moti- vated her to convince her parents, D. Dan and the late Betty Kahn, and the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit Board of Directors, to create a space in the expanded JCC for Hermelin ORT. Patti is the chair of our advisory committee and has been our biggest booster and PR agent. Her enthusiasm and eloquence have been invaluable to us. Our gratitude to the Jewish Women's Foundation is unbounded. They were early believers and gave us our first grant for the back-to-work program. Their continuing support is invaluable. We are always interested in hearing from people who can teach computer skills who might expand our small staff of part-time instructors. Call us at (248) 432-5411. And of course, contributions to support these programs are very much appreciated. Shaindle Braunstein, director Sue Curtis, business manager David B. Hermelin ORT Resource Center West Bloomfield Making It Happen Your Editor's Letter "Detroit's Young Pacesetters" (Feb. 14, page A5) highlighted a few young adults making things happen in Detroit. We have so many more doing so much good here and all across the country. To just name a few: Jill Menuck, Michele Rosenblum, Dani Glickfield, Todd and Jennifer Kroll, Jeff Belen, Adam Orley, Jeremy Crane, Jennifer Glass, Josh Levine, David Gorosh, Lauren Gibbs, Shirley Cetner, Rachel Wright, Ariana Blumenfeld, Faya Gene, Tova Feinberg. Also, many more, along with Federation's Young Adult Division board, which consists of 41 men and women who plan, design and imple- ment our programming with the great assistance of a talented marketing depart- ment, passionate professionals and 3,600 young adults in our active database. All of the good things we are doing today are the result of our community leaders investing in YAD, and our previous presidents and YAD boards establishing the great programs described in your column. One person can make a difference. If that one person turns into 3,600 people actively participating in our programming, which we co-sponsor with almost all of the syna- gogues and agencies, then people will stop saying there is no one here in Detroit, there are no jobs here in Detroit and there is nothing to do here in Detroit. If we all come together, there is nothing we can't do; every day, we meet someone who has been here all along, but was just outside the radar. If all of the parents, aunts, uncles, bub- bies and zaydies want young adults to stay in Detroit, where there is great opportu- nity, have them call me (248-310-5666) or Jennifer Levine, our YAD director (248- 642-4260). We will introduce them to great programming and even greater people. There is always a Campaign component to most of YAD'S programs. We are a fund- raising organization and we do so much good in our community daily with these funds. But young adults ages 22-42 should not be intimidated by a Jewish conversa- tion. We only ask that you make a meaning- ful gift to Federation's Annual Campaign once a year; a meaningful gift is different for everyone. At the end of the day, we all control our own destiny. If we are to thrive, we can only do it together. Working together, Detroit will continue to be a great city. Brad "Bubba" Urdan YAD president Bloomfield Township Young Adult Sweep As another 20-something who moved home after five post-collegiate years away, I appreciate the IN's ongoing focus on our involvement within the Jewish com- munity (Editor's Letter, "Detroit's Young Pacesetters," Feb.14, page A5). I agree that Federation's Young Adult Division plays an important role in our community, but it is only one organization. For example, I am the youngest mem- ber of Jewish Family Service's Mentor Connection advisory board, where all of our experiences and ideas contribute to better the youth of Oakland County through men- toring. My age is not the defining factor of my dedication to our common passion. Expand your coverage to feature the Our JN Mission The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and con- tinuity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativ- ity and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competi- tive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, contented employees and profitable growth. A6 February 21 • 2008 Vitt % 4•4 4 40 4. 1.:11•14:4.1. IL 41. t. t •••11. 4. $1. • • • a • f ALAI, 11. X ah. • • Mentor Connection and other organizations to better reflect our collective involvement and impact on the Jewish community as a whole. are "hanging out" in our brides room for Brunch Bunch or baking challah in our Parent Tot class; our new youth and adult lounge is another nucleus for the gathering Amanda Warner of community. Birmingham Why do residents love the community within the Beth Shalom network? I think More On Addiction young families want the connection that It is always encouraging to read about past generations enjoyed. addiction and recovery in the pages of the I grew up in a community in Detroit and Jewish News ("Jewish Denial, Recovery:' Feb. Oak Park. We had sidewalks and neighbors 7, page A27). who watched out for each other. We walked As in the past, you did a great job bring- to the Dexter show and sipped chocolate ing to light the latest available services malts at the United Dairy counter. There in the community as well as helping to was a connection with neighbors and alleviate the shame and denial associated friends and synagogue. with addiction, especially in the Jewish I see in our Congregation Beth Shalom community. I believe that such articles have neighborhood there is also a connection. contributed to the fact that, in the last few People walk to the synagogue. They can years, recovering addicts have gained more walk to the 7 Eleven or to the drugstore. acceptance in our community and feel They watch out for each other. more comfortable sharing their stories of Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or non- struggle and success. observant, the Jewish people connect and One area that remains unexplored and become a community of Jews who care unexposed involves other types of addictive about each other. Young and older families behaviors, such as food, sex and gambling connect with each other and through their addiction. Many families in our community children. have lost so much to these diseases, includ- I am very proud of the article written by ing marriages, savings and, in extreme Special Writer Robin Schwartz as a member cases, human lives. of this community. At the Daniel B. Sobel Friendship House, Thank you for bringing our wonderful we help families and individuals who synagogue and the community to your struggle with all types of addiction, includ- readers' attention. We are vital and growing. ing those yet ignored by the community Susan Gartenberg at large. I hope to see more coverage on Congregation Beth Shalom those issues in a future edition of the Jewish director, Gan Shalom Parenting Center, News. Keep up the good work. Preschool and Camp Rabbi Yisrael Pinson, director Daniel B. Sobel Friendship House West Bloomfield Beth Shalom's Impact The cover story "Hot Suburbs" was infor- mative and positive regarding the influx of young Jewish families in the Huntington Woods, Ferndale and Royal Oak areas (Feb. 7, page A13). Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park is excited to welcome their new families and appreciates their support in our Gan Shalom Parenting Center, Preschool and Camp. Our bilingual program has brought attention from schools all over the U.S. We had 32 children dropping in on Sunday to play with Drora and spend an afternoon together. It is wonderful to see how the families Oak Park A Vibrant Area As the rabbi of Beth Shalom, the only Conservative synagogue in the Oak Park area, I want to thank you for the wonderful write-up you gave our area ("Hot Suburbs' Feb. 7, page A13). What is wonderful about the growth of our dynamic community is how so many of us have gotten involved in the greater community. The number of children we have at Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit, for example, continues to grow. The Oak Park/Huntington Woods/Birmingham/ Royal Oak area is one of Jewish vibrancy and one of which we can all be proud. Rabbi Dan Wolpe Congregation Beth Shalom Oak Park How to Send Letters We prefer letters relating to JN articles. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Letters of 225 words or less are considered first. 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