Southfield At 50

ON THE COVER

Still 'Hot' at 50!

Southfield among local communities attracting young Jewish families.

Robin Schwartz

Special

to the Jewish News

W

hen the Detroit Jewish News
published the cover story "Hot
Suburbs" (Feb. 7, 2008) about
young Jewish families settling in Berkley,
Ferndale, Royal Oak, Huntington Woods
and Pleasant Ridge, Erwin Posner, 72, was
quick to write in.
"Don't forget Southfield!" he declared.
"We are 'hot, enjoying a rejuvenation
in our community made all the more
attractive by the value pricing of some
of the best home properties in southeast
Michigan!'
Posner, who first moved to Southfield
in 1968 with his wife, Esther, a Holocaust
survivor, is clearly a big proponent of his
city. The couple raised three sons here;
Aryeh, 43, Chanan, 41, and Daniel, 38.
While 40 years have passed, some of the
simple things that contributed to the fam-
ily's quality of life over the years remain
the same.
"For young families starting out, there
is everything you need practically at
your doorstep:' Posner said. "When I see
traffic backing up just west of 1-696 as I
easily exit the Lahser ramp, I have been
known to say,`Convenience, thy name is
Southfield!'
Posner's letter prompted us to do some
digging and we quickly found other
enthusiastic Southfield supporters echoing
his sentiments. Many are young Jewish
families who passed over other local com-
munities to live in the city which is home
to the Tel-Twelve Mall, Congregations
Young Israel and Shaarey Zedek, Jewish
private schools like Yeshiva Beth Yehudah,
Yeshivat Akiva and Darchei Torah, and
more. A quick Google search using the
keywords 'synagogues Southfield, MI'
yields at least half a dozen names.

A New Generation
"We're happy here; it's a great place to
raise children:' says Monica Fischman, 27,
who grew up in Southfield and returned in
2006 to start her own family with her hus-
band Ari, 29, a native New Yorker. Their
daughter Erica is 2; the couple is expecting
a second child in June.
"We looked at many areas, but the hous-
ing stock in Southfield was better com-
pared to other areas;' Ari said. "You really
get the most 'bang for your buck!"

'P.
Howard and Michal Korman with their
children, Jacob, 15, Jonathan, 12,

Andrew, 10 and Joseph, 5

Ari and Monica Fischman and their daughter Erica, 2

Monica attended Stern College, the
women's college of Yeshiva University in
New York. She works for Comerica Bank.
Ari is founder and CEO of the company
Simplified Benefits in Southfield; he sells
individual and group health insurance.
The Fischmans are Orthodox and say the
biggest draw for them and many of their
friends was the vibrant, active Jewish
community.
"Everyone's really involved; the com-
munity is very welcoming;' said Monica.
"We're within walking distance of our
synagogue [Young Israel of Southfield],

we like the people and we also felt we were
wanted here!'
Having family members nearby is
another big plus. Monica's parents, Ella
and Jerry Modell, live in Southfield to this
day.
"The help you get with the grandkids
is amazing;' Monica added. "Seeing my
daughter with my parents — that alone
was worth making the move!'

Community Outreach
Efforts are underway to attract even more
young families to Southfield in the years

to come. Dr. Howard Korman, 45, who also
grew up in the city, is on the executive
board of Young Israel of Southfield and
chairs the synagogue's building and out-
reach committees. He and his wife, Michal,
are raising four boys; Jacob, 15, Jonathan,
12, Andrew, 10 and Joseph, 5.
"We're in the midst of a fundraising
drive to add an addition to the synagogue
with youth rooms, a playground, park,
library and improved kitchen and banquet
facilities," he said. "We also have an inno-
vative interest-free loan program funded
directly by Young Israel of Southfield
members. We provide assistance finding
housing and jobs for prospective families
using community resources — from find-
ing leads to helping with contract negotia-
tions!'
Korman, the Fischmans and others are
currently planning a Shabbaton for young
families; it will take place in mid-June.
"The Bluth family is moving from West
Hempstead, N.Y., with four children at the
end of June as a result of our program:'
Korman said proudly. "Another New York
family is on the way if we can succeed in
finding employment for them. We're also
currently working with a half dozen other
families from the Midwest to the east
coast!'
While the outreach efforts are clearly
making an impact, he says the community
also sells itself.
"It's a five-minute drive to the kosher
restaurants and the area is uniquely
centered near all of the expressways. The
neighborhood functions as one large
extended family; we're always there to
share simchahs and support each other
through crises:' Korman said. "No one is
ever alone." ❑

SN

April 24 • 2008

A17