Publisher's Notebook • • • • • • • • • •••• • • • • rare • • PRESENTS : YOUNG ADULT COMMITTEE • - AN EXCLUSIVE SCREENING OF • In Search Of Leadership I t starts with leadership, people willing to: ing grandparents would have gagged hearing them speak that • Step out of their respective comfort zones to imagine way!). While there are opportunities to diversify the economy, a Michigan with tremendous possibilities, not just bur- especially in the areas of health care, water and renewable densome liabilities; energy, they cited one common thread compounding prob- • See Detroit as the economic, educational and cultural lems and limiting solutions — a lack of leadership. hub of Southeast Michigan, not just a magnet for cronyism, We need more Max Fisher and Roger Penske types, they despair and separation; said. We need our news media outlets to hold our leaders • Engage in the political process at — elected and business — more accountable and we need to all levels and in all ways to stimulate mobilize the collective voice of the people so it is louder and change, not just to shrug and accept clearer than ever. And, they added, we need the business com- local, regional and state shortcomings munity to speak up about what's going on in Detroit. as inevitable and irreversible; Phil Power, the visionary who founded the Center For • Speak and act directly with hon- Michigan and attended the Jewish News "community conver- esty and integrity, not just with avoid- sation:' was impressed by the group's collective intelligence, ance, self-interest and ignorance. passion and ideas — one of the best of the dozens of conver- With some exceptions, there has sations he has attended. been, and continues to be, an absence The individuals comprising the group are a sampling of the of leadership in our public and pri- Jewish community's best and brightest leaders. They, and oth- vate sectors. This has contributed to a ers, must step forward and assume more positions of influ- downward economic spiral that has us ence throughout the region and state. In conversations I have moving our assets elsewhere as our children and grandchil- with people from other communities, they want and need the dren relocate to other cities and states to start their families Jewish community to assume leadership roles. and careers. Are you ready to step up to It is essential as a Jewish the plate? There are many people in the Jewish community very worried If so, here are some ways to about self-preservation that get started: community who are knowledgeable we continue to focus on our • The Jewish Community own people's needs, here in about the state's and region's problems Relations Council of the Detroit area, in Israel and Metropolitan Detroit is iden- around the world. However, and willing to help fix them. tifying boards and commis- not to help lead the transfor- sions that strategically address mation of the region and state issues of concern to both the in which we live is myopic and assures our own numbers, and Jewish and greater communities. If you are interested in serv- vitality, will continue to diminish. ing on a municipal, county or state board or commission For decades, Detroit has been a breeding ground for Jewish or civic organization where representation from our corn- communal leadership. The list of Detroiters who led, or cur- munity would be appropriate, please contact Robert I. Brown rently lead, local, national and international Jewish organiza- at rbrown@harvarddruggroup.com or Mikki Grossman at tions and agencies is disproportionate to our numbers. And grandmic@yahoo.com; while there have been, and continue to be, notable individual • The Michigan Jewish Conference supports many legisla- exceptions, the Jewish community has not provided dispro- tive positions in Lansing that benefit the Jewish and general portionate governmental and non-governmental leadership to communities, including health, welfare, education, energy and a region and state in dire need of it. transportation. There are opportunities to participate at hear- If a recent "community conversation" at the offices of the ings, lobby legislators, serve on task forces, etc. Contact Susan Jewish News is a barometer, then there are many people in the Herman at mjc5@prodigy.net ; Jewish community who are knowledgeable about the state's • The recently organized Michigan-Israel Business Bridge and region's problems and willing to help fix them. is introducing Michigan businesses to Israel and Israeli busi- Through the Ann Arbor-based Center For Michigan, more nesses to Michigan. Its focus is opening markets in Israel for than 1,500 residents have participated in more than 180 Michigan businesses and enticing Israeli businesses to invest "community conversations" statewide to develop a grass roots in job-creating ventures in Michigan. Contact Ron Perry at defining-moment agenda for changing and reforming the rperry@michiganisrael.com . ways in which Michigan conducts the public's business. The • The Center For Michigan is interested in hosting a second Jewish News "community conversation" participants, the only "community conversation" this fall with another representa- one comprised of members of the Detroit Jewish community, tive group of the Jewish community at the Jewish News. If you were Michael Egren, Jeffrey Schlussel, Karen Alpiner, Richard are interested in being considered, please e-mail me at Simtob, Mindy Soble, Maurice Pagoda, Dr. Robert Goodman, ahorwitz@thejewishnews.com. Robert Heinrich, Jeffrey Garden, Lea Luger, Mark Milgrom, Alan Kaplan, Eugene Sherizen and Michael Layne. 0 : Is As a group, the participants were upset by a new business • the Jewish community too provincial in IX its leadership outreach? tax that was driving investment away, rather than to, the state. They also lamented the overall business climate in the Z What more can the Jewish community do state and laid a chunk of the responsibility at the feet of the P to help the central city? i a labor unions (some of their Franklin Delano Roosevelt-lov- ❑ • • • • : HENRy • • , • • . pool. • • • • . , • • • • • • • • • • • •Is HERE• • • • • frARING • • • . LUKE WILSON • • • • • • •. •I •• • • • • • • THIS SUNDAY AUGUST 3 1:30 PM : BIRMINGHAM 8 THEATER • • • 111 SOUTH OLD WOODWARD AVENUE • t MERRILL • • • • • • • • • • $18 PER TICKET Includes Q&A with film producer • • and Detroit native Gary Gilbert • following the screening • • LIMITED SEATING. EVERYONE WELCOME 40 . • • • • • • PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE www.jarc.org OR AT THE DOOR -* • July 31 • 3008 A5 • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • •