Editor's Letter
Power of Promise from page A5
our schools the best they can be.
Unfortunately, many Detroit residents
believe education is the sole responsi-
bility of schools, not parents. We have
a moral responsibility to try to con-
vince them otherwise'
We sure do. Public education was
a hallmark of the Jewish immigrant
experience in America and a spring-
board to professional and business
success for our parents, grandparents
and great-grandparents. Even as we
enhance the quality and reach of our
day, synagogue and supplemental
schools, the Jewish community must
remain a force to be reckoned with
when it comes to public school sup-
port.
A vibrant urban core will offer the
added bonus of attracting young pro-
fessionals, who often prefer an urban
environment. An appealing Detroit,
with an upgraded school system and
free college tuition, is bound to make
more young families city dwellers with
the ability to influence friends.
Layers Of Giving
At the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel,
thousands of the world's top scientists are working full time
to solve humanity's greatest challenges, and share our
research with the world. Your continued support means
we can bring the hope of a happier, healthier New Year to
people everywhere.
Ushanah tovah.
Warmest wishes for a year of peace,
health, happiness and discovery.
AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR THE
WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
37- th 1n.r1 ton
Science for the Benefit of Humanity
0 :
i — •
in Ld
I— Ca
Z Z
00
a. 0 -
248.258.9890 • WWW.WEIZMANN-USA.ORG
6735 TELEGRAPH ROAD, SUITE 365, BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48301
1424850
A6
September 25 • 2008
iN
The Detroit College Promise is seek-
ing pledges along two tiers: 1,000
or more pledges of $20 or more to
generate grassroots backing as well as
larger pledges from the business and
nonprofit community to seed initial
funding and a $50 million perpetual
endowment. For example, a $5,000 gift
will fund, on average, one scholarship
to a community college.
All money raised will go toward
tuition and mandatory fees and be
sent directly to colleges. Pernick
initially will cover all administrative
costs. The scholarship benefit grows
the longer students attend Detroit
Public Schools, ranging from 65 per-
cent of tuition and mandatory fees
after four years of enrollment to 100
percent after 13 years.
To begin the program in a pilot
high school and have a portfolio of
100 scholarships to award, $500,000
is needed; so far, $42,000 has been
raised, including a $25,000 donation
from Pernick. Tax-exempt status is
pending; Internal Revenue Service
approval should increase the flow of
support.
A $2 million annual budget ulti-
mately will be needed to fund 400
students at a time —100 new students
a year who will be recipients for four
years. As more students move from
community colleges or go straight
into more expensive colleges, Promise
fundraising and partnerships will
feel the effects; but the Kalamazoo
Promise shows that philanthropic
enthusiasm builds.
The Fisher influence
I love Nat Pernick's recollection of why
he undertook such an ambitious pro-
gram. Not surprisingly, his inspiration
in part was Franklin philanthropist
Max Fisher, the patriarch of Detroit
Jewry who died in 2005.
"Several years ago:' Pernick said, "I
attended the dedication of the Max
M. Fisher Music Center at Orchestra
Hall in Detroit. Mr. Fisher's son-in-
law, Peter Cummings, told the story
of how this great center came to be.
Apparently, Mr. Cummings had a
very modest proposal for the site and
presented it to his father-in-law. In
response, Max Fisher paused, looked
at Peter and responded,`You're not
thinking big enough.' Similarly, if we
want to have a great impact on the city
of Detroit, we have to think big."
The city and school district have
declined together yet could revive
together — but that's strictly theory
right now In theory, though, the
Promise has powerful sea legs to nego-
tiate the swamps of despair in search
of better times in Detroit.
Many suburbanites talk up improv-
ing our central city. Nat Pernick is
among the few actually stepping up
and trying something radical, but very
tangible, in pursuit of that goal.
This Rosh Hashanah, in the spirit
of significant new pursuits, I pray that
Pernick's vision for bettering Detroit
by giving the ultimate gift — one of
knowledge — finds the impetus it
needs in the Jewish community.
Eshanah tovah tikateivu. May you
and yours be inscribed in the book of
life this new year.
Shabbat shalom as well! ❑
For more information, log on to:
www.DetroitCollegePromise.org .
Does the Detroit College Promise hold real long-term
promise?
Should the Jewish community bolster its Detroit
commitment?