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?