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Activist Award
Do you know someone who has made a real difference in our com-
munity? The Jewish Community Relations Council of Metropolitan
Detroit invites you to nominate them to be the 2009 Activist of the
Year.
Council's Activist of the Year Award is given annually to a volunteer
who is passionate about the Detroit Jewish community and works to
secure the Jewish future by championing Israel's cause, reaching out
to our diverse neighbors or advocating on behalf of Jewish interests
with our government partners. Nominees do not need to have a past
or current affiliation with the Jewish Community Relations Council.
(Council past presidents, current officers and congregational clergy
are not eligible to receive the award.)
To nominate a candidate for the Jewish Community Relations
Council's 2009 Activist of the Year, visit the Council Web site at
detroitjcrc.org or contact the Council office at (248) 642-5393, ext. 9.
Nominations must be received by Friday, Nov. 21.
The Council Activist of the Year Award Committee is chaired by
Council board member Sharon Lipton. Created in 2001, past award
recipients include the late Nate Shapiro (2001), Elaine Driker (2002),
David Techner (2003), Dulcie Rosenfeld (2004), Dennis Bernard
(2005) the Hon. Hilda R. Gage (2006), Richard Bernstein (2007) and
Beverly Baker (2008).
- Keri Guten Cohen, story development editor
all, but 29 in the field of engineering) and Tel Aviv University (114).
Hebrew University ranked ahead of prestigious institutions like the
universities of Munich, Zurich, Georgetown, Vienna, Ohio, Sussex and
Basel.
In the humanities, the university's ranking was even higher, at 41,
while Tel Aviv's humanities department was ranked 80. In social sci-
ences, Hebrew University came in at 49, while Tel Aviv ranked 56.
As in previous years, British and American universities — Harvard,
Yale and Cambridge — led the list. The calculation is based on rank-
ings by experts, citations in scholarly journals and faculty surveys.
- Keri Guten Cohen, story development editor
A Scholarly Visit
For Rabbi Joseph H. Krakoff, the upcoming visit of a noted rabbi is
exciting on more than one count.
"Next Shabbat, we will welcome to Congregation
Shaarey Zedek my very first Talmud teacher and
friend Rabbi Danny Gordis," Krakoff said. "We are
so honored to have Rabbi Gordis as our scholar in
residence. He resides with his family in Israel and
only comes to the United States twice a year — and
congregations across the country literally fight over
him."
Rabbi Gordis
Gordis, senior vice president and senior fellow at
the Shalom Center in Jerusalem will speak at CSZ
in Southfield at approximately 7:45 p.m. Friday, Nov.
7, on "The State that Restored Hope." He will deliver the sermon on
Saturday, Nov. 8, during Shabbat morning services and will offer a
learning session following Shabbat lunch.
Gordis has published numerous articles on issues related to the
future of Jewish life in America as well as Jewish law and ethics in
such publications as Conservative Judaism, Judaism Quarterly, Proof
Texts, Tikkun, Modern Judaism, Moment Magazine, The Forward,
the New York Times Magazine and the Jewish Spectator, on which he
served as senior contributing editor for eight years.
His latest book, not yet out, is called Saving Israel: How the Jewish
People Can Win A War That May Never End. Gordis' appearance is
sponsored by the Morris and Beverly Baker Foundation in memory
of Morris D. Baker. A magician will entertain children during Gordis'
Friday evening talk and babysitting will be available on Saturday.
There is no charge for Shabbat lunch, but reservations are required.
For information, contact Tobye Bello at (248) 357-5544 or
tbello@shaareyzedek.org .
- Shell! Liebman Dorfman, senior writer
Hebrew University/Mt. Scopus
Lauding Hebrew U
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem was ranked 93rd in the world
this year by the Times Higher Education survey released recently,
reported Israel's Haaretz. This means the university has jumped 35
places since last year.
Other Israeli universities appearing among the 200 leading schools
include the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology (ranked 109 over-
A8
November 6 • 2008
Alyn Ride In Israel
Dr. Warren Tessler of West Bloomfield will pedal the hills, valleys
—and mountains — of Israel during his fourth Alyn Hospital Wheels
of Love ride Nov. 9-13. That's 50 miles a day for five days. Tessler is 71.
"I try to be in good shape,' he said. "The mountains for me are a
real challenge. But it's Israel. You're riding along, people honk at you
and yell, Kol hakavod.' People cheer you on — it's pretty terrific."
Tessler is riding for Team Alex in memory of Alex Graham of West
Bloomfield, who died at age 17 in 1999. This year, he's the only team
member participating in the Israel ride that benefits Alyn, a children's
disability hospital in Jerusalem where Tessler says the slogan is
"Where disabilities become abilities."
"When I'm getting tired, I think about the kids and what they have
to deal with on a daily basis:' Tessler said. "It gives me a boost."
He'll be riding with his son-in-law Stuart Zisholt of Scarsdale, N.Y.,
who is representing a team. "He's a real athlete Tessler said.
So far, Team Alex has raised more than $12,000. To contribute, go to
friends@alyn.us.org or alyn.us.org, and look for Tessler's name.
- Ken Guten Cohen, story development editor
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Celebrations!
Find weekly listings of births,
b'nai mitzvah, engagements,
weddings and anniversaries
as well as past simchahs all
online. They are all bundled
under each week's publica-
tion date.
Just visit JNonline.us and
click on Lifecycles on the
left.
Online Poll
This week's poll question:
Are you satisfied with the
results of this week's
presidential election?
Visit the JNonline.us
homepage, below the left
menu, to cast your vote.
Last week's question:
Will the scourge of racism
play a role in this year's
presidential election?
Last week's poll results:
Yes: 74%
No: 26%
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