AROUND TOWN

State Of The Community

Faced with tough economic times, Federation appeals to young leaders.

Graduates of the Grosfeld Young Leadership Program raise their hands as Jewish Federation CEO
Robert Aronson asks to the audience for a commitment.

T

he headlines are everywhere — Detroit's automakers losing billions, unem-
ployment and foreclosures at record highs. In the midst of these daunting
economic conditions, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit is still
working to raise at least $40 million for its 2009 Annual Campaign to help families
in need. Federation president Nancy Grosfeld of Bloomfield Hills calls the challenge
"enormous" and "beyond anything we've experienced in the
past 30 years!' She and her husband, Jim, addressed a crowd of
about 80 young leaders Nov. 1 at Franklin Hills Country Club in
Farmington Hills to discuss the state of the community, along
with Federation CEO Robert Aronson.
"The combination of economic challenges, demographic
shifts, the changing hands of philanthropic leadership, and the
unmatched number of independent appeals both inside and out-
side the Jewish community are uncharted waters for us:' Nancy
Grosfeld told the crowd. "As a result of the current economic
climate, we've decided to continue our 2008 Annual Campaign
theme of (No Family Stands Alone:"
Those who took part in the event, which included cocktails
and dinner, were graduates of the Grosfeld Leadership Program,

Alan Chernow of Bloomfield Hills, Jorey Chernett of West
Bloomfield and Michael Raimi of Birmingham

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November 20 • 2008

Jennifer and Gregory Bloom of Birmingham

an invitation-only program the Grosfelds have sponsored for the last seven years. They
send groups of young adults on an annual trip to Israel, Poland and the former Soviet
Union to see first-hand how Federation dollars help people overseas. The program's goal
is to instill Jewish identity and a sense of responsibility.
"Our ability to identify and engage potential young leaders like you, in meaningful involve-
ment, is a key component in securing our community's future," Nancy Grosfeld said. "It's
crucial that we all pull together, just as this community has always done in the past, and do
whatever it takes to carry on the traditions set by the generations before us '
The young leaders were asked to give at least the same campaign gift to Federation as
they gave last year and help secure contributions from others. They also learned some
good news. This year's Fisher Mission to Israel for families who give $75,000 or more
and September's Fisher Meeting generated $24 million.
"As impressive as this achievement is, we have a long way to go and the needs in
our community are great:' Grosfeld said. "Our 19 local agencies are finding themselves
stretched between rising requests for help and losses in traditional funding. They've
received record-breaking numbers of requests for emergency financial assistance, loans,
employment assistance, help accessing medical care, mortgage assistance, and scholar-
ship support for our day schools, camps and day-care
Spotted in the crowd at the State of the Community event were: Scott Kaufman,
Lauren and Adam Cohen, Renee and Eric
Zacks, Rachel and Jason Zimmerman and
Jill and Lee Hurwitz, all of Huntington Woods;
Anessa and David Kramer, Molly and Aaron
Chernow, Lisa and Jason Klein, David Victor,
Susie and Marc Schecter and Diane and Bill
Goldstein, all of Bloomfield Hills; and Nikki and
Michael Raimi, Laura and David Gorosh, Jill
and Craig Menuck and Lisa and Mark Menuck,
all of Birmingham. fil]

Co-chairs Lee Hurwitz and Scott Kaufman, both of

Huntington Woods, flank Anessa Kramer of Bloomfield Hills.

For more information about the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit's pro-
grams or to make a donation, go to www.
jewishdetroit.org or call 888-902-HOPE.

