JEWISH
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DETROIT JEWISH NE iS
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JDC Elects Dr. Smokier
Former Ann Arborite Dr. Irving Smokier
of Boca Raton, Fla., has been elected
15th president of American Jewish Joint
Distribution Committee, the 94-year-old
overseas humanitarian aid organization.
An active JDC board member since
1991, Smokier has held several roles at
JDC, including treasurer, chair of the
Dr. Smokier
budget and finance committee and the
Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute, and a
member of JDC's Executive Committee.
Smokier is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University and the
University of Michigan, where he earned his Ph.D.s in philosophy
and clinical psychology He worked at the U-M medical school as
dean of students from 1979-1985, at the dental school from 1982-
1988 and at the department of psychiatry from 1982-2000. He
also maintained a private psychotherapy practice.
Currently a real estate investor and philanthropist, Smokier is
the founder and president of the Nephcure Foundation, which
supports research and advocacy for glomerular (kidney) disease.
JDC works in 70 countries on behalf of North America's Jewish
communities to rescue Jews in danger, provide relief, revitalize
overseas Jewish communities and help Israel overcome social
challenges. JDC also provides non-sectarian emergency relief and
long-term development assistance worldwide.
- Alan Hitsky, associate editor
Maccabi Time Again
There will be a meeting 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, for parents and
prospective athletes for the 2009 JCC Maccabi Games. Teens ages
13-16 (as of July 31, 2009) will get information on the host com-
munities, tryout times, coaches and other details.
The meeting will be at the Jewish Community Center in West
Bloomfield. The 2009 host communities are San Francisco (Aug.
2-7), San Antonio (Aug. 9-12) and Mid-Westchester, N.Y. (Aug.
16-21).
For information, contact Karen Gordon, (248) 432-5482 or
kgordon@jccdet.org , or go to the Detroit JCC Maccabi Web site,
maccabidetroit.org.
NCJW In Action
,LL*
Project Friendship volunteer Julie Zussman of Huntington
Woods works on Chanukah crafts with clients of Kadima, the
Southfield-based residential and support agency for adults
with mental illness. Project Friendship, a program of National
Council of Jewish Women-Greater Detroit Section, runs
programs for Kadima clients every month.
For more information or to volunteer, contact the NCJW-
GDS at (248) 355-3300.
Jewish Religiousness Protects Against Anxiety
A series of research studies has revealed that traditional religious
beliefs and practices are protective against anxiety and depression
among Jews.
Spearheaded by David H. Rosmarin and Kenneth Pargament in
the psychology department at Bowling Green State University in
Ohio, these studies are amongst the first to examine the impact of
the Jewish religion on psychological health.
"Most research in this area has been conducted with
Christians:' says Rosmarin, "but now we have evidence to suggest
that religiousness is correlated with lower levels of stress in the
Jewish community"
Rosmarin and Pargament's research indicates that frequency
of prayer, synagogue attendance, religious study and positive
beliefs about God are associated with decreased levels of anxiety
and higher levels of happiness, even after controlling for variables
such as age, gender and use of psychiatric medication.
According to Rosmarin, "In this day and age, there is a lot to
worry about, and the practice of religion may help people to
maintain equanimity and perspective." Results of the research are
viewable at Rosmarin's Web site: jpsych.com.
Currently, Rosmarin and Pargament and about 15 graduate
students are conducting a Web-based study to investigate whether
spirituality and religion can be used to help Jews suffering from
worry and stress.
"With the financial markets in crisis, and with security con-
cerns in Israel and throughout the world, we see a tremendous
need for spiritually integrated treatments to help Jews with
stress and worry:' Rosmarin says. This research is part of a
body of research on Web-based treatments that do not involve
an actual psychotherapist. According to Rosmarin, the therapy
system being tested seeks to empower clients by giving them
skills so they can reduce their own stress.
Jewish individuals currently suffering from anxiety can
receive free treatment by participating in the study, which is
being conducted online at jpsych.com .
- Keri Guten Cohen, story development editor
Israeli Biking Site
Cycling has become one of the most popular sports through-
out the world. Biking is a wonderful way to enjoy nature and to
explore the city and the countryside. As a traveler or tourist, bike
riding can provide a different perspective in viewing a new place,
combined with unique and exhilarating experiences. Joining a
bike group is also an interesting way to meet new friends with
common interests.
Israel lends itself to be of the best countries to explore by bike
because of its compact size and an abundance of both on-road
and off-road biking.
The Golan Heights in the north provides the best road biking
with panoramic views of the Sea of Galilee and open, sloping hills
that are traffic free, offering that special exhilarating feeling to all
level of bikers.
The Plains are abundant with cycling paths that are parallel to
the Mediterranean Sea. In the south, there are endless trails for all
mountain and downhill riders.
The Israeli site groopy.co.il offers dozens of planned trips free
of charge. Through this new site you will be able to find cyclists
around your area as well as in other countries around the world,
including Israel.
- Keri Guten Cohen, story development editor
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December 25. 2008