.Editor's Letter The needs are urgent. The time is now A Community from page A5 and Federation's Millennium Campaign is staying here in Metro Detroit. Federation will be pres- sured to direct even more dollars locally through the Campaign or other means. To this end, Federation is slashing its operat- ing budget 5 percent, a cut that will include positions, and taking a harder look at its allocation mix. "We're hopeful we won't have to cut back agencies," Aronson said. Optimistic Outlook Meanwhile, Federation must encourage agencies not only to find other funding options, but also help win over these potential sources. Remarkably, the Campaign is on target to match last year's yield of $34 million despite a drop of 2,300 individual donors over the past five years. The average Federation cam- paign gift in North America is down 15-25 percent; Cleveland's campaign is down about $5 million. Supplemental streams of Federation support dollars will con- tinue to be of paramount value. The Irving A. Rubin Jewish Community Trust for the Elderly and the Jewish Education Trust are good examples. How we get through these try- ing times will determine what kind of community Jewish Detroit will have for years to come. Our median age three years ago was 47. It's definitely higher now, given our steady loss of young professionals. So the pool of prospective givers is smaller. Still, Aronson remains ever the optimist: "We're hoping to bring in another 300, 400 or 500 new givers — that would be a very encouraging sign:' He added, "I think we have a Jewish community that really cares. I mean that. We're just going to have to work ourselves silly to be able to realize that potential this year:' We sure are. We can't settle for less. That would not be representa- tive of what Jewish Detroit is all about. Please answer our call. Economic conditions in our community are causing untold hardship for people who never thought they'd be in need of help. Three ways to give now: This year, our agencies are overburdened with requests for help. We can't let down the people who are counting on them, so we turn to you for help. 2.Online: jewishdetroit.org 1.Hotline: 888-GIVE-HOPE a. Mail: Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit P.O. Box 2030 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-2030 Between February 8 and February 11, Federation volunteers will be making calls to our community to help raise much needed funds to help those in need. We ask that you answer the call and make a gift that is meaningful to you. No matter how much you give, you will make a difference in someone's life. Super Sunday Volunteers Still Needed! Register at jewishdetroitorg/supersunday or 248-203-145N When you give, you give hope. CO U Ntoilotk FEBRUARY 9-11,2009 FEBRUARY 8,2009 Related cover package: page A 1 .1 If you, or someone you know needs assistance, contact the Jewish Assistance Project at (248) 592-2650 With your help, Federation supports: Akiva Hebrew Day School B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Hebrew Free Loan Hillel Day School of Metro Detroit Jean and Samuel Frankel Jewish Academy A6 February 5 • 2009 The Chrysler Foundation C HR Y SL ER Jeep Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit 888 GIVE HOPE jewishdetroit.org - coon Jewish Apartments & Services Jewish Community Center Jewish Community Relations Council Jewish Family Service Jewish Home & Aging Services JVS Tamarack Camps Yeshiva Beth Yehudah Yeshiva Gedolah Yeshivas Darchei Torah Israel Programs and Services - Hillel Eastern Michigan University Is Detroit Jewry pulling together, given the need? Foundations Michigan State University at: Oakland Community College Oakland University University of Michigan Wayne State University Do you require a Federation support service? 1443370