!-1
Ishpeming's Temple Sholom
members plant trees in U.P.
Greg Peterson
Special to the Jewish News
Marquette
A
For Judy Gottlieb, life went along in a
normal fashion until a health scare
changed everything around her. Her
illness and treatment required her to
stop working, even as costs mounted.
Her family, dealing with the economic
downturn on their own, could offer
emotional support, but not an
outpouring of financial backing. Judy
came to Hebrew Free Loan looking for
assistance as she restructured her life.
"I sat there, nervous and wondering
how on earth I got there," Judy says,
"but the people at Hebrew Free
Loan made it so easy for me. They
gave me more than money, they
listened to me and made suggestions.
Those people cared about me. By
the time I left, I felt so much better
about myself."
Now feeling well and with a
positive attitude, Judy says, "I can
focus on other things. I have a lot
more living to do."
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May 21
2009
northern Michigan synagogue
was one of 100 churches and
temples whose members
planted 12,000 trees across the Upper
Peninsula during the first two weeks of
May.
Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of
Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming, said
a Jewish prayer to bless trees before vol-
unteers started planting, then translated
his Hebrew blessing into English and
explained some of the Jewish beliefs
about protecting the environment.
"We are grateful to God for bringing
trees from the Earth — when we eat we
bless the bread; when we drink wine we
bless the fruit," said Grossman, 56, of
Ishpeming.
"Trees are symbolic of life. Trees are
very important in
Judaism as I am sure
Temple Beth Sholom members Cary Gottlieb plants trees
they are important to
with
Helen and Michael Grossman in Negaunee in the
all faith traditions."
Upper
Peninsula.
In all, volunteers
planted the 12,000
trees by homes, camps, parks, American Gottlieb and Judd Johnston.
Indian reservations and many other
Speaking at the NMU EK student
places with help from hundreds of
team Sacred Planet series, Grossman
children during the interfaith Upper
said Jews "believe we are guests of the
Peninsula EarthKeeper Tree Project.
Earth and that the Earth is sacred!'
White spruce and red pine seedlings
Citing the writings and beliefs of
measuring 12-16 inches tall were given to ancient Jewish mystics, Grossman said
churches and temples in all 15 U.P. coun-
tikkun olam (repair of the world) involves
ties and Minocqua, Wis. said Catholic
acts of environmental protection.
EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore of Marquette,
The tree project is reminiscent of Tu
the project distribution coordinator.
b'Shevat that celebrates the blossoming
Grossman planted the trees at several
of the almond trees in Israel at the start
locations in west Marquette County and of spring, said Dr. Constance Arnold,
in the city of Negaunee with help from
Temple Beth Sholom board president.
temple members and two employees
This is the fifth year that Temple Beth
from his office.
Sholom members have participated in
Temple members helping Grossman
an EarthKeepers Earth Day environ-
were his wife, Helen Grossman, Dr. Cary
ment project.
•
Holocaust Survivors
Annual benefit honors Garfinkel family.
T
he Program for Holocaust
Survivors and Families, a ser-
vice of West Bloomfield-based
Jewish Home & Aging Services, held
its sixth annual benefit on May 7 at the
United Artist Theatre in Commerce
Township. The feature film was Noodle,
an Israeli movie about reuniting family.
The event was sold out. A portion
of the proceeds benefit the Sara and
Nathan Slow Fund for Holocaust
Survivors. Each year, this annual benefit
is held in conjunction with the Lenore
Marwil JCC Jewish Film Festival.
The honorees this year were the
Garfinkel family, including Regina
Muskovitz, Sonia Notham, Helen
Greenspun and the late Nathan
Garfinkel and Bela Soloway Hurtig.
These five siblings were exploited for
several years as slave labor
under unspeakable living and
working conditions.
On immigrating to the
United States after the war,
the Garfinkels realized the
American dream many times
over. Nathan, Bela, Sonia and
Regina rebuilt their lives
in Detroit. Helen did so in
Cleveland.
The Garfinkels were hon-
Event co-chairs Molly Chernow, Bloomfield Hills,
ored for their courage and
and Nikki Raimi, Birmingham, with Sharon Silver
Teweles, program coordinator; and event commit- compassion. Despite the
cruelties they have suffered,
tee member Laura Gorosh, Birmingham.
Honoree Sonia Nothman, West
Bloomfield; Carol Rosenberg, execu-
tive director, Jewish Home & Aging
Services; honorees Regina Muskovitz,
West Bloomfield, and Helen
Greenspun, Longwood, Fla.
the Garfinkels have always sought the
goodness in others.
This year's benefit was co-chaired by
Molly and Aaron Chernow and Nikki
and Mike Raimi.
Dr. Charles Silow is director of the
Program for Holocaust Survivors and
Families; and Sharon Silver Teweles is
the program coordinator. E