AROUND TOWN
Helping Hands
Yad Ezra renames its warehouse to honor Diane and Emery Klein.
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Yad Ezra honorees
Emery and Diane Klein of
Southfield pose with their
daughter and her husband,
Barbara and Dr. Ira Zaltz
of Huntington Woods, and
the couple's 6-year-old
children, Zoe and Isabel.
F
rom the giving hands of volunteers to the grateful hands of clients, thousands of food
packages are distributed each month inside Yad Ezra's Berkley warehouse. Behind
the scenes, Diane and Emery Klein of Southfield have also had a hand in keeping
Michigan's only kosher food pantry going strong, especially in these tough economic times.
Over the past 14 years, the Kleins have helped raise more than $1
million so local Jewish families in need don't go hungry.
"Diane and Emery understand and appreciate our collective
responsibility to ensure that all of our Jewish neighbors have
enough food to eat, and they work hard to make it so," said Yad
Ezra's president, Ken Bernard of Farmington Hills.
With that in mind, the food pantry dedicated its warehouse
Jun. 29, renaming the space the Diane and Emery Klein Food
Distribution Center in the couple's honor. More than 100 people
attended the ceremony and reception.
"Emery and I are so grateful to Yad Ezra for this honor. We will
cherish this forever;' said Diane Klein.
More than 1600 families pass through the food distribution center each month, 5
percent of the Detroit Jewish community. Many new clients have recently lost jobs and
medical insurance. Others are caregivers for children or siblings with special needs.
"Yad Ezra is truly a holy place; for it adheres to the simple words written in Leviticus,
If your brother becomes poor, uphold him," said Diane. "For those of you who have
never been here, take the time to look around and imagine what its like on an ordinary
day — clients, staff, volunteers, deliveries, all carried out with grace and sensitivity."
The Kleins, who have been married for 41 years, have volunteered and served on the
boards of numerous Jewish organizations. Emery is a Holocaust survivor, a fact he says
plays a big role in his desire to give back.
"I am very thankful for surviving and being fortunate to live relatively well. I feel I
owe it to the community, especially people who need help;' he said. "We live in the finest
Jewish community in the country. We sup-
port Israel and Jews all over the world. So
To donate to, make a referral to or
how can we allow Jewish people in our own volunteer at Yad Ezra: (248) 548-
community to go hungry? fl
3663 or www.yadezra.org .
(
Yad Ezra President Ken Bernard of
Tom Klein of Bloomfield Hills enjoys the
Beverly Apel of West Bloomfield and
Donna and Michael Maddin of West
Farmington Hills confers with U.S. Rep.
event with Phyllis and Harvey Yates of
Annette Meskin of Sylvan Lake
Bloomfield
Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak.
Birmingham.
• July 9 • 2009
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