I Metro

An Un4gettable Raffle

For the first time, four local Jewish agencies sponsor a single raffle.

Mark A. Lit

Elizabeth Applebaum
Special to the Jewish News

I

n 1943, Eleanor Roosevelt picked up
a shovel and began digging a Victory
Garden, filled with lettuce, tomatoes
and carrots, on the south lawn of the
White House. The image of a First Lady
planting her own vegetable garden was
unlike anything Americans had ever seen.
But these days were anything but
ordinary.
Fifty-six years later, Jewish agencies are
facing challenges unlike anything they
have ever experienced and, like Eleanor
Roosevelt, have created something entirely
new. For the first time, four local Jewish
non-profits are working together on a sin-
gle fundraiser — the Super Raffle — to
benefit those with special needs.
"These are extremely difficult times for
all not-for-profits, and in unusual situ-
ations we tend to get more creative and

Rabbi Shemtov

sometimes make special things happen':
said Mark A. Lit, executive director of the
Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan
Detroit. "This new collaboration is a seed
that will flower into collaborative pro-
gramming for four of the finest Jewish
institutions in the city. The JCC is thrilled
to be working with JVS, JARC and the
Friendship Circle."
The raffle committee comprises rep-
resentatives from all four agencies and
includes four prize packages. Only 2,000
tickets, which cost $100 each or three for
$250, will be sold.
"It's been terrific engaging in this
endeavor — crafting this unique partner-
ship — with the execs and development
staffs of the four agencies that share our
passion for providing services for people
with developmental disabilities': said Rick
Loewenstein, CEO of JARC. "I believe
we've created a model that will live on for
years to come

Barbara Nurenberg

"We are raising critical funds to sup-
port services for children and adults with
developmental disabilities:' added Barbara
Nurenberg, CEO of JVS. "Our common
goal is enhancing their quality of life and
their community inclusion. We all focus
on different aspects, but whether it is
camping, employment, housing, social
activities or support services, we share
this common passion and goal. The Super
Raffle is a super way to raise funds and
community awareness."
The Super Raffle's four packages are
"Doin' the D," including dinners, museum
memberships, tickets and a luxury suite
at the MGM Grand; the "Super Vancouver
Trip," with airfare and seven-day accom-
modations for two; the "Super Sports and
Entertainment" package, with tickets to
games for the Tigers, the Red Wings, the
Lions, the University of Michigan, the
Fox Theatre and more; and the "Super
New York Trip:' with airfare and hotel

Rick Loewenstein

accommodations for two. The drawing
will take place in conjunction with the
Walk for Friendship at 2 p.m. Sunday,
Sept. 13, and will be held at the JCC in
West Bloomfield.
"This partnership was originated as
a creative way of overcoming the fund-
raising challenges we all face, but what
developed was an amazing partnership
that I think will endure and benefit the
community and all those who we serve,
way beyond this raffle said Rabbi Levi
Shemtov of the Friendship Circle.

❑

Elizabeth Applebaum is a marketing specialist

at the JCC.

Super Raffle tickets may be
purchased at all of the participating
agencies, at www.SuperRaffle.org or
by calling (248) 538-6610, ext. 418.

Akiva Funding

Day school eyes matching dollars to help bolster tuition support.

eshivat Akiva will hold a special

fundraiser called "Lead the Way"
at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 in Southfield.
The event will be hosted by Dr. Martin
and Sarah Kornblum, longtime friends
of the school and parents of four Akiva
students.
"Lead the Way" marks the culmina-
tion of a $100,000 fundraising drive
where an anonymous donor has gener-
ously pledged a dollar-for-dollar match.
Money raised will be allocated towards

12

August 13 * 2009

tuition scholarships — a cause that has
taken on even greater significance given
the difficult economic times that Metro
Detroit faces. Akiva, in particular, has
seen a 50 percent spike in scholarship
requests this past year; tuition assis-
tance has increased by 100 percent over
three years.
"It costs more than $10,000 a year, on
average, to educate an Akiva student,"
Akiva President Dr. Howard Korman
told the IN, "and the requests for tuition

assistance have increased exponentially
over the past few years.
"Sadly, people who used to be
donors are now applying for tuition
scholarships. We are grateful to our
anonymous donor for this generous
matching opportunity as well as to our
good friends, the Kornblums, who have
offered to open their home for this
event. We hope that the members of
Detroit's Jewish community will come
out in support of our school so that no

interested student will be deprived of
an Akiva Jewish education for lack of
funds."
Anyone interested in attending this
event or learning more about Akiva is
invited to contact the school's adminis-
trative office at (248) 386-1625. Those
who cannot attend are encouraged
to send donations to: Akiva Hebrew
Day School, 21100 W. 12 Mile Road,
Southfield, MI 48076, Attn: Jonathan
Goldstein. ❑

