AROUND TOWN
A 'Reel' Production
ORT's annual Rub-A-Dub fundraiser takes on a Hollywood theme.
Bluma Schechter of Bloomfield Hills, Gene Curtis of West Bloomfield and Doreen
Hermelin of Bingham Farms
T
Anna Sack of West Bloomfield and Seth Rogers of Franklin
he movie biz is generating such a buzz across our state, ORT America Michigan
region decided to turn its annual Rub-A-Dub fundraiser into a real produc-
tion. The Aug. 20 happening at Franklin Hills Country Club in Farmington Hills
dubbed "ORT Studios" had a Hollywood theme. More than 300 people attended the event,
called "Rub-A-Dub" because it began nearly three decades ago with ORT supporters rub-
bing off instant lottery tickets. The evening included hors d'oeuvres, drinks, dinner and
a live and silent auction. "Just as movie studios are opening up
in Michigan bringing hope and jobs to our community, ORT is
doing the same around the world," said Sharon Eisenshtadt
of Bloomfield Hills. She served as an advisory chair. Robert
Colburn and Martin Katz, both of Bloomfield Hills, were event
co-chairs. Brian Hermelin of Bingham Farms stepped into the
spotlight once again taking on the role of auctioneer.
Some of this year's big prizes included a Cartier watch
donated by Tapper's Diamonds & Fine Jewelry in West
Bloomfield and a three-month summer lease of a Jaguar XK
convertible, compliments of Elder Automotive Group and
Jaguar of Lakeside, Novi and Troy. At one point, ORT America
national president Doreen Hermelin of Bingham Farms
unknowing began bidding against her daughter, Marcie Orley of Franklin, eliciting
laughs from the crowd.
ORT has schools in 63 countries and provides education and training for more
than 300,000 students each year. All of the money raised at the event supports those
students. The David B. Hermelin ORT Resource Center in West Bloomfield has been a
busy place in the midst of Michigan's struggling economy.
"We're providing hope and skills to many blue and white collar workers who've lost
their jobs:' said Eisenshtadt. "They turn to the ORT center to retrain and retool skills
for 21st century jobs. These people are your neighbors, even people you might now.
ORT educates individuals, impacts communities, and improves the world."
Spotted in the Rub-A-Dub crowd were: Jodi and Justin Trivax, and Karen and
Jon Borenstein, all of Birmingham; Hilary and Stuart Borman, Bluma and Robert
Schecter, and Michelle and Mitchell Bleznak, all of Bloomfield Hills; Wendy and
Henry Abrams, and Carol and Larry Miller, all of West Bloomfield; and Robert and
Merideth Colburn, and Amy and Craig Singer, all of Bloomfield Hills. E
Deenie Urben of West Bloomfield and
Michael Zonder of Farmington Hills
David Jacob of Franklin with Sue and
Burton Brodsky of Bloomfield Township
Rhonda Katzman of Bingham Farms and
Harriet Sherr of Southfield
To learn more about local ORT programs and events, go to www.ortmichigan.org
or call (248) 723-8860
Rhonda and Gary Ran of Bloomfield Hills
September 3 • 2009
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