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30 November 12 • 2009
jiNI
Spiriti ality
GROWING COMMUNIT
Welcome Home from page 29
where we thought we would end up.
all disciplines, including representa-
"But in the end, Detroit had the
tives from schools, synagogues and
the neighborhood',' Bluth said. "It was a components we were looking for',' said
whirlwind; a remarkably powerful and
Novak, an agent for AFLAC Insurance.
hospitable experience.
"We looked for a city that had a K-
"I knew that even if the job was great, 12 Orthodox school, a substantially
we wouldn't have moved if we didn't
larger Jewish community, good options
for kosher shopping and, almost as
find the city a place our family could
flourish," he said. "In my mind, I prob-
important as the school, a nice shomer
ably anticipated a move somewhere in
Shabbos (Shabbat observant) commu-
my career, but did I think I would move
nity' he said. "What we've found, in the
to Michigan? Probably not.
year since we moved here,
is a wonderful community
I thought maybe someplace
coastal; maybe Florida."
that is full of warm, caring
people. I honestly can't think
Balancing the pros and cons,
he said, "OK, it's cold here but
of a way we could have been
real estate and cost of living
made to feel more welcome."
The family now are YIS
are between 15 and 20 per-
members and the children
cent cheaper:'
are students at Akiva. "The
The four Bluth children —
Rabbi Mo rris
Chavivah 14, Menuchah, 11,
support our family has
Eitan, 7, and Orit, 3 — are
received from the staff and
administration at Akiva has
students at Akiva. "Tuition is
been wonderful; they went
much lower than any school
out of their way to help our
we know of in New York': he
said. "The community here
children fit in and excel
there,' Novak said.
is fabulous, so welcoming
"Detroit is a good option
and warm and diverse with
for many people, and we
professionals and nonprofes-
sionals. We have great Jewish
need to be proud of living
Scott Ka ufman
in this great community,"
and non-Jewish neighbors."
Leaving their old community, friends Morris said. "It's not for someone who
and family in July 2008, he said was
wants 30 shuls, 100 kosher options and
"gut wrenching." But a year and a half
a bigger night life. But, for many, it's
just what they're looking for: a relaxed
later, there are new friends and the
atmosphere in which to raise their
children have adjusted well in their
new school. The family is active at YIS,
children."
"I was part of the committee to
where Chavivah helped assemble pack-
ets for the New York fair and Elissa — a choose a new principal at Akiva, and
nutritionist, dietician and lactation con- everyone involved said there is a future
sultant — is on the committee to bring
for the Jewish community."
And the group will continue to
more new families to the area.
spread that word. In fact, the newer
families now are taking over some of
Coming East
the reins, with several of them hosting
Some of Southfield's new families may
their own Shabbaton this past summer.
have chosen the community because it
"The Detroit Jewish community as
is smaller than where they came from.
a whole is amazing',' Novak said. "The
But Larry and Kim Novak chose it,
wealth of resources, the organizations,
in part, because it is larger. Living in
Larry's hometown of Omaha, Neb., they the people are outstanding. Even in
these times, the level of support and
looked to make a move to a commu-
opportunities are huge. JVS, JARC, Yad
nity with more than one bakery, more
Ezra, to name a few, are a powerful
than 5,000 Jews and more educational
statement about the kind of community
opportunities for their children.
Detroit is, and wants to be.
"The day school in Omaha only goes
"We are a family that could have
through sixth grade,' Larry Novak said.
moved anywhere, but chose Detroit,
"We wanted our kids, Rebecca, 10, and
and we love it here."
Sammy, 7, to be in a school where they
could have an Orthodox Jewish educa-
tion through high school."
For information on the Young
They investigated 20 communities in
Israel of Southfield community,
all before moving to Southfield — and
contact Monica Fischman at
not because they have family here,
monicafischman@gmail.com
Novak stressed. "Even though Kim (an
or Ari Fischman at
attorney in Juvenile Court in Detroit)
ari@simplifymybenefits.com .
was raised in West Bloomfield, it isn't