Special Report

THOUGHTS THAT ECHO

Giving Thanks from page 11

Making A New Home
"First and foremost, I am grateful for the
blessings of my husband, who has also
always been my best friend since high
school; for the blessings of my sons and our
wonderful daughters-in-love; our precious
grandchildren; and our many good friends
who have become our family in America.
"We are both also blessed with having
jobs that we love and enjoy and a workplace
that we are happy to go to every morning.
I am truly grateful to teach at Federation's
Alliance for Jewish Education, working with
the best people, in a warm, supportive work
environment.
I am most grateful for my students, com-
mitted to studying Hebrew and coming to
Hebrew classes year after year, creating a
Hebrew-speaking, Hebrew-loving commu-
nity. It has been a true blessing working for
the community for 35 years.
"Last, but certainly not least, I am thank-
ful for the amazing Jewish community
we live in. Thirty-five years ago, when we
moved from Israel, my husband was offered
jobs in three different places. We came
to Detroit because we heard what a great
community this is, and we never regretted
our choice. From the minute we arrived, we
were warmly welcomed. We never spent a
holiday alone and our American friends
have been with us through thick and thin. I
feel like saying a blessing every day for this
unbelievable community"
— Nira Lev, Farmington Hills

Home Away From Home
"Ummm. It smells like fresh baked challah
and matzah ball soup. Yes, you just have
entered the Lester and Jewell Morris Hillel
Jewish Student Center at Michigan State
University on a Friday night.
As you look around, you see friends
laughing, stuffing their faces with food
and potential friends you have never met.
You know everyone's at Hillel for common
reasons: to make a new friends, for a home
away from home, to learn about Judaism
and, of course, for a great free meal.
"I compiled a list of four reasons why
Hillel gives me great nachas [joy]. Four:
Sports leagues. Everyone makes the team.
Three: You're sick? Free matzah ball soup
delivery. Two: Library offers a great social
network to hang out with friends. One: The
meal plan, which includes free leftovers
after Shabbat dinner and Sunday brunch.
"I deeply appreciate everything Hillel has
done for me. Wherever my path may lead
after graduation, I know it will continue to
intersect with Hillel. As I get ready to grad-
uate, I am excited for this new chapter in
my life and I look forward to giving back to
Hillel, a place that has given me so much."
— Ryan K Landau, 21,
West Bloomfield

Pictured from left to right: Ori, Nira and Amos Lev; Ryan Landau; Lea Luger; David Wallace with his daughter Rhoda Wallace

Taking Care Of Our Kids
'At Yad Ezra, we receive many phone calls
and letters of thanks from clients helped
through us or by referrals to other agen-
cies. A letter was recently forwarded to us
from a grateful mother whose children
benefit from Yad Ezra's Lunch Assistance
Program, which provides free hot lunches
for day school students from low-income
families.
"She wrote: 'We would like to express
our deep gratitude for your incredible
generosity and thoughtfulness. Our family
has been burdened by financial struggles
this past year. One of the many things we
were going to do without this year was
hot lunch. I was completely surprised to
receive a phone call informing me that
funds were available for our boys to each
receive hot lunches. Hot lunches for each
of them seems like an 'embarrassment of
riches.
"As we continue to try to move forward
during these difficult times, our weekly
lunches will remind us of the good in
people and help us focus on the bless-
ings in our lives. We are forever grateful
for your kindness and generosity."'
— Lea Luger, development director,
Yad Ezra, Berkley

Reminiscing
"It is life's sweet memories for which I am
thankful. Family memories of my Uncle
Sam, a neighborhood favorite, not just for
his warmth and friendship, but because
he was known for having at least a case of
Double Bubble gum in his car at all times.
Growing up, my children called it 'Sammy
Gum and a visit wasn't complete without
their pockets full of the pink chewy stuff.
"Memories drawn from the time my chil-
dren were old enough, my dad and mother
would spirit them away in the pre-dawn
hours of Thanksgiving to get a front row
seat at Hudson's Thanksgiving Day Parade
[in Detroit]. Year after year, they would
return home full of hot chocolate and
snacks; clutching Tootsie Roll banks over-
flowing with those awesome treats.
"It is those memories of times gone by, of
Sunday afternoon visits and Thanksgiving
Day parades, from which I draw strength,
thankful year after year for the presence of
bubble gum and Tootsie
Rolls in my life."
— Bunni Lieberman,
West Bloomfield

Hand In Hand
"While I have so many
reasons to be grateful, I
am especially thankful
Better Each Day
for
my wonderful hus-
"I am very thankful that Hashem [God]
Bunni
band,
Steve. We have
and my (late) mom in Gan Eden (the
Lieberman
been through some dif-
world to come) have made sure that
ficult times during
my father, David Wallace, is doing well.
our 23 years of marriage, including twice
Fourteen weeks ago, he had a terrible brain
moving to new homes, the deaths of three
injury from a fall. After being in intensive
parents, the trials and tribulations of rais-
care and specialty care and undergoing
more extensive rehab, he is doing better. My ing two amazing daughters, multiple cam-
mother always said, And that too shall pass; paigns for political offices, construction in
our home and the suicide of a close friend.
and I believe the hardest part of his recov-
ery process is done. Baruch HaShem (thank Throughout it all, Steve has been my stable
God), my dad, who is 96-years-young, is on partner, confronting each issue as it arose
and rising above it.
the road to recovery.
"Steve and I are each other's best friend
"I am grateful that my mother is up there
and biggest fan. We express our love for
pulling her strings and watching over all
each other on a daily basis in person,
the good people to make sure only good
through e-mails and phone calls 'just
things are happening."
— Rhoda Wallace, Oak Park to hear your voice. Steve is fun, funny,

intelligent, kind, generous, friendly,
interesting and is totally supportive of my
endeavors. We truly enjoy spending time
together. I recognize that our relationship is
special, and I cherish the life that we have
built together."
— Lisa Kaplan, West Bloomfield

A Helping Hand
"I am not only thankful for my health, my
family and my friends, but for this wonder-
ful community we live in.
"In the past few months, I have attended
my 50th high school reunion, a Kadima
fundraiser and a Hadassah luncheon.
Needless to say, we still have the kindest,
most caring people around.
"My husband and I have traveled around
the world quite extensively and met hun-
dreds of Jewish people from other states
and countries. When we tell them about all
the charities we have here, they are amazed.
From Yad Ezra, JARC, nursing homes,
senior citizen homes and Friendship Circle
to sending children to camps and schools,
we don't leave anyone out.
"Being a small business owner in this
area for many years has been a wonderful
experience. The loyalty of our clientele, even
in these hard times, has made our experi-
ences wonderful.
"Those of us born in the 1930s and
1940s are still having a hard time under-
standing we are living in a Depression.
However, we are still helping those less
fortunate than ourselves, holding our heads
up high and hoping for a better financial
future for our children and grandchildren."
— Annie Rogin Alpern,
West Bloomfield
Being There
"I am so thankful for all of our family,
especially our three daughters, sons-in-law,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren,
friends, Rabbi Joseph Klein and our Temple
Emanu-El family for all of their prayers and
support during my husband Lou's illness.
"Lou has endured many physical prob-
lems the past few months, but has been
comforted with so much love, care and con-

Giving Thanks on page 14

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November 26 • 2009