My
to
Sam Bernstein hears stories of
hardship and disappointment on
a regular basis, both as a well-
known area attorney and as a
board member of Hebrew Free
Loan. As the chairman of the
Friends campaign, Sam helps
make it possible for Hebrew Free
Loan to lift spirits and lighten the
load for many in our community
suffering financal stress.
"Every time I meet with a desperate
borrower, I think, `There but for the
grace of G-d ...that could have
been me.' Our borrowers often
tell us 'Thank G-d Hebrew Free
Loan is there.' That's how I know
the work we do is critical,"
Bernstein says.
Make a donation and
join the Friends of
Hebrew Free Loan today.
Friends of Hebrew Free Loan who
donate $1 00 or more receive special
recognition in HFL publications and
Jewish News ads, Every donation,
regardless of size, is important and
appreciated. Please donate and
become a Friend today,
www. hfldetro Ito rg
248.723.8184
HEBREW
FREE* LOAN
Front Lines
DIGEST
Meisner Leads Land Bank
Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner,
who took office last July after unseating
the incumbent, is the newly elected chair-
man of the Michigan
Land Bank Fast Track
Authority. He replaces
Genesee County
Treasurer Dan Kildee.
"Chairing the board
of the Michigan Land
Bank will allow me to
keep pace with land
Andy Meisner
bank best practices
throughout our state and country," said
Meisner, a former Oakland County state
representative.
"Land banks are working well around
Michigan and will work for Oakland
County."
The Michigan Land Bank Fast Track
Authority is designed to return blighted
and foreclosed properties back to pro-
ductive and economically viable use.
Meisner voted for the land bank
statute while serving in the state House.
The Ferndale resident has proposed the
creation of an Oakland County land bank
to help the county bolster its property
values and sagging tax revenues.
The Michigan Land Bank sells tax
reverted and mortgage foreclosed proper-
ties as well as operates an adjacent lot
transfer program for connecting neigh-
bors with foreclosed or irregular parcels.
The Bank's Garden for Growth initia-
tive promotes entrepreneurship and
urban agriculture.
Counties that want to create a land bank
must make an application to the Michigan
Land Bank for its review and approval.
Help Plan Israel Walk
The next gathering of the Detroit Jewish
In Chanukah, there was a ness.*
So get your geit** and latkes ess.***
And light di licht**** in every night
zing***** Maoz Tzur with all your might.
And this is Chanukah, I guess.
—notes by Robert Sklar, editor
"N 10001
,1 0
ECO Pi- Judaism
A
Chanukah
Miracle
community's 2010 Walk for Israel
Planning Committee will take place 12-
1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Temple
Shir Shalom, on the southeast corner of
Walnut Lake and Orchard Lake roads,
West Bloomfield.
The committee invites organizations
and individuals to attend. Organizations
also may become an event sponsor.
Recent walks have had 40 or more spon-
sors and drawn 750 to 1,200 participants.
"Your help will be greatly appreciated
in uniting the community in its support
for Israel as it celebrates its 62nd birth-
day:' said Mark Segel of Southfield, who
chairs the planning committee.
To reserve a spot at the Dec. 16 meet-
ing, contact Segel. His contact informa-
tion is: myalesegel@comcast.net or (248)
208-2773.
What you can do to stop global warming.
Basics
• Use compact florescent lights: save energy and dollars.
• Buy energy efficient products: www.energystar.gov .
• Drive less: walk, bike, carpool or take mass transit more
often. You will save one pound of carbon dioxide for every
mile you do not drive. Demand good public transportation.
• Recycle: You can save 2.400 pounds of carbon dioxide per
year by recycling just half of your household waste.
• Repair instead of replace; repair what can be fixed rather
than throwing away.
• Check your tires: Keeping your tires inflated properly can
improve gas mileage by more than 3 percent. Every gallon of
gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the
atmosphere.
* ness - miracle
** gelt - money you give to kids on
Chanukah.
*** ess - eat
**** di licht - the candles
***** zing - sing
Jewish Thought on the Environment
Rachel Kapen of West Bloomfield prepared
this limerick in memory of the late Martha Jo
Fleischmann, longtime JN Yiddish limerick
writer.
Please contact Michigan Coalition on the Environment &
Jewish Life for global warming presentations: (248) 642-
5393, ext. 7, or mi-coejl@jfmd.org.
"One generation goes and another generation comes, but the
Earth remains forever."
—Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) 1:4
Source: Michigan Coalition on the Environment & Jewish Life
hfldetroit.org
We Provide Loans.
We Promise Dignity.
'I ll.... / Jewish
Fulerati2a
e
WERE PART OF THE TEAM
8
December 10 • 2009
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