Communal Greetings
Yes, JewishDetroit!
R
osh Hashanah is a time of holi-
ness, when we are thoughtful
and grateful, when we reflect on
what has passed. The new year also is an
open book, a time filled with the possibili-
ty of everything, a time of opportunity for
change, the chance not just to pass each
day, but also to truly make a difference in
the world — and there is no better place
to begin than at home.
This Rosh Hashanah, each of us has
hopes and dreams. We would like to share
OUTS.
We are JewishDetroit.
Our Detroit Jewish community is char-
acterized by many exceptional qualities,
notably our ability to work together and
overcome adversity. We are a team where
each of us matters, where we care for each
other, where we help each other.
Our Jewish Federation is proud to be
the institution that connects all of us,
always working to build a stronger, more
vibrant community and serving as the
safety net for those at risk. But there is
only one way we can accomplish our goals:
with the help of our more than 10,000
donors and volunteers.
We are JewishDetroit means that each
of us, no matter our background, our
congregational affiliation or our interests,
is important and have something to con-
tribute to our community and its future.
It means that we are willing to give of our
time, our money and our hearts. It means
that when one of us is in pain, someone
is always there to help. It means we all
ensure that No Family Stands Alone, so
that every person can support his basic
living needs: food, housing and access to
health care. It means that we are all part of
a community that stands as one.
We are JewishDetroit means that we col-
laborate to meet urgent needs. Under our
Community Collaborations Initiative, we
will continue to work with our agencies,
synagogues and other Jewish communal
organizations to respond to ongoing eco-
nomic challenges. Our fiscal responsibil-
ity means we must continually examine
our operations and efficiencies system-
wide and, of course, maximize Annual
Campaign dollars.
We are JewishDetroit means that we,
together, create a better future. In an effort
to retain and attract young adults within
our community Federation, along with
other concerned and interested entities,
Nancy Grosfeld
Scott Kaufman
Douglas M. Etkin
has launched various programs and initia-
tives — new Young Adult Division pro-
grams, Birthright and other community
missions, and CommunityNEXT are just
a few examples. All are designed to keep
young talent in Detroit so that our rich
history of Jewish life, and our tradition of
taking care of one another with compas-
sion and dignity, will continue.
We are JewishDetroit means that each
one of us is a stakeholder in the Jewish
community. No matter the level of dona-
tion — whether your contribution helps
one person or hundreds of men, women
and children — your participation makes
a difference. When you give, you change
the world. Imagine if 10,000 donors and
volunteers grew to 20,000. Think of what
great things we could accomplish together.
So we ask, as we enter the year
5771, that you join us ... This is our
Federation. This is our community. We are
JewishDetroit.
L'shanah tovah. May it be a year of ful-
filled with hopes and dreams.
Twerski said.
The cruel word or the kind one, a deci-
sion to give generously or not to give at
all, the choice to step forward and help
or to stand back — all of these shape
our world. And to really make the world
a kinder place, a better place, each of us
is needed.
The challenges we face are great — but
they are not insurmountable.
These past few years, our Jewish
community has faced financial chal-
lenges. But consider, too, everything that
has been accomplished. Through the
leadership of the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit, its agencies, other
important institutions and our syna-
gogues, we have found the path to ensure
that those that need support are identi-
fied and served with dignity.
At the Jewish Community Center,
thanks to the kindness and generosity
of donors, we continued to offer a full
complement of services while providing
historic levels of scholarship support. We
also were able to begin construction of
the Berman Center for the Performing
Arts, providing a symbol to all that even
during difficult times, our community
can plan for its future.
Every day in our community, individu-
als make a choice to step forward and
make a difference.
This year, as we light candles to usher
in Rosh Hashanah, each of us can pledge
to do something small every day.
Reach out a hand in kindness. Make a
donation. Volunteer. Join a Jewish organi-
zation and see for yourself what a differ-
ence you will make. Repair the world.
Like any family, the Detroit Jewish
community is rich in history and diverse
in its composition. But as we approach
Rosh Hashanah, we are grateful for each
person who makes up our community.
L'shanah tovah. As we work together,
we will continue to build a world filled
with peace, compassion and hope.
❑
Nancy Grosfeld is president and Scott Kaufman
is chief executive officer of the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Douglas M.
Etkin is president of the Jewish Foundation of
Metropolitan Detroit, Federation's banking/real
estate arm.
The Power Of Action
The challenges we
face are great —
but they are not
insurmountable.
Mark Davidoff
Mark Lit
R
osh Hashanah is a time when
the door to the past closes and
the door to the future, with all
its bright possibilities, opens. This time
of year presents us with an extraordinary
gift: the chance to begin anew.
With each New Year, we reflect on the
lessons of the past and we ask ourselves
tough questions: Can we move beyond
the differences we had with others? Can
we resolve the hesitations we have in
doing the right thing or the excuses we
8
September 2 • 2010
offered for doing the wrong thing?
Or perhaps we've done a little, but
could have done a lot more. Or maybe we
simply did nothing to help, finding pro-
tection in the question, "What difference
could I make, anyway?"
In Judaism, there is no such thing as an
action that does not matter. Doing noth-
ing is an action that impacts others.
"Each of our deeds, even those as small
as the flapping of a butterfly's wings, has
great consequences:' Rabbi Abraham
Mark Davidoff is president of the Jewish
Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit.
Mark A. Lit is the executive director.