Community Celebrating Education A n astounding 2,311 guests were on hand Oct. 24 as Yeshiva Beth Yehudah's annual dinner focused on what the school always focuses on: the education of young Jewish Detroit. They filled the Grand Ballroom at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center to show support for the largest Jewish school system in Michigan, which has provided Torah-based and secular education pro- grams for almost 100 years. With a dais that seated rabbinic, politi- cal and communal notables, speakers feted the 800-student PreK-12 school based in Southfield and Oak Park. And they spoke of its divisions, including the successful Jean and Theodore Weiss Partners in Torah adult education program — directed by Rabbi Avi Cohen — that joins together individuals of all backgrounds in study. A glimpse into the commitment of the Yeshiva's 500 current parents was offered by Ari Gelberman, who, with Ephraim Singal, both of Southfield, chaired the evening's ad journal, titled Sustaining the Legacy of the Yeshiva. "Not only do I have children who attend the girls and boys divisions, but I am myself a graduate of the Yeshiva boys divi- sion; my wife, Aviva, whose parents sent her from Kansas City, attended the Yeshiva Beth Yehudah girls division from which she graduated;' Gelberman said. "There are not enough words to express our hakaras hatov, our appreciation, to the dedicated and devoted teachers, the administration, the rabbinic and lay lead- ers as well as to the fellow members of the Yeshiva's special parent body — and to those in this amazing gathering, who, in partnership with our Detroit Federation, have made the education of our children the highest priority in this community:' He referred to the school as a place where "every child, no matter their circumstance, can receive an exemplary and individual- ized education in our community" Special Honors A much-anticipated element of the evening — described by dinner emcee Dr. Conrad Giles as "our country's premier Jewish event" — was a performance by the Yeshiva Boys Choir under the direction of Rabbi Rocky Stewart. Choir member Eliezer Scheinberg 64 November 18 • 2010 iN of Oak Park recounted his family's Yeshiva history, including how his mother and grandparents were Yeshiva students and his father is a current teacher there. Scott Kaufman, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, pre- sented the school's prestigious Guardian of the Yeshiva Award to Mandell "Bill" Berman of Franklin, who, along with his wife, Madge, has made a deep Lawrence Wolfe, left, receives the Past Yeshiva honoree Ann Newman, quest speaker former commitment to the Detroit Golden Torah Award from Judge Gov. Jeb Bush and David Provost on the dais at the dinner Jewish commtmity. Avern Cohn. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., a regular at the annual dinner, said, "Joining you every year Torgow introduced gives me tremendous optimism for the future Lawrence Wolfe of of our country. When a community can rally Bloomfield Hills who together in spite of much economic uncer- was then presented with tainty to uplift and support such a wonderful the Yeshiva's Golden organization, doing such outstanding work, it Torah Award by the eve- affirms the greatness of our community." ning's general chairper- She referred to the school as "an institu- son U.S. District Judge tion that educates thousands of girls and Avern Cohn of Detroit. boys without any regard for their family's "The Yeshiva has had ability to afford the tuition." a very personal impact Stabenow presented Michigan Gov. Members of the Yeshiva Boys Choir: Tzvi Bloch, 13, on my Jewish life," said Jennifer Granholm with the Yeshiva's Mordechai Kornbleuth, 13, Eli Young, 11, Yaakov Abrams, 13, Wolfe, once a student at Outstanding Leadership Award. and Mordechai Aisenstark, 11, all of Oak Park the Yeshiva's afternoon An emotional and clearly surprised school. "It created for me Granholm responded to the unexpected a deep connection with honor with accolades about the Yeshiva's Jewish values, traditions and customs and was supporters and educational commitment. instrumental in my ability to daven, to pray" "This event really does give us great Wolfe's father-in-law, D. Dan Kahn, was hope said Granholm, who attends the the evening's dinner chairman. Past Yeshiva dinner annually. "This school has a zero honoree David Provost introduced guest dropout rate; 100 percent of these children speaker former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. graduate. Is there anything more important Bush spoke about both personal and than that? Yeshiva Beth Yehudah provides American support for Israel. In awe, he said an example that is not allowing any child it is "an amazing feat" for a country to be a to fail. No matter what [the] individual cir- "vibrant democracy in spite of some of its cumstances [of each child], it is important neighbors espousing its elimination off the for the world that this child succeeds." face of the Earth:' He spoke of his admiration for Israel's Yeshiva Influence dynamic innovations and as a country with U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield "It is truly inspiring that the leading, most "ability to absorb people from all over the Township, with Guardian of the Yeshiva devoted citizens from every corner of com- world" and, no matter their background, to honoree Mandell "Bill" Berman. munal, political, civic and philanthropic be treated equally. Michigan leadership have come together Bush also spoke to the crowd about the in support of one beloved and unifying significance of their support for the Yeshiva. will gain the power of knowledge, and cause," Yeshiva President Gary Torgow told "In our country, one-third of high school along the way learn of the great traditions the crowd. "To proclaim in word and deed seniors graduate truly college and career of the Jewish faith. God bless you all for that Torah scholarship and the support ready',' he said. "One-third don't graduate at helping make that possible' ❑ of education is our most vital collective all. Because of your generous financial sup- responsibility:' port, the students at Yeshiva Beth Yehudah Related Editor's Letter: page 3 P hoto by Fred Lev ine Shelli Liebman Dorfman Senior Writer Photo by by Fred Levine Yeshiva Beth Yehudah's dinner brings supporters, honors and music.