FRANKLIN ATHLETIC CLUB

Franklin Pilates Reformer

A relaxing workout to
strengthen your body from
the inside out
248.352.8000 ext. 273

k

Expert on Israeli Arabs to speak.

Ann Arbor

p

Pilates Reformer Session
Offer Valid until
March 27th

29350 Northwestern Highway I Southfield, Michigan 48034 [248.352.8000]

WWW.FRANKLINCLUB.COM

Righting Inequities

1661010

rofessor Elie Rekhess, one of
Israel's leading experts on the
Arab minority in Israel, will
speak about "Why Israeli Arabs are
a Jewish Issue: What can the North
American Jewish community do to
ensure a Jewish and democratic Israel?"
at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at the
Jewish Community Center of Greater
Ann Arbor.
Rekhess, visiting
Crown Chair in Middle
Eastern Studies
at Northwestern
University in
Evanston, will dis-
cuss the history of
Jewish-Arab relations
Elie Rekhess
in Israel; the current
state of Israel's Arab
minority; and the role the American
Jewish community has in ameliorating
inequalities in Israeli society.
The program is sponsored by the
Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor
with the Inter-Agency Task Force on
Israeli Arab Issues, a coalition of North

American Jewish organizations, foun-
dations, private philanthropists and
international affiliates committed to
the welfare of Israel. It aims to generate
awareness to advance civic equality in
Israel, where Israeli Jews and Arabs can
contribute, participate and benefit as
full citizens.
Neal Elyakin, Federation past presi-
dent, participated in a study tour in
Israel organized by the task force last
May.
"During my weeklong visit to Israel, I
heard disturbing facts and stories about
how this remarkable country, my coun-
try, treats 20 percent of its population:'
he said. "I also talked with advocates
of change, from Knesset members to
community advocates, who, despite the
burdens, continue to believe that Israel
is their home, their nation, and that they
have something to contribute
There is no charge to attend the pro-
gram; reservations are appreciated. For
information or to RSVP, contact Eileen
Freed, eileenfreed@jewishannarbor.org .
For more information about the Inter-
Agency Task Force, visit www.
iataskforce.org . I I

Taking The Bieli

JFS soccer team unites refugees.

There is no place like it.

Ann Arbor

F

Here, your whole family will be enriched.

vow
FAMILYOPEN HOUSE

For parents and families of prospective 2-5 year olds, fall 2011

SUNDAY, MARCH

27, 2011

at 10:00 a.m.

To RSVP or for more information, please contact:

Amy Schtussel at aschlussel@hillelday.org or 248 - 539-1484

Ask us about our ECC Summer Camp

Y

March 17 2011

.114

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N D1 . FDD 1

32200 Middlebelt Road
Farmington HilLs, MI 48334-1715

www.hillelday.org
www.facebook.com/hillelday
www.twitter.com/hilleldayschool

insft ling Goo • ness. Inswing Greatness.

12

Mel

or the past three years, Jewish
Family Service of Washtenaw
County has seen a wave of
refugees fleeing war and unrest in their
native countries, especially Iraq. Many
of these refugees come from middle or
upper-middle class families and must
start their lives from scratch in the
United States.
The life transformation these cli-
ents undergo is overwhelming; many
say they simply want to do a familiar
activity in which they succeed, when
every other part of life in America is
confusing and new.
To answer this need, JFS has formed
a soccer team, aptly named "The JFS
Internationals:' comprised of refugees
and immigrants from Iraq, Turkey,
Brazil and Mexico. In their first ses-
sion, they played weekly games at Ann
Arbor's WideWorld Sports Center in
January and February. The hope is to

continue to play in subsequent ses-
sions throughout the year.
"We hope this team not only boosts
our clients' self-esteem because they are
doing something familiar and that they
are good at, but also allows them to meet
new people, practice speaking English
and exercise,' says Mira Sussman,
director of the JFS Washtenaw County
Resettlement Program.
"I like playing soccer:' agrees Haider
(last name withheld for his safety),
also from Iraq. "I like feeling respon-
sible for the team and making connec-
tions with other players."
The JFS Internationals received
sponsorship for the initial eight-week
session from Haifa Falafel restau-
rant in Ann Arbor. Shin guards were
donated by Play It Again Sports in
Ann Arbor.

If you are interested in sponsoring the JFS

Internationals, contact Mira Sussman at

(734) 769-0209 or mira@jfsannarbororg.

