FJA graduates Talya Krasner ('07), Jeremy Levine ('06), A.J. Schostak ('05) and Karen Aharoni, ('06) pay a visit to Jerry Gutman, center. Retired Jerry Gutman makes a point of connecting with his students, such as FJA senior Jesse Medina. • For Real Beloved teacher Jerry Gutman starts second retirement with FJA farewell. Debra B. Darvick Special to the Jewish News I n the summer of 2000, Jerry Gutman was two weeks into retirement after 40 years with the Oak Park Public Schools when he was tapped by the then- fledgling Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit (now Frankel Jewish Academy) to teach classes in advanced placement U.S. history and government. That part-time assignment became seven years of full-time teaching, followed by four years as dean of upperclassmen. Set to retire "for real this time," Jerry Gutman will be honored by the commu- nity at a celebration on June 10. "It's wonderful to do what you love Gutman says. "For 51 years I have been blessed to love going to work every day. Being at FJA has been the crown to my teaching career. Its all about the kids. Watching their eyes light up when they con- nect with a concept; being there for them when life gets overwhelming. Every day is a thrill" Teaching American history, government, economics and Asian studies has indeed been "all about the kids." The Detroit native put his bachelor's degrees in history and political science (University of Detroit) and his master's in curriculum (Michigan State University) to use, inspiring and challeng- ing students, opening their minds to U.S. and world history and to the economic and political forces that shape it. Gutman traveled to Israel on a Fulbright Scholarship and designed a curriculum for Stanford University. He was instrumental 14 May 26 2011 in the creation of the successful magnet school CASA (Center for Advance Studies in the Arts) in Oak Park, and taught evening classes in political science and curriculum development at Wayne State University and Lawrence Technological University. In 1988, he was named Newsweek-WDIV High School Teacher of the Year. "We first spoke to Jerry in '97 about coming on board:' recalls Jeff Garden, a founding school parent and Fjiks found- ing president. "He had the skills and experience to build a curriculum for a top-flight school. He turned us down then, but in 2000 the timing was right. We were thrilled to have him on our faculty. He lent immediate credibility to our program." Given his decades of teaching in this community, it was inevitable that Gutman would find himself teaching the children of former students. Brian Kepes' son and daughter, Max and Lauren, were taught by Gutman at FJA. "Jerry is amazing:' Kepes says. "He relates to today's kids exactly as he related to my wife and me when we were in high school. My kids have the same fond feelings for him as we do. He has some nerve to retire and not be there for my grandkids!" Staying In Touch Each year, come late spring, former stu- dents find their way to Gutman's office. Back from college, grad school or life beyond the classroom, they return to FJA eager to catch up. Vadim Avshalumov is one such student who cherishes Jerry Gutman as mentor and friend. Now studying urban planning at the University of Michigan's School of Architecture, Avshalumov checks in with Gutman once a semester. "[At FJA], Mr. Gutman would give us newspaper articles and challenge us to think critically by asking, 'What is wrong with this [reporter's] assumption? How would you argue against it?' It's good to have teachers who believe in you and encourage you to push yourself a bit more,' Avshalumov says. "Mr. Gutman doesn't believe you have to be 40 to be of value to society. He believes if you're 16 or 17, you can still make an important contribution." Fji6 s Head of School Rabbi Eric Grossman, a colleague and personal friend of Gutman's for 10 years, will feel his absence keenly. "Jerry's command of history and poli- tics are legendary:' Grossman says. "He is one of the most honorable men I have ever known and worked with. We have been blessed to have him on staff for 11 years and will miss him greatly." Gutman and his wife, Linda, live in Huntington Woods. They have three chil- dren. Although retirement plans aren't firm, he says he'll spend time with his grandchil- dren, play tennis and would like to tutor children in disadvantaged neighborhoods. His duties at FJA will be assumed by Dr. Renee Wohl, who will become overall dean of the school this fall. Wohl has been a member of the FJA administration since its founding. The community is invited to honor Jerry Gutman at a celebration at 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 10, in the Berman Center for the Performing Arts. There is no charge for the event. For more information and to RSVP, contact Tim Burke at (248) 592-5263, ext. 235, or tburke@frankelja.org. II Debra Darvick is employed in communications at Frankel Jewish Academy in West Bloomfield. Excerpts From Letters By Former Students: •Dear Mr. Gutman, Thank you for a spectacular year. It makes me so proud to think of all that I have accomplished. I am so excited to have you again next year. Love, Emma D. • When my mom told me how much you had influenced her as a student I couldn't wait to be in your class. Molly M. •Dear Mr. Gutman, Thank you for a great year. I am now part of a small percentage of Americans who actually understands the U.S. government. Jeffrey K.