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Business from page 20

Binai Israel Synagogue

Shabbat in the Park
or Shabbat in our shut...
■ We are
B'nai Israel Synagogue

Pray with us.
Dine with us IIII III III 11111
Learn with us.
We invite your family to
become a part of our family.

Contact us for membership and High Holiday information
www.bnaiisraelwb.org 248-432-2729
5085 Walnut Lake Road • West Bloomfield, MI 48323

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Al[ Israel is responsible for one another

22

September 1 - 2011

Benefiting Michigan
"It's wonderful to have something
really positive to report in Southeast
Michigan," Folberg said. "We are
bringing the
Michigan diaspora
back to Michigan.
One of our medi-
cal students had
left Michigan and
gone out West, and
because of our
medical school,
Dr. Robert
has
returned to
Folberq
Michigan. That's
wonderful and we're beginning to
see some [morel of that happening."
While on a 2007 visit to Michigan
to meet students he had been teach-
ing via distance learning, Folberg
was approached about becoming
founding dean of the school. He
came to the School of Medicine in
2008 from his position at University
of Illinois at Chicago.
He works closely with Gene
Michalski, president/CEO of the
Beaumont Health System, who has
an equally positive outlook about
what the school will do for the com-
munity.
"Part of what we're looking to
achieve here is to replenish the
doctor shortage that we anticipate
to grow throughout the region:'
Michalski said. "The second goal is
an important economic opportunity
that is a corollary benefit associated
with developing a medical school,
and that is economic development.

"There are new jobs coming to the
area;' he said. "Students have come
here from out of state, and five fac-
ulty members have come from states
throughout the area. It is a magnet
to attract new faculty and students
and create jobs. Most important for
Beaumont and the health system is
an opportunity for us to attract top
doctors and talent to improve clini-
cal care for the patients we serve."
Rachel Yoskowitz,
a registered nurse
and founding
director of Jewish
Family Service's
Project Chessed,
a program that
provides access
to health care for
Rachel
low-income, unin-
Yoskowitz
sured adults in
the Metropolitan
Detroit Jewish community, is leaving
that position and joining the OUWB
faculty as an assistant professor in
community and global health. She
will also work to develop opportuni-
ties for community engagement.
"The medical school is training
physicians who will serve the whole
community:' Yoskowitz said. "The
three Beaumont campuses — Royal
Oak, Troy and Grosse Pointe — will
be the clinical labs where the stu-
dents will practice their skills and
treat patients. There will a tremen-
dous connection between the medi-
cal students and the people in our
community."

Connection from page 20

"My wife, Amy, and I study Torah
with Rabbi Shere, and I knew
something about her gentle man-
ner and her approach to issues of
finding meaning in difficult times.
I thought this might be a good
match," Folberg said.
"I watched the two of them talk
and I saw an immediate connec-
tion between Rabbi Rachel and
Michele," Miles recalled. "Michele
got a lot out of the talk; they con-
nected in a way she needed."
Shere helped the couple through
chemotherapy and hospitalizations
and was there the night before
Raible passed away.
"Rabbi Rachel provided the only
spiritual support for me and Michele
even though we were not Jewish,"
Miles said. "She believed in what we
believe in and was there for us:'
Throughout all of this, faith was
never a barrier. When Raible died,
Miles was devastated. Folberg

invited Miles to attend a Saturday
morning Shabbat service, which
he did.
"I can't dismiss how much Dean
Folberg helped me Miles said. "I
had never been to a Jewish service
before and the community was
wonderful and embraced me. It
was a wonderful experience when I
needed that kind of support."
As Miles coped with his grief,
Shere gave him the support he
needed.
"I told her my fears without
Michele in my life Miles said.
"She told me, 'Whatever it was
that Michele brought into your
life, she didn't take it with her, she
left it here for you. Those were the
most comforting words I've ever
heard and I felt my fear melt away.
Regardless of faith, we can help
one another and find ways to grow
and no one demonstrated that to
me better than Rabbi Rachel." I I