metro Local Activists Host JACPAC Event Author, congresswoman speak on U.S.-Israel relations. ALL-YOU-CAN-SEE BUFFET. A luncheon attended by about 50 members and prospec- tive members of the Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs (JACPAC), a nationwide network of Jewish advocates, was held Dec. 15 at the home of Roz Blanck of Franklin, a lawyer who is active in Jewish commu- nity affairs. Lisa Lis and Pam Lippitt organized the event. U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., was to appear at the luncheon but was unable to attend because of a neces- sary vote in Washington, so she spoke to the group by phone. Pro-Israel activist David Victor, past president of AIPAC, gave an update on U.S.-Israel relations, and Jeffrey Zaslow, author of Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope, spoke about his experiences with the congresswoman and her astronaut husband, Mark Kelly. Giffords was shot and nearly killed last year at a shopping mall in her hometown of Tucson. She is work- ing hard to rehabilitate herself so that she can return to Congress. "These days it is more important than ever to be involved politically" said event organizer Lis. "JACPAC deals with the issues I find most compelling, such as Israel, women's rights and social justice. With the emergence of the Tea Party and the resurgence of extreme right groups, it is important for us to assert ourselves politically. That is why we support members of Congress like Shelley Berkley of Nevada and Gabrielle MLK DAY AT THE DIA January 16 Drop-In Workshops Create a simple book to use for stories, journals or drawings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Artist Demonstration Michigan artist Hubert Massey demonstrates how he creates his fresco works. Massey is one of the few African American artists painting in the true fresco style. Guided Tours Take a guided tour of the African American art galleries. Tours leave from the Family Fitting Room table in Prentis Court at noon, 1 and 2 p.m. Now On View Rembrandt and the Face of Jesus Now through February 12 Tickets available at dia.org or 313.833.4005. Find info on these and other events at www.dia.org DETROIT INSTITUTE li OF ARTS 5200 Woodward Ave. r 1 1 1 1 1 1 I I 1 I I I MO NM 313-8337900 OM MO MO OM UM OM MO OM MN OM OM UM MO MO OM MO OM OM Lisa Lis and Roz Blanck Jeffrey Zaslow and Lisa Lis Giffords of Tucson. "They may represent congressio- nal districts far from ours, but their votes on the critical issues of the day affect us. Our local legislators, Rep. Gary Peters and Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, also represent our like-minded concerns. Assisting those who speak for us in Congress is paramount to keeping our voices heard." ❑ Grematee,Potiveat I COUPON Special Offers Limited Time Only! Laser Hair Removal Packages Botox & Radiesse 30% OFF * Using the Virtually Pain Free LightSheer DUET 60 Minute Massage SLIS * or buy 3 Massages get 1 FREE * Chemical Peel for $1 Weight Loss Program $400 OFF* •Expires 3/31/12. Not valid with any other offers Massages, Chemical & Green PEELS Weight Loss Program- Lose 30 lbs. in 30 days! Med Spo I I Board Certified Physician ON SITE Tel 248.855.0900 I 30000 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills I Medicalandspa.com gigg gm gm me gm gm um gm mg gm gm ..... mg elm 1725290 Keep your company top of mind with our readers. ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 248.351.5107 Visit theJEWISHNEWS.com JN 18 January 12 • 2012 it4 I I I I I I Aronson To Focus On Birthright Development Robert P. Aronson, president and CEO of the Birthright Israel Foundation, is to become its chief officer of major gifts, the foundation announced. Aronson will continue to assume a leading fundraising role. Aronson said he wanted to focus his skill and passion on the critical area of major gifts development. This change follows a recent stra- tegic report that recommended an enhanced major gifts development effort to achieve the goal of bring- ing 51,000 participants on Taglit- Birthright Israel trips by 2013. "Bob has made a tremendous impact on our fundraising and in creating a true national campaign in the past three years;' said Daniel S. Och, chairman of the board of Birthright Israel Foundation. Aronson will remain in his current position while a search committee, chaired by Foundation board member Laurie Blitzer, finds a replacement. "It is an honor and privilege to work for the greatest program for Jewish young adults in our genera- tion," Aronson said. "I am eager to focus my time on bringing down the number of Jewish young adults wait- listed for our tripe The Birthright Israel Foundation was established in 2001 as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, funding the Taglit- Birthright Israel free, 10-day educa- tional trip for Jewish young adults, ages 18 to 26. ❑