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This week's charity partner .

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A JEWISH RENAISSANCE MEDIA PUBLICATION

theJEWISHNEWS.com

» BBYO Spirit

New branding and emphasis on pre-teens strengthens youth
organization. See page 16.

>>
> Healthy Hearts
Max and Debra Ernst support Beaumont Hospital's cardiac testing
of high school athletes. See page 35.

>> Green Living

DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

metro

Young Oak Park woman learns about sustainability on an Israeli
educational farm. See page 28.

Teen skier Max Goldman and his aunt,
Dr. Nancy Cutler

>> cover story

metro

Go Ahead, Be Silly

Norman Klegman — aka Mr. Silly —
greets Oak Park JCC-goers
with a wave and a smile.

Robin Schwartz I Contributing writer

Mr, Silly inside

the lobby of the

JCC in Oak Park,.

Jon Koller started

the nonprofit Friends

of Spaulding Court to

revitalize his North.:

orktown

;

gh1or I

One man is helping to bring a block
in North Corktown back to life.

STORY ON PAGE 8

Years

Mich

194:! - 20/1

Covering and
Connecting
Jewish Detroit
Every Week

p

rom his jester's hat with jingle bells to his unique
way of layering ties, Norman Klegman, 85, of Oak
Park — better known as Mr. Silly — is a colorful
character with a spry sense of humor and a twinkle in
his eye. Every weekday morning from about 8 a.m.-noon,
Klegman parks himself (and a few puppets) on a bench
at the entrance to the Jewish Community Center in Oak
Park and greets people coming and going from the build-
ing with a wave and a smile.
"Hello; Sam;' he says to one passerby; "Hi, sweet-
heart!" to another.
"Hi, handsome!" one woman says in return.
Klegman knows dozens of JCC patrons and staff
members by name, and he knows many of their stories.
But, he truly lights up every time he sees a child. He has
no grandchildren of his own, so he considers the various
children who visit the Center his adopted grandchildren.
"I love you, I love you, I love you:' he calls out to each
one.
Some children laugh or smile at the sight of Mr.
Silly; others shy away.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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