thing nice to people:'
While he maintains a close rela-
tionship with his daughter, Klegman
says he no longer speaks with his
two sons.
"They don't like Mr. Silly," he says.
"But I couldn't care less. I'm having
a ball."
He describes a life filled with
typical struggles. At times, he's even
had trouble paying his bills. But,
Klegman says his positive mental
attitude has helped him persevere.
"Everyone wonders how come
you're always so happy — you have
no problems?" he says. "No. It just
goes in here (pointing to his right
ear) and out here (pointing to his
left ear). I don't worry anymore."
Reaping Rewards
Mr. Silly is quick to tell people he
gets more out of his one-man circus
than he gives. He's made dozens of
friends. When he's not at the JCC, he
spends time calling various acquain-
tances across the country and
spreading his good will by phone.
An Orthodox family has adopted
him as their regular Shabbat guest.
One JCC patron, Julie Hauser
of Oak Park, wrote a poem for
Klegman. He carries it around in his
pocket. In part, it reads:
"I can be like you, Mr. Silly,
Simply giving from where I'm at,
Even if I don't wear
A colorful, noisy hat!
Giving doesn't always cost money,
It doesn't need to take a long while.
Presents I can afford to give
Are nice words or my own smile.
I learned from Mr. Silly:
(I am so young, but he is not)
That my life becomes much richer
When I give what I've got."
"He really touches people of all
ages," Hauser said. "He has a humil-
ity, which is why I think people are
open to him. I think that's a good
characteristic."
Klegman says he never imagined
he'd be the recipient of so much love
and admiration. He describes his
self-appointed role at the JCC as a
dream come true.
"It's such an honor and such a
pleasure to be able to help people
without giving them money," he says.
"I'm blessed to be able to do this. It
doesn't pay, but, yes, it does. By help-
ing others, it makes you 10 feet tall
and people fall in love with you, and
they want to be near you.
"It's just a pleasure to have their
friendship. This is heaven. I was
born for this."
❑
A special
thanks to all of
our partners
for sponsoring
this event.
Diamond Partners
Mary Must, Madelon &
Lou Seligman
Federation's Alliance for Jewish Education's
Opening the Doors Program presents
4th National Jewish Disability Awareness Month
JDAM Reads 2012
Book Club
con MENIAL HEWN
EMMAIMMEii
Platinum Partners
Center For Autism and Developmental Disabilities
CI
lifir
1
1.1
14,- ;17:
aster Seals
Pearl Partners
kaufmarf .
With Facilitator:
Ellen Yashinsky Chute, LMSIN, ACSW
Chief Community Outreach Officer
Silver Partners
Eton Academy
Bronze Partners
Susie Citrin
Peggy and Dennis Frank
Dottie Levitsky
Learning Disabilities Clinic
Ilene Nemer
Walnut Lake Preschool
Presentation Sponsor
Community Participants
Friendship Circle
JARC
Jewish Community Center
of Metropolitan Detroit
JVS
KADIMA
Thursday, March 1, 2012
7-9 p.m.
Jewish Family Service
6555 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield
A heart-tugging and captivating story of a young, white Jewish woman with a developmental
disability and an African American man, who is hearing impaired, living in The School for the
Incurable and Feebleminded. Drawn together with a retired school teacher, by a secret pact
and extraordinary love and hope, the characters overcome insurmountable obstacles. Join
us for an interactive discussion of this amazing book. Discussion with Ellen may relate to
social issues and Jewish values.
Rachel Simon
Rachel Simon is an award-winning author of six books and a nationally-recognized speaker
on issues of diversity and disability. Rachel's work has been adapted for theater, NPR, the
Lifetime Channel and Hallmark Hall of Fame. Her adaptation of Riding The Bus With My
Sister starred Rosie O'Donnell, Andie MacDowell and was directed by Anjelica Huston.
To register online, please visit www.jewishdetroit.org/bookclub
Questions? Contact Shoshana Baruch at 248-205-2549.
Ellen Maiseloff
Associate Director
Helene Kohn
Program Assistant
Shoshana Baruch
Administrative Assistant
OPENING
THE DOORS
PROGRAM
Jewish
Federation
OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT
I Edusation
February 23 • 2012
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