frontlines

A Place Of Her Own

Friendship Circle wants to
give young woman a place to
hang out and be independent.

S

eventeen years ago, Liliya
Bromberg, 21, of Oak Park
began a lifelong friendship
with West Bloomfield-based Friendship
Circle, which provides assistance to
families with children with special
needs.
Liliya is originally from Russia and
was diagnosed with cerebral palsy
when she was a baby. To make a better
life for her, her parents left Russia and
came to Michigan seeking out better
medical care.
Since then, Liliya has been one of the
Friendship Circle's biggest cheerleaders
— and one if its biggest inspirations.
She has starred in many of the organi-
zation's videos, photos and events.
Six weeks ago, Libya was diagnosed
with hepatocellular carcinoma, cancer
of the liver. She had surgery and is
currently undergoing treatment. Her
friends at the Friendship Circle, who
have become her family, are pulling
together in an effort to bring some hap-
piness into her life.
After 17 years of Liliya giving all of
us her love, it's time for us to show her
how much she means to us:' said direc-
tor Bassie Shemtov.

((

Aside from working
with Liliya's parents
and doctors to get
her the best medical
treatment possible,
Liliya Bromberg and her friend Freya Gothelf, 18, of
the folks at Friendship Huntington Woods.
Circle want to give
Liliya a "home away
For the renovation to become a real-
from home."
ity, Friendship Circle will be raising
For the last 17 years, Liliya, who
funds to support the project. They
is wheelchair bound, has shared an
have organized "Hoops4Liliya." This
apartment with her parents. Friendship is a ladies' 5-on-5 basketball tourna-
Circle wants to renovate a studio apart- ment that will take place Sunday, April
ment in the complex for her use.
22, from 6-9 p.m. inside of Friendship
This new space will be used as a rec-
Circle's Elkus Gym.
reational room for Liliya to use inde-
The $12 entry fee will be donated to
pendently and when she is with friends the Lilliya Fund. The Friendship Circle
and volunteers.
is inviting the public to come play
"As a 21-year-old woman, Libya
or show their support as a spectator.
loves to hang out with her friends and
There will be food, fun, cheering and
be independent. This room will be
raffles. Register online at www.
a breath of fresh air, a place for her
friendshipcircle.org/hoops.
to relax, enjoy her friends and prac-
In one Friendship Circle video in
tice independent living skills," Shemtov which Liliya starred, she says, "Like I
said. "Liliya has transformed the lives
said before, what you give back is what
of so many people in our community,
you receive and that's a total fact of
myself included. This project is only a
life."
small thank you in the greater picture
Liliya has given so much to those
of all she has given us over the past 17
who've met and loved her. Now it's time
years."
for her to receive. II

CONTENTS

(-?JEWISHN EWS.corn

April 12-April 18, 2012 20-26 Nisan 5772 Vol. CXLI, No. 10

Ann Arbor

38, 44

Metro

8

Around Town

22

Next Generation

24

Arts/Entertainment

39

Obituaries

59

Business

28

Out & About

41

Business Memos

28

Points Of View

31

Calendar

26

Sports

Food

45

Staff Box/Phone List

Home

34

Jews in the Digital Age...11

Letters

Life Cycles

Marketplace

38

6

Synagogue List

32

Torah Portion

33

5

48

Columnist

53

Danny Raskin

Shabbat Lights / Passover

Passover Night 7: Thursday, April 12, 7:53 p.m.
Passover Night 8/Shabbat: Friday, April 13, 7:54 p.m.
Passover/Shabbat Ends: Saturday, April 14, 8:58 p.m.

Shabbat: Friday, April 20, 8:02 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, April 21, 9:07 p.m.

Times are according to the Yeshiva Beth
Yehudah calendar.

46

On The Cover:

Page design, Michelle Sheridan

Our JN Mission

The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to
reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continu-
ity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity
and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competi-
tive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our
rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, contented employees and profitable growth.

The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is
published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical
postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and
additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes
to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, MI 48034.

Dr. Allen Berman is an enthusiastic
supporter of the Jewish Educational
Loan Program (JELS), which is
administered by Hebrew Free Loan.
"I had help from the JELS program
each year I went to college," Allen
said. "I clearly remember feeling
intimidated when I interviewed for
the loan, but it went well, and I did
appreciate getting the money. It
opened up my future, and it was
interest-free. Now it's my turn to
give other students a chance to
reach their potential."
Allen, having settled in the area
with his family and established his
dental practice, couldn't resist when
he was asked to join the HFL Board.
He became very active with both
JELS and HFL's Project HEAL
(Health Emergency Assistance
Loans), which was seeded with
grant money from The Jewish Fund.
"I want people to know that,
recent economic times aside, we
have positive stories to tell. We can
help people get through the next
day, and we can also help people
go to college, or move to our area,
or adopt children. HFL does some
really exciting things, and I feel
privileged to help others achieve
and grow."

The story doesn't end here

.

Health. A fresh start.
A good education.
The next great business idea.

Hebrew Free Loan gives interest-
free loans to members of our
community for a variety of
personal and small business
needs. HFL loans are funded
entirely through community
donations which continually
recycle to others, generating
many times the original value
to help maintain the lives of
local Jews.

www.hfldetroit.org
248.723.8184

HEBREW
FREE LOAN

hfidetroit.org

We Provide Loans. We Promise Dignity.

6735 Telegraph Road. Suite 300 • Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301

rji)ok
ce

Like" Hebrew Free Loon Detroit

&I
% jewlstj,Fizi s o,.,iT

1 721690

3

