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$2.00 JUNE 21 -27, 2012 / 1 -7 TAMMUZ 5772

theJEWISHNEWS.com

A JEWISH RENAISSANCE MEDIA PUBLICATION

» Help For Seniors Federation agencies work together to
centralize services. See page 16.

Motions Filed In Bais Chabad Lawsuit Each
side seeks an early ruling ending the dispute. See page 20.

DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

» Meet NEXTGen Detroit First annual meeting of
Federation's new department attracts 175 people. See page 26.

0-01,11411.

NEXTGen's new leadership: Rachel Wright
and Marty Maddin.

metro

Graduates honor slain classmate
Jonathan Hoffman.

Ronelle Grier I Contributing Writer

or the 47 seniors graduating from
Farmington Central High School,
June 14 was a night of celebration
as proud family members, friends and
teachers gathered to honor the Class of
2012.
For the family and friends of Jonathan
Hoffman, June 14 was a night of bitter-
sweet memories, heartache and inevitable Jonathan
thoughts of what might have been.
Hoffman
Farmington Central Principal Pat Karas
began the graduation ceremony by asking
for a moment of silence in honor of the empty seat that would
have been filled by Jonathan Hoffman, who was shot to death
on May 18 by his maternal grandmother, Sandra Layne of
West Bloomfield.
In a tragedy that shocked the community and received
national media attention, Layne allegedly shot her 17-year-
old grandson multiple times with a .40 caliber semi-automat-
ic gun she had purchased several weeks before the shooting.

Outside Temple Kol Ami: Rabbi Ariana Silverman; Paul Gross of Farmington Hills, first vice
president; Rabbi Norman Roman; Gene Farber of West Bloomfield, treasurer; and Cheryl
Chaben, executive director.

Kol Ami's new pledge system
eliminates dues payments.

Shelli Liebman Dorfman I Contributing Writer

emple Kol Ami members
opened their mailboxes
earlier this month to find
an envelope with an innovative
request inside. Having voted on May
22 to abolish the synagogue's dues
structure, the congregation received
a letter explaining how to pledge the
amount they intend to pay over the
course of the coming year in place of
an annual payment statement.
The new system is an attempt to
retain members and attract new con-
gregants as well as create a plan that
shows respect for those unable to pay
the full dues amount.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

arts & entertainment

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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Michiga(9

1942 - 2012

Covering and
Connecting
Jewish Detroit
Every Week

>> Find a good book to kick back with in our annual
roundup of books. See page 33.