metro

Shoot For A Cure

Fundraiser has raised $6.5 million to help
those with spine, brain diseases.

I

t's been an incredible
ride for Mark and Pam
Rosenblum.
In 1993, Will Robinson, assis-
tant director of basketball opera-
tions for the Detroit Pistons,
was diagnosed with a pituitary
tumor that could have led to
blindness.
Doctors at Henry Ford
Hospital's Department of
Neurosurgery successfully
removed the tumor, preserving
Robinson's vision. The experi-
ence inspired him to help others,
Pam and Dr. Mark Rosenblum
bringing together the Pistons
and Henry Ford to raise funds to
help those afflicted with diseases
of the brain or spine.
that this program helped so many and that
"Will was the one who started it with all
his help goes on."
his heart and soul," said Pam Rosenblum,
This year's black-tie-optional fundraiser,
who, along with her husband, Dr. Mark
"A Night to Remember," will feature cock-
Rosenblum, joined Robinson in launching
tails, hors d'oeuvres, a gourmet-plated din-
the Shoot for a Cure event 20 years ago.
The first event was in October 1993 at the ner, a live auction and live entertainment.
Honored at the event will be Mort and
Palace of Auburn Hills. Since then, $6.5 mil-
Brigitte Harris of Bloomfield Hills, Bill and
lion has been raised through this event that
Madge Berman of Franklin and Dr. Mark
annually draws more than 500 supporters.
and Gail Kelley of Bloomfield Hills as well
Proceeds from the annual fundrais-
as a special recognition to Pam Rosenblum
ing event, this year on Oct. 13, help fund
of West Bloomfield. There will also be a
research for many diseases at the Henry
tribute to past honorees.
Ford Neuroscience Institute, including amy-
The Rosenblum family moved to
otrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's
Michigan from California 20 years ago. They
disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple
belong to Temple Beth El in Bloomfield
sclerosis, epilepsy, stroke and spinal dis-
Township, where Pam is a former board
orders. Proceeds also fund the Hermelin
member.
Brain Tumor Center at Henry Ford, a
Although they are transplants, their chil-
national leader in research and treatment of
dren, Scott and Amy, have settled here after
advanced tumors.
exploring elsewhere. The Rosenblums have
"What started small with Will Robinson
three grandchildren.
and the Pistons has become a premier char-
"Along the way, I have met remarkable
ity event in Detroit, impacting thousands
people," said Pam Rosenblum. "Volunteers,
of our community's families every year,"
patients and their families become part of
said Karen W Davidson, trustee, donor and
our family, knowing that Shoot for a Cure has
grateful patient of Henry Ford.
provided a place for hope, security and hap-
"The dedication of the doctors and sci-
piness."
entists is unparalleled, and the passion that
"What I tell most of our patients is that
Pam and Mark Rosenblum have brought
we exist to give people hope — not false
to this cause is what has fueled extraordi-
hope, but real hope said Mark Rosenblum.
nary hope for so many over the years," she
"We cannot cure what we don't try to cure;
added.
we cannot help if we don't try to help.
"For 20 years, Shoot for a Cure, driven
"Patients deserve everything we can pos-
by the Rosenblums, has given people hope
sibly give. They are more important than
says Doreen Hermelin, a Henry Ford trustee
us!'
and donor.
"It's given people a place to go for the best
The 20th annual Shoot for a Cure fundraiser will
care, and it's become world renown.
be held at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13, at the
"When [my husband] David found out
Troy Marriott. For more information about ticket
he had a brain tumor, he told people imme-
or sponsorship opportunities, contact Stephanie
diately. He felt the more people knew, the
Shelters at (313) 874-6616, email ssheltel®hfhs.
more they would respond. He lived his life
org or visit henryford.com/shoot.
helping people. He would be happy to know

32 October 4 a 2012

>> here's to

Alexis Zimberg joined Congregation
Shaarey Zedek as its new Jewish family
educator. Now in its 13th year, the role
of Jewish family educator is the result
of a partnership between Congregation
Shaarey Zedek and Federation's
Alliance for Jewish Education's Jewish
Family Education Project.

Yeshiva University's Institute for
University-School Partnership (YU
School Partnership) has launched YU
Lead, a unique and highly experiential
leadership development program for
aspiring leaders in Jewish education.
Jeff Ney, rabbinic dean of Southfield's
Akiva Hebrew Day School, was one
of 24 participants selected from a
competitive applicant pool of teachers,
division principals, student support
faculty, curriculum coordinators and
student activity directors.

Several Wayne State University profes-
sors and alumni were honored as part
of the State Bar of Michigan (SBM)
Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids.
Distinguished Professor Robert Sedler
received the John W Reed Michigan
Lawyer Legacy Award, presented to a
professor from a Michigan law school
whose influence on Michigan law-
yers has elevated the quality of legal
practice in the state. For more than 50
years, Sedler has been educating law
students.

Former Detroiter Sol Koenigsberg has
written a book concerning his experi-
ences as the former executive director
of the Jewish Federation of Greater
Kansas City. 1968-1989. Its title is
Challenges and Growth. A graduate of
Cass Technical High School and Wayne
University, Koenigsberg was a member
of the staff of the then-named Jewish
Social Service Bureau and also was a
supervisor of its Department of the
Aging when it became the Jewish

Jewish Gay Network
Looks At Judicial Races
On Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m., a
voter informational meeting spon-
sored by the Jewish Gay Network will
be held at the Jewish Community
Center of Oak Park. It will feature Jay
Kaplan, staff attorney for ACLU of
Michigan LGBT Project.
He will particularly focus on the
differences among the candidates of
the courts as they relate to securing
LGBT equality. "It is crucially impor-
tant for voters who care about social
justice and LGBT civil rights to have
complete information so they may
cast an informed vote says Kaplan.
This program is open to the public.
Reservations are not required.

Family Service. He joined the Jewish
Federation of Detroit from 1957-1962.

The Bottomless Toy Chest, which
serves cancer patients in pediatric
hospitals, run by Elana Weinstein,
won a $10,000 grant through Chase
Community Giving. Competing
against 5,000 charities, the Bottomless
Toy Chest received 1,410 votes to fin-
ish in 163rd place, high enough to
receive the grant, which will allow the
charity to expand its program into
another hospital as well to expand
its program more deeply into the
hospitals it already serves (Children's
Hospital of Michigan, Beaumont, C.S.
Mott, Sparrow and St. John.)

Tessa LeWitt of Bloomfield Hills, a
senior at Andover High School, con-
ducted high-level medical research this
summer in Israel. She was among 37
high school students to participate in
the SciTech program at the Technion-
Israel Institute of Technology in
Haifa — an innovative program for
high school juniors and seniors with
a demonstrated interest and ability
in science and technology. LeWitt
worked with two other students on
the medical project: "A New Molecular
Culprit in Parkinson Disease which
determines the effect of the Skpl gene
on the Ubiquitin Proteasome System
(for which Technion Professors Aaron
Ciechanover and Avram Hershko won
a Technion Nobel Prize).

Linda Soberman of Bloomfield Hills
has a number of pieces in a show that
just opened in New York City at the
Museum at the Hebrew Union College.
She is a well-known local artist who
has studied and taught all over the
world. The show is on sexuality, with an
emphasis on the Jewish viewpoint. Her
works are about memory and loss.

Israeli Official To Speak
At Travel Expo In Pontiac
Israel's official Ministry of Tourism
will feature a new video in its "Bible
Comes to Life" series at the upcom-
ing Ultimate Travel and Vacation
Expo, Oct. 13-14, at Ultimate Soccer
and Expo Center in Pontiac.
Director of the Midwest Division
of Israel Ministry of Tourism Omer
Eschel narrates the video and will
host a booth at the expo. It takes
place at 867 South Blvd., Pontiac, on
Oct. 13 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and Oct.
14, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is
$7; free for ages 17 and under.
For information, visit www.
ultimatetravelexpo.com or call (800)
837-4477.