metro WHOM DO WE THANK OR IRON DOME? Am a & 1, 4k Emily Elconin and Randi Goode in the Orchard Valley Swim & Racquet Club pool before the club closed in 2007 Deed Donated Former Orchard Valley Swim Club given to Friendship Circle. 2 1 Thank the Technion. As recently seen, Israel's Iron Dome can intercept and destroy missiles — and save lives. In terms of capabilities, speed and accuracy, there is no system like it anywhere in the world. It was developed at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, whose CEO says, "We couldn't have done it without Technion graduates...some 80 percent of our engineering force are Technion graduates." ■ And there are many more breakthroughs at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. As one of the world's leading universities in science, technology and medicine, the Technion is a major source of innovation. The brainpower of its graduates helps drive the Israeli economy and contributes to the health and security of people in Israel and around the world. ■ The American Technion Society consists of thousands of people in the United States who support the Technion. Please join us and help make the next generation of Technion breakthroughs possible. For more information, visit www.ats.org/IronDome or call 617.964.0048. Keri Guten Cohen Story Development Editor T American Technion Society Advancing Innovation for Israel and the World American Technion Society — Detroit Office 6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 304, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 For information contact: Regional Director, Joey Selesny, 248.593.6760 or joey@ats.org Happy Passover from the American Technion Society — Detroit Chapter Linda Kovan, Chapter President I Scott Leemaster, National Board President Please join us on our upcoming mission to Spain and Israel May 26th — June 7th, 2013 For information contact: Joey Selesny, Regional Director 248.593.6760 Email: joey@ats.org American Technion Society — Detroit Office, 6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 304, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 Al1110 American Technion Society Advancing Innovation for Israel and the World 1823150 20 March 21 • 2013 he Orchard Lake Swim & Racquet Club, nestled near the Woodcrest North neighborhood at the end of Beverly Crest Drive in West Bloomfield, has been donated to Friendship Circle, best known for assisting children and young adults with special needs by providing them with important life skills training and emotional support. The nearly 5 acres the swim club sits on was deeded to Friendship Circle by David Glass of Birmingham and Randy and Lauren Lesson of West Bloomfield, who purchased the property for back taxes at an auction a year or so ago. The club, which opened in 1968 and closed in 2007, boasted as many as 335 family members in its heyday. The land was deeded to the neighbor- hood association for $1 from Detroit Edison when the surrounding homes were new and full of families with young children, says Joel Elconin of West Bloomfield, the last vice presi- dent of the club. When the club shut down, 160 families still were mem- bers. The board tried to give the club away, but was unable to do so, Elconin says. In the deed, DTE Energy stipulated that the property be used for recreation or a nonprofit organization, he explained. Longtime members have wonder- ful memories of Orchard Lake Swim Club. Amy Vine of West Bloomfield and her family were members in the 1970s and 1980s. "Orchard Lake Swim Club was like a second home to me, and I even learned how to swim there." Alan Cutler of West Bloomfield, a former member and a founding president of the club, said, "I'm very pleased to see the club will be vibrant again with smiling children:' The property, now overgrown, has not been used since 2007. The pool has been sealed since then and Elconin is unsure of its condition. He says there are tennis courts, a basket- ball court, a play structure, a club- house with locker rooms and bath- rooms, a snack bar and picnic area. "There's a lot of work to do:' Elconin said. David Glass said, "We truly hope that our donation of the swim club to the Friendship Circle will further strengthen their place in the commu- nity and will help them to continue to honor their extraordinary commit- ment to the many children and fami- lies who benefit from this incredible organization!' Bassie Shemtov of the West Bloomfield-based Friendship Circle said, "We are so appreciative of the generosity shown by David and Randy. We are working to determine the best future use of this beautiful facility and land:' Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Friendship Circle executive director, added, "We hope to start some programming there, perhaps with the tennis courts, this summer. It will need significant repairs. We did not yet get a reliable estimate. After assessing the options for renovation and getting a better idea of cost, we will explore possible funding opportunities." ❑ Wendy Fayne of Mort Meisner Associates contributed to this story.