family focus 1-4eff,iti_5 Ake Hefps Israe! Cooperative Divorce NEUTERING ME MEANS 3,200 LESS HOMELESS CATS ON THE STREETS OF SRAEL IN A FEW YEARS. Meow Mitzvah Mission of Israel is a 50I(c)3 organization dedicated to solving the stray and feral cat epidemic that plaques the streets and neighborhoods of Israel, and in doing so, improve community health, the environment, and the quality of life for the people (and cats) in Israel. WITH OUR P.E.A.0 E. INITIATIVE, WE WILL... PROVIDE solutions to effectively reduce and control the street cat overpopulation problem. impacted communities about feral and stray cats, our strategies for solving the overpopulation crisis, and the positive outcome of our activities. ADVOCATE for community-based Trap / Neuter / Vaccinate / Return + Monitor (TNVR+M) programs which includes on-going responsible management. COLLABORATE with private and public sector organizations to plan and execute coordinated activities with measurable goals. ENHANCE the quality of life for the people of Israel, one neighborhood at a time! DONATE ONLINE HOW YOU CAN HELP! Visit our website at www.meowmission.org By making a donation to Meow Mitzvah Mission of Israel, you'll be creating lasting solutions for the people, communities, and street cats of Israel. )ONATE RY MAIL Make checks payable to: Meow Mitzvah Mission of Israel 7071 Orchard Lake Road Suite 315 West Bloomfield, MI 48322 MEOW MITZVAH MOON OF ISRAEL FELINE CARE. COMMUNITY HEALTH. 248-846-8000 EVERY SUNDAY thru October 20 • 9am-3pm Located on N. Old Woodward just north of Booth Park. Corn Festival Sunday, Aug. 11 Harvest Festival Sunday, Sept. 15 BIRMINGHAM //A WILI ■ FARMER* MARKET r ‘, Fresh Cut Flowers • Produce • Organics • Baked Goods • Kids Crafts Prepared Foods • Live Entertainment • Annuals & Perennials BirminghamFarmersMarket.org vivigoo Scott MISCH s2 . 1)4)4* 4 ammo COCUSO DYIVANLNI LI FE _ _ feedorbrook A xs A S STATION TV 40 July 18 • 2013 JN Yit.re ax,shuisic,MMM Bar & Grill JN Lawyer specializes in helping clients through life transitions with dignity. N I Lynne Meredith Golodner Special to the Jewish News of many people go to law school thinking they want to specialize in divorce. But growing up, Alisa Peskin-Shepherd saw divorce firsthand and was inspired by a neighbor whose compassionate approach to family law spurred her toward carving out a career in this niche. Now, the Congregation B'nai Moshe member, who regularly reads Torah on Shabbat and serves on the synagogue's board of directors, has branded her own Bloomfield Hills law practice as Transitions Legal because she spe- cializes in helping people through life transitions with dig- nity, compassion and strategic guidance. "My life and aca- demic experiences brought me to where I am right now:' says Alisa Peskin- Peskin-Shepherd Shepherd of Birmingham. "Ultimately, I real- ized that I could help people going through a very difficult, challenging, but empowering time in their lives if I chose this niche:' Peskin-Shepherd specializes in what she calls "mediative" divorce, where the first goal is to collaborate and work with the other side cooperatively. "You can't always do it:' says the mother of two grown daughters, "but you should always try:' For families, she says, this approach maintains "a sense of respect for the other person — especially if you have children. No matter the age, children of divorce feel the effects throughout their lives. I believe it is essential to reduce stress and tension whenever possible so everyone can heal and build a satisfying life post-divorce:' Peskin-Shepherd is particularly sen- sitive to the nuances of Jewish divorce. Her understanding of Jewish law helps her remain aware of things like stipu- lating in a civil divorce that the parties will grant a kosher get (divorce decree) as required by Jewish law. She also guides Jewish clients toward including whatever may be meaningful in the Jewish family lifecycle. "Divorce is a legal proceeding, yes, but it is a very emotional time for people going through it:' she says. "Imagine hammering out the details of a divorce decree and forgetting to include something as important as a get — the lack of a get means you can- not technically remarry under Jewish law. That could be devastating and, in the heat of the moment, surely isn't the first thing on a person's mind. But it matters down the road!" That's a divorce attorney's job, says Peskin-Shepherd: To see the big pic- ture for clients, and present all possible options so clients are informed and empowered. To be successful in business, Peskin- Shepherd keeps her eye on her busi- ness values. "That's how I determine if a client is a good fit or if I should refer them to someone else. In any business, it helps to articulate — and to write it down — what your vision, goal and values are. Once you put them out there, they become real, the driving force propelling your business forward:' She tells her clients the same thing. "The first step in any divorce is to articulate your basic values — what's important to you? Then make your choices on that basis. If you know your priorities, it is easier to decide which fights are worth having and which you can set aside!" An approved mediator statewide, Peskin-Shepherd has acted as a guard- ian-ad-litem, protecting the interests of children within the legal system, and has special training in domestic violence through the State Bar of Michigan Open Justice Commission. She speaks widely and leads work- shops on topics related to divorce, counseling and mediation, and was a member of the Family Mediation Council board for many years. "When people ask me if I like my work, I say, 'Of course, I love what I do — otherwise I really couldn't practice this type of law:" she says. "I have the gift of helping people through difficult times in their lives toward a manageable outcome. I am so honored to guide people through emotionally challenging times; it requires bravery to leave a marriage that isn't working and build an entirely new, independent life. My clients are my inspiration" ❑ Lynne Meredith Golodner is owner/chief creative officer of Your People LLC, a Southfield public relations firm.