oints of view >> Send letters to: letters@thejewishnews.com Editorial Communal Assets A Community Pillar I t works under the public radar, but it's a financial powerhouse, con- trolling nearly $500 million — the collective monetary and real estate assets of the Detroit Jewish communi- ty. It's called United Jewish Foundation (UJF), the banking and investment arm of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, our chief plan- ning and fundraising agency. There's no mistaking that Jewish Detroit depends on UJF's professional and lay leaders exercising fiscal prow- ess to keep Foundation investment yields as well as Federation fundrais- ing support coming. From its investment perch, UJF commands a long view of community activities and resources while working with Federation to help meet Jewish needs locally, in Israel and elsewhere in the diaspora. The Foundation keystone is the Jewish Community Endowment Fund, which stands at more than $350 mil- lion. This umbrella represents more than 1,700 separate funds endowed by generous local donors. Earnings sus- tain the Fund. The UJF real estate ledger shows more than 2 million square feet of space with an insurance value of $300 million. The communally owned property houses partner agencies that provide an array of services. The Jewish Community Center is an exam- ple of a larger partner. UJF President Todd Sachse was able to give the 325 attendees at the Sept.10 combined annual meeting of Federation and UJF an encouraging fore- Todd Sachse cast thanks in part to the Foundation's "balanced pool" (investment portfolio) earning an eye-popping return of 17.8 percent for the fiscal year ending May 31. That followed an average annual return of 8.3 percent over the three previous years — a nice four-year haul. Combined income for the 2012-2013 fiscal year increased to more than $100 million, the result of Federation donor contributions and Foundation investment earnings. This past year, UJF committees oversaw a variety of new construc- tion and major renovation projects, including a new Yeshiva Beth Yehudah preschool and girls' high school in Oak Park and a new playground at the Oak Park JCC. There also were improvements at Tamarack Camps' Camp Maas in Ortonville and at the Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus in West Bloomfield. Ever-important security in our schools and other facilities was upgraded as well. The Foundation peered into the future on behalf of Tamarack campers and adopted the most comprehensive master plan for them ever. It also con- ducted a planning review of needed repairs and maintenance at all prop- erties to try to stave off a crushing unexpected expense. Property upkeep is a continuing and necessary battle. To help secure Jewish Detroit's future amid our stagnant popula- tion and Michigan's uncertain econ- omy, the Federation/ Foundation Centennial Campaign, under Nancy Grosfeld's leadership, has secured $80 million in lifetime and testa- mentary gifts toward Nancy a goal of $250 mil- Grosfeld lion by Dec. 31, 2015. The Centennial Campaign is posi- tioned to be a pivotal supplement for Federation's Annual Campaign, our top communal fundraiser but still subject to the whims and cycles of donors. We as a Jewish community only need to look to the city of Detroit's bankruptcy filing to appreciate the value of money management. UJF has a proven management and invest- ment record. But that doesn't mean it shouldn't be held to the highest levels of openness and transparency. Such accountability not only show- cases our excellent investment divi- dends, but also underscores — and assures — the fiscal cleanliness of our investment managers. ❑ Guest Column Be Part Of The Literacy Solution F or most children, the arrival of fall and the start of a new school year is an exciting time. They are eager to meet their new teachers, make friends in class, and learn fresh and exciting skills and ideas. Yet for too many students, this is a scary time. They worry whether they will be able to keep up with their class- mates and perform. They are fearful and embarrassed and know they are lagging behind. And they know they are lacking the one essential skill that can unlock the key to their success: the ability to read. These children are worth our invest- ment. The Detroit Jewish Coalition for Literacy (DJCL), a program of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), can help you be part of the solution. DJCL will offer current and prospective literacy volunteers "a buffet" of resources at its free "Tools to Teach Your Students to Love Learning" event at the West Bloomfield Township Public Library on Friday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon. The workshop will provide new and veteran volunteers the opportunity to hear a librarian's review of the latest children's books, gain skills for reading recovery and special needs students, discover iPad apps for enhanced learning, gain insights from 36 September 26 • 2013 AM volunteer school coordinators and learn about exciting new DJCL volunteer opportunities. A light breakfast and lots of inspiration will be served. Limited resources in our schools make it nearly impossible for teachers and principals to provide the individualized attention needed to help students struggling with literacy. DJCL engages more than 500 literacy volunteers in schools throughout Oakland County and the city of Detroit, helping students learn to read and develop a love of reading. The program arranges volunteer placement, provides resources, tools and workshops for volunteers, and free books for students. DJCL partners with numerous commu- nity organizations, synagogues, temples, school alumni groups and literacy agencies to facilitate this important work. Repair the World coordinates DJCL programs in some of the Detroit Public Schools. Many DJCL volunteers have been trained by the Detroit Public School Reading Corps to work with begin- ning readers (Pre-K and K) using the Reading Corps method. Beyond Basics, another DJCL litera- cy partner, provides literacy education in some of the lowest- performing schools in Detroit, employ- ing one-on one- tutors to bring children up to reading at grade level in as short a time as six weeks. DJCL volunteers are trained by Beyond Basics to serve as "reading buddies" who listen to children read and provide assis- tance and encouragement. Thirkell Elementary School in Detroit, where Beyond Basics has operated a one- on-one tutoring program for reading, writing and word comprehension for eight years, was recently ranked No. 1 in a new statewide report card from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Most DJCL volunteers make a weekly commitment to read at least one hour to students in pre-kindergarten through third grade. And while its motto is "Give an hour a week and change the life of a child:' DJCL offers other volunteer options for those who are out of town for part of the winter or who cannot volunteer regularly. We, DJCL co-chairs Sue Birnholtz and Ruth Grey, and literacy coordinator Linda Foster are ready to help you join the Jewish community's efforts to fight illiteracy in our community. We will work hard to find the best placement for any volunteer. We invite you to join us at DJCL's Oct. 4 volunteer workshop and be part of the solution. DJCL will provide you with the resources and tools, but it is the children who will provide the rewards. Program space is limited, and advanced registration is strongly recommended. To register, visit volunteerliteracyevent. eventbrite.com. The West Bloomfield Township Public Library is located at 4600 Walnut Lake Road. For additional infor- mation about the workshop, or to learn more about DJCL volunteer opportunities, contact JCRC Literacy Coordinator Linda Foster at (248) 642-2656 or at foster@ jfmd.org. ❑ Ruth Grey and Sue Birnholtz are co-chairs of the Detroit Jewish Coalition for Literacy.