points of view
Senior Living I Independent awe/Assisted Living
Jewish Detroit from page 35
Independence
Village
of WHITE LAKE
r.
Forging Ahead
Much has happened since then.
In Scott Kaufman, the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
hired a CEO who thinks strategically,
sees the entire playing field and who,
in the face of resistance from many
of his own lay leaders, carved out
a path that is helping to keep more
of our young adults here and bring
more back home. Concurrently, he is
making Federation relevant to new
generations of potential leaders and
donors.
In Dan Gilbert, the Jewish com-
munity has a savvy businessman who
understands the importance of an
urban-hip Detroit as a hub for the
region and as a lure for young adults.
At a time when jobs-jobs-jobs are
still a key reason for people to stay
or relocate here, Gilbert's compa-
nies now employ more than 12,000
in "Gilbertville" around Campus
Martius. The spillover of Gilbert's
vision has special importance to the
Jewish community and its future.
The folks at Young Israel of
Southfield and Akiva, in a small but
significant way, have been modeling
behavior for the rest of the commu-
nity — proactively recruiting young
Orthodox families from more expen-
sive parts of the country to move here
because of the quality and affordabil-
ity of Jewish life that we offer.
The region's auto-dependent
economy, and Detroit, have hit rock-
bottom and are on the rebound. The
challenges are still mind boggling, but
the Detroit of today is a more hopeful
1111 11•P
r — s
•
At the Village
Grabbing The Reins
But, we need to remember that the
numbers don't lie. While there is a
palpable belief that younger people
are returning to the Detroit area,
trends take years, even decades, to
change. It will require more than
keeping our young adults here or
bringing them back home to reverse
this decline. As Michigan puts out
the welcome mat for immigration,
we need our own version of a "Jewish
welcome mat" to attract "immigrants"
from New York, Chicago, Boston,
Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and
other high-cost areas.
In the classic baseball movie Field
of Dreams, we are told that "if you
build it, they will come" to a cornfield
in the middle of Iowa. We have built
it in Detroit and continue to do so.
But we are dealing with reality. And
reality requires that we actively and
aggressively recruit young families to
Detroit.
In the middle of 2014, we have a
unique opportunity
that must not be
squandered. We
MR. SHULDIG AND
have
a rebound-
11P HIS DOG DOOBIE
ing region, more
job opportunities,
an affordable cost
IT'S A CRITICAL
WHAT'S A
of living and an
PART OF TWO
"GET OUT OF
unsurpassed
Jewish
AMERICAN GAMES
JAIL FREE"
infrastructure and
CARD?
safety net — recently
enhanced with more
than $35 million in
gifts and grants. We
need to tell it to more
than ourselves.
As the commu-
nity's central address,
. . ONE IS AND THE OTHER
Federation must seize
ABOARD GAME IS A FANTASY /-
the opportunity to
THAT'S CALLED GAME CALLED
convene representa-
MONOPOLY
APPEASING THE
tives from all parts
PALESTINIANS.
of the Detroit Jewish
community, map out
a sustainable plan,
secure the necessary
resources and imple-
ment. If not now,
when?
Imagine waking up and
having a full day of fun
activities waiting for you.
At Independence Village of White Lake, there is
seldom a dull moment for our residents. Indulge in
everything from our gourmet meals to our exciting
social activities or just relax in our comfortable sur-
roundings. We offer the best in class apartments,
amenities and services. It's your life...so come
live it here!
• Distinctly appointed apartment homes
• Monthly rent includes all utilities (except
telephone and cable), gourmet dinners each
evening, bi-weekly housekeeping services,
transportation, scheduled activities and
complimentary laundry facilities
D ry Bones
• On-site amenities include Internet center,
library, beauty salon, billiards/game room
and Chapel
• For those that need it, now or in
the future, a full range of health
services are available on-site
with 24-hour response staff
Th
APARTMENTS
AVAILABLE
CALL TODAY!
• Pet Friendly
Independence Village
of White Lake
935 Union Lake Rd.,White Lake, MI 48386
Between Elizabeth Lake Road
and Cooley Lake Road
www.SeniorVillages.com
248-360-7235
©2014 Independence Villages are managed and lovingly cared for by Senior Village Management
❑
1914570
36 June 12 • 2014
place and an urban frontier for those
from around the world seeking to
start a business or help shape a new
social-political order. And if urban
living is not what a young family is
seeking, there are still first-class com-
munities like Huntington Woods to
plant their roots.
And, of course, our generous and
unique Jewish community continues
to contribute its treasure and talent to
make sure we remain the most afford-
able — and best — place in America
to raise any kind of Jewish family.