metro Mediation from page 22 campaign, adds, "Nina is a tireless champion for mediation, and that comes from long experience and train- ing. She knows the shortcomings of adversarial dispute resolution and the benefits of collaborating to find solu- tions. Getting that message to the public is her passion, and she's succeeding:' Abrams is busy. In addition to co-chairing Michigan Mediates, she conducts mediation at the Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Community Dispute Resolution Program centers. She is also the finance co-chair for the Jewish Women's Foundation. "I've been doing mediation for more than 25 years:' she says. "I love multi- party cases — putting eight people in a room together and saying, 'We can do this: I also like doing family cases. My job is to facilitate and sometimes to keep the temperature down in the meeting:' Abrams grew up in Flint. She earned an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Loyola University in Chicago. Early in her career, she had an internship to become a labor/management arbitra- tor, before choosing family law as her specialty. Campaign Goals The Michigan Mediates campaign has several goals, including highlighting alternatives to litigation, explaining how to resolve disputes peacefully and less expensively, identifying commu- nity needs for specialized programs, reducing court expenses when a viable alternative to litigation is available, and overcoming resistance to alternative dispute resolution. "The urban myth is that mediation takes work away from lawyers," she says. "The reality is they're going to settle in 98 percent of the civil cases anyway." The campaign has included inter- views, articles in newspapers and professional journals, public service announcements, advertisements, events and the launch of a website. Grants and donations sustain the campaign. A Department of Education grant funds the training of special edu- cation mediators. A U.S. Department of Agriculture grant helps with the administration of an agriculture-based mediation program. Abrams notes that you don't have to be an attorney to be a mediator. "Mediators could be rabbis, retirees — anyone," she says. Mediator train- ing is conducted by the Community Dispute Resolution Centers and the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. "There has been so much neurological research in how people think, act and communicate that hav- ing the training to use that research helps people reach a settlement," she says. All of Michigan's law schools also have courses in alternative dispute resolution. Serving as a mediator has its rewards, says Abrams. "I take a lot of pleasure when the case ends with happy crying and hug- ging," she says. "People usually come in fairly prepared for mediation. They have their dream goals, what they want to accomplish and what they're willing to live with. Even if you don't settle, you at least have the issues stated in a clearer matter:' Michigan Mediates has developed a website that explains mediation, where it can be useful, mediation solutions for families, businesses, seniors and farm- ers, in addition to suggestions on where to find a mediator and how to donate to support the campaign. The address: www.MichiganMediates.net. Cantor Lanzkron-Tamarazo Leads Beth Shalom Services Cantor Frank Lanzkron- Tamarazo will lead holiday services again this year for Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park and three Shabbat services each month. He is a graduate of the Miller Cantorial School Cantor Frank of the Jewish Theological Lanzkron- Seminary and served three Tamarazo congregations before coming to Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. Later, he started Congregation Hava Nashira and has led High Holiday services for the Downtown Synagogue. Cantor Frank is also the owner and master roaster of Chazzano Coffee Roasters in Ferndale. He recently founded God and Coffee Consulting to help new business owners grow their busi- nesses and their lives. He has been active with many professional organizations, including past president of the Michigan Board of Cantors, and serves on the board of directors for the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce and the South Oakland YMCA. Cantor Frank is now an author with his first book, God Cries and An Angel Loses its Wings. ❑ Celebrate Life - Come Live With Us! a residence of Jewish Senior Life 6760 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan 48322 Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus Patti Tauber, LMSW, Administrator Independent Living in a Luxurious Senior Community Ask about our moving fee special Complimentary JCC General Membership JEWISH SENIOR LIFE pe or .st c Voted Best ilicitgan in Senior Housing 20131 Detroit Jewish News 24 June 19 • 2014 Spacious open floor plans with private balconies Covered parking Kosher nutritious dinners Social work staff and support Social and educational programs Fitness room, library and computer center Bus transportation for shopping and social outings On-site café, boutique and hair salon Personal care services available For information or to visit, call Marcia Mittelman at 248-661-1836 or visit www.jsImi.org for an application! 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