frontlines

Giving Back To The JCC

Elizabeth Applebaum

I Special to the Jewish News

ver since he was "really little,"
10-year-old Jacob Small of
West Bloomfield has been put-
ting money in his tzedakah box. It's
about the size of a paperback book,
decorated with brightly colored pieces
of paper.
Most of the coins and dollar bills
inside are from Jacob's allowance,
which he earns by doing household
chores like loading and unloading the
dishwasher.
Several weeks ago, Jacob, son of
Scott and Jenny Small, decided where
he wanted to donate his tzedakah:
the Jewish Community Center of
Metropolitan Detroit.
Jacob said he read "most of an
article" describing the JCC's financial
challenges in the Jewish News. And
then, very quickly, he knew: "Because

E

they've done so much for me, I wanted
to give back."
A fourth-grader at Sheiko
Elementary, Jacob says he appreciates
being able to come to the JCC's pools
and attend Center Day Camps.
"I loved rocketry camp:' he says,
adding that it is absolutely perfect for
anyone, and he's looking forward to
theater and horseback riding camps
this summer.
So Jacob came with his father to the
JCC in West Bloomfield, and they pre-
sented the money to JCC Interim CEO
Jim Issner, who keeps the tzedakah box
displayed prominently on his desk.
"We as a community should be proud
of Jacob and thank his parents for their
hard work and the obvious results,"
Issner said. "We can also be proud of
our community and all of the efforts to
raise caring young people like Jacob."
Jacob, whose favorite subject in
school is math, also enjoys karate and

Show Support For
Kidnapped Teens

Donor Jacob Small and Jim Issner,
interim CEO of the JCC

building cool things (most recently with
a Star Wars theme) out of Legos.

❑

Elizabeth Applebaum is in the

communications department at the JCC.

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June 26-July 2, 2014 I 28 Sivan-4 Tammuz 5774 I Vol. CXLV, No. 21

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Danny Raskin

Shabbat Lights

Shabbat: Friday, June 27, 8:56 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, June 28, 10:07 p.m.

Shabbat: Friday, July 4, 8:55 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, July 5, 10:06 p.m.

Times are from Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar.

62

Our JN Mission

The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to
reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continu-
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On June 12, Israeli teens Eyal Yifrach,
Gilad Shaar and Naftali Frenkel were kid-
napped by members of the Hamas terror-
ist organization.
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit issued a community letter saying
it and its partner agencies "are heartbro-
ken and deeply concerned for the well-
being of these three young boys. Our
thoughts are with their families as we
pray for the boys' safety and immediate
return.
"Together, we are one united family
— in Metro Detroit, in Israel and around
the world. We join with our fellow Jews
everywhere in our unwavering solidarity
for the three boys and their families:'
The Federation suggested several ways
to show support.
• Sign a letter of unity at the website
bringbackourboys.net .
• Like and share the Bring Back Our
Boys Facebook page and join the 91,000
supporters and growing.
• Tweet with the hashtag
#BringBackOurBoys and
#EyalGiladNaftali on Twitter to show
support and demonstrate solidarity with
the people of Israel.
• Keep informed by visiting these
pages: Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Embassy of Israel to the U.S. and IDF
Facebook page. Then, inform your
greater community, friends and family of
the situation.
• Pray and recite tehillim (psalms) for
the missing boys: Eyal ben Iris Teshurah,
Gilad Michael ben Bat Galim, and Yaakov
Naftali ben Rachel Devorah. Light an
extra candle on Friday night and have in
mind the names of these students.

VISTA Volunteers To
Aid Shoah Survivors

AmeriCorps VISTA members will join
Jewish organizations to increase service
to Holocaust survivors in seven states,
including Michigan — thanks to a part-
nership between Corporation for National
& Community Service and local Jewish
agencies.
VISTAs (Volunteers in Service to
America) are one-year full-time workers
trained and committed to serving popula-
tions in need.
In the agreement, the project spon-
sor, the Association of Jewish Family
& Children's Agencies, will welcome a
VISTA leader to assist in the coordina-
tion of the national program. Locally,
Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan
Detroit will participate.
Recruitment for VISTA participants
is under way in order for the VISTAs to
begin work in the fall. Applicants can
inquire directly with the agencies.

June 26 • 2014

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