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Meet Leor Barak from page 29
CONSIGNMENT AND AUCTION HOUSE
Detroit Vegan Soul and Red Hook. And
my parents are no longer worried about
my decision. They love the neighborhood
and feel at home here.
Managed Estates and Le Shoppe of Walled Lake have
teamed up to bring you Le Shoppe Too!
On The Downtown
Synagogue
Specializing in 20th Century furniture and design, art, home decor and
women's clothing. We are also purveyors of unique vintage jewelry.
Accepting consignments for our upcoming auctions!
Amazing Estate Sale from Gated Community Home moved
to our showroom This Weekend!
Designer Glass, Furniture, Fine Art, Jewelry+++
January 22-25
Thursday 4pm - 8pm I Fri & Sat 11 am - 5pm iSun 11 am - 3 pm
3325 Orchard Lake Road, Keego Harbor, MI 48320
**The former House of Denmark building**
.248) 481-888•
info@leshoppe.net
1976740
RSVP today.
WHEN
Thursday, February 5, 2015
6:30 PM Eastern
WHERE
Meriwether's Bar & Grill
25485 Telegraph Road
Southfield, MI 48033
Ready to learn
more about
relapsing
EXPERT SPEAKERS
Michael A Connor, DO
Medical Director
Comprehensive MS Center
Columbia St. Mary's Hospital.
Milwaukee, WI
You and your loved one are invited to an MS LIVING EVENT.
Hear from MS experts and others who are living with MS. Plus, get some
answers about dealing with MS and information on an oral treatment.
FYI
A meal will be provided.
Free parking or valet availabl,
PLEASE RSVP AT
mslivingevents.com
or call 1-866-703-6293
Register today.
Space is limited.
Event ID:
NOTTING HILL
(r:1 2 . " S
AQUATICS THERAPY POOL
Notting Hill of West Bloomfield is focused on
short-term in-patient rehabilitation, with the goal of
transitioning back home. We are happy to announce
the opening of our Aquatics Therapy pool. Aquatic
Therapy uses water's naturally therapeutic properties
of buoyancy, resistance and warmth to enhance the
therapy experience. Since not all people respond
well to traditional gym exercise programs, many
people find aquatic therapy less stressful, preferable to
traditional methods...and FUN!
of WEST BLOOMFIELD
Why Choose Aquatic Therapy?
• Gently builds strength
• Reduces pain
and muscle tone
• Minimizes swelling
• Increases blood circulation
Delivers better joint
• Improves range of motion
position awareness
• Decreases joint stress
• Develops core strength
6535 Drake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322
"Weightless" Rehab
phone 248.592.2000 I www.cienafacilities.com
9
1 titi A
CO nun...
1977120
30January 22 • 2015
JN
myJewishDetroit: For someone
who claims to have little religious
background, you've emerged as a
deeply committed Jewish communal
leader. How did you get involved with
the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue?
Leor: For me, it's always been about
Detroit. It's ironic that I moved to
Detroit not thinking there would be a
Jewish community— and frankly not
caring all that much — and then, by
happenstance, getting involved in a
synagogue.
It was something that just happened
because the last free-standing
synagogue in the city was an institution
on the verge of closure. This was an
opportunity for those of us who stepped
up — along with Oren Goldenberg,
Courtney Smith, Lydia Thomas and a few
others—to breathe new life into this
amazing place.
In 2011, the Downtown Synagogue
received generous dollars from the
Mandell L. and Madeleine H. Berman
Foundation and the Jewish Fund to
enable our growth. Just recently, we
were awarded the Robert Sosnick
Award of Excellence, based partly on
the criterion of collaboration with other
organizations. We were honored to win
that award this year because it validates
our diversity, our partnership — and
fellowship —with so many different
organizations and individuals in the city.
Today, the Downtown Synagogue has
a full calendar of programs and events
to serve its growing membership; we've
made improvements to our building and
added staff support; and we continue to
garner the attention and support of the
greater Detroit Jewish community with
which we often collaborate.
Additionally, we have nearly
completed a strategic plan to further
develop the synagogue as a hub of
Jewish life in Detroit. As much as we've
accomplished, we have much more
work to do and look forward to the
continued support of the community.
On Labors Of Love,
Pizza And Music
myJewishDetroit: As a real estate
and business lawyer, you've had a hand
in many developments in the city. Have
you any personal projects going on?
Leor: My day job as a real estate and
business law attorney means I assist
clients with buying, selling and leasing
property, drawing up contracts for
LLCs and nonprofits and occasionally
litigation resolving land use disputes
or other contract issues. Beyond a busy
practice, I have three very different
pursuits.
Recently, I bought this disaster of a
house for $2,500 directly behind my
duplex on Seyburn. It's a historic house
that was going to be demolished and
turned into a parking lot — and for
the love of the neighborhood, I was
not going to let that happen. It's going
to take a lot of work — and a few
years — to bring that house back to
life, but I'm determined to do it. I might
make money on it in something like
seven years!
Another venture: I'm the new co-
owner of a longstanding carryout pizza
restaurant at the foot of Belle Isle, re-
opening this year. I've been passionate
about the pizza and calzones from this
place — Garalinos — for years, but
they closed down recently. The pizza
was and will continue to be high-quality
New York style, of which I've always
been a fan. I passed the place a few
months ago, saw a handwritten for-sale
sign on an old pizza box in the window,
and called the guy to inquire. One thing
led to another, and here I am. I have a
business partner who is great to work
with and as excited as I am to bring the
place back!
Lastly — and maybe my first passion
— is music. I taught myself to play
in college — started on the bass, but
really progressed on guitar in college
after winning an amplifier in a pool
game. (It's true, I would not be playing
music if it weren't for playing pool.)
I learned quickly, formed a band and
started playing gigs. I took a break for
a few years while in law school and
beyond, but I got serious about it again
recently and couldn't be happier with
the progress and development of my
band, 7Layers.
A few years ago, I named my band
Kavanah— a beautiful Hebrew name
meaning "intentionality." However,
no one pronounced it right, always
mistaking it for Cavanaugh, like the Irish
name or former Detroit mayor. So I knew
the name needed to change. I can't say
exactly how the name 7Layers came to
me, but one day, during a subcommittee
meeting at the synagogue where we
were discussing plans to remodel the
kitchen, the name just popped into my
head and stuck. We don't have seven
members of the band, nor do we plan
to. The name fits our spirit and our
vision of a fusion of eclectic musical
styles —funk, rock, latin, reggae, dance,
hip-hop and others. It is very accessible
music and easy to enjoy. We put on a
killer show. ❑
Vivian Henoch is editor and writer at
myjewishdetroit.org where this story first
appeared.