>> ... Next Generation ... t oo 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.