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JCC Needs A Smaller,
More-Qualified Board
Arthur Horwitz's commentary
on the absolute lack of oversight
and accountability of the JCC
board is spot on ("JCC Board Must
Restructure Itself To Avoid Pitfalls,"
Jan. 29, page 68).
A new, smaller board (no more
than 12 individuals, with expertise in
finance, audits, marketing, corporate
governance, etc.) of fully engaged,
astute and knowledgeable members
should be installed without delay.
Federation also needs to look in the
mirror for allowing this situation to
perpetuate itself for many years.
A suggestion: Perhaps the members
of the JCC and Federation boards
would like to help make up the defi-
cits that occurred under their watch
with larger donations. The amount
of time, effort, money and resources
that have had to be devoted to
addressing the consequences of this
neglect of fiduciary duties is extreme-
ly unfortunate and has no doubt
resulted in many lost opportunities
elsewhere.
"To assume is to be deceived"
(Yiddish proverb).

Douglas R. Woll, M.D.
West Bloomfield

JCC Must Stand On
Its Original Purpose
As a proud member of the JCC, I focus
on the three words that comprise its
name: Jewish, Community and Center.
First is the word Jewish — reflecting
values and traditions that have sus-
tained a proud people for millennia.
Second is Community — a diverse
aggregate of people who share a com-
mon bond with one another.
Third is Center — a place where
people gather for activities.
But when the words are taken
together, Jewish Community Center,
the whole proves to be greater than the
sum of its parts. Since 1956, the JCC
of Oak Park has fulfilled that very pur-
pose by sponsoring activities that have
served young and old, rich and poor,
healthy and infirm.
The JCC of Oak Park is a vital link to
every person who values their place in
the community. It cannot be replaced
or remedied through ad hoc measures
that are now being considered.
Yes, the whole is greater than simply
the sum of its parts — a lesson, I am
afraid, both the Federation and JCC
have not yet fully grasped.
We must reaffirm what it means to
be a community if we are to survive
as one.
We should be reminded that the

official mission statement of the JCC
of Metropolitan Detroit states, in
part, that: "The mission of the Jewish
Community Center of Metropolitan
Detroit is to support Jewish unity,
ensure Jewish continuity and enrich
Jewish life while conveying the impor-
tance of well-being within the Jewish
and general community ..."
By shutting down this facility, unity
would be undermined; continuity
threatened; while enrichment would be
denied. In addition, well-being would
be sacrificed. And last, but certainly
not the least, the general community
will have suffered an irreplaceable
loss.

Jack Margolis
Southfield

Canton Shul's Rabbi
Inspired Congregant
That was a wonderful article about
Congregation Bet Chaverim in
Canton ("Inclusive Community:' Jan.
22, page 1). Bet Chaverim is fortunate
to have Rabbi Peter Gluck as their
spiritual leader.
I knew him when we both lived in
Louisville, Ky. He is responsible for
my becoming a baal teshuvah [newly
observant Jew].

Randy H. Farb
Flint

National Council of Jewish Women
Greater Detroit Section

Celebrating
124 years

Did you know that
NCJW members...

Advocate for social justice by:

• Advancing the well-being
& status of women
• Advancing the well-being of
children and families
• Enhancing the quality of
Jewish life
• Ensuring and advancing
individual & civil rights
• Supporting a secure Israel &
the well-being of all its people

NCJW 2015 National Initiatives

•
•
•
•

Exodus-Anti Sex-Trafficking
Benchmark-Courts Matter
Reproductive Justice
Gender Equality in Israel

Our volunteers make a difference
by participating in Public Affairs
Education programming, staying
updated with Action Alerts
and meeting with and writing
to legislators in Lansing and

Washington DC.

Send la Your

TAKE
ACTION
TODAY

Snapahota!

The Jewish News invites readers to send in
their own nonprofessional photos of their
simchahs for our annual "Community Photo
Album," which will be published in Celebrate!
in the March 19 issue of the JN.
Please send your high-resolution photos to
jheadapohl@renmedia.us with "Photo Album"
in the subject line. Photos should be of sim-
chahs that occurred in the last year.
Along with a photo, send a caption that
identifies all people by name and city of resi-
dence (for children, please include their age),
the type of simchah, the venue and the date it
occurred.

All photos must be submitted by Feb. 25.

Log on to www.ncjwgds.org

We invite YOU to be a part
of NCJW/Greater Detroit.
Visit our website or
give us a call.

MISSION:
The National Council of Jewish Women
(NCJW) is a grassroots organization
of volunteers and advocates who turn
progressive ideals into action. Inspired
by Jewish values, NCJW strives for
social justice by improving the quality
of life for women, children and families
and by safeguarding individual rights
and freedoms.

26400 Lahser Road, Suite 306

Southfield MI 48033

248-355-3300

www.ncjwgds.org

IN

February 5 • 2015

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