L'shanah Tovah!

Reflection,
Recharging And
Reinvigoration

0

n Feb. 5 of this year, Yad
Ezra celebrated its 25th
anniversary.
That's 25 years of feeding vul-
nerable families, all of whom have
endured challenges
and hardship, yet, who
arrive at Yad Ezra with
smiles on their faces,
grateful for our help
and optimistic about the
future.
Some of these fami-
lies have been with us
since the very beginning
when our fundrais-
ing efforts limited our
ability to distribute
only a week's worth of
nonperishable items once a month
to families in need. Fast forward 25
years, and the groceries they choose
last at least three weeks and consist
of a variety of perishables including
highly desirable proteins and fresh
fruits and vegetables.
Millions of pounds of healthy
food, toiletries and household clean-
ing items have reached homes all
over Southeast Michigan and as
far as away as Flint, Ann Arbor,
Grand Rapids, Toledo and Windsor
through the help of thousands of
volunteers who have chosen to dedi-
cate their time, talent, efforts and
funds to Yad Ezra.
However, don't mistake our
respect for the past to mean that our
work is done. We believe that there
will always be families struggling
to make ends meet and that Yad
Ezra must remain in the forefront
of efforts to advocate, educate and
raise awareness about food insecu-
rity. This mindset, coupled with the
opportunity to expand our operation
in the area of educational volunteer
collaborations, has given birth to a
new project that will engage organi-
zations and individuals from all over
Southeast Michigan.
Our very successful fundrais-
ing event in 2013, honoring Nicole
and Matt Lester, raised the revenue
needed to build a greenhouse in
memory of Matt's mother, Geri, on
our property. This undertaking has
been spearheaded by our friends

at Team4Community, a consultant
group that works with nonprofits.
Thanks to the generosity of a
local family foundation, the Fisher
Foundation Giving Gardens Project
featuring the late Geri
Lester Greenhouse is
becoming a reality.
The project will pro-
vide hands-on learning
experience in the areas
of growing locally, food
sustainability and food
justice issues. Volunteers
from a variety of back-
grounds and organiza-
tions will be able to "dig
in" and plant (new) roots
while viewing the issue of
hunger through a holistic lens.
While we are very excited about
this groundbreaking project, we
have not forgotten the roots of our
organization. We know that the
primary purpose of Yad Ezra is to
provide kosher food for those in
need. We remain committed to serv-
ing our client families with healthy,
fresh and desirable groceries so that
they can focus their energy on other
daily difficulties.
We are very grateful to our sup-
porters who have partnered with us
in our efforts to alleviate hunger in
our community since we opened our
doors.
As we celebrate Rosh Hashanah,
reflect on the past year and our
hopes for the future, we again must
thank all of you who have enabled
Yad Ezra to continue the important
work that we do. We hope that you
will continue partnering with us
as we embark on a new effort to
address the issue of food insecurity.
Though the old roots remain
strong, the new roots being planted
will provide an exciting and ener-
gized expanded foundation for Yad
Ezra's future.
On behalf of our clients, volun-
teers and staff, best wishes for a
healthy, happy and peaceful New
Year.

Lea Luger is executive director

of Berkley-based Yad Ezra.

May this year be filled with
health and happiness!

We thank you for your patronage and hope
you will come see us in the new year.

The Maple has a new kitchen and
is serving wonderful food!

The Kitchen opens
Tuesday thru Sunday at
11 a.m. for lunch and dinner.

For showtimes, tickets, and information:

themapletheater.com
248-855-9091

If you have not yet visited our new
theater in Farmington Hills, please
visit The Riviera Cinema! An all

luxury experience awaits you
with comfortable recliners in

every auditorium.

For showtimes, tickets, and information:

therivieracinema.com
248-476-0060

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The Maple Theater

The Riviera Cinema

4135 W. Maple Road
(Maple just west of Telegraph)
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301

30170 Grand River Ave.
(west of Middlebelt off of 9 mile)
Farmington Hills, MI 48336

2302860

September 10 • 2015

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