metro » Robert P. Blau, M. D. Specializing in Diabetic Eye Care and Diseases of the Vitreous and Retina (GXFDWLRQ Wayne State University School of Medicine Aiding Israeli Soldiers 5HVLGHQF\ Sinai Hospital of Detroit Farber Family Foundation pledges $1.5 million for Friends of the IDF’s education program. Fellowships University of Wisconsin – Vitreo-Retinal Surgery 5REHUW«3«%ODX«0'«KDV«UHORFDWHG«KLV«SUDFWLFH«WR Ryan Greiss | Special to the Jewish News T Michigan Eyecare Institute LASIK, Cataract Surgery, Eyeglasses, Contacts, Dry Eye Therapy, Diabetic Laser Therapy, Glaucoma Laser Therapy, Eyelid Surgery, Eye Exams and Vision Testing Mark Rubinstein, M. D. Walter Cukrowski, M. D. 6RXWK¿«HOG« 29877 Telegraph, Ste. 100 6RXWK½©HOG©0,© (248) 352-2806 $QX«3UDVDG«0«'«« Robert P. Blau, M. D. Livonia ©/HYDQ©6WH©(õ© /LYRQLD©0,© (734) 464-7800 Dearborn ©6FKDHIHU©6WH©© 'HDUERUQ©0,© (313) 582-7440 www.micheyecare.com Accepting New Patients and Most Insurances 2092250 Honor and Celebrate Most Valuable Rabbi Elliot Pachter June 4th & 5th Spend the weekend honoring Rabbi Elliot Pachter for his 25 years of dedication, spiritual guidance, friendship and counsel to our congregation and within the community. Saturday, June 4th at 9:00am Shabbat Services & Kiddush Lunch Guest Speaker Rabbi Eric Grossman, former Head of School at Frankel Jewish Academy and Rabbi Pachter’s mentor, colleague, and friend. Sunday, June 5th at 4:00pm Most Valuable Rabbi Celebration “Play ball” with a look behind the scenes with Al Muskovitz broadcasting live from the Deutsch-Rosenberg Sanctuary, "This is your life, Rabbi Pachter." Dinner, Music and Games to follow Deadline to honor Rabbi Pachter in the Tribute Book is May 2 RSVP for the June 5 Celebration by May 13. Visit www.bnaimoshe.org for details. To volunteer or to donate, call the synagogue offi ce (248) 788-0600 or email us at: PachterMVR@gmail.com 6800 Drake Rd, West Bloomfi eld Township, MI 48322 (248) 788-0600 20 April 14 • 2016 he William and Audrey Farber Family Foundation this year pledged $1.5 million to support the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Formal Education Program, which helps Israeli soldiers complete their high school diplomas. Currently, some 8,400 soldiers serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) who have not finished high school and another 5,000 have not passed at least three “Bagrut” (matriculation) exams. “FIDF’s Formal Education Program helps to educate these soldiers at an average cost per soldier of about $1,515,” FIDF Midwest Executive Director Tamir Oppenheim explained. “This means the Farber Family Foundation’s generous donation will help 990 soldiers complete their diplomas over the next three years.” FIDF, a nonprofit organization estab- lished in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors, provides and supports educa- tional, social, cultural and recreational programs and facilities for IDF soldiers. “FIDF knows that Israeli soldiers have diverse needs — and that their struggles neither begin nor end on the battlefield,” Oppenheim said. “We want to lighten the burden, and make it possible for them to pursue higher education and successful careers.” He also noted that FIDF’s IMPACT! Scholarship Program provides academic scholarships to IDF combat veterans who cannot afford the cost of college tuition. David Farber, spokesperson for his family’s foundation, said he and his fam- ily are longtime supporters of FIDF. “When Paula Lebowitz, director of development for FIDF’s Michigan Chapter, came to us with this proposal, we fell in love with the idea immediately,” said Farber, who lives in Bloomfield Hills and sits on the foundation’s board, along with his wife, Nanci, and brother, Jeff. Rabbi Harold Loss of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield visited the IDF’s “Michve Alon” Education and Youth Corps base last month near Safed. The base offers many of the army’s educa- tional programs, including the Hebrew course for new olim (immigrants). Those olim include David Farber’s son Justin, a Lone Soldier, one who serves in the IDF Pvt. Andrea Goldstein, originally from Detroit, who is enrolled in the Hebrew course at Michve Alon in Israel; Rabbi Harold Loss of West Bloomfield; and Pvt. Sheaf Nof, originally from Detroit without any immediate family in Israel. Loss, who advises the Farber family on Jewish philanthropy, felt it was important to do “due diligence” on the program and see for himself how it changes the lives of Israeli soldiers. “I met a young woman who, prior to joining the army, had never taken a math or science course,” Loss said. “The army instructors were completely dedicated to their students. I left the base thinking this was an amazing program that would truly expand the post-military opportu- nities for the soldiers.” Returning home, Loss told the Farber family that “supporting the FIDF Formal Education Program would be a wonder- ful use of funds.” According to Farber, the William and Audrey Farber Family Foundation was created about two years ago when his father, William Farber, decided to give his estate to charity. “Over the past 18 months, we’ve donated some $44 million to mostly Jewish causes,” he said. “My family has been supporting Jewish education here and in Israel, and this program was a no- brainer. We had the money and we want- ed to do something transformative that would give Israeli soldiers opportunities in life after they complete their military service. We think this is an amazing investment in Israel’s future.” *