The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning of Metropolitan Detroit Meon Siyyum/Graduation 2017 jews d in the Federation Awards Night Federation will honor community members May 24. MARION FREEDMAN AND BECKY HURVITZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS T The Jewish Federation, the Jewish Community Center and the entire Jewish community wish MAZEL TOV to the 5777/2017 Graduates of the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning Shellie Achtman Judith Adler Jennifer Barish Marvin Berman Beth Bitterman Linda Blumberg Sara Braverman Charles Broh Fawn Chayet Amy Dunn Steven Dunn Larry Farber Linda Feldman Marla Feldman Lisa Fox Alice Frank Mikki Frank Eileen Glogower Dana Greenhut Anne Greenstein Barbara Gutman Elaine Hecker Louis Hirschman Michele Kaplan Jessica Klein Sara Kravitz Loraine Kuhn Mark Kuhn Barbara Lange Rena Littman Lynn Margolis Sandra Matz Rena Meyers Emilia Miller Nicole Morof Andree Nordan Marcia Persin Ann Podolsky Michael Randall Marybeth Rosen Becky Sakwa Sylvie Salei Vicki Salinger Michael Sandler Reva Segal Susan Shlom Andrea Solomon Amy Sternfeld Shirley Sweet Carolyn Tisdale David Tushman Enid Wapner Trudy Weiss Stacy Wolf Join us in recognizing our graduates who have completed their two-year commitment to Jewish study. Thursday, May 25, 2017 29 Iyar ‡SP 7KH%HUPDQ Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit 6600 W. Maple Road • West Bloomfield Todah Rabah/Thank You to our Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning Instructors of the Class of 5777/2017: Ruth Bergman Rabbi Michele Faudem Jill Gutmann Rabbi Marla Hornsten Aviva Panush Rebecca Starr decision to create a strong Jewish environment for their daughters and joined Temple Emanu-El. John ulti- mately assumed the presidency of the congregation. John has served on the boards of the Jewish Community Center, JVS and Tamarack Camps and is a past president of Jewish Family Service and the Michigan Regional Advisory Board of the Anti-Defamation League. Additionally, he was chair of the Jewish Eldercare Services Committee (COJES), the Federation Community Services Division and the Government Relations Oversight Committee (GROC). John has been particularly drawn to serve in places where he felt he could make a difference. At COJES, John recognized the needs of the Jewish elderly and sought to coor- dinate services for them. At JFS, he felt compelled to help those who were financially challenged or who suffered from domestic abuse, help- ing to make the Windows Program a reality. At ADL, he helped fight for those who did not have a voice, WILLIAM DAVIDSON who would otherwise have LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT been forced to work on Jewish AWARDEES holidays. Throughout his life, In his role with GROC, he John Jacobs has made lobbied legislators for financial it his mission to fight support for the Jewish commu- for those who could not nity, ensuring that state dollars fight for themselves. A were allocated for Jews as well native Detroiter, John as Chaldeans and Muslims. He attended Mumford High John Jacobs also fought to strengthen the School, graduated from Oak Park/Southfield Jewish Michigan State University communities, recognizing the and earned his Juris important roles they play in Doctor from University our broad Jewish community. of Michigan Law School. The need to support others Along the way, he met his is at the very heart of every- wife, Gilda, and together thing he does. From the time they raised two beautiful he made his first gift to the daughters, Jessica and the Marjorie Krasnick Allied Jewish Campaign to late Rachel. today, John has been work- John grew up at Temple ing to build a better future for Beth El, but his family everyone. did not take an active role in the Marjorie Krasnick was born and Jewish community. As an adult, he raised in Detroit in a home with realized he missed having a Jewish parents who truly loved Jewish life education. He and Gilda made the he Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit is guid- ed by an army of volunteers — of all ages, at all stages of life, from all backgrounds. Generously giving of their time and talents, dedicated lay leaders help Federation identify community needs, develop programs for those needs and ensure the resulting ser- vices are accessible to everyone. Whether fundraising or planning events, they are always willing to answer the call. To honor these individuals, Federation’s Awards Night has become an annual tradition, recog- nizing the service and achievements of a select few who have gone above and beyond to improve the lives of others and build a strong Jewish future. The community is invited to attend Awards Night 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts in West Bloomfield. continued on page 28 26 May 18 • 2017 jn