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Rising From Th e Ashes

uring my 32 years at the helm
of the Jewish News, we’ve had
our share of successes and
disappointments. However, there
was one particular event — devastat-
ing and triumphant — that remains
burned into the memories of those
who experienced it … The Fire.
Within a 96-hour
window — from
7 p.m. on Jan. 27
through 6 p.m. on
Jan. 31, 2002, the fol-
lowing happened:
• Our offices in
Southfield were
destroyed by fire
Arthur Horwitz
(thankfully, no one
was hurt and we
had off-site backup
for our business
records);
• After learning of the fire by radio
and television reports, dozens of com-
munity members came to the site and
stood side-by-side with our staff as we
helplessly watched the flames con-
sume the building;
• We tapped into our Chubb
Insurance policy for the immediate

cash we needed to secure tempo-
rary space, rent equipment and
purchase essential supplies;
• The ballroom of the nearby
Embassy Suites Hotel, available to
us for only 48 hours, was rented
and transformed overnight into
a makeshift business and news
operation for 56 staff members;
The Feb. 2, 2002, issue
• A handshake deal with Joyce
Keller and Norman Wachler of
champagne were unceremoniously
JARC enabled us to move from the
poured into Styrofoam cups and
ballroom and into the second floor
hoisted to sustained cheers and
of the JARC facility on Northwestern
applause.
Highway in Farmington Hills. (The
The Jewish News arrived on news-
JARC space would be our temporary
stands and in subscriber mailboxes
home for almost a year);
just one day late. It was a 116-page
• The staff rose to the challenge.
edition with a 24-page STYLE at the
They were the Jewish News. In its
Jewish News supplement. And the
60-year history, the Jewish News had
story of the fire was on the JN’s cover.
never missed publishing a single
But the enduring message for the
weekly issue. And on their collective
watch, they were determined this was staff was clear … By applying our minds,
channeling our passions, harnessing
not going to be the first time.
our collective energy and taking action
And it wasn’t.
After the final page flats for the edi- while remembering our purpose, we
could overcome any challenge. •
tion were picked up that Thursday
afternoon by our Port Huron-based
Arthur Horwitz is publisher and executive editor
printer, the staff was exhausted and
of the Jewish News.
exhilarated. A few bottles of cheap

Yiddish Limerick

Henry Lee is an attorney and
Hebrew Free Loan Past President
who believes that giving back and
investing in community are part of
the natural fabric of his life.
“Early on, I was recruited to join
the Young Men’s Leadership Cabinet
of the United Jewish Appeal,”
Henry said. “It was an exciting
time, full of ideals and action. I’ve
been involved in the community in
one way or another ever since.”
Henry married Linda (z’l), who he
describes as an unassuming lady
from a modest background, who
also was involved in community
causes. “ I think she was motivated
to help, probably because she was
helped along the way herself,”
Henry said. “But she was also very
compassionate, and I give her
credit for being another catalyst in
my life for doing good works. When
I was president of Hebrew Free
Loan in 1991, she was president of
the JCC, and we were a highly
visible philanthropic couple. It was
a way of life that I continue. I would
estimate that I’m still involved in
15-20 hours per week of work on
various causes, secular and not.”
Henry remains active at Hebrew
Free Loan, and says he still gets a
lot of pleasure from helping people,
and advising new Board members.
“HFL has come a long way,”
Henry said. “It’s been there through
depressions, recessions, political
strife, and it’s still there, helping
others. It may help in new ways,
with new approaches, but it remains
a place of warmth and understanding.
HFL’s team genuinely cares about
people’s circumstances, and how
they can open the doors of oppor-
tunity for Jews in Michigan.”

Click. Call. Give Now.
www.hfldetroit.org
248.723.8184

Health. A fresh start.
A good education.
The next great business idea.

TU B’SHEVAT

S’iz di geburstog of the tree
So plant a baymle. two or three.
Then vart a bisle, and what is this?
a frucht azay geshmak un zees.
and give a little bis to me.

S’iz di geburstog: It is the birthday
Baymle: little tree
Vart a bisle: wait a little
Frucht: fruit
Azay geshmak: so tasty
Un zees: and sweet
Bis: bite

By Rachel Kapen

Hebrew Free Loan gives interest-
free loans to members of our
community for a variety of
personal and small business
needs. HFL loans are funded
entirely through community
donations which continually
recycle to others, generating
many times the original value
to help maintain the lives of
local Jews.

6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 300 • Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301

Hebrew Free Loan Detroit

jn

@HFLDetroit

January 25 • 2018

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