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CONGRATULATIONS

TO THE RECIPIENTS
OF THE

OU WOMEN’S INITIATIVE
CHALLENGE GRANT

Promoting Innovative Orthodox Women’s
Programming Nationwide

WESTWOOD KEHILLA
Los Angeles, CA
"Inspired Leadership for Women"

BETH JACOB CONGREGATION
Oakland, CA
“Learn to Lead (Lilmod U'Lilamed)”

CONGREGATION
AGUDATH SHOLOM
Stamford, CT
“Transmitting Torah:
By Women... For Women”

YOUNG ISRAEL OF
HOLLYWOOD - FT. LAUDERDALE
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
“YIH Eishet Chayil Initiative”

YOUNG ISRAEL TOCO HILLS
Atlanta, GA
“Women's Seder Avodat
Yamim Noraim”

BNAI JACOB SHAAREI ZION
CONGREGATION
Baltimore, MD
“BJSZ Women's
Education Department”

YOUNG ISRAEL OF SOUTHFIELD
6RXWKîHOG0,
“Your Voice - Our Community”

CONGREGATION
DARCHEI NOAM
Fair Lawn, NJ
“Women's Professional
Mentorship Program”

CONGREGATION
SHOMREI TORAH
Fair Lawn, NJ
“Women's Institute of
Learning and Leadership”

SUBURBAN TORAH
Livingston, NJ
“Women's Center for
Inspired Judaism”

CONGREGATION
KETER TORAH
Teaneck, NJ
“Summer Women’s
Beit Medrash”

LINCOLN SQUARE
SYNAGOGUE
New York, NY
“Women's Torah and
Leadership Training
Program”

YOUNG ISRAEL OF
OCEANSIDE
Oceanside, NY
“M'Dor L'Dor: Cultivating
Jewish Female Leadership
Across Generations”

YOUNG ISRAEL OF
GREATER CLEVELAND
Beachwood, OH
“Saturday Night In(side
Torah): Learning and
Entertainment for the
Women of our Community”

UNITED ORTHODOX
SYNAGOGUES
OF HOUSTON
Houston, TX
“More than Challah and
Candlesticks: Women's
Relationship to Judaism in
an Orthodox Context”

KENESETH BETH ISRAEL
Richmond, VA
“Tools for Life”

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synagogues nationwide to create innovative programs that address
the needs of women in their respective communities. Out of 93
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engaging pilot programs which may be replicated across the country,
and awarded each one a $5,000 development grant.

ou.org/women/Grant

30

June 21 • 2018

jn

Science Center

Kathleen Straus honors her late husband’s
dream with a gift to the Detroit museum.

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

S

a year later when it was renamed the
ometimes dreams take a long
Michigan Science Center (www.mi-
time to come true. And that is
sci.org). The current facility is located
the case for Everet Straus’ idea
for a Detroit science museum back in near Warren and John R in Detroit’s
Cultural Center.
the early 1960s. Straus was
ABOVE: At the
Through the years, Straus
an economist and a govern-
Science Center
donated funds to the Science
ment employee whose work
gala, Judge Walter
Center and enjoyed visiting
included some scientific
Shapiro, Kathleen
with her grandchildren and,
projects. He and his wife,
Straus and
Kathleen, moved to Detroit
Tonya Matthews, more recently, her great-grand-
so he could take a job with
Michigan Science children. Last year, she decided
the DWG Cigar Company.
Center president to make a larger contribution
of $75,000. The funds are being
“Everet couldn’t believe
and CEO.
used to underwrite two of the
that Detroit didn’t have a
Science Center’s annual free
science center. He became
days when admission is waived
involved with the Detroit
for children and families. Each
Science Museum Society
day, 3,000 to 5,000 individuals
— a small group of indi-
take advantage of this no-
viduals who campaigned
cost opportunity to tour the
and tried to raise money for
Michigan Science Center, par-
such a museum,” explains
ticipate in its special activities
Kathleen Straus of Detroit.
and learn about science.
During the late 1960s and Everet Straus
In honor of her gift, a pendu-
early ’70s, science became
lum displayed at the Science
more popular and hands-on
Center will be renamed in memory
museums were being developed, she
of Everet. It was chosen because
says. With support from philanthro-
one of her great-grandchildren was
pist and businessman Dexter Ferry,
fascinated with it when the entire
the Detroit Science Center opened
family, including her husband, retired
in a storefront in 1970. Sadly, Everet
federal Judge Walter Shapiro, visited
passed away on Thanksgiving Day in
last November to commemorate the
1967, so he wasn’t able to see the sci-
ence center he sought and supported. 50th anniversary of Everet’s death. A
plaque will explain the Straus’ family
The Science Center’s first stand-
role in the Michigan Science Center
alone building opened in 1978.
— a commitment that began more
Kathleen Straus became a board
than 50 years ago.
member and served for many years.
“This is the first such commemo-
The Science Center was expanded
and renovated several times and now rative gift ever for the Michigan
Science Center. So this is a love story
has a partnership with the adjacent
and their shared love of the science
University Prep Science and Math
center has been going on for longer
Middle School.
that I have been alive,” says Tonya M.
In 2011, the Detroit Science Center
Matthews, Ph.D., president and CEO
closed due to financial problems but
of the Michigan Science Center. •
reopened with philanthropic support

