March 28 • 2019 5 jn F or decades, the Jewish com- munity moved in a north-by- northwest direction as the bulk of its population followed a path that took it from Northwest Detroit to Southfield, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield and as far as Commerce. Anticipating or respond- ing to this geographic shift, the Jewish Federation, many of its beneficiary agencies, synagogues and other orga- nizations invested in facilities, build- ings and programs. Findings from the Federation- sponsored 2018 Detroit Jewish Population Study — including signif- icant increases in Jewish young fam- ilies in the older inner-ring suburbs of Huntington Woods, Oak Park, Ferndale, Royal Oak and Berkley and significant loss of Jewish population in places like Farmington Hills — require fundamental reassessments of long- term planning and resource allocation. Quite simply, our Jewish community’ s physical and programmatic epicen- ter is shifting toward 10 Mile and Greenfield in Oak Park or 11 Mile and Coolidge on the Huntington Woods/ Oak Park/Berkley border — and away from Maple and Drake (West Bloomfield). As our cover story shows (see page 12), Jewish life along the Woodward Avenue corridor from Ferndale up to Birmingham — especially for young families with children — is increas- ingly vibrant, diverse and in need of additional communal resources and engagement. And while the Jewish community in adjoining Oak Park has remained relatively stable in top- line numbers, just beneath its surface remains a burgeoning number of Orthodox families with young chil- dren. According to the study, 41 percent of the Detroit Jewish community’ s Orthodox population is under age 18 and concentrated in this area. The 2005 Detroit Jewish Population Study had served as a benchmark to measure the community’ s size, composition and geographic progres- sion. Unlike Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield continues to possess a major Jewish population concentra- tion. However, these Jewish house- holds now skew heavily toward elderly and empty-nesters whose needs — especially through agencies like Jewish Family Service and Jewish Senior Life — are likely to continue to grow. The 2018 population study data should be raising yellow flags for any Jewish school, day camp, synagogue, youth group or social service agency whose population assumptions and business models are not built around family composition and growth con- centrated in older eastern Oakland County communities. Federation needs to assure that the data from the study are used to update a strategy and compelling vision for our Jewish community — and that it fully solicits input from the overall community before, and not after, doing so. ■ S ometimes there’ s a fine line between being optimistic and being in denial. For example, despite many previous shopping trips ending similarly, I’ ll tell myself, “Hey, I only need two things from the grocery store — its such a lovely day — why not walk?’ And off I’ ll go, feeling all pleased with myself. Then I’ ll get to the store and think, “Oh, I don’ t need a shopping cart; I’ m only getting two things; I’ ll carry them.” So, I’ ll breeze past the carts with all the optimism of a chronic dieter with the mantra: “This time will be different.” Fast forward five minutes. Twelve items are balanced on top of each other in my arms; my chins (both of them) have the important job of firmly holding the top item into place so things won’ t come toppling down like a scene in The Cat in the Hat, and I’ m shuffling carefully to the check-out line. Murphy’ s Law says there are going to be five folks with overflowing carts in front of me (Murphy’ s Law is in the same category but mostly unrelated to Mommy’ s Law, which is when the kids start crying as soon as the phone rings … and Coles Law, which is shredded cabbage and can be found in the vegetable aisle.) Then I’ m walking home with five or six heavy plastic bags digging into my fingers, which leave painful red marks for the next few hours. I blame the sales. And that mysterious magnetism that comes with the words “limited edition.” editorial Reassessing Our Communal Needs Rochel Burstyn views Fine Lines and Grocery Shopping continued on page 10 essay For information, contact Tracey Proghovnick (248) 661-1836 jslmi.org JOIN US FOR GAMES WITH FRIENDS Living Your Best ... Jewish Senior Life Jewish Senior Life is far more than a place to live. It’s six beautiful residences where older adults can embrace life and community in a secure and supportive environment. JSL is proud to provide inclusive residential communities, programs and services. We welcome all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, familial status and marital status. FRIENDS of Jewish Senior Life invites you to an afternoon of GAMES with FRIENDS! Enjoy your favorite games, becoming a FRIEND. Everyone loves to play games and at the such as relieving stress and combating memory loss and depression. Studies have shown the risk of dementia was 15 percent lower in board game players than in non-players. Board games can enhance memory formation and help exercise cognitive skills. A lot of games also tend to be low stress and can be calming, helping lower blood pressure. In many instances, games require some coordination and hand dexterity, which can be important for aging adults. PLEASE JOIN US ON TUESDAY, APRIL 9, FROM 1-4 PM AT MEER APARTMENTS FOR GAMES AND SNACKS. BRING YOUR OWN GAMES! 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