JUNE 3 • 2021 | 23

W

hen Sandy Silver, a long-
time store volunteer at 
Council Re|Sale (3297 W. 12 
Mile Road, Berkley), saw the abundance 
of merchandise that needed organiz-
ing in the Home Accessories room last 
November, she was up for the challenge. 
The store had been closed for several 
months earlier in the pandemic, and 
staff and volunteers were coping with 
new COVID-19 safety rules and a back-
log of items to be sorted. 
“Before the pandemic, I was an avid 
flea market and estate sale shopper. I 
really missed sorting through lovely 
home items,” said Silver, a retired social 
worker who now works part-time at 
Wayne State University’s School of 
Social Work. 
Council Re|Sale, run by National 
Council of Jewish Women, Michigan 
(NCJW|MI), is one of the oldest resale 
shops in Metro Detroit and has always 
been known for featuring high-end 
clothing donated by generous commu-
nity members. 
When the pandemic happened, with 
everyone isolated and clearing out their 
closets and their homes, even more 
donations than usual came in. Amongst 
those donations were crystal glasses, 
beautiful china (even Limoges and 
Tiffany), art, textiles, linens, pottery 

and more. 
So, Silver, who lives in Southfield, 
got to work. “I turned the room upside 
down, rearranging everything and 
displaying items in groups, creating 
table settings such as red, white and 
blue for the 4th of July, adding a wed-
ding-themed shelf with candlesticks 
and photos frames, and even an Asian-
inspired section,” she said. 
“Now there are so many beautiful 
items available at budgets for everyone. 
We had a Tiffany vase on sale for $50, 
and a Limoges sweet dish on sale for 
$20, but there is also a pretty rimmed 
pie dish for $2.” 
A set of Waterford Crystal wine gob-
lets are selling for $50 per glass, and 
they still have their original $200 stick-
ers. 
The former Home Accessories room 
has now been renamed Home Décor 
and, as Silver describes it, her piece of 
the store is definitely “upscale resale.” 
Silver is now the dedicated volun-
teer for the room, and some of her 
fellow volunteers call her “The Stager.” 
However, if you are looking for an 
inexpensive kitchen item, like a $1 pie 
server, some everyday china for your 
college student or even an interesting 
gift, bargains are still there. 
“None of this would be possible with-

out such supportive donors,” added 
Silver, who is also a long-time volun-
teer with NCJW|MI’s Kosher Meals on 
Wheels program. “Without their gifts, 
I couldn’t have created what I see as a 
one-stop shopping experience for peo-
ple who love decorating their homes.” 

Proceeds from Council Re|Sale benefit NCJW|MI’s 

community and advocacy projects. For more 

information, call (248) 548-6664 or go to www.

councilresale.net.

Check out the new Home Décor Room in
Berkley’s Council Re|Sale store.
 
Freshen Up Your Home

ALISON SCHWARTZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Sandy 
Silver

PHOTOS COURTESY COUNCIL RE|SALE

Body Found in Pond at Hebrew Memorial Park Cemetery

A body was discovered by a worker 
Sunday morning, May 23, in a retention 
pond at Hebrew Memorial Park 
Cemetery in Clinton Township.
The employee called police at about 9 
a.m. and said there was a body floating 
in the water. Police recovered the body 
and said it had been in the pond for 

several days. 
Macomb Daily reports an autopsy 
conducted Tuesday, May 24, by the 
Macomb County Medical Examiner’s 
Office determined drowning was the 
cause of death. 
Clinton Township police say they 
do not suspect foul play was involved. 

There was no sign of trauma, indicating 
the man either fell into the pond on his 
own or intentionally entered the water.
Police have not released the man’s 
name. Investigators plan to review the 
results of toxicology tests before closing 
the investigation. 

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

