24 | JUNE 2 • 2022 

T

he Friendship 
Circle of Michigan 
nominated Henry 
Moses, 85, of West 
Bloomfield for recognition 
because of his dedication 
to their Lessons for Life 
program. 
Moses spends his 
time with the Lessons 
for Life Program at the 
organization’s cityscape 
known as Weinberg Village, 
where children with special 
needs come to experience 
life skills in a safe, 
controlled environment. 
“Various school groups 
from Southeast Michigan 
bring their special needs 
kids to Weinberg Village, 
which is a mock village 
where kids are given $12 
and learn how to budget 
their time, money and how 
to speak up for themselves,” 
said Moses, who volunteers 
there two to three times a 
week. 
“The kids have various 
lesson plans and are able to 
wander around the village 
and have a good time,” 
Moses added. “I love seeing 
these kids open up, learn 
and enjoy the experience.”
He began volunteering 
15 years ago, when he first 
volunteered at Friendship 
Circle for Federation’s 
Mitzvah Day. “I just fell in 
love with the organization,” 
he said. 

The nonprofit organi-
zation’s goal is to provide 
every individual with 
special needs the support, 
friendship and inclusion he 
or she deserves. 
“A large part of Friendship 
Circle’s mission is to enrich, 
inspire and motivate 
teen and adult volunteers 
through sharing of 
themselves with others,” said 
Friendship Circle Director 
Bassie Shemtov. “Henry 
Moses is a perfect example 
of selfless giving. “ 
Moses encourages those 
who are interested in giving 
back to the community to 
consider volunteering with 
the Friendship Circle. 
“I would encourage 
anyone who has the time 
to get involved because it’s 
just a wonderful way to give 
back to the community,” he 
said.
Moses says his time with 
the Friendship Circle has 
been a fulfilling experience 
and he volunteers whenever 
he can. “I love working and 
seeing the kids learn and 
grow. It’s very rewarding.” 

If you are interested in learning more 

about the Friendship Circle and how 

you can volunteer, email Shayna at 

Shayna@friendshipcircle.org or call 

her at (248) 788-7878, ext. 207. If you 

would like to nominate someone to 

be the next volunteer of the week, 

send a nomination with a short 

paragraph telling us why to 

socialmedia@thejewishnews.com.

Henry Moses teaches life skills 
to students with special needs.

Giving Back 
Life Lessons

RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR 

COURTESY OF FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE

OUR COMMUNITY
VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK 

