T

he Lois Zussman Golf Classic is a 
deeply personal philanthropic effort 
for the Zussman family.
The annual outing at Franklin Hills 
Country Club raises money for the Lois 
and Milton Y. Zussman Activity Center/
Clubhouse in Southfield, which formerly 
was operated by Kadima Mental Health 
Services and now is under the auspices of 
the recently formed Southfield-based Gesher 
Human Services.
Lois and Milton Zussman, who were 
married for 52 years, were passionate about 
Kadima for many reasons, according to their 
son Rick Zussman.
One reason was family.
Warren Zussman, 70, Lois and Milton’s 
son, is a Gesher client. He lives in supportive 
housing for individuals with a mental illness 
that formerly was operated by Kadima.
Lois Zussman died in 2015 at age 88.
Milton Zussman celebrated his 100th 
birthday Oct. 7, 2021. He died Aug. 8, 2022, 
about a month after this year’s golf outing. 
A benefactor donated $99,000 to the Lois 
Zussman Golf Classic last year in honor of 
Milton Zussman’s 100th birthday.
Rick Zussman, a former Kadima board 

president, said this year’s 
golf outing raised more than 
$200,000 and attracted its usual 
attendance of about 120 golfers. 
Generous sponsors are a major 
reason for the consistent six-fig-
ure fundraising figure.
Milton Zussman was the 
presenting sponsor of this year’s 
golf outing. He was unable to attend, but he 
wrote a letter of thanks that appeared in the 
outing program.
Paul Blatt, Gesher president and CEO, is 
thrilled the golf outing is part of Gesher.
“While the money raised is important, of 
course, and we truly appreciate the work the 
Zussman family puts into the golf outing, 
what’s equally important is the outing raises 
awareness of the work done at the activity 
center/clubhouse,
” he said.
“People need to know the amazing 
resources we have available.
”
The Zussman family started the golf out-
ing about 20 years ago and have joined with 
friends and business colleagues to perpetu-
ate and grow the event.
Rick Zussman was the chair of this year’s 
golf outing organizing committee and Rick’s 

son Adam Zussman was a committee mem-
ber. Rick Zussman also is a member of the 
new Gesher board.
Lois and Milton Zussman were longtime 
supporters of the Kadima day program, 
which led to the opening of the activity 
center/clubhouse, a place where people with 
a mental health diagnosis can benefit from 
social and cultural activities, vocational and 
educational support, and horticultural and 
culinary activities.
“The program at the activity center/club-
house is central to Gesher’s support of peo-
ple with mental health challenges,
” Blatt said.
“It’s a place of acceptance, friendship, 
support, creativity and positively — qualities 
often absent from the lives of people in our 
community.
”
Gesher was launched Jan. 1, resulting 
from the 2021 merger of the nonprofit 
Kadima and JVS Human Services that sepa-
rately provided services for 12,000 clients of 
many religious and ethnic backgrounds in 
Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties with 
mental health challenges.
Gesher means “bridge” in Hebrew. The 
new name was chosen to demonstrate the 
continuity of services offered by JVS and 
Kadima.
JVS was formed in 1941. Kadima grew out 
of it in 1984.
“The merger is a great idea. Gesher pro-
vides one-stop shopping for the people 
the combined organization serves,
” Rick 
Zussman said. 

Send sports news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.

Gesher Golf

SPORTS

Family’s outing raises money, awareness for 
activity center/clubhouse.

STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

76 | SEPTEMBER 22 • 2022 
 
 
 
 

ABOVE: Lois and Milton Zussman in a 2015 
photo. LEFT: Adam Zussman (second from 
right) played in a foursome with (from left) Bill 
McKeogh, Eric Rillo and Lowell Scott at the 
2022 Lois Zussman Golf Classic.

GESHER HUMAN SERVICES

JEFF AISEN

Rick 
Zussman

