OUR COMMUNITY

M

embers of Jewish 
War Veterans Ladies 
Auxiliary of Michigan, 
Lt. Raymond Zussman Post 333, 
was busy last week preparing 
their “Blessings in 
a Bag” care pack-
ages for drop-off 
to Piquette Square 
in Detroit, just in 
time for Veterans 
Day. 
Piquette 
Square is a 150-
unit apartment complex near 
Detroit’s New Center area that 
provides housing and care for 
homeless veterans. Its mission is 
to “create a welcoming environ-
ment that supports the veterans 
in their self-determination and 
growth by providing a full com-
plement of counseling, treatment 
and community-reintegration 
services.
”
Last week, the ladies gathered 
at the home of auxiliary member 
Diane Jacobs, daughter of Army 
veteran Joe Goldring, of blessed 
memory, and mom to her Air 
Force veteran son Adam. Her 
living room temporarily provides 
the space for the assembly line 
set-up needed to prepare the 
“Blessings in a Bag.
” 
Numerous health and beauty 
aids (toothbrushes, toothpaste, 
soap, shampoo), snacks, puzzles, 
games and water bottles make 
up just some of the inventory 
prepared for distribution to the 
veterans. 
Diane’s garage warehouses 
larger items like cleaning sup-
plies, mops, laundry detergent, 
clothing, blankets and towels 
that are also distributed along 
with the “Blessings in a Bag.
”

“It’s all a small token of our 
appreciation for our veterans 
who are enduring difficult 
times, hopefully helping them 
get through a day more easily or 
make their day a little brighter,
” 
she says.
The Auxiliary relies on 
Facebook and outreach to 
friends to help replenish their 
supplies. Local dentists have 
generously donated dental care 
items and, when necessary, the 
Auxiliary will designate dollars 
from their coffers, or their per-
sonal pocketbooks, to buy items 
at the Dollar Tree. (See how to 
donate below.)
The “Blessings in a Bag” deliv-
eries by the Ladies Auxiliary are 
not just reserved for Veterans 
Day. So far this year, Piquette 

Square has been on the receiving 
end of several other drop-offs 
and, according to Diane, the 
need will continue to be fulfilled 
by the Auxiliary for the foresee-
able future. 
While the majority of the 
“Blessings in a Bag” are reserved 
for Piquette Square, Auxiliary 
members often have a supply 
of bags readily on hand in their 
cars in the event they see some-
one on the streets in need.
Besides their efforts on behalf 
of Piquette Square, the Ladies 
Auxiliary’s recent calendar of 
events included marching along-
side the men of the JWV Dept. 
of Michigan in Detroit’s annual 
Veterans Day Parade this past 
Sunday. In addition, their com-
mitment to the legacy of Jewish 

War Veterans will be on dis-
play at this weekend’s Veterans 
Shabbat services at Temple Israel 
on Friday evening, Nov. 11, and 
at Shaarey Zedek on Saturday 
morning, Nov. 12.
Like their male counterparts 
in the JWV Dept. of Michigan, 
the Auxiliary is facing dwindling 
membership, but what they lack 
in numbers does not diminish 
their commitment to make a dif-
ference. As their mission states: 
“It is a labor of love — support-
ing veterans and their families in 
time of war and peace.
” 

For information on how to donate 

goods (new and gently used) for 

Piquette Square or to make a monetary 

donation, contact Diane Jacobs of the 

Jewish War Veterans Ladies Auxiliary at 

Jacobsdi@gmail.com.

Jewish War Veterans Ladies Auxiliary of Michigan 
creates care packages for veterans.
Blessings in a Bag

Alan 
Muskovitz
Contributing 
Writer

12 | NOVEMBER 10 • 2022 

Jewish War Veterans Ladies Auxiliary of Michigan 
members prepare “Blessings in a Bag” care packages 
for veterans. From left: Estelle Gubow, Mona Gubow, 
Vicki Adler, Diane Jacobs, Sheryl Erlich, Ellen Hechler 
and Andi Weiss. (Vicky Levesque, not pictured).