JUNE 29 • 2023 | 27

$13 million capital campaign 
that added 28,000 square feet 
to the school and created the 
middle school wing, media 
center, chapel, science wing 
and renovated administrative 
offices. He was also instru-
mental in arranging for the 
installation of the traffic light 
in front of the school. Now, he 
and Paula are the lead gifters 
for the renovation of Hillel’s 
historic Little Red School 
House. 
Paula, recipient of 
Federation’s William Davidson 
Lifetime Achievement Award 
in 2020, has been a com-
mitted volunteer for Hillel, 
Bookstock, the Jewish Fund 
and many other Jewish orga-
nizations. She is a past-presi-
dent of Federation’s Women’s 
Philanthropy and Michigan’s 
Women’s American ORT and 
is the president of American 
Friends of ALYN Hospital. 
The Glaziers thanked 
Hillel for the impact it has 
made on the lives of their 
daughters, Ilana Glazier 
(Lowell Schmeltz) and Mindy 
(Jesse) Civan, and grandchil-
dren (Benji, Ryan and Kobi 
Schmeltz who attended Hillel 
and Rena, Aviva and Noah 
Civan who attended Jewish 
day school in Philadelphia) 
and emphasized the impor-
tance of supporting Hillel so 
that it can remain a jewel in 
our Jewish community for 
generations to come. 
Todd Fink was recognized 
for overseeing the transforma-
tion of Hillel’s facility, helping 
bring the IDEA Collaborative, 
MakerSpace, new science, art 
and music studios, prototyp-
ing and audio/visuals studios, 
new cafeteria, new kitchens, 
and the learning communi-
ty wings, and building the 
school’s endowment during 

his tenure as president of the 
board of trustees. Fink, parent 
to Maddie, Aerin and Andrew, 
all past Hillel students, reflect-
ed on the difference Hillel has 
made on his life and empha-
sized that investing in Hillel 
works to create graduates 
who are mensches and able to 
succeed in high school, college 
and beyond. 
Greg Kaplan, senior vice 
president of Newfront, an 
insure-tech company, was 
recognized for blending his 
Jewish values and his commit-
ment to diversity initiatives 
with his professional endeav-
ors. He credited Hillel with 
instilling the confidence and 
courage that he could be any-
thing he set his mind to and 
shaping him with Jewish val-
ues of tzedakah, tikkun olam 
and chesed that are core of 
how he lives his life today. 
Eighth-grade speaker Marni 
Levine’s remarks equated 
her experiences at Hillel to a 
scrapbook and shared photos 
and memories that encapsu-
lated Hillel’s core Jewish values 
of Ve-Ahavta (a personal rela-
tionship with God), Talmud 
Torah (education), Kedusha 
(holiness), Tzionut (Zionism), 
K’lal Yisrael (unity of the 
Jewish people), Tikkun Olam 
(perfecting the world) and 
Derekh Eretz (treating each 
other with respect).
Hillel thanked its attendees 
and supporters, including the 
organizations and individuals 
who sponsored the Gala, who 
allow the school to fulfill its 
mission of helping families 
provide a Hillel education, 
regardless of their ability to 
pay. 

If you would like to honor the Glaziers, 

Fink, Kaplan or support Hillel, go to 

hillelday.org/giving/annual-fund. 
Hebrew Free Loan Detroit

6735 TELEGRAPH ROAD, SUITE 300 • BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN 48301

@HFLDetroit

STORY
Our

STORY
Our

Hebrew Free Loan is excited to welcome Dr. 

Steven 
Arbit, 
Lauren 
Daitch, 
Randall 

Fogelman, Rabbi David Furman, Nechama 
Soloff, John Teweles and Barbara Zaltz to the 
Hebrew Free Loan Board of Directors. 
Nominated and elected at our recent Annual 
Meeting, the members of this dynamic “freshman 
class” join one of the Michigan Jewish community’s 
longest-serving agencies in its mission to support 
Jewish families, individuals and businesses across 
Michigan with interest-free loans. 
These great leaders will become part of a very 

active Board whose members interview potential 
borrowers; represent the agency at public events and 
to groups throughout our state; share the HFL story in 
the community; serve on active committees to steward 
Hebrew Free Loan into the future; act as cheerleaders 
and mentors for borrowers; help raise loan capital; 
and serve as guardians of our 128-year legacy. 
Hebrew Free Loan supports Michigan Jews with 
interest-free loans for a wide variety of purposes that 
range from in-vitro fertilization and adoption to 
summer camp fees, college or job training, small 
business loans, home improvements, Simchas, health 
care, senior needs, and so much more. Learn more 
about our loan funds, or donate to help support the 
community at hfldetroit.org. Loan capital is raised 
entirely through donations from our community, and 
remains here in Michigan, helping support local Jews. 
Pictured above, left to right: Barbara Zaltz, Lauren 
Daitch, Nechama Soloff, HFL President Dr. Allen 
Berman, Dr. Steven Arbit, Rabbi David Furman, and 
Randall Fogelman.

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www.hfldetroit.org • 248.723.8184