MARCH 21 • 2024 | 23
J
N

Thank God 
 it’s

who wants to hang out with 
their friends.” 
Larry Stillwater of West 
Bloomfield has been volun-
teering with the tight-knit 
group since the 1980s. 
“They’re really energetic,” 
he says of participants, who 
share holiday events, gym 
nights and more. “They 
know when they’re at the 
social group they’re with a 
bunch of people having a 
good time. There’s no pres-
sure on them to do anything 
they don’t want to. They can 
feel comfortable with us.”
A financial adviser by day, 
he says he looks forward to 
his evenings with the social 
group. In March, there’s a 
pizza party and movie night 
slated, and a Purim party 
later on in the month. 
“It’s a big part of my life, 
and always will be,” he says 
of the group and its crowd, 
adding that volunteers and 
participants take a real 
interest in one another’s 
lives. “We like to know 
what each other are doing, 
so it’s a nice give and take. 
They’ve really become 
family.” 
Meanwhile Linda Rosberg 
of West Bloomfield started 
volunteering with the social 
group in college and has 
been involved for decades 
since that time. “There 

are so many people that 
live in the community 
that could benefit from 
social activities,” she notes, 
adding that individuals with 
special needs are far more 
integrated into the broader 
community than when she 
started. 
“I think it’s nice to 
have a mix of being in 
the community and being 
with people you’re already 
comfortable with.”
Liam Gibbons of Beverly 
Hills has been taking part in 
the social group for the past 
five years, says his caregiver. 
“Liam loves interacting with 
familiar faces and playing 
games with his friends. He 
looks forward to seeing the 
new calendar when it comes 
out and is always excited to 
go.” 
Staying connected is part 
of the draw for Jonathan 
Horton of West Bloomfield, 
who has also been 
participating in the events 
for more than a handful of 
years. He says he likes to 
go to the social group to 
reconnect with friends and 
camp counselors. 
“I used to go to summer 
camp where we would go on 
field trips and job sites. My 
favorite events are bingo, 
karate and happy hour with 
mocktails and games.” 

Julie 
Charron 

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www.hfldetroit.org • 248.723.8184

Hebrew Free Loan Detroit

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

@HFLDetroit

Community donations help Hebrew Free Loan give 
interest-free loans to local Jews for a variety of personal, 
health, educational and small business needs.

STORY
My

STORY
My

Rebecca Tauber left Michigan to go to college in 
Northern California, then remained on the West Coast, 
establishing her life in California and Washington 
State. Years later, during the pandemic shutdown, 
Rebecca packed her things and drove across the 
country, returning to Michigan and family. She and 
her mother rode out much of the pandemic together. 
“When restrictions began to lift and I could think 
about what to do next -– as a vocation, not merely a 
job – I knew I wanted to work in healthcare and nurture 
others,” Rebecca said. “I’d been caregiving for my 
Dad, and I considered nursing. By chance I ran into an 
occupational therapist, who is passionate about 
what she does. She really inspired me to delve deeper 
into the possibility of pursuing a career in OT.” 
Occupational therapists support people in the activities 
they need and want to do throughout their day, and 
help adapt and modify tasks for functional performance. 

“What excited me was the range of creative 

problem solving for people’s needs, and how the 
profession can go in many directions,” Rebecca 
said. “It felt like the right fit for me.” 
Rebecca used savings to pay for the prerequisite 
classes, and came to Hebrew Free Loan’s William 
Davidson Jewish College Loan Program to help with the cost 
of the graduate program itself. 
“I expected HFL would be wonderful, because they 
have an incredible reputation, and they truly were,” 
Rebecca said. “They’ve been positive and supportive, 
and I’m so very grateful to our community for helping 
me pursue my goals. It’s a privilege to live where a 
program like Hebrew Free Loan exists.”

