48 | AUGUST 29 • 2024 J
N

faces&places

2024 Lois Zussman Golf Classic

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF AISEN

Mike Kramer, Gesher's CEO Paul Blatt, Kevin Roach and Todd Culver

T

he 2024 Lois Zussman Golf Classic, held at 
Franklin Hills Country Club in mid- 
July, raised over $200,000. There were 108 
golfers who took part, and more than 200 people 
attended the dinner and silent and live auctions. 
The annual fundraiser, organized by Gesher 
Human Services, supports two important initia-
tives for people living with a serious mental health 
diagnosis: Clubhouse for the Common Good and 
Creative Expressions, both housed in the Lois and 
Milton Y. Zussman Center, which recently moved 

into a new large space in Southfield. 
Clubhouse provides a welcoming and engaging 
community atmosphere where members can enjoy 
social and cultural activities, educational classes, 
culinary experiences, vocational support and volun-
teer opportunities. Creative Expressions is an artistic 
enrichment program, which collaborates with com-
munity partners to offer classes including visual and 
performing arts, photography, sculpting, writing and 
poetry. Participants also hone their skills, including 
developing entrepreneurial skills, as they can show-

case their work in galleries and performance. 
“We are so grateful to our generous sponsors and 
the golfers who attended this fundraiser as their 
support is vital in ensuring the strength of program-
ming at the Zussman Center,
” said Gesher Human 
Services CEO Paul Blatt. “For those suffering with 
serious mental illness in our community, the impor-
tance of having a place to attend that offers support, 
education, activities and friendship cannot be over-
estimated.
” 
For more information, go to geshermi.org. 

Andrew Serlin, Dan Serlin, Dan Leach and Leia Fox

Jack Folbe, Amy Folbe, Kristen Gross and Carl 
Gross

Leia Fox, Dani Gillman (Gesher Chair), Karen Adelman, Miry Serlin and Andrew Serlin 

 Linda Jacob and Julie Zussman