Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/867410
28 August 31 • 2017 jn Philanthropy runs in the Birndorf family. Adam Birndorf, son of Higher Hopes! founder Bill Birndorf, and his intern partners Emily Gucwa and Nicholas Litton at Gale, a Cengage Company, put on an event for 50 Detroit children who participated in a summer reading program at the Detroit Public Library. Employees at Gale assembled brand new bicycles and awarded each one of the 50 kids who completed the summer read- ing program one, along with a helmet, bike lock, backpack and a copy of both Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The kids were transported from four separate Detroit Public Library branches to the Gale office in Farmington Hills, where they were sur- prised with their new bikes, backpacks and books. There was an ice cream truck, a DJ, face painting and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence was on hand as well. "The best part of this whole event was seeing the smiles on the kids' faces when they saw that they were getting their own brand-new bike!" Birndorf said. • faces & places jews d in the Gale employees patiently wait for the kids to arrive. Gale employees build the bikes. Brenda Lawrence gives an inspirational speech. Four summer readers show off their new wheels. Upholding its tradition of celebrating the Detroit Jewish community's exceptional activists, the Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC presented its 2017 Activist Award to Jeannie Weiner at a special event in her honor at Adat Shalom Synagogue. A tireless advocate for social justice, religious freedom and interfaith outreach and understanding, Jeannie Weiner has demonstrated her activism as a leader both locally and nationally in the movement to free Soviet Jews, as an outspoken advocate for Israel, and through her dedication to community relations and her hands-on efforts to build relationships with Detroit's many ethnic and religious communities. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan was the evening's featured speaker, and Diane Klein and Matt Lester served as honorary co-chairs for the event. Created in 2001, the JCRC/AJC Activist Award is given annually to individuals who are passionate about the Detroit Jewish community and work to secure the Jewish future by championing Israel's cause, reaching out to our diverse neighbors or advocating for Jewish interests. • JCRC/AJC President Alicia B. Chandler, Mayor Mike Duggan, Activist Honoree Jeannie Weiner and Executive Director David Kurzmann Featured speaker Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan addresses the audience. Rev. Dr. Mark Jensen presents the JCRC/AJC 2017 Activist Award to Jeannie Weiner. Activist Event Honorary Co-Chairs Matt Lester and Diane Klein flank honoree Jeannie Weiner. The Weiner family Jeannie Weiner's son Joel Jackson, Jeannie, Rabbi E.B. "Bunny" Freedman and Florine Mark ANDREA STINSON – STILLS BY STINSON