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30 November 2 • 2017 jn Allen Menuck, Sy Lynovitz and Allan Rein, all of West Bloomfield, have a friendly discussion. continued from page 28 jews d in the Group meetings are centered around hearing a featured speaker, followed by a question-and-answer session, but Sabin said the real draw of the group is its social scene. Many of the group's members attended Central High School or Mumford High School in Detroit. They belonged to the same AZA chapters and later fraternities. The group serves as a monthly reunion of old friends. "We have the room from 2-4 p.m.," Sabin explained. "But guys get there early to see their friends! They haven't seen some of these people since they went to elemen- tary school together or high school together … They like the speakers, too, but they really enjoy the cama- raderie." Of course, the shmoozing pauses at 2 p.m. for the centerpiece of each meeting: the speaker. Group mem- bers find and book speakers a full year in advance. Paul Lieberman, who has been part of the group since 2014, has found five speakers for the group in the last two years. Despite the lack of pay and small audience for speakers, Lieberman said he has no trouble finding peo- ple who want to talk to the group. "You don't have to sell them because there's a certain kind of per- son who either represents an orga- nization and community outreach is their job or they're so excited about their topic or their speaking capa- bilities that they're anxious to talk," Lieberman said. He and the other members enjoy the diversity of topics and speakers that the group brings in. Some past speakers have included Lynn Breuer and Angela Popoff, who are social workers at JFS, Richard Marsh, head of the Michigan Churchill Society, and Arthur Horwitz, publisher and executive editor of the Jewish News. The September meeting featured retired physicist Irving Ginsberg, who spoke about his work in nation- al security and U.S. intelligence. Just as group members enjoy hearing the speakers, speakers enjoy the unique community atmosphere the Discussion Group creates. Perry Ohren, Jewish Family Service CEO, spoke to the group two years ago and said it was an experience unlike any other. "These are people who are wise and older and experienced, and they're listening really for their own edification," Ohren said. "Other audi- ences are certainly learning, but there's usually some other motive. This audience is at a point in their lives where they don't feel the need to hold back … In a word, [speaking to the group] felt great." When asked if he would join a similar kind of group when he eventually retires, Ohren responded enthusiastically. "Oy vey! Yeah, sure!" he said. "What this group is is community. It's people. To me, what Nison Sabin has created with other people is community, and would I want to be part of a community like that? Do people need to be part of a commu- nity like that as a piece of their life? Absolutely." • Interested in joining the group? Contact Nison at sabinfam@yahoo.com. for more information. Temple Beth El proudly welcomes vice president for new initiatives and a distinguished fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., Aaron David Miller, who will be speaking on "Gulliver's Troubles: America, Israel and the Middle East." The event will be held at Temple Beth El (7400 Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Hills), at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. For two decades, Miller served in the Department of State as an analyst, negotiator and adviser on Middle Eastern issues to Republican and Democratic secretaries of state. Between 2003 and 2006, he also served as president of Seeds of Peace, an internationally recognized program in conflict resolution and coexistence. He has written five books, including his most recent, The End of Greatness: Why America Can't Have (and Doesn't Want) Another Great President (Palgrave, 2014). His articles have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times; and his column "Reality Check" appears in Foreign Policy Magazine. He is a CNN global affairs analyst and a frequent commentator on NPR, BBC and Sirius XM radio. The event is free and open to the community and is co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC. RSVP online at www. tbeonline.org by Friday, Nov. 3. For more information, contact Temple Beth El Program Director Danielle Gordon, (248) 851-1100, or dgordon@tbeonline.org. • Temple Beth El Hosts Gulliver's Troubles Aaron David Miller The Temple Shir Shalom Brotherhood is sponsoring a Community Business Expo from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at The Corners: A Campus for Caring Communities, 2075 Walnut Lake Road, just west of Inkster Road in West Bloomfield. Michael Bellet, chairman of this first-time event, feels it is a venue that will appeal to homeowners, families with children and even seniors. There is no charge for admission. Raffle prizes will be awarded every hour dur- ing the expo. Representatives from Regent Street, Hebrew Free Loan, ADT Security, Capital Mortgage Funding, ABC Warehouse and American Fireplace, to just name a few, will be on hand to discuss their businesses and services. There is still time to join the growing list of vendors that will be attending. If interested, call Michael Bellet at (248) 885-0412 or email mbellet@adt.com. • Shir Shalom Business EXPO Philanthropy, entrepreneurship and community service have been the hallmarks of Florine Mark's career. On Sunday, Nov. 12, from 12:30-4:30 p.m. at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, the Michigan Psychoanalytic Foundation (MPF) will honor her accomplishments and contributions, especial- ly those directed toward health and emotional well-being. Her successes as an entrepreneur are notable — she is president and CEO of WW Group Inc. in Farmington Hills and the largest franchise owner in Weight Watchers International. A light luncheon and drinks will be served with a short speech and presentation. Tickets to the event are $195 and $75 for students and medical residents. For tickets and fur- ther information, contact Monica Simmons Evans at (248) 851-3380. • Florine Mark To Be Honored