NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e p S
SEPTEMBER 27, 2023
candgnews.com
Oakland County papers
The J looks to open new center location in Berkley in 2025 BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com
BERKLEY — The former Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, located in West Bloomfield, is aiming to open a new center in Berkley within the next couple of years. In addition to its announcement of its rebrand as “The J,” the center will be opening a space in Berkley at 27333 Woodward Ave. in 2025. Sarah Allyn, chief operating officer of The J, said the center was looking to open its new space somewhere on the east side of Telegraph Road. They reviewed factors including accessibility, visibility and parking square footage and felt the location on Woodward checked all the boxes. “The geographic location is pretty central for many different communities, from Pleasant Ridge and Ferndale all the way up to the northern parts of Southfield,” she said. “It felt like a pretty central location for that side of town. It was the square footage we wanted and needed, and had the parking that we wanted and needed. It is, I think, 0.2 miles from a bus stop. There’s walkability, there’s bikeability, and so this was really the best choice for us.” City Manager Matt Baumgarten said in a text message that, because the development process is in its early stages, he can’t provide comment on the project at this time. “I am excited at (the) prospect (of ) this project and that our city is continuing to grow and attract diverse organizations such as the Jewish Community Center,” he said. “We look forward to working with the center’s team during the development process of this project.” Allyn stated the plan is to renovate and add some square footage to the building. As for how the space will be utilized, she described it as “very flexible and agile” in terms of its use. Allyn said The J has two primary goals in the use of the space. One is to bring existing programs and some new See THE J on page 7A
Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
The ceremony for the 44th annual National POW/MIA Recognition Day takes place Sept. 15 at the Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens “Michigan Remembers” POW/MIA Memorial. Above, retired Navy Capt. Dennis L. Hopkins delivers the keynote address.
CEREMONY HELD IN NOVI FOR STATE’S POW/MIA BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com
T
he 44th annual National POW/MIA Recognition Day was celebrated in Novi Sept. 15 with the 37th annual “Michigan Remembers” ceremony at the prisoner of war and missing in action memorial at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens, at 12 Mile and Novi roads. “We gather today to remember the heroism and
sacrifices made by tens of thousands of Americans who have endured captivity at enemies’ hands, as well as those whose remains are still unknown,” said Debbie Pineau McClain, the president of the POW Committee of Michigan. According to McClain, when the POW/MIA memorial was first placed at Oakland Hills in 1987, only seven of the 84 names of Michigan POW/MIAs had return dates, meaning that their bodies had been recovSee CEREMONY on page 13A