Jewish 
Ferndale Puts Down Roots with New Community Center
(Crystal A. Proxmire, June 6, 2016)
Ferndale, MI – The walls that divided the tiny rooms of a dentist’s office have come down and a front yard full of fruit trees has been planted to grow up as the Ferndale Jewish Community Center gets settled in to 1725 Pinecrest.
The property once housed the dental practice of Dr.W. Flagg DDS. The inside is being remodeled to suit many purposes. There will be a kitchen with a counter top perfect for hosting functions. There will be classrooms in the main building and a garage/office out back will be transformed into a creative arts space.
The back yard has a uniquely shaped quince tree that is a lovely centerpiece for outdoor meetings and festivities, while much of the yard will be turned into a garden.
Jewish Ferndale is led by Rabbi Herschel Finman and his wife Chana Finman, along with a group of volunteers. The group has held Jewish 
ceremonies and invited the general public, and Rabbi Finman was even given a Ferndale Good Neighbor Award in honor of the inclusive nature of the programs.
“We wanted a space for anyone of the Jewish faith to come and feel comfortable,” he said. The Rabbi hosts a radio program for the Detroit Jewish community and enjoys teaching about faith.
Volunteers spent Memorial Day Weekend doing landscaping, including planting five fruit trees in the front yard.
Chana welcomed the volunteers. She spoke about the Psalms and said “There’s a sentence that says the righteous shall blossom.”
“Righteousness is likened to a tree that blossoms. Police people, fire people, citizens that help clear out places that are over-grown with invasive species, 
friends, reporters, kids, activists, you do a lot of work and nobody sees it. And it can be frustrating. We all are human beings. We want a little recognition. So I want to recognize everybody for coming today, participating. I liken it to the date tree, the righteous people, which you are, that people should see the fruits of your labors – whatever it is you’re doing and say “see that guy? He’s good. He helped me. And that’s the best thing. That’s what Memorial Day is about, recognizing people for the great things they did,” she said.
Along with volunteers from the Jewish community were helpers from the City of Ferndale. Police Captain Vincent Palazzolo came to give a welcome, and Fire Chief Kevin Sullivan showed up with a firetruck to give the saplings their first watering.
Learn more about Jewish Ferndale at http://www.jewishferndale.com/.
