MAZEL TOV!
Kulek-Mendelson
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auren and David Mendelson of Huntington Woods are thrilled to announce the engagement of their daughter Faye Mendelson to Andrew Kulek, son of Doug and Tricia Kulek of Grosse Pointe. Faye earned her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the University of Michigan and now works as a research lab specialist in Ann Arbor. Andrew is an M.D./Ph.D. student at Wayne State University, expected to graduate in spring 2022. The two live in Plymouth and look forward to planning a fall 2022 wedding. HOW TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mazel Tov! announcements are welcomed for members of the Jewish community. Anniversaries, engagements and weddings with a photo (preferably color) can appear at a cost of $18 each. Births are $10. There is no charge for bar/bat mitzvahs or for special birthdays starting at the 90th. For information, contact Editorial Assistant Sy Manello at smanello@ thejewishnews.com or (248) 351-5147 for information or for a mailed or emailed copy of guidelines.
SPIRIT
TORAH PORTION
Brave Leap of Faith
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had to take a leap of faith. his past year has been filled with the need to The Torah portion for the make decision seventh day of Passover after decision in an describes the Israelites uncertain world with leaving Egypt, the miractoo little information. ulous crossing of the Red Parents, educators, Sea and jubilant dancing government officials, led by Miriam once the Jeffrey communal leaders, Israelites made it across. Lasday According to Midrash, the businesses leaders, all of crossing of the Red Sea us weighing health and Parshat was not solely a miracle, safety concerns while Pesach 7th trying to do the right day: Exodus but a miracle facilitated by thing. All of us feeling 13:17-15:26; a leap of faith. Numbers As the scene is set, the as if we are in way over 28:19-25; fleeing Israelites are being our heads, drowning II Samuel chased by the Egyptians in uncertainty and yet 22:1-51. and have arrived at the called upon to make difshores of the Red Sea. ficult decisions. Due to There is no way to cross. The the plague of COVID, at some Red Sea looms before them; point or another, we have each
here’s to American Friends of ALYN Hospital (AFAH) has received a bequest from the estate of the late Karen Knoppow, originally from Oak Park. She was a Detroit Public School teacher for more than 30 years as well as a Jewish educator and USY adviser. She was a founding member and served as treasurer for the Detroit Friends of ALYN. In line with Knoppow’s passion for education, her gift will be earmarked for educational purposes at ALYN Hospital, specifically for use by the SHACHAR Rehabilitation Educational Medical Day Care Center. As a token of appreciation, a plaque will be installed in her memory at ALYN. ALYN Hospital is Israel’s premier rehabilitation facility for children with physical disabilities.
Ryan Gruca, a junior at Troy Athens High School, was selected to the 2020 MHSAA Division 1 All-State Boys Soccer Team. Proud parents are Jeff and Karen. Ryan’s teams have earned a U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship and a Michigan High School State Championship.
with the Egyptian chariots thundering behind them there is no escape. It is then, according to Midrash, that one brave soul, Nachshon, starts walking into the sea chanting the Song at the Sea (found in the Passover Torah reading): Mi chamochah bailim HaShem; Mi chamochah ‘nadar b’kodesh. “Who is like You, oh God? Who is like You in holiness?” The sea does not miraculously part; however, Nachshon bravely keeps moving forward. The water reaches Nachshon’s knees and no miracle. The water reaches his waist; still no miracle. The water reaches his shoulders and finally his mouth. But he keeps moving forward. As the water begins to enter his mouth, Nachshon tries to continue singing “Mi chamochah” but with a mouth full of
Huntington Woods-based Artist Michelle Sider is featured for the first time in the Mosaic Arts International exhibition, a premiere art show for this medium held in the United States, showcasing the finest mosaics from artists around the world. View the exhibition, which is live and free to all, at mosaicartsinternational. americanmosaics.org.
water, he cannot pronounce the “ch” sound and instead sputters out a hard “k.” Mi chamochah becomes Mi kamochah (the way it is read in our daily prayer service) and only then as Nachshon is about to go under, do the waters miraculously part. Yes, a miracle, but only a miracle that happens following a courageous leap of faith. Today, we are chased by the fears and demons of how to live safely under the threat of COVID. We need to be a little bit like Nachshon. We need to test the waters, and even if we feel that we are in a little over our heads, keep moving forward. Jeffrey Lasday is the chief operating officer of the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit and the acting chief operating officer of Farber Hebrew Day School. APRIL 1 • 2021
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