Torah portion

MAZEL TOV!

Kulek-Mendelson

Lauren 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

with the Egyptian chariots water, he cannot pronounce thundering behind them there the “ch” sound and instead is no escape. It is then, accord- sputters out a hard “k.” Mi chaing to Midrash, that one brave mochah becomes Mi kamochah

This past year has been had to take a leap of faith. soul, Nachshon, starts walking (the way it is read in our daily filled with the need to The Torah portion for the into the sea chanting the Song at prayer service) and only then as make decision seventh day of Passover the Sea (found in the Passover Nachshon is about to go under, after decision in an describes the Israelites Torah reading): Mi chamochah do the waters miraculously part. uncertain world with leaving Egypt, the mirac- bailim HaShem; Mi chamochah Yes, a miracle, but only a mirtoo little information. ulous crossing of the Red ‘nadar b’kodesh. “Who is like acle that happens following a

Parents, educators, Sea and jubilant dancing You, oh God? Who is like You courageous leap of faith. government officials, led by Miriam once the in holiness?” The sea does not Today, we are chased by the communal leaders, Jeffrey Israelites made it across. miraculously part; however, fears and demons of how to businesses leaders, all of Lasday According to Midrash, the Nachshon bravely keeps moving live safely under the threat of us weighing health and safety concerns while Parshat Pesach 7th crossing of the Red Sea was not solely a miracle, forward. The water reaches Nachshon’s COVID. We need to be a little bit like Nachshon. We need trying to do the right day: Exodus but a miracle facilitated by knees and no miracle. The to test the waters, and even if thing. All of us feeling 13:17-15:26; a leap of faith. water reaches his waist; still no we feel that we are in a little as if we are in way over Numbers As the scene is set, the miracle. The water reaches his over our heads, keep moving our heads, drowning 28:19-25; fleeing Israelites are being shoulders and finally his mouth. forward. in uncertainty and yet II Samuel chased by the Egyptians But he keeps moving forward. called upon to make dif22:1-51. and have arrived at the As the water begins to enter ficult decisions. Due to shores of the Red Sea. his mouth, Nachshon tries to the plague of COVID, at some There is no way to cross. The continue singing “Mi chamopoint or another, we have each Red Sea looms before them; chah” but with a mouth full of

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. 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.

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 | 33