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April 28 – May 4, 2022 / 27 Nissan- 3 Iyar 5782 | VOLUME CLXXII, ISSUE 11
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PURELY COMMENTARY 4-12
Essays and viewpoints.
42 SPORTS 30
OUR COMMUNITY 14
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A March in the Park
Jewish War Veterans help to break ground on The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak.
Comedy Takes a Serious Side Comedian Gary Gulman to headline JFS Spotlight Event May 12.
Order on the Court
Detroit Jewish Basketball League will tip off this summer.
MAZEL TOV 32
Passover Events Galore
SPIRIT 36
Torah Portion
Get advice about navigating the college application process.
38
Made with Love
Inspiring Entertainment
40
Synagogue Directory
Knowledge Before College
JVS + Kadima’s Frame of Mind Benefit and Arts Showcase features more than 20 artists.
ARTS & LIFE 42
Rooted in Russian History
44
Participatory Concerts
48
Celebrity News
Diversity is Strength
Keter Torah currently has members from about 20 countries among their 100 or so families.
A Mitzvah Haircut
Farber student Hodaya Ellis donated her hair four times to Zichron Menachem.
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Jewish actress sees new meaning for audiences in her role in Anastasia.
With a new debut album, Aly Halpert brings healing music back to her hometown.
Community Calendar
HEALTH 52
Moments
NEXT DOR 34
EVENTS
Make Genetic Screening a Priority This Spring
JFamily can help subsidize the costs of genetic testing.
ETC.
The Exchange 54 Obits 55 Looking Back 62 Shabbat Lights
Shabbat begins: Friday, April 29, 8:12 p.m. Shabbat ends: Saturday, April 30, 9:18 p.m.
* Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar.
ON THE COVER: Cover photo/credit: Art Fishman, WWII Army Air Corps and Navy Jewish War Veteran with WWII Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson. Photo by Russell Levine. Cover design: Michelle Sheridan APRIL 28 • 2022
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PURELY COMMENTARY for openers
Together — at Last!
I
was like a kid in a candy story these past few weeks in anticipation of hosting my first in-person seder in three years. Pesach is my favorite holiday because the focus is on passing the story of our heritage on to our children, Paul Gross who will then pass it on to their children, as has been done for many centuries now. Something else particularly meaningful for me is the confluence of Judaism and Christianity this time of year: three of the Gospels share that Jesus’ Last Supper was the first night of Passover, so that meal very likely included lamb, wine and unleavened bread, and perhaps even bitter herbs
and a version of charoset. Of course, the seder (service) did not exist then, but non-Jews at my seders over the years have found it very special to experience the foods and tradition that Jesus partook in at the Last Supper. The pandemic provided quite a juxtaposition with stories of those who tried to observe Passover during the Holocaust, and those today in Ukraine. Passover is a story about freedom and, ultimately, this holiday tells a story about our people’s liberation from Egypt, while we pray for those today not free to worship as they wish.
Every year, Paul includes on his seder plate a 2000-year-old pottery shard he brought back from an archeological dig on a trip to Israel 10 years ago. “This ancient artifact honors our ancestors who laid the foundation for Judaism today and, more recently, family members no longer with us,” he said. The Gross family seder
Paul Gross is a meteorologist at WDIV-TV Channel 4 and is a board member at Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield.
essay
Forty Years Since Hadassah Magazine Changed My Life
I
t’s strange to me that I have memories that are 40 years old, much less of events that shaped my life. This month is one 40th anniversary that was pivotal in my life personally and connected me deeply to the history and welfare of the Jonathan Feldstein Jewish people. Forty years is a significant period for the Jewish people, especially at
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this season related to the original Exodus. My mother was not a particularly religious woman but being Jewish was very important to her. Israel was important to her. Raising her children in a Jewish environment and passing along traditions were important to her. There were many ways that this played out, most of them non-remarkable, not particularly noteworthy, and not things about which I have any particular memories, much
less ones that impacted me. One night in April 1982 over dinner, something that was no less unremarkable became a catalyst for something in my life that she surely was not planning, about which she was certainly not advocating per se, and as a result of which she had good reason to think I was a bit crazy. I was 17, so the crazy part she could have written off as immature adolescence. We sat at the gray Formica table, each in our own spot
with me to her left at the “head” of the round table. Often my mother would share news and other events. That evening, she took out the latest edition of Hadassah Magazine, the organization of which she was a Life Member, and read an article about the phenomena of Jews in the west “twinning” their bar and bat mitzvahs with Jewish peers in the Soviet Union who were unable to celebrate the milestone because of wide persecution of Jews and attempts to erase Jewish tradition. My mother was informing, but also advocating as my brother was to become a bar continued on page 12
PURELY COMMENTARY opinion
Social Media in Times of War
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t is pretty impossible not to be aware of what’s going on in the world these days. Even if you live under a rock, As long as your device is connected to wifi, you will be aware of everything that’s going on. You will be aware, but will Ron Harel you know what’s happening? You can share any post, but are you able to check its sources? There is a vast difference between knowing and being aware. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok. Scrolling through our feeds, we see endless videos, opinions and things that people are putting out there, hashtag #proX or #proY, people writing about
Rockets fall in Israel in May 2021.
something controversial that they heard, and the world will immediately jump to conclusions. Sometimes, those conclusions can even be dangerous. Yet, we don’t stop to think about what’s even out there anymore. Opinions? Facts? These days,
ognition, and above it all, share real stories and experiences from an honest, intimate point of view: Live videos from the loaded trains in Ukraine, people taking videos of themselves trying to escape from the battles or even TikToks from refugee camps. Moments that the world would probably not be able to see without the help of this unique platform. The problem is that most Funded with a generous gift from of the content that critically Michel A. Sucher, ’68, M.D. ’72 matters is gone in the face of and James the A. infinity Hiller,of’70 fake news and non-accurate information, Featuring distinguished guest lecturer becoming another post we just does it even matter? Mark S. Gold, M.D. scrolled up. Social media is not just a There are so many ways to black hole of fake news and share information today. And flammable opinions. Some with the right filter and the people use it for good, taking right font, letters, wording and advantage of the power of the Dr. Gold is a world-renowned and multiple colors, everything is possible to crowd to promote facts, donate believe. But, unfortunately, with money, show support and rec-
lifetime achievement award-winning expert on continued on page 10
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addiction-related diseases. Dr. Gold has been a
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Covering and Connecting pioneering translational researcher forWeek 40+ years Jewish Detroit Every
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Eating Disord Funded with a generous gift from Funded a generous gift’72 from Use D Michel with A. Substance Sucher, ’68, M.D. Janet M. Sucher Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences
Funded with a generous gift from Michel A. Sucher, ’68, M.D. ’72 A. Hiller, ’70 Janet and M.James Sucher Memorial
Department offor Psychiatry and Behavioral Lecture Eating Disorders Featuring distinguished guestNeurosciences lecturer and 313-577-3033 | email: ehornik@med.wayne.edu Mark S.Use Gold,Disorders M.D. Substance psychiatry.med.wayne.edu
Inaugural Lecture lifetime achievement award-winning expert on and Reception Dr. Gold is State a world-renowned and multiple Wayne University Board of Governors Mark Gaffney, chair, Shirley Stancato, vice chair, Bryan C. Barnhill II, Michael Busuito, Marilyn Kelly, Anil Kumar, Terri Lynn Land Dana Thompson, M. Roy Wilson, ex officio
addiction-related diseases. Dr. Gold has been a
Date and Time
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Complimentary Parking Law School Parking Lot 32 located at 475 W. Palmer Ave. Please see map insert.
RSVP Please visit rsvp.wayne.edu/sucher-memorial-lecture
Michel Sucher, ’68, M.D. andA. James A. Hiller, ’70 ’72 Memorialand Lecture Disorders Jamesfor A. Eating Hiller, ’70 and Substance Use guest Disorders Featuring distinguished lecturer Featuring distinguished guest lecturer Mark S.May Gold, M.D.When Where DeRoy Auditorium Mark S. Gold, M.D. Wayne State University Thursday, May 12,6-7 2022p.m. 6 – 9 p.m.
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Commercial Disclosure: The Wayne State University Relationship School of Medicine designates this live27 RSVP needed byNone April activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit (s) TM. For virtual or in person Physicians should only the creditofcommensurate withattendance the extent The Wayne Stateclaim University School Medicine isis accredited The Wayne State University School of Medicine accreditedby by of the theirAccreditation participation Council in the activity. forContinuing Continuing Medical Medical Education the Accreditation Council for Educationtoto Target Audience: Physicians; Residents, psychologists, social provide continuing medical education for physicians. physicians. provide continuing medicalFellows, education workers, and Senior Staff of our affiliated hospitals, and practicing in The Wayne State University School of Medicine designates thislive live Wayne State University School of Medicine designates this theThe community. activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit (s) TM. activity for aof maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Creditwith (s) TM. Department Psychiatry Behavioral Neurosciences Physicians should claim only and the credit commensurate the extent should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent Website Address: https://psychiatry.med.wayne.edu of Physicians their participation in the activity.
Janet M. Sucher Memorial Lecture Eating Disorders a Department of Substance Psychiatry and BehavioralUse Neurosciences Disor 313-577-3033 | email: ehornik@med.wayne.edu ofadditional their participation in thecontact: activity. For information Michelle Catonpsychologists, social Target Audience: Physicians; Fellows, Residents, email: mcaton@med.wayne.edu workers, and Senior Staff of our affiliated hospitals, and practicing in Target Audience: Physicians; Fellows, Residents, psychologists, social the community. David R. Rosenberg, MD and Jennifer Traynor-Ballard, Planning Committee workers, and Senior Staff of our affiliated hospitals, and practicing in
-Department have no commercial relationships to disclose. Neurosciences of Psychiatry and Behavioral the community. Website Address: https://psychiatry.med.wayne.edu
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences
needed RSVPRSVP needed by April 27
For virtual attendance For virtualor orin in person person attendance
For additional information contact: Michelle Caton Website Address: https://psychiatry.med.wayne.edu email: mcaton@med.wayne.edu
David R. Rosenberg, MD and Jennifer For additional information contact: Traynor-Ballard, Michelle Caton Planning Committee psychiatry.med.wayne.edu - have nomcaton@med.wayne.edu commercial relationships to disclose. email:
Inaugural Lecture and Reception
David R. Rosenberg, MD and Jennifer Traynor-Ballard, Planning Committee - have no commercial relationships to disclose.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences 313-577-3033 | email: ehornik@med.wayne.edu psychiatry.med.wayne.edu
Wayne State University Board of Governors Mark Gaffney, chair, Shirley Stancato, vice chair, Bryan C. Barnhill II, Michael Busuito, Marilyn Kelly, Anil Kumar, Terri Lynn Land Dana Thompson, M. Roy Wilson, ex officio
Lecture
DeRoy Auditorium
May
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PURELY COMMENTARY guest column
Opera Through the Lens of the Black and Jewish Communities
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JEWISH WOMEN’S ARCHIVE
I
’ll never forget the first time I saw that famous photograph: Rabbi Abraham Heschel, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, his arm linked in solidarity to Martin Luther King Jr. I was an undergraduate at UC Berkeley — a center for civil rights activism Yuval Sharon even in the late ’90s — and found, through Heschel, a socially engaged path for connecting to my own Jewish identity. His writing argued irrefutably that a spiritual life cannot be divorced from the life of the streets, and each of us are called not just to save our souls but to repair the social fabric everywhere we see it ripping. Heschel didn’t just talk the talk, he famously walked the walk — and it didn’t take much research to find evidence of the remarkable friendship he shared with King, from the Selma march to Vietnam protests and to their frequent joint lectures. Seeing the rabbi and reverend side by side, proudly bedecked in flower wreaths, left an indelible impression that still forms the foundation of my thinking. Heschel’s presence at the march made me aspire to living that kind of Jewish life, where, as he puts it, “there is no limit to the concern one must feel for the suffering of human beings … In a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.” And, likewise, seeing the serene joy on Dr. King’s face in those photographs, you can feel the care for humanity that acknowledges
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel marching with other civil rights leaders from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., on March 21, 1965. From far left: John Lewis, an unidentified nun, Ralph Abernathy, Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph Bunche, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.
Malcom X
that no disenfranchised community can rise in isolation. Or, as King puts it, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” The complex relationship between the Black community and the Jewish community in America is difficult to untangle; among the most lamentable dynamics in a racist society are the misunderstandings that arise between oppressed victims, which distracts them from unifying against their true oppressor. Many non-Orthodox Jews may not face
the snap-judgment racism Black people endure daily — but 50 years after the march on Selma, a different group carrying tiki torches in Charlottesville, Va., made it clear to the country that Black and Jewish people still constitute the primary threats to their imagined superiority. Now, in the wake of a powerful racial reckoning — and with a despicable backlash underway in school board meetings and legislative offices across the country — it is vital that our communities stand in solidarity with each other and that we exemplify a fortified “network of mutuality.”
WHAT DOES OPERA HAVE TO DO WITH IT? Now what, you might be wondering, is an opera director doing talking about all this? Isn’t opera the province of ancient times, of royalty and European values? Opera, actually, has quite a few similarities to religion; in both, a congregation comes together in song to recite profound, usually older texts and investigate what it means to be human. My own brand of Judaism hews closely to how I view and create operas: in both fields, tradition requires constant examining, rather than blind obedience; no matter how old the text, the act of constant reinterpretation offers ever-fresh insight; and no matter how tight the community, a broader social responsibility is a crucial tenet of our viability. I took the role of artistic director for Detroit Opera during the pandemic to make deeper connections between the artform of opera and the communities of the Metro Detroit region. My tenure began while the opera house was shut down, so I brought opera outside and onto new stages (or, in the case of a couple parking lots, non-stages). This was, nevertheless, an opportunity to make opera a vessel for contemporary issues: in September, Detroit Opera presented Blue, a searing new opera by Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson, telling the story of a fictional but all-too-real Black family coping with a loss at the hands of police violence. Blue was the first opera to be performed on the stage of the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Downtown Detroit, and the constant coming-and-going of ships on the Detroit River offered the audience the reminder of this story’s bracing proximity to everyday life. With the Detroit Opera House now open, we are currently in rehearsal for one of the most significant projects in the company’s 50-year history: a major new pro-
duction of Anthony Davis’ opera X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, directed by Robert O’Hara. Since its premiere in 1986, Davis has since gone on to win the Pulitzer Prize for music, but his first opera is such a wellspring of inspiration and audacity that it has come to be acknowledged as an undeniable masterpiece of American music. The brilliance of the score and the relevance of the subject matter have attracted widespread interest among other companies, and since announcing our production, we’ve been joined by the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera Omaha and Seattle Opera to co-produce this work. PREPARING FOR X: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MALCOLM X Preparing for this opera brought back my memory of those photographs of Rabbi Heschel and Rev. King — although, of course, Malcolm X and MLK Jr. have been too easily reduced to an untenable opposition. Both men are undergoing serious reevaluations at a critical moment in our cultural history: the saintly image of Dr. King “the dreamer” has been an exploitative tool for maintaining a racist status quo, as Ibram X. Kendi argued so convincingly in his 2021 essay “The Second Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.” And in his extraordinary study The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., Peniel Joseph braids their two lives together to argue that, rather than offering opposing views, the men had “convergent visions” that make them two sides of the same coin. Joseph cogently shifts the opposition away from non-violence versus violence and toward non-violence versus self-defense — a crucial point in understanding
Malcolm X. Malcolm X’s legacy has also seen an extraordinary reconsideration in popular culture, with common misperceptions undergoing a corrective lens. An invaluable contribution to our understanding of this iconic life is Les Payne and Tamara Payne’s National Book Award-winning biography The Dead are Arising, which deftly shows how much Malcolm’s legacy is shrouded in misunderstandings or partial views. Back in 1986, however, Davis and his cousin Thulani Davis, the opera’s librettist, already knew how to make the most inspiring aspects of Malcolm X’s life into a powerful piece of theater. Focusing on Malcolm X’s spiritual evolution, the opera does not stop at the more sensational details of his story, taking us instead to his ultimate awakening, as Malik Shabazz, on a pilgrimage to Mecca and back, at the start of a new quest tragically cut short. One of the most startling lines in Thulani Davis’ libretto is in Malcolm’s Act I aria: “As long as I’ve been living / You’ve had your foot on me, / Always pressing.” The parallels to the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor can feel crushing: has our society really evolved so little since this opera was first performed? The fact that Malcolm X didn’t stop at that sentiment of subjugation but instead embodied a vision of empowerment is part of what makes him an essential figure in the fight for a more just society. It is a story that demands all of our attention and for all of us to participate. Or, as Malcolm X frequently said, “We have to change our minds about each other.” Yuval Sharon is the Gary L. Wasserman Artistic Director of Detroit Opera.
My STORY As an attorney, Jeffrey Serman enjoyed the daily rewards of law practice, working with clients. However, as time passed, he also felt life might be more than work. “My Dad died suddenly at age 75, and of course it affected me,” Jeff said. “As I got older and busier, I decided to take a lesson from his life, lighten my workload and reduce my stress. I changed focus and began volunteering some of my time. It was great, but I was still looking for something hands-on. My son-in-law, who is part of the Hebrew Free Loan Board, talked about how fulfilled he was, so I looked into HFL and was captivated. Everyone I spoke to about this little agency talked about a feeling of warmth and goodness, of doing something worthy for the community on a one-to-one basis, and making a difference in the lives of Michigan Jews.” Jeff put his name in for the HFL Board, was delighted when he was nominated, and immediately began using his skills as a good listener and a problem solver in his interactions with other Board members, and with borrowers. “I have a huge Jewish heart, and I’ve received so much inner well-being from what this agency does,” Jeff said. “I’ve given time and money to organizations that do worthy things, but HFL is like nothing I’ve experienced anywhere else. It’s focused on doing good right here, with money we raise right here. There’s genuine passion from the leadership, the Board and the staff, and I’m overwhelmed sometimes with the feeling that I can lighten someone’s load. Simply put, Hebrew Free Loan is the greatest organization in the country. There’s no bigger cheerleader for HFL than I am.”
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APRIL 28 • 2022
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PURELY COMMENTARY SOCIAL MEDIA continued from page 6
everything that’s happening right now, war is happening in two different areas: The battle of the real people, fighting for their homes, health, family, safety and lives, calling for help and begging for salvation, aside from the battle on our screens, the dreaded fake news war that’s threatening to detract from the value of what’s out there. I want to believe that we all try to look at the bigger picture, doubt what we read, check the sources or the background and stick to the facts we know. And yet, why am I so intrigued by what’s going on on social media? Well, it seems like we forgot how to talk. MY PERSPECTIVE I’m an 18-year-old teenager, who was born and grew up in Israel. Growing up, I remember better and worse times in my country. We have never lacked for problems, fighting operations, dangers or criticism around us, but we kept living our lives because this is the story of all of us. We live our routine, and no matter what, when something happens, even my dad, with a family, will put on his IDF uniform from 10 years earlier and go out there. What else can you do? But the first time I realized how bad social media could affect what’s happening outside was in May 2021 during Israel’s Guardian of the Walls operation, the last fighting operation between the IDF and the Palestinian terror organizations in the Gaza strip. I constantly followed the news as I was sitting nervously in my home in Jezreel Valley. Seeing on the side of the screen rockets siren alarms, one after another, at such a rapid pace on the TV that before I had time to read the name of the city, another name pops on the screen in big, bold letters.
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I followed nervously the IDF battalions that were entering the battles, the names of those who came back injured, traumatized or hurt, aside from those who didn’t come back at all. Thousands of rockets were fired into Israel, with friends and family from the south and the center running back and forth from their shelters or escaping up north to find refuge, leaving their homes behind. The chaos, the danger, the pain, I’m sure not just us Israelis felt those feelings; perhaps the Palestinian people did, too. But the world out there sharing, posting, typing and hashtagging didn’t help the situation. Hundreds, thousands, hundreds of thousands of social media pages covered what was happening. Pro-X, Pro-Y, everyone’s opinions suddenly became facts. Users were fighting in comment sections, insulting posts, TikToks and tweets everywhere. But mostly, fake news and twisted reality that increased the rage and frustration of the people in the shelters, of the soldiers outside still trying to do the right thing after the whole world is criticizing Israel until it seems that people forgot that there are people on both sides, homes, families and dreams. For me, it was harrowing. THE MEET PROGRAM Last May, when everything happened, was a few weeks before my graduation from one of the most meaningful programs I’ve taken a part of: MEET — a leadership program for Israeli and Palestinian high schoolers. I feel this program has greatly influenced me, opened my horizons, and taught me how to design my identity as an Israeli Jew who strives for peace and a peaceful life together. I learned to be aware of my story and look for
the people around me, even if we have different points of view. Through the three years of the program, in which we created entrepreneurship projects, leadership workshops and computer science classes, I made genuine friends through DU — Deeper Understanding sessions. This place proved to me that it was a safe space where you could listen, share and talk your honest thoughts and opinions no matter what was happening outside. Those were the moments I thought I was building something bigger. Until this single text message one night in the middle of May that popped on my screen from my MEET’s cohort group chat from one of the most prominent students. Right after some exciting messages about our upcoming graduation ceremony: “On behalf of the Palestinian students, We would like to ask you to give us our certificates without having events with the other side.” No one responded for a long time, but obviously, it aroused the interest of us all. It did not matter what would happen next, whether we would graduate or not. At this moment, I felt a failure. I’ve known these people for the last three years. We came together, 50% Israelis and 50% Palestinians, to create something unique. Not just social startups to help create a better future for the Middle East, and not just comforting vocabulary in leadership studies. I’ve always believed there is an added value to this program that brings Israelis and Palestinians together and perhaps gives us the only opportunity to get to know each other from such a close view. I did not understand when I became the “other side.” What is even the “other side” and whether, after three years of such deep connections, there is a place for
titles like “Palestinian” or “Israeli” students? Before I even had a chance to share my views, the opportunity to listen to honest opinions, real people, not the ones hiding behind posts and hashtags, I became the other side. Why? Because some people, celebrities, actors, musicians, athletes and influencers who hsve a following, and have probably never heard a siren in their life, decided that my friends and I were on two different sides. Beyond the frustration of the lack of understanding, opacity and ignorance of those giant stars who write to their millions of followers beautiful words about what’s going on from their safe homes on the other side of the world, my friends and I could no longer speak. We are neighbors for the long term, and if we want strongly enough, we can also be good neighbors, but the war on social media continues to separate us, even more than the real one, it seems. Why do I still think about it, almost a year later? In these very days, when a big part of the world is in the midst of a war of survival, think about what you read, see or hear and always ask yourself: Should I comment in public or maybe start talking to this one person with the opinion I care about? Should I share it because it’s something I agree with or maybe I just like this guy’s music? Should I keep scrolling, look around and talk to someone with an opinion I appreciate? Ron Harel is a young israeli emissary in the Jewish communities of Metropolitan Detroit and Ann Arbor. Here in Michigan, you can find her volunteering at Frankel Jewish Academy, Temple Israel, Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Jewish News and JFMD, among other places.
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APRIL 28 • 2022
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PURELY COMMENTARY 40 YEARS SINCE continued from page 4
mitzvah in June. She thought he ought to “adopt” a Jewish boy in the USSR with whom to share the milestone. In the end he did, and he (and/or my mother) wrote to Mikhail in some distant Soviet province. Nobody ever heard back from Mikhail, but plans on our end in New Jersey went uninterrupted, just without the “benefit” of Mikhail necessarily knowing that a Jewish boy in New Jersey had “twinned” his bar mitzvah, or what that even meant. I had a different takeaway. My bar mitzvah had been four years earlier. I never heard of the “adopt a Jewish refusenik” idea then. A refusenik was a Jewish person who formally applied through the tightly controlled Soviet bureaucracy (which just happened to be antisemitic) to leave the USSR and was refused. With refusal came a series of discriminatory and even legal threats, leaving Jews who stepped forward wishing to leave marked as traitors or worse. Because in 1979 there had been a relatively large number of Jews given permission to leave (yes, they couldn’t just buy a ticket and go, they actually needed permission from the state), a larger number of Jews applied to leave, hopeful that they’d also be given permission. But when the doors were shut again, that just left that many more Soviet Jews in the crosshairs of Soviet society, stuck and branded as refuseniks. The idea was that by “adopting” the Soviet Jewish teens, we were showing solidarity, we were calling the Soviet authorities to task, and we were keeping the families in the public eye so nothing bad
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would happen to them. So why was this Hadassah Magazine article so impactful to me? I honestly felt cheated, that nobody had given me the opportunity four years earlier to twin my bar mitzvah, much less really even know about the persecution of Soviet Jews. Not to be left out, I adopted a family of my own. Not to share or twin anything, just to help them, help raise awareness and be part of a movement that I understood then was important and historic. MY SOVIET ‘FAMILY’ My commitment to work to get my adopted family out spared no efforts. Though most were confiscated by the KGB, I wrote monthly letters and received a few replies. My college essay was about my commitment, basically enlisting any university that would accept me to be partners in that. I attended countless Solidarity Sunday and other demonstrations. I went to college, bringing with me my adopted family, and got Emory to admit the oldest daughter, Katya, as a student in special standing. I made phone calls to them (not an easy thing at all considering they didn’t have a phone and the KGB monitored all the phone lines) that were broadcast publicly, making her the most famous overseas student at Emory. I engaged many others in this cause so that it was not just me, but a team. Numerous students and faculty became involved. We launched the most unique petition with each signature on a single link of what became a huge paper chain that I delivered to the Soviet
embassy. I launched my first fundraising campaign ever, $2,000, to join an official Soviet tour in July 1985. I was 20, went to the USSR on my own with no cell phone (but the computer I brought was another story). I taught myself to read Russian so I could get by on my own, as unnoticed as an American student could be. Without the benefit of cell phones, Google maps or any other such modern device, I was able to meet Katya at a metro station before going to her home where I gave her an application to Emory, which she filled out and brought to me the next day. Oh, and I proposed marriage within an hour of meeting her and her father, with the scheme (illegal as it is) to get her U.S. citizenship, use that to get her out of the USSR, and use that to get her family out. I already said crazy, right? Who knew that two years later, when I planned my trip to begin a Soviet civil marriage process, that because of my activism, they would already be out of the USSR, four out of fewer than 900 Jews allowed to leave the Soviet Union in 1987. The story attracted attention from several local and national media. None of this is to do anything other than illustrate how deeply I got involved, and how that one article was so transformative, not just then but still two generations later. It’s been a significant two generations because, in that time, all the Jews of the former Soviet Union who have wanted to leave have done so: another Exodus of no less
significant proportions for the Jewish people. Also, it’s rare in this generation that people not alive then have any understanding of the significance of the persecution of Soviet Jews, the broad-based global movement to free them, and how successful we were. It’s critical that this history not be forgotten. Who knows, maybe some parent will read this article to his or her child and it will be so impactful that it will transform that person to take on a commitment to Israel and the Jewish people, when the threat’s different but no less real. I look forward to reading that person’s story 40 years from now. Jonathan Feldstein was born and educated in the U.S. and immigrated to Israel in 2004. Throughout his life and career, he has worked to build bridges and relationships with Christian supporters of Israel and shares experiences of living as an Orthodox Jew in Israel, writing for many Christian websites, and as the host of the Inspiration from Zion podcast. He can be reached at firstpersonisrael@gmail.com.
CORRECTION: • In “Three Jewish State Legislators Strive to be Effective in a Challenging Environment,” (April 21, page 26) some of the facts about State Rep. Samantha Steckloff were incorrect. Rep. Steckloff attended Purdue University, not Michigan State University. She worked at Hillel at the University of Kansas and the Hillel at the University of Michigan. Her mother, Vicki Barnett, is also the current mayor of Farmington Hills.
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JIM HOUSE, WINDING TRAIL PHOTOGRAPHY
ON THE COVER
A March in Jewish War Veterans help to break ground on The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak. ALAN MUSKOVITZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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n April 7, an energized crowd of an estimated 400-plus attended a spirited groundbreaking ceremony for Phase I of The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak’s Memorial Park. The memorial will be a place to inspire, educate and honor Michigan’s legacy of sacrifice, ingenuity and commitment in defense of our freedom on both the war front and home front, where we famously became known as the Arsenal of Democracy. In 2013, the state Senate and House passed resolutions officially recognizing The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial as the state’s tribute to its contributions during WWII. Shortly thereafter, then-Gov. Rick Snyder signed a special tribute endorsing the recognition by the legislature. Phase I includes the laying of more than 1,200 donated Walk of Honor engraved brick pavers, installation of a full-sized statue depicting a soldier reading a letter from home, the installation of flagpoles for each branch of the military and our state flag, plus the pouring of footings for a Wall of Stars and future
FACING PAGE: WWII veterans and original “Rosie the Riveters” break ground on the memorial. THIS PAGE: Artist’s rendition of the memorial by Moiseev/Gordon Associates, Inc., Royal Oak.
scenes featuring nine statues. (See sidebar, next page) Honored guests at the groundbreaking included WWII veterans and original “Rosie the Riveters,” as well as more than a dozen military organizations, including the Tuskegee Airmen, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. A swell of patriotism was felt by all upon the arrival of active servicemen and women from the Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy and Merchant Marines. Plus, there was an impressive outpouring of support by more than two dozen current and former local, state and U.S. elected officials in attendance. Proudly, at every turn during the festivities, the Jewish community’s participation was on full display. JEWISH WAR VETERAN SUPPORT The Jewish War Veterans, Department of Michigan (JWV) was announced as one of three lead sponsors for the day’s events, along with Beaumont Health, and Pegasus Entertainment, David Grossman, owner, who continued on page 16
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the Park JWV Chief of Staff Donald Schenk, WWII veteran Art Fishman and JWV Commander Dr. Edward Hirsch
PROUDLY, AT EVERY TURN DURING THE FESTIVITIES, THE JEWISH COMMUNITY’S PARTICIPATION WAS ON FULL DISPLAY. APRIL 28 • 2022
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ON THE COVER continued from page 15
The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial: Its History and Future • The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial began as Honor Flight Michigan in 2007, providing one-day, all-expense-paid trips to Washington, D.C., for our WWII veterans to see their national memorial. • After 33 flights taking 1,400 veterans, the waiting list was exhausted, and the idea was conceived to bring the memorial home to Michigan. • The memorial will serve as a place to gather, remember and inspire; designed to engage the community and educate future generations on the heroic efforts of the Greatest Generation. • In 2017, Royal Oak unanimously granted the memorial project a ¾-acre section within the city’s Memorial Park, located at the northeast corner of 13 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue. • April 7, 2022, Groundbreaking for Phase I, which will include over 1,200 donated Walk of Honor brick pavers, installation of a full-sized statue depicting a soldier reading a letter from home, installation of flagpoles with flags representing each branch of the military and our state flag, plus pouring of footings for a Wall of Stars and future statue scenes. • The near-term goal is to raise $300,000 for Phase II to construct the Memorial’s 10-feet high by
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50-feet wide Wall of Stars. It will consist of 1,400 stars, each honoring approximately 11 of the 15,458 Michigan lives lost during WWII. Each star is available for a contribution. • The total projected budget is $3 million to complete the full memorial. In addition to Phase I and II elements highlighted above, the memorial will ultimately include: — Three life-sized bronze statue scenes representing Land, Air and Sea, telling the Michigan story from both home front and war front perspectives. — A colonnade of 13 pillars, six of which will represent Michigan’s contribution to the war effort through service, sacrifice, industry, labor, commitment and change. — A large, walkable, interactive map of Michigan embedded into the memorial grounds highlighting communities integral in securing victory through industry, government and commercial endeavors. — A spacious amphitheater for events.
Donate by credit card or volunteer at: michiganww2memorial.org. Make checks payable to The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial and mail to: The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial, P.O. Box 8237, Royal Oak, MI 48068. Call toll-free (888) 229-6126.
Emcee Rich Luterman, chief meteorologist at FOX 2 Detroit
RUSSELL LEVINE
U.S. Rep. Andy Levin and Memorial President John Maten
provided the audio system. The JWV has a long history of support for the memorial’s efforts, having regularly sponsored their annual fundraising galas. Two of JWV’s own have been recipients of the gala’s Victory Awards: Art Fishman in 2016 and 100-year-old Guy Stern last October. The JWV’s support continued at the groundbreaking with a large turnout of its membership, including WWII veterans, several of whom were accompanied by Vietnam veteran and JWV Senior Vice Commander Bill Glogower aboard a plush event bus rented by the organization. “I was very honored to be in their presence,” Glogower said. “They are,” his voice cracking with emotion, “our Greatest Generation.” JWV Dept. of Michigan Commander Dr. Edward Hirsch, Colonel U.S. Army Special Forces (retired), was equally moved by the reception received by his most senior membership. “I was overwhelmed by the kindness shown to our WWII veterans,” he said. “I will always be reminded of their sacrifices so that we can live in a much better world today.” Hirsch is no stranger to sacrifices made in defense of his country. When he was a team leader in Special Operations in Vietnam, a traumatic leg injury landed him in Walter Reed Army Medical Center for more than nine months, earning him his third Purple Heart. Also on hand was JWV Department of Michigan Chief of Staff Donald Schenk, a retired Army brigadier general whose service included combat operations in Operation Desert Storm. “As a Baby Boomer and career Army officer,” Schenk
MENSCH METEOROLOGIST I had the privilege of introducing Rich Luterman, chief meteorologist at Fox 2 Detroit, himself a Jewish war veteran, U.S. Air Force, as the master of ceremonies. Luterman, served four and a half years on active duty as a weather officer. For six months in 1991, he was a weather detachment commander in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Storm. In conversations I had with him in the weeks leading up to his emceeing the groundbreaking, Luterman’s enthusiasm for the event was
JIM HOUSE, WINDING TRAIL PHOTOGRAPHY
said, “I am keenly aware of the significance of the sacrifices made by all members of the Greatest Generation. My parents served — my father in uniform and my mother on the home front.” “The task now,” Schenk said, “is keeping those memories alive, which now falls to my generation and those who will follow. The Michigan World War II Legacy Memorial in Memorial Park in Royal Oak is Michigan’s sacred space for all to visit and learn about the contributions of Michigan’s sons and daughters.” Schenk said being at the April 7 groundbreaking with members of the Jewish community was especially important since their planned 75th anniversary observance of the end of WWII in November 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic. “At last, we have closure, so the daring feats and contributions of these brave men and women will not be forgotten. With this memorial, we will have a permanent place in our community for all to reflect and remember. Indeed, time shall not dim the glory of their deeds.”
JWV WWII veterans Art Fishman and Marty Myers being escorted into the ceremony.
“I AM KEENLY AWARE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SACRIFICES MADE BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE GREATEST GENERATION. ” — JWV CHIEF OF STAFF DONALD SCHENK
palpable. “I was so honored and humbled to be able to say that I was a part of this historic groundbreaking,” he said. “As a proud veteran, I am in awe of those who served in desperate times and sacrificed so much for our nation.” GRAND ENTRANCE Arguably the emotional highlight of the afternoon’s presentation, was Luterman’s introduction of WWII veterans and original “Rosie the Riveters” — among them seven Jewish War Veterans, at least two of whom were just a few months shy of their 100th birthdays. Huddled out of the audience’s sight at the beginning of the program, each WWII veteran was given his own dramatic introduction, including recognition of the branch of
service in which he served. Upon hearing their names called, they appeared from behind a set of bleachers. Bundled up and braving the slightly inclement weather, some aided by walkers and wheelchairs, they made their way, one by one, onto the grounds of the memorial site. These proud members of our Greatest Generation were greeted by cheers as volunteers from the Michigan chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Red, White and Blue Star Mothers (MI-198, Troy) escorted them through a row of American flags to their seats. Said Luterman: “To introduce and recognize the men and women who saved our world from tyranny and sacrificed so much for our nation
is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.” LEVIN BRINGS NATIONAL SUPPORT The irony of addressing those who helped save the world from a tyrannical leader, as the war in Ukraine rages on, was not lost on Congressman Andy Levin. Leading up to his presenting a Congressional Record proclamation to memorial board president John Maten, an impassioned Levin turned and directly addressed the WWII veterans and original “Rosie the Riveters” in the audience. “You WWII veterans, Rosies, all of you … We all literally look to what you accomplished, what you sacrificed, continued on page 18 APRIL 28 • 2022
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ON THE COVER continued from page 17
what you did for freedom for this whole world. And we are not going to let Vladimir Putin take over Ukraine. We’re going to give the Ukrainians everything they need to beat them back. It’s a tribute to you that we’re just not going to let that happen.” U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens was not in attendance but expressed her support on Facebook. She said, “Incredibly inspired by The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial honoring our veterans in Royal Oak today. Thrilled to see this gem in our community!” A GROUNDBREAKING — AT LAST As a light mist descended upon the memorial site, the WWII veterans and original “Rosie the Riveters” were escorted into place for the official groundbreaking. Twenty glistening new shovels, decorated with the memorial’s logo and date of the groundbreaking, were at the ready for those who were able to perform the ceremonial digging into the large mound of dirt before them. As his WWII comrades performed the symbolic groundbreaking, Jewish War Veteran Art Fishman, 95, senior vice commander emeritus of the JWV-Department of Michigan, took to the stage to share his sentiments. He emphasized in his remarks that it was incumbent upon those in attendance that we must also “Remember the heroes that are not here. They are the ones we dedicate this day to.” For Fishman, who served in both the Army Air Corps and Navy during WWII, the memorial project has captured
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“REMEMBER THE HEROES THAT ARE NOT HERE. THEY ARE THE ONES WE DEDICATE THIS DAY TO.” — WWII VETERAN ART FISHMAN
his heart and soul since its inception. His hours of volunteering, attendance at events and community connections to advance the project’s cause, are far too many to mention. “We are building this memorial so that children who will see this will ask questions and ask for explanations why there is a WWII legacy memorial,” Fishman said. The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial has in fact established an educational component to the project for use by instructors. “I have been part of this dedicated group for the past nine years,” Fishman continued. “I never thought I’d live so long as to see this as one of the burning candles of my 95 years. Thank you for lighting this candle.” Fishman concluded his remarks as his fellow veterans and Rosies were joined alongside dignitaries and memorial board members for photo opportunities. GLOBAL REACH Two other members of the Jewish community had a profound impact on the day’s activities — Carolyn Krieger, owner of CKC Agency, a Metro Detroit public relations firm, and Alison Schwartz, vice president of public relations Carolyn for the company. Krieger
CKC counts several nonprofit Jewish organizations among its clientele. Schwartz spearheaded the campaign, helping bring overwhelming exposure to the memorial project. When the dust had literally and figuratively settled on The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial groundbreaking, CKC’s outreach garnered press coverage by more than 500 media outlets across multimedia platforms including television, radio, internet, social media and print. Thanks in large part to CKC’s coordination of an Associated Press story featuring Michigan WWII veterans and “Rosie the Riveters,” the memorial and groundbreaking event were covered in the media from coast to coast and beyond our borders, including in London, Singapore, Canada, Israel and the Philippines. My personal favorite international media item was JWV member Art Fishman featured on the Hispanic version of the Celebrity.land website, which is billed as “the global source for celebrity news.” JWV member Marty Myers, 95, shared a lighthearted moment about his age on Channel 7 Action News. The media buzz, though, didn’t distract him from the meaning of the moment. “As I sat there, I could not
forget the thousands of men and women who died 75-80 years ago,” he said. REFLECTIONS FROM THE GROUNDBREAKING In the days following the event, I phoned several of the Jewish WWII veterans who were in attendance. The following three, all in their late-90s, offered the following reflections about their experience at the groundbreaking: • Sydney Harris (age 99), U.S. Army, 1944-1946; Rifleman, 87th Division, 3rd Army under Gen. Patton; Purple Heart recipient; member of JWV Lt. Raymond Zussman Post 135, said, “It was very nice because we played a vital part in WWII. We made the guns, we made the tanks, the bombers. We were, as President Roosevelt said, ‘the Arsenal of Democracy.’” • Jack Caminker (age 99), U.S. Navy Air Corps., 19431946; Stateside Deck Officer and member of JWV Lt. Raymond Zussman Post 135, said, “The gathering was outstanding, and the representation was outstanding. I was delighted to see the Jewish War Veterans. I think we should be grateful to Royal Oak. It’s something every community should do to remember the boys and girls from WWII. I was impressed that the politicians were there.” • Herman Kasoff (age 97), U.S. Army, 1943-1945; 3rd Ranger Battalion, later 1st Special Services Force and two-time Purple Heart recipient, said, “We had quite a turnout there. Guys I haven’t seen in years. I can’t believe after all these years there’s a WWII Memorial.”
MY PERSONAL REFLECTIONS I am a proud patron of JWV Post 510 and enjoy the ongoing privilege of sharing time with the WWII veterans who I have come to know so well. I am also a past board member of The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial who continues to consult with the current leadership on media relations. I cannot adequately describe the feeling I had witnessing the wonderful gathering at the April 7 groundbreaking of The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial. I have long envisioned the day when our Michigan WWII veterans and “Rosie the Riveters” could stand in Memorial Park to see with their own eyes that their legacy of sacrifice, both on the war front and home front, would forever be secured by this awe-inspiring tribute. It is incumbent upon us to harness the enthusiasm and momentum derived from the Phase I groundbreaking to propel the memorial project onto future phases. From individual brick paver donations to corporate sponsorships, every contribution builds upon the memorial’s foundation. Let the April 7 groundbreaking be the catalyst that will one day soon allow the treasured Michigan members of our Greatest Generation to return to see this memorial mission accomplished.
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OUR COMMUNITY
Comedy Takes a Serious Side Comedian Gary Gulman to headline JFS Spotlight Event May 12.
Gary Gulman
SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
T
here are two sides expressed through Gary Gulman’s outlook, and he is about to show both on Michigan stages. His inclinations converge in ways that allow certain segments to be emphasized according to the audience. His comedic side will dominate the focus of his appearance Wednesday evening, May 11, at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor as he performs the act solely written by him — “Gary Gulman: Born on 3rd Base.” His more serious side takes charge Thursday evening, May 12, as he discusses his continuing battle with depres-
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sion in a presentation for the Jewish Family Service’s Spotlight Event at Temple Israel’s Outdoor Pavilion in West Bloomfield. Dollars raised provide services for vulnerable community members. “In Ann Arbor, I’ll be doing a show about the disadvantages and advantages I’ve had in America because of my rather impoverished upbringing but also my God-given talents and circumstances,” said Gulman, who has been featured on TV’s comedy specials and talk shows as well as in a recurring role on the streaming Hulu series Life & Beth starring Amy Schumer. “For Jewish Family Service,
I will do more humor specific to the American Jewish experience as well as discuss some of the mental health issues I’ve had in my life. I’ll also talk about how Jewish Family Service enabled me to go to Hebrew school and [experience] one summer at a camp.” When Gulman was 18 years old, he was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder, but he believes it was probably something left undiagnosed during his childhood in Massachusetts. He remembers episodes of severe depression, hopelessness and despair from those earlier years. From 2015-2017, he had occurrences that placed him
in the hospital on a number of occasions, and he talked about his recovery during an HBO special called The Great Depresh, which premiered in 2019 as produced by Judd Apatow and is available in a recorded format. “I receive emails and messages and letters from people who were moved or found The Great Depresh resonated with them,” Gulman said. “I’m very proud of that, and I’ve responded to almost every single one. “I’m still a little bit behind because they come in every single day. In some cases, I’ve met people at shows who found The Great Depresh helpful,
Details [some] in discussing [their problems] with their families and [others] understanding what a family member was going through. “I’ve comforted a lot of people who were crying at the show because they were excited to share their experience with me. I’m very touched by that. It’s very moving, and I’m very grateful to take something that had taken so much from me and given back in a way.” Gulman said his quest to become a comedian came before he started defining periods of depression. Although he earned an accounting degree at Boston College and worked in that field as well as doing some substitute teaching, his goal remained comic performance,
Gary Gulman will appear at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Tickets start at $29.50. (734) 668-8397. Michtheater.org. He will make a fundraising appearance for Jewish Family Service at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12, at the Temple Israel Outdoor Pavilion. Registration at 6:15 p.m. $65. (248) 592-2339. Jfsspotlightevent.org.
“I WILL DISCUSS SOME OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES I’VE HAD.” — GARY GULMAN
and he sought stage opportunities through open mic nights at small venues. He tried his talents in California and got bookings on late night talk shows. In 2006, he moved to New York because of its club scene. Gulman, 51, and married to actress-writer Sade, has a pro-
fessional and personal history in Michigan. He appeared at the Comedy Showcase in Ann Arbor over many years, often timing his appearances to visit with a nephew attending the University of Michigan. “There were a lot of people in Ann Arbor over the years when I’ve performed there
who have told me The Great Depresh resonated with them,” he said. “The answer to how I recovered from my depression or have had an extended period of wellness is through medication, therapy, exercise and diet.” The particulars are being written into a memoir he began during pandemic constraints when he made sure to exercise and keep in touch with family and friends by phone to help maintain his well-being. “The pandemic affected me in that I wasn’t able to do any live shows, but I was very fortunate in that I have a memoir that occupied a lot of my time,” he said. “It enabled me to do some creative work in writing.”
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APRIL 28 • 2022
DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER
n upcoming community event presented by Hebrew Free Loan and JCC’s Jfamily, in collaboration with 20+ youth-serving organizations, looks to help high school students with their next big step. The program, Knowledge Before College, is designed to help Jewish families in Michigan get their high school students’ college applications ready. Three experts from the community will share helpful advice about navigating the application process, writing an effective college essay and locating funding sources to help pay for higher education. Knowledge Before College will happen virtually on Tuesday, May 10, from 7-8 p.m. Presenters include Robyn Weiss, M.Ed., MA, LPC, discussing how to best prepare and keep calm through the college application process; Kim Lifton, president of Wow Writing Workshop, providing tips for generating meaningful and outstanding college essays; and Cheryl Berlin, loan program director at Hebrew Free Loan, who will discuss funding sources and process steps to pay for college expenses. Katie Vieder, JCC’s director of tween, teen and family engagement for Jfamily, says they’ve heard across the board as a community about parents and teens feeling unprepared for the college process. “It’s such a big shift in living at home and going to the same school for so many years and all
of a sudden you’re being thrown into a new environment and moving away for the first time,” Vieder said. David Kramer, Hebrew Free Loan’s board president, hopes the event gets the word out there about HFL’s William Davidson Jewish College Loan Program and all that it offers. “We want to make sure we’re not a secret, and Jewish parents and students know we’re there as a resource for them,” Kramer said. “We thought having a program that was factual and topical for students and parents would serve two purposes, provide people with knowledge and information they’re looking for and get the word out there about our loans and our processes.” The father of a college freshman and high school junior, Kramer has been going through the process himself. “I know there’s a lot of anxiety that comes along with it and a lot of things to learn, so we thought putting together a program to help parents and students understand some of the things they need to know as they go into the season for preparing applications would be beneficial.” If interested, register at https://www.beta. jlife.app/events/1957.
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OUR COMMUNITY
Inspiring Entertainment JVS + Kadima’s Frame of Mind Benefit and Arts Showcase features more than 20 artists.
M
addie Berry loves to sing and has been performing for her family for as long as she can remember. Recently she got an opportunity she never thought would have been possible: vocal training with professionals at the Detroit Opera. “It has been a dream come true. They taught me about breathing work and how to sing from the diaphragm and I have really improved,” said Berry, 23, from Clawson. Now, Berry will be performing at the third annual JVS + Kadima Frame of Mind Benefit and Arts Showcase, which will be held on May 15 from 5-8 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. The event is offering a oneof-a-kind theatrical immersive evening with singing, music, dance, acting and art. It will showcase the many talents of artists and performers, like Berry, who take part in Creative Expressions, an artistic enrichment program run by JVS + Kadima, in conjunction with performances by professional musicians, singers and actors with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO), Detroit Opera and the Matrix Theatre.
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This year’s program is the first to include participants from two areas of JVS + Kadima since the Kadima and JVS Human Services organizations combined in January 2022. It includes individuals with serious mental health challenges who receive residential, educational and clinical services through Kadima, along with those with intellectual and developmental disabilities who take part in the organization’s Choices program offering activities and enrichments. It is also the first Frame of Mind to be held indoors; the 2020 event was offered virtually, and last summer’s program was held outdoors on the roof of the Detroit Opera building due to pandemic protocols. “This is an amazing opportunity to highlight and share the talents and skills of the participants in our Creative Expressions program,” said CEO and President of JVS + Kadima Paul Blatt. “Thanks to the incredible amount of time devoted by our partners from some of the most influential artistic institutions in Detroit, our members have the opportunity to gain skills, confidence and share their beauty with the
COURTESY OF JVS+KADIMA
ALISON SCHWARTZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
world.” Creative Expression Program Coordinator Craig Nowak explained more about the event. “It is chiefly a musical theater production, created by Kadima members in collaboration with our Creative Expressions community partners. Matrix Theatre worked with our member to write, plan and act the play. The DSO and Creative Arts Therapies helped compose the musical portion and will be performing alongside our members, and Detroit Opera assisted in the choreography of a dance and singing portion of the evening,” Nowak said. “There will also be Kadima and Choices art on display that was made with guidance by teaching artists from the College for Creative Studies.”
This artwork includes 10 5-foot-tall paintings by participants of the Choices program. JVS + KADIMA ARTISTS Along with singer Maddie Berry, more than 20 JVS + Kadima members are taking part in Frame of Mind. One of these is Kenneth Rosenthal, an avid photographer whose work was recently accepted into the Oakland County Health Network traveling art exhibition. Rosenthal will have a short animation and story within the play and will also display his photography. Sharon Glazer, another talented Kadima member, wrote a large portion of the play, created an animation for her story and will narrate her story. Joel Kaufman was chiefly
TOP: Sharon Glazer takes photos during an outing to Z Garage in Downtown Detroit. BOTTOM: 2021 Frame of Mind Committee members. OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE: Maddie Berry after performing in 2021’s Frame of Mind. Kenneth Rosenthal takes photos during a photography outing at Kayrod Gallery in Detroit. A Choices participant works on art during an abstract painting class with College for Creative Studies.
responsible for writing the storyline and developing the characters that drive the play’s theme. He painted the characters life-sized on wood and created the animation that will be presented at the opening of the play and at different times throughout. In addition, along with Glazer, his visual art will be displayed in a gallery-type setting along with other pieces of work from other Kadima and Choices members. Creative Expressions programs take place throughout Metro Detroit, often at partner locations like the College for Creative Studies’ computer lab, at galleries, at parks and virtually. Some activities provided to Kadima, such as visual and performing arts, photography, writing, poetry, jewelry-making, dance and art-therapy, take place in the Lois and Milton Y. Zussman Activity Center in Southfield. “Everything our artists are doing really blows me away,” said Nowak, who is himself an artist, specializing in painting and ceramics, and who was
people we serve,” he said. As for Berry, she is excited about performing the song “Memory” from the musical Cats on May 15. “I am so happy I can share my talent,” she said. However, perhaps more importantly, she credits the staff and fellow Clubhouse attendees as helping her heal from her illness. “They have taught me to be a happier person,” she says. “I consider Kadima to be part of my family.” instrumental in the animation work that his students were able to achieve. “It is incredibly inspiring.” Blatt says the event is an important example of how working together brings out the best in the community. “The
reality is that this program happens because of the support of the community at large and the artistic community. Creative Expressions is philanthropically funded, and our Frame of Mind event demonstrates just how important the arts are to the
For sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets for Frame of Mind, which are $100, go to the events page at www. kadimacenter.org.To learn more about the Creative Expressions Program, contact Craig Nowak at (248) 663-4345 or craign@kadimacenter.org.
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OUR COMMUNITY SYNAGOGUE SPOTLIGHT
The sanctuary
The exterior
Diversity is Strength
Keter Torah currently has members from about 20 countries among their 100 or so families. DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER
W
est Bloomfield’s Keter Torah Synagogue is Michigan’s only Sephardic synagogue. “That, in and of itself, lends itself to the uniqueness of what we are,” said third-generation president Rick Behar, whose grandparents Jacob and Judith Chicorel founded Keter Torah in 1917 after arriving in Detroit from Turkey. Behar’s grandfather, Jacob Chicorel, was a president, the chazzan and spiritual leader for 46 years. Behar’s mothRick Behar er, Shirley Chicorel Behar, was an influential president who developed an affiliation with Rabbi Solomon Maimon (direct descendent of Maimonides) from Seattle. “Together, they inspired us to finally get the land and prepare the thoughts of a synagogue in the future,” Behar said. In one fundraising evening at Behar’s cousin Joel and Shelley Tauber’s home, they raised enough money to build after renting small sanctuaries, schools and social halls for 85 years. “With great energy and coordination by the Ben Ezra brothers, Albert, David and Isaac, along with many others, our synagogue was built,” Behar said. “We finally opened our first kehila as The Jacob and
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Judith Chicorel Building in 2002.” Behar has been president since 2009. Behar says Keter Torah’s diversity goes hand-in-hand with its uniqueness as well, currently having members from about 20 countries among their 100 or so families. “We are as ethnically and culturally diverse as possible yet unified in our beliefs and halachah,” Behar said. Keter Torah has seen a recent influx of Azerbaijani families, which Behar says has been a great benefit and addition to the community and congregation. Keter Torah has programming later this year in association with the government of Azerbaijan with the ambassador and consul general coming to Detroit for a cultural event after the High Holidays. Keter Torah’s Rabbi Sasson Natan, along with Barbara Moretsky from “Stand With Us,” envisioned the “Different Cultures Different Foods” Rabbi series of events, allowing the Sasson synagogue to showcase the Natan diversity of their community. Rabbi Sasson expanded it to include Keter Torah members displaced from various countries throughout the Middle East and Europe. “They were able to share their stories
Andree Nordan prepares a sweet carrot, prune and almond dessert from Morocco.
from their countries of origin while a meal indigenous to that country was served and live music from that country was also performed,” Behar said. “To date, we have covered about 12-15 countries.” The last event before the pandemic was held at Congregation Beth Shalom and around 400–500 people attended. Keter Torah’s services are in Hebrew and their prayer books are in Hebrew, English, Russian and Azerbaijani with transliterations. Services are held every day. Members speak many languages including French, Arabic, Hebrew, Spanish, Greek, Russian and Azerbaijani. “We’re known for the tremendous ethnic flavor and uniqueness of our daily minyan and Shabbat services,” Behar said. “If people are interested in the Sephardic melodies and a different sound, if they’re Sephardic and looking for a synagogue that’s going to give them the feeling of what their childhood services were like or what it was like when they were in Israel, they should come and check us out.”
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OUR COMMUNITY
New Women to Work Course
VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK
Hodaya at school baking hamantaschen for high school Purim celebration. March 2022.
A Mitzvah Haircut
Farber student Hodaya Ellis donated her hair four times to Zichron Menachem. RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR
H
odaya Ellis, 16, is a 10th grader at Farber Hebrew Day School, who recently donated her hair for the fourth time to Zichron Menachem, an Israeli nonprofit that supports children living with cancer. Hodaya says that her hair grows really fast and was down to her waist before she decided to cut it. “I usually go to my grandma’s hairdresser and get it professionally done, but I just went to Great Clips and got it cut to right above my shoulders,” she said. When asked about what inspired her to donate her hair, Hodaya said she’s just happy to help any way she can. “It’s something really easy that I can do to help people, and it doesn’t
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inconvenience me to do it at all. I like my hair how it looks when it’s long and short. And my hair grows pretty fast.” With this being the fourth time she’s decided to donate her hair, Hodaya’s mom, Tikvah Ellis, says she’s very proud of her daughter. Hodayah first decided to donate her hair when they lived in Canada and has donated her hair three times since moving to Detroit seven years ago. Hodaya says she is just happy to have shorter hair for the spring season and feels fortunate to give back to those who can benefit from her hair. If you’re interested in donating to Zichron Menachem, you can find more details by heading to zichron.org,
TOP: Hodaya in July 2014, the first time she donated her hair in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada), a year before moving to Detroit. MIDDLE: Hodaya at home in front of bookshelf June 2020 after getting haircut. BOTTOM: Most recent time she donated her hair until last month.
“Women to Work,” a free, four-week course offered by JVS + Kadima that provides important skills to women needing immediate employment, will begin on April 28 with an informational meeting in the morning, followed by eight sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon, May 3-26. The program will be held in person at JVS + Kadima’s headquarters (29699 Southfield Road, Southfield). Women to Work Coordinator and Career Counselor Judy Richmond, who has run the course for more than 15 years, said that the women taking part in the program appreciate the support they receive from meeting others in a similar situation. “Often the women think they are alone, that they are the only ones who have been out of the workforce for many years, or that they are the only ones who have not been able to find a job for a long time, and then they find out that so many others are in the same situation,” she said. Friendships are forged and the women encourage each other; many continue to meet for years after the program ends. “As the women become more self-confident and optimistic, they are capable of an active and successful job search,” said Richmond, who also remains in contact with participants long after the program has finished, providing advice on future job applications and even negotiating promotions. For more information and to register for the program, contact Judy Richmond at (248) 233-4232 or email her at jrichmond@jvshumanservices. org.
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APRIL 28 • 2022
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SPORTS
SOUTHFIELD PARKS & RECREATION
Beech Woods Recreation Center in Southfield will be the home of the Detroit Jewish Basketball League this summer.
Order on the Court
Detroit Jewish Basketball League will tip off this summer. STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
DANIEL SHAMAYEV
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“What’s most important in the league is that everyone has fun, and the games are competitive. It’s no fun when your team gets blown out every week. “The league will be a great way for players to expand their network of Jewish connections and play with and against Jewish community members with diverse backgrounds.” Shamayev said he had 65 player signups for the league through last week. With the Dylan support of Bressler different parts of the Jewish community that he finds “truly inspiring,” he said, he’s well on the way to reaching his goal of 100 players. Dylan Bressler has signed up to play in the league. The 24-year-old Royal Oak resident and first-year University of Detroit Mercy Law School student has an impressive basketball background. He won two gold medals, DYLAN BRESSLER
B
asketball is a great way to bring the Jewish community together. That’s Daniel Shamayev’s strong belief, and the major reason why the energetic 21-year-old Keego Harbor resident has Daniel formed the Shamayev Detroit Jewish Basketball League that will debut this summer. Games in the weekly adult men’s league will run from 8-10 p.m. June 1 through Aug. 17 on the three courts in the recently renovated 17,000-square-foot gym at Beech Woods Recreation Center in Southfield. “I’m aiming for 100 guys on 12 teams, at least eight players on a team, with three divisions of four teams,” Shamayev said. “The divisions will be separated by the age and skill levels of the players. Players can form their own team or be part of the pool for the May 11 draft. Subs also are needed.
a silver medal and a bronze medal in four years playing for Detroit in the JCC Maccabi Games, then he played for Frankel Jewish Academy, Adrian College and Keiser University in Florida, where he played for legendary coach Rollie Massimino. “Basketball is big in the Jewish community here. Now there’s an opportunity for Jewish guys to play in a basketball league with other Jewish guys, and make new friends and connections,” Bressler said. “That’s a big reason why I love sports. You can be out and see someone shooting a basketball, join him, and in five or 10 minutes, you’re friends.” Games in the Detroit Jewish Basketball League will be two 20-minute running time halves except for the final two minutes of the second half. Michigan high school basketball rules will be used because Michigan High School Athletic Association officials will work the games.
There will be regularseason games, a two-week mid-season tournament and three weeks of playoffs. Besides crowning the league champion, the final night of the playoffs will have a banquet and all-star game. All-stars will be selected by a vote of league players. Player registration fees will pay for a team jersey for each player, court rental costs, referees and scorekeepers. Want to play in the league or be a sponsor to help defray costs? Contact Shamayev at (248) 797-3763 or danielrshamayev@gmail.com. This is the second weekly Jewish adult men’s basketball league that Shamayev has formed. He put together the Detroit Shul Basketball League in a few days last summer. About 40 men participated. Games were played at Farber Hebrew Day School in Southfield. Bressler was the league’s leading scorer. He had 124 points in eight games. Please send sports news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
MAZEL TOV! SEPT. 15, 2021 Natalie and Andy Baum of Bloomfield Hills are thrilled to announce the birth of their son, Henry Louis Baum. Big brother Charlie Arthur is excited to have a new baby brother. Delighted grandparents are Paulette and John Baum of Novi, and Shelley and Jim Boschan of Bloomfield Hills. Henry is the great-grandson of the late Arthur and the late Doris Boschan, the late Dr. Louis and the late Eleanor Heyman, the late Jules and the late Shirley Radin, and Joan and the late John Baum. Henry Louis (Hadar Lev) is named in loving memory of maternal great-grandfather Dr. Louis F. Heyman. Jacob Black (Yakov Maor) will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. He is the son of Randee and Michael Black. Sharing in Jacob’s mitzvah will be his sister Julie. His grandparents are Gail Langer, Burt Carp, Aaron Black, and the late Art Langer and Phyllis Black. Jacob is a student at Power Middle School in Farmington Hills. His mitzvah project raised money for Adopt a Pet in Fenton. Anna Margaret Carrel, daughter of Meredith and Steven Carrel, will lead the congregation in prayer on the occasion of her bat mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Friday, April 29, 2022. She will be joined in celebration by her brothers RJ and Wagner. Anna is the loving grandchild of Sue and Alan Carrel, Beth and Gary Heberlein, Barbara and the late Daniel James. Anna is a student at Birmingham Covington School in Bloomfield Township. Her most mean-
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ingful mitzvah project includes volunteering as a buddy with the Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield. Jonah Harrison Eaton, son of Emily and Mark Eaton, will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, April 30, 2022. He will be joined in celebration by his sister Marley. Jonah is the loving grandchild of Barbara Dubb and Larry Dubb, Sharon Eaton, and the late Kenneth Eaton Jr. Jonah attends Berkshire Middle School in Beverly Hills. His most meaningful mitzvah projects were working with Good Karma to help dogs find homes and volunteering as a virtual story reader with Brilliant Detroit. Avery Sloan Kapeller (Shoshana), daughter of Scott and Jennifer Kapeller, will become a bat mitzvah on Saturday, April 30, 2022. As one of a set of triplets, she will be joined by her sisters, Devyn and Zoey, in a ceremony led by Rabbi Jason Miller at Edgewood Country Club. Avery’s proud grand-
parents are Dr. Gary and Cheryl Schurman, and John and Lorraine Kapeller. Avery is a seventh-grader at St. Patrick Catholic School in White Lake. For her mitzvah project, she collected gently used sports equipment to donate to the private nonprofit organization Detroit Pal, which helps area youth achieve greatness through sports and enrichment programs that impact their lives. Devyn Reese Kapeller (Ahava), daughter of Scott and Jennifer Kapeller, will become a bat mitzvah on Saturday, April 30, 2022. As one of set of triplets, she will be joined by her sisters, Avery and Zoey, in a ceremony led by Rabbi Jason Miller at Edgewood Country Club. Devyn’s proud grandparents are Dr. Gary and Cheryl Schurman, and John and Lorraine Kapeller. Devyn is a seventh-grader at St. Patrick Catholic School in White Lake. For her mitzvah project, she became an ambassador for Donate2Dance, an organization that is dedicated to collecting gently worn dance shoes, costumes and dancewear for dancers in need around the world. Some of the donations will be sent to a dance studio in Israel. Zoey Abigail Kapeller (Matana), daughter of Scott and Jennifer Kapeller, will become a bat mitzvah on Saturday, April 30, 2022. As one of a set of triplets, she will be joined by her sisters, Avery and Devyn, in a ceremony led by Rabbi Jason Miller at Edgewood
Country Club. Zoey’s proud grandparents are Dr. Gary and Cheryl Schurman, and John and Lorraine Kapeller. Zoey is a seventh-grader at St. Patrick Catholic School in White Lake. For her mitzvah project, she paired up with her sister Avery to collect gently used sports equipment for Detroit Pal. Jack Michael Linden, son of Samantha and Steve Linden, will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Friday, April 29, 2022. He will be joined in celebration by his sister Morgan. Jack is the loving grandchild of Karen and Sanford Linden, and Lisa Kent and Philip Kasden. Jack is a student at Derby Middle School in Birmingham. His most meaningful mitzvah project was collecting and delivering toys to kids at Brilliant Detroit. Lucas Riley Oram-Mitchell, son of Renée Oram and Marc Mitchell, will lead the congregation in prayer as he becomes a bar mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, April 30, 2022. He is the loving grandchild of Louise Oram and the late Gerald Oram, Mitzi and the late Russell Mitchell. Lucas is a student at West Hills Middle School in West Bloomfield Township. His most meaningful mitzvah project was reading books on videotape for children in the hospital as well as donating school supplies for Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF PARTNERS DETROIT JEWISH YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
NEXT DOR
VOICE OF THE NEW JEWISH GENERATION
Passover Events Galore
RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Judy Jacobs, Debbie Mayerfeld, Sheryl Lederman, Malke Torgow, Julie Lask and Fran Newman enjoy the event,
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PARTNERS DETROIT WOMEN’S DIVISION TEAM
O
rganizations in Metro Detroit brought together dozens of people to celebrate Passover throughout Michigan. Here are some of the highlights:
TOP: Danielle Bricker, Taylor Chimoff, Kyle Hill, Sean Hill, and Ricki Feuereisen. ABOVE: Jewish young professionals gather around the majestic seder table to learn about the Passover traditions from master educator Rabbi Leiby Burnham.
LEFT: Partners Detroit JYP Board Member Nikki Baron and her fiance, David Sable. RIGHT: Rabbi Noam Gross shares an inspirational idea about the Passover seder.
PARTNERS DETROIT’S PRE PESACH WONDER WOMAN EVENT – APRIL 6: The Partners Detroit Women’s Division Team hosted a pre-Pesach Wonder Woman event where women of all ages from the Metro Detroit Jewish community came together to get inspired and excited for the holiday. “I think the idea behind the whole evening was to celebrate the power of a woman to affect her family and bring in the holiday to her family with excitement, spirituality and relevance,” said Shaindel Fink, a member of the Women’s Division Team.
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WE DIP. YOU DIP. WE DIP – PARTNERS DETROIT JEWISH YOUNG PROFESSIONALS - APRIL 7: Partners Detroit Jewish Young Professionals hosted a Passover rehearsal dinner at their Platform 18 space in Royal Oak. “Our goal of the program was to have a mock seder. Like a seder type feel and experience while also just enjoying a fun night out with their friends,” said Erin Stiebel, an educator with the organization. Rabbi Leiby Burnham led the seder and walked through the seder from an educational perspective.
LEFT: Tessie Ives-Wilson and Rabbi Jeff Stombaugh led participants through the meal with a combination of culinary storytelling and Jewish learning. RIGHT: The full house at Zingerman’s Delicatessen raises a glass to a successful and delicious Friendseder brunch. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WELL
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHABAD OF GREATER DOWNTOWN DETROIT
CHABAD OF GREATER DOWNTOWN DETROIT – APRIL 10: Chabad of Greater Downtown Detroit had an intimate setting for a pre-Pesach gathering with the help of professional woodworker Marissa Ray. At the Wood & Wine Workshop, 25 young adults created their own seder plate design. Participants sampled a selection of kosher wines, tasted toffee matzah and received a package of shmura matzah to use for the seder. Shmura matzah and other seder supplies were provided to 100 individuals around the city of Detroit as well.
Sam Caruso, Ivan Meisner, Danielle and Sophia Perczyk, Jeff and Sam Brown, and Menucha Bluth-Rosenberg wood-burn their seder plates.
Nicole Kovenich, Blair Thoenes, and TJ McKenzie are pouring and covering the matzah with chocolate.
NEXTGEN DETROIT INTERFAITH COUPLES EVENT – WHAT’S YOUR STORY? PASSING DOWN MORE THAN PASSOVER – APRIL 12 NEXTGen Detroit’s Interfaith Couples Committee held their first Passover event with the goal to form a community of interfaith couples where both parties feel supported and welcomed in the Jewish community. Blair Thoenes, NEXTGen Board member and Interfaith Couples Committee head, said for Passover they wanted to do something fun while exploring the importance of sharing family stories. “We decided it would be perfect to do a Passover event where we made chocolate-covered matzah treats. The event also included a program facilitated by Rabbi Jen Lader of Temple Israel, who shared the importance of discovering what their stories are and the ways to celebrate and honor holidays, life events, and how to preserve and share those things for the next generation.” APRIL 28 • 2022
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PHOTO COURTESY OF NEXTGEN DETROIT
FRIENDSEDER COMMUNITY BRUNCH – APRIL 10: The Well partnered with Zingerman’s to host a Friendseder Community Brunch Experience. Tessie Ives-Wilson, the event coordinator at Zingerman’s deli, says they were thrilled with the outcome of the event. “The Friendseder was a great format for us to engage guests who have been customers at Zingerman’s for many years who aren’t Jewish and introduce them to the story and traditions behind the dishes that are staples in Passover celebrations. Creating partnerships with the community around us and sharing stories through food are part of the guiding principles of Zingerman’s and this event gave us a way to do both of those in a unique way. I’m already dreaming about next year’s menu and looking forward to more collaboration with Rabbi Jeff and The Well.”
SPIRIT
TORAH PORTION
Our Laws, Our Lives
T
his week’s parshah their content challenges ethos opens with a twist on of inclusion and love we often a repeated line of the take for granted today. This is biblical narrator: “And God particularly true in terms of the spoke to Moses after the exclusion and oppression death of the two sons of of LGBTQUIA people Aharon.” that has been built upon While we are accusthe text of this week’s tomed to God speaking parshah for hundreds of to Moses, this draws our years. attention not only to the Rabbis, scholars and Rabbi Ari Witkin surprising and sudden activists have offered death of Nadav and myriad readings that Avihu but to the state of Moses, rebuke the vile use of Torah as a their uncle, as he is instructed source of ostracization; there is, to transmit a particularly nevertheless, a seemingly Parshat important and difficult unavoidable difficulty Achare Mot: collection of laws. encountered. It is a tenLeviticus Often referred to as sion that exists at the 16:1-18:30; the Holiness Code, the intersection of a litany of Ezekiel list of mitzvot explores laws regulating intimate 22:1-19. the details and dynamaspects of our lives and ics of intimate ritual the Torah’s famous declaand relationships. Much has ration: v’ahavta l’reacha kamocha been written by commentators (love thy neighbor as thyself), throughout time seeking to fully which we will read in the very understand and incorporate next chapter of Leviticus. these laws into day-to-day life. This brings us back to our For contemporary readers, opening verse: “and God spoke these mitzvot are often difficult to Moses after the death of and indeed painful. Even if we the two sons of Aharon …” A understand the Holiness Code casual reader may forget that to be, as Rashi points out, about Aharon’s two sons were also differentiating ourselves from Moses’ nephews. He is receivour ancient Cannanite and ing these words in a moment Egyptian neighbors, much of of grief and trauma. He is
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responsible for transmitting laws of holiness and acceptable and unacceptable behavior just moments after his nephews are killed for their well-intentioned transgression of these very laws. In this way, our parshah reminds us of a difficult and important truth, namely, that leadership does not take place in a vacuum. We are called to lead, whether at home, at work or in the community, as our full and complex selves. The difficult moments and questions do not wait for our comfort or convenience; they emerge in the midst of life’s experiences, which tends to be messy more often than not. Each of us is given opportunities to lead in life, to stand before our community and to be, in our own way, God’s messengers. This week’s parshah affirms that doing so is best accomplished when we step into the task as our full selves, knowing that it is all the pain, joy and everything in between that truly constitutes holiness. Rabbi Ari Witkin is the director of Leadership Development at the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit.
Patrice Phillips
JCRC/AJC Annual Meeting Join the Jewish Community Relations Council/American Jewish Committee-Detroit for its 2022 Annual Meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11. During the online program, attendees will hear from the first U.S.-educated Uyghur-American lawyer, Nury Turkel, who will discuss the human rights abuses facing the Uyghur people in China. In addition, the second annual Sheryl “Sheri” Terebelo Schiff Heart of Gold Award will be awarded to Patrice “Patti” Phillips, the board will thank outgoing president, Seth Gould, highlights of the last year will be shared and the 20222023 board slate will be announced. Register at jewishdetroitcalendar.org/ event/jcrc-ajc-annual-meeting-2/
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SPIRIT
A WORD OF TORAH
RABBISACKS.ORG
Made with Love
K
edoshim contains the two great love commands of the Torah. The first is, “Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:18). Rabbi Akiva called this “the great principle of the Torah.” The second is no less challenging: “The stranger living among you must be treated as your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were strangers in Egypt. I am the Lord your God” (Lev. 19:34). These are extraordinary Rabbi Lord commands. Many civilizations Jonathan contain variants of the Golden Sacks Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you,” or in the negative form attributed to Hillel (sometimes called the Silver Rule), “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah. The rest is commentary; go and learn.” But these are rules of reciprocity, not love. We observe them because bad things will happen to us if we don’t. They are the basic ground-rules of life in a group. Love is something altogether different and more demanding. That makes these two
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commandments a revolution in the moral life. Judaism was the first civilization to put love at the heart of morality. As Harry Redner puts it in Ethical Life, “Morality is the ethic of love. The initial and most basic principle of morality is clearly stated in the Torah: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” He adds: “The biblical ‘love of one’s neighbor’ is a very special form of love, a unique development of the Judaic religion and unlike any to be encountered outside it.” Much has been written about these commands. Who exactly is meant by “your neighbor”? Who by “the stranger”? And what is it to love someone else as oneself? I want to ask a different question. Why is it specifically here, in Kedoshim, in a chapter dedicated to the concept of holiness, that the command appears? Nowhere else in all Tanach are we commanded to love our neighbor. And only in one other place (Deut. 10:19) are we commanded to love the stranger. (The Sages famously said that the Torah commands us 36 times to love the stranger, but that is not quite accurate. Thirty-four of those com-
mands have to do with not oppressing or afflicting the stranger and making sure that he or she has the same legal rights as the native born. These are commands of justice rather than love). And why does the command to love your neighbor as yourself appear in a chapter containing such laws as, “Do not mate different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material?” These are chukim, decrees, usually thought of as commands that have no reason, at any rate none that we can understand. What have they to do with the self-evidently moral commands of the love of neighbor and stranger? Is the chapter simply an assemblage of disconnected commands, or is there a single unifying strand to it? The answer goes deep. Almost every ethical system ever devised has sought to reduce the moral life to a single principle or perspective. Some connect it to reason, others to emotion, yet others to consequences: Do whatever creates the greatest happiness for the greatest number. Judaism is different.
It is more complex and subtle. It contains not one perspective but three. There is the prophetic understanding of morality, the wisdom point of view and the priestly perspective. PROPHETIC PERSPECTIVE Prophetic morality looks at the quality of relationships within a society, between us and God and between us and our fellow humans. Here are some of the key texts that define this morality. God says about Abraham, “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right [tzedakah] and just [mishpat].” God tells Hosea, “I will betroth you to Me in righteousness [tzedek] and justice [mishpat], in kindness [chesed] and compassion [rachamim].” He tells Jeremiah, “I am the Lord, who exercises kindness [chesed], justice [mishpat] and righteousness [tzedakah] on Earth, for in these I delight, declares the Lord.” Those are the key prophetic words: righteousness, justice, kindness and compassion — not love. When the Prophets talk about love, it is about God’s love for Israel and the love we should show for God. With only three exceptions, they do not speak about love in a moral context, that is, vis-à-vis our relationships with one another. The exceptions are Amos’ remark, “Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts” (Amos 5:15); Micah’s famous statement, “Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God” (Mic. 6:8) and Zechariah’s, “Therefore love truth and peace” (Zech. 8:19). Note that all three are about loving abstractions — good, mercy and truth. They are not about people. The prophetic voice is about how people conduct themselves in society. Are they faithful to God and to one another? Are they acting honestly, justly and with due concern for the vulnerable in society? Do the political and religious leaders have integrity? Does society have the high morale that comes from people feeling that it treats its citizens well and calls forth the best in them? A moral society will succeed; an immoral or amoral one will fail. That is the key prophetic insight. The Prophets did not make the demand that people love one another. That was beyond their remit. Society requires justice, not love.
THE WISDOM POINT OF VIEW The wisdom voice in Torah and Tanach looks at character and consequence. If you live virtuously, then by and large things will go well for you. A good example is Psalm 1. The person occupied with Torah will be “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.” That is the wisdom voice. Those who do well, fare well. They find happiness (ashrei). Good people love God, family, friends and virtue. But the wisdom literature does not speak of loving your neighbor or the stranger. THE PRIESTLY PERSPECTIVE The moral vision of the Priest that makes him different from the Prophet and Sage lies in the key word kadosh, “holy.” Someone or something that is holy is set apart, distinctive, different. The Priests were set apart from the rest of the nation. They had no share in the land. They did not work as laborers in the field. Their sphere was the Tabernacle or Temple. They lived at the epicenter of the Divine Presence. As God’s ministers, they had to keep themselves pure and avoid any form of defilement. They were holy. Until now, holiness has been seen as a special attribute of the Priest. But there was a hint at the Giving of the Torah that it concerned not just the children of Aaron but the people as a whole: “You shall be to Me a Kingdom of Priests and a holy nation” (Ex. 19:6). Our chapter now spells this out for the first time. “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy’” (Lev. 19:1-2). This tells us that the ethic of holiness applies not just to Priests but to the entire nation. We, too, must be distinctive, set apart, held to a higher standard. What in practice does this mean? A decisive clue is provided by another key word used throughout Tanach in relation to the Kohen, namely the verb b-d-l: to divide, set apart, separate, distinguish. That is what a Priest does. His task is “to distinguish between the sacred and the secular” (Lev. 10:10), and “to distinguish between the unclean and the clean” (Lev. 11:47). This is what God does for His people: “You shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and I have distinguished you [va-avdil] from other peoples to be Mine.” (Lev. 20:26).
There is one other place in which b-d-l is a key word, namely the story of creation in Genesis 1, where it occurs five times. God separates light and dark, day and night, upper and lower waters. For three days, God demarcates different domains, then for the next three days He places in each its appropriate objects or life-forms. God fashions order out of the tohu va-vohu of chaos. As His last act of creation, He makes man after His “image and likeness.” This was clearly an act of love. “Beloved is man,” said Rabbi Akiva, “because he was created in [God’s] image.” Genesis 1 defines the priestly moral imagination. Unlike the Prophet, the Priest is not looking at society. He is not, like the wisdom figure, looking for happiness. He is looking at creation as the work of God. He knows that everything has its place: sacred and profane, permitted and forbidden. It is his task to make these distinctions and teach them to others. He knows that different life forms have their own niche in the environment. That is why the ethic of holiness includes rules like: Don’t mate with different kinds of animals, don’t plant a field with different kinds of seed and don’t wear clothing woven of two kinds of material. Above all, the ethic of holiness tells us that every human being is made in the image and likeness of God. God made each of us in love. Therefore, if we seek to imitate God — “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy” — we, too, must love humanity, and not in the abstract but in the concrete form of the neighbor and the stranger. The ethic of holiness is based on the vision of creation as God’s work of love. This vision sees all human beings — ourselves, our neighbor and the stranger — as in the image of God, and that is why we are to love our neighbor and the stranger as ourself. I believe that there is something unique and contemporary about the ethic of holiness. It tells us that morality and ecology are closely related. They are both about creation: about the world as God’s work and humanity as God’s image. The integrity of humanity and the natural environment go together. The natural universe and humanity were both created by God, and we are charged to protect the first and love the second. The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks served as the chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, 1991-2013. His teachings have been made available to all at rabbisacks.org.
APRIL 28 • 2022
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SPIRIT
Synagogue Directory CONSERVATIVE Adat Shalom Synagogue Farmington Hills (248) 851-5100 adatshalom.org
Temple B’nai Shalom Benton Harbor (269) 925-8021 tbnaishalom.org
Ahavas Israel Grand Rapids (616) 949-2840 ahavasisraelgr.org
INDEPENDENT Grosse Pointe Jewish Council Grosse Pointe Woods (313) 882-6700 thegpjc.com
Congregation Beth Ahm West Bloomfield (248) 851-6880 cbahm.org Congregation Beth Israel Flint (810) 732-6310 cbiflint.org Congregation Beth Shalom Oak Park (248) 547-7970 congbethshalom.org Beth Tephilath Moses Mt. Clemens (586) 996-3138 bethtephilathmoses.com B’nai Israel Synagogue West Bloomfield (248) 432-2729 bnaiisraelwb.org Congregation B’nai Moshe West Bloomfield (248) 788-0600 bnaimoshe.org Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue Detroit (313) 962-4047 downtownsynagogue.org Congregation of Moses Kalamazoo congregationofmoses.org Congregation Shaarey Zedek Southfield (248) 357-5544 shaareyzedek.org
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Kehillat Hatzhav Hagadol Mackinac Island (906) 202-9959 mackinacsynagogue.org ORTHODOX Agudas Israel Mogen Abraham Southfield (248) 552-5711 aymadetroit.org Ahavas Olam Southfield (248) 569-1821 Ahavasolam.com
Balfour Shul – K’Hal Rina U’Tefila Oak Park (732) 693-8457 Beth Tefilo Emanuel Tikvah Southfield (248) 559-5022 Birmingham-Bloomfield Shul Birmingham (248) 996-5818 bbchai.org B’nai Israel-Beth Yehudah Oak Park (248) 967-3969 bi-by.org B’nai Zion Oak Park (248) 968-2414 Chabad House-Lubavitch of Eastern Michigan Flint (810) 230-0770 chabad.org
Ahavas Yisroel Oak Park (248) 298-2896 Learntorah.info
Chabad Jewish Center of Commerce-Walled Lake Commerce Township (248) 363-3644 jewishcommerce.org
Aish Hatorah in the Woods Oak Park (248) 327-3579 Aishdetroit.com
Chabad Jewish Center of Novi-Northville (248) 790-6075 novijewishcenter.com
Bais Chabad of Farmington Hills (248) 855-2910 chabad.org
Chabad Jewish Center of Troy Troy/Rochester Hills (248) 873-5851 jewishtroy.com
Bais Chabad of North Oak Park (248) 872-8878 chabad.org
Chabad-Lubavitch of Bingham Farms Bloomfield Hills (248) 688-6796 chabadbinghamfarms.com
Bais Haknesses Hagrah Oak Park (248) 542-8737
Chabad of Western Michigan Grand Rapids (616) 957-0770 chabadwestmichigan.com
Dovid Ben Nuchim-Aish Kodesh Oak Park (313) 320-9400 dbndetroit.org Etz Chayim of Toledo Toledo, OH (419) 473-2401 Etzchayimtoledo.org First Hebrew Congregation South Haven (269) 637-1603 firsthebrewcongregation.org Kehillat Etz Chayim Huntington Woods etzchayim-detroit.org Kollel Institute of Greater Detroit Oak Park (248) 968-1891 kollel@kolleldetroit.org Mishkan Israel, Nusach H’ari, Lubavitch Center Oak Park (248) 542-4844 theyeshiva.org Ohel Moed Shomrey Emunah West Bloomfield (248) 737-2626 ohelmoed.org Or Chadash Oak Park (248) 819-1721 or-chadash.org Sara & Morris Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center of West Bloomfield (248) 855-6170 baischabad.com Shaar Hashomayim Windsor (519) 256-3123 Shaarey Zedek Windsor (519) 252-1594 shaareyzedekwindsor.com
Shomer Israel Oak Park (248) 542-4014 godaven.com
Congregation Shaarey Zedek East Lansing (517) 351-3570 shaareyzedek.com
Temple Israel West Bloomfield (248) 661-5700 temple-israel.org
MINYANS Fleischman Residence West Bloomfield (248) 661-2999
Shomrey Emunah Southfield (248) 559-1533 congregation-shomreyemunah-105705.square.site
Temple Benjamin Mt. Pleasant (989) 773-5086 templebenjamin.com
Temple Jacob Hancock templejacobhancock.org
Yeshivat Akivah Southfield (248) 386-1625 farberhds.org
The Shul-Chabad Lubavitch West Bloomfield (248) 788-4000 theshul.net Yagdil Torah Southfield (248) 559-5905 Young Israel of Oak Park (248) 967-3655 yiop.org
Temple Beth El Battle Creek (269) 963-4921
Temple Kol Ami West Bloomfield (248) 661-0040 tkolami.org
Temple Beth El Bloomfield Township (248) 851-1100 tbeonline.org
Temple Shir Shalom West Bloomfield (248) 737-8700 shirshalom.org
Temple Beth El Flint (810) 720-9494 tbeflint@gmail.com
REFORM/RENEWAL Congregation Shir Tikvah Troy (248) 649-4418 shirtikvah.org
Young Israel of Southfield (248) 358-0154 yisouthfield.org
Temple Beth El Midland (989) 496-3720 tbe_midland@yahoo.com
RECONSTRUCTIONIST Congregation Kehillat Israel Lansing (517) 882-0049 kehillatisrael.net
Temple Beth Israel Bay City (989) 893-7811 tbi-mich.org
SECULAR/HUMANISTIC Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Metro Detroit Farmington Hills (248) 477-1410 chj-detroit.org
Temple Beth Israel Jackson (517) 784-3862 tbijackson.org
Sholem Aleichem Institute West Bloomfield (248) 865-0117 secularsaimichigan.org
Congregation T’chiyah Ferndale (248) 823-7115 tchiyah.org Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit (313) 567-0306 reconstructingjudiasm.org REFORM Congregation Beth El Windsor (519) 969-2422 bethelwindsor.ca Congregation Beth Shalom Traverse City 231-946-1913 beth-shalom-tc.org Congregation B’nai Israel Muskegon (231) 722-2702 cbimkg@gmail.com
Temple Beth Sholom Marquette tbsmqt.org Temple B’nai Israel Kalamazoo (269) 342-9170 Templebnaiisrael.com Temple B’nai Israel Petoskey (231) 489-8269 templebnaiisraelofpetoskey. org Temple Emanuel Grand Rapids (616) 459-5976 grtemple.org
ANN ARBOR
CONSERVATIVE Beth Israel Congregation (734) 665-9897 @BethIsraelCongregation ORTHODOX Ann Arbor Chabad House (734) 995-3276 jewmich.com Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan annarborminyan.org RECONSTRUCTIONIST Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation (734) 445-1910 aarecon.org REFORM Temple Beth Emeth (734) 665-4744 templebethemeth.org RENEWAL Pardes Hanah pardeshanah.org
SEPHARDIC Keter Torah Synagogue West Bloomfield (248) 681-3665 rabbisasson.wixsite.com/ keter
SECULAR HUMANISTIC Jewish Cultural Society (734) 975-9872 jewishculturalsociety.org
Ohr Hatorah Oak Park (248) 294-0613 Ohrhatorah.us
Please email factual corrections or additional synagogues to list to: smanello@thejewishnews.com.
TRADITIONAL Woodward Avenue Shul Royal Oak (248) 414-7485 thewas.net
Temple Emanu-El Oak Park (248) 967-4020 emanuel-mich.org APRIL 28 • 2022
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ARTS&LIFE
MUSICAL THEATER
Rooted in Russian History Jewish actress sees new meaning for audiences in her role in Anastasia. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Details
Anastasia will be performed May 3-8 at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit. Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. (313) 872-1000, ext. 0. Proof of full vaccination or negative test required along with masking.
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A
musical rooted in Russian history became a catalyst for reactions based on current events as Anastasia tours the country and will stop May 3-8 at Detroit’s Fisher Theatre. The production, set in Russia and France and developed years before the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, explores the actions of young women claiming the identity of a daughter of Czar Nicholas II after his family was killed by a group of Bolsheviks in 1918. Imposters have maintained Anastasia escaped execution. “In West Palm Beach, we had three straight performances where audiences
vigorously applauded at a line that I say,” said Gerri Weagraff, who takes the role of Dowager Empress, mother of the czar and grandmother of Anastasia. “It was so interesting because the line is ‘Russia has damned itself to eternity for what it has done.’ “For my character, I was saying it because her son and her son’s children had been murdered, but it took this current day twist when I said that line [that] sparked this statement of applause. “Immediately, I knew what was happening, and it was fascinating to me. It was spontaneous and different from any other kind of applause. This reaction
PHOTOS BY JEREMY DANIEL
Gerri Weagraff
little ones will love watching a story about a princess who doesn’t know she’s a princess. Some of the young adults will remember the 1997 animated film Anastasia that they fell in love with and will fall in love with the musical as well. History buffs will be interested in the historical aspect of the production.” Weagraff, 64, who is at the center of two musical numbers, is realizing a lifelong dream as she and her husband, Paul Weagraff, navigate the empty nester phase. Although the sometime-actress appeared in community theater before and during her work as a radio newscaster and public relations specialist, professional aspirations remained.
LEFT: Marley Sophia (Little Anastasia) and Gerri Weagraff (Dowager Empress) in the North American Tour of Anastasia RIGHT: Gerri Weagraff (Dowager Empress) and Kyla Stone (Anya) in the North American Tour of Anastasia
“I LOVE THE FACT THAT IT IS SUCH A GORGEOUS SHOW, COSTUME-WISE AND SET-WISE.” — GERRI WEAGRAFF
came as soon as I said that line, and it was so loud and sustained [that] we had to stop and freeze the moment until the applause died down. I will never forget that.” Weagraff wanted to be part of this musical since seeing it on Broadway with a pre-pandemic version that featured her son’s fiancee. The book is by Terrence
McNally, and the score is by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics). “I love the fact that it is such a gorgeous show, costume-wise and set-wise,” Weagraff said. “Characters are compelling and likeable, and there is something for everyone — romance, mystery, adventure. “It appeals to all ages. The
THE IMPORTANCE OF FIDDLER “My mother’s father was in Yiddish theater, and my parents were both in community theater,” said Weagraff, who lives in Delaware after growing up in Pennsylvania with the beginnings of performance experiences. “I appeared in Detroit with a 2010 production of Fiddler on the
Roof at the Fox Theatre.” Fiddler productions have been important throughout her life. Besides the professional tour, she has joined her parents, husband and children in staging community versions. Weagraff met her husband, retired from being both a history teacher and director of the Delaware Division of the Arts, during a 1986 Fiddler production. As she played Tzeitel and he played Motel, her mother had the role of Yente (the matchmaker). “When our youngest child went off to college, I saw a notice for the national tour of Fiddler,” she recalled. “I never would have thought about a tour before that, and it was only on a whim that I auditioned not even thinking it was going to lead to anything. “I got cast in 2010 when I was in my mid-50s, and my husband said I had to go do it. I toured for two years. I was Shandel the first year and Golde during the second year.” Casting in regional theater continued after that, and her many roles included Grandma Rosie in The Wedding Singer at the Surflight Theatre in New Jersey, Dorothy Cleves in Any Wednesday at the Montgomery Theater in Pennsylvania, Ethel McCormack in Footloose at the Fireside Theatre in Wisconsin and Miss Hannigan in Annie at the Candlelight Theatre in Delaware. In her current part, Weagraff gets to project a range of moods, from first act scenes where she is depicted as loving and caring to a later act scene where she comes across as cold-hearted. Her two songs reflect these different expressions. “Once Upon a December” is a recurring motif that has to do with the relationship shared by the Dowager Empress and Anastasia. “Close the Door” has to do with reaching a point of not wanting to talk to any more imposters. APRIL 28 • 2022
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ARTS&LIFE MUSIC
Participatory CONCERTS
PHOTO BY JESS BENJAMIN
With a new debut album, Aly Halpert brings healing music back to her hometown. JULIE SMITH YOLLES CONTRIBUTING WRITER TOP LEFT: Loosen cover art by Sol Yael Weiss. TOP RIGHT: Aly Halpert.
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he day after she turned 30, Aly Halpert received the best birthday gift ever. Joey Weisenberg called to tell her that he wanted to co-produce her album through his company, Rising Song Records, which specializes in original Jewish music. “He called to tell me that he would love to make the project happen,” Halpert says of her mentor and teacher. “It was a dream to work with Joey at every stage of the process. He made it clear that my learning and growth was even more important than the final project. He helped me take my artistry to another level.” Almost a year after that
phone call, Halpert released Loosen, her first full-length studio album, on April 11. On April 30, Halpert, along with good friends Batya Levine, 31, and Arielle Rivera Korman, 27, will embark on a seven-state concert tour. Michigan stops will be at Temple Beth Emeth in Ann Arbor on May 2 and at Congregation T’chiyah in Ferndale on May 4 (which will also be livestreamed). The three queer Jewish leaders and activists will perform original music, including from Halpert’s Loosen and Levine’s Karov debut albums. “The songs were written to fuel community, movement and liberation,” says Halpert, who grew up in Ann Arbor
and has roots at Beth Israel Congregation and Temple Beth Emeth. “These participatory concerts are a chance to be together in healing spirit and a celebration of our collective resilience.” The tour takes place during the Counting of the Omer, the time period between Passover and receiving the Torah at Shavuot. Because of this, the trio will talk about, and honor, the tradition of refraining from engaging with instrumental music by performing a portion of the concert without accompaniment. “This is a time of wandering where we are unsure of how we will get where we need to go. That certainly continued on page 46
APRIL 28 • 2022
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ARTS&LIFE MUSIC
Aly Halpert recorded her album, Loosen, safely during COVID with seven of her talented musician friends. continued from page 44
feels resonant with the way the world looks now. During this tour, we are literally and spiritually wandering toward those answers,” says Halpert, who rediscovered Judaism as a young adult while at Oberlin College. “I believe we have a better chance of figuring it out if we can do it together, in joy and grief and song.” SUPPORT TO HEAL Halpert and her family experienced unimaginable grief in 2017 when she lost her brother, Garrett, to suicide at age 23. In 2018, her parents, Julie and Scott Halpert, established Garrett’s Space. Their mission is to help prevent suicides and fill critical gaps in supportive care for young adults facing significant mental health challenges. Garrett’s Space currently offers an intensive wellness group that provides support and healing activities. Ultimately, they plan to create a holistically focused residential space in Washtenaw County.
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One month after Garrett’s death, Halpert wrote the song “Loosen,” which serves as the title track of her new album. “My songs share a similar goal as Garrett’s Space, which is providing people with support to heal in an oppressive world. The music certainly comes from the same well of grief, seeking the same liberation. Loosen explores the ache of what it is to be alive right now,” Halpert says. Her album is a collection of original music about healing, grounded in visions of social justice. Of the 10 songs on the album, which was safely recorded during COVID with seven of her talented musician friends, Halpert says that many of her songs have been sung all over the world, in prayer and in protest. “My song, ‘Ashrei’ is part of the daily prayer liturgy, so it has been sung as part of many everyday services as well as part of a faith gathering at an abortion rally. I wrote ‘Beautiful People’
right after the Pittsburgh Tree of Life shooting to provide comfort to those in shock and mourning and to help us remember that our safety lies in solidarity,” says Halpert who now lives in Philadelphia and is a musical assistant and prayer leader at Kol Tzedek Synagogue. Playing guitar, piano and mandolin on the album, Halpert wrote “Modah Ani’”and many other songs at Eden Village Camp in Putnam, New York, where she works in the summers, teaching and leading music and songwriting. “My song ‘She Is On Her Way’ came out of watching us lose way too many Black lives in 2016. I wanted to see my Jewish community mobilize behind the Black Lives Matter movement,” Halpert adds. “The album is deeply relevant in this time of war and upheaval. We invite everyone to come to our concerts and sing along to our three-part harmonies.”
DETAILS
Concert Dates for Aly Halpert, Batya Levine, And Arielle Rivera Korman • Monday, May 2, 7 p.m., they will be playing an Outdoor Spring Campfire Concert at Temple Beth Emeth, 2309 Packard St., Ann Arbor. This concert is free to attendees, made possible by Rabbi Josh Whinston’s Discretionary Fund. More info at https:// tinyurl.com/2p9auw2d. • Wednesday, May 4, 7 p.m., in-person and livestreamed at Congregation T’chiyah, 22331 Woodward Ave., Ferndale. Ticket prices are $18-$54. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Info at https://tinyurl. com/aj9kzwx7. To order the album Loosen, go to: https://alyhalpert. bandcamp.com/album/loosen. You can listen to Loosen anywhere you stream your music and purchase a digital copy for $10 online. CDs and merchandise will also be available to purchase at the concerts.
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ARTS&LIFE CELEBRITY NEWS
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this series starts with him. His father was comedy writer Mel Tolkin (1913-2007). Born Shmuel Tolchinsky in a shetl near Odessa (Ukraine), Mel and his family fled pogroms (1926) and settled in Canada. He moved to New York (1946) and quickly stopped being an accountant and became a top TV comedy writer for Sid Caesar, Danny Kaye and many others. Michael’s credits include writing the acclaimed 1993 film The Player (from his novel of the same name) and co-creating Escape at Dannemora (2018), a well-received Showtime mini-series. He met his wife, author and psychologist Wendy Mogel, 71, in college (Google her!). The couple became practicing Jews in the 1990s and, after a year of Talmud and Torah study, Mogel began incorporating Jewish religious teachings into child-rearing books for “everyone.” Four of the episodes were directed by Adam Arkin, 65, the son of Alan Arkin, 88. Adam is best known as an actor. After the first three episodes stream, I’ll return to The Offer with comments about how the Jewish characters were depicted. Right now, here are the real-life Jewish characters in the series, who plays them, and the Jewish actors who play non-Jewish characters. All those listed appear in all 10 episodes. Here goes: (1) Robert Evans (1930-2019) was the (very handsome) head of Paramount studio when The Godfather was made. He is played by Matthew Goode, a good-looking Brit. (2) Albert Ruddy, now 92, was the principal pro-
Adam Arkin in 1999
ducer of The Godfather. He is played by Miles Teller, whose paternal grandfather was Jewish. (3) Francis Ford Coppola, the (Italian-Catholic) director of The Godfather. He is played by Dan Fogler, 45, who looks a lot like Coppola. (4) Charles Bludhorn (1926-1983), was the owner of Paramount studio. Records show he was born Jewish in Austria, but he hid his Jewish background. He is played by Burn Gorman, a Brit. (5) Peter Bart, now 89. Formerly a journalist, he became a Paramount producer in 1967. He worked closely with Evans and Ruddy on The Godfather. His parents were secular Jews, the children of Austrian Jewish immigrants. Bart is played by Josh Zuckerman, 37, who is hard to run-down. I believe his father is Jewish; mother, not. (6) Ali MacGraw, now 83. Best known as the star of Love Story (1970), she wed Evans in 1969. Her marriage-ending affair with Steve McQueen began around the time The Godfather was being made. MacGraw found out as an adult that her Jewish mother
hid her background from her and her bigoted father. (7) Francoise Wizenberg Glazer (1937-2014). She was Albert Ruddy’s wife during the making of The Godfather. Born in France, she survived the Holocaust in hiding. After the war, she moved to Israel, then came to the States in 1955. She wed a wealthy Jewish industrialist, they divorced, and she married Ruddy. She is played by Nora Arnezeder, 32, a very pretty French actress. Nora’s father is Austrian Catholic. Her mother is Sephardi and Nora identifies as Jewish. Nora’s great-grandparents were Italian Jews who settled (1914) in Egypt. Nora’s mother and “grands” had to leave Egypt in 1956. (Nora co-starred in the TV series Zoo with Farmington Hills native James Wolk, 37). ( 8) Mario Biaggi, a Bronx (not Jewish) congressman. He’s played by Danny Nucci, 53. His parents were Moroccan Jews. He spent his first seven years in Italy, then moved to the States. (9) Dean Tavoularis, now 89, an Oscar-winning production designer. He is played by Eric Balfour, 44, a “steady-working” TV actor.
Nora Arnezede
BY KELEIGHK
Michael Tolkin
BY FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE CINE EN GUADALAJARA
I MAKE YOU AN OFFER YOU CAN’T REFUSE: WATCH THE MOST JEWISH (WITH AN ASTERISK) MINISERIES EVER MADE The Offer, a Paramount+ original limited series, premieres on April 28. There are 10 episodes total, with the first three steaming on the 28th. It is about the drama surrounding the making of the original Godfather film (1972). My readers know that I “kvetch” about Jewish actors not getting Jewish parts. Well, I’ve gone over the large cast list, and I’ve got to say that The Offer is “the most Jewish” (writer, characters, actors) mini-series or film that I know of. This statement excludes Israeli or Israel-related series/films, Holocaustrelated works and some small budget films about a Jewish family. For the first time, I am recommending that my readers subscribe to a streaming service, if only for two months. The regular price is $5 a month. The Offer series ends in mid-June, so for $10 you can see it all. Plus, Paramount is bringing out of its vault all the Godfather films and begins streaming them on Paramount+ around the 28th. All 10 episodes were written by Michael Tolkin, 71. The really Jewish aspect of
BY KINGKONGPHOTO
NATE BLOOM COLUMNIST
ON THE GO
PEOPLE | PLACES | EVENTS
FILM FESTIVAL NOW-MAY 5 At the Berman Performing Arts Center in West Bloomfield. Often three films daily (1-3 pm, 4-6 pm, 7-9 pm). Info: culturalartsdept@jccdet.org. BANJO CONVENTION APRIL 28-30 After a two-year hiatus for COVID, the North American International Banjo Convention is back. The all-volunteer group of banjo players and other musicians from the U.S. and Canada will host the convention and music festival at the DoubleTree Hotel on Ford Road at the Southfield Freeway. Thursday will feature a big jam session in the DoubleTree lobby. On Friday and Saturday there will be three shows, one at 6:30 pm on Friday and Saturday evening, and a matinee on Saturday at 2 pm. Jamming and Workshops, concerts with top musicians and vendor displays will be available. Evening shows are $10, and the Saturday matinee is $5. There is free, patrolled, validated parking, and show tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance. For information, call Brian Newsom, 247-756-5061, or visit naibc.org. CAREGIVER SUPPORT 1:30-2:30 PM, APRIL 28 A virtual caregiver support group for individuals who are care partners for those living with cognitive changes including various types of dementia. Contact Dorothy Moon, Brown Adult Day Program social worker, for Zoom link and more
BANJO CONVENTION APRIL 28-30
information: 248-233-4392, dmoon@jvshumanservices. org. Nora Jane Struthers
SONGS THAT LAST 8 PM, APRIL 29 At The Ark, 316 S. Main, Ann Arbor. Nora Jane Struthers has written “some of the most quietly powerful narratives within the new wave of Americana artists,” says Ann Powers of NPR Music. Cost: $20. Info: theark.org/events. CLASSIC CAR NIGHTS APRIL 29 (MAY 27 & JUNE 3) Classic Car Nights are back at Meadow Brook Theatre with three nights and two great shows to choose from. Theater-goers who bring classic cars on a Classic Car Night receive a special discount rate and one free ticket per classic car. Show
off your wheels, socialize with fellow car enthusiasts and enjoy great live theater. Participants are invited to bring non-alcoholic refreshments and have a picnic in the parking lot before the show. To receive the discount, reserve your tickets in advance by calling Meadow Brook Theatre Group Sales at 248-370-3316. COMMEMORATION SET 2:30 PM, MAY 1 The Zekelman Holocaust Center will host its annual community-wide Yom HaShoah commemoration in-person at the Holocaust Center and livestreamed at Holocaustcenter.org. This year’s program will be led by local clergy, Rabbi Michael
Moskowitz of Congregation Shir Shalom and Cantor Michael Smolash of Temple Israel. Members of the community will speak and present readings throughout the commemoration. In addition, candles designed to remember and honor the 6 million Jews lost in the Holocaust will be lit by survivors and children of survivors in the community. Following the event, all who wish to light a memorial candle are invited to do so in the museum at the Eternal Flame. MUSIC CLASS 4-5 PM MAY 1 An outdoor music class with Lindsay Mall at Franklin Park, 26425 continued on page 50
CLASSIC CAR NIGHTS APRIL 29 (MAY 27 & JUNE 3) APRIL 28 • 2022
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THE DETROIT
JEWISH NEWS
The Detroit Jewish News
Educator of the Year Teachers are often the unsung heroes who inspire our children to greater heights and whose lessons often last a lifetime. The Jewish News wants to honor the best-of-the-best teachers in our community — in elementary, middle and high school. To nominate a Jewish teacher or a teacher at one of Metro Detroit’s Jewish day schools, send an email to jheadapohl@thejewishnews.com with “Best Teachers” in the subject line. Include the teacher’s name, school, grade/ subject and why you think they deserve to be recognized. Then look for our “Educators of the Year” in the May 19, Cap & Gown issue.
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ON THE GO
PEOPLE | PLACES | EVENTS continued from page 49
Wellington, Franklin. This event is geared toward families with little ones up to age 5. Info: jlive.app/ events/2046. The cost is $10 per family. LUNCH & LEARN NOON-1 PM, MAY 2 At Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield. “L’chaim: A Jewish View of Living and Doing [Part III].” Join Rabbi Michael Moskowitz to explore Jewish philosophy and how it guides us in our daily lives. Newcomers are welcome. No charge for TSS members. $18/series for non-members. Info: shirshalom.org. ROSH CHODESH STUDY 10-11 A.M., MAY 2 Adat Shalom Synagogue Sisterhood invites women from the community to welcome the new month of Iyar with a study session led by Rabbi Blair Nosanwisch, director of spiritual care. No charge. RSVP Rochelle.r.lieberman@ gmail.com or 248-5532498 SPECIAL SCREENING 7:30 PM, MAY 2 Join NEXTGen Detroit at the Detroit Jewish Film Festival for a special Yom Ha’Atzmaut screening of The New Jew, a four-part documentary hosted by one of Israel’s most popular comedians, Guri Alfi. Guri travels to the United States to explore what Jewish life is like here, the variety of ways American Jews practice their religion and embrace their culture. See the first two episodes;
the third and fourth will be made available online to attendees. Popcorn, pop and Israeli treats will be provided for the perfect theater experience. Watch the trailer and learn more at: en.thenewjew.tv. $12 per person. Register in advance by May 2 at jlive.app/events/2060. This event is intended for young adults ages 21 to 45. Kosher options available. COUPLES & CONVERSATION 7-8:30 PM, MAY 3 Being part of an interfaith/ Jewish/multi-faith/however-you-define-yourself couple can be challenging, but you don’t need to find the answers alone. This workshop offers a safe environment to work on creating your religious/ cultural lives together. It is intended for seriously dating, engaged and newly married Jewish/ interfaith couples in the Metro Detroit area. Other sessions will be May 10, 17, and 24 and will be facilitated by Rabbi Jen Lader, 18Doors Rukin Rabbinic Fellow. The workshop is $54/couple and registration is required. The workshop will take place in-person, outdoors in West Bloomfield. The exact location will be sent to you upon registration. Info: rabbijenlader@18doors. org. ITZHAK PERLMAN PERFORMS 7:30-9 PM, MAY 3 At Wharton Center for Performing Arts, Michigan State University. Itzhak Perlman, violin, Rohan De
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Nova Lox★ & Tuna with Mom Mother’s Day Red Yom HaAtzmaut party for _ ★ b Clearly number ad copy & write out corresponding instructions above. Seasonal Fruit Bowl _ ★ Fruit★ Bowl 2)_ Pontiac. Learn _from Road, the whole family with chiler Valid May98th Valid May & 10Only Only Seasonal _ _ E Jar of Cookies ★ ★ ad Jar of Cookies4)____________________ dren up to 15 years old. ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ the experts Must beEve pl __ at Goldner _1)______________________________________________ _ v ★ _ At Congregation Shaarey Walsh how_to assemble e _ c _ ★ __ ★ o __ 2)______________________________________________ 5)____________________ Zedek, 27375 Bell Road, 3) an Instagram-worthy py __ __ beau- ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ __arrangement ★★ Southfield. This one-of-ain their ★ _ _ & _ Red Bag Special _ _ Serves 4-6 6)____________________ kind celebration held with tiful greenhouse space_ 3)______________________________________________ __ __ w95 $ __with the skills___★ r JFamily Detroit will feature and leave _ Go to★ of up 6 Bagels it Choice Serves to 6 _ $ _
ngfrom . used elsewhere written consent Chto angbe esfor req ues ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE the final of YOUR ad. ted proofreading AFTEwithout R art has be en sub mitted to ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★ ★★ ★ ★ ★ 6646 Tele grap h at Map le ★ Monday-Saturday ★ Bloo mfie ld Plaza ★ 9am-7pm ★ 248.932.0800 ★ ★ Sunday ★ ★ stevesdeli.com 9am-6pm ★ (closing early ★ Mother’s Day at 3pm) ★ ★ ★ ★ Mother’s Day Orders must be placed by ★ ★ May 6th ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Must be placed by May 10th ★ ★★★★★ (closing early ★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★ ★★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★ ★ Mother’s Day at 3pm) ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★ ★ ★ Serves 4-6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Choice of 6 Bagels ★★ Serves 4-6 ★ ★ ★ ★★★ ★ Cream Cheese ★★ Corned Beef & Turkey ★★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★ Tomato & Onions ★★ Swiss • Rye Bread ★★ ★ ★ (clos ★ ★ Capersing early Russian Dressing ★★ ★ ★ ★★★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Moth Nova Cole Slaw Lox er’s Day ★at 3pm) ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Potato Salad l Fruit Bowl ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★★ Valid May 9 & 10 Only Seasona ★ ★ Jar of Cookies ★★ Mixed ★ Dills ★ ★ Valid May 9 & 10 Only ★★★★★ ★ (closing★ early ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ Jar of Cookies ★★ ★ ★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★ ★★★★★ ★★★★ Mother’s Day at 3pm) ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★ ★
Itzhak Perlman
49
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★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Capers ★ ★ Cole Slaw ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★9 & 10 Only Seasonal Fruit Bowl ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Valid ★ ★ Nova★ Lox ★May ★ Potato Salad ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★ Valid Jar of Cookies ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ May 9 & 10 Only ★ Dills★ ★★ Seasonal Fruit Bowl Mixed ★ ★ ★★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★ ★ ★ Valid May 9 & 10 Only ★ Valid May 9 & 10 Only ★ Jar of★ Jar of Cookies ★★★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★Cookies★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Clearly number ad ★ ★ cop y & write out corresponding inst No substitutions ructions★above. Clearly number ad copy & write out instructions above. ★ corresponding 1)_______________ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ _______________________________ 1)______________________________________________ 4)______________________________________________ 4)_____________________________ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ 2)_______________ ★ ____________ ___________________ 5)___________★ 2)______________________________________________ 5)______________________________________________ ★ ★ __________________ ★ ★ 3)___ ★ ★ ____ ____ ________________ 3)______________________________________________ 6)______________________________________________ ___________________ 6)___________★ ★ ___________________ ★ ★ live music by the popular to bust out a centerpiece Corned Beef & Turkey Cream Cheese ★ ★ corresponding instructions above. ad week. copyAnd & write out Israeli music group Clearly The Holy number any day of the ★ Mustard&&Onions Swiss ★ Tomato ★ ★ Band, a special community what’s a Sunday without Rye Bread ★ ★ 1)______________________________________________ 4)____________________________ Capers ★ art installation, Israeli games a little brunch? We’ve ★ Russian Dressing ★ ★ and more. Enjoy a kosher got that covered, too. Nova Lox ★ Cole Slaw & Potato Salad ★ ★ ★ dinner at a special subsi$35 per person includes 2)______________________________________________ 5)____________________________ MixedFruit DillsBowl ★ Seasonal ★ May98th dized price of just $7 per flower-arranging supplies ★ Valid Valid May & 10Only Only Jar of of Cookies Jar Cookies ★★ ★ No substitutions plate of your favorite Israeli and instruction, as well as ★ ★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ 3)______________________________________________ 6)____________________________ food, including falafel, hummimosas and brunch bites.
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__
mus, pita, salad. Info: jlive. app/events/2071. JAZZ GREATS 8-11 PM, MAY5 5 Jazz Greats perform 5 Jazz Legends at Aretha’s Jazz Café, 350 Madison, Detroit, in the Music Hall for Performing Arts. Tickets are $35 presale only. For information, call Nicole Freeman, 248-3833385.
__ 2)___________________________________________ __ __
__ __ _ __ 5 Monday-Saturday 9am-7pm_| _Sunday 9am-3pm )__ _ __ 3)___________________________________________ __ __ _ Compiled by Sy Manello/Editorial 6646 Telegraph at Maple __ 6 Assistant. Send items at least 14 days ) __ _ _ in advance to calendar@ _ Bloomfi eld Plaza __ _ thejewishnews.com. _ Clearly number ad copy & write out correspon _ g Closin __ 248.932.0800 early __ 1)___________________________________________ ay __ Mother’s D stevesdeli.com __ at 3pm _ young adults ages 21 to 45. Register by May 6: jlive.app/events/2117.
__ OPEN:
2)___________________________________________ APRIL 28 • 2022 | 51
HEALTH Mom gave you her best - now she deserves the best!
Care for Everyone Call Jeanne Atkinson for the best home care in Oakland County! Discreet, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal preparation, running errands, transportation, companionship and personal care.
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APRIL 28 • 2022
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Screen, a national nonprofit public health initiative dedicated to preventing genetic diseases and hereditary cancer, educates communities across the country on the importance of genetic screening for personal and family health. Spring has officially sprung, and the season of birth and renewal is the perfect time for people to start taking control of their health. In the spirit of the season, JScreen announced its support for National Cancer Control Month in April. Established by Congress in April of 1938 and endorsed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940, National Cancer Control Month aims to draw attention to the prevalence of cancer, as well as the ever-expanding means by which it can be treated, prevented and controlled. At JScreen, prevention of hereditary cancer is a top
priority. Its team of passionate and highly skilled genetic counselors works in association with Emory University’s Department of Human Genetics to provide affordable and accessible genetic screening to assess a person’s risk. JScreen’s CancerGEN test analyzes 60 actionable cancer susceptibility genes. If a person receives a positive result, there are steps they can take to reduce their chances of developing cancer or to detect it at an early, treatable stage. In addition to cancer genetic testing, JScreen also offers its ReproGEN test, which is designed to evaluate a couple’s risk of passing down genetic diseases like Tay-Sachs or cystic fibrosis to their future children. For prospective parents, this information can be invaluable, as it allows them to make informed decisions about their future families. With spring representing
Let Us Create Your Beautiful, Healthy Smile!
regrowth, renewal and health, JScreen emphasizes the goal of bringing healthy babies into the world and planning for a healthy and prosperous future. “Our number one objective is to help people achieve the healthy lives they deserve,” says Karen Arnovitz Grinzaid, executive director of JScreen. “The more people we educate and test, the more lives we save.” JScreen makes genetic testing simple by offering easy-to-use at-home saliva kits. The entire process is designed with user ease in
a happy, healthy future,” Grinzaid says. HELP FOR METRO DETROITERS JFamily Detroit offers financial help for genetic screening, thanks to JFamily and the generosity of the Lacey Foon Family Fund and the DMC Foundation. JScreen program fees are being highly subsidized for the Detroit Jewish community as follows: • ReproGEN reproductive genetic screening: $18 (normally $149) – Use code DetroitRepro
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mind. Results are ready in approximately three weeks. The JScreen tests use stateof-the-art genetic sequencing technology, ensuring highly accurate results. In the event of a positive result, JScreen acts as an incredible resource, providing the individual with access to licensed genetic counselors who are available for consultations both via phone and secure video teleconferencing. Genetic counselors ensure that people understand their results and options going forward. “With Spring in the air, our hope is that people will take advantage of the peace of mind that genetic testing brings, and look toward
• CancerGEN cancer genetic screening: $36 (normally $199) – Use code DetroitPreventCancer • ReproGEN and CancerGEN combo: $54 (normally $299) – Use code DetroitScreens Program fees listed are based on individuals who provide any health insurance (regardless of coverage or deductibles). Individuals without health insurance can use the codes listed above and then apply for financial aid on the checkout page. Get a screening kit today at https://jfamily. jccdet.org/jscreen If you have questions, reach out to Stephanie Erez at serez@jccdet.org.
www.drnemeth.com
248.357.3100 | 29829 Telegraph Road, Suite 111 | Southfield, Michigan 48034
248.357.3100 | 29829 Telegraph Road, Suite 111 | Southfield, Michigan 48034
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APRIL 28 • 2022
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53
the exchange community bulletin board | professional services 24/7
$65
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SERVICE FEE SINCE 1973
Aaron Mendelson Heating and Cooling, LLC. 248-855-0437 Cell: 248-912-2292
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For information regarding advertising please call 248-351-5116 or 248-234-9057 or email salessupport@thejewishnews.com Deadline for ad insertion is 9 a.m. on Friday prior to publication.
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Ser vice
Sound Systems • TV Mounting WiFi & Network Wiring Telephone Systems • & More Warren Mendelsohn 248-470-7715
LIBRARY BOOKSTORE LIBRARY BOOKSTORE 7 Days Sempliner 169Open W 9 BOOKSTORE Mile Rd. | M. Ferndale, MI 48220 LIBRARY
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APRIL 28 • 2022
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OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY
LESLIE CADY, 77, of Oak Park, died April 19, 2022. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Raymond Cady; sons, Scott Cady and Ryan Cady; daughter and son-in-law, Nikki and Robert Amey; grandchildren, Max and Nathan Amey; many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mrs. Cady was the devoted daughter of the late Solomon and the late Sylvia Brodsky; the loving sister of the late Craig Brodsky; and the dear sister-in-law of the late Shirley Cady, the late Paulette Nelson,
the late Pat Hebert, and the late Rosemary Cook. Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit, 6710 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jslmi. org; or National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, 1169 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, nkfm.org/get-involved/giving. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. GRANT DICKEN, 72, of West Bloomfield, died April 15, 2022. He was born in
Detroit on April 21, 1950. He attended Bagley Elementary school, Hampton Jr. High school and graduated from Southfield High School in 1968. In recent years, Grant had been chauffeuring business executives in the metropolitan Detroit area. He loved his clients and they loved him. Contrary to his gruff exterior, Grant was a people person with a heart of gold. If you needed help, Grant would be there. At 6’4” tall, he would be noticed when he came into the room. He had a larger-than-life persona. Not only was Grant a great character, he had great char-
acter. He was an avid pet lover and a classic car enthusiast. Mr. Dicken is the son of Rhoda and the late Albert Dicken; the brother of Dennis (the late Eileen) Dicken and Steven (Karen) Dicken. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, David Dicken, Laurie (Rick) Knieper and Sean (Sarah) Dicken; several great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also survived by his three cats. Contributions in Grant’s memory can be made to a local or national feral cat rescue or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. continued on page 57
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OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY
A Storied Life RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A
s a 9-year-old sitting at his mother’s Underwood typewriter, Norman Philip Prady knew he was destined to become a writer. While building a successful and multi-faceted writing career, Norman also became a devoted father, a doting grandfather, a generous mentor and a talented artist. Norman Prady died on April 8, 2022, watching his beloved Tigers win their Opening Day game against the Chicago White Sox. He was 88. The son of Calvin and Mildred Prady, Norman was born in Detroit in 1933. He shared a close relationship with his two older sisters, Audrey and (the late) Barbara, that continued throughout their lives. After graduating from Central High School, he studied English at Wayne State University. Later, he served on the board of directors of the American Red Cross. His first stop on the way to achieving his childhood dream was the (nowdefunct) Detroit Times, where he quickly advanced from copy boy to reporter. The bustling newsroom was Norman’s idea of paradise, and his most treasured memories included covering fires, car crashes and escaped zoo animals before rushing to the nearest pay phone to dictate his story. When the paper folded in 1960, Norman began a career in advertising, where he developed award-winning campaigns and served as creative director at major ad agencies such as Campbell-Ewald and BBDO. While his accomplishments in that field were impressive, he remained a newsman at heart. “It was his identity for the rest of his days,” wrote his son Bill in a eulogy delivered at the funeral. “His advertising copy floated above the ordinary because the newspaperman in him turned a sales pitch into a story.” Despite his many successes, his
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Norm Prady
greatest source of pride and joy was his family. He and his former wife, Susan, had two children, Bill and Anne, whom he showered with unconditional love and encouraged to follow their dreams. Bill has fond memories of attending Tigers games with his father, including trips to Lakeland, Florida, during spring training. He was a favorite among his children’s friends. While Norman “kvelled” over his kids’ accomplishments, he loved them for who they were instead of what they achieved. Norman’s light shone most brightly around his grandchildren. He was a doting “Papa” who loved spending time with his grandchildren. “Dad was always ready and willing to help with the kids at a moment’s notice,” said Anne. “He would have them over for dinner and make menus so they could choose their meals. You could always count on my dad to be front and center at every school concert, graduation, birthday party with that giant camera around his neck.” In 1985, he founded The Norman Prady Company, creating and producing advertising and marketing materials for several local clients. He
regularly contributed freelance articles to local and national publications, including a 2016 story in the Detroit Jewish News called “To the Person Who Ran Me Down with His Small Ugly Gold-Colored Car” that described his experience as a hit-and-run victim. Norman had a wry sense of humor and an infectious laugh. He loved a good corned beef sandwich, his 1988 Oldsmobile convertible and Marilyn Monroe. He enjoyed telling stories about his days as a reporter, the day he missed a grand slam by Willie Horton because Bill had to use the bathroom, or the time Jimmy Stewart recorded a public service announcement he had written. In his 70s, he wrote and published seven novels featuring characters and storylines that sprung from his imaginative mind. He started The Oxford Writers Group, where a group of writers from various backgrounds gathered around his kitchen table to hone their skills. For a nominal fee that barely covered the pizza and salad he served each week, he generously shared his wisdom, offering valuable advice and needed encouragement. Norman Prady is survived by his beloved children, Anne (Michael) Sheehan and Bill (Jessica Queller) Prady; cherished grandchildren, Matthew, Nicholas and Benjamin Sheehan, and Stella and Asher Prady; devoted sisters, Audrey Gerson and the late Barbara Cohen. Norman is also survived by his former wife, Susan Prady. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Norman Prady may be directed to Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, (248) 592-2687, www.jewishhospice.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 55
HILDEGARD DREIFUS, 94, of Birmingham, died April 17, 2022. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Chuck and Gloria Dreifus of Birmingham; daughter and son-in-law, Eva and Tom Budisak of West Bloomfield; grandchildren, Todd and Erin Budisak, Andrea Budisak, Lauren Dreifus and Jeff Cash, Nate Dreifus; great-grandchildren, Andrew Budisak, Alison Budisak. Mrs. Dreifus was the beloved wife of the late Manfred Dreifus. Contributions may be made to Autism Alliance of Michigan, 26913 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 520, Southfield, MI 48033. A graveside service was held at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. SANDRA “SOOKIE” (BLITSTEIN) EDELSTEINORDOWER, 88, died April 15,
2022. Sookie always had a smile on her face and a warm hug to give. She was a kind soul, embracing all whom she met, never passing judgement. She was the kind of person we all should be. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Marcia Edelstein; daughter and son-in-law, Faye and Steven Adelson; grandchildren, Carly Edelstein (Ben Cooper,) Alex Edelstein (Elizabeth Drake), Sari Adelson (Grant Boss), Ivan (Talia Pinto Handler) Adelson; great-grandchildren, Charlie and Izzy Cooper. She is also survived by Norman’s children and grandchildren, Rob and Alissa
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30 Nisan May 1 Rose Aronson Sarah Chernoff Harry Engel Anna D. Friedman David Friedman Albert Gerson Antonia Heisler Bella Henigman Ruth Kieran Becky Krivetsky Samuel Kurnetz H Rottenberg Robert Rubin Simeon Saulson Mark Steven Sklar Ida Zorn 1 Iyar May 2 Ethel Borison Louis Cohen Jack Cwajgenberg Beatrice Falick George Louis Gibson Bertha Goodman Dora Gore Helen Hess Myra Hoffman Jeannette Lewis Kirsnianski Mordechai Wolf Kirsnianski Morris Klein
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OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 57
Katzman (Sam and Noah), Marni and Jeff Rosenthal (Alanna, Evan, Carly), Matthew and Oana Ordower; sister, Faga Clapham; many loving nieces, nephews and a world of friends. Sookie was the beloved wife of the late Ivan Edelstein and the late Norman Ordower; the daughter of the late Minnie and the late Joe Blitstein; sister-in-law of the late Milton Clapham; sister of the late Nathan (the late Roma) Blitstein; sister-in-law of the late Fay and the late Meyer Ordower, the late Dotsie and the late Arthur Brown. The family is grateful to her caregivers, Dee Mims and Loretta Smith along with the Henry Ford Hospital Hospice staff. Interment was held at B’nai Israel Memorial Gardens in Novi. Contributions may be made to the Congregation Sharrey Zedek Morning Minyan Fund, to the Hechtman Resident Council Activity Fund or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. GLORIA BURROW ELLIS, 91, of West Bloomfield, died April 17, 2022. She is survived by her daughter and son-inlaw, Wendy and Christopher; sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff and Lori, and Rick and Carol; grandchildren, Michelle, Craig and Randi, Josh and Kelsey, Devin and Jeremy; great-grandchildren, Nolan and Harper. Mrs. Ellis was the beloved wife of the late Robert Ellis; the devoted daughter of the late Robert and the late Mary
Burrow; the loving sister of the late Bernard and the late Louis; dear daughter-in-law of the late Isadore and the late Rose. Interment was at Adat Shalom Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of Michigan, 25882 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 102, Farmington Hills, MI 48336, crohnscolitisfoundation. org; Temple Shir Shalom, 3999 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323, shirshalom.org; or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. GLORINE KATANICK (née Kert), 91, of Pembroke Pines, Fla., formerly from Oak Park, died April 17, 2022. After graduating from Michigan State University, Glorine returned to school to get her degree in education and continued to get her master’s plus 30. She taught many hundreds of first-, second- and third-graders in Detroit and Southfield for more than 25 years; then she and Norman retired to Florida. During their retirement, they were inseparable — except, of course, when watching different TV shows in their separate TV rooms. Throughout her life, Glorine read the newspaper religiously, and her children fondly remember the millions of times a sentence started with, “I read an article that said …” Mrs. Katanick was the loving and much-loved wife of the late Norman for 68 years. She was the adored mother continued on page 60
APRIL 28 • 2022
A life well lived. Dr. Norman J. Rotter
it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Norman J. Rotter of Bingham Farms on April 18, 2022 one week after his 85th birthday. Born in Detroit and resided most of his life in the suburban area. He attended Bagley, Post and Mumford high school and graduated from the University of Michigan where he was affiliated with the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. Upon graduation Norm attended Wayne State University school of medicine and at graduation inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha honors society. He completed his training in the field of neurosurgery at Henry Ford Hospital. Upon completion Norm served as a captain in the armed forces serving at Valley Forge Hospital in Pennsylvania and William Beaumont Hospital in El Paso Texas. Norm found his true love at a boy/girl party when he was 15. From then on he and his wife Harriet were always together and they celebrated 63 beautiful years of marriage. Because he was an only child he adored her busy household of four children and was over all the time. He was always a loved and adored member of our family. Norm and Harriet went to each other’s Mumford senior proms, of course Norm was Harriet’s date at her sweet sixteen and at the ripe old ages of 18 and 21 they married. There is no greater love story than the two of them shared. They were each others best friend, confidant and cheerleaders helping each other reach successful careers. Norm eventually became chief of neurosurgery at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn and after 40 years he partially retired and returned to Henry Ford Hospital as a senior staff. He was always well respected and known for his kind and caring bedside manor and the respectful way he treated the staff. We are touched by the many letters, texts and calls we are receiving thanking Norm for saving their lives. Most of all Norm adored his family, his son Steven also became a doctor, Michael a financial advisor
and David, a web designer. As boys he was always taking them to their hockey games, he was a hands on dad, never missed a practice or a game. He saw all three sons grow into fine men with families of their own. Norm had a strong Jewish identity and gave himself a sixtieth birthday gift by became a Bar Mitzvah with the help of Rabbi Daniel Syme. In addition he was a temple board member. Once asked to give the Shabbat sermon Norm explained how science and religion are intertwined. He said during surgeries miracles happened that could only be explained by the presence of g-d. Norm had no bucket list! They were world travelers. He was content and enjoyed many interests and hobbies. An avid reader, modern art collector, gardner as everyone in Huntington Woods marveled at his spring red geranium plants, a car afficianado, and of course golf. His graduating gift from medical school was a set of clubs and so began years of golf games and the distinction of a hole in one. He golfed for many years at FHCC eventually becoming president. In addition Norm was an avid bridge player and was active in the Bridge Connection. Norman is survived by his devoted wife Harriet, son Steven (Lisa) grandsons Jacob (Michelle), Maxwell (fiancé Hannah) son Michael (Tara) grandson Jack and son Dave (Holly) and grandsons Daniel and Mitchell. In addition he leaves his sister in law Judy Komer (Richard) brother in law Dr. Jeffrey (Meredith Weston-Band) Band and his nieces and nephews as well as many close devoted friends. They will all remember him as a handsome, impeccably dressed who personified dignity, grace and compassion. Norman is preceded in death by his parents Roy and Sylvia Rotter, his in laws Herman and Dorothy Band and sister in law Bunny Band all a blessed memory. Interment was at Clover Hill .
Contributions can be made to the Rotter family endowed scholarship at Wayne State University school of medicine. To donate online at https://link.Edgepilot.Com/s/962f7444/_ hg8ycxsfe_5l57dufhzza?U=https://giving.Wayne.Edu/donate/Rotter or by calling 313-577-2263 or a charity of your choice. This charity is very special to them as there are three generations of the Rotter family graduated from the medical school. Arrangement made by Ira Kaufman Chapel. Rabbi Daniel Syme • Cantor Neil Michaels
We believe that every Jew has a portion in the world to come. Trust us to prepare your loved one for that journey.
APRIL 28 • 2022
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OBITUARIES
Tamarack Camps. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.
OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 58
of Robin (Rick) Dissen, Karen Katanick (Mark Pasman) and Dr. Cindy Katanick; special grandmother to Sara (Matt) Warshauer, Gayle Dissen and Mitchell Kirschbaum; and “GG” to Rachel and Tessa Warshauer. She was predeceased by her sister, Friedell (the late Leonard) Wolson; and her brother, Harry (Corrine) Kert. She will be sorely missed by her family and everyone who knew her. PHILIP SMITH, 96, of West Bloomfield, died April 14, 2022. He is survived by his beloved wife, Eleanor Smith; sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. David (Suzanne Zeleznik) Smith,
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Zave (Mary Jo WitkowskiSmith) Smith; son-in-law, Karl Weiss; loving grandchildren, Daniel (Nicole) Weiss, Deborah (Eric) Strickland, Emily (Justin) McCammon, Benjamin (Julie Lamonoff) Smith, Katherine (Robert) Kaufman and Lisa (Alan) Levy; great-grandchildren, Alexander, Andrew and Joshua Weiss, Matthew, Mason and Cameron Strickland, Samuel and Eliza Kaufman, Brandon and Helena Levy, Jasper McCammon and Gabriel Smith; many other loving family members and friends. Mr. Smith was the father of the late Linda Weiss; the brother of the late Morris Smith. Interment took place at Adat Shalom Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions may be made to
ROBERT “BOBBY” ALLEN STEWART, 83, of Birmingham, died on April 15, 2022. Bobby lived a full life. A graduate of Michigan State University, he had a 55-year career in the steel business and was the president of Advance Steel Company for 45 of those years. He also was a veteran of the United States Army, where he was a Class A squash champion. Bobby was a charitable and philanthropic man. He quietly helped many people without expectations of anything in return. He was particularly supportive of causes relating to Israel, the Jewish community, education, health and wellness, and the city of Detroit. Bobby had a quick wit and a
great sense of humor; he loved history, reading, traveling and was a sports enthusiast. He will be greatly missed by the many people who loved him. Mr. Stewart was the beloved husband for 16 years of Yan Stewart; cherished father of Philip Stewart, Sasha (Kelly) Stewart and Samantha Stewart; loving Grandpa Bob of Jake Stewart, Casey Stewart, Lainey Stewart, Frankie Stewart and Wesley Stewart; dear brother of Walter Stewart, Karen (Allen) Amber and Lori Bucciero; loving uncle to several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his former wife, Jana Stewart. He was the devoted son of the late Joe and the late Dorothy Stewart. Contributions may be made to the American Technion Society, 55 E. 59th St., NY, NY 10022, ats. org; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 22324, NY, NY 10087, lls.org; or to a charity of
one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. DONNA WINKLER, 89, who spent her teen years through middle age in Detroit, died in Portland, Ore., of natural causes on April 13, 2022. She was born Donna May c. 2007 Wolfe in Buffalo, N.Y. She attended Cass Technical High School, but her many moves as a child mandated that she complete her education later in life. She earned her degree from the University of Phoenix in 1997. “It’s never too late to graduate,” she would proudly say. She studied for and had a formal bat mitzvah after her youngest children were adults. In her later years, she was a member of Portland’s Congregation Shaarie Torah. Donna was married to three men. At age 20, she married William Bradlin. They had two children, Michael (Bradlin) Richmond of Portland and Kimberly Reynolds (nee Norma Bradlin) of Colorado Springs. In the 1960s, Donna married Marvin Richmond and had two children: Merrill Richmond and Erik Richmond, both of Portland. The family moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., in 1973. Some years after her divorce from Marvin, she met Bill Winkler, an engineer at Motorola. They were together more than 25 years. With Bill, she moved to Portland so that they could be nearer to the family that had concentrated there. Donna was no wallflower. Outgoing and vivacious, she worked outside the home throughout her life — in Detroit as a switchboard operator (a job she bluffed her way into) and later as an administrative assistant at Stroh Brewery, Bendix, Arizona State University’s Department of Foreign Languages and, finally, Motorola, supporting the Iridium satellite project. After retiring, Donna devoted many years to volunteer service. She taught English as a second language in Arizona. She was dedicated to the work of the American Red Cross and was recognized for her support of their mission tracing survivors of the Holocaust. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Cascades Chapter of the American Red Cross: tinyurl.com/ RCsupervolunteer.
A Doctor of Distinction
D
r. Norman Rotter, 85, of and became a bar mitzvah with the Bingham Farms, died April 18, help of Rabbi Daniel Syme. In addi2022. tion, he was a temple board member. He was born in Detroit and resided Once asked to give the Shabbat serin the suburban area. He attended mon, Norm explained how science Bagley, Post and Mumford High and religion are intertwined. He said School and graduated from the during surgeries miracles happened University of Michigan, that could only be where he was affiliated explained by the preswith the Zeta Beta Tau ence of God. fraternity. Norm had no bucket Upon graduation, list. He was content Norm attended Wayne and enjoyed many State University School interests and hobbies. of Medicine and, at gradHe was an avid reader uation, was inducted and gardener; everyone into Alpha Omega Alpha in Huntington Woods Honor Society. He commarveled at his red pleted his training in the geranium plants. Also, field of neurosurgery at he was a car aficionaHenry Ford Hospital. do and, of course, he Dr. Norman Rotter Upon completion, Norm loved golf. His graduaserved as a captain in the tion gift from medical Armed Forces, serving at Valley Forge school was a set of clubs and so began Hospital in Pennsylvania and William years of golf games and the distincBeaumont Hospital in El Paso, Texas. tion of a hole-in-one. He played for Norm found true love at a boy-girl many years at Franklin Hills, eventuparty when he was 15. His beloved ally becoming president. In addition, Harriet of 63 years was only 13; Norm was an avid bridge player and from that day on they were together was active in the Bridge Connection. forever. They went to each other’s Mr. Rotter is survived by his Mumford senior proms and were devoted wife, Harriet; son, Steven married in 1956 at the ripe “old” ages (Lisa); grandsons, Jacob (Michelle), of 18 and 21. There is no greater love Maxwell (fiancée, Hannah); son, story than the two of them shared. Michael (Tara); grandson, Jack; son, They were each other’s best friend, Dave (Holly); grandsons, Daniel and confidant and cheerleader, helping Mitchell. In addition, he leaves his each other reach successful careers. sister in law, Judy Komer (Richard); Norm eventually became chief of brother-in-law, Dr. Jeffrey Band neurosurgery at Oakwood Hospital in (Meredith Weston-Band); nieces, Dearborn and, after 40 years, he parnephews and many close, devoted tially retired and returned to Henry friends. Ford Hospital as a senior staff memHe was preceded in death by his ber and was always well respected and parents, Roy and Sylvia Rotter; his known for his kind and caring bedin-laws, Herman and Dorothy Band; side manner. and sister-in-law, Bunny Band. Norm adored his family; his son Interment was at Clover Hill. Steven also became a doctor, Michael Contributions can be made to the a financial adviser and David a web Rotter Family Endowed scholarship designer. When they were young boys, at Wayne State University School of he was always going to their hockey Medicine giving.wayne.edu/donate/ games, and he saw all three grow into Rotter (313-577-2263); or to a charity fine men with families of their own. of your choice. Arrangement made by Norm had a strong Jewish identity Ira Kaufman Chapel. APRIL 28 • 2022
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Looking Back
From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at www.djnfoundation.org
“Never Forget”
Y
om HaShoah or “Holocaust Remembrance Day” is April 28. In this respect, some interesting Holocaust-related stories have recently been published in the national press and the JN. Some of the stories were about good news. On March 16, the JN published the story of 14-year-old Girl Scout Emma Beach, who won an award for her project on the Holocaust. Its focus was “Stop the Hate” through education. Famed documentary filmmaker Ken Mike Smith Burns announced that Alene and Graham Landau his next project would be Archivist Chair The U.S. and the Holocaust, which will air on PBS this fall. Burns declared the film to be “one of the most important we’ve ever worked on.” It was also announced that a new Holocaust Museum will be established in Boston and that Canada is on the verge of outlawing Holocaust denial. Some reports were not so good. In January, the Holocaust graphic novel, Maus, was in the news when a Tennessee school board decided to ban the book because board members felt the book’s story and images were too traumatic for young readers. This month, Gabriel Ascoli, a junior in a Virginia high school, wrote an op-ed in the LA Times lamenting the fact that she and her classmates learn very little about the Holocaust. Indeed, recent studies indicate that a large percentage of Americans do not know fundamental Holocaust history. And many reports note the recent rise in antisemitism and extremists who deny the Shoah. I decided to explore the topic of Holocaust education in the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History. This was an encouraging endeavor. Early stories about the topic in the JN appear in 1978. Editor and Publisher
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APRIL 28 • 2022
Philip Slomovitz devoted most of his “Purely Commentary” column for Jan. 6, 1978, to our “Duty to Never End Exposing Nazis Crime … Teaching the Holocaust.” A year earlier, the headline for the Oct. 14, 1977, issue was about Holocaust education. New York schools were attacked by German- and ArabAmerican protesters when the system introduced Holocaust studies into the curriculum. Holocaust education, however, is alive and thriving in Michigan. In June 2016, then-Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation that was sponsored by State Rep. Klint Kesto. It mandated Holocaust and genocide education in all Michigan schools and created a Governor’s Council on Genocide and Holocaust Education (Oct. 27, 2016, JN). This was after 20 years of the Holocaust Education Coalition providing lessons and speakers for Holocaust education (April 1, 1994). Of course, The Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills is the primary lodestone for Shoah education in the state and region. The HC has offered exhibits and Holocaust programming since 1984 when it was established as the first freestanding institution in the United States devoted to Holocaust history and memory. The Detroit Jewish News Foundation has also contributed, creating two exhibits from the Davidson Archive — “The Holocaust Unfolds” and “Aftermath” — that focused upon the Holocaust and its impacts. These exhibits were first displayed at the HC in 2018 and 2019. I’ll end with a quote from the May 19, 1978, JN editorial: “If the Holocaust is to be remembered, never to be erased from memory, it must be a part of every reputable textbook.” Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.
PAM STOLER ASHLEY MANN R
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B E T T E R Pam Stoler
pam@pamandashley.com
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248.840.0044
Ashley Mann
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248.721.0987
The Agency Hall & Hunter 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. Birmingham, MI 48009 AN INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED LICENSEE OF UMRO REALTY CORP.
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AWW Co. Pocket Watch
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South Bend “The Studebaker” Railroad Watch
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Leitao & Irmao Silver Tea Set
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