OUR COMMUNITY
Steven Ingber Is Named New Federation CEO
T
he Jewish Federation/ United Jewish Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit (JFMD/UJF) announced that it has named Steven Ingber as its new chief executive officer, effective immediately. Ingber has served as the organization’s chief operating officer since 2016. He succeeds former JFMD/UJF CEO Scott Kaufman, who stepped down from the role at the end of 2019 after nine years. The announcement comes following the completion of a national executive search, led by a committee of Federation volunteer leaders. Over the past 18 months, Ingber has been the JFMD/ UJF’s lead professional, guiding the organization throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most challenging times in the history of the century-old organization. “There could have been no greater test for a leader,” noted Matthew B. Lester, JFMD president. “The health and welfare of the Detroit Jewish community depends on the Federation, and it is clear that Steve is doing an extraordinary job. “He has skillfully managed the complex response to the crisis while continuing to strengthen the Jewish Federation for the future. Steve has also built strong, collaborative relationships with individuals across all levels of the organization, as well as with leaders and stakeholders throughout the community. We are confident that he is the right individual to
Steven Ingber
lead the organization forward as our chief executive.” Dennis S. Bernard, president of the UJF, the fiduciary arm of the organization, said, “Steve brings a unique combination of business skills, commitment and passion to serve others in his efforts on behalf of the Jewish community. “He has an intuitive understanding of both the mission and operational aspects of the Jewish Federation, and he has been extremely successful at working to solve both immediate and longstanding challenges. I
know his impact on our Jewish community will only expand as he assumes this well-deserved new role.” Prior to joining the Jewish Federation, Ingber was an entrepreneur who owned and operated an automotive wholesale distribution business in the Metro Detroit area. He graduated from the business school at the University of Michigan in 2001 (now the Ross School of Business). He lives with his wife, Jill, and four sons in Huntington Woods. “I am beyond thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to serve the Detroit Jewish community in this role,” Ingber said. “It is humbling to follow in the footsteps of the many great leaders in Federation’s history, but I’m fortunate to be working with a tremendous team of lay leaders and professionals in our efforts to support and strengthen this amazing community.” Look for an in-depth profile of Ingber in an upcoming issue.
Wedding Dress Designer Headlines Event
State of Michigan’s Kosher Food Fight
The Sisterhood of Congregation Shaarey Zedek will host couture and wedding dress designer David Josef for a fundraising event: “Adventures in Fashion” on May 25 via Zoom. A designer for stars, brides and every woman, Josef ’s long career has taken him from humble Italian Catholic roots to become the go-to designer for the Boston Orthodox community. His ability to create gowns that are stunning, modern and modest sent his business off in a surprising direction. Josef ’s designs meet the demands of tznius, translated from Hebrew as modesty, which usually means sleeves to the elbow, no visible cleavage and hems that cover the knee.
If observant Jewish inmates want to eat kosher meals, they should do so on their own dime, according to arguments from the Michigan Department of Corrections last month in an appeal to a federal judge’s decision that granted kosher food to observant inmates at the state’s expense. A 2013 class-action suit by Jewish inmates alleged the MDOC was required to provide kosher meat and dairy since the “universal vegan meal” the state offered fell short of being considered kosher. Following a bench trial, a federal judge ruled in 2020 that the vegan meal policy violated Jewish inmates’ rights. MDOC disputed the sincerity
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David Josef
“No one wants to look old and schlumpy,” Josef told the Boston Globe. “They are all fabulous … They want to be fashionistas, even in the rules of their religion.” Adventures in Fashion also features “shopportunities” and door prizes. Register for the 7 p.m. May 25 Zoom program by emailing sisterhood@ shaareyzedek.org.
of the lead plaintiffs’ religious beliefs in its appeal to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The lead attorney for MDOC urged the panel to overturn the lower court’s order and told the judges “cost could be a substantial burden” to the state if it is required to provide kosher meat and dairy on every Shabbat, although when asked, he replied that MDOC is currently providing kosher meat and dairy at mealtimes for Jewish inmates. “The district court ruled the Jewish prisoners were to get meat and dairy on Shabbat and four Jewish holidays,” said plaintiff ’s counsel Dan Manville. “The appeal is just a natural part of the legal process and is done in most civil litigation.”
