Steven Ingber Named Federation CEO

Steven Ingber Is Named New Federation CEO

The 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 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.”

Wedding Dress Designer Headlines Event

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.

“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.

David Josef Steven Ingber

Look for an in-depth profile of Ingber in an upcoming issue.

State of Michigan’s Kosher Food Fight

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 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.”

MAZEL TOV!

MARCH 25, 2021

Kelly and Brett Kifferstein of Chicago, Ill., are thrilled to announce the birth of daughter Shiloh Harley Kifferstein. Big sister, Saylor, welcomed her with open arms. Loving grandparents are Marsha and Warren Kifferstein of Bloomfield Hills, and Judy and Jeff Silver of Moreland Hills, Ohio. Shiloh’s middle name, Harley, is in loving memory of her great-grandfathers, Harold, Harry and Leo.

Blake Noah

Barish will lead the congregation in prayer as he becomes a bar mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, May 15, 2021. He will be joined in celebration by his proud parents, Jennifer and Ryan Barish, and his brother Max. Blake is the loving grandchild of Rhona and Allan Anchill, and Rita and Sidney Barish.

He is a student at Warner Middle School in Farmington Hills. As part of his mitzvah project, Blake took part in the Warm Wraps, Warm Hearts program, where he made blankets for the elderly in nearby senior living facilities. He found it very meaningful to help those who might be most vulnerable in our community during what might be a lonely period.

Brady Albert Chandler

(Doron Sar) of Birmingham will become a bar mitzvah at Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township on Saturday, May 15, 2021. He is a devoted son of Jeff and Alicia and an adventure partner for his sister Morgan. His grandparents are Elaine and Mark Blumenfeld, and Patricia and Alan Chandler.

Brady is a seventh-grader at Derby Middle School in Birmingham. He is raising money for Lighthouse as his mitzvah project and looks forward to volunteering in person once the pandemic allows.

Jillian Danielle Dickman

(Yosefa Davida), daughter of Doreen and Jason Dickman, was called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. She was joined in celebration by her older sister Evie and proud grandmothers Rena Tepman, Marilyn Wolf and Ellen Dickman. She is the granddaughter of the late Jerry Tepman and Robert Dickman.

Jillian attends Warner Middle School in Farmington Hills. For her mitzvah project, she is raising money for Tamarack’s Send a Kid to Camp and collecting items for their Gear Share program.

Aiden David

Felhandler will chant from the Torah as he becomes a bar mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, May 15, 2021. He will be joined in celebration by his proud parents, Craig Felhandler, and Amy and Matthew Fraiberg, and his siblings Avery, Michael and Ryan. Aiden is the loving grandchild of Marcia and Stuart Felhandler, and Teri and Mark Goodman.

He is a student at Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit in Farmington Hills. For his most meaningful mitzvah project, Aiden collected funds for donation to support programing at JARC.

Noah Hayden

Freedland will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. He is the son of proud parents, Jennifer and Stuart Freedland, and the brother of Rachel. He is the grandson of Sydell and the late Michael Zimmerman, and the late Rona and the late Herbert Freedland.

Noah is a student at Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit in Farmington Hills. For his mitzvah project, he helped deliver meals to JARC residents during the pandemic.

Jillian Tate

Mellon, daughter of Marla and David Mellon, chanted from the Torah on the occasion of her bat mitzvah at Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield on Friday, May 7, 2021. She was joined in celebration by her sister Colette and proud grandparents Rochelle and Arthur Lieberman, and Kim Mellon. She is also the granddaughter of the late Joseph Mellon Jr.

Jillian attends Berkshire Middle School in Birmingham. For her tzedakah project, she collected more than 5,000 books by hosting a book drive for Rx for Reading Detroit, nonprofit children’s literacy initiative sponsored by the University of Detroit Mercy.

Rylie Madeline

Wolgin, daughter of Renee and Jay Wolgin, will lead the congregation in prayer on the occasion of her bat mitzvah on Friday, May 14, 2021, at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. She will be joined in celebration by her brother Alexander and proud grandparents William Rubenfaer, Carol Rubenfaer, and Beverley and Dennis Wolgin.

She is a student at West Hills Middle School in Bloomfield Hills. As part of her mitzvah project, Rylie organized a drive to collect diapers/pullups and baby wipes as well as monetary donations in support of Lighthouse of Oakland County.