DJN June 10, 2021 by The Detroit Jewish News

THE DETROIT

JEWISH NEWS 200 June 10-16, 2021 / 30 Sivan-6 Tammuz 5781

thejewishnews.com

Fighting Back How to combat misinformation about the Israel-Hamas conflict on social media. See page 14

275 275 S. Old S. Old Woodward Woodward Ave,Ave, Birmingham, Birmingham, MI MI 48009 48009

contents June 10-16, 2021 / 30 Sivan-6 Tammuz 5781 | VOLUME CLIX, ISSUE 19

PURELY COMMENTARY 4-12

OUR COMMUNITY 14

Fighting Back

United Against Antisemitism

Air Force Over-Head

New Leader at Yad Ezra

Bring Danny Home

Birthright is Back

How to combat misinformation about the Israeli-Hamas conflict on social media. A community-wide rally urges action against hatred.

Head coverings led Jewish and Muslim chaplains from Detroit to form a fast friendship.

Efforts to secure the release of American journalist held in Myanmar press forward.

MSU Hillel is looking for participants.

SPORTS 24

A Tale of Two Baseball Teams Coach, pitchers look to the future.

HEALTH 25

MIU Men’s Health Foundation’s Men’s Health Week Signature Events Return

MAZEL TOV 26

Moments

40 BUSINESS

ERETZ 28

Ceasefire Holds but Issues Remain Unresolved

Departing Israeli Consul General says speaking out for Israel and stable Israeli government are critical.

30 31

Who is Naftali Bennett, Israel’s (likely) Next Prime Minister? Isaac Herzog Elected Israel’s 11th President

SPIRIT 32 34

Torah portion Synagogue Directory

Shark Tank Tale

With a $2 million deal, Detroiter allows consumers to create plant-based milk at the push of a button.

LTU Is New Home of Specs Howard

Here’s To

ARTS&LIFE 40 42 43

A New Brain

Theatre Nova presents on-demand play that explores second chances.

A Feast for the Eyes

Visit beautiful beaches of the world in new coffee table book.

Celebrity News

EVENTS 44

Community Calendar

ETC.

The Exchange Obituaries Danny Raskin Looking Back

45 46 53 54

Shabbat Lights

Shabbat starts: Friday, June 11, 8:52 p.m. Shabbat ends: Saturday, June 12, 10:04 p.m. * Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar.

ON THE COVER: Cover design: Michelle Sheridan

thejewishnews.com Follow Us on Social Media: Facebook @DetroitJewishNews Twitter @JewishNewsDet Instagram @detroitjewishnews

JUNE 10 • 2021

PURELY COMMENTARY for openers

Drop and Switch

ames with words can be fun: Scrabble, Spill & Spell, Words With

Friends. One that fascinates me involves changing/replacing one letter at a time to lead to a new word. Here is an extended example (several Sy Manello sequences): Try Editorial your hand with Assistant your own; even challenge someone to play with you. There is no need, however, to provide narration

as I do here; it is only to tie my attempts together. Grime often covers many things, making one’s outlook grim. Do not panic; rather, try to get a grip. Doing something is better than having to gripe about it. When you finish cleaning up, have a treat like a grape or another snack. (New sequence) If the work gets hard, don’t whine. If fate gives you grapes (see last chain), make wine. Good grapevines need wind and sun and rain. Visit a vineyard and wend your way through the rows. If you’re business mind-

ed, you may decide to vend the product or something in that vein. Don’t let success go to your head (become vain). You may then be asked to hit the road. (new sequence). As you travel, you may encounter roadkill — a smashed toad. Kick it out of the way; now it’s been toed. Don’t let its presence get you

teed off. In a roadside ditch, you may see a reed. Do a good deed and cut it down, maybe feed it to a deer on a dare (new sequence). If things get dire, you may let housekeeping chores go or hire someone to keep your residence from being covered in (skipping ahead) grime. Oops! This is where I came in.

guest column

It Was a Good Year

t started out not like any other year, but this one was a school year that began with a different type of anxiety than the typical firstday butterflies. No moms or dads helped their children cross the threshold from home Elana “safety” to this Miodownik new unknown world of pandemic schooling into the physical school building. There was no passing off our children, unlinking our intertwined hands and placing those tiny fingers in the teachers’ hands. There were no “good lucks” to the teachers as the parents backed away from a classroom or children embraced their peers in reunion after a full six months apart. Masks that were there

for protection also served as tear receptacles, collecting the drips from the eyes of children who were leaving the comfort of their homes that had been safe havens since March 2020. But … it was a good year. Our teachers were challenged. Challenged in ways that none of us anticipated — figuring out spacing in hallways as their students transitioned from classroom lessons to our new, pandemic recess situations. Challenged in ways beyond teachers’ true control — in keeping the promise to parents that they would keep their children safe from harm. Spacing desks, limiting partner work and collaboration opportunities, and changing the whole way classrooms had been run with stations and interactive lessons took on a new character with pandemic interactive lessons. continued on page 8

JUNE 10 • 2021

ANITA

Farber students during the 2020-2021 school year.

220 2 02210 1 J E W JI E S W H I FS J AH M F E I L A YMW I SL EY R I S VS E I CR EV H I C E

A NA NN UN A A U L AM N LEM EN T E IENTU GI N G A L

and Community and Community and Recognition Recognition Community EventEvent R

Mazel tov Mazel to ourtov Mazel honorees! to our honorees! We tov appreciate We to appreciate theour impact theyou’ve honorees! impactmade you’ve made We a in our community in our in community and our yourand efforts community yourinefforts helping in us helping further usour further and mission. ouryour mission. effor Amy Hoffman Amy Hoffman z”l z”l Micki Grossman Micki Grossman Micki Grossmanz”l Haimann Haimann Norman R. Keane Norman R. Keane Norman R. Keane

Patti Nemer Patti Nemer Lifetime Achievement Lifetime Achievement Award Lifetime Award Achievement Award Employee Employee of the Year of the Year

KosherKosher Meals on Meals Kosher on Meals United United Way forWayon for WheelsWheels Volunteers Volunteers Wheels Volunteers Southeastern Southeastern Michigan Michigan Barbara & Irving Barbara Nusbaum & Irving Nusbaum

Barbara & Irving Nusbaum ®

CommunityCommunity Partner Partner VolunteerVolunteer of the Year of the Year Volunteer of the of the Year of the Year Year

We are We also We are pleased are also pleased to welcome also to welcome incoming pleased incoming members members of to our Board welcome of ourofBoard Directors. of Directors. incom We are

ThankThank you you

to the board to members the board who members will bewho rolling will be rolling off this year. offWe thisappreciate year. We appreciate your time, your time, talents andtalents dedication and dedication in supporting in supporting the the mission of mission Jewish Family of Jewish Service. Family Service. BECCA STEINMAN BECCA STEINMAN ANITA BLENDER ANIT ANITA BLENDER A BLENDER EMILY CAMIENER EMILY CAMIENER EMIL Y CAMIENER DEGROOT DEGROOT

BECCA STEINMA ANITA BL

MICHAELMICHAEL BAUM BAUM DEGROOT GAIL DANTO GAIL DANTO BETH DAVIDSON BETH DAVIDSON MARA MOSS MARA MOSS MARK PICKLO MARK PICKLO VERNE ROYAL VERNE ROYAL

SUE HERSH SUE HERSH WERTHEIMER SUE HERSH JORDON JORDON WERTHEIMER

JORDON WERTHEIMER

PURELY COMMENTARY essay

A Small Mitzvah

s I started my day one Sunday morning, my first instinct was to look away when I drove toward an opossum and several babies that lay dead on my street corner. Something made me slow down and take another look. I Lynn was shocked — Rosenthal the mother was clearly dead, but her stomach was moving up and down. I called my brother who trains and rescues wild animals, and he reminded me that opossums are marsupials and they carry their babies in pouches like kangaroos. He assured me it wouldn’t bite, so I dashed home, put on a pair of plastic gloves and went back to the bloody scene.

I tentatively reached inside the mother’s pouch — and this little pink nose poked out, followed by a pair of beady, inquisitive eyes! The baby made a little sneezing sound and I was afraid that meant there was some sort of problem. Turns out, that’s the noise they make. She was just saying hi. My husband drove to my brother’s house while I cradled the scared little girl in my hand, keeping her warm and talking to her, hoping to soothe her after what must’ve been an incredibly traumatic experience. My brother said she looked to be about four weeks old and appeared in good health. Leaving her in good hands, I said goodbye to the little fur ball I named Millie — because it’s a one in a million chance that she survived what was

Publisher The Detroit Jewish News Foundation

| Editorial

| Board of Directors: Chair: Gary Torgow Vice President: David Kramer Secretary: Robin Axelrod Treasurer: Max Berlin Board members: Larry Jackier, Jeffrey Schlussel, Mark Zausmer

Senior Advisor to the Board: Mark Davidoff Alene and Graham Landau Archivist Chair: Mike Smith Founding President & Publisher Emeritus: Arthur Horwitz Founding Publisher Philip Slomovitz, of blessed memory

DIrector of Editorial: Jackie Headapohl jheadapohl@thejewishnews.com Associate Editor: David Sachs dsachs@thejewishnews.com Social Media and Digital Producer: Nathan Vicar nvicar@thejewishnews.com Staff Reporter: Danny Schwartz dschwartz@thejewishnews.com Editorial Assistant: Sy Manello smanello@thejewishnews.com Senior Columnist: Danny Raskin dannyraskin2132@gmail.com Contributing Writers: Nate Bloom, Rochel Burstyn, Suzanne Chessler, Annabel Cohen, Shari S. Cohen, Shelli Leibman Dorfman, Louis Finkelman, Stacy Gittleman, Esther Allweiss Ingber, Barbara Lewis, Jennifer Lovy, Rabbi Jason Miller, Alan Muskovitz, Robin Schwartz, Mike Smith, Steve Stein, Ashley Zlatopolsky

Millie the opossum

obviously a car accident that killed her mother and siblings. I continue checking on Millie almost daily, and my brother tells me she’s doing just fine. I’m dying to go visit her, but he says that’s not what’s best for her. She doesn’t need humans cuddling her; she needs to get reacclimated to the wild so she can go out and live the life that’s meant for her and, hopefully, have a bunch of little joeys someday. In the larger scheme of things, what is one baby opossum worth? Maybe not much | Advertising Sales Director of Advertising: Keith Farber kfarber@thejewishnews.com Senior Account Executive: Kathy Harvey-Mitton kmitton@thejewishnews.com

| Business Office Director of Operations: Amy Gill agill@thejewishnews.com Operations Manager: Andrea Gusho agusho@thejewishnews.com Operations Assistant: Ashlee Szabo Circulation: Danielle Smith Billing Coordinator: Pamela Turner

| Production By Farago & Associates Manager: Scott Drzewiecki Designers: Kelly Kosek, Kaitlyn Schoen, Michelle Sheridan

MISSION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will be of service to the Jewish community. The Detroit Jewish News will inform and educate the Jewish and general community to preserve, protect and sustain the Jewish people of greater Detroit and beyond, and the State of Israel. VISION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will operate to appeal to the broadest segments of the greater Detroit Jewish community, reflecting the diverse views and interests of the Jewish community while advancing the morale and spirit of the community and advocating Jewish unity, identity and continuity.

JUNE 10 • 2021

to most people, but I think it’s everything. There are a lot of things in this world that aren’t within our power to change — but sometimes all you have to do is take a little time and care a little bit, and you can make a difference, however slight. There is at least one of God’s creatures that will live to see another day because someone cared. Please don’t think I’m trying to make myself out to be a hero because I’m not. I just wanted to share how absolutely wonderful it feels when you do a mitzvah and take the time to help someone or something that really needs it and see the fruits of your efforts. There is no better reward in the world. Lynn Rosenthal is a Detroit-area freelance writer who has spent two decades in the legal field and co-authored a book The Sadist, the Hitman and the Murder of Jane Bashara with her husband, George Hunter, a police/crime reporter for the Detroit News.

1942 - 2021 Covering and Connecting Jewish Detroit Every Week

DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-354-6060 thejewishnews.com The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is published every Thursday at 32255 Northwestern Highway, #205, Farmington Hills, Michigan. Periodical postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes to: Detroit Jewish News, 32255 Northwestern Highway, #205, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334

To make a donation to the DETROIT JEWISH NEWS FOUNDATION go to the website www.djnfoundation.org

For the Joys of Independent Senior Living

INNOVATIVE. ENGAGING. ENLIVENING. TOTALLY CAPTIVATING. All Seasons emboldens you to discover a dynamic range of enlightening perspectives and experiences each day.

Our Resort-Style Communities Oﬀer: An expansive menu of freshly prepared meals and daily chef specials

Individual chauﬀeured transportation

Fine arts performances

A host of technologybased enrichment

A variety of thoughtfully planned, engaging activities

Family engagement app

4 BEAUTIFUL MICHIGAN LOCATIONS Ann Arbor - NOW OPEN Birmingham Rochester Hills West Bloomfield

LEARN MORE AT ALLSEASONSLIVING.COM Managed by:

Proud Recipient of the Prestigious

Ask Us Why!

PURELY COMMENTARY guest column

A Letter to the Jewish Community

hope this letter finds you safe and healthy as we emerge from the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic to the promise of a brighter day. Please know the Oakland County Sheriff ’s Office and our local police agencies and Sheriff public safety Michael departments Bouchard are working in concert to support your community and faith. Tensions remain high amid ongoing threats of violence across the country and internationally

aimed at people of the Jewish faith. I am a member of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and, since 2008, the Sheriff ’s Office has assigned investigators to JTTF. We work with our federal partners to monitor potential threats and concerns. Additionally, we work closely with the U.S. Department of Justice AntiHate Crime Unit to identify, track and address unlawful acts of hate. The Sheriff ’s Office has maintained a zero-tolerance policy with respect to these acts and is committed to com-

bating hate crimes and hate incidents should they occur. While there are no current threats in Oakland County or the surrounding area, we remain vigilant and ready to respond immediately in the event issues of concern are presented to our agency. If you are not in an area patrolled by the Sheriff ’s Office, I encourage you to work with your local police agencies and public safety departments to develop a plan and strategy to address any safety concerns. Such collaborations are important as they educate, build trust

truly great year had to offer. It was a good year.

But it happened. And this year was a success. And while all of this was happening, the world around us continued to change and evolve and heal. And while this year was a success, it also carried with it the tides of a typical year, pandemic notwithstanding. There were illnesses, losses in families (pandemic-connected and otherwise, natural stages in life, etc.), terrible stories of things happening in the news in our beloved country Israel. We mourned with our students, we processed with our students, and we grew with our students. All of this contributed to it being a good year. Regrets? All years are filled with regrets and, in that regard, this year was not unique. Should we have sent

and increase the likelihood that community members will report acts of hate to their respective law enforcement agencies. If called upon, we stand ready to assist you and our partner agencies across Oakland County. As your Sheriff, my mission is clear: to protect you. In that, I will never waiver. If there are ways in which the Sheriff ’s Office can assist you, or if you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to call my office directly. Michael J. Bouchard, CHPP, is the Oakland County Sheriff.

GOOD YEAR continued from page 4

Boy, are teachers creative! To that extent, it was a good year! I was blessed with the opportunity to interact with my students in person. I watched kindergarten students transition from young 5-yearolds in September to be truly prepared to be first-grade students in fall 2021. I watched my eighth-grade students, who started the year on Zoom, transition to in-person learning and, even greater, transition to being prepared to enter high school as brand-new freshman this fall. And I witnessed all the grades in between grow as resilient, strong students, who not only made up for academic progress last year, but who also learned to roll with the changes of CDC guidelines, school policies, temporary quarantines and all that this

JUNE 10 • 2021

YEAR OF ADAPTATIONS Collectively, we witnessed Zoom bar and bat mitzvahs, that we were only recently able to reenact and celebrate in-person, in an adapted way, but safely enough that we were able to see our students read from the Torah at a school minyan after becoming a bar mitzvah a year ago, isolated in the safety of their home; now, together with peers, live, safely distanced at the bimah. I got to witness students who were truly isolated, fearing for the health of themselves and their families finally get the green light from their doctors to return to in-person learning, even if it wasn’t until May to finally physically reunite with their classmates.

our children to school sooner? Did we contribute to our child’s anxiety? Did I ruin my child? The list of questions I have been asked can go on and on. The answers to these questions? As parents, we, too, were being challenged to do what we believed was best for our children ... So, we have permission to question our judgment, but it was a good year. To that extent, we cannot question the choices we made this year because without the choices we made, perhaps this year would not have been the same. So, together we shall celebrate that we had the opportunity to have a good year. Cheers! Elana Miodownik is the K-8 school social worker at Farber Hebrew Day School-Yeshivat Akiva in Southfield.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SUMMER

‫בין הזמנים‬

Help your community and elevate your rabbinic career with an MSW in Social Work. • Study in 3.5 weeks of synchronous virtual classroom time, followed by 2.5 weeks of asynchronous coursework completed on your schedule. • During the fall and spring, continue with online classes and gain practical experience by completing an internship in your home community.

• Professionalize years of rabbinic counseling experience. Scholarships available, valued at over $11,000. • Complete all your coursework and earn your degree by August 2023. • Learn more about the Bein Hazmanim program at our upcoming virtual info session.

CLASSES BEGIN JULY 11 • APPLICATIONS DUE JUNE 30

Learn More at: YU.edu/BeinHazmanim | Info Session: June 24 at 8 p.m. ET For more information Contact Jordan M Silvestri 646.592.6849 • jordan.silvestri@yu.edu

PURELY COMMENTARY guest column

Left in Silence

PUTTING IT IN PERSPECTIVE Let me share a perspective with the younger constituency, many of whom have characterized Israel’s actions as criminal or worse. For those of us who voted Obama in for a second term and continue

DANNY SCHWARTZ

s a progressive Jew growing up with an Israeli father, I’ve always had a complex relationship with Israel. There was a saying that my dad loved and that made an impression on me: “Don’t be so open-minded Cantor that you fail to Michael choose your own Smolash side in a fight.” So many years later, I feel this tongue-in-cheek truism has something important to teach progressives as we navigate the latest Hamas terror attacks on Israel as well as the troubling fallout here in America. If you are following any of the online conversations, you can see that many younger members of the liberal community are calling for strong public statements condemning Israel’s response to the 4,000-plus rockets as too harsh or even as some sort of war crime. At the same time, older congregants and the Israeli community have been pressing for a clear stance in support of Israel with no equivocations or apologies. The result from many left-leaning organizations, such as the Reform movement, has been a sort of muted, even-handed stance that tries to please both sides — or at least offend neither.

Members of the Metro Detroit Jewish community rally for Israel May 14 in West Bloomfield.

today to cheer him on as one of the most admired figures in America, we might take a look in the mirror of recent history. We all shrugged off Obama’s heavy-handed campaign of drone strikes around the world as a necessary evil. No one suggested that he was a war criminal or that the several thousand deaths in Pakistan alone over his presidency meant that America was a “terrorist state.” We dismissed civilian deaths with the Orwellian term “collateral damage,” and certainly never did the kind of macabre math that is being directed at the IDF requiring, heaven forbid, a minimum number of American casualties so that the enemy deaths would be proportional. Nor did we suggest limiting the use of American might or technology to allow anything resembling a “fair fight” as post after post is now suggesting Israel must do. Considering that we accepted a years-long drone campaign

waged against potential threats from literally across the globe where cutting technology was used to eliminate our enemies, it seems the height of ludicrousness for us to decry Israel’s 11-day operation to stop rocket squads who were launching thousands of rockets in real time at Israeli civilians just kilo-

ANTI-ZIONISM IS ANTISEMITISM Another strategy that has emerged in our community is to try and distinguish between Israel and Jews. “Don’t equate Jews around the world with Israel” reads many a Facebook post or TikTok sound bite. “Attacking Jews in New York

“WE SHOULD NOT BE BULLIED INTO CONCEDING THAT ANTI-ZIONISM IS ANYTHING BUT ANTISEMITISM.” meters away. We who have never in our lifetimes waged a war on American soil might try a reality check before tossing accusations of war crimes at Israel when we let our own lethal campaign, not to mention an ongoing 20-year war in Afghanistan, continue over drastically more distant and theoretical threats.

or Los Angeles is antisemitic because you are blaming the Jewish people for how the country of Israel is behaving.” Unfortunately, we need to understand the inverse message we are sending with these kinds of statements. Defending ourselves as not to blame for Israel’s actions implies that attacking Israel isn’t antisemitic — only attacking American Jews. In continued on page 12

JUNE 10 • 2021

Facing financial difficulty?

☐ Call jhelp at 1-833-445-4357 ☐ Visit jhelp.org ☐ Chat online with a staff member or schedule a call at jhelp.org

☐ Do all of the above

We Have Answers. Supported through the generosity of The Jewish Fund and the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Family Foundation.

we remember & mourn our dear friend

JACQUELINE MILGROM

Z’L

Beloved matriarch of the Milgrom family and a pioneer

of JHCN’s music enrichment fund. Jackie, along with her beloved husband Myron, made a visionary gift to created the Carol Jo Lasserz’l Music Fund in honor of their late daughter. The Milgrom’s generous philanthropy became a vital part of JHCN’s ability to keep our patients connected to the community through virtual music visits during the pandemic. Jackie was known for her class, her elegance, and her youthful spirit. We will dearly miss her effervescent humor and wit, and the deep love and warmth she shared in all she did.

THE JEWISH HOSPICE & CHAPLAINCY NETWORK OFFER WISHES OF COMFORT AND HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO JACKIE’S FAMILY: Beloved wife of Myron L. Milgrom. Adored mother of Paula Milgrom and Jim Barnett, Marcia and Tony Dodge, Marianne and Robert Bloomberg and the late Carole Jo Lasser. Devoted Bubbé of Samuel Lasser and Lauren Miller, Rachel Lasser, Max and Rebecca Appelman, Michael and Lindsey Barnett, Brie and Vincent Hesano, Natasha Sydney Dodge, Allison Bloomberg and Will Bloomberg. Big Bubbé to Adam, Owen and Norah Lasser, Olivia Appelman, Stella, Lucy and Henry Barnett and Hailey and Brayden Hesano. Much loved sister-in-law to Sally and Nathan (z’l) Soberman, Lillian (z’l) and Jack (z’l) Perlman, Thelma (z’l) and Louis (z’l) Milgrom. Also survived by nieces, nephews and many loving family and friends. Heartfelt gratitude to devoted caregivers – The Fab 5 - Shantel Tran, Margo Sliwinska, Doris Poprawa, Sandra Walker and Brittany Drzinsky.

Jacqueline Milgromz’l SEPTEMBER 10, 1929 – JUNE 3, 2021 M AY H E R M E M O R Y B E F O R A B L E S S I N G

RABBI E.B. (BUNNY) FREEDMAN

RABBI JOSEPH H. KRAKOFF

FOUNDING DIRECTOR & CEO

SENIOR DIRECTOR

NO JEW IS EVER ALONE 6555 W. Maple Road

•

West Bloomfield, MI 48322 • 248.592.2687

•

www.jewishhospice.org

JUNE 10 • 2021

PURELY COMMENTARY LEFT IN SILENCE continued from page 10

other words, just leave us alone, and we won’t stand between you and the Jewish state. It is this duck-and-cover response that has allowed the term anti-Zionist to somehow become acceptable in civil discourse as anything but hatred of Jews. Repeating the specious argument that anti-Zionism is not antisemitic will never make it true. Zionism means supporting the existence of the one Jewish state in the world as a Jewish state. Anti-Zionism, by definition, means you deny Jews the right to a state, which most every people from Italians to Russians to Brazilians enjoy. Many Americans criticize our government, but none would accept the ending of the U.S.A. as anything but hatred of our nation. We should not be bullied into conceding that anti-Zionism is anything but antisemitism, no matter how many thugs in pickup trucks make trouble in our cities while chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” If we are tone deaf to the meaning of our silence, know that Israelis in America and Israel hear it loud and clear — just ask them. So do Israel’s anti-Zionist enemies, whether on the streets of New

letters

Another Local Jewish War Hero Eddie Saslove lived at 2958 Monterey and went to Roosevelt, Durfee and Central High School. He was born in 1921. When war broke out, he applied to the Army Air Corps for pilot training and was rejected because he was missing some math. The Royal Canadian Air Force

JUNE 10 • 2021

York and Los Angeles, the battlefields of the Middle East or the halls of Congress. INTERSECTIONALISM I do sympathize with the bind that younger left-wing Jews are feeling. Over the last decade, the progressive coalition has made being anti-Zionist an entry requirement for membership in the intersectional club that fights against important issues such as racism, sexism, poverty and many other causes we value as Jews. It is hard enough during times of peace to balance our love of Israel with our commitment to the many social justice organizations that have been our allies on other fronts. But when rockets are striking kitchens, schools and buses across Israel, targeting and killing civilians, and when the Israeli military moves to end those strikes, as would any military on the planet, progressive Jews in America need to be more clear on our principles, not less. If that clarity means stepping in front of the speeding train that is the misleading intersectional narrative on Israel, so be it. Amanda Berman at Zioness has been one of the few progressive

accepted him, and he became a bomber pilot. He was shot down over Munich on Jan. 7, 1945. He kept his burning aircraft level so four crewmembers could bail out. Two gunners were too badly hurt to leave, so he stayed at the controls, rather than leave two men to certain death. The plane crashed in a field, killing all three. Another Jewish hero. — Martin Saslove Via the web

“IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROGRESSIVE SYNAGOGUES, AS WELL AS OUR MOVEMENT ORGANIZATIONS TO STEP UP AND CLEARLY DEFEND ISRAEL.” Jewish voices to truly stand by Israel’s side, and we should model after her courage and integrity. Will this stance mean that we are excluded from the progressive coalitions that we work with on so many other issues? That depends on the integrity of those communities. If they are comfortable choosing Hamas, of all organizations, as their latest darling, then I would suggest they do not deserve the tacit stamp of approval of the progressive Jewish community. Nothing could represent our principles less than a terrorist group that deliberately commits the patent war crime of targeting civilians with rocket attacks while also opposing every cause the intersectional community supports. From freedom of religion to

gay rights to women’s rights to the basic freedoms of democracy, Hamas ranks with the KKK or ISIS, and should be well beyond our red lines as liberals and liberal organizations. It may not feel like an easy path, but as a major force in American politics, it is the responsibility of progressive synagogues, as well as our movement organizations, to step up and clearly defend Israel. We all fly the Israeli flag from our buildings, and we all travel to Israel during peace times. But what do those mean if we don’t pick our own side when rockets are landing in our homeland?

Thanks for Rally Efforts

Douville (Walk for Israel) for their efforts.

Regarding the May 27 “Solidarity with Israel” article. Well deserved credit was given to ZOA-MI organizers Kobi Erez and Eugene Greenstein for their exceptional skills in putting the successful rally together so quickly. Please also add their team members Shel Freilich (ZOA-MI), Rev. Tim Munger (Friends of Israel) and Andre

Cantor Michael Smolash sits in the Stephen Gottlieb z”l Cantorial Chair at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, where he has served since 2004.

— Ed Kohl West Bloomfield

CORRECTION: Sari Zalesin, who was mentioned in “Specs Howard’s Legacy” (May 27, Page 54), made national history as the first female public addresser in the NHL for the Dallas Stars, not the Chicago Blackhawks as written.

MAX BROOCK BLOOMFIELD HILLS #1 AGENTS

MELANIE

BISHOP

“SOLD” is my middle name melaniesold@aol.com

248.867.7800

NOAH BISHOP-COHEN

The Next Generation Of “SOLD” MELANIE BISHOP ns.cohen26@gmail.com “SOLD” is my middle name

MELANIESOLD.COM NOAH BISHOP COHEN melaniesold@aol.com

The Next Generation of “SOLD” OVER $63 MILLION SOLD IN 2020! Your Area Residents & Experts.

WE SELL MORE! 248.867.7800 MelanieSold.com ns.cohen26@gmail.com

4130 Telegraph Rd. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

• Over $63 million SOLD in 2020! • We live & work in your area. • 2 top agents for the price of one! • Call now for a free market analysis. • It’s the right time to sell!

LUXURY LIVING IN GATED TURTLE LAKE

• Crain’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents in Michigan • Ranked in the Top 1/2 of 1% of Realtors Nationwide • Real Trends 500 America’s Best Real Estate Agents • Hour Detroit Real Estate All Stars • Recognized by The Wall Street Journal as Leading Top Producers

GILBERT LAKEFRONT

ALL SPORTS LAKE BUIDING SITE

UCED MAXREDBROOCK

DISTINCTIVE ARCHITECTURE

R E DU C E D

4130 Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield Hills MI 48302

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Renovated in 2020. 3755 sq. ft. plus fin. lower level, 3 bed, 4.2 baths. Sunlit & open with 2 story windows viewing outstanding entertainment patio with limestone fireplace. Exquisite mill work & fireplaces. Elegant master, newer appliances, grounds maintenance & 24 hr security.

$1,850,000

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

On a quiet cul-de-sac with 4 bed, 3 full, 2 half baths, 4060 sq. ft. Versatile floor plan and excellent condition. Newer kitchen, exquisite lakeside master with fireplace. Fabulous tranquil grounds. Newer roof, furnaces, a/c and more.

COMMERCE

Remarkable 3 acre building site with over 190’ of sandy clear waterfront on Long Lake. Plans available for 7600 sq ft home with walk-out lower level. 600’ long private drive to this waterfront paradise.

$1,299,000

$995,000

BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOLS 3322 sq. ft. plus finished walkout, 4 bedroom, 2 full & 2 half bathrooms, designed by muti award winning Ken Neumann. Open floor plan overlooking lush nature area. Travertine, hardwood, updated kitchen, fresh paint, well maintained.

$650,000

SERVING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS!

established 2013

Commercial and Residential Restoration Services WATER & flood

wind & storm

Fire & smoke

mold

personal prop erty

c al l us a t 800.7 99. 8560 | a v ail abl e 24 / 7/ 365 zolmanrestoration.com | 3285 Martin Road | Suite N-106 | Walled Lake, MI 48390 JUNE 10 • 2021

OUR COMMUNITY

Fighting Back

f you have supported Israel on your social media channels by posting an Israeli flag in your profile picture only to receive a barrage of unsolicited hateful messages in your Facebook inbox or Twitter feed, or if you have been ousted or silenced in online professional forum groups after offering counterpoints to anti-Israel or antisemitic posts, you are not alone. Following the 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas, acts of hatred toward American Jews — mainly online but also with physical attacks — have risen globally by 438%, according to the British Jewish agency Community Security Trust. The Anti-Defamation League in May documented “disturbing antisemitism” on multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. The group said its analysis of Twitter posts from May 7-14 found more than 17,000 tweets used variations of the phrase, “Hitler was right.” The ADL responded to the hatred by launching its #ActAgainstAntiSemitism online campaign and held an

How to combat misinformation about the Israel-Hamas conflict on social media. STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

online rally May 27 to provide the public with information. Carolyn Normandin, director of ADL Michigan region, said in the 10 days of the 11-day conflict, 14 incidents of hatred against Jews were filed to her local office. They include: • At a May 22 anti-Israel protest in Flint, a demonstrator held a sign demonizing Zionists that read, in part, “being pro-Zionist makes you pro-genocide & pro-apartheid.” • At a May 18 anti-Israel protest in Dearborn, a protester at a rally held a sign reading, “Zionists r modern-day Nazis.” • Restaurateur Jeremy Sasson was targeted by pro-Palestinian

activists who flooded Yelp with negative reviews. (See the story in the June 3 issue of the JN). Normandin said it is the ADL’s position to support Israel and a two-state solution. She labels as “extremely disturbing” the calls she’s receiving about Jewish people being blamed for the actions of the Israeli government and making statements like “Hitler was right” as a rationale to call for the end of the existence of the Jewish state. She urges anyone who has received or viewed hateful online messages about Jews or any minority group to contact the ADL and file a report. “It’s this vicious kind of ubiq-

uitous blame that right now is troubling,” Normandin said. “We have seen tremendous blame of Jews for all Israel’s policies. They are getting violent responses because they posted a statement in support of Israel or have been asked to leave online groups because they are Jewish.” Locally, Jews say they have seen an increase of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish posts on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The hateful rhetoric against Jews and Israel supporters lately has inundated every facet of life and is impacting all generations.

ANTI-ISRAEL ACTION IN ANN ARBOR At the University of Michigan, student Ben Moss of Bloomfield Hills serves on the Michigan Hillel governing board as communications officer and is charged with Benjamin coordinating proMoss gramming between Hillel and other student organizations across campus. On May 11, the U-M Central Student Government released a continued on page 16

JUNE 10 • 2021

Fighting Online Antisemitism • File a report with the AntiDefamation League (ADL) if you see hateful posts or images online. Michigan.adl.org or (248) 353-7553 • If you witness hateful actions or statements on campus, contact the campus Hillel to work through the student government or the university administration. • If you feel you have been silenced by professional organizations and Facebook groups regarding your proIsrael posts or reactions to anti-Israel posts, contact the organization and Facebook group administrator directly. • Become educated and trained on countering online hatred. Contact the Michigan Zionist Organization of America (mizoa.org), which plans to hold a training this summer; the Jewish Community Relations Council/ AJC ( jcrcajc.org); and the ADL (michigan.adl.org). • Carefully consider the accuracy of your own posts. Do your research. • Speak directly to a media outlet if you spot inaccuracies in its reporting on Israel.

OUR COMMUNITY continued from page 14

statement about the conflict that expressed complete solidarity with “indigenous” Palestinians, accused Israel of ethnic cleansing, and called for a divestment of all funding and academic collaboration with Israel. Moss, a junior, said it “caught the Jewish student body completely by surprise.” He and other Jewish students have created a petition to counter the statement and are asking the CSG for an apology. “The CSG is supposed to be representative of the entire student body on campus,” Moss said. “I understand if they want to take a stand for Palestinian voices, but the statement just stirred up a lot of anger because it was an uneducated opinion of a complex topic.” When Hillel attempted to approach the CSG on the statement, Moss said the organization did not view it as antisemitic. “There are some Jewish members of the CSG, but none of them were consulted on the statement before it was released,” Moss said. “All it did was stir the pot and spark other student organizations to share hateful, inaccurate and antisemitic messages while Hamas’ missiles were flying into Israel.” Looking ahead to the fall,

Moss, a student in the School of Kinesiology, hopes the incident can be used as a learning experience and create more dialogue between Hillel and other campus organizations. “There is a surprising amount of people posting things who are uneducated on the topic,” Moss said. “We need to do fewer things online and hope this semester we can have more in-person discussions and debates. Social media shares a lot of misinformation.” PROFESSIONAL BACKLASH Others have seen a backlash in professional online groups. Brooke Lipman Weingarden, 38, a physician who lives in Orchard Lake, belonged to a physician’s mother’s discussion group on Facebook with more than 70,000 members. Since the conflict, she said there seems to be a double standard from administrators moderating comments made by Palestinians and Jews. “The group is generally respectful of all cultures, but, lately, like everywhere, there have been many posts from

Palestinian members voicing their valid concerns about the conflict,” she said. “But if a Jewish member posts a comment of concern of antisemitism, their comments are removed, they are blocked from commenting and are eventually removed from the group.” Public school teacher Brooke Leiberman, 40, of Farmington Hills said she believes she and other Jewish teachers

rally. The event was coordinated by a partnership of the ADL, AJC, Hadassah, the Jewish Federations of North America and the

organizational and rabbinical bodies of Orthodox, Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist Judaism. Speaker after speaker assured Jews they are not alone in this fight against hatred and urged Americans to contact their representatives in Congress to urge action. For more information and a ready-to-use online

Act Against Antisemitism

On May 27, elected officials across the political spectrum, religious leaders of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, celebrities, ethnically diverse leaders and athletes alike spoke out against the troubling rise in hatred against Jews in “Act Against Antisemitism,” a global online

JUNE 10 • 2021

An example of the misinformation circulating on social media

were kicked out of a private Facebook group of Michigan educators called MI Core after they publicly contested that other teacher members were passing around infographics from a Palestinian organization supportive of the anti-Israel boycott, divest and sanctions (BDS) movement that alleged that millions of dollars were being siphoned from Michigan classrooms to buy weapons for Israel to kill Palestinians. The infographic content, which alleged that $96 million that could have been going to use in Michigan schools were instead being diverted to fund the Israeli military, was created by U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights. “The Palestinian movement is putting themselves into every activism cause,” Leiberman said. “They kicked me out of a teachers’ group because I was disputing misinformation. These are public school teachers who are upholding this false information being taken from pro-Palestinian organizations. There is no proof from the state that money is being taken from state funding to be sent to fund Israel military operations.” Educator and MI Core Facebook page administrator Maria Logrosso-Gaitens said there had been a misunderstanding and that people in the group were removed because

toolkit on this campaign, go toactagainstantisemitism.org. Roz Rothstein, co-founder and CEO StandWithUs, said the nonpartisan educational organization created an online emergency situation room to provide accurate information about the ongoing Israel/Hamas conflict. They also have links to letters urging Congress to sanction

they were screen-capturing private conversations and sharing them externally on social media. Lograsso-Gaitens said the infographic does not represent the views of MI Core and has since been removed. Nancy Harf, who has been a longtime volunteer and fundraiser in the Jewish community, said she was troubled that many of the small businesses in Detroit she likes to patronize came out in support of Palestinians without looking at the issue with nuance or balance. In the coming weeks, she hopes to make local business owners thinking about supporting BDS understand that by doing so, they will be supporting Hamas, recognized by the United States as a terrorist organization. “This is antisemitic, frightening and hurtful to the Jewish community, and it scares me to see how quickly this has taken off,” Harf said. “I think what needs to happen is instead of the back-and-forth yelling online, we have to visit businesses with information with a personal approach and educate them, and let them know that calling for a boycott of Israel is very hurtful language to their Jewish clients.” REACHING OUT TO NEIGHBORS Rabbi Asher Lopatin, director of Detroit’s Jewish Community

governments that support Hamas. “StandWithUs immediately mobilized our ‘Situation Room,’ which is based at our education center in Jerusalem,” Rothstein said. “Volunteers work around the clock with our social media team to counter misinformation propagated by anti-Israel groups as well as mistakes in

Relations Council/AJC, said he has had encouraging meetings with faith leaders who are standing in solidarity with their Jewish neighbors and are planning a rally to stop all forms of racial and religious hatred in the near future. The Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity, for which Lopatin serves as convener, came out with a strongly worded statement supporting Israel’s right to exist and defend itself “against terror organization Hamas, which seeks the total destruction of Israel” and an end to the loss of the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians. (See last week’s JN.) “We hope that (the upcoming anti-hate rally) leads to more of a dialogue and learning about Israel,” Lopatin said. “This is not about a war between Israel and the Palestinian people; it is a war between Israel and a terrorist organization. When people say Free Gaza, I say, ‘Yes, free Gaza from Hamas.” Kobi Erez, executive director of the Zionist Organization of America-Michigan, said that in the past it was easier to visibly stand up for Israel and that there always have been undercurrents of antisemitism domestically and globally. The ZOA blames the silence in the media as well as political leaders and fear of “cancel culture” for not taking a stronger stand against hatred geared toward

media reports. The Situation Room contains fact sheets, including important information about the contested Sheikh Jarrah Jerusalem neighborhood and Hamas, as well as informative videos and briefings.” Rothstein added that SWU’s college campus and high school directors are empowering students with

Jews and Israel. “Everyone is afraid of being canceled,” Erez said. “What’s particularly disheartening is the silence among Jewish leaders. I chalk this up to them feeling torn between the social justice groups that they typically support and their support for Israel. The ‘woke’ culture is against Israel so, sadly, the Jewish leadership is afraid to speak up for it.” To train others on how to counter hatred toward Jews and Israel, ZOA will be holding a virtual educational panel on the topic and will also stage a live rally later this summer. Details for both will be posted on the organization’s website at mizoa. org. Erez advises against Jews trying to counter-protest at the many planned pro-Palestinian rallies happening in Dearborn and across the region. “Though it is our right and often our responsibility to counter an unfair anti-Israel rally, at this time, we cannot, in good conscience, put anyone’s life at risk,” Erez said. “Jews are being assaulted all over the world right now. Hate crimes against Jews in London were up 500% (according to the nonprofit Community Service Trust). This is serious and, while it pains me to say it, we will not be organizing a counter rally.” Miles Eichenhorn, 22, of

West Bloomfield said he was alarmed at the social discourse and distorted and inaccurate information about Jews, Zionism and Israel in the form of memes and infographics appearing on his social media feeds. In a heartfelt Instagram video Miles post, he expressed Eichenhorn his feelings not to sway people one way or another about their opinions on the most current conflict, but instead to be very careful and to think and research things before people hastily share them on social media. “Jews, who have our own conflicted feelings about the conflict, don’t owe others a prefaced opinion nor should we be asked to condemn something before you respect us as human beings,” said Eichenhorn, a senior at New York University. “It is not wrong to want to wish for an improvement in the lives of Palestinians and recognize that the actions of the Israeli government may be wrong. But the idea that you saw a post that delegitimizes or demonizes the Jewish connection to the Land of Israel — you don’t know the source of that post, you have not done your own research on the history and you share it widely as fact, this is inappropriate.”

techniques on how to engage in difficult conversations with peers and family members. They are holding workshops on a variety of issues, including responding to the antiIsrael rhetoric and antisemitism encountered online and at school. To report a hate crime, either one witnessed or experienced online or live, contact

the ADL. It takes minutes to fill out an online anonymous complaint at www.adl. org. With data collected, the ADL states it has been able to help communities across the country by reporting on trends, educating lawmakers and law enforcement, and advocating for stronger protections from incidents and crimes. JUNE 10 • 2021

OUR COMMUNITY

United Against

ANTISEMITISM

A community-wide rally urges action against hatred. DAVID SACHS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

bout 200 people united on a very hot Sunday afternoon to show solidarity against a rising tide of antisemitism. The rally took place on June 6 on the west side of Orchard Lake Road north of 14 Mile in West Bloomfield. Representatives of a broad spectrum of the Jewish community led a united front against anti-Jewish bigotry and violence that is on the rise as tensions increase in the Middle East. Groups participating were the Jewish Community Relations Council/American Jewish Committee (JCRC/AJC), the Zionist Organization of America-Michigan Region (ZOA-MI), ADL Michigan, Hadassah Greater Detroit Chapter and the National Council of Jewish Women-Michigan Region (NCJWMI). “We stand together against antisemitism, and we stand together against hatred,” said Rabbi Asher Lopatin, the executive director of JCRC/AJC, noting that although all the sponsoring groups do

JUNE 10 • 2021

not agree on many issues, they are united in their desire to defend Jews. “All the groups here have passions for Israel and so many other things that are central to our lives. “This rally is about stopping Jew hatred, stopping antisemitism,” Lopatin said. “Before the Holocaust, there was not enough protest against antisemitism,” said Kobi Erez, executive director of ZOA-MI. “Jews were discriminated against. Their stores were boycotted. They were attacked in the streets. People, including some Jews, thought it would pass if they just stayed silent. “In the face of hate, in the face of antisemitism, the worst thing we can do is stay silent. We are here. We are proud to be Jewish. We are proud of our non-Jewish allies who showed up to support us today. “We stand up against hate against of any group, and we are standing up against hate against the Jewish people,” Erez said.

LEFT TO RIGHT: ZOA-MI President Sheldon Freilich expresses his Jewish pride. JCRC/ AJC President Seth Gould joins in singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Amy Cutler, president of NCJW-MI, thanks the attendees.

ZOA-MI President Sheldon Freilich, added, “Since the 1930s, we have not seen this kind of hatred, Jews attacked on the streets and graffiti defacing buildings. I’m a child of Holocaust survivors, and I’m scared of what’s going on in our United States of America. As Americans, we need to stand up and not accept this. “Many antisemites today view Israel as a reason to attack Jews. This is denounced by the internationally accepted definition of antisemitism. “Write to congressional leaders,” Freilich urged. “Write to the White House. Write to the media. They need to take action against antisemitism.” ‘ALL HATRED IS INTOLERABLE’ Seth Gould, president of JCRC/AJC, said, “We stand together against antisemitism and hatred of any kind — hatred against Jews, hatred against Muslims, hatred against Christians as well. On past occasions, Jews have marched for Black lives. We have marched and advocated against Islamophobia. For Asian lives, this year. All lives matter. All hatred is intolerable. “It is not OK to violate a Jewish place of worship or a Jewish-owned restaurant or a person who wears a kippah or a Jewish

ED KOHL

PHOTOS BY DAVID SACHS

star. We stand here today as proud Jews. “Hate against any one of us is hate against all of us,” Gould said. “The Jewish people know what it means to be silent to crimes against us. Today we say, we will not be silent. We will not bow to terror. Never again!” Carolyn Normandin, regional director of ADL Michigan said, “My office is getting incident after incident after incident reported. “Incidents of hate must be investigated and tracked, and we must use the data to tell people in Congress and every single living room that hate is hate — and targeting Jewish people for any reason because of their Jewishness is not allowed. “We must rise up,” she added. “Antisemitism will not be tolerated. To target someone for who they are is not activism — it’s antisemitism.” Fran Heiklen, president of Hadassah Greater Detroit Chapter, said Hadassah, among its many efforts to combat antisemitism, is promoting adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. (One aspect of the IHRA document draws the distinction between fair criticism of Israel and antisemitism.) Amy Cutler, president of NCJW-MI, said, “The number of antisemitic hate crime incidents growing to violence have increased dramatically in the past few

CLOCKWISE: Carolyn Normandin details the ADL’s efforts while Eugene Greenstein assists with the megaphone. Demonstrators hold signs that read “Stop Jew Hatred” and “Proud to Be Jewish.” Rabbi Asher Lopatin of JCRC/AJC says, “We stand together.” ZOA-MI board member Charles Greenberg and Executive Director Kobi Erez. Hadassah President Fran Heiklen addresses the rally.

years, and they affect every area of our lives, including workplaces, schools, college campuses and places of worship. “For 130 years, NCJW Michigan has been fighting against hate on behalf of people of many different racial, ethnic, national, religious and cultural backgrounds. We thank all of you who came out today and stand with us in solidarity to reject antisemitism and recognize that hateful and violent acts are never, ever acceptable.” Among the attendees was Rabbi Steven Rubenstein of Congregation Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield. During Shabbat services the previous day, he encouraged people to attend the rally and was pleased to see about 40 fellow congregants there. Rabbi “Statistics show we’re in Steven Rubenstein a particularly dangerous time,” Rubenstein told the JN. “I think it’s important for Jews to be together and to speak out and bring in other allies to speak against antisemitism. I’m really glad that people came.” JUNE 10 • 2021

Air Force Over-Head

OUR COMMUNITY

Head coverings led Jewish and Muslim captains from Detroit to form a fast friendship. BARBARA LEWIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

COURTESY OF YOSEF HOCHHEISER

Maysaa Ouza and Yosef Hochheiser

JUNE 10 • 2021

e’s a kippah-wearing Jew from Oak Park and she’s a hijab-wearing Muslim from Dearborn — and the friendship they have forged in the U.S. Air Force has a lot to do with religion. Yosef (Yossie/Joe) Hochheiser and Maysaa Ouza are both captains in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) corps of the U.S. Air Force. For Hochheiser, 38, it’s a part-time gig as a member of the Air Force Reserves. But most of his workweek is spent as a civilian domestic violence magistrate judge in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. In 2016, Hochheiser was doing his reserve duty at Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Ohio when he was asked to research the issue of providing a religious accommodation for a Muslim recruit who wanted to wear a hijab. Hochheiser himself had received a religious accommodation to wear a kippah when he joined up. Ouza, the daughter of Lebanese immigrants, was about to graduate from the University of Toledo law school when she applied to be a JAG officer. She requested a religious accommodation to wear the hijab, the headscarf that many Muslim women use to cover their hair. The Air Force told her she could request a religious accommodation only after

going through officer training school, which she would have to do without the hijab. This she did not want to do. Hochheiser worked on the matter during one of his oneweek periods of Reserves duty and submitted a report that said more research was needed on the issue. Then he forgot about it. Meanwhile, Ouza turned to the American Civil Liberties Union, which in 2015 had handled a case involving a Sikh man who needed an accommodation to wear a turban in the ROTC. A federal judge ruled that the Army could not deny him the accommodation. When the ACLU pointed out the similarity of Ouza’s case, the Air Force reconsidered and gave Ouza the religious accommodation before she commissioned. They also implemented a policy that should help them avoid such problems in the future. SEEDS OF FRIENDSHIP In 2018, Hochheiser was reassigned to the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. A few months later, he saw a piece produced for NBC’s Left Field about Muslims in the military. It focused on an active-duty Air Force JAG officer whose request to wear the hijab had led to a policy change. He thought it must

be the woman whose case he had researched. He emailed Ouza, who quickly responded. They email chatted about their experiences and their families and realized both had grown up in religious families in Detroit. They became Facebook friends. About a year ago, Ouza was reassigned to WrightPatterson; she and Hochheiser were excited to meet at last. But with Hochheiser on base only for short periods totaling about five weeks a year, and Ouza sometimes working away from the base, it took until last May for both to be there at the same time. Hochheiser was determined to record their first in-person meeting with a photo.

military within our community and our cultures,” Hochheiser said. “We were both raised in households where we learned to respect all people. We are more similar than we are different. So, while we don’t always agree, we still stand together.” Ouza agreed, saying diversity and inclusion builds a better national defense, “We are stronger when we recognize and honor one another’s different needs and experiences,” she said. Hochheiser, the son of Michael and Bracha Hochheiser, graduated from Yeshiva Beth Yehudah in Southfield, Touro College in Brooklyn and the Cleveland

“WE WERE BOTH RAISED IN HOUSEHOLDS WHERE WE LEARNED TO RESPECT ALL PEOPLE.” — YOSEF HOCHHEISER

Ouza went one better, putting a short video of the occasion on her TikTok feed, which has more than 114,000 followers. In the short video, Hochheiser gives Ouza his nametape — the strip of cloth with his name on it that the Air Force requires on uniforms and various pieces of equipment. He says he thinks of her as family; he feels Jews and Muslims are “cousins” descended from a common ancestor, Abraham. She addresses him as “my cousin, my brother, my Jewish brother.” Viewer comments on the TikTok have been overwhelmingly favorable, unlike those on the Left Field website, which Hochheiser described as “hateful.” “We both represent our culture and community within the military, and we represent the

Marshall College of Law. He lives in Beachwood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, with his wife, Rebecca Baum. He has a son, 15, and a daughter, 9. He says he and Ouza both like to take every opportunity they can to set a good example and to enlighten people about their backgrounds. He is often the first kippah-wearing Jew his colleagues have met. She is often the first Muslim. They have been the target of antisemitic and anti-Muslim attacks, but that only strengthens their resolve. “Diversity and inclusion is the only way to overcome hatred based on religion, creed, gender and sexual orientation,” Hochheiser said. “Such attacks have only motivated us to stand up, stand tall and stand together.”

New Leader at Yad Ezra DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

fter a thorough search, Yad Ezra hired Daniella HarPaz Mechnikov as the new executive director for the organization. She started the job June 1. Bringing more than 20 years of experience, Mechnikov will be responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the Berkleybased kosher food pantry. Other key duties will include fundraising, marDaniella keting and comMechnikov munity outreach. She will be replacing Lea Luger, who has worked at Yad Ezra since 1993. Luger will continue her support through the organization’s annual event on Sept. 1. “Having worked with Daniella for the past year, certainly during stressful times, I’ve seen someone who is very capable, who is passionate about the organization and the work we do, cares tremendously about the clients and volunteers, and has the ability to lead the organization into new and greater heights,” Luger said. Mechnikov is a former director of education at Congregation B’nai Moshe in West Bloomfield and Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy. She then left that world and started her own marketing company, K2M Creative Media, more than 10 years ago. Prior to being named executive director, Mechnikov served as a marketing consultant for Yad Ezra starting in February 2020. Before she could get her feet wet in

the position, the COVID19 pandemic hit. Yad Ezra quickly had to strategize how to get food to its clients, and Mechnikov quickly found herself with an important role. She helped brainstorm ideas for Yad Ezra’s COVID plans, then led the charge in managing the food delivery process, helping provide approximately 1,100 deliveries a month throughout the height of the pandemic. Thriving in an important role in the organization in such a tough time, Mechnikov gained a unique appreciation for Yad Ezra. “I found myself in love with this place and really connected to the staff,” she said. “We all bonded through this pandemic.” When Luger announced she was retiring, Mechnikov’s efforts made her an obvious candidate for the role. Now, having to build off what Luger built for so long and coming off the impact and unpredictability of a pandemic, Mechnikov realizes she has important shoes to fill and important work to do. “I am thrilled to be named Yad Ezra’s new executive director and look forward to collaborating with the board of directors and executive committee that give such staunch and committed support to this special organization,” Mechnikov said. “As we begin a transition to a post-pandemic set of processes and reality, I know that we will continue to provide much-needed food to our clients.” JUNE 10 • 2021

OUR COMMUNITY Danny Fenster’s parents, Rose and Buddy

Bring

Danny Home

Efforts to secure the release of American journalist held in Myanmar press forward. STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

COURTESY OF BRYAN FENSTER

JUNE 10 • 2021

s of JN press time, it has been over two weeks since the military junta in Myanmar detained journalist and Detroit native Danny Fenster, 37, at the Yangon International Airport May 24 as he was about to board a flight to Kuala Lumpur on the first leg of a journey back to see his family after being abroad for three years. Two weeks passed since Danny last texted his wife, Julianna, that she should call the U.S. Embassy there and that he was being detained at the airport. Since then, no one has heard from him or knows the status of his well-being. Fenster’s brother Bryan Fenster, 39, of Huntington Woods said he had heard nothing from the U.S. State Department or the U.S. Embassy in Myanmar since the first week, but he said his family’s spirits are “high” as they launched a media campaign, including a website and a growing Facebook group, “Bring Danny Home,” with more than 1,000 members to maintain awareness of Danny’s plight and offer support to his family. Bryan and Southfield-based Suite 104 Productions last week launched a website

(bringdannyhome.com) for the public to stay engaged with updates and action items. It is also a place to purchase a #BringDannyHome T-shirt with a logo designed by another friend, Robbie Biederman of Detroit. All sales proceeds will be held in a fund that will go to a charity of Danny’s choice once he is released and home. The Fensters and friends crafted letters that people can send to their elected officials in Congress as well as a MoveOn.org petition urging President Joe Biden and the U.S. Department of State to secure Danny’s release. The petition states: “The United States has a profound interest in preserving the freedom of the press worldwide in order to guarantee direct access to independent information for all people. As a nation that is deeply committed to protecting the freedoms, safety and human rights of its citizens, U.S. officials should be making every effort to ensure that Danny is returned home safely; now. We urge the Biden administration and U.S. Department of State to act with the utmost urgency to secure Danny’s immediate, unconditional, and safe release and

return to the United States. #BringDannyHome.” Fenster is managing editor of online magazine Frontier Myanmar and has worked to cover life in that country before and during the coup. On May 24, the publication released a statement that it believes Fenster is being detained at Insein Prison. According to reports from the New York Times, Insein (pronounced “insane”) is a 134-year-old prison notorious for harsh conditions and the ill treatment and torture of captives. Since the military junta took over the government in Myanmar in February, it has packed the circular-shaped prison to twice its capacity. Prisoners sleep on straw mattresses and food is often nothing more than rice contaminated with small stones. According to reports from the Washington Post, the military government of Myanmar routinely publishes lists of “wanted” journalists, accusing them of affecting “state stability.” It has detained more than 70 journalists. Fenster’s parents, Rose and Buddy Fenster of Huntington Woods, have made television appearances on several media outlets, including CNN, to publicly voice their plea for their son’s release. In an interview with the JN, Bryan said he, family and friends are trying to keep focused on creative ways to continue to tell Danny’s story. Bryan said many of Danny’s childhood and high school friends are working tirelessly to support his family and keep the spotlight on the journalist’s plight. Supporters include Jeffrey Nolish of Detroit. He and

Danny grew up together in Huntington Woods and reconnected when they were both attending separate colleges in Chicago. After graduation, they returned to Detroit in 2013 and lived together as roommates. Now, Nolish is doing his part by creating “The Danny Reader,” an online anthology of all of Danny’s writings as a journalist in Chicago, Detroit, Telluride and San Diego as well as his international coverage of stories in Thailand and Burma (Myanmar). “Danny is a gifted writer, a talented journalist and a storyteller who’s always had an interest in human rights and social justice,” said Nolish, who is policy director for Detroit Disability Power, a nonprofit that advocates for those with disabilities. “I wanted to compile some of Danny’s writing to showcase that voice and amplify it while we continue to advocate for his immediate and unconditional release.” Bryan said Fenster’s wife, Julianna Fenster, visits the prison daily, but her requests for permission to visit her husband or just to get a status on his well-being have all been denied. “Julianna is also in contact with the U.S. State Department,” Bryan said. “With [Myanmar] being 10 hours ahead, I speak to her first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. We are trying to coordinate our efforts and create certain relationships with all these people who are helping us. We just don’t want Danny to be forgotten or have his status slip from the news or from the front of people’s minds.”

The Masada is one of the places Birthright participants will vist.

Birthright Is Back MSU Hillel needs eight more people for Aug. 1-11 trip. BRIAN GOLDSMITH JN INTERN

fter a year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Birthright Israel is back. Michigan State Hillel is in need of participants for its Birthright Israel trip on Aug. 1-11. As of press time, only 13 students had signed up to participate in the MSU Birthright Israel trip. MSU Hillel is looking for eight more participants to fill the empty spots for the trip. The MSU Hillel will lead the Birthright Israel trip for college students 18-22 years of age. Twenty-two students will embark on the 10-day exploration of Israel’s holy land. The students will be accompanied by two Hillel staff members, three Israelis (one will be an armed security guard) and a tour guide. The trip will be held with a few precautions due to COVID-19 regulations. All participants must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination by uploading a photo of their vaccination card on the Israel Outdoors application. Next, travelers must be tested for COVID 72 hours before

the flight to Israel. After landing in Israel, travelers will be tested again. All COVID tests must yield a negative result to participate on the Birthright Israel trip. In July, restrictions will be updated further for the trip. Participants must also provide their own means of transportation to John F. Kennedy International Airport and arrive four hours before their flight. According to the World Health Organization, more than 10.5 million vaccine doses have been administered in Israel and 56.7% of the population is fully vaccinated (the highest vaccination rate in the world.) The August Birthright Israel trip will be advised by MSU birthright coordinator Mina Fedderly, a graduate of Bradley University, who traveled to Israel with the University of Minnesota Hillel along with her brother and cousin. If you or anyone you know may be in interested in the trip, visit Israeloutdoors.com/ msu to sign up or contact Mina Fedderly at mina@msuhillel. org. JUNE 10 • 2021

GARY KLINGER

SPORTS From left are West Bloomfield freshman baseball players Ari Klinger, Andre Landau and Max Gross.

Josh Goldberg

A Tale of Two Baseball Teams Coach, pitchers look to the future. STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

he North Farmington High School junior varsity baseball team didn’t win a lot of games this season. Neither did the West Bloomfield High School freshman baseball team. But at least there was a season, after spring sports were canceled last year by the Michigan High School Athletic Association because of the raging COVID-19 pandemic. And the young men on the North Farmington and West Bloomfield teams were able to

JUNE 10 • 2021

begin their quest to make it to the varsity baseball roster at their school. The North Farmington JV coach was Josh Goldberg, a 2020 Michigan State University grad whose first season ever as a coach was at his high school alma mater. “Surreal,” is how Goldberg described the experience. “I never intended to be a coach, at least not at this age (23),” he said. “But I really enjoyed the experience. It was fun. It was a familiar setting for

me. I knew a lot of the kids and their families. It felt like I was back in high school. “There were lots of learning experiences for us this season, both good and bad because of the pandemic. All will be beneficial.” Besides being not being too many years older than his players, Goldberg could relate to some of them in a different way. He didn’t play much on the North Farmington varsity baseball team when he was a junior. But he led the team in hitting when he was a senior, batting around .400 while catching and playing centerfield. The lesson for his young players who weren’t getting much playing time was never stop working and learning. RAIDERS’ HOT STREAK North Farmington finished 11-21. But the Raiders won eight of 11 games during a stretch in early May. “We put the ball in play, we talked on defense, our base running was good ... We did all the things we needed to do to win,” Goldberg said about the winning streak. North Farmington’s top pitchers were Jason Bedol, Jacob Berg and Henry Nathan, three of the seven Jewish players on the team. The other Jewish players were Josh Miller, Sam Melder, Adam Nothstine and Jack Schultz. Bedol was 3-2 on the mound with a 1.32 ERA. He walked seven and struck out 58 in 26 1/3+ innings. He also was the

team’s leading hitter with a .413 batting average. Berg was 2-4 with a 4.28 ERA. He struck out 49 in 36 innings. Nathan was 3-3 with a 5.77 ERA. He struck out 28 in 26⅔ innings. So what’s next for Goldberg after his first foray into coaching? Armed with a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in sports management from Michigan State, he hopes to land a job with a professional sports team, preferably in baseball or basketball. He has a particular interest in designing and marketing uniforms.“It’s a niche, but it’s a passion,” he said. LAKERS’ ARMS Over at West Bloomfield, the freshman baseball team went 8-18 this spring, but the record is a bit deceiving. Six of the losses were to powerhouse Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and the Grosse Pointe South junior varsity team. And after starting the season 0-10, the Lakers turned things around and went 8-8 the rest of the way. “The kids stayed positive all year, even during that tough start,” said West Bloomfield coach Ken Rys. “They brought energy every day.” West Bloomfield’s top pitchers were Ari Klinger and Andre Landau. Max Gross was the Lakers’ catcher when he wasn’t pitching. The trio combined for all eight West Bloomfield pitching victories.

“THERE WERE LOTS OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR US THIS SEASON, BOTH GOOD AND BAD BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. ALL WILL BE BENEFICIAL.” — RAIDERS’ JOSH GOLDBERG

“Ari [Klinger] threw strikes. That’s the single most important thing for a pitcher in freshman baseball,” Rys said. “He was very efficient with his pitches, and he was a bulldog. He finished every game he pitched, whether he started or relieved. I can remember only one ball hit hard off him all season.” Klinger was 2-2, but with an 0.99 ERA. He allowed only 12 hits and three earned runs, struck out 25 and walked 11. Landau is a hard thrower, Rys said. “It was exciting watching Andre pitch,” he said. Landau’s best game on the mound was a one-hitter he threw in a 3-1 victory over Birmingham Seaholm. The only run he allowed to the Maples was unearned. He went 4-1 for the season with a 2.81 ERA. He was the winning pitcher in half of West Bloomfield’s victories. He walked 17 and struck out 38. “Our games had a different feel when Ari and Andre pitched,” Rys said. Landau moved behind the plate when Gross pitched and he used Gross’ catching equipment. “Andre threw a few runners out trying to steal. He has a gun for an arm,” Rys said. Gross became a part of the pitching rotation as the season wore on, Rys said, and was effective because he pitched to contact.He was 2-2 with a 3.57 ERA. He walked eight and struck out 12. He’s the son of Daniel Gross, cantor at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. Klinger played second base or third base when he wasn’t pitching. Landau also played at third base when he wasn’t on the mound.

HEALTH

Men’s Health Week

Three fun events will remind men to resume doctor checkups. DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

ontinuing a legacy of spotlighting men’s health needs and honoring prostate cancer survivors for Men’s Health Week, the MIU Men’s Health Foundation will host three events supporting those efforts. This year, the focus for the week is getting men back to the doctor and reinforcing the importance of regular checkups with so many people delaying their regular preventative care in the past 15 months because of COVID. “The COVID pandemic had a significant impact across the globe, and there’s evidence that there’s over 20 million screening opportunities missed this past year due to COVID,” said Dr. Michael Lutz, founder of the MIU Men’s Health Foundation. “It’s really important that we get all these men back into the fold and resume their proper screening and healthcare opportunities,” Lutz said. Kicking off Men’s Health Week will be the Cogs & Kegs event, bringing cyclists together for a group ride through Metro Detroit, starting and ending at Griffin Claw in Birmingham on Monday, June 14. The event raises awareness for men’s health-related issues and recognizes first responders and the increased health risks their careers impose, especially during the pandemic. The 30-mile ride begins at

Dr. Lutz at a previous MIU event.

6:30 p.m. and the 10-mile ride at 7 p.m. To join either ride, cyclists can register online for $30. Cyclists who register the day-of will pay $35. The event will begin with basic health screenings, including blood pressure and BMI assessments, and Kroger will be providing free COVID-19 vaccinations on site. The 13th annual Run for the Ribbon Gala is being reimagined this year at TopGolf in Auburn Hills on Thursday, June 17. Attendees can enjoy three hours of golf, dinner, beer and wine, live music and more. Tickets can be purchased online for $149 for an individual ticket or $900 for six tickets. All money raised will fund critical health assessments at the Men’s Health Event held in the fall to screen for prostate cancer and provide other vital tests. Men’s Health Week will culminate with the Run

for the Ribbon: Stroll for Survivorship on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 20. Held on Father’s Day at the Detroit Zoo since 2009, the Run for the Ribbon attracts more than 1,500 survivors and supporters to run or walk each year in honor of loved ones in their journey of prostate cancer survivorship. The event this year will be held as a stroll through the zoo, starting at 8 a.m. All stroll participants should register at www. MIURunfortheRibbon.org. The entry fee is $30 and covers the stroll, a performance shirt, refreshments and admission to the Detroit Zoo on the day of the event. All money raised will fund critical health assessments at the Men’s Health Event held in the fall to screen for prostate cancer and provide other vital tests. For information, visit miumenshealthfoundation.org/calendar. JUNE 10 • 2021

MAZEL TOV! Bradley Evan Bellinger will chant from the Torah on the occasion of his bar mitzvah on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. He will be joined in celebration by his proud parents, Amy and Craig Bellinger, and sister Sydney. Bradley is the loving grandchild of Diane Linick, the late David Linick, and Sharon and Bill Bellinger. He is a student at Clifford Smart Middle School in Commerce Township. Bradley volunteered at the Free Fresh Food Pantry at Temple Israel as part of his most meaningful mitzvah project. Sean Benjamin Borlack, son of Hilary and Scott Borlack, will lead the congregation in prayer as he becomes a bar mitzvah on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. He is the loving grandchild of Carole and the late Saul Borlack, and the late Joyce and Steve Bell. Sean is a student at West Bloomfield Middle School. As part of his mitzvah project, he volunteered to assist the elderly with yard work, including leaf raking, stick and branch cleanup, and weed removal.

Samson Green will chant from the Torah on the occasion of his bar mitzvah Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. He will be joined in celebration by his proud parents, Michelle and Eugen Green, and brother Maxwell. Samson is the loving grandchild of Ervin and the late Linda Green, and Ping and Stanley Chiu. Samson is a student at Bloomfield Hills Middle School. For his mitzvah project, he raised funds for the Miracle League of Southfield, which is home to Michigan’s first baseball field for children with any physical or cognitive disability, offering the true Major League experience. Hannah Grubbs (Chana) of West Bloomfield will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah on Saturday June 12, 2021, at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. She is the daughter of Ashley and Jim Grubbs and the sister of Brodie, Chase and Grayson. Grandparents are Susan and Neil Kahn, and Gwen and the late David Grubbs. Hannah is a seventhgrader at West Bloomfield Middle School. For her mitzvah project, she is collecting items for those staying with the Ronald McDonald House Detroit Charities.

Eli Mitchell Haenick will chant from the Torah as he becomes a bar mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, June 12, 2021. He will be joined in celebration by his proud parents, Liz and Marty Haenick, and brother Benjamin. Eli is the loving grandchild of Dr. Ervin and the late Linda Green, and Anita and Dr. Edward Haenick. He is a student at Birmingham Covington School. As part of his mitzvah project, Eli will be donating funds to Canines for Disabled Kids. Ariella Sage Kramer will lead the congregation in prayer as she becomes a bat mitzvah on Friday, June 11, 2021, at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. She will be joined in celebration by her proud parents, Ali and Evan Kramer, and brother Zimry. She is the loving grandchild of Carol Rosenfeld, Lois Goldman, Janet and Gary Kramer, and the late Jerry Rosenfeld. Ariella is a student at Berkshire Middle School in Beverly Hills. For her mitzvah project, she partnered with the Oakland County Poverty and Homelessness Task Force to collect baby and young children’s items, which were delivered to underserved families in Pontiac at the Phoenix Community Fund.

HOW TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS Mazel Tov! announcements are welcomed for members of the Jewish community. Anniversaries, engagements and weddings with a photo (preferably color) can appear at a cost of $18 each. Births are $10. There is no charge for bar/bat mitzvahs or for special birthdays starting at the 90th. For information, contact Editorial Assistant Sy Manello at smanello@thejewishnews.com or (248) 351-5147 for information or for a mailed or emailed copy of guidelines.

JUNE 10 • 2021

Talia Benét Sardy will lead the congregation in prayer as she becomes a bat mitzvah on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. She will be joined in celebration by her proud parents, Elyssa and Joseph Sardy, and brother Mazin. Talia is the grandchild of Ghoussoun and the late Joe Sardy, Belinda Glickoff Morales and the late Bernard Stein, and the great-grandchild of the late Rae Glickoff. Talia is a student at Birmingham Covington School. As part of her most meaningful mitzvah project, she volunteered for Jewish Federation of Detroit’s Service with Purpose program. She focused on raising funds for Brilliant Detroit along with collecting children’s books and personal hygiene products. She collected more than 1,000 books. Ryan Ari Schwartz will become a bar mitzvah at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield on Saturday, June 12, 2021. He will be joined in celebration by his proud parents, Laurel and Joel Schwartz, and sister Carly. Ryan is the loving grandson of Carolyn and Mitchell Simmer, the late Corinne Schwartz, and the late Robert and Rosalyn Schwartz. He is a student at Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit in Farmington Hills. For his most meaningful mitzvah project, Ryan volunteered at the Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield helping kids with the various sports programs and becoming a friend and a role model.

Ari Jonathan Sklar of Huntington Woods will become a bar mitzvah at Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township on Saturday, June 12, 2021. He is the son of Michael Sklar and Elizabeth Rowin,

the brother of Noah, and the grandson of Judith Sklar, the late Dr. Nelson Sklar, and the late Gerald and Helen Rowin. Ari is an eighth-grader at Norup International School in Oak Park. For his mitzvah project, he tutored younger students.

Hechler 95th

ark Hechler will celebrate his 95th birthday on June 20, 2021, with family and friends. He is a World War II veteran and is still involved in many activities with friends. He and his wife, Rose, have been married for 73 wonderful years and are still going strong. He has two daughters, Ellen and Andi, a son-in-law, Mark, and five grandchildren. He especially enjoys playing cards with his grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.

Brendan Simmons Congratulations Brendan, we know your future will be as bright and fun as you are. Love Nana and Papa.

Kayla Kapen Congratulations on graduating from JCLP at the University of Michigan School of Social Work with an MSW. You’ve accomplished great things, you’ll accomplish even greater things, and we are all so very proud of you. Mazal Tov! Love, Mommy, Abba, Savta, Saba, Grandma Barbara, Don, Pa, Bubbie, Leah, and Josh (and everybody else)

Keyes Real Estate Throughout South Florida, Including Boca, Boynton, Delray, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties

Let Old Friends be your Michigan-Florida Connection Nina Spinner-Sands

Rita Morse

(954) 290-8293

(305) 609-7559

NinaSpinner-Sands@keyes.com RitaMorse@keyes.com

Foon 90th

ita Foon turned 90 on June 4, 2021. She is the daughter of the late Sara and Harry Lipschutz, sister of the late Gloria (late Jack) Smith; the wife of the late Edward. She has three children, Steven (Eileen) Foon, Karen (Irwin) Danto and Debbie (Alan) Strickstein. Her grandchildren are Mike (Samantha) Foon, Joel (Devonie) Danto, Ryan (Lauren) Strickstein, Elliot (Lacey) Foon, Lauren (Nick) Hartig and Ashley (Nathan) Silverman. Great-grandchildren are Lainie and Ellie Strickstein, Riley and Easton Foon, Phoebe and Eloise Foon, Eden and Isla Silverman, and Ezra Danto. The family celebrated at a family dinner.

BUY • SELL • INVEST

Estate Property Sales from Listing to Clean-Out!

Director of Philanthropic Services The Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo (JFGT) is seeking a Director of Philanthropic Services (DPS) to be part of its Endowment team. Reporting to the Director of the Toledo Jewish Community Foundation, a division of JFGT, the DPS will provide operational support to the Toledo Jewish Community Foundation in the key areas of board and committee staffing, stewardship of fund distributions, marketing of needs and opportunities, and planning and development of donor events. The successful candidate will be an innovative leader and a team player, with strong interpersonal skills and a desire to cultivate relationships at all levels. The DPS is a full-time, non-exempt employee of JFGT. For complete job description and application information, go to www.jewishtoledo.org/career-center. JUNE 10 • 2021

ERETZ

Aviv Ezra

Ceasefire Holds but Issues Remain Unresolved Departing Israeli Consul General says speaking out for Israel and stable Israeli government are critical. DON COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

hen I spoke with Aviv Ezra, Israel’s consul general to the Midwest, it was Day 2 of what would become the 11-Day “Operation Guardian of the Walls,” which began in response to Hamas rockets flying toward Jerusalem. During the past 48 hours, a thousand rockets had been fired at Israel and Ezra’s 80-year-old parents were in a bomb shelter as were a million other Israelis. Though he described the present as “extremely tense,” he was optimistic about the future. “We are very focused on the terrible events going on, but we have to zoom out to see the full situation,” he told me. “We have a strong, sovereign, independent Jewish state. We will continue to strive and succeed, and we will overcome this.” Ezra, who is completing five years as consul general in July, will soon be returning home after 14 years representing Israel in the

JUNE 10 • 2021

United States in a variety of capacities. He’s seen a lot and shared some of his thoughts. Asked if the operation was another instance of “mowing the lawn,” a term that refers to periodic Israeli military action to degrade Hamas’ ability to harm Israel, Ezra doesn’t think so. “This is different because red lines were crossed,” he says, noting quantity and quality of the rockets being fired, and that some were being shot at Jerusalem. “We are dealing with a radical murderous regime in Hamas. You cannot seek an equilibrium with an entity that vows in its charter to annihilate you,” he says. “The cabinet will have to make a decision to kick the can down the road or confront the challenges.” SOMETHING TROUBLING AND NEW Stopping Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups is something Israel has been engaged in for decades, but

the riots that broke out in Israel, particularly in mixed Arab-Jewish towns, was something different and new. “It is disappointing and frustrating, and I am extremely concerned about it,” Ezra says. “The feeling was that we are making dramatic progress in assimilating Arabs into Israeli society. Not that they all need to become Zionists, but we have been getting to the point where they are part of the living fabric of what Israel is about. “[Israeli Arabs] have complaints, as do many Jewish Israelis, but there is a process to follow. It is wrong to taint all Israeli Arabs as radicals. The majority are peace-loving people and oppose it, but there is indifference and silence from those against it. This problem will linger way after the rockets stop.” Asked about Israelis targeting Arabs, he explained, “Radicals can be on either side, but the issue is not the actions of the radicals but the response by leadership,” noting that Israel had spoken out and taken action to stop them, while the Palestinian Authority had not done the same about theirs. Hamas and its radical supporters “are looking for an excuse to exploit and explode the situation, and it is civilians in Israel and Gaza who are paying the price,” he said. He is disheartened by the coverage of the conflict, and while it’s not a new problem, it hasn’t been getting any better. While he doesn’t like or accept it, he understands it. “There is a lot of fake news,” he says, “and there is not an in-depth understanding of what is happening today. There is a learning curve to know what is going on and why. “There are a lot of other global problems. There is a pandemic. There are other things on their minds,” he says. To understand what is going on “you have to understand Hamas. You can’t just read 140 characters or use a single shot of footage to understand the whole story. If so, you’ll get it wrong, and that is what is happening.” SPEAK OUT FOR ISRAEL To counter this lack of knowledge, he urges the pro-Israel community to speak out. “We need to be more active and take a stand. Indifference is very dangerous,” he says, noting that Palestinians and their supporters are active online in a way that Jews and pro-Israel voices are not.

OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90 VIA JTA

CDC Issues New Guidelines for Camps

Israeli security forces clash with protesters during a protest against Israel’s plan to evict Palestinians from the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah on May 10, 2021.

“Say it with a clear voice, a proud voice,” he urges. “Stand up and say, ‘We support Israel.’” He finds the same problem on college campuses. “The major, major challenge I find is that the pro-Israel side does not respond,” he says of his experiences on campuses throughout the Midwest. “We do not promote our narrative enough.

Emirates and Bahrain, and normalization with Morocco and Sudan. “Building bridges is doable,” he says. “We’ve proven it. But while we are investing in peace, [Hamas] is investing in war. The Jewish community and like-minded countries and individuals should stand up and say it.” Ezra shares the Israeli con-

“WE NEED TO BE MORE ACTIVE AND TAKE A STAND. INDIFFERENCE IS VERY DANGEROUS.” — AVIV EZRA

“We need to zoom out to provide context and understanding. For example, they say we are not indigenous to the region, but the Jews are indigenous. We need to explain the essence of the Jewish people having a state. It’s not just military might; it is historical right. These things are not clear, understood or even known. “We have been working for the last few decades on an optimistic future for the Middle East,” Ezra says, citing the Abraham Accords that brought peace agreements with the United Arab

sensus that his country needs a stable government, but there is was no consensus at first on who will form it and comprise it and, as a result, Israelis faced the quandary of elections for the fifth time in two and a half years. “It’s not fair to the blame Israel’s political leaders for the fact that Hamas is firing thousands of rockets at us, but we need a stable government sooner rather than later,” he says. “Without it, we have no policies, no direction, no priorities and no budget. We need it immediately.”

Vaccinated kids at summer camps can skip wearing masks outdoors, with some exceptions, according to updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines announced in late May. Staff and campers who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks at camp, except where required by law. Children who aren’t fully vaccinated should still wear masks outside when they’re in crowds or in sustained close contact with others — and when they are inside, the CDC guidelines said. Camps likely will have mixed groups of vaccinated and unvaccinated kids and should be prepared to have mask and distancing guidelines in place, CDC officials said. The new guidance also says social distancing —

staying 3 to 6 feet from others — is recommended for the unvaccinated, but not for the vaccinated. As of late May, about 2.5 million of the roughly 17 million U.S. kids ages 12-16 had gotten at least one shot. A second dose is required three weeks after the first, and then it takes two more weeks before the vaccine fully takes effect. That means that it will be mid-summer before kids in that age bracket are fully vaccinated. When that happens, “it’s going to be a camp experience that is much more like [before the pandemic],” said Erin Sauber-Schatz, who leads the CDC task force that prepares recommendations designed to keep Americans safe from COVID-19.

JWF Applications Are Open The Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metro Detroit is accepting applications for its 2021 grants cycle. JWF supports programs, projects and initiatives that advance social change by expanding opportunities for Jewish women, their families and community. It considers requests for single-year funding on a year-to-year basis, with a maximum grant amount of $20,000. Its 2021 Grants Cycle is designed to respond to needs that have been highlighted by the COVID19 pandemic. It will give special consideration to

programs that increase women’s economic security through childcare, pay equity, leadership development or other systemic approaches; respond to or prevent domestic abuse; improve women’s mental well-being; and specifically address the needs of underserved or vulnerable communities. In addition to discrete programs, it will offer infrastructure and/or capacity building support when it is aligned with JWF’s mission and values. Applications are due July 1. More information is available at jwfdetroit.org/ apply-for-a-grant.

JUNE 10 • 2021

YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90

ERETZ

Who is

Naftali Bennett, Israel’s (likely) Next Prime Minister? GABE FRIEDMAN JTA

Editor’s Note: As of press time, no announcement of a new Israeli prime minister has been made official, although a vote to elect Naftali Bennett must be taken by June 14.

enjamin Netanyahu may likely no longer be prime minister of Israel. So who will be the next person to lead the Jewish state? The answer will likely be Naftali Bennett, a former Netanyahu ally who supports many of his right-wing policies and is a longtime, staunch advocate for Israel’s West Bank settlements. Like Netanyahu, he opposes Palestinian statehood, and at times he has been to Netanyahu’s right. Bennett, 49, would break some boundaries. He would be Israel’s first Orthodox Jewish prime minister and the country’s first leader born of American parents. He would also be the first prime minister to have become rich in the tech sector. Bennett is slated to become prime minister under an emerging, fragile coalition deal that has seen Israeli parties team up across

JUNE 10 • 2021

the political spectrum with the sole aim of ousting Netanyahu, who has been prime minister for 12 years. Under his deal with centrist Yair Lapid, Bennett would serve as PM for two-plus years, then Lapid would rotate into the role. He would also become prime minister as the head of an historically small party. In Israel’s most recent election, Bennett’s party won only seven of the Israeli parliament’s 120 seats. Of course, the whole thing could fall apart: The parties, which span from left to right, Jewish to Arab, have no shared vision for the 73-year-old nation. Here’s what you need to know about the likely next prime minister, from his past in the United States to his vision for West Bank annexation in the future, before he (potentially) takes office. AMERICAN-ISRAELI BACKGROUND Bennett was born in Haifa to American immigrants from San Francisco and lived in the United States and Canada for a time as a child before the family returned perma-

Naftali Bennett gives a press conference at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, April 21, 2021.

nently to Israel. Like Netanyahu, he speaks fluent English with barely any accent. Bennett recalls that he became Orthodox as a child, after attending a Chabad preschool while his family lived for a time in Montreal. As an adult, he is Modern Orthodox and wears a kippah — if he becomes prime minister, he would be the first to do so regularly. He lives in Raanana, a suburb of Tel Aviv. After serving in the Israel Defense Forces, Bennett earned a law degree and entered the tech industry, moving to New York City. He co-founded a successful fraud detection software company, Cyota, and sold it in 2005 for $145 million. Back in Israel, after leaving the tech world, Bennett got involved in rightwing politics. He quickly rose to become Netanyahu’s chief of staff, from 2006-2008, when Netanyahu was the leader of the opposition in the Knesset. He left the role — reportedly in a spat with Netanyahu — and became the director of the Yesha Council, the umbrella organization representing Israeli settlements. In 2012, he won the primaries of Jewish Home, a right-wing, religious Zionist party. In Knesset elections the following year, Jewish Home quadrupled the size of its delegation, winning 12 seats in the 120seat Knesset, and Bennett became Israel’s economy minister in a government led by

PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD, WEST BANK ANNEXATION Bennett is an unabashedly hawkish religious Zionist who has long opposed Palestinian statehood, citing what he deems Israel’s security concerns. Early in his political career, he vowed to do “everything in my power” to make sure Palestinians can’t establish an independent state. If he had his way, Bennett would also immediately annex much of the West Bank to Israel. Netanyahu also flirted with West Bank annexation but demurred

from the idea due to opposition from the Trump administration. Because his potential coalition includes left-wing parties, Bennett won’t be able to annex any of the West Bank under the incoming government. ECONOMICS On the economic front, Bennett advocates for free-market reforms, particularly in Israel’s expensive housing market: He is against regulation, taxes and other restrictions on business. He is a proponent of widening Israel’s network of trade partners around the world, including in emerging markets and in smaller countries with newer relationships with Israel. CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS The outspoken politician has been criticized for his inflammatory rhetoric about Arabs and Palestinians. In 2013, Bennett called for killing Arab terrorists who have killed Jews, instead of imprisoning them. “I have killed lots of Arabs in my life — and there is no prob-

Isaac Herzog Elected Israel’s 11th President YORI YALON AND DANIELLE ROTH-AVNERI JNS.ORG

The Knesset on June 2 elected Jewish Agency for Israel chairman Isaac Herzog as Israel’s 11th president. The vote was conducted in a special session during which Knesset members cast secret ballots for either Herzog or Israel Prize laureate Miriam Peretz. The previous day, each candidate had arrived at the Israeli parliament with teams of up to 50 relatives, friends and professionals, who lobbied members to vote for them. Ahead of the vote, Knesset

lem with that,” he said at the time. He has also said there is no perfect “solution” to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, and compared it to an ongoing irritation, like “shrapnel in the buttocks.” He has urged Netanyahu to attack Hamas more aggressively in Gaza as well. In 2019, he said Netanyahu had “failed against Hamas in Gaza” for a decade and criticized Israel’s policy of “containment.” Recently, though, he said addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be a lower priority than addressing the pandemic recovery. “In the next years we need to put aside politics and issues like annexation or a Palestinian state, and focus on gaining control over the coronavirus pandemic, healing the economy and mending internal rifts,” he said in November.

Speaker Yariv Levin reviewed the secret-ballot procedure, while Herzog and Peretz watched the proceedings from a special area of the plenum. Knesset Secretary Yardena Meller-Horowitz invited each MK, alphabetically by last name, to cast his or her vote behind a curtain. All had the option of casting a white ballot, meaning a vote for neither candidate. Once the voting was over, Levin announced a recess for the votes to be tallied. The ballot box was taken

OTHER POLICIES As an observant Orthodox Jew, Bennett is against same-sex marriage. However, he is slightly more liberal on the issue than some of his Orthodox peers in YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90

Netanyahu. Since then, Bennett has served in various cabinet positions under Netanyahu alongside his longtime political partner, Ayelet Shaked — as diaspora affairs minister, education minister and defense minister. He later split from Jewish Home and now heads a right-wing party called Yamina. Last year, after an uneasy alliance with Netanyahu, Bennett broke with the prime minister and last week announced that he would ally with Lapid.

Israeli President-elect Isaac Herzog at the Knesset in Jerusalem on the day of the election, June 2, 2021.

into a separate room where members of the Knesset Ballot Committee — MK David Bitan (Likud), Yosef Taieb (Shas), Emilie Moatti (Labor) and Yoel Razvozov (Yesh Atid) — performed the

politics, saying that he would allow for tax breaks for same-sex couples. As education minister, Bennett was criticized for attempting to insert religious content into Israel’s secular public-school curriculum. Bennett also voted for a controversial law that defined Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, which critics called damaging to Israel’s multiethnic democracy. Following the law’s passage, however, Bennett acknowledged that the law hurt non-Jewish Israelis who serve in the Israeli military, such as Druze Israelis. “It has become clear that the manner in which the NationState Law was enacted is very damaging — especially to them and to anyone who has tied his fate to the Jewish state,” Bennett said in 2018 after meeting with Israeli Druze leaders. “This, of course, was not the intention of the Israeli government. These are our brothers who stand shoulder to shoulder with us on the battlefield and made a covenant with us — a covenant of life.” count. The president-elect is not sworn in on the day of the voting. Incumbent President Reuven Rivlin will remain in office until July 9. His successor will be sworn in closer to that date. “At this time of disputes, I am making a big effort to ensure that the presidential election takes place in a good atmosphere and in a way in which the president who is elected will be welcomed by everyone,” Levin told Israel Hayom. Herzog is the son of the late Chaim Herzog, who — among other illustrious posts — served as Israel’s sixth president from 1983 to 1993. JUNE 10 • 2021

THEY’RE YOUR METROPARKS. LET’S PARTY! HALF OFF WEEKDAY RENTALS BOOK NOW

METROPARKS.COM

FREE Y DELIVER

IMMUNIZ AND S ATIONS SHOTS AHINGLES VAILABL E

10%

SENIOR CITIZ Not Valid on

EN DISCO

PrescriptionsUNT

MAPLE PHARMACY MAKE MAPLE PHARMACY… YOUR PHARMACY! Maple Pharmacy offers: • Low Price Medications • 90 Day Supplies • Durable Medical Equipment • Diabetic Supplies

ring Now offe a rn e d o the M COVID Vaccine!

• Natural Supplements, Vitamins and Nutraceuticals • Compounding bio-identical hormones, pain creams & other medications • Blister Packaging Available

5829 Maple Rd. Ste. 129 West Bloomfield, MI 48322

248.757.2503

www.maplepharmacyrx.com

OUR MISSION IS TO BRING SERVICE BACK TO PHARMACY FOR A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER YOU!! 32

JUNE 10 • 2021

SPIRIT

TORAH PORTION

Arguing for Heaven’s Sake

mong the many gifts read that for three years Hillel Judaism offers us are and Shammai argued over a two seemingly contramatter of Jewish law. Then, “a dictory notions. The first gift is Divine voice emerged and profuture-oriented: When the mes- claimed: Both these and those sianic era arrives, all humanity are the words of the living God.” will unite behind shared truths In a profound moment, God and peace among peoples will declares that two versions of prevail. In those times truth can indeed exist side even “the wolf shall by side. God gives Hillel and dwell with the lamb; Shammai the permission to the leopard (will) lay agree to disagree. down with the kid ... Nevertheless, even when And the lion, like the both versions of truth hold ox, shall eat straw” Rabbi Aaron merit, followers of Jewish Starr (Isaiah 11:6-7). The gift law require a path foris the confident hope ward. As such, the Talmud Parshat in the attainability of instructs us that, by and Korach: quiet, contentment, rest large, Jewish law follows the Numbers 16:1from our journeys, and teaching of Hillel because 18:32; cessation of suffering. Hillel displayed pleasantI Samuel The second gift is 11:14-12:22. ness, humility and respectfocused on the presfully brought forward its ent. Until that time opponent’s finest points. of Messiah, we all must learn Hillel “fought” not just fairly, but how to fight with each other with civility. with decency. God demands Judaism assures us that better that individual arguments must days are ahead. However, until proceed with civility, and we’re the time of the Messiah, nations commanded to overcome our must learn to live alongside animal instincts and build a other nations, and individuals society to make God proud. must learn to live alongside This week’s portion offers an other individuals. example of fighting that fails to We must balance truth and pass the test of divinecompassion. Our demeanordered civility. To explain the or must be pleasant and our swift and significant punishapproach humble. We must give ment rendered by God against the benefit of the doubt and, in Korach and his followers, our so doing, we consider even and rabbis teach that Korach and especially the finest points they company challenged Moses’ make. leadership under false pretenses. May we strive to behave like Selfishness and greed fueled Hillel. With prayers for a better their complaints; gossip and tomorrow, we do what we can slander powered as their grievtoday to achieve civility in our ances. times: to utilize with pride and In contrast to Korach’s joy the gifts that Judaism gives rebellion, our rabbis offer the us. ongoing debates between the Rabbi Aaron Starr is spiritual leader schools of Hillel and Shammai of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in as fulfillment of God’s expectaSouthfield. tions of us. In the Talmud, we

mourns the loss of our friend

Alene Landau of blessed memory May her memory be a blessing to her children, Julee Landau Shahon and Dr. Robert Shahon, Irving Marc Landau and Denise Landau, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family, and to our entire community.

we remember & mourn a true friend of the jewish hospice and chaplaincy network

ALENE LANDAU

Z ’L

a generous philanthropist to jewish causes here and abroad. Alene was a kind-hearted, innately smart and down-to-earth woman who offered the most amazing advice. Her Jewish identity and heritage defined her values, and she cherished the responsibility for creating good in the world. Alene’s counsel helped major thought leaders serve Jewish causes both at home and across the globe. Her generosity helped fund programs for JHCN and the most vulnerable among us. We will dearly miss her loyalty, determination and spirited convictions.

THE JEWISH HOSPICE & CHAPLAINCY NETWORK OFFER WISHES OF COMFORT AND HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO ALENE’S FAMILY:

Beloved wife of the late Graham Landau. Cherished mother of Julee (Dr. Robert Shahon) Landau Shahon and Irving Marc (Denise) Landau. Proud grandmother of Chelsea Landau, Jordan (Brittany) Landau, and Ian Landau. Adoring great-grandmother of Keira Rose Landau and Josie Jae Landau. Devoted daughter of the late Irving and the late Bettye Blumberg.

RABBI E.B. (BUNNY) FREEDMAN

RABBI JOSEPH H. KRAKOFF

FOUNDING DIRECTOR & CEO

SENIOR DIRECTOR

Alene Landauz’l MARCH 30, 1929 – JUNE 1, 2021 M AY H E R M E M O R Y B E F O R A B L E S S I N G

NO JEW IS EVER ALONE 6555 W. Maple Road

•

West Bloomfield, MI 48322 • 248.592.2687

•

www.jewishhospice.org

JUNE 10 • 2021

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

JUNE 10 • 2021

Kehillat Hatzhav Hagadol Mackinac Island (906) 202-9959 mackinacsynagogue.org

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

ORTHODOX Agudas Israel Mogen Abraham Southfield (248) 552-5711 aymadetroit.org

Chabad House-Lubavitch of Eastern Michigan Flint (810) 230-0770 chabad.org

Ahavas Olam Southfield (248) 569-1821 Ahavasolam.com

Chabad Jewish Center of Commerce-Walled Lake Commerce Township (248) 363-3644 jewishcommerce.org

Ahavas Yisroel Oak Park (248) 298-2896 Learntorah.info Aish Hatorah in the Woods Oak Park (248) 327-3579 Aishdetroit.com Bais Chabad of Farmington Hills (248) 855-2910 chabad.org

Chabad Jewish Center of Novi-Northville (248) 790-6075 novijewishcenter.com Chabad-Lubavitch of Bingham Farms Bloomfield Hills (248) 688-6796 chabadbinghamfarms.com

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

Chabad of Western Michigan Grand Rapids (616) 957-0770 chabadwestmichigan.com

Shaarey Zedek Windsor (519) 252-1594 shaareyzedekwindsor.com

Bais Haknesses Hagrah Oak Park (248) 542-8737

Dovid Ben Nuchim-Aish Kodesh Oak Park (313) 320-9400 dbndetroit.org

Shomer Israel Oak Park (248) 542-4014 godaven.com

Balfour Shul – K’Hal Rina U’Tefila Oak Park (732) 693-8457

Etz Chayim of Toledo Toledo, OH (419) 473-2401 Etzchayimtoledo.org

Bais Chabad of North Oak Park (248) 872-8878 chabad.org

Shomrey Emunah Southfield (248) 559-1533 congregation-shomreyemunah-105705.square.site

The Shul-Chabad Lubavitch West Bloomfield (248) 788-4000 theshul.net Woodward Avenue Shul Royal Oak (248) 414-7485 thewas.net Yagdil Torah Southfield (248) 559-5905 Young Israel of Oak Park (248) 967-3655 yiop.org Young Israel of Southfield (248) 358-0154 yisouthfield.org RECONSTRUCTIONIST Congregation Kehillat Israel Lansing (517) 882-0049 kehillatisrael.net

Temple Beth El Battle Creek (269) 963-4921 Temple Beth El Bloomfield Township (248) 851-1100 tbeonline.org

Temple Kol Ami West Bloomfield (248) 661-0040 tkolami.org

Temple Beth El Midland (989) 496-3720 tbe_midland@yahoo.com

Congregation Shaarey Zedek East Lansing (517) 351-3570 shaareyzedek.com

Temple Beth Israel Bay City (989) 893-7811 tbi-mich.org

Temple Shir Shalom West Bloomfield (248) 737-8700 shirshalom.org

Temple Beth Israel Jackson (517) 784-3862 tbijackson.org Congregation Beth Shalom Traverse City 231-946-1913 beth-shalom-tc.org

Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit (313) 567-0306 reconstructingjudiasm.org

Temple Benjamin Mt. Pleasant (989) 773-5086 templebenjamin.com Congregation Beth El Windsor (519) 969-2422 bethelwindsor.ca

Temple Jacob Hancock templejacobhancock.org

Temple Beth El Flint (810) 720-9494 tbeflint@gmail.com

Congregation T’chiyah Oak Park (248) 823-7115 tchiyah.org

REFORM Bet Chaverim Canton (734) 480-8880 betchaverim@yahoo.com

Temple Israel West Bloomfield (248) 661-5700 temple-israel.org

REFORM/RENEWAL Congregation Shir Tikvah Troy (248) 649-4418 shirtikvah.org

Ohr Hatorah Oak Park (248) 294-0613 Ohrhatorah.us MINYANS Fleischman Residence West Bloomfield (248) 661-2999 Yeshivat Akivah Southfield (248) 386-1625 farberhds.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

Temple Beth Sholom Marquette tbsmqt.org

SECULAR/HUMANISTIC The Birmingham Temple Farmington Hills (248) 477-1410 birminghamtemple.com

RECONSTRUCTIONIST Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation (734) 445-1910 aarecon.org

Temple B’nai Israel Kalamazoo (269) 342-9170 Templebnaiisrael.com

Jewish Parents Institute West Bloomfield (248) 661-1000 jccdet.org

REFORM Temple Beth Emeth (734) 665-4744 templebethemeth.org

Temple B’nai Israel Petoskey (231) 489-8269 templebnaiisraelofpetoskey.org

Sholem Aleichem Institute Lathrup Village (240 865-0117 secularsaimichigan.org

RENEWAL Pardes Hanah pardeshanah.org

Temple Emanuel Grand Rapids (616) 459-5976 grtemple.org Temple Emanu-El Oak Park (248) 967-4020 emanuel-mich.org

SEPHARDIC Keter Torah Synagogue West Bloomfield (248) 681-3665 rabbisasson.wixsite.com/keter

SECULAR HUMANISTIC Jewish Cultural Society (734) 975-9872 jewishculturalsociety.org Please email factual corrections or additional synagogues to list to: smanello@thejewishnews.com. JUNE 10 • 2021

business SPOTlight

brought to you in partnership with

BIRMIN GH A M

The founders of Numilk, Joe Savino and Ari Tolwin, pitching on an episode of ABC’s Shark Tank.

With a $2 million deal, Detroiter allows consumers to create plant-based milk at the push of a button. ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ri Tolwin always wanted to be an entrepreneur. When the now 39-year-old based in Brooklyn, N.Y., was growing up in a Southfield yeshivah family, he spent his days coming up with creative business ventures. At age 12, Tolwin was selling CDs to his classmates in school. “I bought $400 of CD inventory using bar mitzvah money,” recalls Tolwin, who recently received a $2 million deal through Shark Tank for his plant-based Numilk line, which allows customers to make dairy-free milks with the push of a button. By selling CDs as a child, though, he got some of his first lessons in making money and finding buyers. Next, he moved on to selling baseball cards. Even when playing with Legos, Tolwin says he turned every game into a competition. “I didn’t have commercial success,” he says with a laugh, “but that was my first entrepreneurial-like thing.” EARLY STARTS Tolwin, son of Rabbi Alon Tolwin, founder of Aish HaTorah Detroit, which is now

Small enough to fit on your kitchen counter.

led by his brother, Rabbi Simcha Tolwin, has come a long way from selling CDs and baseball cards in school. Now, he’s on track to scale Numilk nationally, with dreams of one day taking the plant-based line international. But it wasn’t an easy road to Shark Tank success, which saw Tolwin and co-founder Joe Savino close the deal with billionaire investor Mark Cuban earlier this year. “I always wanted to do something in business,” Tolwin says of his ambitions. He was also a history buff, reading about entrepreneurs like steel tycoon Andrew

Carnegie, which helped him realize that business opportunities were always possible. Tolwin pursued an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania and then followed the business path with an M.B.A. from Duke University. By doing so, he combined his love for entrepreneurship with his passion for history and education. His early career saw him working for McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm. Yet, when his older brother Chaim, who lived in upstate New York, invited him out to see how he made maple syrup from his maple trees, Tolwin had an idea for something different. “I’m at his house and we’re making maple syrup,” Tolwin recalls, “and he’s explaining to me that water comes out of the tree. So, I tried the water and thought it was fantastic.” This water — known as maple water — was the inspiration for Tolwin’s 2014 line, Happytree Maple Water, where he served as co-founder and CEO. But it didn’t give Tolwin the success he was looking for. “Maple was awesome, but ultimately the continued on page 38

JUNE 10 • 2021

ABC

Shark Tank Tale

LTU Is New Home of Specs Howard JN STAFF

awrence Technological University (LTU) became the new home of the Specs Howard School of Media Arts on June 1. Specs Howard has offered courses in radio and television broadcasting, graphic design and digital media arts since 1970, and has graduated more than 15,000 alumni in these fields. LTU has had a relationship with the Specs Howard School since 2004, when an agreement allowed Specs Howard students to transfer coursework to LTU’s certificate and degree programs in media communication. Many students have taken advantage of that plan. “Lawrence Tech is proud to continue the legacy that Jerry

Liebman [aka Specs Howard] created over 51 years ago, relying on the extensive knowledge and experience that [the late Specs Howard executive] Dick Kernen brought to Specs Lawrence Technological University Howard,” said LTU President Virinder Moudgil. opportunities. The students may “It is a fitting tribute to welcome use some of their Specs diploma an iconic program like Specs credits at LTU to pursue associate’s Howard on our campus. Lawrence or bachelor’s degrees in the media, technology and design fields. Tech’s founders forged a path for Liebman said, “I am so grateful technological innovation nearly 90 for this partnership. The staff and years ago, and Specs did the same faculty at LTU will ensure that with broadcasting, music, video Specs Howard School students are and graphic design.” Some Specs faculty are expected well trained for the careers of the future. The relationship we have to be hired as adjuncts at LTU had with LTU over the years has to help students complete their been successful because of our coursework and then take advanshared passion for and dedication tage of additional new degree

to guiding our students along a positive career path.” Specs Howard School President Martin Liebman said, “Partnering with Lawrence Technological University makes perfect sense. Our long-standing relationship with LTU has built a foundation for a program that will help Specs Howard students go even further than before. I look forward to watching the students excel in their fields and continue to make us proud.”

We can’t help complete your to-do list. But we can help you plan for retirement. Ad Number: Perich Job No: Colors:

PP-BOAA-22036C 22036 4/C

B I R M I N G HA M

Member FDIC

Trim: Bleed: Live:

7.375" x 4.8" NA NA

JUNE 10 • 2021

COURTESY OF ARI TOLWIN

BUSINESS continued from page 36

dynamics of the industry were too difficult,” he says. “So, at a certain point, with a friend of mine, we had the idea for Numilk.” BUILDING A BRAND As an adult, Ari Tolwin followed a primarily plant-based diet. “When it comes to dairy-like products, we’ve always sort of bemoaned the fact that plantbased milks just aren’t that great,” he explains. “They’re filled with gums; they don’t have a ton of nutrient value; and they have the same antiquated supply chain that produces dairy.” Tolwin started to brainstorm how he could alleviate those challenges and create a plantbased milk that was healthy, tasty and, above all, scalable to grocery stores across the country. One feature he always loved at Whole Foods was a peanut butter grinder that allowed shoppers to make fresh peanut butter onsite. He wondered if the same could be done for milk. “We could make plant-based milk that could be better for the environment and more delicious,” Tolwin says of Numilk, launched in 2018. “And we could do it in a way that was differentiated [by in-store shopping] to allow people to make fresh plant-based milks on location.”

Ari Tolwin stands in front of the grocery story mini-mill.

“WE ABSOLUTELY WILL SCALE INTERNATIONALLY ... WE’RE UNIQUELY SUITED TO IT” — ARI TOLWIN

Yet, in order to make almond milk specifically, Tolwin would need a special mill to process the almonds. Because a mill is generally a large piece of equipment

here’s to Forgotten Harvest announced the recent hire of Michael Butman as chief information officer. He will lead technology improvements for the organization as the senior technology strategist and as a member of the Executive Team. He brings more than 30 years of technology leadership and 22+ years of nonprofit experience.

JUNE 10 • 2021

that’s expensive to operate, his goal was to create a mini-mill that could easily sit within a grocery store like Whole Foods. Tolwin found a German com-

pany that made miniature mills and enlisted its help as a vendor. The first prototype for Numilk’s mini-mill was created and set for launch within a New Jersey Whole Foods location. But then things changed. “We were about one or two months out from completion of the machine when Whole Foods was purchased by Amazon,” Tolwin recalls. His Whole Foods contact left the company, leaving Tolwin and Numilk without any connections. Regardless, he decided to complete the mini-mill and managed to get it inside the same local Whole Foods. “We rushed the machine in the store as quickly as we could,” he remembers. “We hoped to sell 100 bottles of Numilk a week. On our first day, we sold 130 bottles.” A NEED TO PIVOT It was clear that Numilk was a hit. By Day 2, Tolwin saw 170 bottles being sold. In comparison, he says, Whole Foods generally sells 10 bottles of any juice or milk product a week — making Numilk’s sales a landslide success. Yet over the next six months, the mini-mill required constant attention. Without much testing, it was frequently breaking down. By the time it was fixed and ready for scaling to other stores, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and business came to a halt.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reappointed Florine Mark of Farmington Hills to the state Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports. Mark is the ambassador and the former president and CEO of the WW International (formerly Weight Watchers International, Inc.). She is also the board chair for the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit and a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber Board of Directors Executive Committee.

“It was the right size at the right price with the right function,” Tolwin says of Numilk. But the pandemic saw the machine being turned off, along with anything else inside Whole Foods that customers could touch. “We knew we had a real problem.” At the same time, Tolwin says customers turned to Amazon Prime, which offers home delivery from Whole Foods for its members. “We didn’t just have a short-term COVID problem,” he continues, “but we also had a longterm problem and that was that our machine works best when you’re in a store.” Tolwin began to consider how customers could bring the mini-mill home. He decided to work on a countertop version that would initially go to coffee shops and businesses, then make its way into people’s homes. The vision included a small stainless-steel kitchen appliance, similar to a Keurig machine, that could create a variety of plant-based milks, protein shakes and lattes. MAKING IT TO TV Tolwin took this idea to Shark Tank, a TV show where entrepreneurs can secure business deals. He never considered it until a friend mentioned it in passing one day. “I figured the most difficult stage was getting them to read the application,”

he says of Shark Tank. “They get 30,000 applications a year.” Yet out of 30,000, Tolwin’s application made it to the next round. From there, he went through an extensive interview process that he says combined “every application that I’ve ever had in my life.” After months of interviewing and what he recalls as “countless exercises,” Numilk’s countertop business plan made it to an episode. On-air, Tolwin and Savino presented the idea. “Here’s our goal, here’s our plan and here’s our preparation,” Tolwin says of the outline presented to Shark Tank. “We’re going to execute it to the best of our ability, and hopefully we’ll get the outcome that we want.” That outcome was a $2 million deal that Tolwin says will go toward building out the commercial side of the Numilk business. He’s partnering with coffee shops, small grocery stores and high-end cafes to bring Numilk to their establishments. While there are no Michigan locations locked down yet, Tolwin hopes to one day scale Numilk to his home state. In the background, he continues to work on the home-based unit and keeps on dreaming big. “We absolutely will scale internationally,” he says of Numilk’s long-term plans. “We’re uniquely suited to it.”

JVS Human Services’ Senior Vice President Nancy Bogdan has been honored alongside only three others in the U.S. with the NCSE (National Council of SourceAmerica Employers) Management Excellence Award. The national honor is presented annually to individuals who have displayed excellence in leadership in the management of an AbilityOne participating nonprofit agency and significantly advanced employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Each winner received a trophy and $1,000 in SourceAmerica Training Incentive Vouchers for the winner’s nonprofit agency.

Jewish Fund Awards New Grants

t its springboard meeting, the Jewish Fund, established in 1997 from the sale proceeds of Sinai Hospital to the Detroit Medical Center, awarded the following new and continuation grants: • Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association: $15,000 for a one-year grant to train culturally competent volunteers in the Jewish community to expand capacity for educational and support programs. • Birth Detroit: $29,910 for a one-year grant to provide coordination of internal and external referrals to support perinatal health services. • Children’s Foundation: $20,000 for the second year of a two-year grant of $40,000 to provide eyeglasses to visually impaired students in need within the Hamtramck Public Schools. • Coalition on Temporary Shelter: $14,500 for a one-year grant to support improved health outcomes for young children residing at its Peggy’s Place location. • FernCare Free Clinic: $13,923 for a one-year grant to support expansion of care to patients with chronic care conditions. • Hope Village Revitalization: $30,348 for a one-year grant to embed a community health worker to support health access for residents of the HOPE Village neighborhood. • Isaac Agree Downtown

Synagogue: $400,000 for the first year of a three-year grant of $550,000 to support its building renovation and shared workspace collaboration. • Jewish Family Service: $143,405 for the first year of a three-year grant of $401,675 to implement a Zero Suicide framework internally and with community partners to advance and expand suicide prevention work. • Jewish Family Service: $280,000 for the third year of a three-year grant of $900,000 to maintain daily functioning and improve quality of life for vulnerable older adults aging in community. • Kadima: $268,000 for a one-year grant to support the integration costs of Kadima and JVS, should a merger be approved. • Knights and Dames of the Order of Malta Medical and Dental Clinic: $15,000 for a one-year grant to expand services to an increased number of patients with its move to its new facility. • North Star Reach: $25,000 for a one-year grant to support its Sickle Cell camp. • Repair the World: $48,700 for the third year of a three-year grant of $168,350 to deepen and expand its service and learning programming for young adults, teens and families.

JUNE 10 • 2021

COURTESY OF THEATRE NOVA

ARTS&LIFE THEATER

A New Brain

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Jason Briggs

Details

A New Brain is available on demand on June 12, 13, 19 and 20. $25. TheatreNOVA.org. Top and right: Scenes from the play.

JUNE 10 • 2021

ason Briggs has maintained a theater career during the constraints of the pandemic. As the development officer of the Flint Repertory Theatre, Briggs continued his administrative responsibilities. As an independent actor, he was able to secure a role in A New Brain, a play produced in film format by Theatre Nova in Ann Arbor, working with the Ringwald Theatre in Ferndale. The production features music and lyrics by William Finn and book by William Finn and James Lapine, the Tony Award-winning creators of Falsettos. It was filmed in April, edited in May and will be available this month for home viewing as released via Broadway On Demand. Throughout the filming, cast and crew observed intense COVID protocols. “This is a beautiful show,” said Briggs, 44, who appeared in the pre-pandemic run of Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Jewish Ensemble Theatre (JET) in

Walled Lake and won the Wilde Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. “A New Brain centers around a character named Gordon, a composer who writes music for a children’s television program, and he absolutely hates doing that,” Briggs said. Gordon, coping with brain surgery options, thinks through his life, and most of the play is set in the hospital as significant incidents are recalled. “I play Richard, one of Gordon’s two nurses,” Briggs explained. “I’m known as the nice nurse. My character is very flamboyant, overly dramatic and really caring. He has a great connection with Gordon, Gordon’s mother and Gordon’s partner. He’s also extremely hilarious and delivers a lot of comedy into the show.” The cast includes director Richard Payton as Gordon, Diane Hills as Gordon’s mother, Steve DeBruyne as the doctor and Vince Kelley as Roger,

Gordon’s partner. Just as the creators of the show are from Jewish families, so is the character of Gordon, who rejects the visit of a minister, also played by Briggs. Gordon explains that he is Jewish and doesn’t want to hear what the minister is saying. “There are other implied references to him being Jewish,

COURTESY OF THEATRE NOVA

Theatre Nova presents ondemand play that explores second chances.

but it’s not about that,” Briggs said. “It’s more about him struggling about his job and who he is. It’s like this brain surgery is giving him this second chance at life, doing the things he’s always wanted to do and not so much the things he has to do.” Briggs’ religious insights come from being raised with Jewish culture and some observance because of the religious heritage of his mother’s side of the family. “We celebrated all the holidays, and I went to shul with my grandparents,” recalled Briggs, who lives in Grand Blanc and grew up in Flint. “I love to cook, and I make matzah ball soup, latkes and brisket. My bubbie taught me.” Briggs’ first impactful theater experience occurred in junior high school, where he appeared in his first play, Annie. “It was at that moment I realized I really liked performing,” said Briggs, whose wife, Noreen, is a kindergarten teacher. “I played the trumpet, but, in seventh grade, I discovered plays, musicals and singing. “I wanted to do something

in the arts, so I went to the University of MichiganFlint. I got an undergraduate degree in theater performance, and I’ve probably been in over 30 productions in my career — all over the state.” Among his favorite roles have been King Alonso in The Tempest for the Michigan Shakespeare Festival and Lamar in Godspell at the Meadow Brook Theatre. In the current show, “there’s a song called ‘Sailing’ that the character Roger sings, and it is about wanting to lay aside all of your problems and obligations in order to do something that you are truly passionate about,” Briggs said. “In Roger’s case, he is scared to face his fear of losing his partner, Gordon. “I relate to this song because, as a performer, the theater industry has been on hold due to the pandemic and forcing us off the stage. Theater isn’t just a job for me. It’s my passion and my release from the real world. When I get caught up in the trials of life, I always think of the stage and the many stories I’ve been able to share.”

STAR DELI

“…one of America’s finest carryout-only delicatessens! Star’s reputation has never wavered!” — Danny Raskin

COMPARE OUR LOW PRICES WITH ANY DELICATESSEN IN TOWN! MEAT TRAY

$13.99 per person

DAIRY TRAY

person $23.99 per

SALAD TRAY

$14.99 per person

SALAD TRAY W/ LOX & CREAM CHEESE

$18.99

per person

OUR VIENNA HOT DOGS ARE PERFECT FOR BBQS! Support Local Businesses

Best Deli Trays In Town! TEMPORARY HOURS: 8AM-7PM EVERYDAY Carry-Out, Delivery & Curb Side Available

24555 W. 12 MILE ROAD

5 OFF

On Star’s beautiful already low-priced trays

Just west of Telegraph Road • Southfield

Expires 06/30/2021. One Per Order. Not Good Holidays. 10 Person Minimum. With this coupon.

www.stardeli.net

DELIVERY AVAILABLE

248-352-7377 Prices subject to change

Stay in the know with all things Jewish...

Subscribe Today! Get The Detroit Jewish News print edition delivered to your door every week for less than $2 per issue. thejewishnews.com/subscription JUNE 10 • 2021

ARTS&LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

A Feast for the Eyes Visit beautiful beaches of the world in a new coffee table book. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER St. Regis Bora Bora

andall Kaplan, raised in Michigan and based in California, is making a public splash with a project that mixes pleasure, business and artistry. Holding a longtime love of beaches and a background of billion-dollar business successes, Kaplan launched Sandee, a firm providing worldwide beach tourism information, and put together Bliss: Beaches (Cameron), an aesthetic coffee table book offering 121 aerial views of splendor-

JUNE 10 • 2021

ous waterfronts. Kaplan’s photographs represent only 10 percent of the beaches he has enjoyed and now shares through large and colorful prints. He anticipates readers will be captivated visually and consider travel buoyed by Sandee data. “Over the years, I’ve had a number of people see my photos and ask if they could purchase some, and I thought maybe there would be an interest in publishing a book of them,” said Kaplan,

a camera buff who taught himself how to use drones, which he defines as cameras that fly. “I bought my first drone six years ago because I thought shots taken from the air are breathtakingly beautiful. I watched five hours of video to learn to fly a drone and learned more by flying it in a very precise way. I got better and better at framing or centering something when I’m thousands of feet away.” Images of vast and alluring expanses of sand and surf — locales often visited with family — reach from Laguna Beach near his California home to the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia. The beach that turned the tide on his recreational interest was located along the coast of Fort Lauderdale in Florida, where he vacationed with close relatives while in his teens. The most recently enjoyed beach was along Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, where he traveled with two of his five children in their teens. Kaplan and wife, Madison, a model and clothing designer (Madtown Collection), celebrat-

ed their 2010 wedding with a honeymoon at a Thailand beach resort overlooking the Andaman Sea. “From a practical point of view, I don’t have a favorite beach, but one of my favorites, Motu Roa, can be seen on the cover of the book,” Kaplan said. “To get there, I rented a jet ski and rode 90 minutes from my hotel in Bora Bora. We were the only ones there, and it had soft white sand and warm, crystal-clear turquoise water.” From a strictly practical point of view, Sandee was developed to accommodate a wide range of beach lovers by providing a database that lists beach information according to 94 categories for some 50,000 beaches across more than 200 countries. “One of our goals at Sandee is to provide beach visitors the ability to choose their perfect beaches,” said Kaplan, who has trademarked himself as Mr. Beach. “We’re the only resource and company in the world that has this information for every beach in the world.

CELEBRITY NEWS

“FROM A PRACTICAL POINT OF VIEW, I DON’T HAVE A FAVORITE BEACH.” — RANDALL KAPLAN

“The needs of families and the needs of couples will almost always differ. Most families will want food, bathrooms and showers, and they also want to know if you can swim at that beach. A couple may want to know if a beach has surfing, snorkeling or volleyball.” Kaplan, 52, a University of Michigan (U-M) psychology graduate who earned an advanced degree from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, has been at the helm of different kinds of businesses. His resume includes Akamai Technologies, a computer initiative aimed at making the internet fast and secure; JUMP Investors, an entrepreneurial investment firm; Thrive Properties, a real estate development enterprise; and CollarCard, a

promotional products company. Religious and community grounding has come through activities at Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township and the Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles. Anchors to Michigan include establishing the U-M Julia Eder Dean’s Scholarship, which honors his grandmother, a “102½- yearold” still in the Metro Detroit area, and benefits students who have lived in foster homes as she did. “I love the thought of going to the beach,” said Kaplan, also diving into podcasts with “In Search of Excellence,” which presents earthy interviews of highly successful people. “I love the sun, the outdoors, the sand on my feet, the sound of crashing waves on the ocean. I like looking at the diversity of people on the beach.”

Details

Bliss: Beaches is available on Amazon. An aerial photo from the book

QUEEN BEES & BASEBALL Opening June 11 in theaters is Queen Bees, a dramedy. It stars Ellen Burstyn, 88, as a feisty senior who temporarily moves into a retirement home because her home is being repaired. She battles elderly female bullies, makes a good friend (Ann-Margret) and canoodles with James Caan, 81. The director is Michael Lembeck, 72. His father, Harvey Lembeck (19231982), was a talented comedic actor (Sgt. Bilko). Michael, a practicing Jew, began as an actor. He had a big recurring role (Max Hovath) on the 1970s hit sit-com One Day at a Time starring the late Bonnie Franklin. He has been a busy director (mostly TV) since 1989. His credits include directing 20 episodes of Friends. He won an Emmy for one in 1996. His wife, former actress Lorna Patterson, 64, converted to Judaism a few years after their marriage and they have two children. In 2009, she received her cantorial ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion, a Los Angeles seminary. Most years, I give a rundown of Jewish baseball major leaguers early in this season. However, the “major league status” of an unusually large number of Jewish players was uncertain in the first month of the season. This list was prepared with the aid of Jewish Sports Review magazine, a print publication. The players are Richard Bleier, 33, relief pitcher, Miami Marlins. He pitched for the Israeli team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Bleier broke into the majors in 2015 (Yankees) and was traded to Baltimore in 2017, where he had an outstand-

IMDB

NATE BLOOM COLUMNIST

ing season. However, he was hampered by serious injuries in 2018 and 2019 and was traded to Miami in August 2020. He performed well in the short 2020 season Alex Bregman, 27, third baseman, Houston Astros. Bregman, who had a bar mitzvah, broke into the majors in 2016 and has been a star player from the start. He made the All-Star team in 2018 and 2019. Max Fried, 27, starting pitcher, Atlanta Braves. Fried, who had a bar mitzvah, briefly played for Atlanta in 2017 and returned for a great season in 2019 (17-6; great ERA). Joc Pederson, 28, outfielder, Chicago Cubs. Like Bleier, Pederson played for Israel in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Pederson played for the Dodgers until this year. He’s known for being a streaky power hitter who hits a lot of home runs and strikes out a lot. Kevin Pillar, 31, outfielder, NY Mets; Pillar, who had a bar mitzvah, spent his first seven seasons with Toronto. He’s been with four teams in the last three seasons. Rowdy Tellez, 26, first baseman/designated hitter, Toronto Blue Jays. Tellez has been with Toronto since his rookie season (2018). Special Note: Outfielder Ryan Braun, 37, an MVP award winner, is now a free agent, “leaning toward retirement.” JUNE 10 • 2021

FAMILY ROOM MUSIC 8 PM, JUNE 10

ON THE GO

PEOPLE | PLACES | EVENTS

Djangophonique

LIBRARY OPENS 11 AM, JUNE 10 The Southfield Public Library will open its doors to the public for Graband-Go Service. Visits should be limited to 30 minutes. The library will follow Southfield COVID 19 rules, including always wearing masks over nose and mouth regardless of vaccination status and keeping 6 feet from non-family members. Expanded hours will begin Monday, June 14: Mon. & Wed. 11 am-8 pm; Tues., Thurs. & Fri. 11 am-5 pm; Sat. 11 am-3 pm. Location: 26300 Evergreen Road. Visit southfieldlibrary.org. For info, call 248-796-4224. BROADWAY ENTERTAINMENT 4 PM, JUNE 13

BACK TO THE MOVIES 6:30 PM, JUNE 11 (ALSO 7:30, 8:30)

JUNE 10 • 2021

SUPPORT GROUP MEETS 1:30-2:45 PM, JUNE 10 A virtual caregiver support group will meet 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 information: 248514-3627 or dmoon@ jvshumanservices.org. FAMILY ROOM MUSIC 8 PM, JUNE 10 The Ark in Ann Arbor will present this virtual music event with Djangophonique, a musical project born out of reverence for the Parisian Jazz Manouche style. Shows are free and streamed to the Ark’s Facebook page. Donations to the “virtual tip jar” during shows support both the Ark and the participating artists. Info: theark.org.

BACK TO THE MOVIES 6:30 PM, JUNE 11 (ALSO 7:30, 8:30) The Maple Theater and Variety the Children’s Charity of Detroit invite Metro Detroit film fans to go back to the movies with special premiere screenings of the anticipated film In the Heights to help fund Variety’s programs that help children, no matter the need. Attendees can see the movie, enjoy dinner outside and help a great cause. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. and attendees can arrive prior to their selected screening time. The Maple Theater is at 4135 Maple Road, Bloomfield Township. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased at themapletheater.com or the Theater’s box office. Tickets include an outside dinner from American Coney Island and Como’s. To comply with state regulations, the Maple will host showings on three screens. Info: Call Variety at 248-258-5511. PIRKEI AVOT STUDY 11 AM, JUNE 11 Adat Shalom Synagogue invites adults of all ages to join Rabbi Aaron Bergman for a weekly discussion on Zoom to explore one of the most beloved and wise books of our people, which was written long ago but is even more relevant today. The community is welcome. Free. To RSVP and receive a Zoom link, contact Jodi Gross, jgross@ adatshalom.org. CANINE CAMRADERIE NOON-1 PM, JUNE 13 Federation NEXTGen Detroit will host a casual late morning of canine camaraderie. This event

the exchange community bulletin board | professional services

GOLF OUTING JULY 26 for young adults and their pets will take place at Red Oaks Dog Park, 31353 Dequindre, Madison Hts. Info: jlife.app/events/525. BROADWAY ENTERTAINMENT 4 PM, JUNE 13 Eleanor Roosevelt Hadassah presents “An Afternoon of Broadway Entertainment.” This virtual event is open to everyone. Please register by June 10, hadassahmidwest.org/ RooseveltBroadway. There is a $36 general admission, $54 mezzanine, $72 orchestra. Broadway stars Nick Cartell and Jennifer Dinoia will entertain online by performing their favorite songs and sharing stories from and about their careers, followed by a question-and-answer session. Pick up your goodie bag at Hadassah House, 5030 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, on Sunday, June 13, from 11 am-12:30 pm. Questions? Email Hadassah Greater Detroit at greaterdetroit@ hadasssah.org or call 248683-5030. ANNUAL DINNER 5-9 PM, JUNE 13 The Young Israel of Southfield Annual Dinner, 27705 Lahser Road. Info: yisouthfield.org. COGNITIVE FITNESS 1-2:30 PM, JUNE 16 Join Jewish Family Service for “From Neuroplasticity to Crossword Puzzles What Really Works and Why.”

Patti Celori Said, executive director of the New England Cognitive Center, will take the audience on a journey into human learning. For info on how to register in advance, go to jfsdetroit.org. After registering, you will receive a link to via email to join the Zoom meeting.

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.

JF Green Renovations

Your Trusted Local Expert For Interior & Exterior Restorations

ROOFING SIDING CHIMNEY RESTORATION SEAMLESS GUTTERS MOLD & FLOOD REPAIRS SPECIALTY REPAIRS INCLUDE: Brick, Stone, Concrete, All Masonry, Rotted and Damaged Wood, Cedar Roofing, Decks & Patios, Retainer Walls, Critter Control & Repairs, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Tile and Flooring

CALL JOHN: 248 -770-8772 FORMER MARINE HEALTHCARE A1 CAREGIVER/COMPANION. Experienced, excellent references. 248-991-4944

CULINARY ARTS 11 AM, JUNE 16 Hadassah Greater Detroit Wellness Wednesday will present “A Delicious Therapeutic Experience” with Julie Ohana, culinary art therapist. Register by Monday, June 14, hadassahmidwest.org/ GDWW2021. There is a $10 event fee. You will receive an email with the recipes the day before the event. Contact greaterdetroit@ hadassah.org or call 248683-5030 for additional information. GOLF OUTING JULY 26 Kids Kicking Cancer will sponsor its annual golf outing. Sign up today: golf@ kidskickingcancer.org. Info: 248-864-8238.

We Provide in home service care giver for individuals and elderly at their comfort level in their homes. Please call (734) 680-3803 or (734) 709-5288 Live in or hourly care Mon-Fri. References available. Call 248-752-1782 Foot Doctor Available for Home Visits! Covered by Most Insurance. Foot Disorders and General Foot Care. Call Dr. Steve 248-219-2638 CAREGIVER. Cert. Medical Assistant. Honest & Reliable w/ 15+ Yrs Experience. Jenene 313-485-7023 Private Duty / Live-in Nursing Direct Care Worker for the Elderly. Please call Amen at (313) 478-1374. MALE LPN Private duty nurse, live-in, errands, companion, light gardening. Excellent references. Call 248-275-6752

TRANSPORTATION A1 DRIVER for Drs appts,shopping, errands,airports and more. (248) 991-4944 Reliable Driver-Best Rates Airport, appts., errands, shopping & more or ask? Call David 248-690-6090 SERVICES AAA Cleaning Service. 15 yrs. in business.Natalie 248-854-0775 SPEECH THERAPY with Amber Bordoley, M.A., CCC-SLP. Treating adults and kids ages 3 and up. Specializing in aphasia and accent modification. www.ckspeech.org 248-987-8464 info@ckspeech.org Looking for housekeeper to cook and clean for 4 to 5 days during the week for 2 adults. Live in is available if needed. Please call 248-362-4666 Registered Cleaning Co. residential and offices. Avail 7 days a week. Please call (313) 285-6684 or (313) 258-3674. A MOVING truck to Florida and returning Bud 239-273-3565

Free Attic, Crawl Space & Basement Inspections ANTIQUES WANTED. / BUYING / ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES COINS, STAMPS, WATCHES, CAMERAS Please Call (248) 259-8088 or Text (313)395-8599 Website= Wevexgotxstuff.com Email= wevexgotxstuff@aol.com STUDENTS Exp. math teacher available for tutoring. All levels, elementarycollege.248-219-3180 MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE Weekly Ebay Auctions. Sports — baseball, football, NonSport Cards + Memorabilia. Top Rated Seller. Sandy and Ed Supowit Ebay seller name — trekie12 AUTOS- DOMESTIC/ IMPORTS CASH FOR VEHICLES any make or model Call Barry 248-865-2886 SITUATIONS WANTED Caregiver seeking hourly position for elderly care. 15 yrs. exp. Call Melinda 248-550-5637

Compiled by Sy Manello/Editorial Assistant. Send items at least 14 days in advance to calendar@thejewishnews.com JUNE 10 • 2021 JUNE 10 • 2021

| |

45 45

$65

Junk-B-Gone

SERVICE FEE FAMILY OWNED

We Haul It All!

Still the Lowest Prices in Town! SAME DAY SERVICE! Proudly Serving the Jewish Community for over 25 Years Owner Present on EVERY job!

SINCE 1973

Aaron Mendelson Heating and Cooling

248-855-0437 Cell: 248-912-2292

248-760-4450

Maintenance, Installation, Repair & Hot Water Heaters License # 7118488

FREE

Ajmendelson1@gmail.com

ESTIMATE

Mention the Jewish News and get 10% Discount

SENIOR AND MILITARY DISCOUNTS

Bought Bought & & Custom Closets,Inc.BOOKS BOOKS

BOOKSSold Sold

WHERE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Caren Bass

248.855.8747

LIBRARY BOOKSTORE LIBRARY BOOKSTORE

as featured on

HGTV

Leading the industry with over 30 years experience in the Metro Detroit Area. Now also organizing the Metro Denver Area with our 2nd location Custom Closets, West, Inc. Call today for your free in-home consultation

Days M. Open 7Open Days 77 M. Sempliner Open Days M. Sempliner Sempliner

248.545.4300 248.545.4300

Books Bought Your Home BooksOpen Bought In YourIn Books Bought InHome Your Home Tues.–Sat. | 12–5pm

Lois Haron Designs Designs in Decorator Wood & Laminates It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, only look like it. Lois Haron

Interior Designer Allied ASID

(248) 851-6989

loisharondesigns@gmail.com www.loisharondesigns.com

MAX THE HANDYMAN

You Name It – I’ll Do It! Toilets • Disposals • Electrical • Door & Lock Repair • Shower Grab Bars • ETC

248-356-0114

ELECTRONICS UNLIMITED Sales

•

Ser vice

Sound Systems • TV Mounting WiFi & Network Wiring Telephone Systems • & More Warren Mendelsohn 248-470-7715

Heating, Air Conditioning Service and New Installations

24 Hour Emergency Service RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Serving the Community for Over 55 Years WHATEVER IT TAKES:

Email: jrcmycomputerguy@gmail.com

248-352-4656

OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY

STEVEN BARKIN, 67, of West Bloomfield, died June 2, 2021. To be loved by Steve was to have a lifelong champion, a fiercely loyal ally who seemed to know exactly how to make things better. He was a man of few words; he said he left the talking to his wife, Teri. Steve kept his beloved family blanketed in support and surrounded by his own quiet strength. He was a doting dad who took pride in standing out in a sea of moms at elementary school plays. To his beloved grandchildren, he was “Papa Steve,” always up for fun and plenty of ice cream. True friends found themselves wrapped in the same loyalty and devotion he gave to his own family. His endearing love almost always came served with a wry sense of humor on the side. Steve was a professional who turned business contacts into lifelong friends. With 42 years in the scrap iron and metal business, he valued integrity above all else. He was committed, honest, loyal and an old-school believer that a handshake was as good as his word. A devoted son and brother, he jumped in to manage other family businesses, too. He was surrounded by the enduring love of his wife of 32 years, Teri Barkin; and his children, Marla (Andrew) Russell, Lauren Blitz, Ariana Barkin and Alexis Barkin. He was the proud grandfather of Lily and Rebecca Russell, and Carter Altruda; loving brother to Janice (David) Gordon and the late Bruce (the late Helen) Barkin. He was also a devoted son of the late Marvin and the late Madeline Barkin; and son-in-law of the late Leonard and the late Cecille Kerner. Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Temple Shir Shalom, the Steven Barkin Preschool Scholarship Fund, 3999 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323, shirshalom. org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

DIVERA BUEGELEISEN of West Bloomfield passed away May 26, 2021. She was nearly 94. Div taught elementary school in Detroit for 26 years, followed by a 10-year career in counseling and therapy. Retirement was all about tennis, skiing, painting, photography and travel with David Buegeleisen, her husband of 60 years. Div’s family and friends will miss her greatly. Contributions in her memory may be made to either The Soul Center or Hadassah. To honor Div’s wishes, a virtual celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at 7 p.m. Details will be posted on the Ira Kaufman Chapel website. CHERYL “COOKIE” CHAYET, 76, of Farmington Hills, died May 26, 2021. She is survived by her daughter and son-inlaw, Cheri Castro and Jeffrey Blessing; grandchildren, Brooke Devenny, TJ Devenny; great-grandchild, Kaylee Rose Castro; many other loving family members and friends. Mrs. Chayet was the beloved sister of the late Doreen Feldman; and the grandmother of the late Brandon Castro. Interment took place at Adat Shalom Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. MARIA “GIGLIA” EMMER, 99, of Southfield, died peacefully on May 31, 2021. She was a devoted and cherished sister,

wife, mother, mother-in-law and Nina (grandmother and great-grandmother), who moved to Detroit in 1946 from Rome, Italy. She enjoyed a long and well-lived life and will be missed dearly by all who knew her. Mrs. Emmer is survived by her daughter and son-inlaw, Celia and George Leikin; grandchildren, Andy Leikin and Ilyssa Cimmino; their spouses, Karen Leikin and Noel Cimmino; her loving sisters, Marcella Gervasi and Ori Boccianti; her great-grandchildren, James Meyer, Isabella Cimmino, Jonah Cimmino and Levi Leikin; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Teresa and Vittorio Ficarra; and husband, Irving Emmer. Interment was at Beth Abraham Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Temple Shir Shalom, Shir Shalom Temple Youth, 3999 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323, shirshalom.org; or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. DR. FREDRIC HOWARD GOLD, 72, of Bloomfield Hills, died May 27, 2021. Dr. Gold is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Gold; daughters, Julie Gold Walthers and Lindsey Gold; brother and sister-inlaw, Stuart Gold and Ronna Gold; mother-in-law, Eleanor Moss; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Karin and Jeff Beck, Kevin Moss and Lisa Simonovic; many loving nieces and nephews. He was the devoted son of the late Norman Gold and the late Beverly Spitz; the cherished brother of the late

Gordon Gold; the loving sonin-law of the late David Moss; the dear brother-in-law of the late Steve Simonovic. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Temple Israel, Dr. Fredric & Linda Gold Newlywed Mezuzah Fund, 5725 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323, temple-israel.org/ tributes; or Yad Ezra, 2850 W. 11 Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072, yadezra.org/donate. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. JOSEPH GREENBERG, 98, passed away peacefully with his sons by his side, June 1, 2021, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Fla. He was born Sept. 3, 1922, in Toronto, Canada. He married Rosalie Greenberg of Detroit on Oct. 6, 1946. In 2010, Rosalie and Joe moved from Michigan to Sarasota. Joseph was a veteran of the Canadian Army’s Algonquin 4th Canadian Army ‘C’ Company, whose motto is “We Lead, Others Follow.” Joseph touched the lives of all who knew him, will never be forgotten and will be forever loved. He will be remembered for his strength, kindness and being a loving gentle man. “When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him lies on the paths of men.” Mr. Greenberg was preceded in death by Rosalie, his loving wife of 72 wonderful years. He is survived by his sons, Cary and his fiancée, Joanne, Mitchell and his wife, Cindy; granddaughters of the beloved “Papa Joe,” Staci and Christian Greenberg Broadwell, Lissa and Chris McGirt, Ellery and Jeffrey Berinstein, and Gilian Greenberg; great-grandsons, Dylan, Brady, Rylan, Mavryk and Izzy.

Contributions may be made to the Sarasota Hospice House, checks payable to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, Fl 34238. ALENE LANDAU, 92, of Bloomfield Hills, died June 1, 2021. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Julee Landau Shahon and Dr. Robert Shahon; son and daughter-inlaw, Irving Marc and Denise Landau; grandchildren, Chelsea Landau, Jordan and Brittany Landau, and Ian Landau; great-grandchildren, Keira Rose Landau and Josie Jae Landau. Mrs. Landau was the beloved wife of the late Graham Landau; the devoted daughter of the late Irving and the late Bettye Blumberg. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jewishhospice.org; Friendship Circle, 6892 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, friendshipcircle.org/ donate; or Congregation Beth Tefillah, 6529 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254, bethtefillahaz.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. BRENDA LANDAU, 80, of Huntington Woods, died June 1, 2021. She was the beloved sister of Larry and Sheila Landau, Linda and Robert Young, Carol and the late Leonard Moss, the late Rita Landau and the late Richard Landau; dear sister-in-law of Beverly Landau; cherished aunt of Amy Schaeffer, Julie Landau, Gary Moss, the late Cheryl Moss, Jeffrey Moss, Lori

continued on page 49

JUNE 10 • 2021

OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY

‘Call Me Geli’

ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

eli knew everyone, and everyone knew Geli. Or so it seemed to anyone who crossed paths with the friendly, outgoing Jewish communal worker — a born connector. Some might know Geli from his long association with the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit (JFMD) in Bloomfield Township. He also was an executive for 15 years at the West Bloomfield-based Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Metropolitan Detroit and capped his professional career in Farmington Hills by serving four years as East Central Region director of the American Technion Society. His voluntarism and acts of kindness further distinguished him. Allan Marvin (“Call me Geli”) Gelfond, 85, died on May 28, 2021. He was a resident of Farmington Hills. “The mere mention of his name meant commitment, stewardship, caring and an unwavering commitment to the Jewish people,” said Mark Davidoff, a former chief operating officer at JFMD and now CEO of The Fisher Group and an adviser to the Detroit Jewish News Foundation. “Geli dedicated his life to the Detroit Jewish community,” said Rabbi Harold Loss, officiating at his Temple Israel congregant’s June 1 funeral. Yet, Metro Detroit was Geli’s adopted home. Born Aug. 16, 1935, in Vancouver, Canada, Geli and his parents, Sally and Morris,

JUNE 10 • 2021

and younger brother, Chuck, open for any need that needlived behind the family’s gro- ed filling.” cery store. Geli took a fancy to the PROTOTYPE FOR JARC youth movement Habonim, a Geli developed the Parents wing of today’s Ameinu orga- Association for Residential nization. Habonim develops Care while working at the Jewish leaders with a strong JCC. The program was the love of Israel prototype for and commitJARC, founded ment to buildin 1969 and ing peace and headquartered justice through in Farmington community Hills. JARC activism. provides housAfter 11th ing and other grade, Geli services to joined other people with Canadian and developmental American youth challenges. on the second Between Allan “Geli” Gelfond Habonim Dror 1980-2009, Workshop, Geli rose the longest-running Israel to the position of senior gap year program in North financial resource officer America since 1951. Geli’s for the Jewish Community big adventure changed his Foundation of the Jewish life. He met Harriet Subrin Federation of Metropolitan from a Labor Zionist family Detroit. He served as Annual in Detroit before returning Campaign director and home to finish high school. raised hundreds of millions They married on Dec. 18, of dollars. JFMD gave him 1954, in Lacher’s, a Dexter several awards. Avenue storefront. “In the Campaign area, he Geli earned bachelor was the ‘go to guy.’ He was and master’s degrees in really successful because social work at Wayne State he liked people and they University. Years later, he and liked him,” said Penny Harriet funded a scholarship Blumenstein, a former for WSU social work students Federation president. With who planned to work with his easy personality, Geli those having developmental improved the experience of disabilities. taking JFMD missions to A first job leading Israel. “He always had a story Habonim in Detroit paid and a joke,” she said. just $35 weekly. But wages A eulogy by Geli’s friend, weren’t the main thing for Steve Katzman of Arizona, Geli. “He involved himself was read at the graveside in every cause,” Harriet said. service. Geli, wrote Katzman, “He had his eyes and ears had “many ideas for how to

improve the world we live in. He was concerned about government cuts to nonprofits. He sought more money for those in need.” Geli networked before the word was widely used. He carried business cards of people looking for work, then was elated to match them with suitable employers. Deena Gelfond said her dad shared information and articles on topics he thought the recipient would enjoy, such as the sports clippings he sent her brother, Noam, at camp. Geli’s hobby was long-distance running, including 60-mile ultra-marathons. At home, the Gelfond children saw parents who supported each other. As Loss noted: “Geli loved his family; he loved the Jewish people; he loved our Jewish community; he loved being of service.” Geli Gelfond is survived by his wife, Harriet; daughters, Gila and Deena; son and daughter-in-law, Noam and Elise; brother, Charles; grandson, Max and Max’s mother, Sabra. Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery in Detroit. Contributions may be directed to JARC, The Gelfond Ill and Aging Fund, 6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, jarc.org/make-a-donation, (248) 940-2617; or Yad Ezra, 2850 W. 11 Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072, yadezra. org/donate, (248) 5483663; or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

continued from page 47

Smith, Rebecca Landau, and Gregory Landau; dear cousin of Mary Brieger. She is also survived by many loving great-nieces and great-nephews. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. JEAN MARIAN LEVY, 87, of West Bloomfield, died May 27, 2021. She is survived by her sister, Carol Branston; long-cherished friend, Dolly Kerin Weisserman; and a host of friends who called and FaceTimed with her regularly. Contributions may be made to Hebrew Benevolent Society, 26640 Greenfield Road, Oak Park, MI 48237; or to a charity of one’s choice. A graveside service was held at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. JACQUELINE MILGROM, 91, of Southfield, died June 3, 2021. She was the beloved wife of Myron L. Milgrom; adored mother of Paula Milgrom and Jim Barnett, Marcia and Tony Dodge, Marianne and Robert Bloomberg, and the late Carole Jo Lasser; devoted bubbie of Samuel Lasser and Lauren Miller, Rachel Lasser, Max and Rebecca Appelman, Michael and Lindsey Barnett, Brie and Vincent Hesano, Natasha Sydney Dodge, Allison Bloomberg and Will Bloomberg; big bubbie to Adam, Owen and Norah

NO ONE LIKES TO PLAN A FUNERAL.

BUT YOU CAN PLAN TO LIKE THE GUIDANCE AND SERVICE YOU GET FROM A FUNERAL HOME. Arranging a funeral is an emotional process. But choosing the right funeral home can help alleviate the stress. That’s why people turn to us. We understand the wants and needs of families from all walks of Judaism. Our fresh look and feel make everyone feel welcome. We’re centrally located, and our pricing is fair. Our care—and our caring—help ease the burden of a loss. Making a Dorfman difference everyone will appreciate.

30440 W. TWELVE MILE ROAD, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334

248.406.6000 | THEDORFMANCHAPEL.COM

continued on page 50 JUNE 10 • 2021

Nibbles

Nuts

We use the FRESHEST Kosher Bakery, Nuts, Chocolate & Fruits

Come Visit Our Store at 32550 Northwestern Hwy. Farmington Hills

NIBBLESandNUTS.com

The sooner you call, the more we can help.

888-247-5701 www.hom.org

Our State. Our Town.

Our Hospice.

Caring for Detroit's Jewish community since 1980

PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THE JEWISH HOSPICE & CHAPLAINCY NETWORK

Some days seem to last forever…

We’re offering one that actually will.

You can honor the memory of a loved one in a most meaningful way by sponsoring a day of Torah learning at Yeshiva Beth Yehudah.

During the coming week, Kaddish will be said for these departed souls during the daily minyan at Yeshiva Beth Yehudah. Your support of the Torah learning of our children and our Kollel’s Torah Scholars brings immeasurable heavenly merit. Please call us at 248-557-6750 for more information.

3 Tammuz June 13 Anna Birnbaum William Brody Joseph Freedman Joseph Gittleman Robert O Hacker Gussie Schechter Yached Skorka Irving Weiss Joseph Wool Sarah Zucker 4 Tammuz June 14 Lena Beckerman Milton Bielfield Abraham Domstein Bert Ferrer Eva Fleischer Shmuel Fordonski Dr. Joseph Gruber Mark Herman David Kabaker Rose Kantor Dr. Mandel Lansky Dr. Jack Markow Louis Moskowitz Isaac M. Newman Peter Portnoy Richard Rosin Simson Sendler

5 Tammuz June 15 Mosheh Baruch Harry Binder Rose Feigenson Ben Gladstone Anna Goldin Louis Goldstein Hattie Joslove Joan Lesson Irving Levitt Benjamin I. Magid Eleanor Newman Anna Obidor Yakel Pomerantz Gertrude Selman Lorraine Starr Nathan Trager Nandor Waller 6 Tammuz June 16 Sophie Cohen Sarah Finkelstein Leon Friedman Max Greenberg Ben Hersh Julius Heymanson Goldie Kleinberg Bronia Nothman Ethel Raifman Sarah Schmier Harry Sheawitz Mary Simon Gussie Slootsky

7 Tammuz June 17 Pearl Daniels Adolph Dinetz Martin Foster Saul Kreitman Susie Please Anna Pollak Sam Puckovitsky Phyliss Singer-attis Morris Tatelbaum Rosiland Weisberg 8 Tammuz June 18 Dollie Greenblatt Mae Klee Sarah Levin Augusta Mermelstein Joseph Miller Jacob Natow Dave G Newman Clara Ordin Ira I. Sonnenblick 9 Tammuz June 19 Shirley S. Baggleman Louis Berkower Mary Berman Anna Godfrey Charles Klavons Bella Peck Morris S. Wayne Philip Yaker

School for Boys • Beth Jacob School for Girls • Bais Yehudah Preschool Weiss Family Partners Detroit • Kollel Bais Yehudah • Maalot Detroit P.O. Box 2044 • Southfield, MI 48037• 248-557-6750 • www.YBY.org

JUNE 10 • 2021

OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 49

Same Day Local Delivery Nation Wide Delivery

248.737.8088

OBITUARIES

Lasser, Olivia Appelman, Stella, Lucy and Henry Barnett, and Hailey and Brayden Hesano; much loved sister-in-law of Sally and the late Nathan Soberman, the late Lillian and the late Jack Perlman, the late Thelma and the late Louis Milgrom. She is also survived by nieces, nephews and many loving family and friends. Heartfelt gratitude goes to devoted caregivers, the Fab 5: Shantel Tran, Margo Sliwinska, Doris Poprawa, Sandra Walker and Brittany Drzinsky. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, Carole Jo Lasser Music Fund, 6555 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jewishhospice. org Hillel Day School, the Milgrom Family Music Fund, 32200 Middlebelt Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334, hillelday.org; or Paint A Miracle Art Studio, the Carole Jo Lasser Scholarship Fund, 400 Water St., LL4, Rochester, MI 48307, paintamiracle.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. WILLIAM “BILL” NELSON, a resident of Wolverine Lake, died on April 29, 2021, at the age

of 86. Bill served in the U.S. Army in Europe in field artillery. Upon his return, he graduated from Wayne State University with a master’s in social work and was employed by the city of Detroit until his retirement.

Bill was a lifetime member in health clubs and an avid runner. He and Liz enjoyed cruises to various parts of the world and their annual trips to Florida. Mr. Nelson was the beloved husband of Elizabeth Nelson; dear father of Alan Nelson, Ami Burbidge, Nicole (David) Eberline, Eric (Denise) Imms, Paul Imms and Lisa (David) Hicks; loving grandfather of Matthew Burbidge. He was also survived by many other family members and friends. He was the son of the late Hilda and Jack Nelson; devoted brother of Judy Nelson Rubenstein (Erwin). Interment was at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly, MI 48442. The officiant was Rabbi Joshua L. Bennett. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033, 248-351-0280. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. SHARON SHEBSES, 75, of West Bloomfield, died June 2, 2021. She is survived by her daughter and son-inlaw, Amy and Steven Klein; grandson, Joshua Klein; sister, Sandy August; nieces, Nicole (Aaron) Obermyer and Heather (Will) Ezzell; great-nieces, Payton Obermyer and Holli Ezzell; many other loving family members and friends. Mrs. Shebses was the beloved wife of the late continued on page 52

We believe that every Jew has a portion in the world to come. Trust us to prepare your loved one ... and respect of the forthe that journey. life you treasured.

For the peace you need . . . HEBREW MEMORIAL CHAPEL (248) 543-1622 ~ hebrewmemorial.org

OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 51

Leonard Shebses; the daughter of the late Helen and Alfred Berkowitz. Interment took place at Oakview Cemetery in Royal Oak. Contributions may be made to Temple Kol Ami Religious School Fund or the American Red Cross. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. EARL I. SHERMAN died May 23, 2021, in Scottsdale, Ariz. Born March 26, 1926, he was c. 1989 a Detroit resident for the first 50 years of his life. He attended Central High and earned his B.A. in economics and a J.D. from Wayne State University. He was married to Ingrid

JUNE 10 • 2021

(Nilsson) Sherman from 1965 to 1975. They lived in Sherwood Forest and raised two children. He later lived in Southfield and West Bloomfield. Earl had his own law practice for most of his career, with a strong focus later on estate and real estate law. He was well read, very curious about other people, volunteered with various professional organizations and loved painting, photography, movies, hiking, dining out and taking in nature anywhere he could. For many years, he found his spiritual home at the Birmingham Temple. In the early ’90s he married Josephine Naughton (now living in West Bloomfield). In 1997, they both retired

and purchased a second home in Scottsdale, where they spent more than half the year. Earl was a tour guide at the Phoenix Art Museum and docent at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West. He had three brothers: Howard, Barney and Marty. Barney died in 2019 at 99. Earl is survived by his son, Jason of Oak Park, Ill.; daughter, Karen Revill of Dexter, Mich.; and their respective spouses, Victoria Storm and Todd Revill; his grandchildren, Sydney and Anika Sherman, and Cameron and Madeline Revill. There will be a service in Birmingham in July or August 2021. Email Jason Sherman, jandrew67@yahoo. com, for more information.

MAYNARD STONE, 91, of West Bloomfield, died May 28,2021. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gloria Stone; daughter, Karen Stone; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Alejandra Stone; grandchildren, Allison Stone and Emma Stone; brother and sister-inlaw, Gerald and Zelda. Mr. Stone was the devoted son of the late Frances and the late Harry Stone; the loving brother of the late Belle, the late Norma, the late Bertha and the late Seena. Interment was at Adat Shalom Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

RASKIN

THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

Good Burgers

Remembering Hamburg Time in Birmingham.

t was a mouth-watering, scrumptious and delicious member of the hamburger family … as prepared at Hamburg Time in Birmingham. One could use any kind of hamburger meat, but if you did it just right, the Danny way they did it, Raskin Senior Columnist the Wine Burger had something special … There was a special ingredient, but they wouldn’t

tell anybody what it was … a good reason many would flock to Hamburg Time … I did know that one would have to have course-ground hamburger meat with enough fat in it to stay juicy … Most ground sirloin is too dry by the time it comes off the fire. I did know that Hamburg Time formed its meat into the classic hamburger, about a third of a pound would do nicely …They probably would poke a few holes in the surface … then pour an ounce or so of wine over the meat and let it soak in for about an hour … Flop this little devil on the griddle and cook to suit to individual taste, and folks would be in for a rare treat … Overcooking was something the folks at Hamburg Time were no doubt aware would spoil the luscious doozies. Because of this, Hamburg Time became a local institution in Birmingham beloved

Monument Center Inc.

“Same Location Over 80 Years” Monuments and Markers Bronze Markers Memorial Duplicating MONUMENT CENTER Cemetery INC. Lettering & Cleaning “Same Location 80 Years”

CEMETERY INSTALLATION ANYWHERE IN MICHIGAN Monuments and Markers 248-542-8266 Bronze Markers Memorial Duplicating Cemetery Lettering & Cleaning CEMETERY INSTALLATION ANYWHERE IN MICHIGAN

Call 248-542-8266

661 E. 8 MILE ROAD FERNDALE 1 1/2 blocks East of Woodward

www.MonumentCenterMichigan.com

by many … The menu was very simple, listing a “Time of Your Life” hamburger, a Wine Burger and the simple, classic cheeseburger … Not listed but served were the half-pounder, which was just that, a halfpound burger on a small loaf of French bread, or the Danish blue cheeseburger. The latter item brought so many raves that Hamburg Time couldn’t keep up the demand at lunch time … There was nothing fancy about Hamburg Time inside or out but the cooking. OLDIE BUT GOODIE … An Arab was walking through the desert, desperate for water, when he saw something far off in the distance … Hoping to find water, he walked there to find a little old Jewish man sitting at a card table with a bunch of ties on it … The Arab asked, “Please, I’m dying of thirst, can I have some water?” The man replied, “I don’t

have any water, but why don’t you buy a tie? Here’s one that goes nicely with your robes.” The Arab shouted, “I don’t want a tie, you idiot, I need water!” “OK, don’t buy a tie. But to show you what a nice guy I am, I’ll tell you that over that hill there, about 4 miles, is a nice restaurant. They’ll give you all the water you want.” The Arab thanked him and walked away toward the hill and eventually disappeared … Three hours later, the Arab came crawling back to where the man was sitting behind his card table … TheJewish man said, “I told you. About four miles over that hill. Couldn’t you find it?” The Arab rasped, “I found it all right. They wouldn’t let me in without a tie!” CONGRATS … To Hedy Blatt on her birthday. Danny’s email address is dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

If you are not wearing it… sell it!... or BORROW on it! You can’t enjoy jewelry if it’s sitting in your safe deposit box. Sell or borrow on it for immediate cash. We deal in jewelry, watches, diamonds and coins. A Service to Private Owners, Banks & Estates

Coins & Jewelry

Contact Raymond Jenkins

33700 Woodward Ave. • Between 14 Mile & Adams • Birmingham, MI

248-644-8565

JUNE 10 • 2021

Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History accessible at www.djnfoundation.org

t is hard to believe, but Bob Dylan celebrated his 80th birthday on May 24. It is not an overstatement to say that Dylan — aka Robert Allen Zimmerman — is an enigmatic sort of musical genius. Dylan is universally lauded as one of the best, some say the best, songwriter in American history. His career has lasted nearly 60 years, and along the way, Mike Smith Dylan has received 10 Grammy Alene and Graham Landau Awards, an Academy Award, a Archivist Chair Presidential Medal of Freedom, and just to top off these accolades, the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016. He has also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has received numerous international recognitions.

Dylan’s 1965 concert tour in England, a film that “tells it like it is….” The ad carried a disclaimer: “No one over 30 admitted.” One only needs to read the coverage of Dylan in the JN to understand that he moves to his own drummer. Raised Jewish, Dylan embraced Christianity in the 1980s for a short time, and then returned to Judaism and contributed to Chabad and to the Lubavitcher movement. He has been consistently pro-Zionist over the years. His song, “Neighborhood Bully” has a strong Zionist message. Yet, when Dylan visited

A Cultural Icon Dylan was born in Duluth, Minn., and raised in Hibbing, Minn., a town established for miners who worked in the famous Mesabi Iron Range in northern Minnesota. His grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Europe. Dylan was raised within Hibbing’s small but vibrant Jewish community. While in high school, Dylan began his musical career. He moved to New York at the age of 19 and took the name, Bob Dylan. He released his first album in 1962 at the age of 21; his latest album, his 39th, was released last year. Dylan appears on 369 pages in the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History in a wide range of stories, reports and feature articles. In sheer number of mentions in the JN, Dylan outranks other star performers such as Elvis Presley, who only appears on 49 pages; Frank Sinatra, 78 pages; the Beatles, 77 pages; and Barbara Streisand, 58 pages. Dylan first appears in the Dec. 29, 1967, issue of the JN in an advertisement from the Studio I Theater in Detroit. It was showing an “exclusive first run” of Don’t Look Back, a movie about

JUNE 10 • 2021

Israel in 1987 for a concert, he canceled a liveTV interview and didn’t show up for scheduled meetings with Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek (Sept. 11, 1987, JN). How many of us would have the chutzpah to stiff those guys? There are also a number of analyses of Dylan’s music and life in the JN, including several cover stories. Their titles should give you a hint of how tough it is to fully explain Dylan. For example, see “Tangled Up in Zimmerman” by frequent JN contributor Don Cohen (Sept. 22, 2005) or “Will the Real Bob Dylan Please Stand Up” by David Holzel (Jan. 12, 1990) and “Deciphering Dylan” by Larry Yudelson (July 2, 1999). Perhaps “A Nice Jewish Cultural Icon? Sort Of ” by reviewer Ken Gordon (Jan. 7, 2005) reaches the most reasonable assessment of Bob Dylan: “He is always, and only, himself.” Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

THE DETROIT

JEWISH NEWS 200 Feb. 11-17, 2021 / 29 Shevat-5 Adar 5781

thejewishnews.com

36 36

Meet the cohort of 2021 — young Jews making a difference in our community. See page 8

THE DETROIT

JEWISH NEWS

200 Feb. 18-24, 2021 / 6-12 Adar 5781

thejewishnews.com

Sense of

Duty Young Detroiters serve in the IDF to “give back” to Israel. See page 12

THE DETROIT

JEWISH NEWS 200 Feb. 25-March 3, 2021 / 13-19 Adar 5781

thejewishnews.com thejewishnews

THE DETROIT

JEWISH NEWS

200 March 4-10, 2021 / 20-26 Adar 5781

thejewishnews.com

Floating Cloud ON A

With Detroit’s help, Israeli firm creates app to give your car a smoother, more efficient ride. See page 12

Todah Morim! Thank you, teachers! An appreciation of our day school educators during this pandemic. See page 13

Subscribe Today!

See Our Improved Features to Help Manage Your Account!

1 Year In State $85 2 Year In State $153

• Online Account Access for Immediate Updates

1 Year Out of State $125

• Submit Address Changes, Starts and Stops

2 Year Out of State $225

• Easy Renewal Payments • Manage Gift Subscriptions • More ways to get in touch

Email Us: subscriptions@thejewishnews.com Reach Out Through Our Website: https://thejewishnews.com/contact/ Or Call 248.351.5108

Name: Address: City: State:

Zip Code:

Phone Number:

Credit Card Number: Exp. Date: We Accept:

Security Code: Check or Money Order

SEND TO: DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 32255 NORTHWESTERN HWY. SUITE 205, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334

DJN June 10, 2021

Articles inside

Obituaries

Danny Raskin

The Exchange

Community Calendar

Celebrity News

A Feast for the Eyes

Here’s To

LTU Is New Home of Specs Howard

Shark Tank Tale

Isaac Herzog Elected Israel’s 11th President

Who is Naftali Bennett Israel’s (likely) Next Prime Minister?

Ceasefire Holds but Issues Remain Unresolved

Bring Danny Home

Air Force Over-Head

Moments

Birthright is Back

A Tale of Two Baseball Teams

United Against Antisemitism

New Leader at Yad Ezra

Fighting Back