DJN October 7, 2021 by The Detroit Jewish News

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200 Oct. 7-13, 2021 / 1-7 Cheshvan 5782

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GLORY Built in 1902 as Temple Beth El, iconic Kahn structure to get $50 million restoration. See page 14

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contents Oct. 7-13, 2021 / 1-7 Cheshvan 5782 | VOLUME CLX, ISSUE 9

20 PURELY COMMENTARY 4-13

Essays and viewpoints.

ERETZ 34

OUR COMMUNITY 14

A Return to Glory

Built in 1902 as Temple Beth El, iconic Kahn structure to get $50 million restoration.

Inspiring Educator

USS Carl M. Levin Is Getting Set to Sail

Erin Gruwell to speak at National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan event Oct. 14.

Levin’s family attend the ceremony in Maine.

22 24

A Token of Their Appreciation

Davidson Foundation and JFMD give $200 gift cards to day school teachers and staff.

A Successful Summer

B’nai B’rith Great Lakes Region holds numerous community programs over summer 2021.

Meet the Olim:

Julia Weinberg: “Israel Is a Wonderful Place to Raise Kids”

SPORTS 35

His Legacy Was on the Lanes

Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame inductee Phil Horowitz bowled a 300-game last year at age 81.

MAZEL TOV 36

Moments

SPIRIT 37

Torah portion

The Courage to Live with Uncertainty

Synagogue Directory

ARTS & LIFE 42

Behind the Art

Safety First

Actor Hill Harper joins the Oct. 21 Reach For Hope Benefit to raise funds for suicide prevention training.

Celebrity News

Earning Awards

Building Bridges

New Windsor Federation/JCC executive director brings international experience and optimism to the position.

Star Power

Short film about local Holocaust survivor is part of larger Shoah documentary.

Faces & Places

Future Detroit Riverfront Park Sport House to Be Named for Bill Davidson

Hadassah hosts art historian to present about Jewish women artists.

Broadway In Detroit adopts stringent COVID protocols.

EVENTS

Community Calendar

FOOD 47

From the Home Kitchen of Chef Aaron: Fried Dough

42 Shabbat Lights

Shabbat begins: Friday, Oct. 8: 6:43 p.m. Shabbat ends: Saturday, Oct. 9: 7:42 p.m.

*Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar.

ON THE COVER: Cover design: Michelle Sheridan Cover photo: Rendering of proposed Temple Beth El renovations. Credit: The Roxbury Group.

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ETC.

The Exchange 47 Obituaries 49 Looking Back 54 OCTOBER 7 • 2021

PURELY COMMENTARY for openers

Minor Damage

e “poor mortals” are often buffeted about by fate and damaged accordingly. Through all of this rough handling, items may get nicked or scratched. However, that does not stop us from using those terms in Sy Manello other ways in Editorial our conversaAssistant tions. Here are some instances. Men who are not caught up in the annual Movember craze (growing beards and moustaches) should practice extreme caution when shaving so as not to nick themselves. If you are in Britain and try to nick something from a store, you may find yourself locked up in the nick. (Your

lack of knack was not worth taking the nick-nack. Yes, that spelling is an acceptable one!) Then a lawyer may be hired to save you in the nick of time. We would hope that when we move our lodgings, the moving men will not nick any furniture. The term even is used to apply to colorful figures. At Christmas, there is jolly old St. Nick. One popular name for the devil was Old Nick. He was also called Old Scratch. (How is that for a segue?) If you are up to par in your well-being or your work or any endeavor, you may be described as being up to scratch. Seeking a quick win? You may find good results when you scratch off a lottery card. That may earn you a sizeable

amount of scratch, or not. The real gambler may stake a bet at the track by using a scratch sheet and then hope that his horse does not get scratched. If it does, he will have to start from scratch seeking his fortune. If you wish to get a favor from someone, you may have to employ the strategy of “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.” A literalist, however, may suggest this phrase if he has recently encountered a swarm of mos-

quitoes. A famous person’s handwriting may be described as chicken scratchings. Well, that certainly makes it harder to forge, I suppose. Trying to read it, however, may lead one to scratch his head. He may then decide to scratch the idea of trying to sell the famous signature since it cannot be read at all. I suggest you use these terms sparingly if you wish to minimize the damage in your life.

as the conversation took place over 40 years ago, but I can remember what she had told me — as if it was yesterday. I will call her Miss Anna. You see, Miss Anna told me of her travels all around the world. I was filled with wonder and could only think and say, “Wow, wow and wow.” I should mention that I was in my mid-teens and was already much taller than Miss Anna. I must have said “wow” one too many times because she suddenly grabbed me by the

shoulders and began shaking me. Her eyes locked onto mine and she screamed in my face, “It was no pleasure trip! We were running from Hitler!” I felt confused. She quickly released me and backed away. Then she proceeded to pull up her sleeve to reveal dark green numbers tattooed on her arm. She’d been a prisoner in a concentration camp. I don’t remember exactly what happened after that. My heart began to pound, and the rest of the visit was a blur. I do

essay

A True Story

y dad worked hard to raise four kids, moving us from an African American neighborhood on Detroit’s Eastside to the Northwest side, which was predominantly Jewish back then. One day, as I was walking home, Judy Hall I saw one of my neighbors with whom I enjoyed talking and especially liked. Sometimes she would make tea

and we would sit in her living room and talk. She was always interesting, and I liked her accent as she spoke. On this particular day, I was about to learn just how interesting she really was. This day, she was standing in her front yard near the sidewalk, which may be where she’d been when I’d first met her. She could have been 75 years old; she was short, stout and wearing a dark blue dress. It seemed that she always wore dark dresses. I can no longer remember her name,

continued on page 6 OCTOBER 7 • 2021

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OCTOBER 7 • 2021

PURELY COMMENTARY continued from page 4

remember how it scared me. Later that day I told my family what had happened. One day after that, Miss Anna said, “I have some things for you. Do you want them?” The two things that stood out to me were a kitchen stove and a super-big bag of canceled postage stamps from around the world and across time. Later, I found out that Miss Anna had moved to Southfield. I went there to try and find her but was unsuccessful. All these years later, I decided to celebrate Miss Anna’s life and her sacrifices using the postage stamps she’d given me to retrace the steps she and her family had taken to escape tyranny and oppression. When I called my sister to ask to borrow her drill for my art tribute, she asked me, “What are you building — a robot?” I laughed and said I Publisher The Detroit Jewish News Foundation

| 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

was attempting to tell Miss Anna’s story, which had such a big influence on me. My sister cut me off and simply said, “I remember when you shared that experience with the family.” And I understood that I was

Judy Hall grew up on Indiana Street in Northwest Detroit and never forgot “Miss Anna.” She currently lives in Midtown Detroit.

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not the only one who had been impacted by Miss Anna.

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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.

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

Judy Hall’s artwork she created from Miss Anna’s postage stamps to honor the woman who made such an impression on her. It says “It was no pleasure trip. We were running from Hitler.”

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OCTOBER 7 • 2021

PURELY COMMENTARY essay

A (Mostly) Jewish Soundtrack

love music. From listening to music, to singing and writing songs, music has always been there to help me enjoy the good times and cope with the bad times. As I reflect on the soundtrack of my life, I realize that music with Dr. Jeff a Jewish influLondon ence has been a big part of the melodies that sustain me. My first musical memory was when I was very young, sitting on a piano bench with my mom, listening, as she played and sang a song with some very strange funny words. “Oh, Jeffrey sits on the chairella and plays on the fortisch piano, and Sheila dance the dancella, Ay yai yai yai yai yai! Oy the Shayna maidele, kinderle klain, kinderle klain…” I had no idea what she was singing. But it was sweet and funny and usually ended with us laughing together. We would go on to more familiar songs and show tunes, often, I later found out, written by Jewish composers like Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers or Sammy Cahn. By then, a sense of Jewishness had been embed-

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

ded as a central element to the songs I began to sing and love. My mother had started to teach me how music could make you laugh and soothe your soul. My wife recalls her mom singing Yiddish lullabies to her at bedtime. And many years later, when she sang “Oyfn Pripetchik” to our children and then our grandchildren before a much-needed nap, she recalled her mom’s sweet voice helping her to fall asleep. Jewish holidays often are filled with music (as well as with

for their supper, I also would smile and kvell at their youthful attempts at the Ma Neshtanah. MEETING THE GUITAR (AND MY BESHERT) Fast forward to my teen years … to folk music and to AZA and BBG. While these groups had many purposes, AZA provided a way to meet Jewish girls, other than the girls from my school. Parties and Oneg Shabbats provided an opportunity, but I quickly learned the truth: In order to meet girls,

“A SENSE OF JEWISHNESS HAD BEEN EMBEDDED AS A CENTRAL ELEMENT TO THE SONGS I BEGAN TO SING AND LOVE.” food!). For my mom’s family, the Eisenbergs, the family seder was the most significant Jewish event of the year. From very early on, each child would be asked if he or she was ready to ask the Fir Kasches (Four Questions). I remember how proud my parents were when each of their three children sang to the whole mishpachah, showing off that we had been practicing our Hebrew. And when my own children reached the age when they felt ready to sing

you had to talk to girls. Not so easy. About that same time, my friend Eddie suggested we take a group beginner’s guitar class at the JCC. Eddie lasted about two weeks; I’ve been learning guitar for about 60 years. I quickly learned that a guitar was a wonderful ally at parties. I could meet girls without having to talk to girls. Singing folk songs with them was so much less painful. And this plan led to the January day in 1966, when I found myself strumming along with a younger girl named Leslie who also had brought her guitar to an Oneg Shabbat involving my chapter and hers.

And, although she was less than happy with my “way too loud” guitar playing, she forgave me enough to agree to a date, which eventually led to our singing together (mostly in harmony) through our 50-plus year marriage. And songs like “Dona Dona,” “Sunrise Sunset,” “Homeward Bound,” “You’ve Got a Friend” and “Happy Together” (all composed by Jews) have been a constant source of strength and support for our relationship, through all of life’s ups and downs. RAISING A FAMILY As our kids grew, we taught them our favorite songs and kvelled when they knew all the words. We joined Temple Emanu-El and then Temple Israel. We got involved at both temples, in the best way we knew how … through singing. I have always been adept at writing song parodies for birthdays, holidays and anniversaries. And my parodies found a (usually) welcome audience at both temples with such “hits” as “The People Are Always Friendly at Temple EmanuEl” (to the tune of “Under the Sea”), “Super Challah Matzoh, Tzimmes, Liver and Charosis” and “The Totally Uplifting Yom Kippur Mind Shifting Parking at the Temple Blues” and brilliant silly lyrics like “You must remember this, a bris is just a bris, a chai is just a chai;

“MANY YEARS FROM NOW, I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT MY GRANDCHILDREN WILL REMEMBER THEIR PAPA SINGING SONGS I WROTE ESPECIALLY FOR THEM ON EACH OF THEIR BIRTHDAYS.” pastrami still goes best on rye, as time goes by.” We also began creating some new traditions in our home. At a talk for parents of bnai mitzvot, a rabbi gave some simple but great advice about creating a more Jewish home on Shabbat: “Just do something.” So, we started singing a few prayers and lighting Shabbat candles. Bim bom, Shabbat shalom, and prayers over wine and challah made a difference. My wife and I joined a Temple Israel chorus, lovingly led by Cantor Neil Michaels, giving us something we could do together, she as an alto and I as a baritone. Singing cemented our involvement at temple and helped make Kabbalat Shabbat services feel more meaningful and spiritual. And even when COVID prevented us from attending services, we could still listen and sing on Zoom from our kitchen table. FULL CIRCLE Skipping ahead many years, I recall how singing helped us feel connected with our aging parents. Leslie’s father and my mother had passed away, which left my mother-in law, Eileen, and my dad, Leon, as the matriarch and patriarch of our family. And when we got together, after dinner, we often got out song sheets from their era, and I improvised the chords and we found out what

“oldies but goodies” really meant! And when Leon and then Eileen each gradually reached the waning days of their lives, we sang with them and to them at their bedsides. So, what goes around does come around. Leslie singing to our grandchildren and at her mom’s bedside. My mom, instilling the joy of singing within me, which I then passed forward to my kids and grandkids (and anyone else who will listen to my songs). Singing at the seder with those old tunes to maintain the family traditions. My grandson learning to play the guitar and singing Beatles songs with me. My granddaughter singing sweetly in musicals and in the temple youth choir. Hopefully, next Pesach, Papa and Grandma will kvell as one of our younger family members dares to ask the Four Questions for the first time. And, many years from now, I can only hope that my grandchildren will remember their papa singing songs I wrote especially for them on each of their birthdays. And when they recall our family singing together at the seder table, maybe at least one of my grandchildren will show one of their children the only proper (Eisenberg) way to sing “Adir Hu” (after the men finish washing the dishes)! Dr. Jeff London is a retired child psychiatrist from Farmington Hills.

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OCTOBER 7 • 2021

PURELY COMMENTARY opinion

Happy Anniversary, Abraham Accords! Time for the U.S. to Rejoin the Party.

n a logical world, the United Nations — and especially the United States — would be loudly celebrating the first anniversary of the Abraham Accords. This momentous agreement marked the first peace James deals between Sinkinson Israel and any JNS.org Arab nation in 26 years. The Accords between the Jewish state and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain — followed by normalization agreements with Morocco, Sudan and then Kosovo — have spurred massive increases in trade, diplomacy and tourism. After 73 years of Arab war and calumny against Israel, we see the promise of an end to hostilities. A warm peace. You’d think such a miracle might deserve a Nobel Peace Prize. Indeed, the new Middle East peace has opened up phenomenal economic opportunities. Comparing the full year of 2020 with the first seven months of 2021, trade between Israel and Arab countries grew by 234%. UAE-Israel trade skyrocketed from $50.8 million to $613.9 million — an increase of 1,208%. Trade

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

with Jordan jumped from $136.2 million to $224.2 — 40%. Egypt’s trade shot up from $92 million to $122.4 million — almost 25%. Morocco’s trade with Israel increased by 28 percent. UAE economy minister Abdulla Bin Touq projects growth of economic ties to Israel to reach $1 trillion over the next decade. In the last year, more than 200,000 Israelis visited the UAE — most flying direct to Dubai, where kosher food is readily available. So why is the Biden administration now virtually ignoring this earthshaking breakthrough and its potential to realign Middle East geopolitics — particularly the formation of a bloc opposing nuclearbound Iran? The resistance seems to stem from Team Biden’s overriding determination to a) fashion a new Iran disarmament deal and b) restore support to Palestinian statehood. The additional fact that the Abraham Accords were initiated by the Trump administration, of course, doesn’t help their digestive tracts. DEALING WITH IRAN As for Iran, Biden’s State Department seems at pains — as was President Obama

— not to exert too much pressure on Iran or ruffle its feathers. But in the hands of the right negotiators, a growing front of Middle East — and Muslim — countries opposed to U.S. arch-enemy Iran should be good news. It only strengthens the American hand in attempting to bring the Islamic Republic to heel. Given this momentum to ally with Israel — the Middle East’s strongest military power — Saudi Arabia may soon join the alliance, especially with a bit of U.S. prodding. Surely, if Iran acquires nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia will want them, too. In short, the Abraham Accords provide every reason for Iran to negotiate peace sooner rather than later. Likewise, the Biden administration apparently wants to make nice with the Palestinians — who have roundly condemned the Abraham Accords. Palestinian president-forlife Mahmoud Abbas called them “a stab in the back.” No wonder, since this agreement killed the Palestinians’ ability to hold an Arab peace hostage to their maximalist demands. Indeed, the U.S. argument for the obstinate Palestinians to give up their sacred ambitions of expunging Israel

from the region should only be fortified by fellow Arabs abandoning that mission after seven long decades. That war is over. Unfortunately, despite the harmony of these foreign policy leverage points with Biden administration priorities, neither seems to resonate. Instead, the United States is trying to woo Iran with offers to cancel crippling sanctions. It’s trying to regain credibility with the Palestinians by restoring funding halted by the previous administration because Palestinian leadership uses the money to incentivize terrorists with its “Pay-for-Slay” program. In fairness, Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a Zoom reception for the parties to the Accords at the State Department earlier this month to mark the anniversary of the diplomatic breakthrough. While Blinken mouthed commitments to “foster” ties and “deepen” relationships among Middle East nations, in truth, the administration has announced no specific plans to seize the opportunities. THE NAYSAYERS Perhaps the biggest surprise among those rejecting the

Abraham Accords were the progressive and liberal intellectuals, as well as some so-called experts. One would think that those who criticized Israel for “creating obstacles” to peace for so many years would embrace the Abraham Accords for creating unprecedented agreements in the region. Rather, these naysayers were worried that their darlings, the Palestinians, were being sidelined, so they created all manner of excuses to slam the agreements. First, they tried to attack promises the United States made to the Arab side of the agreements, like the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the UAE, taking Sudan off the sanctions list and recognizing Morocco’s control of the Western Sahara. Then they tried to attack the very nature of these states as autocratic and undemocratic — while ignoring their own longstanding, full-throated support for kleptocrat Abbas. Nonetheless, it’s clear that the Abraham Accords are flourishing despite pockets of opposition. While momentum has certainly diminished — largely a result of America’s disengagement — the train has already left the station. Perhaps this explains Blinken’s recent lip service, albeit low-key, in acknowledging the agreement’s anniversary: “This administration will continue to build on the successful efforts of the last administration to keep

normalization marching forward.” TIME FOR ACTION It’s time for Biden and Blinken to put these words into action. The United States should press for more Arab countries to join the Accords, starting with Saudi Arabia and Oman, two countries that were reportedly on the verge of agreement before the Trump administration was voted out of office. They should also be pushing for other American allies, like Indonesia, the largest populated Muslim country in the world, to join the circle of peace and cooperation with Israel. All such movement would support U.S. interests. Clearly, those who oppose the Abraham Accords are enemies of Israel and peace. The United States has to pick a side — by putting its full diplomatic weight into continuing the momentum built by (in Blinken’s words) “the last administration.” Such a strategy would be good for the United States, good for peace and security and good for the U.S.-Israel relationship. It is a simple win-win situation, and on its one-year anniversary, there is no better time to reverse policy, put politics aside and insert U.S. diplomacy firmly back into this successful process. James Sinkinson is president of Facts and Logic About the Middle East (FLAME), which publishes educational messages to correct lies and misperceptions about Israel and its relationship to the United States.

Bring Danny Home! Portrait by Matt Jaffe

The Detroit Jewish News urges the community to fight for the release of Huntington Woods native Danny Fenster — a journalist who has been held without cause and without specified charges for

137 days by a military junta in a gruesome prison in Myanmar (Burma).

The family is looking for people to create portraits of Danny that can be shared on social media at https://bringdannyhome.com/pages/gallery.

You can also support Danny at:

BringDannyHome.com fenster-verse.tumblr.com facebook.com/groups/1164768597279223. OCTOBER 7 • 2021

PURELY COMMENTARY opinion

Beyond Naming and Shaming: New Strategies Needed to Combat Antisemitism

he American Jewish Committee (AJC) announced in August a “Disrupt antisemitism” initiative offering funding “for new ideas to combat antisemitism, locally, nationally or virtually.” The initiative is to be commended both because it may produce new approaches and John Ruskay, in launching this Ph.D. effort, the AJC is acknowledging that existing strategies may not be able to reverse the alarming increase of antisemitism underway. The rabbinic sage Rav Nachman is oft quoted: “The endpoint of knowledge is to know that we don’t know.” Fighting antisemitism is now one of the highest priorities of virtually every North American Jewish federation and many national Jewish organizations. Community security systems are being strengthened and there are continuous calls for bold new initiatives to combat antisemitism. Determining the most effective strategies for the North American Jewish community to respond to increased antisemitism requires clarifying our understanding of what is taking place, assessing what has and is being done, and developing strategies for the most effective ways to move forward. “Naming and shaming” has been the Jewish community’s primary strategy to combat antisemitism for decades. Acknowledging that hate, racial

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

— with the active participation of Jewish leadership — was overwhelmingly on combating antisemitism. And we ought to note while the murderer uttered vile antisemitic statements, he focused on the role of Jewish organizations, HIAS in particular, for sponsoring its Refugee Shabbat program and related work.

stereotyping and antisemitism are part of the human condition, multiple efforts were forged including litigation, legislation and arguably most important, successfully creating a broad public consensus — among elites and the media — that expressions of antisemitism were simply unacceptable. When we read or heard of an antisemitic speech, statement, article or book, Jewish leaders called it out and pressed political, cultural and religious leaders and the media to denounce those responsible and insist they be shamed, censured or removed from leadership positions. These efforts were, and remain, impactful and no doubt deterred unknown numbers of purveyors of hate from expressing their antisemitic views. That said, “naming and shaming” is clearly not sufficient on its own to halt, let alone reverse, the growth of antisemitism. Local and national Jewish organizations have also long sponsored dialogues with leaders of other ethnic, racial and religious groups. These efforts

created valuable relationships essential when crises occur, strengthened partnerships to advocate for Israel, and enabled collaborative endeavors to work on a range of issues nationally and locally. That said, such dialogues have been almost always limited to relatively small elite/ leadership groups. As a community, we instinctively understand reports of attacks on Jews as being part of the centuries-long history of Jew hatred that led to attacks on Jews and Jewish communities, pogroms and, ultimately, the Holocaust. While understandable, we might ask whether this is the wisest, most strategic way to frame our collective response. As but one example, in 2018 when the horrendous attack took place at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, there were over 320 mass killings in America defined by four or more people being killed. After most mass killings, media and public officials primarily focused on the promiscuous availability of guns and mental illness. After Tree of Life, the public focus

JEWISH WORLD DIALOGUE The Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) conducts annual dialogues of community leadership in the Jewish world. JPPI’s eighth Jewish World Dialogue, in 2020, focused on the rise of antisemitism and how it is understood principally by Jews in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Eleven dialogue sessions were conducted by my colleague Dr. Shlomo Fischer and me, nine in North America and two in Israel, with 154 participants. While we ought to be cautious generalizing from the limited number of Dialogue participants, what emerged from JPPI’s 2020 Dialogue may be helpful. “Most participants attributed the increase of antisemitic views and acts to the increase of racism broadly and pointed to the growing role of social media” in disseminating hate, racism and antisemitism. In terms of how to respond most effectively, “most believe the Jewish community should develop coalitions with other racial and ethnic groups to combat racism broadly — even with groups that hold views on Israel and other issues (such

as abortion) that vary from the consensus views of North American Jewry.” As one Dialogue participant asked in a breakout session, “does anyone really believe that there is greater hatred for Jews in America than African Americans, Latinos, immigrants or Native Americans?” The room fell eerily silent. The young Dialogue participants understood these attacks as part of the larger context of what is underway in America while most Jewish organizations often frame what is taking place more narrowly, i.e., about antisemitism. Which prompts the question: Is the Jewish community well served primarily framing such attacks as part of the long-continuing history of antisemitic hate and attacks, or would it be better served by viewing the increase of antisemitism as a component of the increased racism and hate impacting the whole country? The latter would position Jewish leadership to join with other racial and ethnic groups to combat racism, hatred and antisemitism. This issue also flared recently in Israel following Foreign Minister Lapid’s July 14 speech on antisemitism. Lapid argued that antisemitism should be understood as part of wider spread racism and hatred; Netanyahu argued for its uniqueness (see Haviv Rettig Gur’s Times of Israel analysis “A Hatred that Dwells Alone?”). WHAT CAN BE DONE? In recent years, there has been an increased awareness of the long history and complex multiple sources of hatred, racism and antisemitism in

the United States. A range of contemporary factors behind the explosion of racism are cited, including changing demographics, the economic stagnation of the middle and lower classes, and perceptions of advantages provided to “others.” David Brooks, in an article published in The Atlantic in August, “How the Bobos Broke America,” discusses resentment against the “creative class,” and it should be noted that Jews are overrepresented in the creative class. The explosion of social media in the past decade has enabled racial hatred and antisemitism to be widely disseminated. Add exploiting racial fears for political gain and the alarming increase of mental illness, isolation and depression, particularly among the young, and this is a volatile mix that has produced elevated enmity against various demographic groups. And while unique factors contribute to the antipathy toward each group — African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, immigrants and Jews — critical views about nationalism, ethnonationalism, Zionism and/or Israeli government policies can, and no doubt do, contribute to the growth of antisemitism in America. Beyond “naming and shaming,” what might be effective? Truth be told, we do not know. In recent conversations with seasoned professionals who have devoted decades to leading efforts against antisemitism, racism and hatred, a plethora of ideas surfaced. In addition to strengthening security in our communities and reassessing what can be done to resurrect the “firewall” in this new environment, new ideas proposed included exponen-

tially expanding the numbers of young and old who participate in inter-group dialogues; developing mandatory intergroup community service projects for teens; requiring inter-group curriculum in high schools; stepping up regulation of social media; and undertaking a global review of empirical studies of initiatives with demonstrated success in mitigating hate, racism and antisemitism, and more. These are big ideas that will need to be tested, and if proven effective, will require substantial public/government funding to bring to scale. That said, these ideas are far more likely to generate the needed support from political, corporate and civil leaders if the broadest coalition of ethnic, religious and political leadership is aligned behind one or more, Jewish leadership and organizations included. In strategically contextualizing the growth of antisemitism in the larger context of intensified racism and hate, we communicate both within the Jewish community and beyond the readiness of Jewish leadership to join with other ethnic and religious groups to heal the social fabric of America. Equally important, this strategy heightens the potential of successfully mobilizing the public opinion, political support and resources required for such initiatives to be tested and potentially brought to scale. Let the generation of new ideas, experimentation, and testing begin! John Ruskay is a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute. This essay was posted by eJewishPhilanthropy on Sept. 27, 2021.

JFS Fall Fix Up Jewish Family Service will be holding its 25th Annual Fall Fixup Sunday, Nov. 7. Invite your family, friends or community groups to this outdoor, family-friendly volunteer event. Help rake leaves and winterize homes (outdoor only) of older adults served by Jewish Family Service. All ages are welcome. Supplies are provided, but you may bring your own leaf blowers. Drive-thru contactless supply pickup by prior appointment starting at 9 a.m. at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. To register, visit jfsdetroit.org/ fallfixup. Worksites are preassigned. Register by Oct. 29. For more information, call (248) 592-2267 or fallfixup@ jfsdetroit.org. State COVID protocols will be followed for this event.

ADL Walk Versus Hate On Oct. 10, the ADL is on the move to fight hate across the country. It’s “Walk Against Hate” is not just a walk — it’s an opportunity to move as an individual, family or community toward a future without antisemitism, racism and all forms of bigotry. However you move, register for the 2021 ADL Walk Against Hate today. Join an in-person walk in your community or sign up to participate virtually. Engage friends, family, neighbors and coworkers, and set a fundraising goal to make a difference in your community. The walk starts at 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 10, at the Southfield City Center, 2600 Evergreen Road. Register or support a walker at walkagainsthate.org/ michigan. OCTOBER 7 • 2021

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GLORY

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

THE ROXBURY GROUP

Built in 1902 as Temple Beth El, iconic Albert Kahn structure to get a $50 million restoration. ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

hen Midtown Detroit’s Bonstelle Theatre — a performing arts center that was originally the Temple Beth El synagogue — opened in 1902, it was one of Michigan’s most glorious Jewish institutions. Designed by celebrated Jewish architect Albert Kahn, who at the time was a younger member of the congregation, Temple Beth El had a brilliant, sweeping skylight and a grand stairway that descended all the way to Woodward Avenue. Inside, it held both services and Hebrew school. Now the Roxbury Group, a Detroit-based real estate developer, aims to restore the synagogue’s original glory and recreate its ornate design as a home for the arts that continues to celebrate Jewish culture. “One of the things we loved about that building and always love about any historic project we take on is the rich history behind it,” explains Stacy Fox, Roxbury’s senior vice president and general counsel. The company will be renovating the Bonstelle Theatre as part of a $50 million development project in Detroit’s Brush Park neighborhood that will include a 10-story, 153-room AC Hotel by Marriott connected to the theater by a glass conservatory. It will be built instead of the scrapped West Elm hotel project, with the soon-to-be restored Bonstelle Theatre as its crowning jewel. TEMPLE TO THEATER In 1924, when Temple Beth El was sold to American theater actress Jessie Bonstelle, the sweeping temple on Woodward Avenue was transformed into the Bonstelle Playhouse. It became a home for the arts, housing performances instead of Jewish services. Over the decades, the theater changed hands (and names) several times, being redesigned to accommodate theater seating and plays. The iconic staircase connecting to Woodward Avenue was also shortened to accommodate a widening of the road in the mid-1930s. Yet, underneath layers of paint and through the help of historic photographs, the Roxbury Group has uncovered bits and pieces of the synagogue’s former design — a beautiful pattern painting style — that they’ll use as a template for the restoration, set to begin in the coming months and taking approximately 18 months from start to finish. However, the Roxbury Group is no stranger to historic, and sometimes challenging, Detroit renovations. They’ve restored the David Whitney Building after it sat abandoned for nearly two decades, along with the Metropolitan Building, a former dilapidated neo-gothic skyscrapcontinued on page 16 OCTOBER 7 • 2021

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Temple Beth El as it looked circa 1902

1902 PHOTO COURTESY OF DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY

continued from page 15

“JUST LIKE WHEN IT WAS A SYNAGOGUE, IT’S GOING TO BE THIS BEAUTIFUL PALETTE OF COLORS AND PATTERNS. THIS HISTORY WILL ALL BE BROUGHT BACK.” — THE ROXBURY GROUP’S STACY FOX

er-turned-hotel that had stood crumbling for almost 40 years. Similar to the David Whitney Building, the Bonstelle Theatre is listed on Detroit’s National Register of Historic Places. “Just like when it was a synagogue, it’s going to be this beautiful palette of colors and patterns,” Fox says of the restoration plans. “This history will all be brought back.” THE TEMPLE’S EARLY DAYS In 1902, when Temple Beth El was first constructed, the Beth El congregation was Michigan’s largest at the time. Known as the Beth El Society, it was founded in 1850 by Detroit’s Jewish residents, also making it the oldest Jewish congregation

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in the state. Yet after moving to several locations, the society — which included Kahn — needed a permanent home. They turned to the architect, who designed some of Detroit’s most iconic structures, to create the temple. Temple Beth El pulled inspiration from Roman and Greek architecture, and its cornerstone was laid on April 23, 1902. Seven months later, it was completed. By early 1903, the first services were held just a few weeks after the new year. A well-situated location on the busy and budding Woodward Avenue helped the temple grow to more than 400 members by 1910.

As the congregation continued to increase in number, Temple Beth El couldn’t accommodate the rise in members. Instead, it moved to another building, also designed by Kahn, further north on Woodward Avenue in the Boston-Edison neighborhood. This meant the original Temple Beth El was now up for grabs and in need of a new owner. BECOMING THE BONSTELLE Sold to Bonstelle in 1924 for a reported $500,000, Temple Beth El was transformed into a center for performing arts. Renamed the Bonstelle Playhouse, the theater needed a heavy redesign to accommo-

date its new role. Pews were turned into theater seats, while the skylight and surrounding plaster design were covered with a false ceiling. Classrooms were transformed into the main stage. Yet, the theater quickly ran into trouble and unable to get off the ground due to financial issues, it was reorganized into the Detroit Civic Theatre in 1928. The subsequent stock market crash and Great Depression in 1929 made it difficult for the theater to stay afloat. Like many other venues, it didn’t survive the economic crisis. In 1933, it was shuttered and remained free of theater performances for nearly 20 years, briefly serving as a movie house during the mid-to-late 1930s and throughout the 1940s. After World War II ended, Wayne State University’s theater department was in search of a permanent home to accommodate a significant increase in student enrollment. In 1951, the university’s theater department proposed renting and eventually purchasing the former Bonstelle Playhouse. The deal was completed. In 1963, the former temple was officially named the Bonstelle Theatre. It became a home for Wayne State students and local and small touring performances. Many decades later, it even hosted a musical about Temple Beth El in 2000 to celebrate the congregation’s 150th anniversary. RESTORING ITS GLORY In 2018, when Wayne State decommissioned the Bonstelle Theatre, the Roxbury Group saw a chance for redevelopment and restoration. They secured control of the site that same year, collaborating with professional theater and music operators to develop

The theater’s historic balconies will also be maintained, with the existing seats redone. “It’s going to be so exciting to bring this back to the little jewel box that it was as a synagogue,” Fox explains. “Being able to incorporate this rich historic property into a brand-new hotel, we think that it’s going to pair beautifully and be a really wonderful place for the community.” The Roxbury Group was even able to uncover the original interior design. “We’ve been able to remove some of the paint and pull up those patterns and pull out some of those colors,” Fox says of the original temple that Kahn spearheaded. “We’ll add all of that back to the theater.” After the temple-turnedtheater is completely restored to its original glory, Fox hopes that it can once again serve as a gathering point for Metro Detroit’s Jewish community. “We’re very excited about the history of the synagogue and hope that the Jewish community embraces this venue,” she says. “We would love to see cultural performances that celebrate Jewish history.”

The Bonstelle Playhouse

1964 PHOTO COURTESY OF DETROIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

plans for producing worldclass events at the latest iteration of the Bonstelle, which promises to revisit its Jewish roots. With 1,300 seats, Fox says the Bonstelle will also double as an event space. By being paired with the new AC Hotel by Marriott, she believes it will offer another option to Metro Detroiters who want to hold celebrations like weddings or even bar or bat mitzvahs in a beautiful, historic space, while providing their guests with lodging options just a few steps away. “It fills a gap,” Fox says of the Bonstelle. “Detroit has the largest theater district outside of New York, and we have all of these fantastic venues, but there’s a gap in this size venue. To host an event where you can put people up in a hotel, a limited number of venues can do that.” To maximize flexibility within the theater, the Roxbury Group received approval from the National Park Service, which is involved in maintaining the National Historic Register, to flatten the floor. This was an important step in creating an accessible event space, Fox says.

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

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Inspiring Educator Erin Gruwell to speak at Oct. 14 event of National Council of Jewish Women. ALISON SCHWARTZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

rin Gruwell was a student English teacher in an inner-city school in Long Beach, Calif., when a racist event in her classroom changed the trajectory of her career. One student drew a horrific racist image of another student, who was African American. When Gruwell mentioned that this type of prejudice led to the terrible events of the Holocaust she was greeted by blank stares, and so began Gruwell’s mission: to educate Erin her students about antisemGruwell itism and other forms of racism and then to inspire them to write about this new-found knowledge and become voices for change. The success of her work, which both

empowered her students to speak up for what is right, and which also contributed to their academic success, was eventually published in a book called The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them. Hollywood took notice and in 2007, Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank portrayed Gruwell in the movie Freedom Writers. Gruwell will be the keynote speaker at National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan’s (NCJW|MI) annual fundraising event “Women of Vision,” being held virtually this year on Thursday, Oct. 14. She will be talking about her career and the importance of combatting hate. “My message is that you can’t stand by idly in the face of injustice,” said Gruwell,

NCJW Steers One Local Family to Love, Marriage and a Life of Helping Women

Temple Israel’s Rabbi Marla Hornsten will be awarded “The Woman of Vision Award” on Oct. 14 by NCJW|MI because of her advocacy for equality for women, her efforts for women’s programming, studying women in texts and her work with domestic abuse organizations. “I am thrilled to be honored by an organization that has been at the forefront of so many progressive visions for women and families in generations past, and ongoing today,” she said. Hornsten’s impressive work includes serving on many boards and coalitions including past co-chair of the Jewish Women International Clergy Task Force Against Domestic Violence. She Rabbi Marla is also co-chair of the Coalition for Black and Hornsten Jewish Unity and serves on the Board of Directors at Jewish Family Service and the Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield. Hornsten’s ties to NCJW also have a very personal

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

who took her earliest students to see Schindler’s List and brought Holocaust survivors to the school for her students to hear firsthand of their experience. “The first Holocaust survivor I ever worked with is now 97, lives in LA and is such a wonderful person. Her story and others show that evil prevails when good people do nothing,” explained Gruwell. Since her early groundbreaking work, Gruwell founded the Freedom Writers Foundation where she works with stu-

DETAILS Tickets for the “Women of Vision” Annual Benefit Event on Thursday, Oct. 14, are available at a range of different donation levels starting at $54 and there is also a 50/50 raffle. For more information go to www.ncjwmi.org. Proceeds will support NCJW|MI’s many community-service projects and social justice advocacy work.

element: Her own mother-in-law was a recipient of an NCJW student scholarship which brought her in 1950-51 from Morocco to the U.S. to study education and led to her marrying the love of her life. Claire Stern was born and raised in Casablanca, Morocco, and attended the University of Wisconsin/ Milwaukee for a year on her NCJW scholarship. While in the U.S., she often spoke to the NCJW membership about her experiences living in Morocco and her teaching. One woman who graciously helped her with her presentations, since English was her second language, said she wanted to introduce Claire to a local man, Burt Stern. Claire and Burt became fast friends, and one of the things she really enjoyed was how he included her when his cousins and family would get together every Shabbat. After her year in Milwaukee, Claire returned to Morocco to teach other teachers what she learned in the U.S. Prior to her return, Claire and Burt made a deal: If they still loved each other after she fulfilled her obligations of the scholarship, they would get married. Claire taught nursery and elementary school in

dents and teachers all over the U.S. and in more than 12 countries, encouraging young people to write, keep journals and make films about their experiences and how they can combat racism; this includes both Israeli and Palestinian teachers. Along with Holocaust survivors, Gruwell has brought her students face to face with survivors of other persecution, such as Cambodian and Rwandan refugees, and she has worked regularly with the Anti-Defamation League, the USC Shoah Foundation, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and even the State Department, to promote religious tolerance. In 2019, Gruwell and her students were the subject of an Emmy-award winning documentary called Freedom Writers: Stories from the Heart that was shown on PBS. In spring 2022, Gruwell has a new book coming out called Dear Freedom Writer. Gruwell says the new book is somewhat of a call to arms for young people around the globe on how to combat issues that affect them personally and in society. It is written in a Dear Abby for-

Erin Gruwell, center, with some of her early Freedom Writers.

mat, with the original Freedom Writers answering questions from a new generation. “During COVID, young people faced other challenges so social and emotional learning issues, depression and anxiety were all part of the story,” said Gruwell. Then there were the practical logistics of gathering data for the book.

Rabbi Marla Hornsten, her husband, Sheldon Stern, and mother-in-law, Claire Stern.

Morocco and applied the ideas and techniques she learned in America. They wrote letters back and forth, and after two years, Burt came to visit. They loved each other more than ever and so they got married in

“We were working with kids in the U.S. and in a dozen countries, all on Zoom and in different time zones,” she said. However, despite the obstacles, Gruwell is proud of her new book and the generations she has inspired. “My students like to claim that they have become accidental activists,” she said.

Morocco. The couple returned to the U.S. and Claire became a French teacher, using skills she learned from her NCJW year throughout her career. Until Burt’s passing, the Sterns had a happy marriage for 58 years and had four children. Their son Sheldon Stern is Hornsten’s husband. “I am a lifelong member of National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan because I believe in the values that it stands for, and I am confident I can depend on NCJW to advocate for women to create a better future for all of us,” Hornsten said. Also at the event, The Josephine S. Weiner Award for Community Service will be awarded to Beverly Stone, a former English teacher, Beverly middle school principal and assistant school Stone superintendent, who has been a long-term and passionate volunteer with NCJW|MI. Stone also organized an NCJW|MI symposium on autism for the community and serves on the advisory board of Project Healthy Schools, promoting healthy lifestyles for local middle schoolers.

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

U.S. NAVY VIA FACEBOOK

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USS Carl M. Levin Is Getting Set to Sail Sen. Levin’s family attend ceremony in Maine.

The christening of the USS Carl M. Levin, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer took place Oct. 2 at the Bath Iron Works in Maine.

JN STAFF

he naval destroyer named for the late Sen. Carl Levin was christened Oct. 2 at Bath Iron Works in Maine. The USS Carl M. Levin, a 510-foot-long Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, weighed 7,500 tons when it launched in May. Then-Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced the naming of the ship in 2016, saying he considered Levin to be one of the “most influential” members of the Senate. “Destroyers are named for heroes,” Mabus said. “Carl Levin is an American hero.” Levin, who died July 29 at age 87, served 36 years in the U.S. Senate. For all those years, he served on the Senate Armed

A Special Seal

Services Committee, including 10 years as its chairman. Levin’s three daughters, Kate Levin Markel, Laura Levin and Erica Levin, performed the christening. Erica Levin delivered a speech her father wrote for the occasion before his death. Levin’s nephew, U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township, said, “My Uncle Carl said, ‘I suppose a lot of people might say, well, I was chair of the Armed Services Committee for all these years, so having a mighty ship named after me is a fitting tribute.’ That is not how Uncle Carl viewed this situation at all. “Above all, he loved the commitment,

U.S. NAVY

United States Senator,” according to its description on the U.S. Navy’s webThe motto of the USS Carl M. Levin site. “The six six-pointed stars honor is “Tenacious in the Fight,” which Mr. Levin’s 36 years in the Senate. The expresses “the steadfast seven vertical stripes over a and determined motivation blue field denote the USS Carl of the command and crew M. Levin (DDG 120) as the 70th to triumph over adversity,” ship in its class. The national according to the U.S. Navy. colors of the United States are “The hourglass shaped red, white and blue.” division of the field resemIt goes on to describe the bles the shape of the hiscrest on the seal: “The sword toric Senate gavel, implying and Senate gavel allude to Mr. Seal of the Mr. Levin’s service as a USS Carl M. Levin Levin’s service as a Senator and

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

sacrifice, patriotism and fellow feeling of ordinary Americans like those who will serve on this ship.” Sen. Levin’s wife, Barbara, and older brother, retired U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, also attended. Sander Levin said, “Carl sought to join the Senate Armed Services Committee both to honor his debt to this nation and to strive to ensure that its work was in the best interest of all our citizens. “Our hope is that in the years and years to come, it will help us remember him and honor all that made him a remarkable public servant and a glorious human being.” position of Chairman of the Armed Services Committee. The Phrygian (Liberty) cap amongst the radiant light conveys Mr. Levin’s work to protect the Great Lakes and their many lighthouses along Michigan’s coastline. The Liberty cap, adapted from the United States Senate Seal, conveys the paramount nature of America’s ethics and values, emphasized by the golden radiant light. Additionally, the eagle is featured on the coat of arms of the State of Michigan, in tribute to Mr. Levin’s home state.”

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

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Federation CEO Steven Ingber announced the appreciation gift to the Hillel Day School staff.

A Token of Their Appreciation Davidson Foundation and JFMD give $200 gift cards to day school teachers and staff. DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

he Davidson Foundation recently provided the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit with a grant to provide each Jewish educational staff member in the community with a “welcome back” brunch and a $200 gift card, as a thank you for their efforts during the pandemic. Plans for the initiative have been worked on since before the summer, and all staff at the local day schools, including teachers, administrative staff, custodial staff, security and more received the gift cards.

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“Over the last year and a half, our teachers have been so resilient and courageous in the face of the pandemic,” said Steven Ingber, Federation CEO. “Many, in fact, put the wellbeing of our children above their own. We owe everyone who works in our schools an immense debt of gratitude and the teacher appreciation initiative was just one small way for us to say thank you. “We also want to thank the William Davidson Foundation for conceiving of the initiative and providing the funding to make it happen,” Ingber continued.

“This is just another example of the foundation’s immense generosity and passion for Jewish education and the Jewish educators and support staff in our community.” The brunch and gift cards were a surprise, presented to the staff during professional development meetings the week before students returned to school. The response has been extraordinary. The Davidson Foundation’s Ethan Davidson, son of Bill Davidson, said the initiative is reflective of his father’s focus.

“Jewish education is the core of what my dad was interested in philanthropically, and we’ve taken his interests to guide us with what we do for the Foundation,” Davidson said. “It’s right at the heart of what we do.” Davidson said he’s gotten calls from all the different schools, with people reaching out and expressing their appreciation. Some people were even in tears. “I think our day school ecosystem has done a spectacular job managing this crisis. The leadership has been so on top of it,” Davidson said. “We just wanted to help people and show teachers in some small way we value and appreciate them and that the Jewish community is really built on our educators.” TOTAL SURPRISE Jessica Shindler, a secondgrade general studies teacher at Hillel, said it was mentioned during the brunch that there would be a $200 gift card for everyone. “I think everyone’s reaction in the room was just that they were shocked,” Shindler said. “It’s one thing to be told we’re appreciated, but for them to go out of their way for such a generous sentiment for everyone who has been working in the building is so huge. It’s something teachers are still talking about and still appreciating.” Shindler knows how

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important the initiative has been for the schools with how much has been upended since March 2020. “It’s been tough. When we were remote, I think that was the hardest part because we had no idea, and there was no preparing for it,” Shindler said. “Last year, Hillel was one of the schools fortunate to be in-person for pretty much the whole school year. It was different; it was an adjustment for everyone in the building, but we were really grateful to be in school.” Shindler said it was mentioned that they should use the gift card on themselves, instead of their classroom. Schindler’s gift card has gone toward purchases on Amazon, including a toy for her dog, some containers to pack her lunches in and some books for herself and her husband. Joseph Bernstein, a social studies teacher at Frankel Jewish Academy, says he and the school staff were also shocked, in a good way. “I’ve been teaching a long time, and the last 18 months have been the most difficult in my career,” Bernstein said. “I think their mouths kind of dropped. I think the important thing about this is not only did it go to teachers; it also went to the entire staff. Everyone from the cleaning staff

who has worked so hard, to the people working in the front office, to our security. You name it, everyone was included in it.” Bernstein hasn’t decided what to use the gift card for, though he believes it’s going toward something his whole family can use. Bernstein believes the Davidson Foundation and Jewish Federation’s generosity is reflective of the community as a whole. “It shows what our values are about and our values being that of the Jewish community,” Bernstein said. “It’s about appreciating those people who work so hard.” Rabbi Shragie Myers, executive director of Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, expressed similar sentiments. “What an incredible community we live in. To have the William Davidson Foundation partner with the Jewish Federation to express the community’s appreciation for our educators in such a concrete, meaningful way is yet another example of how blessed we all are to live here,” Myers said. “Hosting a thank-you brunch to present these gifts and having Steven Ingber, the CEO of the Jewish Federation, here to thank each educator personally was an added touch of warmth that meant so much to all of us.”

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OUR COMMUNITY

A Successful Summer of Giving B’nai B’rith Great Lakes Region holds numerous community programs over summer 2021. JN STAFF

he B’nai B’rith Great Lakes Region, centered in Metro Detroit, held several community service programs over the summer, including a golf tournament fundraiser and donations made to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan and Yad Ezra. On July 9, Great Lakes Region President Lila Zorn and Vice President Joel Marwil presented a donation of B’nai B’rith Diverse Minds books to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. The donation was accepted by Sinéad Nimmo, Child Life Projects specialist at the hospital. Diverse Minds books were created in the B’nai B’rith Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge, held from 2006-2018, which awarded college scholarships to high school students who wrote and illustrated books for young readers that promoted a message of tolerance and diversity. The winning books were published by B’nai B’rith and donated to children’s facilities nationwide. Marwil has distributed Diverse Minds books to libraries, schools and community centers in the area. On Aug. 2, B’nai B’rith Great Lakes Region held its 39th annual B’nai B’rith Stephen B. Zorn Memorial Golf Outing fundraiser at the TamO-Shanter Country Club in West Bloomfield. Proceeds raised from the event benefitted a variety of B’nai B’rith programs and went toward scholarships for four students. On Aug. 30, Lila Zorn and Judi Shapiro, Great Lakes Region Project H.O.P.E. chairperson, presented a $1,500 check to Yad Ezra, which provides kosher and traditional Passover

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

On Aug. 30, Great Lakes Region President Lila Zorn and Judi Shapiro, Great Lakes Region Project H.O.P.E. chairperson, presented a $1,500 check to Daniella HarPaz Mechnikov (center), executive director of Yad Ezra.

On July 9, Great Lakes Region President Lila Zorn and Great Lakes Region Vice President Joel Marwil presented a selection of B’nai B’rith Diverse Minds books to Sinéad Nimmo (center), Child Life Projects specialist, on behalf of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

food, health care products and household items to vulnerable Jewish families in Southeast Michigan. Daniella HarPaz Mechnikov, executive director of Yad Ezra, accepted the check. Project H.O.P.E. — Help Our People Everywhere — works with community family service agencies and local Jewish social services to provide and deliver food packages to communities in need across the United States. The B’nai B’rith Great Lakes Region supports Yad Ezra year-round as part of its community service programs. The Great Lakes Region covers Michigan, Fort Wayne, Ind., and Toledo, Ohio, with most of its activity centered in Metro Detroit, which is home to active lodges, units and numerous community programs.

The winning team of the 39th Annual B’nai B’rith Stephen B. Zorn Memorial Golf Outing included David Lubin, Glen Young, Charlie Young, Ron Ruks, Nick Haratsaris and Jeffrey Tackel.

Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs Rick Sherline (left) and David Lubin (right) with Jaden Jubas, one of four students who received scholarships funded by the golf tournament proceeds.

Happy 80th Birthday Papa Richy!

Richard and Alana Waldorf celebrating with Sara, Scott, Alexa & Kadie Bernstein Carrie, Andrew, Asher, Leila & Della Bank

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Building Bridges

Dan Brotman seeks stronger links between the Detroit and Windsor Jewish communities.

New Windsor Federation/JCC executive director brings international experience and optimism to the position.

Fortunately, Brotman, who has American and South African citizenship, is designated as an “essential employee.” That means he can travel freely across the border, often attending meetings with staff of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. He is a board member of the Achdut Detroit Council, which includes representatives from Jewish young adult organizations in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor, and is involved with NEXTGen and The Well — also Detroit-area programs for young adults. Brotman, 34, says Windsor has 60 Jewish-affiliated young

adults and that joint events are planned for the future. So, what inspired him to move from South Africa, where he had lived and worked for almost 10 years, to Windsor? Brotman views Windsor’s small Jewish community as a “startup that needed to be reimagined and reinvigorated” — a challenge with potential that could benefit from his experience developing nonprofit and forprofit ventures. Similar to Detroit, Jewish Windsor has lost population

because some residents are attracted to greater job opportunities and more vibrant lifestyles in bigger cities such as Toronto. As a result, the community’s population is now about 1,200-1,300, less than half of what it once was. BOOSTING WINDSOR But Brotman points out that Windsor has several strengths. It is the second least-expensive city in Canada and offers the advantage of being an

The I.L. Peretz House senior apartment tower and the Windsor Jewish Community Centre building.

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

WINDSOR JEWISH FEDERATION

an Brotman began his new position as executive director of the Windsor Jewish Federation and Community Centre at a less than ideal time — during the middle of the pandemic last year. COVID vaccinations were not yet available, and Windsor was “one of the most locked-down places in North America,” he says. The city’s retail businesses were suffering greatly from the government’s COVID restrictions and a lack of customers, due to American government travel restrictions to Canada which have since been lifted.

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SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

international city, separated from Detroit by only a short bridge or tunnel ride. He hopes the Windsor Jewish community will expand its view as part of a larger Detroit-Windsor metropolitan area and forge stronger connections across the border. “Together with the Jewish community of Hamilton, Ontario, we will be launching a new proactive marketing campaign in the next several months to attract both domestic transplants and new Jewish immigrants to relocate to our respective cities and Jewish communities. Our newcomer programs will include financial assistance and a range of support services,” Brotman explains. Along with government participation, he expects support from local donors in the Jewish community. Windsor Federation President Michael Malowitz says, “Brotman arrived in the middle of a pandemic and hit the ground running. Very quickly, he made high-level connections in the community with clear objectives set out to grow the declining Jewish population as well as update the workings of the JCC. “Dan has contacted all levels of government to facilitate immigration to allow those with the needed skills to be able to move here. This pattern may be used by both the Jewish and nonJewish communities and our politicians will be watching us based on Dan’s efforts.” Brotman anticipates interest in immigrating to Windsor from Jewish individuals in the greater Toronto area, South

Dan Brotman in Iran with a member of Iran’s Jewish community

America and South Africa. At least one smaller city in the U.S. South has used a similar campaign to increase its Jewish community. In Metro Detroit, Young Israel of Southfield has actively encouraged families from other states to relocate to its community with some success. WELL-TRAVELED Brotman, born in Boston, lived in Israel for several years while attending Hebrew University but then returned to the U.S., where he graduated with a B.A. in international studies from the University of Oregon. Soon afterward, he moved to South Africa, serving as head of media and public affairs for the Cape South African Jewish Board of Deputies — the political voice and human rights lobby of South African Jewry and the umbrella body for South African Jewish communal organizations. While serving in that position, Brotman pioneered a Black-Jewish Entrepreneurs network. Brotman then served as executive director of the

South Africa-Israel Forum for several years, leaving to start En-novate, Ltd. — which he describes as “one of South Africa’s first corporate experiential education companies. We proudly took 1,000+ African business leaders and entrepreneurs on one-week immersions to 10 of the world’s most innovative countries. Through these experiences, our groups were connected to leading investors, startups, corporate innovation centers and government agencies.” But political and economic conditions in South Africa began to deteriorate significantly. “Corruption was institutionalized. It moved from government to the private sector. People didn’t trust each other. There was a cultural shift,” Brotman says. When he saw the posted opening for the Windsor Federation, it was appealing for the professional challenge to help the community grow but also for its location. Windsor is convenient to Toronto, where Brotman’s partner has family members,

and not that far from Knoxville, Tenn., where his parents live. Those distances don’t deter him as he loves to travel. So far, he has visited 70 countries, most recently Lebanon and Morocco in recent weeks. He views Canada as dealing with some of the same social and political issues as the U.S. There is a Canadian minority that opposes COVID vaccination. About one-quarter of the residents of Peretz House, Windsor’s Jewish senior residence, are not vaccinated, and vaccination is controversial among some Windsor Federation board members. As in the U.S., there is increasing antisemitism. Brotman says that Windsor has a large Arabic population, many of whom are immigrants who oppose Israeli policies and are connected with Arab communities there. Brotman says that swastikas have been painted on Jewish-owned property. The government responded by hosting a seminar about antisemitism. Despite the limitations of COVID, Brotman is a happy Canadian “permanent resident.” He is a member of Windsor’s Congregation Shaar Hashomayim and lives close to downtown Windsor and the Detroit River. “I love living in a border city and experiencing the best both countries have to offer, such as universal healthcare, political stability and general civility in Windsor, and a large Jewish community, great shopping and a convenient airport in Detroit,” Brotman says.

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

OUR COMMUNITY

Star Power Actor Hill Harper joins the Oct. 21 Reach For Hope Benefit to raise funds for suicide prevention training. JN STAFF

uicide is an epidemic of epic proportions that steals the people we love and devastates families all over Detroit every day. In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, A Single Soul, a suicide prevention and training program housed at Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit; Black Family Development, a Detroit nonprofit dedicated to the health and wellbeing of Black families; and L!FELeaders Inc., a youth leadership and career development program, have come together to announce the 2021 Reach for Hope Benefit. The Oct. 21 event at Cass Tech High School, co-chaired by Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, will raise funds for free suicide prevention training in Detroit. The benefit will feature a performance of the critically acclaimed play Right Before I Go, written by Southfield native and Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls writer Stan Zimmerman, starring actor

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

Hill Harper

Hill Harper and directed by Emilio Rodriguez. The play brings to life the last words of those lost by suicide. This surprisingly light production invokes a raw and authentic approach to storytelling to help broaden public perspective of suicide, eliminate the stigma associated with depression, and strengthen the relationships between survivors and those struggling every day. “I am so honored that Amy Nederlander and Rabbi Dan Syme chose my play to raise money and awareness for such an important cause,” Zimmerman said. “This fits perfectly in with my personal mission, as I have been moving more toward marrying art and advocacy in my theater, film and TV work. It will be an especially emotional evening for me since I have not appeared on a Detroit stage since my days as a senior at Southfield High School.” The evening will include a message from Detroit native and Cass Tech grad Lily

Tomlin and will be hosted by author and Fox2 anchor Lee Thomas. Every $10,000 raised will support Black Family Development and A Single Soul in their efforts to offer free suicide prevention training to the community. Each training helps both laypeople and professionals identify people who are at risk and learn how to effectively connect them to crucial support before it’s too late. “There are countless lives to be saved,” Rabbi Dan Syme, the retired rabbi of Temple Beth El and founder of A Single Soul, said. “In my 46 years of work, this event is a powerful step in the direction of hope.” L!feLeaders is serving as the fiduciary for the 2021 Reach for Hope Benefit. Founder Amy Nederlander says we collectively cannot afford to ignore the issue of suicide and its impact on our youth any longer. “Suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst those ages 15-19,” Nederlander said. “The community needs to normalize the conversation of depression and suicidal thoughts so people can get help. L!FE Leaders youth (ages 14-24) are part of this event because they want to be able to talk about this, and get help.” Tickets for the 2021 Reach for Hope Benefit range from $10 to $100. Tickets can be purchased on The Reach for Hope Eventbrite page: tinyurl.com/b5kcvnkk. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Amy Nederlander via email at amynederlander@fueledbylife. org.

Stand with Trans Monthlong Event This October, a Detroit-based, national organization serving transgender youth is offering the Trans Empowerment Month extravaganza of entertainment, workshops, networking, peer-support and more for transgender folks and their allies. The theme this year is “Be YOU.” Amritha Venkataraman and Dakota Torolski (Human Rights Campaign), KidPower International, Dr. William M. Kuzon, Jr., Dr. Dan Shumer (Michigan Medicine), various college admissions representatives, spiritual leaders, poets, musical artists and many more will present topics critical to trans empowerment. All content will be presented virtually. Presenting sponsors include Springmatter, PNC Bank, and the Bastian Foundation. Beaumont Health, Dickinson Wright, Consumers Energy, Cripps and Silver Law, and PridePalace, among others. More than half of trans youth have attempted or seriously contemplated suicide. A major cause is a lack of support from family and community. The content will be geared to young gender diverse children through adults depending on the subject matter. All sessions require registration. Youth may attend at no charge. There is a fee for adults; one fee = all sessions. Register at trans-empowermentmonth-2021.heysummit.com. For information, contact Roz at roz@standwithtrans.org or go to www.standwithtrans.org/ beyou.

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Earning Awards

Short film about local Holocaust survivor is part of larger Shoah documentary. DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

he short film Bear and Fred, which is a part of local filmmaker Keith Famie’s Shoah Ambassadors Holocaust documentary, was featured in and won Best Documentary Short in this year’s Royal Starr Film Festival on Sept. 18 at the Royal Oak Emagine Theatre. Bear and Fred has been touring with a great deal of excitement in film festivals nationally, seeing much success. To date, the film has won Best Documentary Short in the Los Angeles Movie Awards and International Independent Film Awards-Spring Sessions, was an official selection in the Big Apple Film Festival and Dances with Films festival, a finalist in the Independent Shorts Awards (Los Angeles) and more. The short film shows local Shoah Ambassador Hailey Callahan visiting the home of local Holocaust survivor Fred Lessing, who tells the story of a teddy bear that accompanied him in his wanderings from one hiding place to another during World War II. The teddy bear became a symbol after being loaned to Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Israel in 1996 as part of an exhibition called “No Child’s Play.” The story is also the subject of a children’s book released in May 2020, titled Bear and Fred: A World War II Story. Lessing was in attendance and, after the short film was shown, he received a huge standing ovation from a sold-out crowd. Warren Rose, CEO of Bloomfield Hillsbased Edward Rose & Sons, the title presenting supporter of the film for the launch on PBS, was in attendance as well. Having lost family members during the Holocaust, Rose knows how important Lessing’s story is for people to hear. “It must have been tough for him to really try and tell that story and revisit some of those old memories,” Rose said. “It’s an amazing, powerful story about spirit and humanity and his connection with

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

Local Holocaust survivor Fred Lessing, featured in the awardwinning short film Bear and Fred, and local filmmaker Keith Famie

this object, which he said became him, he transposed himself into this object. It was remarkable.” Rose has worked with Famie before and when Famie presented the project to him, Rose was intrigued by the film’s new take on the Holocaust story being told to younger generations. Rose hopes the film promotes further Holocaust awareness with that younger generation. “I think some of that’s drifting, I think the story isn’t being told a lot, and the generation that experienced it is going away,” Rose said. “So, I really thought it was a marvelous way to retell the story and connect it to the younger generation and what they’re experiencing.” Seeing the short film on the big screen was great, Famie said, but he believes Lessing’s firsthand experiences with the crowd were the best part. “I think the most exciting part is people could actually have a chance to meet Fred,” Famie said. “He exudes kindness, warmth and humility, and it’s a powerful message for today’s generation to understand the lives of

those who lived through the Holocaust.” Prior to the showing of the short film Sept. 18 during the Royal Starr festival, a four-minute trailer was shown for the upcoming Shoah Ambassadors movie. The film has been in production for more than 18 months and is focused on educating youth about the horrors and atrocities of the Holocaust through young ambassadors, including Callahan, a graduate of Detroit’s College for Creative Studies, who have been selected to tell the Holocaust story through their own unique artistic expression. Filming for the movie is in its home stretch. On Oct. 3, a big final scene was filmed at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts in West Bloomfield. Everybody featured in the film, the Detroit Children’s Choir, along with many Michigan-based Holocaust survivors, are set to be in attendance. “It’s going to be a really momentous scene,” Famie said. Shoah Ambassadors will premiere at a community showing Nov. 11 at the Emagine Novi Theatre and make its debut on DPTV/PBS on Nov. 18.

faces&places

Volunteer Jenna Friedman helps serve meals during the cookout.

JARC Shabbat Cookout 2021 On Friday, Aug. 27, JARC held its annual Shabbat Cookout as an in-person gathering — safely and following COVID restrictions. Despite the heat, it was a beautiful evening filled with delicious food,

awesome music and, most importantly, camaraderie. JARC thanks its volunteers, Rabbi Joey and Cantor Gross and the SQ3 Band. The event was sponsored by Jack Kaufman on behalf of the Ethel Hyman and Rose Kaplan Foundation.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JARC

Sponsor Jack Kaufman and JARC CEO Shaindle Braunstein

The music and food created a festive vibe.

Musical entertainment by the SQ3 Band

Julie gives a thumbs-up for the fun and food at the cookout.

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

faces&places

High Holiday Fun Families from The Shul of West Bloomfield gathered at a lake to explore highlights of the High Holidays. Using dissolvable paper, children saw how they can gain atonement for mistakes, bringing the idea of teshuvah (repentence) to

life. The event was hosted by Alon and Shari Kaufman. The Shul’s J.E.M.S program (Jewish Education Matters) offers a Jewish experience for children and their families. Contact (248) 788-4000 for more information.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SHUL

Families from The Shul enjoyed a Tashlich event.

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

DETROIT RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY

Future Detroit Riverfront Park Sport House to Be Named for Bill Davidson JN STAFF

he William Davidson Foundation and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy announced that a new Sport House in the future 22-acre park on Detroit’s West Riverfront will be named after Detroit businessman, philanthropist and former NBA Detroit Pistons owner William “Bill” Davidson (1922-2009). With its most recent commitments to the Conservancy, the William Davidson Foundation has now granted more than $11 million to the ongoing transformation of Detroit’s international riverfront into a beautiful and accessible world-class gathering place for all. The William Davidson Sport House will add to the public offerings on the Detroit Riverfront and features a raised canopy with skylight that provides two public open-air basketball courts and flexible space for a

range of programs and events that will welcome visitors from all walks of life. Designed by awardwinning Ghanaian-British architect Sir David Adjaye, who also designed the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the William Davidson Sport House is slated for completion in 2023. The Sport House will be part of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park, also named after a renowned professional sports team owner (NFL’s Buffalo Bills), businessman and philanthropist. “No project truly connects the region and plays a more central role in Detroit’s resurgence than the revitalization of more than five miles of the Detroit Riverfront from the Ambassador Bridge to Belle Isle,” said Darin McKeever, president and CEO of the William Davidson Foundation.

The Foundation considers the William Davidson Sport House a fitting tribute to its founder, as Davidson owned the Pistons, the WNBA’s Detroit Shock and NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning pro sports franchises and is widely considered a visionary in bringing together sports, venues and the community. His sports honors included election to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and selection as an inaugural inductee into the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Founded in 2005, the William Davidson Foundation’s grantmaking has accelerated since its founder’s death in March 2009 and today it is among the five largest Michiganbased foundations. The Foundation’s priorities — including its focus on Detroit and Southeast Michigan — reflect Mr. Davidson’s. “The last year and a half have brought so much of our region’s most critical and under-appreciated assets into sharper focus: our resilient small business owners and entrepreneurs, our inspiring arts and cultural institutions, and the public parks and other gathering places where we have found comfort and connection,” added McKeever. “These are areas the William Davidson Foundation knows well, and we look forward to continuing our work with our grantees and other partners to ensure the success of the people and places Southeast Michigan needs for a bright future.” In total, the William Davidson Foundation has now committed more than $500 million in grants since its inception in 2005. OCTOBER 7 • 2021

ERETZ

MEET THE OLIM

Julia Weinberg: ‘Israel Is a Wonderful Place to Raise Kids’ AVIVA ZACKS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ulia Weinberg, 34, made aliyah to Israel in July of this year. She came with her husband, Josh, whose grandparents were Benno and Ruth Levi of Oak Park, and their children Sultana, Netanel, Benno and Bella. Q: Growing up in Yardley, Pennsylvania, did you have an early Zionist education? JW: I grew up Conservative, and at Hebrew school, we talked about Israel but not in a particularly Zionist way. In the history books that we would read in Hebrew school, we’d learn about the Kotel and a little tidbit about the War of Independence and the Six-Day War. Our family was very traditional. We always lit candles and celebrated all the holidays, so Israel just went along with that as part of the Jewish theme. Q: When was your first trip to Israel? JW: I had been involved in NCSY in high school, and by the time I graduated high school, I was keeping Shabbat and kosher. I went to NCSY’s gap-year program called Michlelet Esther for the year. I loved it so much I was tempted to stay another year, but I had already been accepted to NYU, and I decided to go through with the plan. While I was in college, I participated in many Israel programs: an internship at Hebrew University, an Israel advocacy

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

training program where we went to Poland and then to Israel, and a social action exchange program where students from NYU were paired up with students in Israel. Both of us love the idea of living in Israel and raising our kids here. We are both very Zionistic and the fact that his whole family (except for one brother) lives in Israel helped with that decision. Q: What was your final motivation for aliyah? JW: We’ve been talking about it since we got married, and we were worried our kids were going to age out. Our oldest daughter is 10, and we felt there was a cut-off age that your kids can take on the accent of a foreign language. Another factor was the cost of tuition in America. If you want to send your kids to a private Jewish school, it’s outrageously expensive. Michigan is on the lower end of the scale, but we have four kids and that’s $60,000 a year. In Israel, tuition is basically free, so that’s a huge thing. Health insurance is free in Israel, and we all know that in the U.S., that can be very expensive. Also, we love the style of child-rearing in Israel. The kids have a lot more independence in Israel, and it’s a very family-friendly country. There are parks everywhere, and every Tuesday and Shabbat there are youth group meetings. It’s a wonderful place to raise

Josh and Julia Weinberg and family

kids, and it’s a Jewish-centered life. Q: How long were you living in Michigan? What schools did your children attend and what shul did you go to? JW: We lived in Michigan for 10 years. All my kids started out at Farber, and then when our daughter Sultana was going into kindergarten, we switched her to Bais Yaakov, and when our son, Netanel, was going into second grade, we switched him to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah. We went to Young Israel of Southfield for shul.

the Gevaryahus, all with kids our kids’ ages. Plus a few blocks away, we had Josh’s brother and sister-in-law, Ephy and Margi Weinberg, and adorable nieces, and that was hard to give up. It was also hard for me to move away due to my interior design business, Julia Robin Interiors, which, thank God was, taking off. Luckily, I was able to hire an amazing designer, Miriam Horwitz, to go onsite for my ongoing projects, and I am still working remotely. I plan to continue working in Michigan while opening a new branch in Israel.

Q: What do you miss about living in Michigan? JW: I miss the people. We had the best street, and our neighbors were awesome. My parents literally lived three doors down from us. It was so amazing for my kids to walk to Grandmom and Poppop’s house whenever they wanted to see them. We also had our Uncle Noah and Aunt Cherie Levi, the Gotlibs, the Goniks, the Mendelsons and

Q: Do you have a message for people living in Detroit who are reading this interview? JW: If you’re thinking about making aliyah, start the process at least a year in advance because it takes a long time to get all the documents you need. Join Olim or Anglo Facebook groups and follow them. Also, if you’re thinking about buying something in Israel, do it immediately because the prices here are going up.

SPORTS

His Legacy Was on the Lanes Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame inductee Phil Horowitz bowled a 300 game at age 81. STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

t would be tough to find a better Jewish bowler in Detroit bowling history than Phil Horowitz. Perhaps impossible. The 2004 inductee into the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was a gold-medal winner at the Maccabiah Games and National Senior Games. He’s the holder of four Michigan Senior Olympics age-group state records, two for singles and two for doubles. He was a competitor on the Professional Bowlers Association Senior Tour (now called the PBA50 Tour) from 1989-93. He never made the televised finals on the Senior Tour, but he did earn some cash for top finishes. He bowled multiple 300 games and had an 849 high series. He carried a 200-plus average for most of his bowling career, including well into his senior years. On Feb. 10, 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down bowling centers across the country, Horowitz rolled a 300 game in the Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson B’nai B’rith bowling league at the 300 Bowl in Waterford. He was 81 at the time. He’s believed to be the oldest bowler in national B’nai B’rith bowling history to roll a perfect game. Horowitz died Sept. 7, 2021, at age 82 after battling cancer for several months. The West Bloomfield resident was still bowling and working (part time) in the

insurance and financial planning business before his cancer diagnosis. Mort Friedman of Waterford, an outstanding bowler himself, knew Horowitz more than just for his accomplishments on the lanes. After meeting at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, where they were on the men’s bowling team, they became close friends who bowled in many leagues together and traveled together across the country for bowling competitions. They competed on the PBA Senior Tour at the same time. They created the National Senior Bowling Association, which organizes tournaments for high-level senior bowlers. They planned to be on the same team last season in the Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson League, but the league season was canceled because of the pandemic. Horowitz was planning to compete next year along with Friedman in the National Senior Games in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. “No question. Phil was going to Florida,” Friedman said. So what made Horowitz such a great bowler? “Phil was dedicated. A perfectionist. When he wasn’t bowling in two or three leagues, he was practicing,” Friedman said. “And he knew all the rules.” Friedman laughed when he discussed a

JN FILE PHOTO

Phil Horowitz, Howard Waxer and Mark Voight at a 2017 event.

few of Horowitz’s bowling successes that didn’t make the record books. “Phil once rolled 13 strikes in a 300 game,” Friedman said. Why 13 instead of the customary 12 strikes? “He bowled a frame in the wrong lane, so he had to bowl again in the correct lane. He rolled another strike,” Friedman said. Another 300 game by Horowitz was perfect timing. “Phil bowled a 300 on a night his league’s mystery game (for a prize) was a 300,” Friedman said. No-tap nights were in Horowitz’s wheelhouse. “Phil had at least two 900 series when his league had a no-tap night,” Friedman said. On a no-tap night, bowlers who knock down nine pins on their first ball in a frame are awarded a strike. Friedman said one of his proudest accomplishments with Horowitz came in the 1995 National Senior Games in San Antonio, Texas, where they won a gold medal in doubles in their age group. Horowitz also won a gold medal in singles in the age group. Friedman earned a bronze medal for third place in singles. Teaching and coaching bowling were passions for Horowitz. Nearly 50 years after graduating from Lawrence Tech with a degree in industrial management, he returned to the college in 2013 as its women’s bowling coach. Besides bowling for Lawrence Tech, Horowitz was credited with starting the school’s men’s bowling team there. Lawrence Tech wasn’t Horowitz’s first coaching job. He was the boys and girls bowling coach at Livonia Clarenceville High School for five years before going to Lawrence Tech. His Clarenceville boys team won the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 state championship in 2013. Charitable contributions in Horowitz’s name can be made to the donor’s choice. Please send sports news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

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

SPIRIT

TORAH PORTION

Moderation & Responsibility

hat a great Torah slaughter meat, it celebrates portion for meat our desires: “You will say, ‘I eaters, like me. And want to eat meat’ because you a great portion for those who will desire it. [Well then], to enjoy a l’chaim at kiddush. your heart’s desire may you eat However, this is also a pormeat!” (Deuteronomy 12:20). If tion which warns us of some you prefer to refrain from wine of the consequences of and meat, that is totally drinking to excess and fine; but if you enjoy them, of the importance of the Torah and our tradieating meat in a moral tion are clearly happy for and ethical way. you to do so. In Bereshit, God However, the Torah only permitted Adam Rabbi Asher needs us to understand the Lopatin and Eve to eat from gravity of taking the life of vegetables and fruit of a living being or drinking Parshat the trees (Genesis 1:29); something that can cause Noach: in Noach, God permits us harm: Later verses tell Genesis human beings to eat Noah: “Eat, and enjoy, but 6:9-11:32; “every living thing that do not eat a limb from an Isaiah roams” (Genesis 9:3). animal still alive” (Genesis 54:1-55-5. This is the portion 9:4). For Jews, the Torah also where wine from limits meat even more — a vineyard is introduced, and “slaughter the [kosher animal] Noah certainly indulges. … only as I have commanded Meat eaters should not get … and be careful not to eat the too indulgent; let us remember blood …” (Deuteronomy 12:21that we have plenty of tradi25). Eat meat, but with limits, tions which tell us that in the with moderation, with morality. Messianic era we will go back Likewise, drinking can be posito being the vegetarians that tive, but only within limits; after we were before Noah and the that it becomes destructive. flood. Thinking of having that Meat eaters and kiddush extra glass of wine? Noah’s lovers like me have to pay experience with wine led to attention to both sides of our embarrassment and cursing tradition: respecting our desires (Genesis 9:18-25) pointing out and what makes us happy while the dangers of drinking and taking on the Torah’s clear meslosing control. sage of responsibility. So should we, perhaps, see The world is filled with eating meat and drinking as delicacies and delights, but we something that is not approved must enjoy them with utmost of in the first instance, but is respect, moderation and tolerated if we happen to slip thoughtfulness. up? Actually, it does not seem Let us think before we take to be the attitude our law has our next bite and our next sip toward meat and even wine: and enjoy God’s world respon“There is no joy without meat sibly. and wine” (Tractate Pesachim Rabbi Asher Lopatin is rabbi of 109a) — particularly if that is Kehillat Etz Chaim in Huntington what one enjoys. Even when Woods and Oak Park and the the Torah talks about how to executive director of the JCRC/AJC.

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OCTOBER 7 • 2021

SPIRIT

A WORD OF TORAH

The Courage to Live with Uncertainty F

or each of us there are milestones on our spiritual journey that change the direction of our life and set us on a new path. For me, one such moment came when I was a rabbinical student at Jews’ College and thus had the privilege of studying with one of the great rabbinic scholars of our time, Rabbi Dr. Nachum Rabinovitch. Rabbi Lord He was, and is, a giant: Jonathan one of the most profound Sacks Maimonidean scholars of the modern age, equally at home with virtually every secular discipline as with the entire rabbinic literature, and one of the boldest and independent of poskim (halachic decisors), as his several published volumes of Responsa show. He also showed what it was to have spiritual and

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

intellectual courage, and that in our time has proved, sadly, all too rare. The occasion was not special. He was merely giving us one of his regular divrei Torah. The week was Parshat Noach. But the Midrash he quoted to us was extraordinary. In fact, it is quite hard to find. It appears in the book known as Buber’s Tanhuma, published in 1885 by Martin Buber’s grandfather Shlomo from ancient manuscripts. It is a very early text — some say as early as the fifth century — and it has some overlap with an ancient Midrash of which we no longer have the full text known as Midrash Yelamdenu. The text is in two parts, and it is a commentary on God’s words to Noah: “Then God said to Noah, ‘Come out of the ark’” (Gen. 8:16). On this, the Midrash says: “Noah said to himself, Since I only entered the ark with permission (from

God), shall I leave without permission? The Holy One blessed be He said to him: Are you looking for permission? In that case I give you permission, as it says, ‘Then God said to Noah, Come out of the ark.’” The Midrash then adds: “Said Rabbi Judah bar Ilai, ‘If I had been there, I would have smashed down [the doors of] the ark and taken myself out of it.’” The moral Rabbi Rabinovitch drew — indeed the only one possible — was that when it comes to rebuilding a shattered world, you do not wait for permission. God gives us permission. He expects us to go on ahead. This was, of course, part of an ancient tradition, mentioned by Rashi in his commentary (to Gen. 6:9), and central to the sages’ understanding of why God began the Jewish people not with Noah

but with Abraham. Noah, says the Torah, “walked with God” (6:9). But God said to Abraham, “Walk on ahead of Me …” (Gen. 17:1). So the point was not new, but the drama and power of the Midrash were stunning. COURAGE TO TAKE RISKS Suddenly, I understood that this is a significant part of what faith is in Judaism: to have the courage to pioneer, to do something new, to take the road less traveled, to venture out into the unknown. That is what Abraham and Sarah had done when they left their land, their home and their father’s house. It is what the Israelites

did in the days of Moses when they journeyed forth into the wilderness, guided only by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. Faith is precisely the courage to take a risk, knowing that “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Ps. 23:4). It took faith to challenge the religions of the ancient world, especially when they were embodied in the greatest empires of their time. It took faith to stay Jewish in the Hellenistic age, when Jews and Judaism must have seemed small and parochial when set against the cosmopolitan culture of ancient Greece and the Alexandrian empire. It took the faith of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Gamla to build, already in the first century, the world’s first-ever system of universal, compulsory education (Baba Batra 21a), and the faith of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai to realize that Judaism could survive the loss of independence, land and Temple, on the basis of an academy of scholars and a culture of scholarship. In the modern age, even though many of Jewry’s most distinguished minds either lost or abandoned their faith, nonetheless that ancient reflex survived. How else are we to understand the phenomenon that a tiny minority in Europe and the United States was able to produce so many shapers of the modern mind, each of them a pioneer in his or her own way: Einstein in physics, Durkheim in sociology, Levi-Strauss in anthropology, Mahler and Schoenberg in music, and a whole string of innovative economists from David Ricardo (the law of comparative advantage) to John von Neumann (game theory) to Milton Friedman (monetary theory), to Daniel Kahneman

“TO BE A PIONEER — AS JEWS KNOW FROM OUR HISTORY — YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO SPEND A LONG TIME IN THE WILDERNESS.” and Amos Tversky (behavioral economics). They dominated the fields of psychiatry, psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, from Freud and his circle to Viktor Frankl (logotherapy), Aaron T. Beck (cognitive behavioral therapy) and Martin Seligman (positive psychology). The pioneers of Hollywood and film were almost all Jewish. Even in popular music the achievement is stunning, from Irving Berlin and George Gershwin, masters of the American musical, to Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, the two supreme poets of popular music in the 20th century. STANDING FIRM DESPITE OPPOSITION In many cases — such is the fate of innovators — the people concerned had to face a barrage of criticism, disdain, opposition or disregard. You have to be prepared to be lonely, at best misunderstood, at worst vilified and defamed. As Einstein said, “If my theory of relativity is proven successful, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare me a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German, and Germany will declare that I am a Jew.” To be a pioneer — as Jews know from our history — you have to be prepared to spend a long time in the wilderness. That was the faith of the early Zionists. They knew early on, some from the 1860s, others after the pogroms of the 1880s,

Herzl after the Dreyfus trial, that European Enlightenment and Emancipation had failed, that despite its immense scientific and political achievements, mainland Europe still had no place for the Jew. Some Zionists were religious, others were secular, but most importantly they all knew what the Midrash Tanhuma made so clear: When it comes to rebuilding a shattered world or a broken dream, you don’t wait for permission from Heaven. Heaven is telling you to go ahead. That is not carte blanche to do whatever we like. Not all innovation is constructive. Some can be very destructive indeed. But this principle of “Walk on ahead,” the idea that the Creator wants us, His greatest creation, to be creative, is what makes Judaism unique in the high value it places on the human person and the human condition. Faith is the courage to take a risk for the sake of God or the Jewish people; to begin a journey to a distant destination knowing that there will be hazards along the way, but knowing also that God is with us, giving us strength if we align our will with His. Faith is not certainty, but the courage to live with uncertainty. The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks served as the chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, 1991-2013. His teachings have been made available to all at rabbisacks.org. This essay was published on Oct. 12, 2015. OCTOBER 7 • 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

OCTOBER 7 • 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 Bais Chabad of North Oak Park (248) 872-8878 chabad.org Bais Haknesses Hagrah Oak Park (248) 542-8737 Balfour Shul – K’Hal Rina U’Tefila Oak Park (732) 693-8457

Chabad Jewish Center of Novi-Northville (248) 790-6075 novijewishcenter.com Chabad Jewish Center of Troy Troy/Rochester Hills (248) 873-5851 jewishtroy.com Chabad-Lubavitch of Bingham Farms Bloomfield Hills (248) 688-6796 chabadbinghamfarms.com

Etz Chayim of Toledo Toledo, OH (419) 473-2401 Etzchayimtoledo.org First Hebrew Congregation South Haven (269) 637-1603 firsthebrewcongregation.org Kehillat Etz Chayim Huntington Woods etzchayim-detroit.org Kollel Institute of Greater Detroit Oak Park (248) 968-1891 kollel@kolleldetroit.org Mishkan Israel, Nusach H’ari, Lubavitch Center Oak Park (248) 542-4844 theyeshiva.org Ohel Moed Shomrey Emunah West Bloomfield (248) 737-2626 ohelmoed.org Or Chadash Oak Park (248) 819-1721 or-chadash.org Sara & Morris Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center of West Bloomfield (248) 855-6170 baischabad.com Shaar Hashomayim Windsor (519) 256-3123

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

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

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

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

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

Congregation Beth El Windsor (519) 969-2422 bethelwindsor.ca

Temple Emanu-El Oak Park (248) 967-4020 emanuel-mich.org

Temple Beth El Battle Creek (269) 963-4921

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

Temple Beth El Bloomfield Township (248) 851-1100 tbeonline.org

Temple Jacob Hancock templejacobhancock.org

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

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

Young Israel of Southfield (248) 358-0154 yisouthfield.org

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

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

RECONSTRUCTIONIST Congregation Kehillat Israel Lansing (517) 882-0049 kehillatisrael.net

Temple Beth Israel Jackson (517) 784-3862 tbijackson.org

Yagdil Torah Southfield (248) 559-5905 Young Israel of Oak Park (248) 967-3655 yiop.org

Congregation T’chiyah Ferndale (248) 823-7115 tchiyah.org Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit (313) 567-0306 reconstructingjudiasm.org REFORM Bet Chaverim Canton (734) 480-8880 betchaverim@yahoo.com Temple Benjamin Mt. Pleasant (989) 773-5086 templebenjamin.com

Congregation Beth Shalom Traverse City 231-946-1913 beth-shalom-tc.org Temple Beth Sholom Marquette tbsmqt.org Temple B’nai Israel Kalamazoo (269) 342-9170 Templebnaiisrael.com Temple B’nai Israel Petoskey (231) 489-8269 templebnaiisraelofpetoskey.org Temple Emanuel Grand Rapids (616) 459-5976 grtemple.org

REFORM/RENEWAL Congregation Shir Tikvah Troy (248) 649-4418 shirtikvah.org SECULAR/HUMANISTIC Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Metro Detroit Farmington Hills (248) 477-1410 chj-detroit.org Sholem Aleichem Institute Lathrup Village (240 865-0117 secularsaimichigan.org SEPHARDIC Keter Torah Synagogue West Bloomfield (248) 681-3665 rabbisasson.wixsite.com/keter

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 RECONSTRUCTIONIST Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation (734) 445-1910 aarecon.org REFORM Temple Beth Emeth (734) 665-4744 templebethemeth.org RENEWAL Pardes Hanah pardeshanah.org SECULAR HUMANISTIC Jewish Cultural Society (734) 975-9872 jewishculturalsociety.org Please email factual corrections or additional synagogues to list to: smanello@thejewishnews.com.

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

ARTS&LIFE ART

COURTESY WENDY EVANS

Behind the Art Hadassah hosts art historian to present about Jewish women artists.

Lynne Avadenka, Huntington Woods, seder plate set

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

COURTESY LYNNE AVADENKA

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

endy Evans has long presented diverse fine arts history through the art of presentation. Whether in a college classroom, an art showplace or a public speaking venue, she has told the stories behind treasured paintings, sculptures, fabrics and other media according to different themes through creative talks supplemented with images. For many years preceding the pandemic, Evans communicated in person before art history students at Wayne State University, Henry Ford Community College and the Society of Active Retirees (SOAR) locations. Throughout 36 years leading presentations for visitors at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), she expanded her topics. Since the pandemic, Evans turned to virtual platforms to introduce popular programs planned for specific groups and is preparing “Above Rubies: Jewish Women Artists” for members and supporters of the Eleanor Roosevelt Hadassah chapter. It begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26. “I call it ‘About Rubies’ because of a quote in the Book of Proverbs: ‘Who can find a virtuous woman because her price is above rubies,’” explains Evans, adding tongue-in-cheek: “Not all the women in this presentation are going to be virtuous, and I’m not implying that they are.” Evans’ Hadassah talk reaches from the first-known Jewish woman artist, Rachel Olivetti, who lived in Italy in the 1600s and embroidered Judaica that included Torah Ark curtains. It moves through the centuries and delves into current talents, such as Beth Lipman, who forms glass into copies of impressive objects that are not glass. “My presentation is going to

Wendy Evans

COURTESY WENDY EVANS

Florine Stettheimer, ‘Cathedrals of Fifth Avenue,’ 1931, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

be very varied,” Evans says. “I need to find good images, so It takes a lot of research and a lot of it is done online.” Evans’ talk expands on the growing number of Jewish women artists born in the 1800s. As an example, Florine Stettheimer will be represented by her painting “Love Flight of a Pink Candy Heart,” showing an unusual style that related to the artist herself, her family and important people in the arts. “Stettheimer’s works were not Jewish in terms of religion but in terms of the people involved,” Evans says. “They’re fun and interesting.” Artistic expressions of the Holocaust also will be covered. Esther Krinitz is one artist who lived through the Nazi occupation of Poland and created embroidered panels to tell her story, particularly to her grandchildren. “There isn’t such a thing as Jewish art or Jewish style,” Evans says. “Jewish artists are impacted by the society they’re in at the time and what’s gone before. Like any other artist, they adapted.” To demonstrate that versatility and adaptation, Evans makes sure to include a range of approaches. Among the featured artists in her upcoming talk will be representational photogra-

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pher Diane Arbus, surrealistic photographer Claude Cahun, installation specialist Judy Chicago, sculptor Eva Hesse, abstract expressionist Elaine de Kooning, collage expressionist Lee Krasner and sculptor Louise Nevelson. “Most of the time, the more I study an artist, the more I like that person’s work,” Evans says. “I don’t show images I don’t like, and I don’t generally show imagines I think are inappropriate. I have a whole talk about how women have been treated [objectified] in art.” Evans, who enjoys doing art history research, has developed dozens of presentations that focus on specific museums, artists, styles and cities, among other topics. A visit to her website (art-talks.org) becomes a learning experience with plenty of impressive images to view. Evans’ interest in artists and art history began in her London-based childhood, when her parents took her to museums. After trying her hand at painting in high school, she decided her artistic skills were limited and moved into an economics major at Oxford University. Since moving to the United States when her husband, Leonard, accepted work as a traffic safety specialist, she volunteered to bring art programs into elementary schools then attended by her children. As her children were growing, she studied art history at the DIA and became a docent. That led to her earning a master’s degree in art history at Wayne, which qualified her for teaching. “I’ve been talking to Jewish organizations for a very long

COURTESY WENDY EVANS

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Details “Above Rubies: Jewish Women Artists” begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26. $18. Register by Oct. 24 at hadassahmidwest. org/RooseveltArt. Direct questions to midwest@ hadassah.org or (248) 683-5030. time, putting together talks that have a Jewish emphasis,” Evans says. “I was going to do Jewish artists in general but realized there were way too many, so I gave women their own talk. “I love teaching about art because it covers everything — literature, religion, politics, engineering — plus, you’ve got wonderful images to show. I’m beginning to collect things on art stolen by the Nazis and the families that became Jewish dealers. That’s the next series I want to put together.”

The Story of History’s Darkest Hour

Monday, October 18 at 7 pm EDT Watch the film We Shall Not Die Now, then join a virtual discussion with Filmmaker Ashton Gleckman and Detroit News Film Critic Adam Graham. Info at holocaustcenter.org/upcoming. Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus (248) 533-2400 OCTOBER 7 • 2021

AMY BOYLE 2019

ARTS&LIFE THEATER

Safety First

The cast of Rent 25th Anniversary Tour, coming Oct. 19-24 to the Fisher Theatre

Broadway In Detroit adopts stringent COVID protocols. RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

o enhance the safety of theatergoers, performers and employees, Broadway In Detroit announces new health and safety protocols for the 20212022 season. To be admitted, audience members must show proof of full COVID19 vaccination (second dose received at least 14 days prior) with government-issued ID or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the performance date. Additionally, masks must be worn inside the theater by all patrons and event staff regardless of vaccination status. Anyone who does not comply with these protocols may be asked to leave the venue without entitlement to a refund. This policy, which follows guidelines currently in place in Broadway theaters and other performance venues across the country, applies to all Broadway In Detroit

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

venues, including the Fisher Theatre, the Detroit Opera House and Music Hall. Ticket purchasers will receive an emailed copy of the Broadway In Detroit Health & Safety Guide, which is also available on BroadwayInDetroit.com and at the Fisher Theatre box office. In addition, all Broadway In Detroit venues have made these enhancements: • Upgraded HVAC systems with MERV 13 filters • Increased cleaning and disinfecting protocols • Sanitizing stations throughout each building • Cashless payment options such as debit/credit cards and mobile pay. “We are really excited to welcome audiences back to the theater, but we cannot open our doors unless we can provide a safe and healthy environment for audiences, performers and staff,” said Al Lichtenstein, executive director for Broadway In Detroit. “The overwhelming majority of theater patrons across the country have warmly welcomed these kind of safety protocols. We feel most of our guests will respond the same.”

Broadway In Detroit 2021-2022 Season Rent 25th Anniversary Tour, Oct. 19-24, 2021, Fisher Theatre; Pretty Woman: The Musical,” Nov. 2-14, 2021, Fisher; Hadestown, Nov. 23-Dec. 5, 2021, Fisher; Jersey Boys, Dec. 12-18, Music Hall; What the Constitution Means To Me, Dec. 14, 2021- Jan. 2, 2022, Fisher; Beautiful-The Carole King Musical, Jan. 4-9, 2022, Fisher; Hairspray, Jan. 18-30, 2022, Fisher; Disney’s The Lion King, Dates TBA, Detroit Opera House; An Officer and A Gentleman, Feb. 1-13, 2022, Fisher; Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, March 8-20, 2022, Fisher; and Ain’t Too Proud-The Life and Times of the Temptations, Aug. 9-28, 2022, Detroit Opera House. For information about purchasing tickets, group sales, season subscriptions or current health and safety protocols, call (313) 872-1000 or visit BroadwayInDetroit.com.

CELEBRITY NEWS

NATE BLOOM COLUMNIST

IMDB

Sarah Sherman

27, grew up on Long Island. She went to Northwestern University in Chicago and graduated in December 2015. Shortly thereafter, she began hosting a monthly variety show in Chicago put on by an ensemble company called Helltrap Nightmare. Helltrap Nightmare is a group of professional “edgy weirdo” comics who dress in outrageous costumes. Sherman was a core member of this ensemble and appeared in every show Helltrap put on from 2016-2019. She was voted Chicago’s best comic (2016) in a “big-time” reader poll. In

2018, the Helltrap ensemble moved to Los Angeles. Sherman’s high school nickname was “Squirm” because, she said, she was “really skinny and gross and squirmy.” She embraced the nickname, and Sarah Squirm was Sherman’s Helltrap Nightmare stage name. She told Helltrap audiences to “embrace their inner squirm.” In a 2019 profile/interview in Vice Magazine, the author began the piece by noting that “Helltrap Nightmare is billed as an ensemble. But it really is the Sarah Squirm Show.” Sherman mixed in so many Jewish references in her Vice interview answers that I can’t repeat them all here. Here’s most of the text of one memorable “Jewish” exchange. The interviewer (a Catholic) and Sherman ventured into Jewish versus Catholic guilt. Sherman said: “I wasn’t raised to be told I was bad, or that there were sins inside me I needed to exorcise. I think Jews post-Holocaust are raised like, ‘We are the chosen people.’ I’ve always been taught that I’m gifted and a genius.” The interviewer replied: “Catholic guilt is like, ‘You’re never going to be truly pure’.” Sherman responded: “Jewish guilt is more like my dad … He’s always calling me on the High Holidays: ‘Did you go to shul?” I’m like, ‘No.’ And he always says, ‘Just remember, 6 million in the oven, that’s all I’m gonna say.’ That’s Jewish guilt.”

Gabe Kapler

YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT

NEW JEWISH SNL CAST MEMBER; PLAYOFF HEBREWS; ‘JEWISH’ GHOST The season premiere of Saturday Night Live was Oct. 2. However, the three new SNL cast members were not announced until just a few days before the premiere show. So, as usual, I am doing a bit of catch-up in this column. Fortunately, it was surprisingly easy to quickly confirm that one of three, Sarah Sherman, is Jewish. Sherman, who is about

POST-SEASON BASEBALL The major league baseball playoffs began Oct. 5. As I write this, 12 teams have clinched or are still in the running for a playoff spot. Milwaukee and Tampa Bay have already won their division title and will not have to appear in a one-game wild card playoff. It is likely that Houston will win its division and, also, avoid the wild card round. Atlanta, too, has a good chance of winning its division. San Francisco has already clinched a playoff spot and is the favorite to win its division. It’s possible that Toronto will play well, and get lucky, and snare a wild card spot. I mention Houston, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Toronto because they all have an on-field Jewish connection. Houston’s star third baseman is Alex Bregman, 27. He missed about half the games this season with a muscle injury but returned to the lineup in September and has been hitting pretty well. Meanwhile, Atlanta starting pitcher Max Fried, 27, has had an odd season. He was

rocked in early appearances but turned things around in the second half. He is now 13-7, with a low ERA. San Francisco, not seen as a contender last March, is now viewed by many as the best team in baseball. Virtually everyone gives great credit to Gabe Kapler, 46, a former major leaguer who took over as the Giants’ manager last year. His training regimen and smart “platooning” helped dramatically raise the Giants’ hitting stats. Finally, there’s Toronto, whose roster includes first baseman/designated hitter Rowdy Tellez, 26. If Toronto makes the playoffs, this power hitter may be a big asset. NEW COMEDY Ghosts is a CBS comedy series that premieres on Oct. 7 (9 p.m.). The premise is that a nice young married couple inherit a huge country estate and decide to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast. The estate house is inhabited by a close-knit group of “souls” who once lived in the house. One ghost lived in the 1700s, while others died recently. The house’s new female co-owner is a descendant of one of the ghosts, and she is the first living person to be able to see and talk to the ghosts. Asher Grodman, 34, plays Trevor, one of the ghosts. This is the first big TV role for this very handsome fellow. His father is a prominent New Jersey physician. OCTOBER 7 • 2021

ON THE GO

PEOPLE | PLACES | EVENTS

MEN’S HEALTH EVENT 9 AM- 4 PM, OCT. 9 The Michigan Institute of Urology (MIU) Men’s Health Foundation will host its 11th annual Men’s Health Event at Ford Field in Detroit. Metro Detroit-area men 18 years and older with or without insurance are encouraged to attend. Services will include a comprehensive bloodwork panel, flu vaccinations, COVID-19 screenings and vaccinations. A halftime show will include a discussion of health disparities and men’s health during COVID with panelists Denise Fair, chief public health officer for the city of Detroit, and Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy director for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Register by texting MHE2021 to (313) 217-3328 or online at TheMensHealthEvent.com. SHALOM SHABBAT 10:30 AM-12:30 PM, OCT. 9 At Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. Hazzan Dan, Rabbi Dan and Rabbi Nosanwisch will lead a fun and musical Shabbat celebration outdoors. This special morning is geared to families and their children entering up to fourth grade, featuring a focus on Parshat Noah and will be followed by a petting farm (Carousel Acres). Advanced registration is required. All adults and kids need to have a ticket. Current CDC guidelines for masks and social distancing will

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

be followed. Restrooms will be available; masks are required for entering the building. Info: Sammi Shapiro, 248-626-2153, sshapiro@adatshalom.org. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS 11 AM-7:30 PM, OCT. 9 Viewspire LLC was created to reinvent the way that mental wellness skills and support are provided within communities. They have done this by building positive, culturally integrated, accessible and approachable programs. Viewfest at Walled Lake Central High School will include fun, engaging and impactful activities for children, teens, young adults and families. Info: shopviewspire.com/ viewfest2021. PORSCHE RAFFLE 11:30 AM-6:30 PM, OCT. 9 At Brighton High School. Aiding Michigan residents facing life-altering circumstances, including catastrophic illness, nonprofit Fund a Life, with the Suburban Collection, will host the 3rd Annual Drive to Survive event. Participants will rally in their vehicles from the red carpet at Brighton High School to the M1 Concourse, including a run on the track, to raise money to help fellow community members facing dire personal and family challenges. A charity raffle, open to the public, will also offers a new Porsche. To register for the event, purchase raffle tickets or

for infor: Drive21.givesmart. com. CAMP EVENT 1-4 PM, OCT. 10 Join Tamarack Camps for a special drive-through event to celebrate the culmination of the CAMPaign for Change! Bring your tzedakah box, loose change or dollars to Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. Visit tamarackcamps. com to learn more. All contributions will support camper scholarships to help ensure that every child, regardless of financial ability, can spend a life-changing summer at Tamarack Camps. EVENT SHOW 11 AM-3 PM, OCT. 10 Star Trax Events will host its annual Event Show at the Orchard Mall in West Bloomfield. Open to the public and free to attend, the Event Show will showcase more than 50 exhibitors, bringing together hundreds of local event-related products, services and ideas. CAREGIVER SUPPORT 1:30-2:30 PM, OCT. 12 Virtual Caregiver Support Groups 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. 248- 233-4392, dmoon@ jvshumanservices.org.

ATTORNEYS’ GROUP 6:30-8:30 PM, OCT. 14 Jewish Federation Affinities will host this launch of the Attorneys’ Group at the Birmingham Athletic Club, 4033 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills. Cost: $36. Contact Amy Brody, brody@jfmd.org.

JARC AT M1 CONCOURSE NOON-8 PM, SUNDAY, OCT. 17 “JARC at M1” will feature thrill rides in cars around the M1’s Champion Motor Speedway, live music performances by the Mega ’80s and 1980s arcade games. Also, an open bar, dinner and an outdoor event tent. For tickets, go to jarc. org/2021. PLANTING PARTY 7-9 PM, OCT. 19 Hosted by Jewish Federation Young Women’s Philanthropy at Goldner Walsh Garden and Home, 559 Orchard Lake Road, Pontiac. Expert gardeners will help us create our own succulent planters. Enjoy the cocktails and company while you put together your own mini-indoor garden. Cost: $36; register in advance by Oct. 14. Contact: Jodi Feld, feld@ jfmd.org. Compiled by Sy Manello/Editorial Assistant. Send items 14 days in advance to calendar@thejewishnews.com.

the exchange

FOOD

FROM THE HOME KITCHEN OF CHEF AARON

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Fried Dough

very culture fries dough in some form or another. As I’ve mentioned before, Jewish cuisine has long embraced frying as a primary method of cooking, from the origination of fish and chips many years ago, to latkes and sufganiyot on Chanukah. Fried doughs Chef Aaron pop up in many Egan Jewish communities around the world, and this one is probably a lot like many others. The base here is Escoffier’s beignet paste, which is very close to pâte à choux, aka éclair paste, churro dough, etc. This yields roughly a quart of batter; I typically use a #40 portion scoop (about 1¾ oz/50ml) to make my beignets; they come out about the size of a golf ball, maybe a bit bigger, and fry up relatively well in 8-10 minutes, which works in the restaurant environment. A bigger fryer does them faster than my countertop fryer, which will be faster than a stovetop pot. BEIGNETS Ingredients 3.5 oz (99g) butter 16 fl. oz (473ml) water 2 pinches sugar 1 pinch salt 2/3 lbs. (302g, or about 10 2/3 oz) all-purpose flour 7 eggs Directions Place butter, water, sugar and salt in a small saucepan (at least 2 quarts) and bring to a boil. Add flour and stir well with a spatula or wooden spoon, cooking over medi-

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um-high heat as you stir, until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan cleanly. Off the heat, mix in the eggs one at a time, incorporating each fully before adding the next. Once fully combined, transfer to a cool nonreactive vessel (plastic, glass, ceramic,) and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Prepare a deep fryer (or a small pot of oil at least 3-4 inches deep over medium-high heat) until it is at about 375°F. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature frequently (if you can’t clip it to the side, check every couple minutes, and tweak your heat accordingly. Scoop the dough with a small cookie scoop, or with two spoons carefully shaping it into a ball about the size of a shooter marble. Fry the dough in 350375°F vegetable or canola oil until golden brown. Place on brown paper to wick off oil. Liberally coat with powdered sugar and serve with sweet sauces of choice.

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WANTED. / BUYING / ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLESCOINS, STAMPS, WATCHES, CAMERASPlease Call (248) 259-8088 or Text (313)395-8599Website= a.airsite.coEmail= wevexgotxstuff@aol.com MISCELLANEOUS WANTED HELP WANTED AT SLADE'S GIFT SHOP![br /]Stock person to run back room, unload shipments & stock. Part-time sales girl with some experience, please. Call Judy 248-851-0066. AUTOS- DOMESTIC/ IMPORTS CASH FOR VEHICLES any make or model Call Barry 248-865-2886 MISCELLANEOUS Hard working woman looking for housekeeping position. 30 years experience with great references. Call Lana 313-534-1514

Chef Aaron blogs on the Facebook page of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue. Reprinted with permission. OCTOBER77• •2021 2021 OCTOBER

47 | | 47

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OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY

ESTHER APPLEBAUM, 74, of Southfield, passed away in her Southfield home on the evening of Sept. 26, 2021. Born in Detroit on July 7, 1924, to Sol and Rose Ryback, Esther was the only daughter and the first of their four children, followed by her three brothers Bernard, Gordon and Ralph. As a teenager, she worked with her parents in the family store while attending first Central High School and then transferring to the High School of Commerce, where she obtained a business education. Esther met Max Applebaum, her high school sweetheart, at the age of 16; and they were married after a long engagement when he returned from serving in the army during WWII on March 10, 1946. Together they raised four children and, when the children were old enough, Esther used her business skills to work in medical offices and then for 20 years for Southfield Public Schools at Southfield Lathrup High School as secretary in the attendance office until her retirement. She loved music, singing and performing with the Rose Morgan Choral Group. She was an avid photographer and loved to travel and see new places. She also provided photos for her widespread family at many joyous events over the years. Esther was a lifetime

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4 Cheshvan Oct. 10 Bessie Barak Max Morton Kasoff Isaac Katchke Issie Richman Sarina Rothbard 5 Cheshvan Oct. 11 Ethel Baggleman Mina Ben-joseph Philip Bloom Ellan Grossman David Hirsch Joseph Schreiber Abraham Tkatch 6 Cheshvan Oct. 12 Rose Bielewich Solomon Fischer Regina Schey Meyer D. Stein 7 Cheshvan Oct. 13 Julius Cholodenko Gertrude Fine

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OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 49

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OBITUARIES

member of Israel chapter B’nai B’rith, which was chartered on her birthday in 1948. She served as president several times as well as the Louis Marshall president, when the chapters eventually merged. She also served on the B’nai B’rith Council of Metropolitan Detroit. She loved meeting new people and giving of her time and energy for worthy causes. She had a knack for making others feel good about themselves and welcome in any situation. She will always be remembered as a woman with boundless energy and a zest for life. Mrs. Applebaum is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Bennett and Janet Applebaum; her sons, Steven Applebaum and Michael Applebaum; her brother, Ralph Ryback and his wife, Lucy; sister-inlaw, Lakie Ryback; nieces, Sarah Lobel and Rifka Shaine and their families; niece, Debbie Lebovic, and her husband, Avraham, and their family; nephews, Avi and David Applebaum and their families; grandchildren, Ian Bennett Brosdahl and husband, Peter, Rachel Applebaum, Sky Applebaum and wife, Julia, Zachary Applebaum, Joshua Applebaum, Noah Applebaum and wife, Ashley; great-grandchildren, Lillian, Sky Maxwell, Ryker, Conri and Harlow Applebaum; other relatives and friends. Contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital, 1461 E. 12 Mile Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071. Services were held at Hebrew

Memorial Chapel. Interment was held at Hebrew Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. BARRY EISENBERG, 77, of Southfield, died Aug. 27, 2021. He is survived by his beloved wife, Andrea Eisenberg; cherished daughters, Abby Eisenberg of Riverdale, N.Y., and Marcy (Yehuda) Tatelbaum of Ma’ Aleh, Israel; adored grandchildren, Meir Tatelbaum, Yakir Tatelbaum, Techelet Tatelbaum; brothers, Sanford (Lori) Eisenberg, Dennis (Terry) Eisenberg; brother-in-law, Jeffrey (Barbara) Olstein; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He was the son of the late Meyer and the late Bessie Eisenberg; son-in-law of the late Sam and the late Alice Olstein. Burial was in Bet Shemesh, Israel. Contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice. THELMA GOLDSTEIN, 81, of West Bloomfield, died Sept. 23, 2021. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Elizabeth Goldstein; grandchildren, Zephraim and Ezekiel Goldstein, and Shannon Housley; brother and sister-in-law, Jerome Herman and Jan Biederman; other loving relatives and friends. Mrs. Goldstein was the beloved wife of the late Allan Goldstein. Interment was at Adat Shalom Memorial Park.

Contributions may be made to National Kidney Foundation, 30 E. 33rd St., New York, NY 10016, kidney. org/donation. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. BARBARA HUBERT, 83, of West Bloomfield, died Sept. 27, 2021. She was a public school educator for 40 years and a volunteer docent at the Holocaust Memorial Center. Mrs. Hubert is survived by her husband of 62 years, Leslie Edward Hubert; sons and daughter-in-law, Howard and Mary Beth Hubert, and Mark Hubert and his fian-

cee, Danielle Hoyt; daughter, Michelle Hubert; grandchildren, Max Hubert, Alex Hubert, Molly Hubert, Rachel Hubert and her fiance, Billy Fletcher, and Laren and James Brinn; brother and sister-inlaw, Michael and Eve Ross; sisters-in-law, Robbie Segel and Vicky Hubert; nephews and nieces, Matthew Ross, Arianna Ross, Niki and Todd Fink, and Amanda Segel; other loving relatives and friends. Mrs. Hubert was the dear sister-in-law of the late David Segel and the late Ricky Hubert; the devoted daughter of the late Abraham and the late Ann Ross; and the loving daughter-in-law of the late Milton and the late Sylvia

Hubert. Interment was at Adat Shalom Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Adat Shalom Synagogue, 29901 Middlebelt, Farmington Hills, MI 48334, adatshalom.org/ tributes-make-a-donationin-honor-or-in-memory; Holocaust Memorial Center, 28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334, holocaustcenter.org; Karmanos Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI 48201, karmanos.org/ give; or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

JACK KLAIN, 80, of Farmington Hills, died Sept. 26, 2021. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandy Klain; daughters and son-in-law, Joanne Klain, Marci and Bill Snyder; grandson, Josh Snyder; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Theo (Bolesta) Klain; sisters and brothers-in-law, Golda and Arnold Hoffman, Beverly and Mark Roth, Maria and Martin Starrman; many loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Mr. Klain was the dear brother-in-law of the late continued on page 52

Judaism embraces all facets of life . . . including death. Trust us to assist you with dignity and grace.

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 51

Phillip (Phyllis) Shusterman. Interment was held at Beth El Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Heart Association. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. SHELDON G. LEVIN, 81, of West Bloomfield, died Sept. 29, 2021. He is survived by his sister and brother-inlaw, Susan and Gary Meklir of West Bloomfield; sisterin-law, Rita Levin; nieces and nephews, Jason and Meredith Meklir, Pamela and Scott Schachter, Eric Levin, Ronald

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

and Melissa Levin; greatnieces and great-nephews, Easton Meklir, Brody Meklir, Owen Schachter, Blair Schachter, Madison Levin, Sara Levin, Andrew Levin; many dear cousins, other relatives and friends here in Michigan and in Arizona. Mr. Levin was the loving son of the late Eva and the late Edward Levin; dear brother of the late Melvyn Levin. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan, 43097 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302; Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322; or to a charity of one’s choice.

Services were held at Hebrew Memorial Chapel. Interment was held at Workmen’s Circle Cemetery, Beth Yehudah Section. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. MARILYN FREEDLAND ROSENTHAL, 78, of Bloomfield Hills, died Sept. 24, 2021. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Sue Freedland; as well as many loving relatives and friends. She was the loving sister of the late Michael Freedland and the late Joel Freedland; the devoted daughter of the late Harriet and the late Hy Freedland. She was also

predeceased by her former husband, Fred Rosenthal. Interment was at Adat Shalom Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Lupus Foundation of America, 2121 K St. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20037, lupus.org; Alzheimer’s AssociationGreater Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033, alz.org/gmc; or American Diabetes Association-Local Chapter, 20700 Civic Center, Southfield, MI 48076, diabetes.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

THEDA SCHEFMAN, 97, of Bloomfield Hills, died Sept. 28, 2021. She is survived by her sons and daughtersin-law, Leslie and Carol Schefman, Robert and Christine Schefman, and Bryan and Amy Schefman; grandchildren, Lauren and Scott Lichtenstein, Alyssa and J.P. Affeld, Jamie Schefman, Samantha Schefman, Nicolas Schefman, Jordan and Aaron Staenberg, Zachary and Jessica Schefman, Michael and Lauren Schefman, and Ashley and Jeffrey Feuereisen; greatgrandchildren, Mason and Naomi Lichtenstein, Bo Affeld, Avi, Isaac and Solomon Staenberg, Talya and Ezra Schefman, and Ryan Feuereisen. Mrs. Schefman was the beloved wife of the late Myron Schefman. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit, Fleischman Residence, 6710 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jslmi. org; Jewish Family Service, 6555 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jfsdetroit.org; or Hospice of Michigan, 43097 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, hom.org/donations. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. SUSAN KOKIL STILLWATER, 72, of Oakland, Calif., formerly of Michigan, died

Sept. 19, 2021. She was a graduate of Detroit Cass Tech and the University of Michigan. She was a black belt in Kung Fu. Ms. Stillwater is survived by her daughter and sonin-law, Pilar Stillwater and Jeff Dalldorf; brother and his partner, Larry Stillwater and Randi Brown; sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Craig Ellison; adoring grandchild, Declan Stillwater; nephews, Steven Stillwater (Carrie) and Michael Stillwater (Lisa); aunt, Betty Stone (the late Sidney Stone) many loving cousins and friends. She was the beloved daughter of the late Fraida and the late Dr. Karl Stillwater. She was preceded in death by Pilar’s father, Harold Chivo Fellion. Contributions may be made to the Dr. Karl Stillwater Memorial Fund in Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital Foundation, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Suite. 218, Detroit, MI 48202-9807; or a charity of one’s choice. DR. DAVID SUSSER, 92, of Bloomfield Hills, died Sept. 20, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Danielle Susser; sons and daughters-in-law, Steven and Aviva Susser, and Eric Susser and Theone Davis; daughter and son-in-law, Nicole Susser and Roger Lewis; grandchildren, Ethan, Isaac and Anna Susser, Josephine, Victoria and Wyeth Davis, and Maya, Ella and Tessa Lewis; brother, Murray “Buzzy” Susser; sister-in-law,

Liliane Hershkowitz; many loving nieces and nephews. Dr. Susser was the loving brother of the late Ruth Leeds, the late Larry Susser and the late Margery Tamres; the dear brother-in-law of the late George “Jojo” Zeff. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine, 3200 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312, dmu.edu/do; or American College of Osteopathic Internists, 11400 Rockville Pike, #801, Rockville, MD 20852, acoi. org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. FLORENCE VINSKY, 94, of Northville, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sept. 24, 2021. She was a woman who cherished story time, always seizing the opportunity to share her life experiences. Florence was a teacher for more than 20 years, and she will be remembered for her passion for helping others. She was a volunteer with the Red Cross until she was 88, and she would have done it much longer if she had the choice. Florence also was an active member in the Temple Kol Ami community, and her love for Judaism was known by all. Mrs. Vinsky leaves behind her children, Craig, Stuart and Lynne; her grandchildren, Erin, Marisa and David; her extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Harry Vinsky; her parents, Etty and

Louis Robinson; her sister. Bertha Davidson. Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s AssociationGreater Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033, alz.org/gmc; Temple Kol Ami, 5085 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323, tkolami.org; or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. JOHN ZIMMER, of Huntington Woods, died Sept. 22, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Norine; Sally Zimmer, his former wife and mother of his children; children, Stanley Zimmer, Kimberly and Richard Gonzalez, David and Missy Sillman, and Amy and Dr. Michael Allon; adoring grandchildren, Zane, Alex and Emily Gonzalez, Lauren and Jeremy Woodard, Jennifer Allon, Dr. Steven and Catherine Allon, and Teagrin and Rob Ford; brothers, David and Tommy Zimmer; sister, Sheryl Warner; many loving nieces and nephews and friends; his loving companion, Benny, the ever so faithful companion who took John on his multiple daily walks and who was with him in his final moments. Contributions may be made to the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Metro Detroit, 28611 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334, (248) 477-1410.

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

Looking Back

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

Jewish ‘Superheroes’

t was recently announced that Americans will have a new hero. To be precise, a new Jewish superhero. DC Comics, creators of Superman, Batman, the Flash and other comic book and movie superheroes, debuted Jewish Superhero, “Whistle,” in September. “Whistle” is the heroine in a graphic novel written for young adults: Whistle: A New Gotham City Superhero. She hails from the same fictional city as Batman and is the first explicitly Jewish superhero in DC Comics in 44 years. Whistle’s secret power (superheroes almost always have a secret power) is the ability to communicate with Mike Smith dogs. May Whistle have a long Alene and run thrashing the bad guys. Graham Landau Archivist Chair The one Jewish superhero in DC Comics before Whistle was “Seraph.” She was an Israeli who gave Superman a hand in “Super Friends #7” in 1977. It is also worth noting that two Jewish guys, Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, began the comic book superhero genre in 1938 with debut of Superman in “Action Comics #1.” By the way, a nice copy of this pathbreaking comic book is worth several million dollars. If you have one, don’t lose it! Regarding Jewish cartoon heroes, have you heard of Captain Tov? The JN published “The Adventures of Captain Tov” from November 1950 to March 1951. You will find this serial in the William Davidson Digital Archive of Detroit Jewish History. Just search for “Captain Tov.” Captain Tov may be a bit dated, but his adventures still offer a peek into a historical era, both in Israel and the U.S. His adventures occurred less than two years after the founding of Israel. In the first episode of the “Adventures of Captain Tov,” one learns that Joseph Steinmerz (aka Captain Tov) came of age during the Nazi’s rise to power in Germany. He escaped to France but lost his parents in the Holocaust. Steinmerz then joined the famous Jewish Brigade and fought the Nazis during WWII. Afterward, when “the roar of

OCTOBER 7 • 2021

the guns rumbled in Palestine,” he joined the Haganah. While Steinmerz had no superpower, his extreme heroics earned him the rank of captain. Men under his command gave him his nickname, “Captain Tov” (or Captain “Good” in English). After the Israeli War of Independence, Captain Tov returned to a village in the Negev. But he had no respite. There was a bad guy lurking about, and the captain must fight once again to protect a group of pioneers. Riding his majestic steed, “Mazel” (a horse that is a lot like the Long Ranger’s “Silver”), the saga of Captain Tov begins. I’ll say no more about the storyline … except that, like all superheroes, Captain Tov does prevail. The creation of Captain Tov was a religiously diverse effort of three WWII veteran soldiers. A Jew and a Protestant, Joe Harrison Freid and Henry W. Larson, wrote the text, and a Catholic lad, John Belcastro, drew the cartoon. There is a brief introduction to the Adventures of Captain Tov in the Nov. 10, 1950, issue of the JN. Danny Raskin also writes about Captain Tov in the same issue. Captain Tov last appears on March 30, 1951, as he leaves for a new unknown assignment behind the Iron Curtain. His parting words are to thank his readers, and “God Save Israel.” Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

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

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

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

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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

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DJN October 7, 2021

Articles inside

Community Calendar

Behind the Art

Celebrity News

Safety First

The Courage to Live with Uncertainty

A Token of Their Appreciation

A Return to Glory

Future Detroit Riverfront Park Sport House to Be Named for Bill Davidson

Moments

Essays and viewpoints

Faces & Places

USS Carl M. Levin Is Getting

His Legacy Was on the Lanes