200 Feb. 13-19, 2020 / 18-24 Shevat 5780
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thejewishnews.com
Leaders Among Us The Well and the Jewish News spotlight 36 up-and-coming leaders in the Metro Detroit Jewish community. See page 26
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contents Feb. 13-19, 2020 / 18-24-17 Shevat 5780| VOLUME CLVII, ISSUE 2
Views 5-10
21
Jews in the D China Mitzvah 12 Local Chabad rabbi’s relatives help reduce coronavirus risk in Shanghai.
Jews in the Digital Age 16 Email spoofing scam targets rabbis and congregants in Metro Detroit
New Jewish Millennial Hub 17 Partners Detroit launches Platform 18 in Royal Oak.
Michigan’s Jewish Prisoners Win Right to Eat Kosher Meat
17
17 Judge rules that denying prisoners meat and dairy kosher meals violates their religious rights.
Shabbat Lights
On the cover:
Say it with Hearts
Here All Along
Shabbat starts: Friday, Feb. 14, 5:45 p.m. Shabbat ends: Saturday, Feb. 15, 6:48 p.m.
Cover photo/credit: Photos provided by 36 Under 36 winners (in no particular order).
20 Small inspirational messages leave a loving, lasting impression.
44 Political speechwriter’s book shares her rediscovery of Jewish connection.
Cover design: Michelle Sheridan
21 Kadima members bake Shabbat cookies with Beth Shalom Sisterhood members.
* Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar.
Busy Bakers
Celebrity Jews 46
JN’s Arthur Horwitz Hall of Fame-Bound
On the Go
22
Events/Editor’s Picks
Bras for a Cause 23 Bloomfield Hills sisters-in-law collect items for women in need.
Faces & Places
47
Business All in the Family 50 Meet young Jewish adults who moved home to join the “family business.”
24
36 Under 36
Here’s To 50
26 Meet the leaders among us.
Moments 39 Moments
Spirit
44 thejewishnews.com
Torah portion 40
Arts&Life At Home: Cozy 42 Top picks for comfy fireside reading.
Follow Us on Social Media: Facebook @DetroitJewishNews Twitter @JewishNewsDet Instagram @detroitjewishnews
Passion For Sports 51 FOX Sports Detroit Producer Jason Dizik uses his passion for the sports media industry to give back.
Etc. The Exchange Soul Danny Raskin Looking Back
54 56 61 62
A Remembrance of Kirk Douglas 43
OUR JN MISSION: We aspire to communicate news and opinion that’s trusted, valued, engaging and distinctive. We strive to reflect diverse community viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity. As an independent, responsible, responsive community member, we actively engage with individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, and Jewish life, in Southeast Michigan.
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FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
|3
YOUR CHILD
deserves the
BEST
Education
Help Our Children Get The Best Education And Complete The 2020 Census.
To make sure your school gets money for school lunches and education programs, you must complete the 2020 CENSUS this spring.
The 2020 CENSUS is quick and EASY to ďŹ ll out. Use it to count EVERYONE in your home. And by law, it is 100% CONFIDENTIAL For more information go to www.mivoicecounts.org
JVS HUMAN SERVICES
Views for openers
Measure By Measure
W
hy do I need all those little lines on a standard ruler? I am only interested in the inches and the half-inches. The others only serve to confuse. The other day, I was trying to remember how many ounces are in a pint Sy Manello Editorial Assistant and how many pints in a quart. The fact that I was looking at bottles labeled in liters did not help at all. To all who sympathize, let me share with you some measurements that are sure to amaze. (Yes, they really exist).
Urinometry is the science of measurement of the specific gravity of urine. (Now you know what that diabolical machine in the urologist’s office is up to.) Zoometery is the measurement of a comparison of the sizes of animals “and their parts” (hmmm!). To all dieters out there, you must know that calorimetry is the measurement of quantities of heat. Once you have slimmed down, you can then be intrigued by anemometry to measure wind speed and direction. When you are getting your eyes checked next, be aware that the measurement of intraocular pressure by
“determining the amount of force needed to make a slight indentation in the cornea” is called tonometry. (Take that to your next trivia match!) The next time you are heavily ensconced in watching TV, you may want to get an algometer and measure the amount of pain you are exposing yourself to. Thinking of becoming a weather forecaster, you may then want to master the use of a cryometer to measure low temperatures. While you are surveying the heavens, be sure to employ a heliometer to give you the distance between the stars. Not that we get very hot in the Midwest, but you should still know that you may be called on to evaluate a cataclysmic result of global warming. When you do, be sure to have a pyrometer to measure temperatures greater than 1,500 degrees Celsius. Feeling overwhelmed by all these activities? Well, let me leave you with a bit of measurement advice: Measure once; cut twice. It works for me every time! (NOT!)
guest column
30 Years of Service to the Community
W
ho knows what bodacious goals Gary Dembs, Mickey Eizelman, Ellie Kaplan, Jim Macy, Rabbi A. Irving Schnipper and Howard Zoller had in 1990 when they pooled together Lea Luger their brainpower, social networks of friends and colleagues, synagogue members and donors?
Their singular mission: Provide free kosher groceries to families in need in the community. Over the last 30 years, Yad Ezra has stayed true to its original mission, while at the same time being nimble enough to incorporate a variety of ways to address food insecurity and provide an increasing amount of healthy and desirable food choices to its clients. More than 22 million pounds of groceries have been distributed since 1990.
Each subsequent Yad Ezra president and board has spent time reviewing and refining how we fulfill our mission, given changing demographics, political climates and, most importantly, ongoing input from our client families. Yad Ezra’s Client Choice Shopping List reflects the leadership’s decision to empower families to choose the groceries they go home with. Being able to choose and receive groceries numer-
David Coulter, Oakland County executive; Paul Blatt, executive vice president/COO of JVS Human Services; Jillian Geyman, director, Oakland County Michigan Works! Waterford; James Willis, vice president, workforce development and rehabilitation, JVS Human Services; Jennifer Llewellyn, manager for workforce development in Oakland County; and Gary Wall, Waterford Township supervisor.
JVS to Manage Michigan Works! Waterford Oakland County Michigan Works! opened its new service center in Waterford Feb. 6. The center will support more than 2,600 job seekers a month. It will be managed by JVS Human Services. “Building on the successful relationship between JVS Human Services and Oakland County Workforce Development, our new initiative at Oakland County Michigan Works! Waterford gives us yet another pipeline for helping jobseekers from all backgrounds in northern Oakland County,” Paul Blatt, executive vice president/ COO of JVS Human Services, told the JN. “In addition, we are looking forward to helping meet the needs of the employer community by providing the necessary skilled workers.” The new service center offers a variety of career development workshops. Counselors also arrange formal training for qualified job seekers, leveraging federal and state funding. The office is establishing partnerships with local school districts and other groups to create career pathway programs, job readiness training opportunities and on-the-job training programs with local employers.
continued on page 6 FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
|5
Views editor’s note
most read on the web
Hey You, Wanna Write For JN?
I
t has been a hectic first week of learning and growing on the job for me at the JN. But it’s all challenging for a very good reason: There’s just so much going on in the Detroit Jewish community. Far too much for any one person to keep up with. Thankfully, we are not just one person. In addition to Andrew Lapin our small yet Editor mighty team of full-time and part-time editorial staffers, we also have a network of paid local freelance writers and reporters, whom we rely on to go out into the community and tell the stories of Jewish Detroit that need to be told. And I would very much like to expand that network. Of the many improvements and investments we hope to make during the JN’s multiyear “Bridge to the Future”
campaign, bringing on new freelancers and paying them fairly is a big priority for me. As a former full-time freelance writer myself, I truly do appreciate the value of a reliable stringer, and I think the Jewish community would greatly benefit from some new voices able to tackle different kinds of stories from different perspectives. Plus, I just think a great publication first and foremost needs great stories and great people to tell them. So if you have some experience in deadline-driven news and features writing — or know of friends, family or colleagues in the Detroit area who do — I’d love to talk to you about contributing paid pieces to the JN. If you are a fellow young professional writer who might’ve picked up this issue to see who was chosen for The Well’s “36 Under 36” or a college student interested in pursuing a career in journalism, please
reach out. The next generation of Metro Detroit’s Jewish community will, in part, be shaped by the voices that appear in the JN. Let’s talk. That’s the value we bring as a publication: We have the kind of space and editorial independence that other local Jewish newsrooms across the country can only dream about. And we will retain that for as long as our readership is willing to support our endeavors. As our Publisher Arthur Horwitz frequently says, the JN “punches well above its weight.” We’re like the Jewish Rocky: the Chai of the Tiger. Want to punch with us? If you’re interested in contributing, I’d love it if you could send me two or three previous writing samples and a brief note about your subject interests. Email andrewlapin.djn@gmail.com with the subject line “JN Contributor.” We’d love to have you onboard.
30 YEARS continued from page 5
ous ways (with the most discreet being a drive-thru window) reflects the importance of serving our client families with dignity and respect. Thanks to the regard, support and faith in our ability to serve vulnerable families, Yad Ezra has become a sought-out partner for a variety of collaborations on local and international levels. Some of these partnerships started when Yad Ezra first opened its doors on Feb. 5, 1990. Jewish Family Service, Forgotten Harvest and Jewish
Federation were among the first organizations helping us connect families in need with free groceries and funds to purchase groceries. Over the years, Yad Ezra’s methodology has continued to be recognized by other organizations, some of whom we have helped mentor. In 2005, Yad Ezra’s director was invited to attend a MAZON Mission to Israel to meet with NGOs (non-governmental agencies) and members of the Knesset to discuss ways to improve collaborative efforts.
A couple years ago, an opportunity to meet Rabbi Michael Schudrich, the chief rabbi of Poland, resulted in an effort to help him establish a kosher food pantry in Warsaw that provides ongoing grocery distributions to low-income Jews and Righteous Gentiles who saved Jewish families during WWII. On a local level, Yad Ezra’s leadership is currently involved in a collaboration with Jewish Family Service and JVS to improve services to client families in emergencontinued on page 10
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FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
Each month, the JN will let you know the stories that were read most often online. If you missed any, you can go to our website, thejewishnews.com, and search for them by title. Here’s what was most popular in January. TOP 10 ON THE WEB 1. Dr. Ethan Goldstein Vows to Ride Peloton for 365 Days 2. Temple Kol Ami Cantorial Soloist Falsely Reports Anti-Semitic Attack 3. Southfield Orthodox Family Sues American Airlines for Discrimination 4. The Well’s Rabbi Daniel Horwitz to Become CEO at Miami JCC 5. Mother and Daughter Duo Open Culinary Combo 6. Gay and Jewish Jokes PC Culture 7. The Well and JN’s 36 Under 36: Zachary Sandler Wish 8. The Well and JN’s 36 Under 36: Teddie Olender 9. Siggy Flicker of Real Housewives Speaks Out 10. The Well and JN’s 36 Under 36: Randal Feldman TOPS ON FACEBOOK 1. Founding Director of the Well Dan Horwitz Departing to Miami JCC 2. Nicole Kahan/Friendship Circle 3. Temple Kol Ami Cantorial Soloist 4. Friendship Circle: Allie and Amanda 5. IDF Should Choose Tank Crews Based on Capabilities, Not Gender TOP INSTAGRAM POSTS 1. Jewish and Proud (JN team photo) 2. NYC Anti-Semitism Rally 3. Metro Detroit Orthodox Community/Visibly Jewish 4. Nicole Kahan/Friendship Circle 5. Rabbi Dan to Become CEO of Miami JCC
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Views guest column
Remaining Vigilant Against Anti-Semitism
I
n his letter to the members of the Touro Synagogue in 1790, President George Washington affirmed to the American Jewish community the government of the United States would give “to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” For more than two centuries, those words have stood as a guiding light to those in public service who Sen. Gary wish to eradicate Peters the millennia-old prejudice of anti-Semitism from our shores. In recent years, the world’s oldest hatred has sadly emerged from the darkest corners of America. The Jewish-American community has been faced with the sobering realization that its synagogues are under threat and anti-Semitism has once again been normalized. AntiSemitism knows no ideolog-
ical boundaries. It manifests itself across the political spectrum, whether it is targeted violence, hateful rhetoric and intolerance, or the indifference and apathy of those who do not see anti-Semitism as their problem to fight. That is why, as your U.S. senator, I believe it is my moral obligation to speak out against anti-Semitism and to build consensus around the actions that must be taken to strengthen and defend the Jewish community. Following the worst attack on the Jewish community in our nation’s history, I had the honor to join Shabbat services at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. Together we mourned, and together we sought solace and solidarity to continue taking action to defeat this hateful ideology and the violence it has inspired in our communities. I have always found it important to add my voice to those who seek to create unity
in the face of division, which is why I joined my colleagues on the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating AntiSemitism — a group united in our efforts to call out hate, support legislation to combat anti-Semitism and educate Americans about the dangers of this abhorrent ideology. In 2017, following a surge in threats against Jewish communities in Michigan and across the country, I partnered with Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) to lead all 100 senators in a rare display of unity by authoring a letter asking the Trump Administration to investigate and take action to address anti-Semitism and secure our communities against these pervasive threats. As ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I convened the committee’s first hearing on white supremacist violence, which included powerful testimony from the Anti-
Defamation League. This past year — as threats against synagogues and religious institutions continue to rise — I led a bipartisan effort with Sen. Portman to help secure houses of worship against these deadly attacks. Just last month, President Trump signed our bill into law, providing $75 million in federal funds to faith-based organizations across the country. If the massacre at Tree of Life Synagogue shocked us, the events that followed in Poway, New Jersey and New York have served as a stark reminder that Americans live in a country where these attacks cannot be dismissed as isolated incidents. More work must be done to help us secure Jewish community spaces, and more work must be done to expel the darkness caused by a rising cloud of anti-Semitism. We recently observed the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust continued on page 10
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Views ANTI-SEMITISM continued from page 8
Memorial Day. The lasting lesson of one of history’s darkest chapters is that it is incumbent on each generation to educate the next on the repercussions of anti-Semitism. I feel strongly that this burden falls not only on Jewish Americans, but those of us who consider ourselves allies in the fight against hate. As your senator and, more importantly, as your fellow
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FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
30 YEARS continued from page 6
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citizen, you can be sure that I am committed to continue dedicating myself to this cause, and I will never stop striving to ensure that the United States fulfills its longstanding promise to Jewish Americans to give “to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”
cy situations; a partnership with Gleaners Community Food Bank to offer more produce and milk to more client families more often; and a project with United Way to enhance and improve best practices among food providers that are United Way beneficiaries. Most recently, we had the opportunity to meet with the management team of Woodward Corner Market in Royal Oak and are working together to have more kosher food available in this area through donations and volunteer support. We continue to provide additional ways to learn about and access free healthy food, thanks to the Geri Lester Greenhouse, a place where clients, volunteers, neighbors and donors can
work side by side planting and harvesting fresh produce. Yad Ezra’s Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Family Giving Gardens includes a variety of gardens (Hebrew Calendar garden, food forest, perennial and diaspora), beds in the front of the building that include a pergola and rain water collection system, and beds in the back for client use. Whether serving the 250 clients who received groceries from Yad Ezra 30 years ago, or the 2,400 who currently rely on us for food assistance, we continue to listen to and serve our families with dignity and respect. Bodacious? Maybe… Lea Luger is executive director of Yad Ezra.
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Jews in the D
China Mitzvah
Local Chabad rabbi’s relatives help reduce coronavirus risk in Shanghai. SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
CHABAD SHANGHAI
Shanghai Jewish Museum Curator Chen Jian and Rabbi Shalom Greenberg of the Shanghai Jewish Center examine donated masks.
A
s global health officials struggle to contain the effects of the coronavirus, a Detroit-area Chabad rabbi adds his own layers of concern — and personal pride. Rabbi Schneor Greenberg, who, with his wife, Estie, directs the Chabad Jewish Center of Commerce, Michigan, has two siblings running Chabad centers in the Shanghai region of China — about 500 miles from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak in late December. As of Feb. 10, there have been 40,574 confirmed coronavirus cases and 910 deaths worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science Engineering, which maintains a dashboard using combined figures from various sources, including the World Health Organization (WHO). Mainland China alone has 40,175 of the cases and 908 deaths. Greenberg understands the risks for those, like his brothers, who live and work in Shanghai, where 292 cases have been con-
firmed as of Feb. 9, according to the WHO. One brother, Rabbi Avraham Greenberg, and his wife, Nechamie, run the Chabad Jewish Center of Pudong, a district in Shanghai. They left with their family last month and now are aiding relief efforts from the Detroit area, where two of their children attend school. Another sibling, Rabbi Shalom Greenberg, co-directs the Shanghai Jewish Center with his wife, Dinie. Shalom has remained in Shanghai to look after the center and provide local aid. Dinie left the country with their childrens on Feb. 5. Shanghai has been home for Shalom and Dinie since 1998, when the two first established their Chabad center and Shalom became the first rabbi in mainland China. Today, together with Avraham’s Pudong center and a third Chabad outpost in Shanghai, they serve the 2,000 Jews who live scattered throughout the metropolis of nearly 28 million people.
The Chabad outreach centers serve Jewish students and travelers, as well as individuals relocated for work who often come with their families. The centers provide services, including classes, kosher meals and holiday programming. In recent weeks, the rabbis helped their community members obtain subsidies for plane tickets home, and now 95% of the Jews in Shanghai have left. “Only about 35 or 40 of them remain, so when Shabbat comes and 10 Jewish people come to Shalom’s for dinner, these people find other Jews,” Avraham told the JN. “For them to know Chabad is still here and they can come have a meal together is very special.” Along with emissaries at the 12 other Chabad Jewish Centers in China (including Hong Kong), the two Greenberg families helped establish a relief fund to aid the country’s Jewish communities. Four rabbis remain in China; the others continue fundraising efforts from other countries. continued on page 14
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Jews in the D continued from page 12
“We are proud of those working there. They are the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s (messengers) doing a vital job of helping those in need.” — RABBI SCHNEOR GREENBERG
MASSIVE DELIVERY The Greenbergs’ relief efforts have extended beyond the Jewish community, as well. In a mammoth undertaking Feb. 3, Shalom Greenberg organized the distribution of 10,000 medical-grade masks and disinfecting equipment throughout Shanghai. Two thousand masks came from Magen David Adom, Israel’s national EMS organization, which upon Chabad’s request, also sent 200 full-body protection kits for those in contact with affected individuals. The Israeli non-governmental humanitarian aid agency IsraAID, in partnership with the Israel-China Chamber of Commerce, Innonation (a platform promoting Israel-Chinese relationships) and David Ashkenazi of ICCB-Capital, also sent a shipment of medical supplies. Stored in the Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum, which honors Jewish refugees who escaped Nazi Germany during World War II by fleeing to Shanghai, the masks were distributed to Jews and non-Jews alike. “We are proud of those who are working there,” said Schneor Greenberg of Commerce. “They are the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s shluchim (messengers) doing a vital job of helping those in need. On a personal note, we feel indebted to help the Chinese people because Estie’s grandfather, Rabbi Shmuel Tzvi Fox, managed to escape to Shanghai
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FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
with thousands of Jews who found refuge there during the Holocaust.” The rabbis’ hope is that the masks will not only help prevent disease but also protect seniors from having to go out in the cold weather. To ensure this, a team of volunteers, largely non-Jewish Chinese citizens, delivered many of the masks door-to-door. “In China, it is required to wear a face mask,” Avraham said. “You are not allowed anywhere without one — not in a taxi, not in a store. You can’t live there without them.” And, he said, because each mask can only be used for two to three hours, individuals need more than one. Many Jews had left the country before the outbreak during the Chinese New Year holiday and, because of the virus, did not return after vacation, according to Schneor Greenberg. AID FROM DETROIT Away from Pudong, Avraham and Nechamie Greenberg are launching fundraising efforts in Metro Detroit, where the two went to school and where Nechamie’s parents live. They are here with their nine children, including Mendel, 15, and Levi, 13, students at the Lubavitch Cheder & Yeshiva, International School for Chabad Leadership in Oak Park. One of Shalom’s sons,
Mendel, 20, serves as a mentor at the yeshivah. “We are raising funds to continue to be there for the Jewish people of China,” Avraham said. “We still need to pay the rent and keep the Jewish centers going for when the people come back. “There is something special about Chabad in China,” he said. “In America, there are already Jewish centers in place; Chabad is an addition. In China, there is nothing. We are the infrastructure of Jewish life. We are the address if someone has a bar mitzvah or a bris, or to take care of a body when someone dies, to plan a seder, everything.” When the family left Shanghai, the streets were deserted, Avraham said. No cars were on the road. A 40-floor hotel was completely empty. Most people had closed their houses and evacuated. “There is no lockdown, but people minimize their time out; they go mostly to buy food,” he said. Because Chabad is the local supplier of kosher food, Shalom has a storage area with containers that include meat from Uruguay and matzah and wine from Israel. Like Schneor, Avraham is concerned for Shalom but says he is careful about where he goes and about following health protocol, including frequent hand washing. Despite dire warnings from health officials, Shalom says he will remain in Shanghai as long as he does not feel he is in extreme danger. GOING BACK HOME The family is enjoying the extended visit to Detroit, but Avraham and Nechamie look forward to serving their Shanghai community again. They already are reaching out. “We continue to support them from here,” Nechamie said.
Coronavirus Explained The coronavirus has been identified in 24 countries, including 11 cases in the United States. The World Health Organization describes coronaviruses as a large family of viruses common in species of animals that can infect humans and then spread to others. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and death. Standard recommendations to prevent infection include regular hand washing, covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs, and avoiding contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness. “They are in lots of different cities and countries, but we are planning a Torah study class online, and a group of women who run our Hebrew school want to continue online studies for our students.” All of Schneor, Shalom and Avraham’s 14 Israeli-born siblings also are Chabad emissaries, serving communities in the U.S., Israel, China, Ukraine, France and Germany. “Especially in times of need, we all need to look around and see how we could help the people around us,” Shalom Greenberg said. “It could be helping one person at a time or on a larger scale, but we must ask ourselves this question again and again, and then we act on it.” To help provide supplies and support to China’s Jewish communities, go to chabadchinanews.org/donate.
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“The Emergence of the Modern State of Israel” (4 credits) “Jewish Political Thought” (4 credits)
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Jews in the D jews in the digital age
Email Spoofing Scam Targets Rabbis and Congregants in Metro Detroit
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he Torah doesn’t mention digital security, but local rabbis have been targeted by recent internet scams all the same. The recent rise in anti-Semitic incidents — both online as well as actual attacks on Jewish people and institutions — has put our community on high alert. So, it was not surprising that alarms have been going off in response to a spate of email spoofing that has affectRabbi Jason ed rabbis across the country, Miller including here in Metro Detroit although there has been no indication the scam was intended as an anti-Semitic act. Rabbis at Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills, Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills, Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park and Congregation Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield have reported that congregants informed them of receiving “spoofed” emails — messages that appear to be from the rabbis but, in fact, contain scams. The email scam does not involve any digital hacking of the accounts of Jewish clergy; however, the Anti-Defamation League and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit have called it concerning in emailed statements. The first rabbis affected by this email scam began reporting it a couple of months ago in social media groups and on their Facebook
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accounts. Several rabbis and congregations have chosen to inform their membership through Constant Contact email messages about the scam to allay their fears that any email accounts or membership databases had been hacked. The scammers, pretending to be a rabbi, ask congregants to purchase gift cards, supposedly for charity. The scammers have created patterns of fake email addresses using Gmail, the free Google service, in the format of [rabbi’s name].[synagogue name]@gmail. com. The scammers then appear to track down members of that rabbi’s congregation, find their email addresses on the web and send out the requests. Rabbi Steven Rubenstein of Congregation Beth Ahm was the first to alert his congregation via Constant Contact that a fake email account had been set up in his name. He wrote, “Some people within our congregation received an email from an address similar to mine (but not my email address) and purportedly from me. In fact, however, I did not send that email. The email was sent from a person attempting to scam people out of their money … This is a scam and I did not (and would not) make a request like this.” “This great scam works precisely because congregants trust their clergy,” said Rabbi Debra Newman Kamin, president of the Rabbinical Assembly, the Conservative movement’s professional organization of rabbis.
“It’s a faceless crime, but it still feels like a violation if someone can get your information and attempt to do harm.” If an email recipient responds, the scammers typically follow up by asking the congregant or synagogue staffer to buy gift cards to online retailers like Amazon and Google Play and send them the cards’ numbers and PIN codes. It is not clear who the perpetrators of the scam are or whether the scams are part of a coordinated effort. The Secure Community Network (SCN), a national homeland security initiative of the Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, sent out an email to congregations around the country stating that these recent incidents “demonstrate a continued interest by cybercriminals to target Jewish institutions, organizations and interests with cyberattacks. “Leadership and security personnel are encouraged to review and update cybersecurity policies and procedures on a regular basis in order to identify potential vulnerabilities and train staff in recognizing potential harmful emails, links and sites,” the email continued. “The SCN has been in touch with relevant partners and will continue to monitor events and provide updates, as necessary.” Rabbi Jason Miller is a local educator and entrepreneur. He is the president of Access Technology in West Bloomfield.
Jews in the D
New Jewish Millennial Hub ALLISON JACOBS DIGITAL EDITOR
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latform 18, a new community space for Jewish young professionals, officially opened its doors Jan. 30 in Royal Oak. The launch event attracted more than 200 people eager to see the space and enjoy food, drinks and live music. While Platform 18 is not exclusively for young adults, the building is the new headquarters of Partners Detroit Young Jewish Professionals, a division of Partners Detroit. The organization targets Jewish young adults in their 20s and
30s through one-on-one and group learning sessions, Jewishthemed events, Shabbat dinners and trips around the world with a Jewish spin. “The building has been a vision within Partners for years,” said Partners Detroit educator Erin Stiebel. “To be able to have something in Royal Oak where so many young Jewish people live is something we’ve really been looking forward to.” The name Platform 18 was chosen because of its location alongside the train tracks, with
DERRICK MARTINEZ
Partners Detroit launches Platform 18 in Royal Oak.
About 200 people came to the opening of Platform 18 in Royal Oak.
the number 18 signifying chai (life). Prior to its current transformation, the building was a rustic antique shop. The 7,000-square-foot space is equipped with a lower-level lounge featuring world clocks representing Partners Detroit trip destinations, a pool table, private classrooms and a show kitchen. The second level fea-
tures a heated porch with sofas overlooking downtown Royal Oak. “I’m looking forward to learning and the future events that will be held at Platform 18 with the phenomenal rabbis and community of Partners,” Huntington Woods resident Brittany Danzig, 32, said at the launch event. continued on page 18
Michigan’s Jewish Prisoners Win Right to Eat Kosher Meat Judge rules that denying prisoners meat and dairy kosher meals violates their religious rights. JACKIE HEADAPOHL ASSOCIATE EDITOR
J
ewish prisoners in Michigan won the right to eat meat and dairy kosher meals on Shabbat and some Jewish holidays, according to a court ruling issued Jan. 30 by Judge Linda Parker in the U.S. District Court Eastern District in Detroit. The case dates to 2013, when the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) transferred Jewish and Muslim inmates to a vegan diet as a “one-size-fits-all” religious meal
solution. A class-action lawsuit, handled by the Civil Rights Clinic at Michigan State University led by Professor Daniel Manville, was filed at that time on behalf of Jewish inmates Gerald Ackerman and Mark Shaykin. The suit argued that a vegan diet lacked kosher meat and dairy and didn’t adhere to kosher principles of preparation, such as proscriptions against contamination with non-kosher utensils
and prep areas. A proposed settlement of the class-action suit was reached Oct. 12, 2019, that granted Michigan’s Jewish prisoners the ability to have kosher meals. But the question about whether inmates could receive meat and dairy kosher meals wasn’t argued until Dec. 11, 2019, at a fairness hearing held in front of Judge Parker.
There are 600 Jewish prisoners among Michigan’s 33,000-person prison population. Of those 600, between 85 and 193, residing in 16 different correctional facilities, are approved for kosher meals. In her Jan. 30 opinion, Parker ruled that to deny the kosher meat and dairy meals to the Jewish prisoners would be a violation of their closely held continued on page 18
FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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Jews in the D Millennial Hub from page 17
FROM THE SHOPS AT LINCOLN CENTER Advance America ALDI #MJOH #MJOH t #PPL #FBU $POTFSWBUJWF $VUT
The space was funded by the William Davidson Foundation, Mickey Shapiro and family in memory of his parents, Sara and Asa Shapiro, as well as in-kind donations from Metro Detroiters. “It was really a project of a lot of people engaged in the Partners community — everyone brought their talents and skills to the table,� Stiebel said. “People who are engaged in Partners who are themselves interior designers and builders volunteered their time to offer insight and wisdom.� Platform 18 has numerous programs already on the docket including a tutorial on how to prep Shabbat dinner
in an hour, weekly chavurah (friend) learning sessions with Rabbi Noam Gross, holiday-themed festivities and a monthly Jewish book club. Young adults seeking individual learning sessions will also have the option to meet Partners educators at Platform 18. “Partners’ slogan is ‘Where Detroit comes to learn,’ and [it] aims to be a place where we offer Jewish educational resources to anyone who wants them,� Stiebel said. “Everything is done with that intention and the goal to offer deeper connections to where they come from and where they’re going.�
%PMMBS $BTUMF %5-3 t %S -B[BS + "OUIPOZ -FF #FBVUZ 4VQQMZ .FUSP 1$4 .FUSPQPMJUBO %SZ $MFBOFST .PPLFZ T #FBOT (SFFOT 0SJHJOBM #SFBE #BTLFU 1BQFS (PPET 8BSFIPVTF 3BJOCPX 4USFFU $PSOFS .VTJD 4UFQ *O 4UZMF t 4VJU %FQPU 5 /BJMT t 5PQ 5IBU 8IJUF $BTUMF $IVSDI T $IJDLFO
Lincoln Shopping Center GREENFIELD and 10½ MILE
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Kosher Meat from page 17
religious views. According to her ruling, MDOC will provide participating Jewish prisoners who keep kosher with two certified kosher meals per day from a certified kosher source, either an outside vendor or an MDOC certified kosher kitchen. Those inmates are also entitled to meat or dairy meals every Shabbat as well as on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Shavuot, when inmates will also receive a cheesecake to celebrate the holiday. To receive the meals, inmates must have been approved for the vegan diet or “live kosher� for 60 days prior to requesting the kosher meals. MDOC may obtain information through its chaplains to confirm a prisoner’s sincerely held religious belief. “MDOC wanted inmates to buy kosher meat from the prison store,� Manville said.
“The judge found that unreasonable for a couple of reasons: the cost of food in the store was too high and the quantity and quality of food in store was called into question.� The judge also rejected MDOC’s claims that providing the kosher meat and dairy meals would be too expensive. MDOC estimated the cost of providing the meals at about $10,000. Dairy is already provided to inmates, Manville said. “However, inmates on the vegan option were prohibited from drinking any milk. If they did, they would receive a misconduct ticket. That’s just crazy.� Manville said he has 14 days to draft an injunctive order that will specify details as to how the judgment will be enforced. Prisoners should start receiving the kosher meat meals within 30 days, he added.
MICHIGAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
State Rep. Ryan Berman (right) of Commerce Township welcomed Rabbi Marla Hornsten to the state capitol to lead the invocation Wednesday, Feb. 5, for the Michigan House of Representatives. Joining them at the rostrum is Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield.
West Bloomfield Rabbi Leads State House Invocation JACKIE HEADAPOHL ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Temple Israel’s Rabbi Marla Hornsten spent a few days in Lansing last week, first as the invited guest of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for the State of the State address and second to lead the Feb. 5 invocation for the Michigan House of Representatives at the invitation of State Rep. Ryan Berman of Commerce Township. “I am really energized by the work of our state government and excited to engage our students in the democratic process,” she said. Hornsten said she was honored to be asked to deliver the invocation. “Particularly in this time of division, it is important to remember that we actually have much in common. When we approach each other with compassion and understanding, we can get a lot accomplished.” Hornsten’s invocation included the words: “As well we know, these are challenging times in which we live.
We are too often separated by our differences, rather than united in our similarities. But it is in our similarities where our strengths lie: our common bonds of family, love and patriotism — our wish to hand our children a better world.” She went on to say that the Talmud teaches that “the highest form of wisdom is kindness.” “As a rabbi,” she told the lawmakers, “I do not profess to know the world of creating legislation; but I do know that your responsibility is great and that how you treat each other in this House is vital to your ability to help the good people of our great state.” She ended the invocation with these final words: “God, we seek your guidance today and every day, as we work to achieve these goals. Grant us pure hearts and pure souls as together we strive to create a pure Michigan. Amen.”
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PHOTOS COURTESY NANCY ZUCKER
Jews in the D
Say it with Hearts Small inspirational messages leave a loving lasting impression. JENNIFER LOVY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
N
ancy Zucker has a frequent habit of making other people emotional. It’s not a bad thing. It’s just that they are caught off guard and touched when she gives them a small heart with a printed inspirational message, such as “You are enough,” “Believe in yourself” or “You are appreciated.” Once, Zucker handed one to a janitor she saw mopping the lobby of an office building. He stared at it for a long time and finally said, “I can’t believe this. No one has ever said that to me Nancy Zucker before, and I’ve worked here for 25 years.” He asked her to come to his workspace where she watched him tape the heart to the top of his desk. Another time the West Bloomfield resident came across a medical receptionist who looked annoyed and acted impatient toward
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Zucker and her mother during the checkin process. Zucker felt the need to give this woman a heart. When she did, the receptionist put her head on the desk and began sobbing. She was so distraught that a coworker quickly approached them. This receptionist, who could barely speak at that moment, simply held up the heart. Once composed, she told Zucker she was having the worst day and “this just made it so much better.” More recently, a West Bloomfield police officer penned a touching Facebook post about his experience of receiving an anonymous heart. On Jan. 2, he started his ninth consecutive day of work. This officer was tired and missed being with his wife and baby, especially during the holidays. That morning, following his first run, he returned to his patrol car and noticed a small blue heart on the driver-side window. “It is little gestures like these that make us feel better because we are happy to see people
actually care about us and our wellbeing. The officer wrote, “To the citizen who placed this note on my car, you have made my day.” The officer’s post was subsequently shared by the West Bloomfield Police Department. “It is wonderful to see people such as this that lift people’s spirits with something so simple.” their post said. It’s responses like these, which happen almost daily, that led Zucker, mom to three grown sons, to turn her heart-giving hobby of almost seven years into a full-fledged business. In March 2019, she officially launched Say it with Hearts and began selling pocket-size tins containing 48 card-stock hearts with different motivational messages. After years of getting so much satisfaction from giving the hearts either anonymously — as she did with the West Bloomfield police officer — or by handing them to others, she decided it was time to come up with a business plan so others could experience the joys of “saying it with hearts.” Karen Gordon Rosenberg, a geriatric social worker, stumbled across the Say it with Hearts tins in a local store and purchased a box with the intent of giving them to her children and co-workers. “I think affirmations are a wonderful thing, and these hearts are a great way for people to be expressive,” said Rosenberg, who, ironically, met Zucker through a professional connection and later discovered she was the founder of Say it with Hearts. Zucker said she first got the idea of giving written affirmations to others after becoming certified in Healing Touch and reiki, both forms of energy healing. Much of her work is with residents at Fleischman Residence in West Bloomfield. This line of work, Zucker said, opened her heart and her ability to be more in tune with others through their words and body language. “I began to notice that people needed to be uplifted and acknowledged, which is different than praise because it’s an unexpected moment of positivity,” she said. Say it with Hearts can be ordered at sayitwithhearts.com or purchased at Jen’s Gifts of Love in West Bloomfield, Jewish Senior Life boutiques on the West Bloomfield campus and Miller House in Commerce Township.
Kadima Activities Coordinator Molisia Young gets a tray from Janice Grahl, a Kadima baker.
Jews in the D
Cookies are ready for the oven.
Busy Bakers Kadima members bake Shabbat cookies with Beth Shalom Sisterhood members. BARBARA LEWIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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PHOTOS BY DERRICK MARTINEZ
nce a month, the kitchen at Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park is a beehive of activity as members of Kadima Mental Health Services gather to bake cookies, assisted by women from the synagogue’s sisterhood. The sisterhood pays Kadima $95 each month, which covers the cost of the ingredients and a small stipend for the bakers, who face mental health challenges. Sisterhood members then freeze the cookies to serve at kiddush after Shabbat morning service. It’s an extension of a program developed at Kadima’s Southfield center, where members bake cookies and sell them in the gift shop. Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield started using Kadima’s cookie-baking talents in 2016. The project was the brainchild of former Shaarey Zedek staffer Wren Hack, now director of Hazon Detroit. The Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood continues to bake cookies with Kadima. “We enjoy these delicious cookies during our Shabbat lunch,” said Jeri Fishman,
Shaarey Zedek president. After learning about Shaarey Zedek’s program, Beth Shalom member Alicia Nelson of Southfield thought it would work well at Beth Shalom, too. Kadima members engage in a meaningful activity and earn a little pocket money, and Beth Shalom congregants get to eat homemade-from-scratch cookies. “It’s a win-win,” Nelson said. Molisia Young of Oak Park, Kadima’s activities coordinator, says the Kadima-baked cookies
neous utensils for the project. On a recent Wednesday, Kadima clients Geoff and Janice Grahl joined Nelson and sisterhood member Susan Friedman in the kitchen. Young supervised, but Geoff and Grahl knew exactly what to do. First, they measured the ingredients into single-batch quantities; then they started mixing, one batch at a time. Before they were done, there would be five batches of chocolate chip cookies and three batches of oatmeal, each batch about three dozen cookies. The oatmeal cookies, with white chocolate chips, orange zest and cranberries, “are like a party in your mouth,” Young said. Cookie baking is one of many culinary arts activities available to Susan Friedman and Alicia Nelson, both Beth Shalom Kadima members, she Sisterhood members, get ingredients ready. said. The activity center has a full kitchen and a are better than store-bought. hydroponic garden where they “They’re made with lots of love, grow lettuce, tomatoes, cucumand you can pronounce all the bers and herbs year-round. ingredients,” she laughed. Clients plan the menus and Using Beth Shalom’s George cook lunch every weekday. and Murial Tarnoff Special Young says she and the other Needs Fund, Nelson purchased Kadima staff are continually two hand mixers, a half-dozen looking for ways to enrich their large baking trays and miscella- members’ lives.
ZESTY OATMEAL CRANBERRY COOKIES 2 cups old-fashioned oats 1 cup dried cranberries 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt Zest of 2-3 large oranges 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 large eggs 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 1 cup white chocolate chips Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the oats and cranberries. Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, with a mixer at low speed, beat the butter and the sugars until blended. Increase speed to high and beat until light and creamy. At low speed, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract; then fold in the oat mixture. Fold in the orange zest and white chocolate chips. Drop the cookies by rounded tablespoons about 2 inches apart on ungreased large cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
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Jews in the D
Horwitz: Hall of Fame-Bound CORRIE COLF STAFF WRITER
PHOTO CREDIT JERRY ZOLYNSKY
A SEEKING TERRIFIC TEENS! To shine the public spotlight on young people in our community, the JN, Jfamily and the Youth Professionals Network created Rising Stars: Teens Making a Difference, a showcase that will highlight 18 remarkable Jewish teens in the Metro Detroit area. Those selected will be featured in the April 30 issue of the JN and will also be recognized on the JN, JCC and Jfamily social media pages. Nominees must live in Michigan, identify as Jewish and be students in grades 9-12; they can be self-nominated or may be nominated by others today through March 8. Nominees should be recognized for impact, contribution and/ or achievement in areas including (but not limited) to:
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rthur Horwitz, publish- ethnic/minority media outer and former executive lets in the Midwest,” Martin editor of the Detroit Manna, publisher of the Jewish News, will be inducted Chaldean News, wrote in supinto the Michigan Journalism port of Horwitz’s nomination. Hall of Fame on April 26. Horwitz helped to establishMike Smith, who works New Michigan Media, a netwith Horwitz as the Alene work of ethnic and minority and Graham Landau Archivist publications in Michigan. Chair for the Former JN editor Detroit Jewish News Robert Sklar wrote Foundation, nominatin support of the ed him for the award. nomination: “Arthur “I had no doubts Horwitz sees the world whatsoever that from cruising altitude, Arthur meets, indeed, not merely ground Arthur Horwitz surpasses the critelevel. ria for inclusion in the Hall “He has a knack for cutting of Fame,” Smith said in his away the faux layers of govnominating letter. “Arthur is a ernmental, communal and great person — a real mentsh societal crusts and honing in — as my Jewish colleagues on what truly matters.” would say.” Horwitz’s established Horwitz began his career the Detroit Jewish News in journalism in 1970 as a Foundation in 2013 to precopy trainee at the New Haven serve countless stories from Journal-Courier and sister the JN and the Detroit Jewish publication the New Haven Chronicle (1916-1951) in Register while attending the digital format in the William University of Connecticut, Davidson Digital Archive of where he was editor-in-chief Jewish Detroit History. of the student-run newspaper, Horwitz is the second the Daily Campus. journalist from the JN to After earning a master’s be inducted the Michigan degree in public and private Journalism Hall of Fame, joinmanagement in 1982, Horwitz ing founding editor and pubwas hired as manager of plan- lisher Philip Slomovitz, who ning, research and marketing was inducted in 1993. for the Baltimore Sun. “Through us, “ Horwitz In 1986, Horwitz took a big said, “the hard work, profesleap, leaving the Baltimore Sun sionalism and community serto come to the JN. vice exemplified by the Jewish Throughout his tenure at News staff continues to be recthe JN, Horwitz has built ognized and appreciated.” long-standing relationships Joining Horwitz in the with other local ethnic/ Michigan Journalism Hall of minority media outlets. Fame are Tom Gage, Angelo “Arthur has been the driving Henderson, Mike Lloyd, Bill force in growing Michigan’s Proctor and Mark Stryker.
Jews in the D
SAMANTHA FOON
Samantha and Lacey Foon of Bloomfield Hills collected thousands of donations for I Support The Girls, which distributes essential items to women in need.
Bras for a Cause Bloomfield Hills sisters-in-law collect items for women in need. ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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hile at a hair salon, 32-year-old Samantha Foon flipped through a magazine. An article caught her attention: a story about I Support the Girls, an international nonprofit that collects and distributes essential items for women in need, including bras, underwear and menstrual hygiene products. “I remembered I had a drawer of 20 bras at my parents’ house, which has probably been sitting there for 10 years,” the Bloomfield Hills resident said. She says she figured if she had bras she wasn’t wearing, others must, too. After partnering with her sister-in-law Lacey Foon, 32, also of Bloomfield Hills, the two decided to host their own drive. They contacted the
Detroit chapter of I Support the Girls, one of more than 50 affiliate chapters across the world, and connected with a local representative. “I don’t think she realized what [was] coming her way,” Samantha Foon said with a laugh. Not even two weeks after their drive began on Jan. 9, the Foons collected more than 11,000 items for I Support the Girls. The total included 525 bras, 600 pairs of underwear and more than 10,000 feminine hygiene products. I Support the Girls accepts donations from individual to corporate levels. The Detroit chapter has donated almost 20,000 bras and more than 250,000 menstrual products to the area since launching in July 2016. While some recipi-
ent organizations only accept new bras, many accept gently used laundered bras without tears, rips or clasp problems. “One of our goals is to get those bras back out into the community where they can make a big impact on women’s day-to-day lives,” said Rebekah Page-Gourley, volunteer Detroit Affiliate Director for I Support the Girls. For the Foons, it started with an email blast to about 100 women in the local community. Then the sistersin-law shared their drive on Instagram. “It opened the floodgates to not just our immediate friends, but friends in other cities,” Lacey Foon said. “It went from a hundred close people to at least a thousand. It opened up to men who were interested in helping, and parents of our friends.” The drive ran through Jan. 24. It also included an Amazon Wish List where donors could purchase items to be sent directly to the Foons’ homes. The Amazon link alone raised more than $1,300 in donations.
Boxes of items arrived on their front steps every day. “As soon as we think we’ve tapped out all of our connections, someone else gets interested,” Lacey Foon said. “It’s a huge testament to the power of social media in terms of charity.” The Foons sought to include a wide range of sizes and fits for products in an effort to be inclusive. Many of the Foons’ donors are members of the Jewish community. They received support from teachers and parents at Hillel Day School, where Samantha Foon’s children go to school. “Once I Support the Girls Detroit receives the donated items, we contact a number of local organizations,” PageGourley explained, “such as community centers, street outreach groups, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, food pantries, schools and transitional housing organizations to determine where there is a need for the various items.” The best way to get involved, the Foons recommend, is to create a drive of your own. “Tell everyone you know because people are so generous and want to help,” Samantha Foon said. “We’re just so amazed at the generosity of everyone. We never anticipated a fraction of this.” FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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Jews in the D | faces&places
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n International Holocaust Memorial Day, Jan. 27, the Detroit Jewish News Foundation opened its exhibit, “The Holocaust Unfolds: Reports from the Detroit Jewish Chronicle and Jewish News” at the Mardigian Library at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. The exhibit will be on display until May 1. It is open to the public and free to view. The “Holocaust Unfolds” is displayed in partnership with UM-D’s Voice/Vision Holocaust Survivor Oral History Archive and the College of Arts, Sciences and Letters. Dr. Martin Hershock, UM-D dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Letters, welcomed the audience to the exhibit and shared his appreciation for the partnership with the Jewish News Foundation. Arthur Horwitz, president of the foundation and JN publisher, spoke about the role of the JN in the community and shared a personal story of his mother, a survivor. Jamie Wraight, director of the Voice/ Vision Archive, concluded with a great synopsis of the importance of educating students about the Holocaust and the role of the Vision/ Voice Archive at UM-D for researchers from around the world.
Detroit Jewish News Editor Andrew Lapin; UM-D Chancellor Dr. Domenico Grasso; Mike Smith, Alene and Graham Landau Archivist Chair, Detroit Jewish News Foundation; Dr. Jamie Wraight, director, Voice/Vision Archive; UM-D Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Letters Dr. Martin Hershock; and Arthur Horwitz.
Mike Smith, exhibit curator, and Kathryn Dowgiewicz, public relations specialist at the Detroit Public Library
UM-D student viewing the “Holocaust Unfolds”
PHOTOS BY MARTIN CHUMIECKI
ABOVE: Brad Axelrod, Arthur Horwitz and Andrew Lapin LEFT: The youngest members of the audience and their parents
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Lorraine Bolkosky, wife of the late Sid Bolkosky, founder of Voice/Vision Holocaust Survivor Oral History Archive at UM-D
Rising Stars: Seeking Terrific Teens JN STAFF
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t the JN, we often hear of young people doing great things and making a difference in our community and in the lives of others. We bet you know some, too, and have already sung their praises to those you know. Now is the time to shine the public spotlight on these remarkable young people. For the second year, the JN, Jfamily and the Youth Professionals Network are inviting community members to nominate worthy teens for “Rising Stars: Teens Making a Difference,” a showcase that will highlight 18 exceptional Jewish teens in the Metro Detroit area. Winners will be featured in an issue of the JN and will also be recognized on the JN and Jfamily social media pages. Nominees must live in Michigan, identify as Jewish and be a student in grades 9-12; they can be self-nominated or may be nominated by others. Nominees should be recognized for impact, contribution and/or achievement
in areas including (but not limited) to: • Tikkun olam, volunteerism, social action, advocacy, philanthropy • Academics/education • Athletics • Music & arts • Business & entrepreneur ship • Overcoming obstacles and challenges • Jewish growth and learning • Leadership “Young people in our community are doing amazing things,” said Keri Guten Cohen, JN story development editor. “Our pages already highlight young people involved in entrepreneurial pursuits, aca-
demics, Israel advocacy, sports, the arts, volunteering, mental health advocacy and much more. When a conversation arose about how to honor their efforts and passions, I suggested ‘Rising Stars.’ After seeing last year’s candidates, I am certain this program will continue for a long time.” Katie Vieder, director of teen engagement for Jfamily, adds, “In today’s world, so many of the stories we hear about teens are negative and focused on challenging issues. While this information is important, it is also vital that we recognize the good in our teens. So many of our teens are doing fantastic things, making a positive impact on their peers and the community and achieving greatness. Jfamily and the Youth Professionals Network recognize the value of shining a light on the positive, bringing attention to our community’s future Jewish leaders.” To nominate yourself or a teen you know, go to jfamily.jccdet.org/rising-stars. The deadline is March 8.
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Leaders Among Us
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Jews in the D 36 UNDER 36
The Well and the Jewish News spotlight 36 up-and-coming leaders in the Metro Detroit Jewish community.
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ach year, The Well and the Jewish News partner to recognize young leaders, humanitarians, educators, social activists and entrepreneurs who are reshaping and broadening the Jewish community in Metro Detroit. Nominees submitted by community members were sent to a panel of impartial volunteer judges who had the difficult task of choosing only 36 names from the list of impressive young professionals. Here, meet this year’s cohort of “36 Under 36” — the kinds of people we admire and aspire to be, whose accomplishments we want to celebrate and who we want the world to know make their home in Metro Detroit. If you know these individuals, you know why they were chosen. If you haven’t met them yet, you’ll want to — soon. We asked the honorees to submit brief bios. Here they are, in no particular order.
JOSH GERSHONOWICZ Josh Gershonowicz is founder and CEO of Rebuild Group, a fast-growing marketing agency contributing to the renaissance of Midtown Detroit. Started in 2012, Rebuild breaks the mold on the large agency model — from brand positioning to campaign creation and implementation. Josh and his team set out to create a different approach to marketing and advertising, centered on a culture of entrepreneurial spirit, creative tension, curiosity and hustle. He has worked diligently to focus on creating emotional experiences people have as they interact with brands. He said he believes Detroit’s next hit neighborhood will be Milwaukee Junction: “The future home where art and technology meet,” he said. A graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, Josh combines his business acumen with a personal sense of philanthropic duty. His charitable work, which includes Midtown Detroit Inc., Hebrew Free Loan and sponsoring the Boy Scouts of America Dodge for Detroit Dodgeball Tournament, underscores his commitment to the city he calls home. Josh is also a real estate developer and a Huffington Post contributor. He was married in 2016 and has an 18-month-old son. His favorite Jewish food is his wife’s kugel. JESSICA GOLDBERG At 15, Jessica Goldberg noticed the lack of support for siblings in the mental health and developmental disability communities. So she started Sib4Sib, a support network for individuals who have a sibling who struggles with mental health or has cognitive or developmental differences. In three years, Jessica has built Sib4Sib into a thriving community with four different support groups (facilitated by licensed professionals), resources, networking, advocacy and social outings — all free of charge. Jessica serves as the executive director and president of Sib4Sib, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that has raised more than $100,000. A senior this year at North Farmington
High School, Jessica looks forward to attending college in fall 2020 and passing the executive director position of Sib4Sib to a part-time professional. Jessica will remain involved on the board of directors. In addition to Sib4Sib, Jessica holds leadership positions in Teen Volunteer Corps, the Jewish Fund Teen Board and Youth United Interfaith Camp. She wants to thank her parents, Scot and Judy Goldberg, Sammi Shapiro, Max Newman, Barrett Harr, Betty Chu, Martha Goldberg, the Wish and Mall families, and the entire community for its support on this exciting journey. Jessica resides in Farmington Hills with her family and goldendoodle, Goldie. More info at Sib4Sib.org. KIM RUBIN Kim Rubin, 34, of Novi is an entrepreneur and the sole practitioner of Rubin Psychological Services, specializing in behavioral/developmental pediatrics. Kim moved to Metro Detroit after graduating from Indiana University, where she earned her Ph.D. in psychology, and the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (Springfield, Ill.), where she completed her residency. In Springfield, she volunteered to start a NFTY youth group, which became recognized regionally and nationally for its rapid growth and emphasis on performing mitzvot throughout the community. In Michigan, where she married her husband, Mike, Kim started working at the Children’s Center of Wayne County, specializing in autism assessment and treatment. In her own practice, she now helps children and adolescents overcome social, educational and behavioral issues. Additionally, she mentors younger therapists to help them hone their skills to help others. Kim enjoys involving her children, Reece, Brooks and Chase, in the Jewish community through events hosted by The Well, Adat Shalom Synagogue, Temple Israel and PJ Library. She has a great core group of Jewish families who share the same values, have children who will grow up together and girlfriends who don’t mind sharing a bottle of wine. Unbeknownst to many friends, continued on page 28 FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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when Kim was a child, she attended a magic camp. To this day, she can still perform two tricks — a card trick and making her husband’s money disappear. ARIANA MENTZEL Ariana Mentzel (née Segal) is the managing director of the Detroit Center for Civil Discourse, a nonprofit organization with the goal of creating a space for meaningful and effective conversation between peoples= of differing ideas and experiences. She leads a group of 20 Wayne State University students, mostly of the Muslim and Jewish faiths, through shared study and mutually impactful conversation. Ariana is an active member of the JCRC-AJC, co-chairing the Diplomatic Committee. She is a Shalom Hartman iEngage Detroit Community Leadership Program cohort participant, which she hopes will give her a fresh perspective and useful tools to engage the community in conversations about Israel and Jewish values. Ariana is Oakland Country Chair of the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus. She and her family are members of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, where she leads a children’s Shabbat class each week. She continuously looks for opportunities to enhance and give back to this community, which she loves. Most people don’t know that Ariana loves to act. She was a student at the esteemed Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City; she has done commercial work as an actress and was part of student films while at MSU and at the IDC in Herzliya, Israel. RANDAL FELDMAN Randal Feldman, 29, of Bloomfield Hills grew up outside of Philadelphia. She graduated Temple University with a psychology degree. During college, she was involved with Jewish Federation and was chosen as one of 13 students to be
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part of the JEVS Franklin Ash Internship — she worked in Federation’s Child Welfare Department. Because of her deep love for children and her desire to help others, she continued to work there after graduating. In 2014, Randal and her husband, Jeremy, moved to Michigan. When Randal became pregnant, they participated in jBaby. She enjoyed the sense of community from this program, which led to her serving on the jBaby board and planning a jBaby reunion in 2018. Her involvement with Federation includes hosting girls and couples Friday night Shabbat dinner groups; she also co-hosted a Bunco fundraiser with The Well. Looking for safe products for her first daughter, Randal became a consultant for Beautycounter, a company that provides safe, clean products for men, women and children. She now is a manager with Beautycounter and does freelance work on the side. She has two daughters, Lexi, 3, and Sophie, 6 months. Lexi attends Hillel Day School. Randal enjoys traveling, fitness, trying all the new cool restaurants in Detroit and spending time with the wonderful friends she has made living in Michigan. TSIPPI GROSS Tsippi Gross is a wife, mother of three, executive coach and fashion brand founder. Through her company Havah Tribe, Tsippi provides maternity- and nursingfriendly apparel for moms, as well as practical tips, tricks and hacks for her online community. As host and founder of The Stunning Success podcast, focused on helping professionals take their business online, Tsippi takes the work done in her private coaching and mastermind sessions to the masses. She encourages people to challenge the limits they’ve created for themselves, set bigger goals, and achieve more joy and impact than they ever thought possible. As the wife of Rabbi Noam Gross, Tsippi is involved with the growth and devel-
opment of the Partners Detroit Young Jewish Professionals Division. Hosting Shabbat and holiday meals regularly and opening her home to Jews of all backgrounds, Tsippi regularly connects with the up-and-coming leaders of the Detroit Jewish community, but most people would be surprised to learn she considers herself an introvert. “I’m not shy, which people assume introverts are, but I get recharged being in my own space,” she says. TEDDIE OLENDER Teddie Olender (Eisenberg), CFP, CIMA, 30, is vice presidentinvestments with the Olender Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, working closely with individuals and families, businesses and nonprofits to help them achieve their financial goals. Her passion for empowering others to achieve these goals goes beyond the office as she volunteers her time educating young professionals and college students about preparing for their financial future, as well as mentoring aspiring CFP professionals through the CFP Board Mentor Program. She was also a featured panelist at Wells Fargo Advisor’s Regional Women’s Best Practice Forum for Financial Advisors. Having grown up at Adat Shalom Synagogue, Teddie gets great enjoyment volunteering her time with the Teen Volunteer Corps through the Alliance for Teens in Detroit, where she helps Jewish teens in the community develop and put into action volunteer projects. These social action programs focus on relating Jewish values to everyday life and empowers teens to be involved and impact the Jewish community of Metro Detroit. She and her husband, Adam, live in Huntington Woods and love spending time outdoors hiking, biking, skiing and camping. Together they enjoy participating in cycling and running events that benefit some amazing organizations, combining their passion for the outdoors and giving back to the community.
too SAMMI SHAPIRO Sammi Shapiro is the assistant director of education and youth engagement at Adat Shalom Synagogue. She loves working and getting to know all the families and kids at the synagogue and within the community. At Adat Shalom, Sammi teaches, plans educational programs, mentors kids and teens, and much more. Her background is in education; being able to continue working in this field and affecting so many families is very important to her. Sammi is also the assistant director of Sib4Sib, a local nonprofit that helps youths who have a sibling struggling with mental health. She helps connect families into the right support group and continues to advise the nonprofit. Sammi is one of the lead partners in Youth United, a local interfaith volunteer organization for teens from synagogues, churches, mosques or non-religious organizations. The goal of the group is to connect the teens in our community through shared beliefs and support of the local organization CARES of Farmington Hills. She said she really loves the spirit of Detroit. “Just being out and about in the city, meeting new people and trying new restaurants makes me feel connected to this great city we live in,” she said. She also loves to knit and bake.
ZACHARY SANDLER WISH Zachary Sandler Wish is owner of Wish Inc. and Mason Equities LLC, parent company to many businesses, but most notably Midwest Linen & Uniform Service and Wish Premium. He joined the family business, started by his great-grandfather more than 130 years ago, in 2001. The business, the third oldest active company in Detroit, is now one of the largest independently owned laundries in the country. In 2016, Zachary acquired the business and used his social media/internet expertise to keep it competitive in a market dominated by large national corporate entities. In early 2019, Zachary founded Wish Premium, a rapidly growing cannabis brand. His goal is to make the benefits of medical marijuana understood and more accessible to and work to remove the “stigma” of cannabis. He has already assisted several Jewish community members who are or were in hospice and seeking help. He plans to open dispensaries across Michigan starting in February. Zach established the Wish Children’s Foundation endowment in 2019. He pledges to donate $50,000 annually for grants to deserving high school students for college or trade schools. Wish Premium will also host an annual toy and a quarterly food drive for Pontiac
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residents. His inspiration comes from his children, Mason and Luca. His wife, Ella, is an advocate and a passionate volunteer for local charities and schools. His other passion is fashion. His new brand, Raire Vintage, is set to launch in February in Detroit and Los Angeles. The brand has been in the works for the last two years, and Zach has tapped former collaborators from labels such as Nike, Fyounk and Supreme. JASON WEINER Jason Weiner, 35, of West Bloomfield is an attorney at Schafer and Weiner. He specializes in representing court-appointed fiduciaries over liquidating and operating companies nationally and internationally. Jason recently earned the title Fellow, INSOL International, after successfully completing INSOL International’s Global Insolvency Practice Course, a post-graduate certificate program in cross-border insolvency. During law school, Jason founded an annual networking night exclusively for Jewish law students to meet and network with prominent Jewish and non-Jewish attorneys and judges throughout the Metro Detroit area. He continued to spearhead this event for many years after graduating. Despite graduating from MSU College of Law, Jason’s allegiance to Michigan remains steadfast. Jason met his wife, Rebecca, in New York. They both went to Jewish day schools and summer camps, and they look forward to instilling the same experiences and values in their son, Ronen Jude. In 2014, Jason was selected to serve as a trustee on the Hillel Day School Board of Trustees. Jason sits on several committees and feels privileged to serve the school that was foundational in his childhood. He formerly served as a director on the MSU Hillel Board of Directors. He and Rebecca feel a responsibility to remain actively involved in and support the Metro Detroit Jewish community.
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In his free time, Jason loves spending time with his family, cooking, skiing and staying active. CARLY MITCHELL Carly Mitchell, 32, of Ferndale is a senior transportation planner with HNTB in Detroit. She is a native Metro Detroiter, graduating from Wayne State University with a master’s degree in urban planning, focused on economic development. Following a passion for well-planned, connected communities, she transitioned into transportation to work toward the creation of accessible, sustainable and innovative transportation systems for all users. Carly focuses on environmental planning, public transportation, equity in transportation and community engagement. An active member of the Jewish community, she enjoys participating in a Shabbat group and a Rosh Chodesh group, as well as supporting local Jewish organizations such as the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit and The Well. Carly volunteers weekly as a tutor for non-English speakers at All Saints Literacy Center in Southwest Detroit. She also sits on the city of Ferndale Board of Zoning Appeals and the board of Young Professionals in Transportation as the outreach chair. In her spare time, you can find Carly outside, volunteering, traveling and rooting for the Michigan Wolverines with her husband, Adam. She also harbors a lifelong love for all things Elvis Presley. JASON MARKOWITZ Jason Markowitz, 25, is a sales associate at Jan-Pro Detroit, a franchise-based commercial cleaning company, where he focuses on selling janitorial contracts to help keep the community clean. Jason grew up in
Southfield, where he was active in BBYO, Temple Emanu-El and the Metro Detroit car community. He graduated from University of Michigan-Dearborn with a B.B.A. in digital marketing with a minor in business management. After graduating in 2018, Jason moved into his full-time sales role at Jan-Pro Detroit and became more involved with Michigan Region BBYO. He serves as a vice chair of the BBYO commission, a co-adviser of Max Fisher AZA and is an active participant of the Advisor Rise Fellowship. Jason’s focus for BBYO is building community with teen and young alumni engagement. Additionally, Jason participates in Business Network International and serves as the vice president of the Birmingham Producers Chapter. When he is not working, Jason spends his free time with his fiancé, Gabby, adorable pup, Stella, family and friends, working on cars or exploring the Metro Detroit area for new, fun restaurants. ALYAH AL-AZEM Alyah Al-Azem, 28, graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in sociology with a specialization in peace and justice. During her time at MSU, Hillel became a home away from home; a place to study and have Shabbat. Shortly after graduation, she spent two years as a Repair the World fellow, then team leader, igniting a passion of working with Jewish youth. From there, she became the teen engagement director at Temple Shir Shalom, creating a place to help teens discover their own Jewish identities, inspiring them to continue their journeys once they go off to college. She has spent the last four years on the Bucket List for The Well, driven by her love for the community the organization has built. The idea of celebrating Judaism, specifically the holidays, in a way relevant to our lives today, is what keeps her coming back. After spending her sum-
mers at Tamarack, Alyah recently joined Tamarack’s Youth Advisory Board and is a Moishe House Without Walls host. Alyah was born and raised in Metro Detroit. Thanks to her late mother, Irene Al-Azem, she was immersed in the Jewish community from the beginning. “Without her, I wouldn’t have the incredible sense of community I do today,” she said. “I continue to live everyday with her in mind. I know how proud she would be.” JENNIE LEVY Jennie Levy is the director of business development at Henry Ford Health System, where she works on major strategic initiatives for the health system and health plan. She is a California-girl-turned-Michigander and a proud resident of Detroit with her husband, Shimon, and dog, Boten. Her most important Jewish communal activity is building a Jewish home that is welcoming to everyone, a place where people eat a lot of food and drink a lot of wine as they meaningfully and deliberately engage. She participates in events with just about every Jewish organization across Metro Detroit, including the Jewish Federation and The Well. She is very interested in being a lifelong learner, combating anti-Semitism and supporting Israel. At her Shabbat dinners, you’ll see new and complicated menus such as Czech or Texas BBQ. “I have also, after years of research, finally perfected my brisket recipe,” she says. Jennie is nearly fluent in Spanish and knows about 200 words in Hebrew that she puts in different combinations. “It’s enabled me to get by surprisingly well in Israel and with my husband’s family.” DANIELLE DEPRIEST Danielle DePriest, 29, of Berkley is a commercial litigation attorney, who is dedicated to effectively and efficiently achieving the best possible results in the cases she handles.
Danielle’s practice consists primarily of insurance defense cases in which she represents insurers and individuals in state courts throughout Michigan. She also offers guidance by presenting at industry events like the Insurance Alliance of Michigan’s annual seminar and authoring surveys in the area of insurance law, published in the Wayne Law Review. She was selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as an Up & Coming Lawyer in 2017. In addition to her active legal practice, Danielle devotes considerable time to the Jewish community, where she has engaged with organizations and committees that allow her to strengthen a young, vibrant Jewish community in Detroit. She is passionate about ensuring the future of our Jewish community in her capacity as a community campaign chair and executive committee member of Federation’s NEXTGen Detroit. Additionally, Danielle serves on the board of directors of Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit, where she sits on the Leadership Development Committee to help encourage board engagement. In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt Newman, and checking out new restaurants. GABE EDELSON Gabe Edelson is a partner in the corporate department at the law firm Honigman LLP, where he focuses his practice primarily on private equity mergers and acquisitions. In his spare time, Gabe is active with the Detroit Institute of Arts, where he sits on the board of directors of the Founders Junior Council. Since moving back to Michigan from Chicago in 2014, the West Bloomfield native has prioritized involvement in Metro Detroit’s Jewish community. He has been a proud member of the organizing committee for ORT Michigan’s annual Rub-a-Dub fundraiser since 2015 and the Ben Gurion Society
through NEXTGen Detroit since 2017, and he also regularly attends events and supports causes for organizations such as JARC and Jewish Family Service. Gabe graduated from the University of Michigan in 2006 (where he served as a sportswriter and editor for The Michigan Daily) and New York University School of Law in 2009. He lives in Bloomfield Hills with his wife, Stephanie, and two daughters, Isla and Milly. He likes to spend as much time as he possibly can at the DIA, but you’ll also find him exploring Detroit’s newest restaurants and older hidden gems. He’s been managing a growing sneaker collection since law school with an emphasis on retro models from the 1980s and 1990s. JACKIE ISSNER Dr. Jackie Issner, a licensed clinical psychologist, strives to bring light to others in her roles as psychotherapist, community volunteer, supervising psychologist at Children’s Hospital of Michigan and mother of two beautiful boys. She uses her skills to motivate, empathize and equip youth, parents and teachers with tools to build resilience and to shine their unique light onto others in our complex world. With youth anxiety and depression on the rise, Jackie has been astounded by the innovative ways that Detroit Jewish teens and fellow community leaders have decreased stigmas and increased knowledge. She’s on the steering committee for the teen-based UMatter program and serves as clinical adviser for Sib4Sib, a teen-created nonprofit. She’s involved in Federation’s “We Need to Talk” Youth Mental Health Initiative. Jackie has been an Adat Shalom Synagogue board member for seven years and serves as membership chairperson. Through her outreach and multi-generational engagement, she facilitates relevant programming and continued on page 32 FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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helped establish a Shabbat Soulful yoga program, nurturing the mind, body and soul. Jackie and Rabbi Rachel Shere co-lead a parenting program infused with Jewish learning. Jackie represented her synagogue and developed leadership skills as a Legacy Heritage Onboard fellow. She’s participating in Anti-Defamation League’s Sills/Glass Leadership Institute. NICOLE HERTZBERG Nicole Hertzberg, 28, of Royal Oak is an estate planning attorney at Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, where she works with individuals and families to help them understand the options available for wealth transfer, both now and in the future. She concentrates her practice in the areas of gift, estate and tax planning, charitable giving and trust administration. Nicole is passionate about helping clients successfully manage life’s transitions and helps ensure her clients’ wishes are heard and implemented. Nicole is also committed to the Jewish community and devotes considerable time to Jewish organizations including Jewish Federation’s NEXTGen Detroit and the BBYO. As a member of the NEXTGen Board of Directors, she helps plan and execute programming, develops strategy and acts as an ambassador of Jewish Detroit. Nicole is also a co-chair of EPIC, NEXTGen’s largest and premiere annual fundraising event for Federation’s Annual Campaign. As a member of the BBYO Michigan Region Young Alumni Committee, she helps organize and execute social events to reconnect BBYO alumni and further strengthen the relationship between young alumni and BBYO. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring Detroit, especially the restaurant scene, and discovering new and existing businesses. She’s also an avid skier and has skied in three different countries outside of the U.S. and in six different states within the U.S.
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NOAH ARBIT Noah Arbit, 24, is founder and chair of the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus (MDJC), a first-of-its-kind grassroots political organization launched last year in response to rising anti-Semitism on the political extremes. As chair of MI Jewish Dems, Noah works to provide Michigan’s Jewish community a greater voice within the Democratic Party, help Democratic leaders become more responsive to Jewish concerns, and recruit more Jewish Democrats to organize and run for office. A native of West Bloomfield, Noah is a veteran political campaigner, having begun his career as a staffer on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and on Gov. Whitmer’s 2018 campaign, before starting the Jewish Caucus in March 2019. Under Noah’s leadership, the MDJC has held events with political leaders, including Carl Levin, Gary Peters, Elissa Slotkin, Haley Stevens and Brenda Lawrence, and has raised significant funds to support Democrats across Michigan. In preparation for this year’s election, Noah will spearhead MDJC’s organizing campaign to engage Jewish Detroiters in support of the Democratic ticket. In his all-too-limited free time, Noah enjoys traveling, reading and is passionate about foreign affairs. You can find him out campaigning or at Stage Deli enjoying a delicious Mark Beltaire salad (hold the tomatoes). Noah and his family are members of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. ADAM DENENBERG Adam Denenberg, 26, of West Bloomfield is president of logistics and operations of Kaps Wholesale Foods, a fresh and frozen meat distribution company located in Detroit’s Eastern Market. Adam grew up working at Kaps, a business that has been in his family since the 1990s, and he knew from
a young age he wanted to help its success as an adult. After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in supply chain management and gaining work experience in Denver and Chicago, Adam returned to Detroit to work for Kaps. He lives downtown, and he loves being a part of the growth that is occurring in the city of Detroit while maintaining its rich history through his work in the Eastern Market. His favorite part about living downtown is experiencing each new restaurant and bar that opens. Adam has devoted considerable time to fostering the Jewish community in Detroit. When he first moved downtown, he immediately found community through Downtown Detroit’s Whiskey Group, a shared interest group run by The Well, where he recently joined the board. He has become passionate about fostering Jewish connection among young adults in Detroit. In his free time, Adam enjoys attending sporting events, trying new restaurants and spending time with his family and friends. DANIEL STEIN Daniel Stein, 33, of Birmingham is a purchasing manager at MJS Packaging, where he leads and supports the nationwide purchasing and global sourcing efforts on behalf of a growing team of account managers and sales professionals nationwide. He is a graduate of Michigan State University. Prior to returning to Metro Detroit in 2016, Daniel lived in Ann Arbor, working at Toyota Motor North America and Robert Bosch LLC, and in Washington, D.C., working in global acquisitions at the U.S. Postal Service. Daniel’s current involvement in the Metro Detroit Jewish community includes The Well, B’nai B’rith International and Jewish Federation, where he has been active on several hosting committees, as well as attending professional Jewish leadership retreats and traveling to Germany
for the Germany Close Up program for young professionals in 2018. Daniel also volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House of Metro Detroit, New Horizons Rehabilitation Services, Wayne State University, the Friendship Circle and United Way. In his free time, he enjoys attending concerts, traveling, studio cycling, trying to become a better golfer, watching Detroit and Michigan State sports, spending time with family and friends and collecting vintage vinyl records. He once played trumpet at Carnegie Hall and Ground Zero in New York City, under the direction of the late Cantor Stephen Dubov in 2003.
also loves connecting directly with the Jewish community. In the past few years, she has supported multiple Detroit Jewish community organizations, including The Well, the Bethel/Downtown Synagogue Partnership and NEXTGen’s PresenTense Detroit. She also loves spending time with her Shabbat dinner group and thinking about how to continually grow her Jewish community, with a focus around the interfaith community, in Metro Detroit. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and having lived in Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya and Israel, she has adopted Detroit as home. Her favorite “sporting event” is the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee.
ELANA FOX Elana Fox is passionate about connecting people with the vital resources they need to live happy and healthy lives. During her past five years in Detroit, she has worked to support non-traditional food entrepreneurs with Foodlab Detroit; to support improved transportation access and infrastructure with Lime Scooters; and currently to nurture the growth of Detroiters and urban access to nature as director of people operations with Bloomscape. While all her work is infused with her Jewish values — connection to community, a desire to give back and a belief in justice — she
JON WRIGHT Jon Wright, 32, is the Vice President of Operations of Motor City Accident Attorneys. As the Managing Attorney of the Michigan branch, Jon dedicates his practice to securing rightful compensation for his clients injured in automobile and workplace accidents. Jon graduated from the University of Miami School of Law, is licensed to practice law in both Michigan and Florida and is an active member of the Michigan Association for Justice. Jon started his Jewish journey by participating in both Temple Shir Shalom and BBYO programs. In
Friendship Circle’s Lessons for Life Cookie Koblin’s grandson was just 3 years old when he was diagnosed with autism. She knew right away that it would be her job to help support her daughter’s family and find resources for her grandson. The family quickly found support through Friendship Circle, giving them hope they needed to navigate their needs. “My family was so embraced by the Friendship Circle family that when the building opened and they started Lessons for Life, I knew I had to volunteer,” Koblin says. “My grandson is 23 now, and I will continue to be here every week as long as I can. Bassie and Levi Shemtov are truly showing people what kindness, patience and real love look like through this work.” Cookie is a regular face at Friendship Circle’s Weinberg Village in the Ferber Kaufman Lifetown Facility on the Meer Family Friendship Center. When students arrive for their day at the Lessons for Life program, Cookie is often the first person they meet. Most days, she’s a “teller” at the facility’s Huntington Bank. “The kids are so excited to see me because they know I’m going to give them money!” says Koblin. “We teach them how to count their money. Whether they can count or are
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS
Lessons for Life volunteer Cookie Koblin shares her story.
verbal or nonverbal, it’s OK. We’re here to make them feel like it’s real life and they can experience it all in this safe place to learn.” For Cookie, volunteering has given her the chance to see students learn and grow through the years, just like her own grandson. “Lessons for Life is this beautiful thing that gives the students real education and takes them as far as they can go,” she says. “We’re all volunteers, but we get so much more than we give. I learn from these children. They can find laughter and provide joy in any situation.” Through Friendship Circle’s Lessons for Life, students with special needs and teenage volunteers and classmates are learning not only how to navigate the real world, but also how to work with each other. Koblin says they are also learning how to recognize and encourage someone who is differently abled. “Lessons for Life is teaching compassion, patience and that everyone is the same even if they are different,” Koblin. “Volunteering here has taught me what real love and kindness mean, not only for my own family, but also for everyone I meet.”
Get involved, go to friendshipcircle.org/ foreverfriendship
continued on page 34 FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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Jews in the D continued from page 33
high school, he was a founding member of Tzavah AZA and, in 2004, was elected AZA regional president. AEPi took up most of his time at Michigan State University, where he held vice president of programming and housing manager positions, as well as twice acting as IFC’s Greek Week director of administration. On his way to graduating from the Eli Broad School of Business, he was honored with the Greek Academic Man of the Year Award. Jon and his wife, Danielle, live in Royal Oak, where they enjoy spending time with their energetic cat, Nala, going to exciting Well events and participating in The Well/ BBYO Rise Fellowship program. Jon also volunteers as an adviser to Tzavah AZA, participates in the B’nai B’rith Bowling League and sits on the BBYO Board of Commissioners. MAX CORNFIELD Max Cornfield, 30, of West Bloomfield is the VP and co-founder, with his cousins Josh and Darryl Kaplan, of Supply Line International (SLI). SLI is an automotive distribution company founded eight years ago with a $50,000 loan from Hebrew Free Loan. SLI was formed with four employees in one location and had $600k of revenue in its opening year. Today, it is headquartered in Novi, with offices in Florida and Tennessee. In 2020, it has projections for $20 million in revenue. Through its success, it has been important for the company to give back, Max says. It currently has a charity match program with The Well. “I am always mindful that our community gave us our opportunity and, because of this, it’s a priority for me to invest back into our Metro Detroit Jewish community,” he says. He sits on the committee and helped form the annual Kids Kicking Cancer Golf Outing. In three years, the outing has raised more than $250,000 for the charity. He’s a die-hard fan of boxing and competed in Detroit’s 2013 Golden Gloves Tournament. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Chantal, and 2-year-old daughter Sydney.
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MAX GLICK Max Glick, 30, is a program director at Lighthouse of Michigan, where he manages a nationwide crowdfunding platform called Handup. Utilized by more than 100 nonprofit agencies, handup.org works with organizations throughout the country to eliminate small but significant financial barriers preventing clients from attaining housing and other basic needs. To date, Handup has raised more than $3 million to help clients reach 10,000 goals. In 2015, he received his master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan and took part in the Jewish Communal Leadership Program (JCLP). Through seminars, conferences, guest lecturers and field placements at Jewish agencies, JCLP provides a Jewish framework to broader issues experienced in the social service sector and at nonprofit organizations. Previously, Max has worked at Jewish Vocational Services, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, where he managed its $1.3 million annual campaign. Max enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially his young nephews and baby niece. From a young age, he has experimented with cooking (#thingsmax made) and has been taking ceramics classes for the last year. In Ann Arbor, Max was a founding member of the “Shabbas Club” that now holds reunions throughout the United States. SAMANTHA MALOTT BROWN Samantha Malott Brown, 31, is a board member of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue (IADS) and chairperson for its Creative Communications Committee. She is also a regular participant and volunteer at Chabad of Greater Downtown Detroit. In 2017, Sam was instrumental in reintroducing Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services to Temple Beth El in Detroit’s North End neighborhood — bringing High Holiday services to the city for the
first time in decades. She continues to help coordinate High Holiday services as well as the Motown Lip Sync Battle with Breakers Covenant Church International and Stuck on Honey Shabbat. As IADS grows, Sam helps implement initiatives to attract new members, including Schmooze Pray Nosh. In her role as communications chairperson, she also develops strategies for outreach and fundraising efforts. Sam serves as the marketing coordinator for architecture firm, Quinn Evans’ local office in Midtown. She holds a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from Oakland University and a master’s degree in historic preservation from Eastern Michigan University. She can be found exploring the city’s museums, touring its historic homes and revitalized buildings (while debating modillions versus dentils with her husband, Jeffrey), or just cruising the bike lanes. She’s always happiest at home with her cat, Fyfe. Although she talks about it often, it may surprise people to know Sam is a Jew by choice and will be celebrating the second anniversary of her conversion this February/Shevat. SPENCER LUCKER Spencer Lucker, 32, of Detroit is industry engagement manager for Mayor Mike Duggan’s Office of Workforce Development. He works with employers and training providers across Metro Detroit to increase opportunities for Detroiters to compete for quality jobs and build sustainable careers. He is a passionate public servant who previously worked in regional economic development in the South and Washington, D.C. Spencer moved to Detroit a year ago with his wife, Stephanie, who joined her family’s business, Bloom Asset Management. He immediately fell in love with Detroit and became involved with local service organizations. He volunteers weekly as a reading mentor with Brilliant Detroit and recently joined its advisory board. He also serves on Repair the World Detroit’s inaugural advisory board. He is a co-chair for Federation’s
NEXTGen Entree 2020, which helps young adults new to Detroit to connect Jewishly. He also is a member of The Well’s Detroit Whiskey Group. Spencer is a proud native of Little Rock, Ark., growing up as one of only 1,500 Jews in the city. He says it shaped his commitment to be the involved Jewish man he is today. You will find him on a random bike ride or drive, exploring Detroit’s neighborhoods, trying to find fried chicken up to his standards or making friends with Eastern Market vendors. A year ago, his dog, Cosmo, was lost in West Bloomfield during the polar vortex; not to worry, Cosmo is safe. Spencer is a lifelong swimmer and is looking for friends to make him get back in the pool. ELIZABETH CARDWELL
STEPHANIE EREZ Stephanie Erez is the coordinator of jBaby Detroit for jFamily at the JCC, where she organizes prenatal courses for firsttime expectant parents. Stephanie hires the top experts in their field to deliver (pun intended!) the most informative classes on newborn care, labor and delivery, infant CPR and baby feeding. Stephanie also coordinates post-baby programs like the jBaby Born Postpartum Support Group for moms, parenting education workshops and young Jewish family programming. Most recently, Stephanie has taken on overseeing new dad-focused programs like the Daddy Boot Camp Workshop for prenatal dads and the monthly Sunday Morning Daddy & Me: Bagels and Boot Camp for fathers and little ones. For Stephanie, the most rewarding part of her job is the knowledge that she is helping new parents form connections for life. She is a native Detroiter and she received her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her master’s in Jewish civilization from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Before beginning her career with jFamily, Stephanie worked remotely as a freelance writer and editor for six years and “mommed” full time. Before that, she held a position in the Israel and Overseas Department at the Jewish Federation.
Stephanie and her husband, Kobi, live in Southfield with their four children. The family shares a profound love for Israel and travels there every summer. MATTHEW SIKORA Matthew Sikora is the founder and chief instructor at TRUE Martial Arts in the Orchard Mall in West Bloomfield. His award-winning programs are designed to teach students of all ages reality-based self-defense skills and character development. He developed these programs from the ground up and now serves more than 350 members in his location. He also offers his Reality Defense Krav Maga program, a martial art focused on self-defense developed by the Israeli Defense Forces. He provides free anti-bullying seminars for children and has been featured on several news stations sharing his anti-bullying message. He is also co-owner of Sikora Law Firm in Farmington Hills, where the firm represents clients injured in automobile accidents. Matthew serves on the West Bloomfield Education Foundation (WBEF) board and has been involved with planning and fundraising to invest in academic enrichment programs for children in the West Bloomfield School District. He has also volunteered in the Jewish community by providing self-defense training for teens and adults. He enjoys boating, golf, snowboarding and trying Metro Detroit’s amazing restaurants. He especially loves rock climbing and canyoneering and has a great collection of pictures of himself at the summit of mountains all over the world. ERIC BERLIN Eric Berlin is a litigation attorney at Clark Hill PLC, where he works with individuals and businesses through all stages and aspects of litigation. He is part of the firm’s Leadership Forum, helping
to create educational and social programming and growth opportunities for associates and senior attorneys. He is also a board member of the Detroit Bar Association’s Barrister’s Section and is involved with the Jewish Bar Association of Michigan. Eric’s Jewish communal involvement began in high school, when became an active member of BBYO, serving as president of Kishon AZA and regional vice president. Eric graduated from the University of Michigan, where he was an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. He spent six months living in Jerusalem studying at Hebrew University. Eric is involved with NEXTGen Detroit and The Well and its monthly Shabbat dinner groups. He has also been involved with Therapy Dogs International, where he and his dog (Rocky, a chocolate lab) were certified as a therapy team to visit schools and nursing homes. Eric and his wife, Abi, were born and raised in Metro Detroit and live in Huntington Woods with their two dogs (Rocky and Lily). They are members at Temple Israel. They enjoy spending time with friends and family, trying out the Detroit’s latest restaurants, hiking with their dogs and binge-watching whatever show they can eventually agree on. DANIEL ROSENBERG Daniel “Danny” Rosenberg, 35, of Franklin is a senior account executive at LinkedIn. He is part of LinkedIn’s Marketing Solutions organization, working with its top enterprise, strategic and high-growth clients to create custom marketing programs. After working in Silicon Valley and Chicago, he has brought his talents back home to Detroit. He is passionate about leveraging his skillset to help Jewish Detroit professionals navigate the LinkedIn network and enhance the way they market themselves. He’s partnered with both JVS and NEXTGen Detroit to further promote this goal. After graduating from Michigan State University, Danny embarked on a year-long continued on page 36 FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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Jews in the D continued from page 35
Masa program, Otzma. He also spent time living and working in Israel. Of the 30+ countries he has visited, Israel remains closest to his heart. He continues to build his connections with Israel by visiting as frequently as possible and by participating in the Jewish Federation’s Israeli partnerships. His family hosts Israeli Tamarack campers every year. Danny is a proud board member of The Well and part of The Well’s inaugural young family Shabbat group. In his free time, Danny loves spending time with his wife, Amanda, and running around with his energetic sons, Nathan and Noah, and his dog, Lulav. JORDAN ACKER Jordan Acker, 35, of Huntington Woods has been involved in the Jewish community in Detroit since he was a teenager. Active in BBYO and serving on its regional board, Jordan was a member of Marx AZA before heading off to University of Michigan, where he remained active in Hillel. After college, Jordan spent eight years in Washington, D.C., attending law school and working in the Obama Administration — first, at the office of Presidential Personnel and then at the Department of Homeland Security. After returning home to practice law with his dad, he was elected to the Board of Regents at U-M as the highest vote-getter, becoming the first regent to graduate college in the 21st century. He lives five blocks from where he grew up with his wife, Lauren, also a U-M grad and an educator, and their daughters, Jenna and Meredith. ALLISON KLEIN Allison Klein, 30, works in wealth management as an Analyst on the Kulhavi Wealth Management Team in Farmington Hills, where she has worked since 2013. The team works with clients on estate, wealth and tax planning strategies.
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Allison grew up in West Bloomfield and graduated from the University of Michigan in 2012. During her time at U-M, Allison was an active member of U-M Hillel and served on its programming and governing boards. Allison has served on the Executive Board of NEXTGen Detroit for the last three years and general board for five years. She has also sat on the Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit Board of Directors for the last two years. She feels a great connection to the community and loves seeing it continue to grow with young Jewish people like herself. In her spare time, she enjoys reading for her book club, traveling whenever she can and indulging in the great food around Detroit. She currently lives in West Bloomfield with her husband, Benjie. RYAN LANDAU Ryan Landau is the founder of re:purpose, a recruiting platform that connects purpose-driven people with startups across the Midwest. Prior to re:purpose, Ryan founded and led two companies — Chalkfly (acquired by Global Office Solutions) and Carnival Extravaganza (acquired by Party Assurance). In addition, Ryan was the president of NextGen, a subsidiary of the Jewish Federation. He has also taught an entrepreneurship class at Frankel Jewish Academy and volunteers at Tamarack Camps. A Michigan State grad, Ryan is a 4x Ironman (140.6 and 70.3) and an avid traveler and explorer, having been to Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. HANNAH KESSLER Hannah Kessler isn’t just in the next generation of leadership in Detroit’s Jewish community, she’s a mom on a mission. Originally from Rochester, N.Y., Hannah has made it her mission
to help young Jewish families find a strong sense of community in Metro Detroit. A mother of two, Hannah is active in numerous organizations, including serving as the chairperson of JBaby for the past two years and is the incoming chairperson of the JFamily Advisory Board. Hannah’s leadership has been instrumental in building innovative community-based initiatives that offer free high-quality prenatal programs, postpartum support and resources, and a full menu of programs throughout the community for parents and children of all ages. VADIM AVSHALUMOV Vadim Avshalumov, 34, joined the William Davidson Foundation in 2016. He focuses on grantmaking, learning and strategic objectives for cultural and civic vitality matters in Southeast Michigan. Vadim is also active in Jewish lay leadership. He serves as the president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue. He also serves on the boards of the Frankel Jewish Academy and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Additionally, he served as the co-president of the Columbia Alumni Association of Michigan. Vadim was born in Baku, Azerbaijan (formerly part of the Soviet Union) and grew up in Haifa, Israel, before moving to Metro Detroit with his family in the mid-1990s. He has a master’s degree in urban planning and a real estate certificate from the University of Michigan and two undergraduate degrees, a B.A. in urban studies from Columbia University and a B.A. in Jewish history from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He is also a proud graduate of Hillel Day School (class of ’99) and the Frankel Jewish Detroit (class of ’03). Vadim and his family reside in Birmingham. He loves sharing traditional Azerbaijani meals at his Babula’s (grandmother) and has five more baseball stadiums on his list to see before he’s seen them all.
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FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
The World As It Is
T
he Talmud tells the world and realized that there story of Yosef, the son are two main influences: the of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Hebrew Bible and Western Levi, who was “dead� for philosophy. a short period of time Moreover, he believed and then was resuscitatthat there is a fundamened, what we might call a tal difference in these near death experience. world views. Levinas felt When Yosef recovmuch of Western phiRabbi Robert losophy was epitomized ered enough to hear the Gamer voice of his father by his by Rene Descartes, who bedside, we read, “His wrote, “I think, therefore Parshat Yitro: father asked, ‘What did I am.� For Levinas, this Exodus you see?’� The young 18:1-20:23; was a world of “totaliman responded with fear ty� instead of a world Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6. of “infinity,� a world in his eyes: “I saw an upside-down world.� that attempts to reduce His father, resting his hand everything to “sameness� rathupon his son’s shoulder, comer than to respect one’s “othforted him and said, “My son, erness.� Levinas wrote that “I have no fear. You saw a clear think� comes down to “I can� world.� Meaning, you saw — to an appropriation of what things as they really should be, is, to an exploitation of reality. the world — our world — It is, he said, “a philosophy of really is upside-down, “betpower.� ter you know that, than you For Levinas, the fundamenshould live in fear.� tal premise on which Judaism Rabbi Yehoshua lived in the is based is the revelation at third century in Israel at a time Sinai, which we read in Yitro when Rome dominated and this week, when God calls devastated the Jewish commuto the Israelites. That call nity. It was a world of “totality� demands a response. instead of a world of “infinity.� Revelation teaches us how to A world that attempted to interact with the other. Other reduce everything to “sameis the other person as well as ness,� rather than to respect God. This face-to-face encounone’s “otherness.� It was a ter at Sinai with the other world where might made right. becomes the basis for all future It is in this context that we relationships. I stop thinking can understand his words only of myself and begin to be to his son. “Yes, my son, the concerned with others. What upside-down world in which comes out of this encounter we live is harsh, but that is not is a responsibility toward the the way God wants our world other — that responsibility to be.� The vision you had is being ethical behavior, leading the opposite of the way we live to a “clear world� that is not now, but your vision is the way “upside down.� God wants us to live. Emanuel Levinas, a 20th Rabbi Robert Gamer is the rabbi at century French Jewish philosCongregation Beth Shalom in Oak opher, looked at the Western Park.
FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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Arts&Life at home
Cozy
Our top picks for comfy fireside reading. LYNNE KONSTANTIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ARTICLE.COM
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The crisp, white mid-century-style Ceni Chair by Article sits atop a solid walnut base. Adjust the detachable cushions to really lean in. Article.com.
oft sage walls, shelves overflowing with books and a cozy, familiar chair to snuggle in by the fire — is there any better way to spend February?
Sink into the Chamberlin Velvet Chair’s retro-inspired silhouette and poppy orange palette. Urbanoutfitters.com.
The Lyon Chair in velvet is a relaxed version of the classic 18th-century French bergere. Restorationhardware.com.
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OK — this is more of a daybed than a chair, so snuggle with a friend! Regina Scallop Banquette in Harbor Blue Velvet. Onekingslane.com.
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The Angus Accent Chair by Worldwide Furnishings is spotted with faux cowhide fabric contrasting with faux leather back and sides. Houzz.com.
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With hardwood legs, low-slung arms and subtly tufted cushions, the Jack Chair and Ottoman is understated modern elegance. Schoolhouse.com.
From punchy plaids to striking solids, the Chelsea Wing Chair, shown in Chinoiserie, can be customized to suit your style. Shopsocietysocial.com.
remembrance
Kirk Douglas Grappled with Jewish Identity
Sink into sumptuous shearling framed by handfinished hardwood: the Auckland Quentin Chair. Anthropologie.com.
The grand Versailles Chair is customizable in linen or velvet. Restorationhardware.com.
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Oversized and upholstered in faux mohair, the Hayes Chair is actually a recliner. Zgallerie.com.
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The sleek lines and rich finishes of the Lodge Chair from Hugh in Detroit makes us want a sip of Scotch with our book. Thankhugh.com.
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2. SERENAANDLILY.COM
irk Douglas, the star of Spartacus, Vikings, Lust for Life and countless other Hollywood films, died last week at 103. Though known for his leading roles, I’ll remember him better for his early-career turns in many a film noir. With a prideful air of dignity hidden in a ruthless air of streetwise grit, he brought shading to screen villains in works like I Walk Alone and Out of the Past. Across a range of prideful but withdrawn characters, he embodied a rough brand of masculinity not n often associated with Jewish actors. His contradictions made ac anti-heroes of leading roles and an brought character to simple parts. b He also contended with his role as a Jewish-American. Born Issur Danielovitch in 1916, he was D raised in poverty by immigrant ra parents in Amsterdam, New p York. Declining an offer to purY sue su rabbinical studies early in life, he h elected to gamble instead on the th unlikely prospect of a career onscreen. Shortly after, he attendo ed Sarah Lawrence University on a wrestling scholarship before serving in the Navy from 19421944. Douglas legally changed his name before enlisting. His first Hollywood role came shortly after his return, opposite Barbara Stanwyck in 1946’s The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, a sinuous gothic thriller. His stature rose throughout the ’40s and ’50s, his first Oscar nomination coming with 1949’s Champion — also his breakthrough leading role. Harnessing a wiry physicality alongside his well-honed and wryly chipper inflections, his dynamism — already in evidence — was granted room to breathe. At the height of his career,
VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
GEORGE ELKIND CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Douglas on the set of the movie Eddie Macon’s Run during its filming in 1983.
he rarely embodied his Jewish identity in a public way. Though he said he fasted on Yom Kippur while working, he rarely displayed that facet of his background onscreen. Like many American Jews, he had the privilege and ability to pass, integrating into a Hollywood mainstream that would likely have proved hostile to a clearer embrace of his identity or childhood faith. Blond-haired and blue-eyed, he was able to move with relative freedom through an entertainment industry that often required actors, directors and technicians to take on names that elided any visible form of recent immigrant or non-Christian heritage. There were notable exceptions — such as 1953’s The Juggler (see page 62). His ambivalent stance towards Jewish identity shifted in 1991 following a near-death plane-and-helicopter collision, in which he sustained a spinal injury and several other passengers were injured or died. During a harrowing recovery, he re-embraced Judaism after years of repressing it in public, and — according to his memoir — alone. In 1999, he celebrated a second bar mitzvah at 83. George Elkind is a Metro Detroit film critic.
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VIOLET MARKELOU
Arts&Life books
Here All Along S
arah Hurwitz, a former speechwriter for the Obamas, Hillary Clinton and Al Gore, has been giving speeches in Michigan that have nothing to do with politics. Hurwitz has spoken at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University about Judaism for the release of her new book, Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life-In Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There). Hurwitz had a break in a personal relationship that motivated her to fill her free time with a meaningful pursuit, and that became the exploration of Judaism. What she learned moved her from the spoken word (campaign speeches) to the written word (a book about religion)
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Political speechwriter’s book shares her rediscovery of Jewish connection. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER TOP: Author Sarah Hurwitz
and back to the spoken word (presentations about concepts covered in her book). “I found everyone [involved in my research] had something interesting to offer, and I learned a lot from people of diverse Jewish backgrounds,” Hurwitz says of the ideas she gathered from attending classes, listening to lectures, reading original religious texts and commentary and having one-to-one conversations. “The topics I was most personally interested in were Jewish spirituality and ethics,” she says. “I think the ethics of modern society don’t set a very high bar, whereas Judaism sets a high ethi-
cal bar in how we use our speech, how we treat other people and how we behave as members of a community.” Hurwitz, 42 and living in Washington, D.C., had been a lapsed Jew after her disappointment with religious classes she attended as a youngster. But her outlook changed as her world of religious experiences expanded. She attended a variety of Passover seders, some with personalized Haggadahs, one where costumed guests reenacted the Exodus story and another with a banana on the seder plate, prompting reflection of the refugee crisis.
A reading at that seder about two young Syrian brothers and their mother who drowned on a Turkish beach on their own exodus to freedom moved guests to tears, she writes. The banana was a tribute to their father, who survived the journey and had brought his sons a banana to share every day in Syria. Through these experiences, Hurwitz became aware of individual attempts to apply ancient values to modern issues. Her book, published by Spiegel & Grau, goes into different ideas about God, holidays and life-cycle rituals, among many other topics that include tracing the history of anti-Semitism and its impact today. She intends her book for those beginning in Judaism as well as the more observant. “I think it’s a little troubling
�ENTIRELY FRESH. A REASON FOR CELEBRATION!� –NEW YORK MAGAZINE
“The more I learned, the more I benefited. The learning shapes how I walk in the world, and I feel grateful for that experience.� — SARAH HURWITZ
that we measure someone’s observance on just the rituals they perform,� she says. Her own practices favor the ethical over the ritual, including her interest in attending some Shabbat services while not being shomer Shabbat (Shabbat observant) and avoiding pork and shellfish while not keeping strict kosher. “No one has ever asked me, when they’re trying to decide if I’m observant, if I conduct my business affairs honestly, am careful with the words I speak, tell the truth or give tzedakah,� she says. POLITICAL CAREER Hurwitz, a Harvard College and Harvard Law School graduate, tried speechwriting as a summer intern in Al Gore’s office. She was inspired by stories from her father, a speechwriter in a Congressional campaign years ago. Her initial experience solidified her ideas about using speeches to inspire, persuade and bring people together for a common cause. She then worked for Maryland’s lieutenant governor and a U.S. Sen. John Kerry before joining the White House staff. “I keep in touch with the Obamas and see them every
so often,� she says. “They taught me so much about how to write speeches. They’re the kind of speakers who always know what they want to say. “Mrs. Obama sent a beautiful tweet when my book came out in September. It was so incredibly kind and loving.� Although not doing any political speechwriting during this year’s primary campaigns, she is thinking about trying for campaign work during the general elections. Right now, she is concentrating on presentations for Jewish organizations expressing interest in her book, which she reads in the audio version. “My book is a love letter to Judaism, so it’s not very newsy,� says Hurwitz, who practices and teaches religious meditation. “So often Judaism makes the news when something terrible happens, like the terrible anti-Semitic incidents. “All of our [religious] wisdom, our beautiful rituals and traditions, our profound ethical and spiritual teachings don’t make the news because they’re not newsy, and that’s a little sad for me. “The more I learned, the more I benefited. The learning shapes how I walk in the world, and I feel grateful for that experience.�
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Architecture and Design Arts and Sciences Business and Information Technology Engineering
NEW STREAMINGS The Interrogation began streaming on CBS All Access on Feb. 6. The entire 10-episode first season was released. In the first episode, a young man is convicted of brutally murdering his mother. He’s sent to prison for life but continues to insist he is innocent. The show’s “gimmick” is described by CBS: “With all episodes dropping at once, viewers will see the day of the crime and then follow the evidence like a cold case detective, abandon the linear narrative and determine their own investigative path by watching the episodes leading up to the finale in any order … Each episode is structured around interrogations informed by real police case files.” Ebon Moss-Bachrach, 42, is a co-star in six episodes. He’s best known for his recurring role on HBO’s Girls as Desi Harperin, a talented musician. Interrogation was co-created by John Mankiewicz, 65. His grandfather, Herman Mankiewicz, won an Oscar for co-writing Citizen Kane. John’s father, Don Mankiewicz, was Oscar-nominated for writing I Want to Live (1958). The film Horse Girl began streaming Feb. 7 on Netflix. Reviews are nearly all positive and almost all say the film’s star, Alison Brie, 37, turned in a great performance. Brie, who is best known as the star of the hit Netflix series Glow, also co-wrote the film. Paul Reiser, 63, has a largish supporting role. Here’s the official plot summary: “A sweet misfit (Brie) with a fondness for crafts, horses and supernatural crime shows
finds her increasingly lucid dreams trickling into her waking life.” AT THE MOVIES The Assistant opens Friday, Feb. 14 (Maple Theater in Bloomfield Township; Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak). The film is inspired by what went on at Miramax, the company Harvey Weinstein owned. It follows one day in the life of Jane (Emmy-winner Julia Garner, 26), a recent college grad and an aspiring film producer. As the film opens, Jane has been working for five weeks as an assistant to a powerful, but unseen film mogul. Of course, Julia does mundane chores like making copies. As the day goes on, we become increasingly aware of the abuse (financial, sexual, etc.) that colors every aspect of her office workday. At day’s end, Jane decides to take a stand and learns resistance to change is very strong. Noah Robbins, 29, has a supporting role as a male assistant. Advance reviews are mostly good. Opening the same day are Sonic the Hedgehog and Downhill. Sonic is a family-friendly animated film based on the hit video game about the world’s fastest hedgehog. Ben Schwartz, 38, voices Sonic. Downhill is a comedy/drama about a married couple (Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus) whose lives are upended when they barely survive an avalanche while skiing. Silicon Valley star Zach Woods, 36, has a big supporting role as Ferrell’s work colleague. Nat Faxon, 44, co-wrote and co-directed the film. His mother is Jewish.
Editor’s Picks
people | places | events
GALLERY OPENING 6-9 pm, Feb. 14. Gutman Gallery, 118 N. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor, is a new fine art gallery near Kerrytown owned and operated by the Guild of Artists & Artisans. Opening exhibit: “Amor: Looking Through the Eyes of Love.” Free event. Gallery hours: Tues.-Fri., 11 am-5pm; Sat., 9 am-4 pm.
SATURDAY, FEB. 15 MINI MINYAN 10 am, Feb. 15. Adat Shalom Synagogue will hold a mini minyan with Hazzan Dan Gross for a music-filled Shabbat morning of song and prayer. Open to the community at no charge. Info: 248-626-2153 or sshapiro@adatshalom.org.
EVENING OF DANCE 8 pm, Feb, 15. At the Berman Center of Performing Arts, 6600 W. Maple, West Bloomfield. Eisenhower Dance Detroit headlines a rare evening of beauty, grace and power. This will feature the debut of a recently developed work by choreographer Nicolo Fonte. Tickets: etix. com (Search “Detroit Dance”). Cost: General admission: $32; seniors (62 and up) $27; students $27.
ART EXHIBIT Art at Henry Ford Hospital, West Bloomfield. Painted landscapes by Fran Wolok will be exhibited through May 15.
SUNDAY, FEB. 16 INSIDER’S TOUR 11 am, Feb. 16. Join the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan for an exclusive tour with artist Lynne Avadenka of her studio in Berkley. She creates mixed-media work informed by Jewish experiences. The tour includes free parking at the studio and a group lunch afterward at Republica with Avadenka. Register now: tour limited to 14 people. No refunds or exchanges. Cost: JHSM members $70; non-members $85. Register: michiganjewishhistory.org.
AUTHOR SPEAKS 2:30 pm, Feb. 16. At the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills. Dunya Mikhail, author of The Beekeeper: Rescuing the Stolen Women of Iraq. Included with admission or free to HMC members. Register: 248-5532400, ext 128.
MONDAY, FEB. 17
Feb. 13-April 26
MONDAYS WITH MEANING 9: 30 am, Feb. 17. An Active Life-JCC Without Borders program meets at the David & Miriam Mondry Bldg., 15000 W. 10 Mile in Oak Park.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT 5:30-7 pm, Feb. 17. The Dorothy & Peter Brown Adult Day Program holds free monthly family caregiver support group meetings. At JVS, 29699 Southfield Road, Southfield. Alzheimer’s Association meeting for family caregivers of all older adults. For information or to RSVP: Dorothy Moon, 248233-4392 or dmoon@jvsdet. org.
TUESDAY, FEB. 18 TUESDAY WITH JANET 1:30 pm, Feb. 18. Get together with host Janet Pont in the Shaarey Zedek library. Dr. Robert Rich will discuss “The Arctic Is Changing.” Cake and coffee will be served. Info: jpont@shaareyzedek.org.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19 MOVIE MATINEE 1 pm, Feb. 19. An Active Life program at the West Bloomfield Jewish Community Center. Love, Gilda (86 min.) Free event.
AMERICAN JEWS FOCUS 1 pm, Feb. 19. American Jews and Their Politics: Origins, Agendas, and Debates. Drop In & Learn group at Beth Ahm invites lifelong learners to watch and discuss Prof. Howard Lupovitch’s video lecture on “Diaspora Politics.” No charge; no reservations needed. Info: Nancy Kaplan, 248-737-1931, or email nancyellen879@att.net. continued on page 48
A MUSICAL HISTORY As it celebrates its centennial year, Orchestra Hall’s legacy goes beyond its legendary acoustics or the roster of bold-faced names that have graced its stage. “100 Years of Music, Magic and Community” in the Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave., invites guests to learn more about Orchestra Hall and the Detroiters who spent time in this extraordinary space. The exhibition is free with museum general admission. The story of Ossip Gabrilowitsch, the DSO music director for whom Orchestra Hall was built, will be joined with the story of the Hall’s origins and first 20 years. Listen to music, watch videos and try your hand at conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at an interactive stage. Info: call the museum, 313-833-1805 or detroithistorical.org. ISRAELI GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE
FRIDAY, FEB. 14
DETROIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
On The Go
FEB. 13-JUNE EICHMANN TRIAL FILM The Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus has a new special exhibit, “Operation Finale: The Capture & Trial of Adolf Eichmann,” which runs from now through mid-June 2020. It is a co-production of the Mossad: Israeli Secret Intelligence Service; Beit Hatfutsot, the Museum of the Jewish People, Tel Aviv, Israel; and the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Cleveland, Ohio. The exhibit reveals the secret history behind the capture, extradition and trial of one of the world’s most notorious escaped war criminals. The multimedia exhibit includes 60 original artifacts and 70 photographs, including maps, printed case files, hand-forged documents and a pair of goggles used to obscure Eichmann’s vision during his capture. Info: holocaustcenter.org or 248-553-2400, ext. 10.
FEB. 21-MARCH 1 WIZARD ON STAGE Bloomfield Player’s Community Theater takes a journey down the yellow brick road in six performances of The Wizard of Oz on stage at Bloomfield Hills High School, 4200 Andover Road, Bloomfield Hills. The multi-generational cast includes Stacy Gittleman as Auntie Em and Udi Kapen as Scarecrow; Joyce Breitman is property mistress. This production is directed by Jeff Shuster and is co-produced by Jenn Friedman and Rhonda Shuster. Tickets are available at tinyurl.com/ BPWizardofOzTix or by phone at 248-433-0885. FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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On The Go
DETROIT’S GOLDEN TICKET
people | places | events continued from page 47
BRAIN WORKSHOP
FILM SCREENING
1 pm, Feb. 19. Mind U presents “Gray Matter,� a free brain health workshop exploring the relationship between hearing and brain health. Speaker Suzanne Purvis will talk about the importance of treating age-related hearing loss. At JVS Human Services, 29699 Southfield Road, Souhfield. Enroll at mindu@jfsdetroit.org.
6:30 pm, Feb. 20. At Playground Detroit. 2845 Gratiot, Detroit. Join NEXTGen Detroit, Repair the World Detroit and JCRC/AJC for a private screening of White Right: Meeting the Enemy followed by a facilitated conversation by Repair the World about the intersections of anti-Semitism, racism and white nationalism. This event is intended for the young adult community ages 21–45. Info: jewishdetroit. org/event/white-right; Hannah at hgoodman@jfmd.org.
NEXTWORK
ON SALE NOW FEB 18 – MAR 1
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE • BroadwayInDetroit.com BroadwayInDetroit.com, ticketmaster.com, 800-982-2787 & box office Info: 313.872.1000, Groups (12+) groups @ BroadwayInDetroit.com (Subject: Charlie) oc Feb. 23
6:30 pm, Feb. 19. At Rebuild Detroit, 4001 McNichols, Detroit. NEXTWork is back in business and kicking off the reboot of a networking series. Program: Josh Luber, co-founder of StockX, the world’s first “Stock Market of Things.� Also Josh Gershonowicz, CEO of Rebuild Group. This event is intended for the young adult community ages 21-45. $18 per person. Info: jewishdetroit.org/ event/nextwork-plus-stockx; Lauren at lrubin@jfmd.org.
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7 pm, Feb. 19. At Congregation Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield. The second in the series “Are We Religiously Free In America?� Professors Howard Lupovitch and Saeed Khan of Wayne State will discuss “Attitudes and Applications of Separatism of Religion and State.� No charge. Dessert reception to follow. Advance registration required: sharedfuturereligiousfreedom. eventbrite.com or young@jfmd. org. Program hosts: JCRC/AJC and the Michigan Muslim Community Council.
THURSDAY, FEB. 20
IMMIGRATION LAW FIRM ANTONE, CASAGRANDE & ADWERS, P.C. Representation in all areas of family and business immigration law. N. PETER ANTONE
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FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
7 pm, Feb. 20. “Why Estate Plans Don’t Work� with Sanford J. Mall at Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. Elder law attorney Mall will discuss why many estate plans fail. Come early for sips, sweets and schmoozing before the learning begins.
FRIDAY, FEB. 21 LECTURE SERIES
THE FAMOUS IMITATOR BURGER WITH FRIES
BERMAN NIGHT OF LEARNING
THRILLING THURSDAYS 10-11:30 am, Feb. 20. At Cong. Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. Open play group for children ages 0-5 and their favorite adults. Lindsay Mall, alongside clergy, hosts songs, stories, games, crafts, snacks, some special guests, and bubble time for the little ones. There is no charge to attend, but donations are gratefully appreciated to help keep the fun coming.
SHABBAT IN FLORIDA 6:15 pm, Feb. 21. Shir Shalom in Florida. Join Rabbi Moskowitz, Rabbi Dannel Schwartz and Cantor Penny. RSVP to audrey@ shirshalom.org, or at 248-7378700 for details.
SATURDAY, FEB. 22 QUIZ NIGHT 8 pm, Feb. 22. B’nai Moshe presents Quiz Night. Tables of up to 10 join together for a fun and spirited test of wits and knowledge for a chance to win the coveted “Kiddush Cup.� $10 in advance; $15 at the door of the West Bloomfield shul. RSVP at bnaimoshe.org or call 248-7880600. Compiled by Sy Manello/ Editorial Assistant. Send items at least 14 days in advance to calendar@thejewishnews.com.
ON SALE NOW APRIL 22-26 DETROIT OPERA HOUSE BroadwayInDetroit.com, ticketmaster.com, 800-982-2787 & box office Info: 313-872-1000, Groups (10+) Groups@BroadwayInDetroit.com (subject: The Last Ship) and oc April 24.
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FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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business SPOTlight
All in the
Family Meet young Jewish adults who moved home to join the “family business.” ROBIN SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A
s a child, Katie Young seemed more interested in flipping through psychiatry journals than reading children’s books. Her parents thought that might be a sign, and it was. Today, Young, 26, of Ann Arbor, is a psychiatric nurse practitioner at the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine (RCBM). The practice was founded by her father, Dr. Joel Young, and mother, Mindy Layne Young, who is a therapist and corporate counsel there. Young earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan
here’s to Mikhl “Michael” Yashinsky was recently honored by The Forward as a Forward 50, a list of American Jews who have influenced, inspired or achieved during this past year. Yashinsky has taught Yiddish, translated books into Yiddish, worked as a fellow at the Yiddish Book Center and played a role in the recent Yiddish revival of Fiddler on the Roof. The Forward called him a “Yiddish Renaissance Man.”
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FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
BIRMIN GH A M
School of Nursing before moving to Chicago from 2015-2017. She then earned a master’s degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. She returned home in July 2019 to join the family practice. “I’ve always been drawn to psychiatry,” Katie says. “I think there’s a lot of overlap between psychology and Judaism. There are a lot of shared values consistent with tikkun olam (repairing the world).” In her new role, Katie assesses, diagnoses and treats patients of all ages who may have disorders or mental illness. She works at RCBM three days a week, alternating with her other job as a pediatric registered nurse in the child and adolescent psychiatry unit at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. “It’s wonderful to be able to see [my parents] from a professional standpoint and to be able to ask them questions and collaborate with them,” she says. “Being in practice together is a unique and wonderful experience.” The Rochester Center first opened in 1993. The practice employs 70 mental health professionals and provides child and family services and treatment for
Jim Newman, owner and managing partner of Newman Consulting Group LLC in Farmington Hills, was honored with BOMA Metro Detroit’s (Building Owners and Managers Association) Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization’s annual meeting. Newman was recognized for his many years of service and for “a demonstrated ability and commitment to going beyond the expected standards for service and professionalism.” He has been promoting energy conservation and indoor air quality for more than 40 years and has been known as the “Dean of Green” since 2008 for educating people the world over as an author, featured panelist, ASHRAE distinguished lecturer, keynote speaker and trainer.
Mindy and Dr. Joel Young and their daughter, Katie, at the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine.
Gary Ran of Telemus and his two sons, Matt (left) and Michael (right).
International photographer and historian Todd Weinstein photographed local Holocaust survivor Henry Friedman for the Lonka Project, a photographic tribute to the last remaining Holocaust survivors. The exhibit was on view at the United Nations building in New York City and at the Yad Mordechai Museum in Israel. Some of Friedman’s award-winning metal sculptures are on permanent display at the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills. He also gives talks about his experiences at the museum.
continued on page 52
PHOTOS BY ROBIN SCHWARTZ
brought to you in partnership with
FAMILY AND FINANCE In Southfield, family and finance come together at Telemus, an independent, fee-
Passion For Sports FOX Sports Detroit producer Jason Dizik uses his passion for the sports media industry to give back. CORRIE COLF STAFF WRITER
A
t age 34, Jason Dizik of Beverly Hills has made a name for himself in the sports media industry. For the third consecutive year, Dizik is the youngest lead game producer in the NBA. Dizik began working for FOX Sports Detroit in the fall of 2008 and has been the lead game producer for the Detroit Pistons for three years. In his role, he manages the telecast of the game each night with the help of his team of producers. In addition to working with the Pistons, Dizik is also a game producer for the Detroit Tigers during baseball
continued on page 52
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JASON DIZIK
eating disorders, substance abuse, women’s mental health and wellness and a host of other conditions. The team also conducts clinical research trials and trains medical students pursuing careers in psychiatric medicine. Dr. Young and his wife say having their daughter join the practice is a dream come true. They have two other children: Ben, 28, a medical student at Wayne State University, and Emily, 23, a nurse in Chicago. “We had long envisioned collaborating together,” Mindy says. “This is the culmination of many years of planning and hoping things would come together, and we’re thrilled.” “It’s a wonderful feeling for a father to watch his daughter become a professional,” adds Dr. Young. “Really, what more could a parent want?” Katie, who is also a registered yoga instructor, is engaged to Marc Schlessel, a thirdyear medical student at the University of Michigan. They plan to marry in May.
Jason Dizik on the floor post-game following the final Pistons telecast from the Palace before moving downtown. Pictured with analyst Greg Kelser, play-by-play announcer George Blaha and stage manager Jamie Stark.
season. “I’m honored and blessed to be able to do what I love,” Dizik said. “I grew up listening to guys like Greg Kelser and George Blaha, and now I get to work with them every night. It’s truly an honor to be trusted to uphold the high level of production that I grew up watching.” Not only is Dizik the youngest lead producer in the NBA, he has also won six Regional Emmys for his work at FOX continued on page 52
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FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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business SPOTlight
Every day at work is like going to a family dinner. — MATT RAN based firm that offers financial advisory, investment management and asset management solutions to highnet-worth investors. Gary Ran, the company’s chairman and CEO, founded Telemus with his brother-in-law, Rob Stone, and former brother-in-law, Lyle Wolberg, in 2005. Now, his two sons, Michael, 31, and Matt, 34, are part of the team. Michael and his wife, Arielle, moved back to Metro Detroit from Philadelphia about a year ago. He previously worked in the restaurant industry and is now a financial life adviser. He says he always admired his father’s passion for his work and wanted to follow in his footsteps. “It’s always interesting to go into meetings — it’s cool to see how other people see him,” Michael says. “Detroit is thriving. Young people are moving to the city. It’s a fun place to be, which is an added draw to being back home.” Matt serves as director of growth and development for Telemus and has been with the company since 2008. He has also taken an active role in the Jewish community as a member of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit’s Board of Governors and vice president of Michigan ORT. In addition, he is a Detroit co-chair for the National Young Leadership Cabinet of the Jewish Federations of North America and serves on the boards of the Jewish Community Center and Yad Ezra. Matt and his wife, Jodie, live in Bloomfield Hills with their two young children. “Every day at work is like going to a family dinner,” he jokes. “Metro Detroit is a great place to raise a family. If I had a choice between here and anywhere else, I would choose here.” For Gary, having two of his three sons working alongside him is a feeling money can’t buy. His youngest son, Jeffrey, 30, lives in California and works in real estate. “I told my wife the first day Mike started that it was such a happy moment for me, seeing my kids working with me and seeing the two of them go to lunch together,” Gary says. “I think there are a lot of positives to [working with family], trust, familiarity — at every family event, we end up talking business.”
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FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
PASSION FOR SPORTS continued from page 51
Sports Detroit and has been nominated for more than a dozen more. “It really is a true team effort. I may be one of the few people named on the award, but there are 40 people who put the work into the telecast each night to make it happen. It’s much more than just me.” When Dizik is not working at FOX Sports Detroit, he gives back to the community that helped him to pursue his passion. He currently sits on three boards, including the board of governors for the Michigan Chapter of the
Jason Dizik and his wife Emily with Tigers Hall of Famer and color analyst Jack Morris as he was honored by the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation at Franklin Hills this summer.
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Central Michigan University School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts Alumni Advisory Board and the Farmington Public Schools TV-10 Career and Technical
here’s to continued from page 50
Valerie Newman was inducted into the Wayne State University Law School Miller Family Wayne Law Alumni Wall of Fame. She was one of five Wayne State University Law School alumni inducted during the ceremony. The award is the highest honor presented by the law school and recognizes graduates, former faculty and staff “whose extraordinary professional success and contributions, profound positive influence on Wayne Law, and high degree of character and integrity are recognized by their peers.” Lois Cohn has been named first consultant for the state of Michigan by Sotheby’s auction house. She will assist Michigan clients in the selling and valuation of their works of art. Cohn brings 30 years of experience as the former owner of Artspace, a fine art gallery in Birmingham.
Bassie Shemtov, Sammy Schwartz and Rabbi Yarden Blumstein
Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield was selected by Oakland County Impact 100 as the recipient of a $102,000 grant award for their UMatter program. UMatter is designed to help teens who are struggling with mental illness. It is a program for teens by teens, to teach that every person has inherent value and deserves to be connected to others. UMatter provides a safe space to have difficult conversations about things that matter. Stacy Goldberg has become a trustee of the Children’s Foundation, an independent community foundation for children. Goldberg has more than 20 years of experience as a nutrition consultant and has been named the Official Health and Wellness Consultant/Nutritionist for the National Basketball Coaches Association.
TODD WEINSTEIN
ALL IN THE FAMILY continued from page 51
TODD WEINSTEIN
Education Advisory Committee. “In high school and college, I was very fortunate to have a lot of people take me under their wing and show me the ropes and give me advice,” Dizik said. “It was important to me to be able to continue to do that and work with students and be an asset for them.” As an alumnus of Central Michigan University, Dizik and his wife, Emily, are starting a scholarship with a
primary focus for students who are interested in sports media. Dizik felt that a scholarship would present the best opportunities for students to focus on taking advantage of the all the activities that the university offers while cutting the cost of classes. Dizik has been able to find his niche in the sports media industry and is committed to giving back to younger generations who also have big dreams.
Dr. David A. Tenenbaum is a civilian mechanical engineer who worked for the Army at the TACOM base in Warren, Mich. In 1997, after years of anti-Jewish workplace harassment, he was falsely accused of being an Israeli spy by a known anti-Semite and several other anti-Semitic coworkers. The FBI conducted a full-scale criminal investigation of Tenenbaum and his family. Months of interrogation and psychological abuse resulted in an official report that there was no evidence Tenenbaum had ever done anything wrong. His book, Accused of Treason: The US Army’s Witch Hunt For A Jewish Spy, is now available through Amazon. Ethan Price, a member of Shir Tikvah and honors senior at Cousino High School in Warren, was just awarded the Evans Scholarship, offered to golf caddies by the Western Golf Association. It will pay for four years tuition, room and board. Price has been accepted to Michigan State University and is waiting to hear from the University of Michigan. His parents are Tracey Norris Price and Joey Price of Sterling Heights. Price has been the captain of the tennis team at Cousino the last two years and a four-year member of the squad. He also runs track and was a member of the 3200-relay squad that broke the school record. Also, he is secretary/treasurer of the National Honor Society and a member of the Peer to Peer mentorship program. Rabbi Amy Bigman of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing has been appointed by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to serve a three-year term on the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board. The board serves as a voice of Michigan’s children and families and promotes their health, safety and welfare by funding effective local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect. Rabbi Bigman represents Michigan’s religious community on the board.
Hannah Kessler Jfamily Advisory Committee Chair
Stephanie Erez Jbaby Coordinator
Mazel Tov to our very own Hannah Kessler and Stephanie Erez for being among The Well and JN’s 36 Under 36 2020 winners. You’re an inspiration to young leaders in our community. Thank you for all you do! Love, Your jccdet.org
FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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the exchange community bulletin board | professional services
For information regarding advertising please call 248-351-5116 Deadline for ad insertion is 10am on Friday prior to publication.
ANOTHER GOOD SALE IN RAMBLEWOOD!
Pet resort • Daycare Training • Grooming Web Cameras
Fri. & Sat Feb. 14 & 15 10-4 Sun. Feb. 16 12-3
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248-230-PAWS (7297)
Beautiful Traditional & antique contents. R-Way Mahogany dinning room Lucite Cart Tables & Pedestals Lucite Sculpture Mahogany Chest Art Silver, China, Crystal Furs. Plus Much more. See U There!
2244 Franklin Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 www.4pawscc.com
Pictures and Details on EstateSales.net.
“Let us love your pet while you are away”
Certified Appraiser
EDMUND FRANK & ASSOCIATES 313-854-6000 Serving the community since 1976 Available for Estate Sales in South Florida. Entrusted with the best houses.
BOB MENDELSON ELECTRONICS UNLIMITED & SON
Sales
Heating • Air Conditioning • Installation and Repair
•
Ser vice
Audio • Video • Telephones Paging • Intercom • Computers Signal Systems & more Warren Mendelsohn 248-470-7715
$65
ROOFING & SIDING INSTALLATION & REPAIR Gutter Installation, Repairs and Cleaning Roofing Installation, Repairs/Cedar Roofs Decks and Refinish Rotted Wood Replacement Mold/Flood Restoration Chimney/Brick/Paver, Seamless Gutters
JF Green Renovations
CALL JOHN: 248-770-8772 FORMER MARINE
Junk-B-Gone We Haul It All!
Still the Lowest Prices in Town! SAME DAY SERVICE! Proudly Serving the Jewish Community for over 25 Years Owner Present on EVERY job!
Service Call
Serving the metropolitan area for over 40 years! STATE LICENSED #3984
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Nothing per hour, plus parts.
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Lois Haron Designs Designs in Decorator Wood & Laminates It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, only look like it. Lois Haron
Interior Designer Allied ASID
(248) 851-6989
loisharondesigns@gmail.com www.loisharondesigns.com
54 |
FEBRUARY 13 2020
SENIOR AND MILITARY DISCOUNTS
REMODELING INC.
WHERE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
248.855.8747
Mention the Jewish News and get 10% Discount
248-476-0816 Cell: 248-508-1975
Email: jrcmycomputerguy@gmail.com
CHIMNEY RESTORATION
All Brick/Stone Concrete / All Masonry Porches, Patios, Retainer Walls, etc. Decks and Refinish - Rotted Wood Replacement Seamless Gutters Mold/Flood Restoration
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CALL JOHN: 248-770-8772 FORMER MARINE
10%
DISCOUNT
Email: kandkremodelinginc@yahoo.com www.kandkremodelinginc.com Family Owned, Licensed & Insured Since 1992
LACOURE’S LANDSCAPING New landscaping, maintenance, re-landscaping, walkways, retaining walls, patios, sod, fall and spring cleanups, Shrub/Tree trimming & removal, irrigation winterization.
Free Estimates Southfield Company
248-489-5955
SNOWPLOWING AND SALTING
MAX THE HANDYMAN
Seasonal Rates Licensed and Insured Emergency Services Commercial Free Estimates Residential
248-606-8104
LACOURE’S
You Name It – I’ll Do It!
LANDSCAPING 248-521-8818 248-489-5955
Toilets • Disposals • Electrical • Door & Lock Repair • Shower Grab Bars • ETC
248-356-0114
CHANGING HANDS CHANGING HANDS ESTATE SALES ESTATE SALES
Heating, Air Conditioning Service and New Installations
Letexperienced our experienced teamhandle handle all your estate needs: Let our team allofof your estate needs: • Hands free-hassle free sales • Hands free-hassle freeestate estate sales
Visit our Leshoppe showroom in Keego Harbor
Visit our Leshoppe showroom in Keego Harbor
24 Hour Emergency Service RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Serving the Community for Over 55 Years
Call Leslie Weisberg today for a free consultation
Call Leslie Weisberg today for a free consultation
248-709-9648
WHATEVER IT TAKES:
248-709-9648
BOOKS
248-352-4656
• • • • •
QUALIFIED KNOWLEDGEABLE TRUSTWORTHY COURTEOUS PRECISE
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advertise here! Call 248-351-5129 Or email sales@thejewishnews.com
Bought & Sold
LIBRARY BOOKSTORE Open 7 Days M. Sempliner
248.545.4300
Books Bought In Your Home HEALTHCARE Care Giver Mon-Fri. References available, 20+ yrs exp. Call 248-752-1782 Affordable home care. Driving & daily living. Special needs care also available. Nancy 248.420.0368 Exp Caregiver avl 24/7.First 24 hours FREE.CPR Certified & Insured.11+ yrs exp.Amy 248277-5993.
TRANSPORTATION Luxury Airport Transportation friendly-reliable Howard 248-345-8709 NORMAN. 1 Airport or other transportation. Reliable. 248737-8847, 248-408-7660. Friendly Transportation Dr’s, Airports, Shopping, Wheelchair access. Etc.Call Denise 248890-9908/248-991-0108.
MALE LPN private duty nurse, live-in, errands, companion, Exc ref. Call 248-275-6752
Allen Deluxe Transportation MI Licensed ChauffersPickUp Deliver OaklandWayne Airport $45 or $85Roundtrip Other Trips $5 +$1 per mile 248.763.0436
Always Show’ guarantee. Experienced, mature and caring individual available for hourly or live-in position. Contact Amy 248-444-3353.
Reliable Driver-Best Rates Airport, appts., errands. Call David 248-690-6090 AIRPORT CHERI 15 yrs of exc service, to and from all airports 248.242.2426
25 SERVICES AAA Cleaning Service.15 yrs. in business.Natalie 248-8540775 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Cleaning 911 European Cleaning Service. It's in your town. We can clean your home or office to perfection! Call 248.802.6947 Life keeping you too busy to pay your bills on time? Do your parents need help managing bill payments? Need someone to make timely bank deposits, donations, and organize your monthly expenses? I have availability for one more client. Excellent references. 248.563.8992 payyourbillsforyou@gmail.com
HOME/ LAWN SERVICES SDM PAINTING, LLC 734-686-0737-Interior Painting -Home improvement -Installation Assembly -Free Estimates AUTOS- DOMESTIC/ IMPORTS CASH FOR VEHICLES any make or model Call Barry 248-865-2886 SITUATIONS WANTED Jewish woman available for companionship, caregiving and driving. Call Lorraine 248891-8174 Exceptional Caregiver. Excellent references. Over 20 years experience. Latrice (313)739-8267.
Choose Exceptional Care For Your Loved OnesCompassionate Caregivers W/ 27 Yr Exp W/ Stroke, Dimentia, Altzheimers,Hospice Care & More. Offering Respite Care, Help w/ Joint Replacement, Personal Hygeine, Housekpng, Appts/Errands. Semi-Live In, On Call 24hrs. Alicia 248-850-6807
MISCELLANEOUS AFFORDABLE CAREGIVER part/full-time 24hrs of loving care Exc ref.248-890-9908 or 259-5888 Experienced RN, bilingual (French and English) compassionate, patient & kind will care for your loved one. Seeking live in position. Anne Marie 734.340.7095
Caregiver 17 yrs exp. Bathing, transport, meal prep & more!Call Barbara 248.931.1981 CHILD CARE Experienced European Baby Sitter Available 7 Days a Week. Call Gordana 586.489.9905
FEBRUARY 13 2020 3
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Soul
of blessed memory
REVA BARAHAL, 96, of West Bloomfield, died Jan. 29, 2020. She was the beloved wife of the late Max M. Barahal; devoted mother of Judith Barahal and Dr. David (Cari) Barahal; dear sister of the late Allen (late Ethel) Bobroff and the late Charlotte (late Dr. George) Miller; loving grandmother of Derek Gibbins and Alyssa (Steve) Schicketanz. Mrs. Barahal was a graduate of Detroit Central High School and then of the University of Michigan Dental Hygiene Program. She worked for the Oakland County Department of Public Health, performing dental hygiene and fluoride treatments for children in schools. She also worked as an usher at the Michigan Opera House as well as at other venues. Mrs. Barahal was active in community health issues, including maintaining availability and access to archived X-rays and handicap access in public facilities. Her hobbies and interests included classical music, opera, piano, gardening, nature, animal welfare, sewing, knitting and
other crafts. She was a member of the Creative Clothing Club. She was also active in charity work: making blankets for children in the Children’s Hospital, contributing to Hadassah as well as other charities. She was an active member of the Jewish community. Mrs. Barahal had a special love for family and friends. She respected and wanted to help everybody she knew and had the love, respect and admiration of those who knew her. Contributions may be made to Yad Ezra, 2850 W. 11 Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072; Jewish National Fund (Trees), 24100 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 430, Cleveland, OH 44122; or any WWII veteran charity. Interment was held at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. MARGO BENTLEY, 81, formerly of Michigan, of Atlanta, Ga., died Jan. 27, 2020, at home surrounded by her loving family after a valiant four-year battle with cancer. Born in 1938 in Bay City, Margo graduated
from the University of Michigan with a bachelor of science degree in speech pathology in 1960. A devoted mother, wife and homemaker, Margo raised her family in the Detroit suburbs for 23 years. Following a divorce from her first husband, she enrolled in law school at Wayne State University at the age of 42 and graduated in 1986 with a juris doctor degree. She passed the bar in both Michigan and Georgia. Margo practiced family law in Franklin, Mich., and went on to marry the love of her life, Richard Bentley. Tragically, Richard died in a plane crash just six months after their wedding. Ever resilient, Margo relocated to Atlanta to be with her sister, Pam Rosenberg, and grandchildren, Andrew and Olivia Greenblatt. Margo always enjoyed traveling, but her passion for adventure and desire to explore other cultures and lands really ignited at age 70 when she traveled to Antarctica with her best friend, Maureen Trese. She and Maureen braved the Drake Passage, a notoriously rough sea crossing, to commune with penguins on subzero ice. The duo joined the Travelers Century Club, and together they set out to visit every country and territory on Earth. Some of Margo’s favorite places were London, Cork, Ireland, and the lavender fields
in Provence, France. However, she had a keen interest and appreciation for every place she visited. In addition to Maureen, Margo’s frequent traveling companions included her sister, Pam Rosenberg; daughter, Dana Forrester; and granddaughter, Olivia Greenblatt. After a dire cancer diagnosis in late 2015, Margo accelerated her goal to reach 200 countries. Between multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy, Margo visited an additional 22 countries and territories bringing her total to 206. In the final weeks of her life, Margo was planning yet another trip — to Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. She canceled that trip four days before her passing. Margo was the matriarch of the family, the chief of the extended tribe, the sun around which they all orbited. A beloved mother, nana, aunt, sister and friend, Margo set an example for a life fully and bravely lived. She refused to be defined by her circumstances and continued to persevere despite the challenges presented. Her daily mantras were, “Do everything you can to have a positive attitude and enjoy every day” and “Wear your jewelry!” Mrs. Bentley is survived by her children, Jeffrey Mendelssohn, Dana (James Trunko) Forrester and Harry Greenblatt; grandchil-
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FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
dren, Andrew and Olivia Greenblatt, and Gryffen Mendelssohn; sister, Pam (Sumner) Rosenberg; brothers, David (Judy) Horowitz and Kim (Kara) Horowitz; nieces, Rachel (Dallas) Peavy, Laurel (Eric Kidder) Rosenberg, Lori and Amelia Horowitz; nephews, Danny Hayes, Mark (Candie) Horowitz, Alex and Sergei (Courtney Sherritt) Horowitz and Macon ( Mariah ) Stott; great-nieces, Zoe Peavy, Charlotte Stott, Lulubelle, Leah, Shayna, Mimi and Chana Horowitz; great-nephews, Brandon and Finn Kidder, Asher Hayes, Levi Horowitz, Grayson Lowe-Brown and Gabriel Sherritt, Issac Horowitz; her cherished cat and constant companion, Precious. She was proceeded in death by her beloved husband, Richard Bentley; and parents, Louise and Franklin Horowitz. A celebration of her life will be held at her home in Atlanta on Feb. 22, 2020. Contributions may be made to Furkids (Georgia’s largest no-kill shelter and sanctuary), the Horizon Theatre Company (Atlanta’s independent theater company), the Atlanta Botanical Garden or the High Museum of Art. SYLVIA FRANCES BRAVERMAN, 86, a retired administrative assistant for Israel Bonds, passed away on Jan. 11, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nev. She was born on Feb. 8, 1933, in Detroit to Fannie (nee Grossman) and Meyer Sriro. Mrs. Braverman is survived by her two daughters, Marcia
‘‘They were wonderful.’’ We hear kind words consistently.We’re proud that people feel comfortable enough with us to openly tell us how much they appreciate what we did for them. In fact, it’s this appreciation that drives us to offer the very best in comfort, compassion and service.
www.thedorfmanchapel.com 30440 Twelve Mile Road Farmington Hills • MI 48334 248.406.6000 TOLL FREE 1-866-406-6003 Licensed Funeral Directors: Alan Dorfman, Jonathan Dorfman ©Adfinity
continued on page 58 FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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Nibbles
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Monument Center Inc.
“Same Location Over 80 Years� Monuments and Markers Bronze Markers Memorial Duplicating Cemetery Lettering & Cleaning
www.MonumentCenterMichigan.com
Some days seem to last forever‌
We’re offering one that actually will.
You can honor the memory of a loved one in a most meaningful way by sponsoring a day of Torah learning at Yeshiva Beth Yehudah.
During the coming week, Kaddish will be said for these departed souls during the daily minyan at Yeshiva Beth Yehudah. Your support of the Torah learning of our children and our Kollel’s Torah Scholars brings immeasurable heavenly merit. Please call us at 248-557-6750 for more information.
Feb. 16, 2020
Suzanne Bartholomew Mollie Hoffman Reizel Kertes Stephen Levitz Samuel Neimark Bessie Radner Ernest Weinberg Irving Weissman Samuel Yagoda Sam Zirulnik 22 Shevat
Feb. 17, 2020
Abraham Bolker Rachel Glazer Ida Goldschlag David Lowenthal Benjamin Miller Meyer Robiner Bessie Schechter Lillian Schubiner Bernard Schwartz Bertha I. Shipp Robert Herman Singer Albert Stein Samuel H. Wainger Morris Weiner Mamie Zirulnik
6KHYDW )HE
Fannie (Blonder) Blinder Samuel Carmen Molle Cohen Sol Copin Betty Dobbs Anna R. Goldberg Lawrence N. Keller Annette M. Kunick Sarah Saltsman Fanny Ann Smith 24 Shevat
Feb. 19, 2020
Edward Bunin Anna Dora Dinkin Devorah Goldfarb Esther Grinwald Lena Holtzman Pearl Rottenberg Ben Weinstock 25 Shevat
Feb. 20, 2020
Nathan Bakalar Jerry (Jerome) Bielfield Tillie Feldman Sarah Goldman Bernice Kaplan Mendel Simon Anna Tamaroff Witzel
26 Shevat
Feb. 21, 2020
Michoel Ben-Joseph Harry Neil Brodsky Wolf Cohen Esther Glicksman Arthur Louis Goulson Riva Gula Selma (Sadie) Levine Theodore Lipman Leon Meckler Alexander Roberg Jennie Shore Leon J. Simon Geoffrey I. Spector Fannie Yaker 27 Shevat
Feb. 22, 2020
R. Edward Berman Fanny Bokhaut Ernest H. Chayet Melvin Earl Duchan Sophie Engelman Saralee Gordon Ruben Grevnin Rose Hershman Rudolf Rib
School for Boys v Beth Jacob School for Girls v Bais Yehudah Preschool Weiss Family Partners Detroit v Kollel Bais Yehudah v Maalot Detroit P.O. Box 2044 v 6RXWKoHOG 0, v 248-557-6750 v www.YBY.org
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of blessed memory continued from page 57
AND UP CUSTOM PREMADE TRAYS
21 Shevat
Soul
FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
Hall (Lane) and Edye Tesser (Robert); four grandchildren, Gary (Megan), Ashlee (Doug), Carly (Shlomo) and Lindsay (Alice). She was predeceased by her parents; son, Gary Braverman; and Theodore “Ted� Braverman, her beloved husband of 54 years. Funeral and interment were held at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, Nev. Contributions may be made to the American Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements by King David Memorial Chapel in Las Vegas. JOYCE FEURRING, 92, of Delray Beach, Fla., died Feb. 5, 2020. She is survived by her son and daughter-inlaw, Douglas and Alexandra Feurring; daughter, Betty Feurring; grandchildren, Emily Feurring and Ross Feurring; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Shirley and Dr. Paul Feinberg. Mrs. Feurring was the beloved wife of the late Albert Feurring; the cherished mother of the late Gail Feurring; the loving sister of the late Marvin Katz and the late Helen Silberstein; the devoted daughter of the late Sophie and the late Saul Katz; the dear sister-in-law of the late Dorothy and the late Joe Stewart. Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to the Actors Fund, 800-221-7303, actors fund. org/support-our-work.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. MORRIS “MARTY� GARFINKEL, 83, of Novi died Jan. 30. Mr. Garfinkel was a beloved teacher and department head at Frost/ Roosevelt Middle School. He also taught at Wayne County Community College. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eleanor Garfinkel; daughter and son-in-law, Jodi and Robert Weinfeld of Farmington Hills; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Stacey Garfinkel of Oak Park, Calif.; grandchildren, David, Sara and Liana Weinfeld, Noah and Alexis Garfinkel; sisterin-law, Myra (the late Louis) Sonshine; sister-in-law, Susan (the late Richard) Banks; nieces, nephews and friends. Internment took place at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice and, for those who are eligible, please consider a donation of blood or blood products. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. SHIRLEY GOLDSTROM, 94, of Southfield, died Feb. 4, 2020. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lori Goldstrom and Bruce Freedman; son and spouse, Robert Goldstrom and David Sokosh. She is also survived by her beloved dog, Callie; and many other family members and friends. Mrs. Goldstrom was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Herbert Goldstrom; the devoted sister of the late Stuart (the late Sylvia) Levinson. Interment took place at Clover Hill Park Cemetery
in Birmingham. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. MILLICENT FINKELSTEIN GROSSMAN, 85, of Birmingham, died Feb. 2, 2020. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Gerald J. Grossman; daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Robert Gordon, Roslyn and Jamie Topolski; grandchildren, Olivia and Kate Gordon, and Rachel and Jason Topolski; sister-inlaw, Sally Shepard; many loving nieces and nephews. Mrs. Grossman was the devoted daughter of the late Abraham and the late Rose Finkelstein; the loving sister of the late Jerome Finck and the late Sarray Polansky. Interment was at Clover Hill
Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923, scleroderma.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ROBERT MOERS, 92, of Bloomfield Hills, died Feb. 3, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra Moers; his children, Michael and Hillary Moers, Dennis Moers, Debra Moers, Stacy Moers and Joe Lasprogata, Carolyn Rands and Douglas Parker, and Andrew and Yelda Moers; grandchildren, Gregory and Florencia Moers, Alex Moers, Chloe Moers, Ben Moers and Noah Moers; sister-in-law, Gloria Leader; his nephew and niece, Raymond “Randy� and Julia Moers; many other loving
nieces and nephews. Mr. Moers was the loving brother of the late Tommy and the late Marcelle Moers; the dear brother-in-law of the late David Leader. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Detroit Symphony Orchestra, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201-2444, dso.org/Donate; Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward, Detroit, Ml 48202, dia.org; Temple Beth El, 7400 Telegraph, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, tbeonline.org; or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. PEARL ORBACH, 90, of Farmington Hills, died Jan. 31, 2020. She is survived by her daughters and
sons-in-law, Dr. Susan Orbach and Gary Zirulnik, Marlene and Chris Olson; grandchildren, Ari and Elliot Zirulnik. Mrs. Orbach was the beloved wife of the late Gerald Orbach; the loving sister of the late Dorothy and the late Irving Wasserman. Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Nature Conservancy, 101 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906, nature.org/? redirect=https-301; or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ROSALIND BETTY POPKIN, 96, of Northville, died Feb. 3, 2020. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Ming Louie; son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Debbie Popkin; nephew and niece, continued on page 60
WE ARE THE COMMUNITY OWNED FUNERAL HOME
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ENTERING OUR SECOND CENTURY OF CARING AND RESPECTFUL SERVICE /LIYL^4LTVYPHS VYN c c c .YLLUĂ„LSK 9K 6HR 7HYR 40
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FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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Soul
of blessed memory continued from page 59
Philip and Patricia Atkins. She was the great-aunt of Lee Atkins. She is also survived by many loving cousins and friends. Mrs. Popkin was the beloved wife of the late Samuel Popkin. Interment was at Workmen’s Circle Cemetery. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. MARTI STEWART, 68, of Oak Park, died Feb. 4, 2020. She is survived by her husband, Joe Stewart; sons and daughters-in-law, Elie and Ariel Stewart of Long Island City, N.Y., Levi and Lisa Stewart of Long Island City, N.Y.; daughter, Shayna Stewart of Brooklyn, N.Y.; brother, Moshe Scholnick
60 |
FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
of Hallandale, Fla.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Phyllis and Sidney Ulreich of West Hartford, Conn., Arby and Craig Rubenstein of California; grandchild, Sloan Stewart. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Interment was held at Beth Abraham Cemetery in Ferndale. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. SIDNEY I. STONE, M.D., 94, of Farmington Hills, died Feb. 2, 2020. He is survived by his beloved wife, Betty Stone; sons and daughters-inlaw, David and Carol Stone, Dr. Daniel and Ruthie Stone; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah Stone Lowry and
David Lowry; grandchildren, Rachel, Sarah and Ethan Stone; nieces and nephews, Linda (Craig) Ellison, Larry (Randi Brown) Stillwater, Sharon (Marty) McGladdery, Alan Parven and Carol Hutter; many other loving family members and friends. Dr. Stone was the devoted brother of the late Jack (the late Edith) Stone and the late Marcia (the late Dr. Howard) Parven. Interment took place at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham. Contributions may be made to Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network, Jewish Senior Life or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. INGRID WOLF, 81, of Wellington, Fla., died Feb. 1,
2020. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Hilary and Stuart Borman; grandchildren, Molly and Larry Heymont, Hannah and Marc Crane; great-granddaughter, Claire Crane; many other loving relatives and friends. Mrs. Wolf was the beloved wife of the late Charles Wolf. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Leader Dogs for the Blind, P.O. Box 5000, Rochester, MI 48308-5000, deaderdog.org; Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033, alz.org/gmc; or Hebrew Free Loan, 6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 300, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, hfldetroit.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Raskin
C.A.Y.A. Gets New Owners It’s still “come as you are” to enjoy the smokehouse bistro.
W
hen it was set to open, people were told that the new restaurant’s name would be C.A.Y.A. … or Come As You Are … and probably said things like, “If they think I’m getting out of the bathtub, they have another Danny Raskin think coming!” Senior Columnist … But owners then, Executive Chef Jeff Rose and his business partners, Richard and Rachel
C.A.Y.A. FACEBOOK
the best of everything
Mandell, put them at ease … that it was the name of their new smokehouse. Jeff and Rachel each had enjoyed 25 years in the dining game, and this was like a fulfilled dream … when opening on South Commerce Road at Pontiac Trail in Walled Lake. Jeff was once a dishwasher before dining stints at Tribute, Iridescence, Big Rock, Roast and Toast … Rachel’s great love for food and restaurant design was realized. Now that their dreams have come true in a big way … and after hours and hours of training, Damian Knight is his own full-time general manager and owner with his wife, Dianna Knight, and sister Jami and brother-in-law Brandon Blanchard, their own silent ownership dreams no doubt have also come true, as its new owners. “We immediately fell in love with C.A.Y.A.’s amazing menu after our first visit and are excited to have taken over the restaurant,” Damian Knight said. “We
have some new ideas we will be implementing and look forward to continuing to enhance our customers’ dining experiences.” Most of the highly popular dinner and brunch menus at C.A.Y.A. have remained the same with very small changes … Their smokehouse bistro now offers French fries and jumbo chicken wings … served with choices of two side items instead of as a la carte … Customers can now choose from corn bread, mac & cheese, French fries, fried Brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, collard greens, fried sweet potatoes, baked beans with or without bacon, onion rings, creamy slaw or pickled vegetables. “We want to offer our customers a better value with our smoked entrees and they are now included as the side items for a complete meal,” Knight said. C.A.Y.A. seats 85 with 14 bar stools and three cocktail tables that are also open for happy hours and dinner Tuesdays through Thursdays, 4:30-10
p.m., Friday and Saturday, 4:3011 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. … Closed Mondays … Brunch is both Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. It was a terrific winner for Jeff and Rachel … and has already become a big dining success for its new owners. GREAT TO SEE that Dr. Steve Hutchinson, one-third partner in Pepino’s Restaurant, is inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame … Steve was at University of Michigan and played 12 seasons in the NFL with Seattle, Minnesota and Tennessee. OLDIES BUT GOODIES … Years back, comics performing in New York’s Catskill Mountains tried these out on customers … “Waiter, what is this fly doing in my soup?” “Looks like the backstroke, sir” … or “Waiter, there is a fly in the butter.” “Yes, sir, it is a butterfly!” CONGRATS … To Jackie Headapohl on her birthday. Danny’s email address is dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.
6MÄJL (KTPUPZ[YH[VY )VVRRLLWLY Job Opportunity:
Full time position available at Oak Park business for Office Administrator/Bookkeeper. Job Description: - Day to day bookkeeping - Oversee AP/AR - Answer phone calls and emails - Follow up with vendors/customers - Take care of business forms, applications and administrative tasks - Track business data
Job Requirements: - Past bookkeeping and office experience - Knowledge in QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel - Excellent communication skills - Strong ability to multi task - Precise attention to detail
Please see our menu at
www.johnnypomodoros.com
32906 Middlebelt Rd (at 14 Mile)
(248) 855- 0007
Johnny Pomodoro’s is your ONE STOP SHOP for all of your needs!
Shiva Trays, Deli Nosh Dairy and Deli Trays, Marty’s Cookie Trays, Johnny’s Signature Fruit & Veggie Trays
Delivery Available CALL JOHNNY’S FOR TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL SHIVA TRAYS.
This financially rewarding and mentally stimulating job is ideal for an experienced and capable multi tasker who can efficiently see through many administrative aspects of a fast paced, growing business Please send resume including experience, past jobs, and references to Office@tcfaw.com
DAIRY TRAY
MEAT TRAY
FRUIT TRAY
CANDY & NUT TRAY
MARTY'S COOKIES
FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
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Looking Back From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History y accessible at www.djnfoundation.org
ie vie ovie ake mov ak ma om el tto el ae a
ssrr iisr las iin la gla gl n is oug ou do irk d e kiir kir k drrriivve nd d on o bo on b n on
w ow o do etts llo e wd ge g ow o low
The Juggler in JN
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FEBRUARY 13 • 2020
ished in the Holocaust. Douglas plays a haunted character, suffering from a severe psychological disorder due to the misjudgment that cost his family their lives and sent him to the concentration camps. The movie begins with Muller landing in Haifa in 1949, one of a boatload of refugees. He soon gets into trouble by assaulting a police officer, who is actually sympathetic to his plight. Muller then begins a cross-country trek, during which he meets a guide, Josh, a young orphaned Sabra. Both Muller and Josh land in a kibbutz, and … I won’t say any more and spoil the movie for you. My curiosity was piqued, however, so I looked into the Archive to see if The Juggler made an impact in Detroit. Indeed, it did and was cited 49 times in the Archive. The first citations for the The Juggler are an advertisement for its debut in Detroit at one of the city’s big downtown movie houses, the Madison, and an article in the June 19, 1953, issue of the JN endorsed The Juggler as a film “not to be missed.” It is interesting to see the impact of this film on Detroit’s Jewish community. For example, the June 26, 1953, issue of the JN noted that, during services that week at Temple Israel, Rabbi Leon Fram would discuss The Juggler. The movie was also featured at the 25th Balfour Declaration
anniversary at the Avalon 9, Theater in Detroit on Oct. 29, 1957. On Feb. 12, 1960, it wass announced that The Juggler would be shown at the annual al PTA meeting of United Jewish h Folk Schools that year. The Juggler is a great movie. e. The on-location scenes from Israel are unique and stunning, and the story is timeless. I highly recommend it for any movie lover and, in particular, for those interested in the early years of Israel.
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Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.
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recently watched a great old movie on TCM that I think you might like. It is The Juggler from 1953, starring Kirk Douglas, who died last week at age 103 (see a remembrance on page 43). There are also 269 references in the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History for Douglas (aka Mike Smith Isadore Demsky, Alene and Graham Landau aka Issur Archivist Chair Danielovitch). Born in New York to Russian Jewish parents, Douglas, a superstar from Hollywood’s golden era, had nothing short of a spectacular career. A good story about Douglas can be found in the Oct. 24, 1997, issue of the JN titled “Turning to Torah.” The Juggler was the first movie by a major American motion picture studio filmed entirely in Israel. Although released more than 60 years ago, it has a story that is still relevant today, along with cinematography that captures Israel at a particular point in time. The Juggler is from a novel of the same name by Michael Blankfort, who also did the script for the movie. In the film, Douglas plays Hans Muller, a famous juggler in Europe before World War II. Muller believed that even though he was Jewish, his fame would save him and his family. Instead, his family per-
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