DJN JULY 1 2021 by The Detroit Jewish News

THE DETROIT

JEWISH NEWS 200 July 1-7, 2021 / 21-27 Tammuz 5781

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Fighting Antisemitism at U-M

One-sided diatribes against Israel cross the line. Page 12

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contents July 1-7, 2021/ 21-27 Tammuz 5781 VOLUME CLIX, ISSUE 21

Shabbat Lights

Shabbat starts: Friday, July 2, 8:55 p.m. Shabbat ends: Saturday, July 3, 10:06 p.m.

* Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar.

ON THE COVER: Cover design: Michelle Sheridan

thejewishnews.com Follow Us on Social Media:

20 Purely Commentary

4-10

Our Community 12

Fighting Antisemitism at U-M One-sided diatribes against Israel cross the line.

Thank You, Gilda!

Gilda Jacobs reflects on four decades of public service.

Homecoming

Rabbi Blair Nosanwisch returns to her Detroit roots.

On Top of the World!

Acclaimed musician summits Mount Everest.

Red Coat Lady Pat Blackwell is adding to her business by training vendors in Jewish customs.

JARC Teen Council Wins $4,000 Grant

‘End Jew Hatred’

Macomb County teen is dedicated to stopping antisemitism.

Rescued Food

Beth Ahm volunteers prepare dinner for Detroit’s Brightmoor community.

‘Zeyer Gut!’

JSL resident does a “very good” job teaching Yiddish to her neighbors.

The Power of Plants

Acupuncturist whips up essential oil blends to boost health and wellness.

Sports 32

Surprise: There will be JCC Maccabi Games!

Detroit teen athletes invited to region al event in San Antonio.

Eretz 34

Meet Rachel Lichtenstein

Native Israeli brought her family to her homeland.

Business 35

At the Border

After a year of border closure, Detroit and Windsor residents hope for reopening.

High schoolers take virtual tour of Yad Vashem.

Spirit 38

Torah portion

How Can a Religious Prime Minister Run a Country?

Synagogue Directory

Arts&Life 42

Soulful Jazz

Mother and Child Reunion

Celebrity News

Health

Jewish Party Maven

Teaching the Shoah

Facebook @DetroitJewishNews Twitter @JewishNewsDet Instagram @detroitjewishnews

Toys for Everyone

Toyology Toys celebrates 10 years i n business.

Drummer to introduce new recording at Cadieux Café.

Exceptional Israeli film Asia pulls at the heartstrings.

Events 45

Community Calendar

Nosh 6

Etc.

Twin Destinations on the RiverWalk

The Exchange Obituaries Danny Raskin Looking Back

48 49 53 54

Mazel Tov 36

Moments JULY 1 • 2021

PURELY COMMENTARY for openers

Internal Workings

f you can stomach it, I would like to get right to the heart of the matter: the bones and blood of what makes our conversations tick. Are you the person who is always a bundle of nerves? If so, you will get on people’s nerves. Sy Manello You would have Editorial to have a lot of Assistant nerve to ignore their reactions to you. Devotion to a cause means that you must give blood, sweat and tears. Such devotion must be in your blood. People’s callousness may make your blood run cold. Misunderstandings can cre-

ate bad blood between folks. Do not even think of getting involved in something which seems too rich for your blood. If an employer finds that output is getting stale, he may seek to introduce new, young blood into the staff. Some dense people may be described as all brawn and no brain or suffering from a brain drain. Of course, something that comes easily to you may be a no-brainer. Need help? Look to pick someone’s brain for new ideas. Do not go to a scatter-brained individual, however. Doing so may make you want to beat your brains out. If your heart is in the right place, you will have a heart-

to-heart talk with someone who needs your input. Get to the heart of the matter to save someone from being heartbroken. Your actions will be heartwarming. Don’t like public speaking? You are probably averse to having butterflies in your stomach. You literally have not got the stomach for such a performance. Someone who is really into spicy food can be said to have a cast-iron stom-

ach. To you cooks out there: The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. If you feel that you are being ignored, do not be reluctant to ask, “What am I? Chopped liver?” It does not take a lily-livered person to so inquire. Be sure to ask at the top of your lungs! Well, it seems that I have let this presentation bleed me dry. I will have a heart and desist now.

commentary

An American in Paris: Jewish and Scared

’m an American Jew from New York who now lives in Paris. What brought me here at the age of 68 in the middle of a pandemic? That’s a long story — a long marriage, a sudden death, trying to put Toni L. my life back Kamins together and JTA deciding instead to change it completely. I’ve had a love affair with Paris since my second trip here as a college student in the early 1970s. In the ensuing decades I’ve visited France many dozens of times. Moving here was a way to make a long-held dream come true

— or so I thought. Instead, my six months living in Paris has been beset with questions I never expected. Here’s one: Is this really the right place for a Jew these days? After spending a lifetime with only intellectual/historical fears, I now find myself facing fears that are far more visceral. A little over 20 years ago, I had just completed my first book, The Complete Jewish Guide to France. By that time, having studied European history, listened to my family’s Holocaust horror stories and spent considerable time in France, I was keenly aware of Europe’s history with the Jewish people. It wasn’t a pretty picture. Yet there was something

about France. I believed in France despite its history, perhaps even because of it. Wasn’t France the first country in Europe to grant civil rights to Jews in the late 18th century? Didn’t Napoleon Bonaparte tear down the ghetto walls in cities he conquered? Didn’t he create the still extant state mechanisms that allowed Jews in France to become French citizens — Frenchmen who practiced Judaism? My belief in the inherent virtue of la Republique Francaise and in its concept of laïcité — wherein the state exists to protect the populace from the excesses of religion — allowed me to look at its post-revolution (1789) history in a somewhat forgiving way. I could

convince myself that France’s stumbles as a new republic were the errors of youth and not part of a larger dysfunction. The Dreyfus Affair? But it was non-Jewish Frenchmen who saw to it that he was exonerated. The Shoah? But surely France had learned a difficult lesson from the crimes that some Frenchmen committed against other Frenchmen, I reasoned. The country was seriously damaged politically and emotionally, yet the French republic and laïcité ultimately prevailed. FEAR CAME SLOWLY As a Jew, I was never afraid to be in France. I wasn’t afraid in 1975, continued on page 7

JULY 1 • 2021

Mazel Tov

TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2021

5725 WALNUT LAKE ROAD, WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48323 248-661-5700 TEMPLE-ISRAEL.ORG

PURELY COMMENTARY essay

alking under the silver-laced sky late at night on May 20, with our beloved dog Lucy, I look up at the moon, which is not new, in fact, it’s very old, much older and wiser than we all are, and I pray: Help me Shoshana to help people Lavan understand. It’s a simple prayer, on the surface, for a writer who always uses words to explain life. But its complexity confounds me, and I feel despair, against the background booms in the distance. For this is Israel, and a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has just been announced to begin at 2 a.m. tomorrow morning, so of course, there

are booms in the background. There have been for 11 days. Only these are actually the fireworks of our nearest Arab village, and our Arab neighbors celebrating a wedding. For we are in the North of Israel, and things here are very different. Ever since the violence began, Arabs and Jews have been tirelessly working together, organizing peaceful protests, visiting each other, planning peace-work activities and talking together. “My family has been here for 500 years,” says the father of our Bedouin friend, a restaurant owner in Zarzir, one of the Arab villages closest to us. “We are not moving. We will always be here, and we will always be friends with our Jewish neighbors. You are always welcome here.”

SHOSHANA LAVAN

Israeli Arabs, Jews Refuse to Be Enemies

The T-shirt made by our Arab neighbors and friends:

His son adds, “Treat this as your second home. You are like family to us.” (Next week, it will be our turn to host him and his family, in our kibbutz.) This is just after he has taken us into the back of the restaurant to show us the hun-

dreds of T-shirts he has had printed to give out at peaceful demonstrations, with the words: ARABS AND JEWS REFUSE TO BE ENEMIES, in Hebrew, Arabic and English. His co-partner of the idea, our Jewish friend and neighcontinued on page 8

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when the United Nations was voting on its resolution equating Zionism with racism, and when anti-Israel and anti-Jewish slogans began to show up on buildings in some sections of Paris. And I wasn’t afraid when the Latin Quarter’s only Jewish student restaurant was bombed in 1979 — injuring 26 people — or in 1982 when attackers fired submachine guns and hurled grenades into Jo Goldenberg’s, a restaurant in the historic Jewish quarter of the Marais. I believed that because these weren’t state-sponsored crimes that France could still be trusted. Fear had still not gotten the better of me in 2002 when synagogues in Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg and KremlinBicetre were attacked in rapid succession. Nor had it after the torture and murder of Ilan Halimi in 2006, nor in 2012 after a Jewish teacher and three children were murdered in Toulouse. Instead, I wrote about France’s abject failure to assimilate immigrants from its former colonies in North Africa and reasoned that this was less about terrorism than the failure of the French state. I wasn’t afraid in 2015 after a siege at a kosher supermarket in Paris, following the Charlie Hebdo massacre, left four Jews dead, or after soldiers guarding a Jewish center in Nice were stabbed, or the next year when there were anti-Jewish attacks in Strasbourg and Marseille. But in 2017, Sarah Halimi was murdered in her apartment; Mireille Knoll the following year. In 2019, the philosopher and public intellectual Alain Finkielkraut was subject to anti-Jewish abuse

MARTIN BUREAU/GETTY IMAGES/JTA

JEWISH AND SCARED continued from page 4

Paris at night.

on the streets of Paris. The same year, a painting of the late Simone Veil was defaced; the word Juden was scrawled on the window of a Paris bakery; a memorial to Ilan Halimi was destroyed and a Jewish cemetery in eastern France was vandalized. I’m nothing if not stubborn, so despite all of this I remained unafraid. Perhaps it’s because I’ve always taken the existence of anti-Judaism everywhere as a given. With that as an emotional shield, I could go anywhere and see any anti-Jewish act — even murder — as business as usual because, well, history. Others might express worry and fear at the news of Jews getting stabbed, or shot, or spat upon, but I could shrug my shoulders and say, “So what else is new?” In those situations, I’d often respond to anxious friends by asking why they thought the Shoah would have changed the way many people and many countries treated Jews. After all, didn’t the pre-Shoah world create the environment that resulted in the Shoah in the first place? Maybe it should have put an end to

anti-Judaism, but it was wishful thinking to believe it actually would. CHANGES FOR WORSE Still, when I moved to Paris in January, something had changed. As family and friends worried about my physical safety as a Jew in France, I threw myself into setting up my Paris apartment. But by that time, countries and international organizations had started adopting an official definition of antisemitism, as though that’s something anybody actually needs. I would have thought killing a Jew, shooting up a synagogue or beating up a guy in a kippah is self-evident. And just last month, the violence and killing in Israel and Gaza shook the world yet again. With that came pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Paris and elsewhere. That in itself isn’t new, but this time it was evident that one of the things that had changed was French people, along with others around the world, felt at ease voicing anti-Jewish sentiments in public. What’s more, many

have become vocal about their desire to see Jews killed for imagined collective crimes … again. Whether or not you think anti-Judaism and anti-Zionism are the same is irrelevant. In practice, when mobs demonstrate against Israel, when Israel is vilified, when Israel becomes a proxy for every bit of vitriol the people of the world can spew against every societal or governmental misdeed, Jews regardless of where they’re from get attacked. Now that the COVID confinement has been lifted and life in Paris is returning to a semblance of normal, I’m resigned to the idea that I should keep my head down and be less open about being a Jew. I will no longer wear Jewish jewelry in public. I’ll think twice before I go to a Jewish event or attend synagogue. And what of my native city, New York? Anti-Jewish attacks have become routine there, too. New York! I don’t know what to believe, whom to trust or where I will be (relatively) safe. But now I know emotionally what I’d always known intellectually: the post-World War II era in which I grew up really was an anomaly in the continuum of Jewish history. And for the first time in my life, I’m afraid. This article originally appeared on Kveller. Toni L. Kamins is a freelance journalist and former editor. She is the author of The Complete Jewish Guide to France and The Complete Jewish Guide to Britain and Ireland.

JULY 1 • 2021

PURELY COMMENTARY

Yiddish Limerick

ARABS AND JEWS continued from page 6

“IN ISRAEL, THE MAJORITY OF ALL PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE PEACEFULLY, SIDE BY SIDE. WE ARE HAPPY TOGETHER.” — SHOSHANA LAVAN

bor, has already advertised the T-shirts to our Kibbutz and everyone is asking for one. War or no war, we will be wearing these T-shirts on many occasions. No matter what government is in power, and what terrorist organization it seems to be playing into the hands of, there are thousands and thousands of Jews and Arabs in Israel who are and will be working together for peace in the Middle East.

I find myself wondering whether they know that many Israeli Arabs do not even want to live in Palestine; they are proud of being Israeli. Please do not misunderstand me. I know Israel has a long way to go in order to give every Arab citizen of Israel and Palestine equal rights, but I also know how many thousands of us are working in peace movements every hour of every day to make the situation better here.

PROTESTS MISDIRECTED This is something the British media has not been reporting. The hundreds of thousands of protestors marching for Palestine are marching against Israel, when in fact they should be marching against Hamas. It is Hamas who is oppressing Palestine. If we could get rid of them, we could start working toward peace in Palestine and a two-state solution, where equality is paramount, terrorism is totally stopped and the two states live peacefully side by side. I find myself wondering how many of the protestors in England have been to Israel or been to Palestine. I find myself wondering if they know the difference between Gaza and the West Bank, between the South and North of Israel. I find myself wondering if they know how Jew, Muslim and Christian work together with mutual respect and equal rights in so many areas of Israel.

A SAD IRONY I find it sad and ironic how the British people who believe they are siding with Palestine, by opposing Israel, are actually doing no such thing. They are only siding with the extremists. In this country, the majority of all people want to live peacefully, side by side. We are happy together. There are Arab doctors, lawyers, teachers, judges, nurses, ambassadors … you name it. There is no apartheid here. There is just a beautiful country living in a very fragile state, under an old moon with silverlaced clouds … waiting for the terrorists to stop launching their rockets, giving the rest of the world something to misunderstand.

JULY 1 • 2021

Shoshana Lavan is a published author, high school teacher of English literature and language, teacher of English as a foreign language and most importantly, a very proud mother of her gorgeous toddler. She has recently made Aliyah and is an aspiring peace activist.

Shtikale Pie! Mir gayen nisht in shul, I’ll soon tell you why. It’s a yontef for alle, it’s the Fourth of July. Franks and the rest, they all taste azay got Ich hob azay lib all the barbecue food. In farges nisht tzu essn a shtikale pie. Mir gayen nisht — We do not go in shul — to synagogue a yontef for alle — a holiday for all azay got — so good Ich hob azay lib — I love so In farges nisht — And don’t forget tzu essn — to eat a shtikale — a little piece of — By Rachel Kapen CORRECTION In the book review of The Fight for Free Speech (June 17, page 30) the author of the book should have been identified as Ian Rosenberg.

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Our STORY Julie Hack-Hubbard and David Hubbard met while working in fine dining restaurants. They each had a drive and entrepreneurial spirit that they recognized in one another, along with a similar dream of opening a business that specialized in elevating food. The Hubbards created their concept for The Butchery and opened in 2017, but their journey took some time. “We have a lot of family entrpreneurs who offered advice and encouragement, but banks don’t just hand out cash,” Julie said. “It’s daunting to go to in and sell a stranger on your dream. My uncle Paul is a former president of Hebrew Free Loan, and he told us their Marvin I. Danto Small Business Loan Program was a good resource. He was right, it was amazing. HFL saw us as people, and the passion we brought to our idea. They listened, questioned, and their care for us didn’t end with the loan. They connected us with a mentor, they check in on us, they shop here, and treat us like family. We feel the community cares about how we’re doing.” The Butchery offers high-end meats and meal preparation items unavailable in grocery stores. “I’ve worked in a lot of kitchens, and fine dining is a completely separate style,” said David. “It isn’t just a change in preparing and serving, you pay attention to the quality of the food, its origins, and how it’s ordered. We had an uptick in foot traffic during the pandemic, because our supply is restaurant-quality, and we carried what the shops didn’t.” “Our customers are offered a new-school approach with an old-school butcher shop feel – personal and friendly,” Julie said. “Hebrew Free Loan helped us get here, enjoy what we do, and even think about what the next chapter in our business could be.”

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JULY 1 • 2021

Search and Rescue teams look for possible survivors in the partially collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, Fla.

PHOTO BY GIORGIO VIERA / AFP/TIMES OF ISRAEL

FLORIDA DISASTER

Mom’s Instinct Saved Family Up to 159 victims feared in Florida building collapse.

survivor of the Miami-area building collapse has described how the condo came down in three stages, giving him and his family time to escape the deadly disaster after their mother told them to run for their lives. Gavriel Nir said that the condo complex in the town of Surfside near Miami, fell to pieces over a period of a few minutes on June 24. The 12-story oceanfront Champlain Towers South pancaked in the middle of the night as residents slept. “If it wasn’t for my mom, it would have been very bad,” Nir told Channel 13 News in an interview June 27. “My mom is very special,” said Nir, who offered a special prayer in a synagogue to give

JULY 1 • 2021

SCREEN CAPTURE: CHANNEL 13/TIMES OF ISRAEL

STUART WINER TIMES OF ISRAEL Gavriel Nir

thanks for his escape. “Any time she senses something suspicious she automatically is always cautious. She always figures out that something is not right.” Nir, the son of an Israeli father, described how his mother went to check what had happened when the first part of the building collapsed, apparently a parking area, and

then raised the alert for him and his sister. All three survived the disaster. “We heard a lot of noise going on in the ceiling,” he said. “Minute by minute, it got worse, it got more intense.” Moments later a rumble shook the building and “we all panicked a bit.” The family at first thought it was an earthquake and left their home to exit the building. Outside, Nir said, dust was billowing about from the parts of the building that had already collapsed. Wasting no more time, the family ran for their lives, escaping with just moments to spare as the main part of the building collapsed, throwing up clouds of dust that chased them down the street. “We couldn’t breathe,” he said. Nir estimated that the whole process was no more than a few minutes. He said the first sounds of the collapse were heard at around 1:15 a.m. Thursday and that the entire building came down by 1:19. Other families were left waiting to learn the fate of their loved ones who were inside and have not been heard from since.

Kevin Spigel told Channel 13 that his wife, Judy, was still missing. Spigel said that Judy “loves Israel and supports it any way shape or form” and that the family would often visit the Jewish state. WAITING AND HOPING The family, along with many others waiting as the rescue continues, were determined to not give up hope. According to the report, there are 34 Jewish people missing in the rubble. Odelia Weiss, who is active in a local synagogue, told the station that among those who are missing were the family and friends of a woman from the community who had died before the collapse. The visitors had arrived to stay in an unit in the building. “They have not yet been found,” she said. By Monday morning, the death toll rose to nine people with more than 150 additional people still missing. Magen David Adom’s international unit and paramedics and EMTs with the South Florida Hatzalah have been working around the clock at the disaster site. Surfside is one of four small cities that together make up North Beach, the north end of Miami Beach, just east of the city of Miami. The area covers the top of a narrow stretch of land on the Atlantic Ocean. The area is more than a third Jewish. In total, North Beach has more than 14,000 residents and more than 5,000 Jews, according to Ira Sheskin, who authored a 2014 Jewish population study on the greater Miami area. JTA contributed to this report. For more news on the Florida Disaster, see pages 30-31.

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Fighting Antisemitism at U-M

JULY 1 • 2021

OUR COMMUNITY

A war of words has broken out on The Rock.

One-sided diatribes against Israel cross the line. STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

acknowledging “the tremendous pain and suffering experienced in the University of Michigan community stemming from the violence of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” “I condemn these acts. Any actions motivated by antiBlack or anti-Asian racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian bias or any other form of bigotry have no place in the discourse of a great university.” Some parents, students and alumni said they felt that Schlissel’s statements about Jew-hatred are vague and not strong enough to curb the rising tide of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish hostilities on campus. On a parent’s Facebook page, dozens of parents expressed their concern. Some of them who are paying outof-state-tuition threatened to unenroll their students unless the Schlissel administration takes a stronger stance. Stephanie Stoloff of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., mother

SAMMI STOLOFF

ollowing the May conflict between Hamas and Israel, University of Michigan students, parents and alumni were astonished at an onslaught of one-sided statements condemning Israel from student organizations such as the U-M Central Student Government (CSG), the College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA), an email sent by the Ross School of Business BBA Council to all its contacts, and dozens of others. All echo the same accusatory language that Israel is committing acts of apartheid, genocide and settler colonialism. The statements’ language focuses on Israel’s displacement and violence toward Palestinians but did not condemn Hamas’ firing more than 4,000 rockets into Israel with intent to kill civilians. In support of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement (BDS) against Israel, the U-M CSG demanded that the university cease academic and financial relations with Israel and called upon students to pressure Congress to cut military aid to the Jewish state. On June 9, days after the words “F*** Israel” were written on the large, iconic Rock at Washtenaw and Hill, and the Michigan Hillel building across the street was defaced Mark with red handSchlissel prints, University President Mark Schlissel released a statement

SAMMI STOLOFF

ON THE COVER

Samii and Stephanie Stoloff

of U-M student Samii Stoloff who painted over the derogatory language about Israel on the Rock with a pride flag (see the June 17 JN), secured one of the 15 public comment slots to address the U-M Board of Regents on the issue at their June 17 meeting. She would like to see Schlissel specifically call out antisemitism and wants more security cameras in the area where the Rock and three nearby Jewish buildings, Hillel, Chabad and the

Jewish Resource Center, are located. “The university is showing lack of leadership, and I think this is enabling [the hatred toward Jewish students on campus], and that’s not leadership,” Stoloff said. “This conflict is 6,000 miles away. Why should it jeopardize the security of our students on campus? Who is enabling this hatred toward them? If Northwestern University has a security camera on their ‘rock,’ the same should happen in Ann Arbor.” GEO STATEMENT What is troubling to others is a statement released by the Graduate Employment Opportunities, a labor union of graduate students, declaring that they stand “in full solidarity with the Palestinian people facing the onslaught of Israeli State terror.” Dana Miles of Grosse Ile, who is not Jewish, has one daughter who is a senior and another who is a graduate of U-M. She said she is disturbed about the one-sided anti-Israel stance the GEO has taken and how it will impact conversations on the Middle East in the classroom. “By GEOs taking one side on an issue, I fear they will be teaching our students from that one side,” said Miles. “I think [university leadership] is very weak as evidenced from the vague statement Schlissel put out after the Rock was painted with those anti-Israel slurs. So [anti-Israel activists] see the weakness and are exploiting that.” Graduate student and continued on page 14 JULY 1 • 2021

IHRA Campaign

STANDWITHUS/TIMES OF ISRAEL

JULY 1 • 2021

text. The IHRA contains absolutely no mechanism for [or even mention of] punishing any type of speech.” U-M spokesperson Rick Fitzgerald would not indicate whether the university would consider adapting the definition but said “the recent violence in the Middle East has a direct impact on the wellbeing of students studying within our campus community.” Fitzgerald stated that it is the policy of the University of Michigan to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination and harassment for all students, faculty and staff. “At the University of Michigan, we remain committed to creating a community of scholars where everyone feels safe and each one of us is able to share our views without reprisal.” SEEKING TO ADOPT IHRA AT U-M Alums for Campus Fairness, a nonprofit organization that counters antisemitism and anti-Zionism, said some 900 members who are U-M alumni, parents and students launched a campaign for the university to adopt the definition. Executive Director Avi Gordon said ACF members are working behind the scenes with administrators and donors at U-M to push for acceptance of the resolution because “what has been happening at the University of Michigan is unacAvi Gordon ceptable.” “The IHRA definition should be adapted because, the next time something on campus does happen, there will be a clear definition in place as to what this type of hatred is, and we know what it is because it’s been clearly defined,” said Gordon. “A lot of administrations don’t like to call things out for what they are because of the potential repercussions. But (adapting the IHRA antisemitism definition) would just be another tool in the university’s toolkit to call out hatred and bigotry.”

TIMES OF ISRAEL

Many alumni of higher education across the country as well at the University of Michigan have launched a campaign for universities and other institutions to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s (IHRA) Working Definition of antisemitism so hatred toward Jews on campus can be more clearly identified. IHRA defines antisemitism as: “A certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” Manifestations of antisemitism include “drawing analogies between the actions of Israel to Nazis, declaring Israel a racist — and thus illegitimate — endeavor, holding it to standards expected of no other democratic state, denying Israel’s right to exist, and holding Jews collectively responsible for its actions.” Criticizing the Israeli government and its policies, as one would do to any other country, is not considered antisemitism according to the IHRA. According to the American Jewish Committee, 30 American universities have endorsed this definition as of May 2021. Carly F. Gammill, director of StandWithUs Center for Combating Antisemitism, said that because it manifests itself in many ways, antisemitism often gets overlooked. “The IHRA provides a critical tool in helping to ensure that anti-Jewish activity is readily identified and properly addressed in the same manner as other forms of bigotry Carly F. and discrimination,” said Gammill Gammill. “While critics of the IHRA definition often claim that it restricts protected speech and/or falsely labels criticism of Israel as antisemitism, these claims are easily disposed of simply by looking to the definition’s

OUR COMMUNITY ON THE COVER

continued from page 13

GEO member Amir Fleischmann said he was involved in penning the GEO statement to push the organization to “take Amir a stronger position Fleischmann against Israeli apartheid.” “I am proud to be Jewish and that my labor union is finally standing up for Palestinian human rights.” said Fleischmann, who is a graduate student and lecturer studying political theory. When asked how the one-sided GEO statement may impact the classroom in terms of pro-Israel students fearing of expressing their opinions or refuting misinformation about Israel, Fleischmann said there has been a history of pro-Israel students that have been doing the silencing, referring to several incidents in 2018 where the university rebuked two professors for refusing to write students letters of recommendation for study abroad in Israel programs. “We saw this in 2018, when one of our [Jewish] members was sanctioned by the university for refusing to write a letter of recommendation to an Israeli institution in accordance with BDS. We saw this again recently, when Muslim and Palestinian students were harassed and bullied by Israeli apartheid apologists for taking a stance in defense of Palestinian human rights.” In response to the statements, Jewish organizations such as Hillel have attempted to open dialogue with the student governments and other student organizations on why some Jewish students see the statements and resolutions as inflammatory and divisive. HILLEL STATEMENT In emails released to the U-M Jewish community, U-M Hillel

WIKIPEDIA

Executive Director Tilly Shemer stated that the widely distributed, one-sided messages “made Tilly many Jewish Shemer students who are concerned about Israel in this moment feel upset, unseen and unrepresented … Jewish and non-Jewish students who have chosen to speak publicly about these statements or share their concern for Israel and how it is depicted or even just call for neutrality — whether on social media or through CSG Community Concerns — have received disrespectful, mocking and even hateful messages in response.” Shemer said Hillel’s Undergraduate Governing Board urged a halting of hateful messages coming from both sides of the issue and called on the leadership of other student organizations to do the same. “Hillel’s staff and student leadership invited student leaders from CSG and LSA to attend an online forum in which Jewish students talked about the impact of CSG’s and LSA’s one-sided statements condemning Israel,” said Shemer. “However, CSG has not retracted their statement, have not condemned hateful messaging directed toward individuals or Hillel or the Jewish community, and have not condemned the vandalism at the Hillel building. While we were deeply disappointed that there was little recognition how painful their messaging was for Jewish and pro-Israel students, we will continue to encourage them to address issues of antisemitism. “LSA Student Government did pass a resolution condemning the rise in antisem-

U-M Central Campus

“STUDENTS WHO HAVE SHARED THEIR CONCERN FOR ISRAEL HAVE RECEIVED DISRESPECTFUL, MOCKING AND EVEN HATEFUL RESPONSES.” — U-M HILLEL’S TILLY SHEMER

itism and committed their leadership to working with Hillel on programming addressing antisemitism in the future.” After being approached by Hillel for dialogue, CSG member Ashvin Pai in a May 18 publicly released document to the CSG said he disagreed that the pro-Palestinian declaration was causing divisions in the student body as evidenced by many student organizations that signed on in agreement or put out their own statements against Israel. “Make no mistake, the only division that exists on this issue is between those who are sympathetic to a settler colonial, apartheid state and those who are not,” he wrote. Pai said he resented requests from pro-Israel students to learn more about the complexities of the wider Arab/ Israeli conflict by having conversations with other stu-

dents or reading books from a variety of viewpoints on the history of the topic. “Whether intentional or not, these statements act as an active erasure of Palestinian history by insinuating that the lived experiences of Palestinians and of marginalized communities who are in solidarity with Palestine are not as valuable as Western institutionalized knowledge. The history of Palestine is not found in a book or learned in a course.” The JN attempted to contact Pai several times for further comment, but Pai did not respond. Michigan Anti-Defamation League Director Carolyn Normandin Carolyn Normandin said there is “no doubt” that such proclamations put out by student governing bodies on

campuses across the country is causing an uncomfortable and fearful atmosphere for Jewish students. “When you put out statements that co-opt the truth and are inflammatory, there are dangerous consequences,” said Normandin. “Any time somebody says they don’t need to learn about a topic before they talk about a topic, they’re barking up the wrong tree, especially at the university level. “In order to talk about a complex subject such as the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, you need to study it from a wide variety of sources. I find [Pai’s] statement foolish and dangerous.” ALUMNI REACTION Alumna Alexa Smith (Penny Stamps School of Design ’18) said she wants her university to do better when it comes to defining what constitutes continued on page 16 JULY 1 • 2021

OUR COMMUNITY ON THE COVER

continued from page 15

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antisemitism. The best way to “move forward,” is to adapt the International Holocaust Alexa Remembrance Smith Association’s (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, which includes demonizing Israel, she said. In 2018, Smith sat through a mandatory guest lecture presentation that juxtaposed images of Benjamin Netanyahu and Adolf Hitler with the caption “genocide.” “When I was a student, if you called out anything that may seem misleading about Israel, you were frowned upon or even verbally attacked,” said Smith. “I am disappointed that the university did not adapt the IHRA definition as I suggested when I was a student. “They only call out antisemitism by lumping it in with other forms of bigotry. Now, we can see with the rhetoric coming from these student governing bodies, [antisemitism] has gotten worse. The language from the CSG and others are 100% fueling the antisemitism on campus.” WOLVERINES FOR ISRAEL Wolverines for Israel co-president Benjamin Givner said he and other members of his organization reached out to CSG members followBenjamin ing the release of Givner

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their statement for dialogue and reconciliation. “We met with some of the signatories of the statement and tried to explain to them why that statement was problematic because it did not take into consideration the nuances and complexities of the issue,” said Givner, a rising junior studying computer science. “Their response was they had no issue with it; the Palestinians are being oppressed by the apartheid Israeli regime. And I cannot tell you how many times we were told that Hamas is not a terrorist organization.” Givner said that CSG members, including the student representative for the University’s Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, said that in the drafting of their statement, they were only taking into consideration the opinions of Palestinians and “anti-occupation supporting Jewish groups” like IfNotNow and J-Street. “There is an intentional exclusion on [Israelsupporting] Jews on campus that is becoming normalized through these kinds of statements and actions,” said Givner. “But the cowardly acts of hate don’t scare or intimidate us. Jewish and pro-Israel students aren’t going anywhere. “We will only be stronger, prouder and more resilient. In the face of hate, we unify and will continue to fight for Israel. We strive for the peaceful and secure existence of the Jewish state.”

NOMINATE YOUR

HARDWORKING VOLUNTEERS

Volunteering is an important part of Jewish tradition. The Metro Detroit Jewish Community is blessed with individuals, families and organizations who give their time and energy to make the world better. As such, the Detroit Jewish News is excited to announce our first annual

Awards

We will honor a select number of members of our Metro Detroit Jewish community whose volunteer efforts have been instrumental in the success of a program or community initiative.

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN Awardees will receive a special recognition award and be featured in the August 26, 2021, issue of the Detroit Jewish News.

SUBMIT NOMINATIONS ON OUR WEBSITE FROM JULY 1 - JULY 15

WWW.THEJEWISHNEWS.COM

OUR COMMUNITY

Thank You, Gilda!

Jacobs reflects on four decades of public service. BRIAN GOLDSMITH JN INTERN

he Michigan League for Public Policy in Lansing announced that its president and CEO, Gilda Z. Jacobs, will retire at the end of the year after 11 years with the organization and four decades of public service. The League, founded in 1912, is a nonpartisan policy institute dedicated to economic opportunity for all. Jacobs’ lifelong love for public service is deeply rooted in her Jewish values. “Tikkun olam has really driven so much of what I’ve done my whole life, even when I was active in United Synagogue Youth,” she said. “I just believe that the world needed to be righted oftentimes. “I’ve always looked for meaningful ways to contribute to my community,” Jacobs said, “and as I reflect on my career as a special education teacher, an advocate for people with developmental disabilities, a county commissioner, legislator and as a leader at the League, I’m so proud that I can say I’ve always done work that aligns with my values and beliefs. “And now, I’m excited for a new chapter, where I can spend more of my time making that same contribution as a volunteer, an advocate and a grandparent,” said Jacobs, a longtime Huntington Woods resident and member of Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park. Prior to starting at the League in 2011, Jacobs was a state senator for eight years after serving two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, where she made history as the first woman floor leader in either chamber of the legislature. Jacobs also held several positions in local government before heading to the Capitol. She was the first woman elected to the Huntington Woods City Commission, serving 1981-1994, including one year as mayor pro tem. She also served as an Oakland County commissioner 19951998. Throughout her career, Jacobs has mentored and encouraged other women

JULY 1 • 2021

to run for and hold office. “For me to be able to have an opportunity to impact public policy and have a greater change on behalf of people that often didn’t have a voice in the system or in politics is really one of the things that really drove me to do this kind of work,” said Jacobs. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke about her former colleague and friend’s retirement from the League. “I had the honor of serving with and learning from Gilda in the legislature, and the pleasure of working with her and the League on positive policy

take on a stronger advocacy role — fighting more directly for policy changes that help families and workers with low incomes and improve racial equity. She also prioritized the organization’s engagement with people, neighborhoods and communities around the state, creating a community engagement position that is now a three-person department to help make sure community voices are heard and amplified in the League’s work. Under Jacobs’ leadership, the League also expanded its health policy work beyond traditional health services and programs by creating a position focused on the social determinants of health and added additional staff to the League’s Kids Count project to expand efforts to analyze and improve child well-being. Jacobs has won numerous awards for her work and was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 2019. She was named as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan by Crain’s Detroit Business in 2016 and received the Michigan Food Bank Council’s Hunger-Free Award

“GILDA HAS LEFT AN INDELIBLE IMPACT ON … OUR STATE’S POLICY LANDSCAPE.” — GOV. GRETCHEN WHITMER. Gilda Jacobs

improvements over the last three years. “In her 40-plus years of direct public service and public policy advocacy, Gilda has left an indelible impact on the League’s century-plus history and our state’s policy landscape as a whole,” Whitmer said. HEATH CARE ADVOCATE In her time at the League, Jacobs has been instrumental in growing the organization and enhancing its stature and impact. In her 11 years at the helm, the League helped achieve everlasting policy improvements for the people of Michigan. Her vast agenda included establishing and protecting the Healthy Michigan Plan, the state’s Medicaid expansion effort under the Affordable Care Act, and developing a number of positive election reforms to improve voting access. At the organizational level, Jacobs’ leadership has been key in helping the League

in 2015. In 2012, she participated in the Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in the Nonprofit Leadership Program. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and started her professional life as a special education teacher in Madison District Public Schools. Jacobs said she planned her retirement for 2021 and that the pandemic had no bearing on her decision to retire. “I’m at the point now where I really feel that the League is where I want it to be. “I just feel really proud of our accomplishments and what we’re doing,” she said, “and I really believe that change is good — it’s good for individuals, it’s good for organizations. To have somebody come and take the helm and take the League to yet another plateau is a very exciting prospect for me.”

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Congratulates

Lawrence A. Wolfe 2021 Fred M. Butzel Award Recipient THE JEWISH COMMUNIT Y 'S HIGHEST HONOR We look forward to honoring Larry at the Federation Annual Meeting on October 5.

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit United Jewish Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit

Combined Annual Meeting Notice is hereby given that the

Annual Meeting of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit will take place on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 7:30 p.m. The Berman Center for the Performing Arts West Bloomfield, MI 48322

Petition Candidates: Other persons may be nominated for membership on the Board of Governors by petition signed by not less than one hundred (100) members of the Jewish Federation and filed with the Chief Executive Officer not less than 90 days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting. Only one person may be nominated in each petition, and no nominations shall be valid unless the nominee shall have consented to be a candidate in writing in the petition.

Filings should be sent to: Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Steven Ingber, Chief Executive Officer P.O. Box 2030 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-2030

Notice is hereby given that the

Annual Meeting of the United Jewish Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit will take place on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 7:30 p.m. The Berman Center for the Performing Arts West Bloomfield, MI 48322

Petition Candidates: Other persons may be nominated for membership on the Board of Directors by petition signed by not less than twenty-five (25) members of the United Jewish Foundation and filed with the Chief Executive Officer not less than 90 days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting. Only one person may be nominated in each petition, and no nominations shall be valid unless the nominee shall have consented to be a candidate in writing in the petition.

Filings should be sent to: United Jewish Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit Steven Ingber, Chief Executive Officer P.O. Box 2030 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-2030

BY JERRY ZOLYNSKY

OUR COMMUNITY Rabbi Blair Nosanwisch

fter serving several rabbinical intern posts in New York and Connecticut, trying her hand as one of the country’s few schochetet (a female ritual slaughterer) and teaching classes that wove common threads between the transformative nature of studying Torah and pickling food, Rabbi Blair Nosanwisch returns to her Detroit roots. This April, she joined the clergy at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills as its first director of spiritual care. As she prepared to take on her new role, Nosanwisch recalled a moment of “serendipity” that compelled her to take on this type of rabbinical work. About three years ago, she and her husband and life partner, Phreddy Nosanwisch, found themselves needing spiritual care and nurturing as they waited in the hallways at the University of Michigan Hospital. Their two-month infant son Honi had just been brought to the hospital and needed emergency heart surgery. Then, in the fall of 2020, six months into the pandemic, Rabbi Nosanwisch found herself back in the halls of that same hospital, and this time it was she who was doing the nurturing and caring in her pastoral internship as a chaplain. It was her job to provide spiritual care to patients and their families in their most challenging moments in the height of the pandemic. “At that moment [when our son needed surgery], Phreddy and I felt like our eyes were opened,” said Nosanwisch, who this spring completed her

JULY 1 • 2021

Homecoming Rabbi Blair Nosanwisch returns to her Detroit roots. STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

rabbinical training for pastoral care at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City “We were so cared for in a terrifying and traumatic moment in our lives. The hospital had done so much for me and my family. At that moment, in the hospital, it dawned on me. Stripped down from all the spiritual and intellectual components, being a rabbi is all about helping people.” Rabbi Aaron Bergman said Nosanwisch’s skills and training in pastoral care and her empathetic and approachable personality make her a welcoming addition to the Adat Shalom clergy. He said at this time, Nosanwisch’s personal touch will

be most welcome. “As we reemerge from the pandemic, we are moving into a good place,” said Bergman. “There will be those who are eager to come back into the building and those who will want to remain on Zoom for health or mobility reasons. We feel like Rabbi Nosanswisch has the smart sensibility that will help us all as we go into this great unknown.” Nosanwisch finished her rabbinical degree remotely from her parents’ home in Franklin while Phreddy took a position teaching Judaics at Hillel Day School. Honi is now 3 and their daughter Erev Willow is almost 2.

“As young parents, we are still going through our own process in understanding who we are and what traditions and values we want to pass down to our own children,” Nosanwisch said. “Young people have their own culture on how they approach gender and sexuality, and it would be beneficial if parents could support them and give them the space to articulate that. It is a process. “This is the same outlook I have about the study of Torah. Torah to me is a process and not a stagnant text,” she said. “How do we consider all views and give them equal importance? How can we sit with different views emotionally, spiritually and intellectually? How healing is it to young people to know that the way they see society matters? That is what I think about when it comes to the way I want to care for young people.” During the pandemic, Nosanwisch said she yearned for physically being with people in shared spaces, whether in synagogue or in a favorite restaurant. Above all, she misses singing in the same room with others, especially the liturgy of Shabbat services. “A lot of my job at the beginning will have to do with listening,” said Nosanwisch. “During the pandemic, we have all been grappling with so much. Our lives became small as work, family and home became all blended together. “Now, I am excited to learn about the pulse of my new congregation and am eager to see how we can have new experiences, either in person or online, that will make us deeply rooted and feel nurtured as we move forward past the pandemic.”

COURTESY OF MIKE POSNER

COLIN MCANDREWS

On Top of the World!

LEFT: Singer-songwriter Mike Posner, a former Detroiter, and his expedition team reach the top of Mount Everest.

Acclaimed musician summits Mount Everest. ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

cclaimed musician Mike Posner chose climbing Mount Everest in Nepal this year for his next physical challenge after touring part of the U.S. on foot two years ago. After months of preparation, the former Southfield resident and his crew reached the summit of Everest on June 1. “It was humbling to be there,” said Posner of Eagle County, Colo. A graduate of Birmingham Groves High School, as well as Duke University in North Carolina, Posner is an in-demand, alternative/indie composer and recording artist. His first hit in 2009 was “Cooler Than Me.” Taking a break from music in 2019 to “Walk Across America,” as he called his journey, gave the now 33-year-old an opportunity “to find out who I was when I wasn’t Mike Posner, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter.” (“I Took a Pill in Ibiza” earned him a 2017 Grammy nomination.) He also walked in tribute to his late

father, 40-year crimnal defense and civil liberties attorney Jon Posner. His widowed mother is pharmacist Roberta Henrion of Detroit, and his married sister, civil rights attorney Emily Posner, lives in New Orleans. This time around, because Posner wanted his quest “to be about others,” he set a goal of $250,000 for donations to a non-

oxygen and pressure) found at high altitudes. Posner put his trust in Dr. Jon Kedrowski, a Coloradan author, ski-mountaineer and geographer, who’d led four previous Mount Everest expeditions. “Mike said, ‘I want to make sure I deserve to be there,’” Kedrowski said. “He passed everything I set up for him.”

“IT WAS HUMBLING TO BE THERE.” — MIKE POSNER

profit law firm, Detroit Justice Center (gofundme.com/Everest). The DJC mission is to work “alongside communities to create economic opportunities, transform the justice system and promote equitable and just cities.” Though naturally athletic, Posner knew he’d require an expert to conquer the world’s highest mountain. Climbers need weeks to acclimatize and develop an efficient use of oxygen in the thinner air (lower in

40-DAY JOURNEY Posner’s training started in Colorado. Assisting in Nepal were Dawa Chirring and Dawa Dorje, ethnic Sherpas native to the Himalayan mountain region. It typically takes 40 days for the round-trip trek from Mount Everest Base Camp at 17,500 feet above sea level to the mountain’s summit at 29,032 feet. “Climbing Mount Everest was harder than I expected. It

Mike Posner

pushed me to all my limits,” Posner said. Two cyclones coming off the Bay of Bengal tested everyone’s patience. “It can be an emotional rollercoaster going one day from ‘We’re going to climb today,’ to ‘No, you cannot’ — then you have to wait,” said Posner. Reaching the Mount Everest summit, around 4:30 a.m., “the moment was beyond words, and I was overwhelmed with tears,” he said. After 25 minutes on top, watching an “incredible” sunrise, they started descending. Later, in Katmandu, an exhausted Posner said he slept “36 out of those first 48 hours.” “It was a phenomenal journey, and a testament to all the hard work Mike put in,” said Kedrowski. Processing his climb, Posner said, “I feel blessed and grateful that my team helped me get to the summit and having that experience.” His future will include music, “always the deepest and most beautiful part of my life.” JULY 1 • 2021

COURTESY OF PAT BLACKWELL

OUR COMMUNITY

Pat Blackwell of Red Coat Ladies and Jewish Party Maven

Party Maven “Red Coat Lady” Pat Blackwell is adding to her business by training vendors in Jewish customs.

LYNNE KONSTANTIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

he name Pat Blackwell brings to mind one thing in the Metro Detroit Jewish party-planning community: Indispensable. The founder and face of the Red Coat Ladies (named for their iconic, eponymous attire), Blackwell has been running the show for bar and bat mitzvahs and weddings for close to 25 years under the name Party Assurance. From wrangling in unruly tween guests to sewing brides into their dresses last

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minute to ensuring party timelines run without a hitch — so that the party-planning parents can enjoy the event instead of worrying about the details — Blackwell and her team have seen and done it all. “I love that we allow people to enjoy their special moments,” she says. “In a typical four-hour party, how many memories can you create? Do you want your memories to be of yelling in the kitchen because you’re out of french fries? We allow people

to enjoy every second of their events.” Building on her years of experience and impeccable reputation, Blackwell has launched a new business (and donned a new blue blazer): Jewish Party Maven trains and coaches venues and vendors to understand and honor Jewish party traditions. Blackwell comes by recognizing this need intrinsically, as she had to learn everything, too. Raised Catholic on a farm in Minnesota with 10 siblings and prize pigs, she knew nothing of bar mitzvahs. After earning a degree in hotel and restaurant management, she, her husband and their three children landed in Metro Detroit, where she answered an ad for a building manager in charge of events at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. “They called and told me about the job,” Blackwell says. “I

said, ‘Don’t you want someone who is Jewish?’ and they said, ‘no, we want someone who can work on Yom Kippur.’” Her response? “What’s that?” Eleven years later, “after watching people have amazing parties that they didn’t enjoy,” she launched Party Assurance, and now she’s ready to let others in on what she’s learned. With a lapse in parties to work during the pandemic (and having broken her back last June), Blackwell began thinking of ways to help clients in less physically demanding ways. “I’ve always dreamed of a job I can do from anywhere,” Blackwell says, while stressing that Red Coat Ladies is not going away. But Jewish Party Maven is an extra layer to her business. In fact, each Red Coat Lady is required to become certified in the Jewish Party Maven course. “I held a mock

Orthodox wedding for my employees,” Blackwell says. “That was fun.” “Week after week, we at Party Assurance are training vendors to work with Jewish customs. After the ketubah signing, for example, we know that the rabbi is coming back to do the bedekken, but the photographer’s gone because they think they’re done so I’m running after the photographer to come back,” Blackwell says. “The chuppah might be made out of a tallis that the grandfather smuggled out of Europe during the Holocaust — the photographer might think it’s just a piece of fabric. A band leader might take a job not knowing what the hora is. How’s he going to learn it? On Google? Our vendors would do a better job of taking care of our Jewish clients if they really understood the traditions. “A Christian wedding is very different from a Jewish wedding, even in terms of the timeline. When a Jewish wedding takes place at a traditionally non-Jewish venue, like Oakland Hills Country Club, it’s important for the vendors to create a Jewish-style timeline. And there are so many mixed marriages now that I work with a lot of vendors on behalf of Jewish families to teach these Jewish traditions.” SHARING KNOWLEDGE Although Blackwell has learned much on the job, she’s read a lot on the subject, too. “I’m a researcher at heart, and I love to learn. I love this whole Jewish world and what it represents, the history of it, and I want to promote an understanding of it any way that I can.” Blackwell and her Jewish Party Maven team can benefit salespeople, caterers, photographers, videographers, venues, DJs, bands, decorators and planners, florists and more —

anyone who is involved in the traditions of weddings or b’nai mitzvah. A recent party that Blackwell worked at was celebrating a student who attends Hillel Day School, which encourages families to hold kosher-style events. “The parents asked the caterer for dairy, but the chef translated this to meaning no meat and made a soup with chicken stock,” she explains. “He had no idea he had made this mistake.” Blackwell launched Jewish Party Maven on Jan. 1, 2021, and built it during COVID, starting with a weekly podcast, Book More Jewish Weddings with Pat Blackwell. (Her data says that 22 percent of listeners are from France and Bavaria — “I have no idea how they heard about it!” she says.) Each podcast focuses on a specific topic or word, like tallit or Mazel Tov. She’ll also offer courses, which will launch in August, and workshops, which anyone can sign up for, and plans to have digital offerings, too, in which attendees can become certified. She’s been approached by her own clients, who’ve wanted their own vendors to go through training with her company. And she was hired by the brand-new Daxton Hotel in Birmingham, as they haven’t worked with many Jewish weddings yet. She also recently held a workshop at Knollwood Country Club. “Some of their chef team came, plus their servers and management team,” Blackwell says. “They know a lot, but they don’t necessarily understand the customs. And there’s lots of turnover of staff. “They take it seriously because they want their staff to take good care of their clients.” For more about Jewish Party Maven, visit jewishpartymaven.com.

JARC Teen Action Council

JARC Teen Council Wins $4,000 Grant DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

he JARC Teen Action Council was awarded a $4,000 grant from the Stephen H. Schulman Millennium Fund for Jewish Youth. The funding will cover the second term of the Teen Action Council program from September 2021 through June 2022 and will be used for the program’s educational component. “What we’re able to do with the grant is formalize the leadership education component,” said Shaindle Braunstein, JARC CEO. “Bringing in training around leadership development and working with persons with developmental disabilities and bringing in speakers around advocacy work — all with the goal to grow this into something that helps the youth take these skills into their future as adults.” Braunstein says what makes the grant unique is that it directly helps the teens help others. “This spreads our message and mission, introduces our local youth to JARC and creates ambassadors in the community who can go out and say, ‘this is what inclusion means, this is what it means to be a person with a disability, and this is how I can be an ally and advocate,’” Braunstein said. “To have the opportunity to provide vibrant programming for youth is something we’re really excited about.”

Through JARC’s Teen Action Council, local high schoolers can learn through service. The council allows teens to connect with peers, engage with the people JARC serves, learn important leadership and relationship skills, and learn about developmental disabilities and the importance of inclusion in the community. Students active in the council agree to a one-year term with an option for a second year. Members are asked to attend seven out of 10 monthly hourlong meetings, which to date have been virtual. Members are asked to plan one large group project together (this term, group made Chanukah Care Packages for persons served in JARC’s Independent Living Services program). They are also responsible for creating a virtual activity for JARC persons served, which has included tote bag decorating, virtual game night and an outdoor scavenger hunt. All Metro Detroit youth are encouraged to apply. “I always want to tell people that with JARC, we have room at our table for everyone, and we want the entire community involved in our mission,” Braunstein said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for teens. If you’re someone who wants to be involved with JARC, we want you here, and there’s always a place for you.” JULY 1 • 2021

OUR COMMUNITY

JULY 1 • 2021

Samantha Merecki at a rally she held this year.

‘End Jew Hatred’ Macomb County teen is dedicated to stopping antisemitism. ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

culture, one in Detroit’s Hart Plaza and the other on Hall Road in Shelby Township. The teenager says the rallies garnered mostly positive response, with a handful of comments opposing the movement. WORKING HARDER A recent spike in antisemitism due to last month’s Israeli-Hamas conflict has encouraged Merecki to work even harder. She’s personally witnessed an alarming rise of antisemitic statements, particularly on social media. “I’ve lost many friends from the conflict,” Merecki explains. “People say stuff like, ‘I’m part of the reason [the conflict] is happening because I support Israel, that I’m part of the reason kids are being killed.” Other individuals, she continues, have told her that “Zionists are the root of all evil” and that “Zionists are the reason Satan exists.” Alarmed by these statements, Merecki believes there could be better education about Jewish culture, traditions and history. “Usually, people who would normally care about Jewish people are the same ones that are replacing the word ‘Jew’ with ‘Zionist,’” she explains of the words being interchanged. “They talk about Jews controlling the media and controlling the banks.” Even though Merecki has been told that

“she’s a child killer,” she “needs to die” and has been called a handful of Jewish slurs and derogatory words, the antisemitism inspires her to work harder on her mission. She takes to social media to help educate people about Judaism and Israel and continues to work with End Jew Hatred to reduce the growing antisemitism. “I wish people understood that Jews have been kicked out of so many countries,” Merecki says of one lesson she hopes to teach. “We have such a rich history in Israel, but people always assume Jews are European, that they come from Europe. Judaism was born in the Middle East.” Merecki believes young people like her have an important role to play in reducing antisemitism. “Social media has a huge impact,” she says. “I’ve actually taught a lot of people about Jewish history and culture through TikTok. People are getting really interested in learning about Judaism.” The teenager explains that social media is a great outlet to help educate people and that more young individuals like herself can take advantage of it as a tool for communication and outreach. “I’ve been posting more about Judaism and everything that’s beautiful about it,” Merecki says, “and the comments are just filled with horrible stuff. I want to find a way to put a stop to that.”

COURTESY OF SAMANTHA MERECKI

wo years ago, Samantha Merecki, a student at L’Anse Creuse High School-North in Macomb Township, was scrolling through Instagram. Samantha, who is Jewish, stopped at a post about a synagogue being vandalized and realized antisemitism was still rampant, despite it being many decades since the Holocaust occurred. Then, she saw a post about a synagogue holding a drill to teach people what to do in the event of a mass shooting or other terrorist attack. “When you think about antisemitism, you think about the 1940s and everything that happened then,” explains the 16-yearold resident of Macomb Township, in central Macomb County. “It’s crazy to think that hatred is still around.” Motivated by what she saw on social media, Merecki decided there was much work to be done in helping to erase antisemitism and to teach people about Jewish culture and history. She began look for an organization to partner with, Merecki discovered End Jew Hatred, a grassroots movement that aims to liberate Jewish people from oppression and discrimination. “I thought they were perfect,” she says of the group. “So, I contacted them and asked about rallies, events and protests.” Merecki says End Jew Hatred “welcomed her with open arms,” which encouraged her to collaborate with the national organization to develop a local chapter. Approximately 3,400 people of Macomb County’s nearly 900,000 residents are Jewish, far fewer than the estimated 50,000 Jews who reside among the 1.3 million in neighboring Oakland County. It has had its share of antisemitism, though, according to the ADL. In June 2019, three middle school students drew chalk swastikas outside a Warren elementary school. In August 2018, Warren police arrested a teenage boy who painted racist graffiti, including swastikas, on fences in Warren. While the local chapter of End Jew Hatred is still growing with only a handful of members, Merecki hopes to build it out and inspire other people to join the movement. She’s held two rallies supporting Jewish

COURTESY OF MIKE MALOWITZ

At the Border

Mike Malowitz and his granddaughter Lilah

After a year of border closure, Detroit and Windsor residents hope for reopening. ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

he ongoing border closure between the U.S. and Canada continues to impact Jewish communities in both countries. These effects are felt especially hard in Windsor and Detroit, where Jewish life is often intertwined with families living on both sides of the border and Metro Detroit residents attending school in Windsor and vice-versa. Since March 2020, the border has been closed to nonessential travel due to the COVID-19 crisis. Over the past 15 months, Jewish residents of Metro Detroit and Windsor have struggled with the restrictions. With the border closure extended until July 21, rumors about a possible border reopening in the coming weeks or months, Jewish individuals are hopeful that life can soon resume as it once was. “Windsor is a border city that is intrinsically linked to our neighbors across the river in Detroit, Michigan,” the Windsor Jewish Federation & Community Centre said in a statement. “Since March 2020, our province’s residents, including members of the Windsor Jewish community, have suffered untold mental, financial and educational hardship due to ongoing COVID-19 related lockdowns, the aftereffects of which will reverberate for many years to come.” Dr. Mike Malowitz, president of the federation and community center, has personally felt the impacts of the ongoing border closure. He hasn’t been

able to see his granddaughter in months, who lives across the border. “The pleasure of picking up our granddaughter at school, taking her to gymnastics class and watching her perform her exercises is now gone,” he explains. Malowitz’s family, like many others living on both sides of the border, haven’t been able to celebrate Passover, Shabbat dinners, birthdays, Chanukah and other events together. While they’ve turned to virtual get-togethers, Malowitz says electronics can’t replace the in-person interactions of special occasions. “These events were taken away,” he says, “and reduced to seeing family on a Zoom square on the computer screen.” Malowitz says one of the toughest hurdles to overcome within the Jewish community is the emotional pain caused by not being able to attend funerals in person. “Family members were not allowed to cross the border to attend the funerals of loved ones and were reduced to watching the proceedings by Zoom since the number of attendees was limited by quarantine rules,” he says. “The comfort of family and friends provided by the shivah period cannot be replaced by prayers on a Zoom screen.” Bar and bat mitzvahs, Malowitz adds, were also significantly impacted by the border closure. For these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, some families could not attend the services of loved ones living across the

“IT IS HOPED THAT BOTH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY FUNCTIONS WILL ONCE AGAIN RESUME.” — DR. MIKE MALOWITZ

border, while other families had to forego the events altogether, postponed for a later date. “The joys of simchahs such as bar and bat mitzvahs have been challenged by the in-person limits imposed by safety rules,” Malowitz describes. UPCOMING BREAK? However, Jewish residents in Metro Detroit and Windsor may have good news to look forward to soon as talks between the U.S. and Canadian governments continue. There are also efforts to get more Windsor residents vaccinated with surplus COVID-19 vaccines from Michigan, which lawmakers hope can be done at the border without the need

to leave one’s car or quarantine upon return. Currently, Canada has a strict 14-day quarantine policy for unvaccinated residents who are exempt from the border closure. The country is now in the process of easing restrictions on vaccinated residents as well. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is also pushing in favor of receiving surplus vaccines from Michigan with a new proposal. “As the protection from vaccinations increases and the number of COVID cases continues to decline, it is hoped that both family and community functions will once again resume,” Malowitz says, “so that life can begin with a familiar degree of normalcy.” JULY 1 • 2021

PHOTOS COURTESY KEITH FAMIE

OUR COMMUNITY

Ruth Daniels, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, addresses the students along with Shoah Ambassadors Hailey Callahan, 23, and Curtis Bates, 20.

Teaching the Shoah

able to introduce Yad Vashem in the film and, of course, having Hailey and Curtis there as ambassadors and the students as well was icing on the cake.”

High schoolers take virtual tour of Yad Vashem.

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

JULY 1 • 2021

the event will be featured in Famie’s film. Along with the ambassadors viewing the presentation, 32 students from two nearby high schools, Novi High and Walled Lake Northern, were able to sit in the theater and experience the tour as well. The documentary film is focused on educating the youth on the horrors and atrocities of the Holocaust. The students were able to interact with Yad Vashem and ask the tour guides questions during the presentation. When the tour was over, the students took part in a Q&A with Callahan and Bates to learn more about their experience with the film.

Also at the end, Ruth Daniels, managing partner of the Maple Theater, spoke to the students about her father who was a Holocaust survivor, and was able to stand as a personal testimony for the students to ask questions about his experience. Film director Famie believes that while COVID created havoc in everyone’s lives, there are silver linings to the pandemic. “It taught us about Zoom and how to use it,” he said. “Utilizing Zoom to create this dialogue and narrative, and at the same time having high-quality production cameras on both sides, we were

STUDENTS’ REACTIONS The students were listening to the subject matter closely and asking insightful questions. There seemed to be a consensus at the event that the film’s approach, telling the story of the Holocaust through youth and the ambassadors’ artistic talents, is one that may indeed At the theater were 32 students and film director Keith Famie (last on right).

PHOTOS COURTESY KEITH FAMIE

roduction on Keith Famie’s Shoah Ambassadors Holocaust documentary film continued on June 23, as high school students, guests and the two young Shoah Ambassadors themselves took part in a virtual Yad Vashem experience. At the Emagine Theatre in Novi, ambassadors Hailey Callahan, 23, and Curtis Bates, 20, sat in the theater with a camera crew filming their experience while designated hosts at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Rememberance Center in Jerusalem, virtually walked them through the museum and the events of the Holocaust. A portion of

resonate with the younger generation. “It’s a much better way, it might be the only way,” said Kevin Wang, a 16-year-old Novi High School student. “Especially Curtis, I loved his song and would definitely listen to it outside of this event, at home while I’m studying or something. The way his lyrics are worded gives an accurate depiction of what actually happened, and it’s not just random words thrown together, so it’s really cool.” Paul Glantz, founder and chairman of Emagine Novi, believes being able to serve the community with important cultural opportunities such as this one is critically important to their mission. “That’s what I think this event represents, it’s a way to become more familiar with the Holocaust as well as a way to bring in students to share knowledge,” Glantz said. “Knowledge will guide behavior going forward and it’s important we learn from the past and, if we do that, then hopefully we will avoid such tragedies in the future.” SUPPORT FOR FILM In attendance was Frances Rose, daughter of local businessman Warren Rose, who along with her family is helping finance the film and serve as executive producers. Rose’s confidence in the project began when hearing what would set the film apart.

“There are Holocaust documentaries all over the place now, but I thought, OK, maybe Keith Famie can bring something different to the table and take a different approach — and he is,” Rose said. Hearing statistics of how many young people didn’t know about the Holocaust, Rose said it was eye-opening, which is why supporting the film was so important to her. “What I want these kids to learn is this is what a genocide looks like, and I don’t want them to just learn about the Holocaust on its own, I want them to be able to recognize the warning signs of a genocide, that it can take many forms,” Rose said. “I want them to be trained to have a good eye and an ear that will let them know if something like this is going to happen again, you have to do something to stop it and step up.” Rose believes the topic is personal for her family, having lost family in the Holocaust with no survivors, and not knowing exactly where or how they died. “We don’t have a lot of closure, but one thing I can take solace in is doing things like this and saying, ‘okay, I’m not going to let what happened to my family happen again, not just to other Jewish people, but to other marginalized or persecuted groups around the world.’”

Outdoors on the grounds of the Berman Center for the Performing Arts 6600 W Maple Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48322

For years, this fun, family-friendly, Tony Award-winning musical has charmed audiences across the country with its wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny story and fresh and vibrant score, this bee is unforgettable!

For ticket info and sales, visit nicelytheatre.org or call or text the Berman box office at (248) 406-6677. JULY 1 • 2021

OUR COMMUNITY

Rescued Food Beth Ahm volunteers prepare dinner for Detroit’s Brightmoor community.

TOP: Beth Ahm Tikkun Olam volunteers Sharona Shapiro and Howard Dembs look over the rescued food with Chad Techner (center). LOWER LEFT: Project chair Debra Darvick is one of the cooks. LOWER RIGHT: The Beth Ahm team of Cathy Lichtman, Sharona Shapiro, Julie Englender, Bob Levine, Debi King, Tim Zwickl and Debra Darvick assist Chad Techner.

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

s Congregation Beth Ahm’s project chair Debra Darvick fittingly stated, this was a situation where “too many cooks do not spoil the sauce.” The situation was an inspiring one — Metro Food Rescue, a local food rescue and redistribution organization, held a batch cooking event at Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield on June 22, before taking the cooked meals to City Covenant Church in the Brightmoor neighborhood of Detroit. Chad Techner, founder of Metro Food Rescue, partnered with Beth Ahm’s Tikkun Olam/ Social Action Team to make the event happen, with the help of about 10 volunteers. The rescued food included plant-based kosher sausages, tomato sauce and vegetables, along with garlic bread to be served with the main course. “We’re going to be taking it and making pasta that’s going to be served at the church, which serves approximately 150 people five days a week, and this is going to be the meal they serve tonight,” Techner said. Techner said the food they rescued to cook with came from a combination of places, including Sam’s Club and multiple pantries. Last year, Metro Food Rescue was able to save over

JULY 1 • 2021

600,000 pounds of food directed to landfill and redistribute it to community organizations in need. The organization rescues food five days a week at this point. Metro Food Rescue’s regular efforts include dropping off about 2,000 pounds of produce and 400 loaves of bread to Temple Israel’s food pantry on weeks they distribute, and supplying 100% of the food that the Temple Kol Ami pantry gives out each week. “I find it unconscionable that we waste 40% of the food in this country and people are

going hungry at the same time,” Techner said. “It feels amazing to be a part of the solution.” Metro Food Rescue partnered with Hazon from its inception in early 2020, with Hazon playing an integral role in getting them to where they currently are. As of April, though, Metro Food Rescue has been a stand-alone organization, which Techner says was a long-term goal. “Things have evolved quite a bit,” Techner said. “Hazon is still helpful in an advisory role, and we are so fortunate to have had their partnership from the

beginning to get where we are.” David Goodman, Beth Ahm’s executive director, said the congregation was thrilled to take part in a project like this. After a year of virtual mania, Goodman was especially happy to see an event helping others taking place in person. “So much of what we do as a congregation is predicated on relationships and human interaction, something which is lacking over Zoom,” Goodman said. “So, to have people come back for a program like this, it’s extra special.”

‘Zeyer Gut!’

JSL resident does a “very good” job teaching Yiddish to her neighbors. DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

hirley Benyas, 93, a resident of Jewish Senior Life’s Meer Apartments in West Bloomfield for the past six years, has been teaching a Yiddish class for other Meer residents for nearly two months. Benyas learned to read, write and speak Yiddish through an afterschool program from the time she was 8 years old until her first year in college. She was also a Detroit Public Schools teacher for nearly 40 years. The class takes place once a week, on Thursdays at 3 p.m. Before Meer residents were allowed to congregate in the main halls and take part

in in-person activities again, activities and programs took place over the building intercom. “At one point, there was a singer who

MYRIAM COHEN, MEER PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Shirley Benyas enjoys teaching Yiddish at Meer apartments.

was doing some Yiddish songs, and someone asked, ‘what does it mean?’ They didn’t know the translations to the songs,” Benyas said. “At the same time, there’s a woman here who was doing a class on making Hebrew readings easy, and I thought if they’re doing Hebrew, why can’t we do Yiddish?” The class consists of many residents who heard Yiddish being spoken by their parents growing up, remembering certain things and wanting to know the meanings and to learn more of the language. There are also some in the class who have never heard the language. “There was one woman who never heard any Yiddish because her parents came from Hungary and it was never spoken there, and she has come a tremendously long way,” Benyas said. The class has translated songs they’re familiar with, translated idioms, menus and foods they could order, read stories in Yiddish like fairytales and read poems in Yiddish such as Shakespeare. Benyas has also told the class about the history of the Yiddish language and how it came about, which she believes is very important. A recent class assignment saw the attendees trying to tell a little bit of their life story in Yiddish in four or five sentences. “It’s an experiment for the other people and an experiment for me, because I had never taught this as a language,” Benyas said. “Each week, we try to do something a little bit different, and those who come seem to like it very much.” Benyas said one woman who attends the class is 100 years old, and she describes her as very bright. Benyas’ “students” are eager to continue learning. “I get a kick out of it when they pick up the things we’ve talked about,” Benyas said. “If they understand a little bit and they get a few more words and they can use them, that’s great.”

Yiddish class with Helen Siegel, teacher Shirley Benyas, Anita Cywiak and Eleanor Smith. JULY 1 • 2021

FLORIDA DISASTER

Searching for Victims

Jewish community and Israel respond to condo collapse.

FAYGIE HOLT JNS

The collapsed portion of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Fla.

MIAMI-DADE FIRE RESCUE/TWITTER/JNS

hile the wait continues for word on those missing after Champlain Towers South, a condominium in the heavily Jewish area of Surfside, Fla., partially collapsed on June 24, area Jewish groups stepped in to offer support to the community and to family members who have arrived to the area seeking news. As of Monday morning, nine people had been confirmed dead, and the number of people unaccounted for had risen to 150, after 55 of the 130-plus units collapsed without warning. The missing include citizens of other countries and residents of other cities. Israel Consul General to Miami Maor Elbaz-Starinsky posted on Twitter before dawn on Friday: “We arrived at the scene 24 hours ago and haven’t left since. The team of

JULY 1 • 2021

@IsraelinMiami is doing its utmost to help the community, the authorities and the families.” Earlier, he had posted a tweet saying, “We are stronger together. We’ll be around as long as it takes, supporting and in solidarity with this amazing community and people. Our friendship is solid and everlasting.” Starinsky also put up photos of himself with members of Hatzalah of South Florida, the Jewish volunteer emergency-services organization that has been on seen since word got out that the building collapsed. President Joe Biden made an emergency declaration on Friday giving FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security the power to coordinate disaster-relief efforts. He also spoke with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who said that the he and the White House are “step-

ping up to help people who are in need.” Hatzalah is currently mandating a shift schedule to allow its members to get some rest. “A lot of our people devote themselves to the community, and if we don’t limit their shift, they will work day and night,” said Andre Roitman, a Hatzalah of South Florida’s coordinator. “We have 70 members in South Florida and are maintaining eight to 10 members at night and 20 to 25 responders during the day.” Roitman, who himself had been working 20 straight hours and has a missing friend in the building, said Hatzalah’s role has evolved over the last day and half, divided by phases. In phase one — in the immediate aftermath of the collapse, as people were being removed from the building — they were triaging and providing medical care.

Phase two the next morning had Hatzalah treating or referring people who were evacuated from nearby buildings; some were complaining they had missed their daily medicine or were not otherwise feeling well. They are now in phase three, said Roitman, with members divided — some on site and others stationed at the family reunification site, treating people there. “As the anxiety goes up and family members crowd into the center, you see people who are fainting, having chest pains or dizziness,” he said. “Patient care is focused not only on medical side, but the mental and psychological well-being of the family members.” AIDING RESPONDERS The Jewish Federation of Greater Miami and its partner organizations, Jewish Community

ISRAELI CONSUL-GENERAL MIAMI/TWITTER/JNS GIORGIO VIERA/ AFP/TIMES OF ISRAEL

Services of South Florida and Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support, are providing financial assistance, chaplaincy support, crisis counseling and social services to people impacted by the tragedy. They have established a fund to help with expenses, and Jewish federations elsewhere have been sharing that link with their members. The Young Israel of Bal Harbour and The Shul of Bal Harbour were serving as collection sites for much-needed supplies for the families of those missing and for people who have been displaced. Because of the massive outpouring of support, they are no longer collecting specific items, though emergency funds are being raised to help with financial needs. More than a dozen kosher restaurants in the area have been delivering meals for the emergency personnel, volunteers and relocated families, as well as to the family reunification center. While much focus has been placed on ways people can help those most affected by the disaster — donating to various charities set up to the help the victims, praying, reaching out to friends and family who may be impacted — Chai Lifeline points out that people also have to check in with their own family, particularly how children are handling the news, even if they don’t live anywhere near Surfside and are not directly connected to events there. “When crises strike, it’s only natural to react with feelings of fear, confusion and helplessness,” said Chai Lifeline CEO Rabbi Simcha Scholar. “Addressing the worries of our children can be a particular challenge, but it’s critical that we provide them with accurate information alongside a sense of real security and ample space to express their feelings.” To that end, Chai Lifeline’s Project Chai is making available

TOP: Israeli Consul-General of Miami Maor Elbaz Starinsky speaking with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 25. BOTTOM: An IDF searchand-rescue team arrives at the site of the deadly high-rise residential building collapse in Surfside, Fla.

tips and guidelines on “Helping Friends and Family in Times of Loss” and“How to Talk With Children During a Crisis.” The Project Chai Crisis Intervention Team also has a 24-hour crisis hotline for people directly impacted by the collapse. JEWISH SUPPORT Additionally, Jewish groups have been expressing general sentiments of support to those on the frontlines. “As an organization dedicated to healing the world, Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America Inc., sends its support and sympathy to the families impacted by the tragic condominium collapse in Surfside, Miami,” said Hadassah’s national president Rhoda Smolow and executive director/ CEO Janice Weinman in a joint statement. “Our prayers go to those missing with the hope that they will be rescued quickly, and to those injured, we extend our

hope for a speedy recovery. Our sincerest condolences to those who have lost loved ones. May their memory be for a blessing!” Agudath Israel of America noted that “this is a time for achdus [‘unity’] and tefillah [‘prayer’] for the safety of those still trapped. Our hearts go out for those lost, injured and for those still awaiting news of their relatives’ status.” The organization also included a listing of missing individuals and a request for people to pray for them. Agudath’s South Florida director, Rabbi Moshe Matz, added, “Our office has fielded many calls of concerned family members and friends searching for information about their loved ones, for guidance and for support. The pain and fear is heartbreaking, and we share in their sorrow. As the hours and days ahead continue to bring many challenges and show the significant needs that will need to be met for the survivors and

their families, we must remain engaged and focused.” In its statement, the National Council of Young Israel said, “We hope and pray that the dedicated first responders at the scene are able to locate additional survivors, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to those families who have sadly lost loved ones. The Jewish community has endured far too many calamities over the past year, and we encourage everyone to engage in prayer and perform acts of benevolence with the hope that we will be spared from any further hardship. “We urge people to give what they can to those individuals and families whose lives have been impacted by this horrible catastrophe,” the statement continued. “They need our love and support, and it behooves all of us to be there for them.” ISRAELI AID Israel has sent an elite IDF engineering team to Florida to help in recovery efforts. The delegation will assist in rescue efforts by mapping out the disaster site, identifying victims and survivors, and supporting local rescue forces, the military said in a statement. The delegation is being led by Col. (res.) Golan Vach, commander of the National Rescue Unit in the IDF Home Front Command, and includes Foreign Ministry representative Guy Giladi, Israel’s former Deputy Consul General in Miami. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday evening, conveying condolences on behalf of the Israeli public. Israel stands by the U.S. at this difficult time, said Bennett, adding that everyone is praying for the well-being of the wounded. The premier added that he had instructed all Israeli government agencies to render whatever assistance may be requested. JULY 1 • 2021

KAREN GORDON

SPORTS

Surprise: There will be JCC Maccabi Games! T

here will be a JCC Maccabi Games in 2021. It won’t look like a traditional Maccabi Games, and the event was organized far more quickly than normal. But nobody is complaining after the Maccabi Games were canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it appeared the same thing would happen in 2021. Here’s the best news for local Jewish teens: Detroit athletes have been invited to participate in the 2021 Maccabi Games. Barshop JCC of San Antonio, Texas, is hosting the Texas JCC Maccabi Regional Games from Aug. 8-10. The JCC Association of North America opened the event in mid-June to athletes from across the country because there’s room, COVID restrictions have eased and vaccinations for teens have become more available. Detroit Maccabi delegation heads Karen Gordon and Franci

JULY 1 • 2021

Detroit teen athletes are invited to regional event in San Antonio. STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER TOP: Participants in the JCC Maccabi Games & ArtsFest in Detroit in 2019 filled a blank wall at the closing party with thoughts on what Maccabi means to them.

Silver are scrambling to get the word out about the Texas Maccabi Games to prospective Detroit athletes, sending emails to past Detroit Maccabi athletes and posting information on Facebook. Gordon said about six prospective Detroit Maccabi athletes responded initially. Those interested should send her an email as soon as possible at

karengordon44@icloud.com. For Gordon, who has been involved in the Maccabi Games in multiple capacities since 1986, news that Detroit athletes could participate in the Texas Maccabi Games was a very pleasant surprise. “It was super last-minute, but I’ll be thrilled if only one kid from Detroit gets to have a Maccabi experience,” Gordon

said. “At least something is happening this summer. The Maccabi Games are still in people’s minds. It’s still relevant; it’s still happening.” About 100-150 athletes are expected to participate in the Texas Maccabi Games. The athletes won’t stay with host families. They’ll spend two nights in the same hotel. Five sports are offered. They are tennis, golf, swimming, 3 vs. 3 soccer and 3 vs. 3 basketball. Soccer and basketball teams from different delegations will be put together if needed. Those are the sports that need the most athletes. MACCABI EXPERIENCE In addition to the sports competitions, there will be a Maccabi Games experience of social events, hang time and JCC Cares community service work in Texas. “This will be more of a

Maccabi Games experience than sports competitions because of the limited number of sports, but that’s fine because the experience is a very important part of the Maccabi Games,” Gordon said. Out-of-town athletes must pay for their transportation to San Antonio and hotel stay, which is about $150 per room per night. Each room can have up to three people. The JCC Association of North America will cover uniforms and other ground costs. Neither Gordon nor Silver can attend the Texas Maccabi Games because of family commitments, but Gordon said arrangements are being made for Detroit to have a delegation head. “Franci and I will take care of all the logistics on our local end,” Gordon said. This is not the first time San Antonio has hosted a Maccabi Games. It also was a host in

hundred kids, or Columbus can host 500 or 600. “Not everyone can commit to hosting 2,500 kids.” The Maccabi Games began in 1982 when Memphis, Tenn., was the lone site. There were multiple sites annually starting in 1989. Last year’s cancellation was the first ever. San Diego, Calif., and Pace University in Westchester, N.Y., were supposed to be the hosts in August 2020. About 70-75 Detroit athletes and artists were expected to participate last year in the Maccabi Games and ArtsFest. The cancellation was disappointing, but not unexpected. “Am I surprised? Not at all,” Gordon told the Jewish News after the JCC Association of North America announced the cancellation March 25, 2020, in an email to delegation heads and asked the delegation heads to relay the word to their communities.

“AT LEAST SOMETHING IS HAPPENING THIS SUMMER.” — MACCABI GAMES SUPPORTER KAREN GORDON

2005 and 2009. Having a regional Maccabi Games is a throwback to the early days of the annual Olympic-style competition for Jewish teens ages 13-16 that has grown to feature large sites and athletes from across the world. The Texas Maccabi Games also may be a harbinger of things to come against the backdrop of a worldwide pandemic. And perhaps a positive development, Gordon said. “If we go back to having regional events, maybe more JCC’s can get hosting experience,” Gordon said. “Toledo or Akron could host a couple

“There’s so much uncertainty in the world right now, and many JCC’s are closed,” Gordon said after the cancellation announcement. “It takes a lot of work to put on the Maccabi Games, and this is an important time of the year for planning and preparation.” Detroit has hosted the Maccabi Games six times since 1984 — when it was the only site — and most recently in 2019, when Atlanta also hosted. No community has hosted the Maccabi Games more often than Detroit. Please send sports news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.

NATION

House Dems Seek Shift in Israel Policy RON KAMPEAS JTA

letter from 73 Democrats in the U.S. House, including several leaders, urged President Joe Biden to reverse what they call the Trump administration’s “abandonment of longstanding, bipartisan United States policy” on Israeli-Palestinian relations. The June 23 letter calls for Biden to firmly consider Israeli settlements illegal and the West Bank occupied, two things the Trump administration stated that it would no longer do. “Make clear that the United States considers settlements to be inconsistent with international law by reissuing relevant State Department and U.S. customs guidance to that effect,” the letter states. It also pushes for all “relevant official U.S. documents and communications” to “once again consistently refer to the status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip as occupied.” The letter’s signatories include seven committee chairs, among them Reps. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., who leads the powerful Appropriations Committee, and John Yarmuth, D-Ky., who heads the Budget Committee, as well as the assistant Speaker of the House, Rep. Katherine Clarke of Massachusetts. Seven Jewish Democrats signed the letter, including Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., who initiated it. Amon the others are Reps. Andy Levin of Michigan, Alan Lowenthal of California, Sara Jacobs of California and Steve Cohen, of Tennessee. Donald Trump changed decades of U.S. policy in the region by recognizing the right of Israel to annex parts of the West Bank, in addition to agreeing to Israel’s claim to the Golan Heights and moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. Biden officials have been reluctant

to openly criticize Israel, preferring to keep differences behind closed doors. During last month’s conflict, he rejected calls from the party’s left to leverage assistance to Israel to pressure it to end the conflict. In a vague but significant line, the letter calls for Biden to “consistently” condemn in public statements any “specific actions that violate the rights of either party or undermine the prospects for peace.” Open airing of differences is a practice Israeli leaders and the mainstream pro-Israel community adamantly rejects. But Biden favors some of the eight specific recommendations in the letter, including a resumption of sending aid to the Palestinians and reopening a separate consulate in Jerusalem for Palestinian relations. The letter also calls on Biden to abandon Trump’s peace plan, which envisioned Israeli annexation of portions of the West Bank. It also urges him to pressure Israel to stop the planned eviction of Palestinian families from eastern Jerusalem. The document reflects growing calls among Democrats to take a tougher stance with Israel, mounting against Biden’s continued closeness to the state. The letter also comes as Israel’s new government, led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, seeks to repair relations with Democrats eroded under former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Notably, three progressive “Squad” members did not sign: Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Cori Bush of Missouri. The letter emphasizes support for the two-state outcome, something that Tlaib rejects, favoring a binational state. JULY 1 • 2021

ERETZ

MEET THE OLIM

Rachel Lichtenstein

Native Israeli brought her family to her homeland.

ach month, we’ll feature a Metro Detroiter who has made aliyah.

Q: Tell me about your life in Detroit and what your connection was to Israel. Rachel Lichtenstein: I was born in Israel, but I was raised in Detroit from the age of 3. I went to Thompson Junior High [Southfield] and Vandenberg Elementary [Detroit]. Although I was raised in Detroit, I used to come back Moshe and Rachel Lichtenstein and forth to Israel all the time. I enlisted in the Israeli army Beth Tefilo Emanuel Tikvah in when I was 18, and I served for two Southfield. We lived two blocks from years. It was an amazing experience, my parents and across the street from and that was the beginning of my my brother. It was a good life. finding religion. My father had become religious prior to that, and I had wanted Q: What finally prompted your aliyah nothing to do with it. But being in the and what was it like? army gave me a sense of something RL: I had always yearned to be here. bigger than myself, and when I finished It had always been a goal of mine, and it the army after two years, my first took 12 years of convincing my husband college experience was at Tel Aviv to finally get him on board. I started University. the process of aliyah even before my Then, I went back to the States and husband agreed. worked for National Conference of My kids were automatically Israeli Synagogue Youth (NCSY) and started because I was born here, so I got them going to Oakland County Community all their Israeli passports, and I had College and Wayne State. I came back already applied for aliyah with the to Israel and went to seminary for a consulate in Chicago. Then one day, year, then I went back to Detroit and out of the blue, my husband said, “I’m met my husband, Moshe. We lived in ready to give Israel a try.” The minute Israel for two years and then we went he said he was ready, I said, “Hold back to Detroit for 12 years before we that thought.” I called the consulate made aliyah. in Chicago and said, “Okay, process!” In those 12 years that we were in Within nine months, we were here. Detroit, I had six boys. All of them went We made aliyah on the first Nefesh to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah. My husband B’Nefesh flight of 2002, so it will be 19 was a board member of Congregation years this August.

JULY 1 • 2021

COURTESY OF THE LICHTENSTEINS

AVIVA ZACKS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

My husband and I came with our seven boys, and I was pregnant with my daughter. We settled in Ramat Beit Shemesh and rented two different apartments until we bought our home. I have not once regretted that decision. I feel we are living the life that Hashem expected of us to live.

Q What have you been doing beside raising your family here in Israel? RL: I had a playgroup in my house for a number of years. During that time, I also went back and took a course to become a life coach. Because I had been an advocate for olim and helped them with bureaucracy, I became a life coach for olim and for at-risk youth. At the time that I took the course to become a life coach, I also opened a ceramic studio with a friend, and we were in business for about a year. My husband has been working for a wills and estates company here in Israel for more than 10 years. We have four married kids and soon-to-be seven grandchildren, and my parents live near me now. Q: What do you miss about Detroit? RL: The people — whether it’s family or the few close friends that I’m still in touch with today, even though I don’t see them. That is the only thing I really miss. Q: Do you have a message for the people reading this interview? RL: If you’re Jewish and you identify as being Jewish, come home. And do not let anything stand in the way.

BUSINESS

for Everyone Toyology Toys celebrates 10 years in business. ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

COURTESY OF TOYOLOGY

fter 10 years in business, local Jewish-owned toy store chain Toyology Toys is sticking to the same goal: to remain in the Klar family and to continue being there for the community. “We want to be a staple in everyone’s home,” says Nori Klar, 62, founder of Toyology Toys. “We don’t want to be the biggest company around.” Launched in 2011 at their inaugural West Bloomfield location by Nori Klar and her sons Aric and Jonathan Klar, Toyology Toys now includes two more locations in Royal Oak and Bloomfield Hills. Their fourth location in Rochester Hills ceased operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, unable to survive the crisis like thousands of other brickand-mortar businesses across the U.S. However, this didn’t put a dent in the Klar family: They kept Toyology Toys going, despite the setback. “We appreciate everyone who supported our business over the past few months to make sure we’re one of those businesses that never went away,” Aric Klar, 32, says. “We’ve been through a lot over the past 10 years, but this was the most internally rewarding 14 months for us because of the unbelievable support that we saw from each one of these communities.” The Klar family will celebrate that support during Toyology Toys’ 10-yearanniversary, which includes festivities this July. Though the Klars can’t yet reveal

Aric Klar and his son Ezra, a certified toy tester.

the exact details, Nori Klar says customers can expect some kind of birthday party, goodie bags, discounts and other surprises. PHARMACIES TO TOYS As they look back on 10 years in business, the Klars never anticipated owning toy stores — but it was a natural transition. Prior to Toyology Toys, the family

operated a chain of local pharmacies. One location at 14 Mile and Middlebelt Road in Farmington Hills carried a toy section with four feet of Beanie Babies and 3,500 square feet of toys for education and brain development. This section inspired Aric Klar into his college years. While attending Eastern Michigan University, he gave

a presentation for a business class about a toy store. The idea clicked, and the next day Aric called his mother, Nori, asking why they hadn’t gone into such a business. Nori Klar took her son’s idea into consideration, and the Klar family decided to make a small investment into an existing toy store in West Bloomfield, now Toyology Toys’ flagship location. “It was very outdated, and we had to come in and fix it,” Aric Klar recalls. “We came in with new lights, inventory, people and new vibes in general.” For the first 365 days, Aric and Nori Klar worked at the store seven days a week building up their business. They learned how to capitalize on trends, buy the correct products, work with the right vendors and streamline cash flow. “After the first year, it was very clear that this could be profitable,” Aric Klar says, “but also something that could be fun.” After Aric Klar finished college, the family chose to expand the business. They opened a location in Royal Oak and built an online shopping platform to keep up with digital shopping trends. “We knew how important that was,” Aric Klar explains. “Ever since that point, we’ve just kept evolving the business.” In its evolution, the Klar family says they stick to two main principles: putting the customer first and making sure that everyone is comfortable. “When people think toys, they think kids,” continued on page 36 JULY 1 • 2021

BUSINESS

MAZEL TOV!

continued from page 35 COURTESY OF TOYOLOGY

MARCH 31, 2021 Asher James Wolf is the son of Mallory and Alex Wolf. Grandparents are Helene Goldberg and Avery Sommerfeld, Steven Wilson and the late Tammy Wilson, and Tim Wolf. Great-grandparents are Joanne and Morton Goldberg, Rosemary Wolf and the late James Wolf, Barbara and Bill Sanchez.

Aric Klar continues. “But when we think of toys, we think the brain.” Toyology Toys sees customers of all ages shopping in their stores, including both kids and adults who have autism. They also see adults who are navigating memory loss and are turning to toys for their memory-boosting properties. “These toys became a staple for education,” Aric Klar says. “Once that staple became clear, I think we officially became a household name.” PERSONALIZED SHOPPING Building on this trust, the Klar family also turned to wholesale and distribution of trend-based products to make sure the right toys always get to the right people. They also rely on their in-person shopping experience to set them apart from the competition, including Amazon. “I know it’s really fast for people to shop online because purchases

JULY 1 • 2021

COURTESY OF TOYOLOGY

Aric and Jonathan Klar do some toy-testing of their own.

Nori Klar

arrive quickly, but when people are going online to find things, it’s timeconsuming,” Nori Klar explains. “People walk into our store and say, ‘I have a 2-year-old girl who loves pretend play, and I’d like to spend $30.” Nori Klar says the staff are trained to take any request such as this one and help customers pick out the perfect products. “They’re out the door in 10 minutes with a beautifullywrapped gift,” she continues. “They always come back and say, ‘You just knew what to get.’ We have personalized service, we gift-wrap, we ship and deliver. We cover all the avenues, and you can shop local.”

MARCH 24, 2021 Karen Rosen, formerly of Farmington Hills, and Evan Wasserman of Roslyn Heights, N.Y., are thrilled to announce the birth of their first child, Nora Rosen Wasserman. She is welcomed into the world by her grandparents, Roy and Robin Rosen, and Alan and Lisa Wasserman. Nora is 103 years younger than her great-grandfather Fred Rosen. She is named in both English and Hebrew for her late great-grandmothers Eleanor DeAguirre, Adele Samuels and Evelyn Rosen.

Temprance Raeden Goldfarb, surrounded by family and friends, will lead the congregation in prayer on the occasion of her bat mitzvah on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. She will be joined in celebration by her proud parents, Jamie L. Auster and Scott L. Goldfarb, and siblings William, Jasper and Dax Julius. Temprance is the loving grandchild of Andrea and Lex Byers, and Trudie and Lawrence Goldfarb; and great-grandchild of the late Marilyn Schwartz. She is a student at Clifford Smart Middle School in Commerce Township.

Sitner 60th

arbara and Jerry Sitner celebrated 60 years together on June 27, 2021. Their sons gave them a small family dinner at Barbara and Jerry’s home in Bloomfield Hills. Grandkids Alex, Mari and Eden from Boston, Seattle and Chicago joined in the honor of the event. The event was also marked by many recognitions from family and friends.

Silver-Reinstein

atie and Alan Reinstein of Farmington Hills are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Shelley to Eliot Silver, son of Patty and Michael Silver of Scarsdale, N.Y. Shelley earned a B.A. in marketing from the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. She is the founder and CEO of Autumn Communications, a PR and marketing firm with offices in Los Angeles and New York City. Eliot earned his B.S. in hotel administration from the Hotel School at Cornell University’s S.C. Johnson College of Business. He is the founder and chief baker of Nice Buns, a food service company. They will marry on Oct. 10 at the Park Avenue Synagogue in New York City and will continue to live in L.A.

Emanu-El Installs Lay Leadership Rabbi Matthew Zerwekh and Cantorial Soloist Kelly Onickel installed Oak Park Temple Emanu-El’s lay leadership for the coming year at the Erev Shabbat service on June 18. Officers include President Ruthanne Okun; Vice Presidents Robert Olender, Debora Renner, Jackie Bean and Stuart Trager; Treasurer Daniel Steinhardt; Secretary Linda Hollins; PresidentElect David Gubow; and Immediate Past President Martin Leibowitz. Trustees are Sarah Cherluck, Kim Conwell-

Leigh, Vickie Edwards, Richard Gold, Sandra Goldberg, David Hart, Steve Ingham, Robert Kahn, Robert Levitt, Daniel Medow, Ashley Moser, Aric Parr, Michael Patterson, Erica Salomon, David C. Sloan, Lance Starler and Susan Stettner. Sisterhood co-presidents are Rae Mandel and Robin Gold, and the Brotherhood president is Harry Onickel. For information on Temple Emanu-El, email Interim Executive Director Abigail Goldfaden at execdir@emanuel-mich.org.

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

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VIRTUAL PROGRAM

Thursday, July 8 at 7 pm EDT Featuring author David Marwell. Learn more at holocaustcenter.org/upcoming Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus (248) 533-2400

JULY 1 • 2021

SPIRIT

TORAH PORTION

Seeking A Change

ate their father’s name. n this week’s Torah portion, This was a unique we learn of the daughsituation. Moses did not ters of Zelophehad: know how to answer Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, their request, so he went Milcah and Tirzah. The directly to God to find first thing which makes the answer. God agreed this story unique is that Rabbi Amy with the women: They we know the women’s Bigman are entitled to receive the names. So often in the land. Torah we don’t know the Parshat However, in parshat female characters’ names, Pinchas: Massei, which we read let alone what they Numbers next week in combinathought, felt or said. 25:10-30:1; The women approach Jeremiah 1:1- tion with parshat Matot, 2:3. we learn that this new Moses with a request. law about women’s inherSince the Israelite laws of itance is amended. In inheritance at that time cases where there is no male provided that only a man’s sons heir, the daughters may, indeed, inherit from him, and their father Zelophehad died without inherit. However, they are then limited to marrying men within leaving a male heir, the women request that they inherit his their own tribe to keep the land within the tribe. portion of the land to perpetu-

Some would debate whether this was a true, full victory for the women. They were given inheritance rights and then these rights were compromised by limiting the pool from which the women could choose potential husbands. Yet the outcome of the women’s request is not the point upon which most Biblical commentators focus; they note, instead, the way the women pursued their inheritance. The daughters of Zelophehad quietly and carefully prepared their case. Respecting the tradition from which and the people from whom they came, it is said that the women discussed the issue with people in various positions of authority before taking their case to Moses. Zelophehad’s daughters always accorded the tradition respect, never once demanding change

merely for change’s sake. Zelophehad’s daughters teach us that religious norms can be adapted. There is not always one correct understanding or one right way of doing something. Moses was open to considering the women’s request; and although it was something out of the norm, he took it to the highest authority — God — and God accepted the change in law. We must respect the traditions and the people from whom we have come while at the same time being open to new ideas, understandings and possibilities. This is how the Jewish community continues to flourish generation after generation. Rabbi Amy B. Bigman is rabbi at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing.

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JULY 1 • 2021

TORAH

WIKIPEDIA

ince Israel declared its independence in 1948, the top Naftali Bennett political leadership has largely secures his been represented by figures from the kippah in a so-called “secular” community — sec2014 photo. ular but committed Jews who understand and embrace the importance and sanctity of our traditions. Still, the fact that Rabbi David Israel’s new prime Stav minister hails from Times of Israel the religious Zionist regard to most of Halachah. Certainly, community deserves to be there is great potential for conflict between celebrated by all segments of Israeli society, pikuach nefesh and, for example, keeping as well as supporters of our country from all Shabbat — and it is here that a leader’s over the world. requirement to keep people safe exceeds Naftali Bennett’s election illustrates that even his requirement to observe Shabbat. Torah observance is not an inherent barThe potential for prioritizing pikuach rier to serving in the top position of the nefesh to complicate Shabbat observance Israeli government. At the same time, the gives rise to the very specific halachic fact that it took this long for someone who question of whether it would be preferable publicly promotes religious Zionism means to retain non-Jews to act in certain roles some questions about the compatibility of over Shabbat and enable the Jew to avoid personal practice and public role are to be transgression. However, because the prime expected. minister makes lifesaving decisions on a Of course, issues will need to be regular basis, he cannot be dependent on addressed on a personal and case-by-case the involvement of a non-Jew. basis. On this very practical level, there are True, consideration could potentially be specific halachic (Jewish law) issues that the given to setting up halachically-designed prime minister will need to confront, and I communications systems ahead of sunset am confident that he and his staff will do so on Friday. Such a system would be acceptwith humility and insight. able only if it could be determined with The Jewish tradition dictates that even certainty that it would have no negative the highest-level public servant, such as a impact, whether operational or practical. king, or in this case the prime minister, is The priority is first and foremost preserving not above the law, and has the same halach- and defending human lives. ic requirements as every subject or citizen. In addition to issues of Shabbat, the This includes upholding the halachic prinprime minister is in every way the public ciple pikuach nefesh, saving a life, a rule that face of the nation and that also has halachic takes priority over nearly every other matter implications. For example, during the times of Jewish law. of year on the Jewish calendar designated The responsibility for the lives of others for collective national mourning (such as provides a leader with both the permission for the destruction of the two Temples), and the obligation to give pikuach nefesh when many halachically observant men the utmost priority in a more practical way refrain from shaving in a demonstration than is needed by most people, and with of mourning, the prime minister would

MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/TIMES OF ISRAEL

How Can Israel’s Orthodox Prime Minister Run the Country? be permitted to shave and dress in a respectable fashion as befitting a world leader. Global expectations as to one’s outward appearance are clear, and being presentable to the world is vital for the daily functioning of a figure on that stage.

POSITIVE RESPECT When it comes to a specific need for a prime minister to act in a certain way that is related to his performance of the job, the underlying concept that drives halachic practice is one of accommodation. This requires a level of wisdom and discernment on the premier’s part, but showing the public his respect for Halachah will allow our traditions to be revealed in positive ways never before possible. Though questions of religious observance while running a country might spotlight a conflict between the two, the country should focus instead on the beauty of halachic practice and its dynamic nature. The very application of the concept of pikuach nefesh (the primacy of saving a life) to explain Bennett’s future conduct highlights the flexibility of Halachah, and the way it can be drawn to apply to any circumstance. In that vein, the public awareness of how the prime minister can function fully within the guidelines of Halachah will expose more people to the encompassing nature of Jewish law. Deliberations and debates that were once the purview of only certain rarefied elements of Jewish society are likely to become of interest to the broader public in ways that I firmly believe will allow them to better recognize and appreciate the beauty and meaning of our halachic-legal system. I believe that we should only be thankful for these political developments that are providing this opportunity. Rabbi David Stav is the chief rabbi of Shoham, Israel, and founder and chairman of the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization.

JULY 1 • 2021

SPIRIT

Synagogue Directory CONSERVATIVE Adat Shalom Synagogue Farmington Hills (248) 851-5100 adatshalom.org

Temple B’nai Shalom Benton Harbor (269) 925-8021 tbnaishalom.org

Ahavas Israel Grand Rapids (616) 949-2840 ahavasisraelgr.org

INDEPENDENT Grosse Pointe Jewish Council Grosse Pointe Woods (313) 882-6700 thegpjc.com

Congregation Beth Ahm West Bloomfield (248) 851-6880 cbahm.org Congregation Beth Israel Flint (810) 732-6310 cbiflint.org Congregation Beth Shalom Oak Park (248) 547-7970 congbethshalom.org Beth Tephilath Moses Mt. Clemens (586) 996-3138 bethtephilathmoses.com B’nai Israel Synagogue West Bloomfield (248) 432-2729 bnaiisraelwb.org Congregation B’nai Moshe West Bloomfield (248) 788-0600 bnaimoshe.org Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue Detroit (313) 962-4047 downtownsynagogue.org Congregation of Moses Kalamazoo congregationofmoses.org Congregation Shaarey Zedek Southfield (248) 357-5544 shaareyzedek.org

JULY 1 • 2021

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

Beth Tefilo Emanuel Tikvah Southfield (248) 559-5022 Birmingham-Bloomfield Shul Birmingham (248) 996-5818 bbchai.org B’nai Israel-Beth Yehudah Oak Park (248) 967-3969 bi-by.org B’nai Zion Oak Park (248) 968-2414

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bais Haknesses Hagrah Oak Park (248) 542-8737

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JULY 1 • 2021

Temple Jacob Hancock templejacobhancock.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

ANN ARBOR

CONSERVATIVE Beth Israel Congregation (734) 665-9897 @BethIsraelCongregation ORTHODOX Ann Arbor Chabad House (734) 995-3276 jewmich.com Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan annarborminyan.org

Temple Beth Sholom Marquette tbsmqt.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RENEWAL Pardes Hanah pardeshanah.org

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

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

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

ARTS&LIFE

Sean Perlmutterer

COURTESY OF SEAN PERLMUTTER

MUSIC

Soulful Jazz Drummer to introduce new recording at Cadieux Café.

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

rummer Sean Perlmutter leads his own jazz trio, MOUTHBREATHr, but he also performs and records with other groups around Michigan. Most recently, he joined with the Paxton/Spangler Septet for the recording, Anthem for the New Nation, which will be introduced July 11 at the Cadieux Café in Detroit. The album consists solely of compositions by Abdullah Ibrahim, a pianist who mostly performs his own work. “The recorded music came out of apartheid South Africa, where Ibrahim grew up,” said Perlmutter, 23. “Two of the seven pieces, ‘Cape Town Fringe/ Mannenberg’ and ‘Soweto,’ are named after the townships where black South Africans were forced to live in cramped [and discriminatory] conditions. “My Jewish understanding comes from my father’s side of the family, and the context of the music reminds me of

JULY 1 • 2021

pogroms and the horrors of the Holocaust. The sounds of struggle and the joy of rising above that is what this music is about in a lot of ways. “I think the strength of the Jewish people is augmented by noting comparisons of their struggles to those of other people.” Perlmutter, who grew up near Grand Rapids, was encouraged by his parents to

study instrumental music and become part of the school band. Early on, he tried playing the recorder but soon decided he didn’t like wind instruments. Although the trombone and French horn had been suggested by his teachers to fill out the band, he leaned toward percussions. “I heard rock albums from the ’60s and ’70s in my dad’s record collections, and the drum set seemed like a hop, skip and a jump from what I thought I could do,” Perlmutter said about his choice, which was supplemented through school studies. “Later, I heard John Coltrane, and I knew jazz was for me.” At 12, Perlmutter got his own drum set and started playing at home and then in the jazz band at high school. At 16, he began private lessons with a jazz teacher. Perlmutter worked a bit in the music scene around Grand Rapids. His first paycheck was earned by playing in a community theater band, and he used the money to buy extra cymbals for his drum set. “When I first moved to Detroit, I went to jam sessions in clubs and checked out other people’s gigs,” explained Perlmutter, a Redford resident who earned a music degree with a concentration in jazz studies from Wayne State

“THE SOULFUL, AND MANY TIMES JOYFUL, MUSIC CAN BE APPRECIATED BY ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE,” — SEAN PERLMUTTER

Details

Anthem for the New Nation will be introduced at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at the Cadieux Café, 4300 Cadieux, Detroit. $10. Cadieuxcafe.com.

University. “If you do that enough, people start to remember you, and they ask for your number. By the time they need someone for a gig because their normal guy can’t make it, you get the call. If you do a good job, the word spreads. Before you know it, you’re working.” Besides recording with R.J. Spangler, a percussionist, Perlmutter joined with Tbone Paxton, trombone; Phillip Hale, piano; Jeff Cuny, electric and acoustic basses; Daniel Bennett, tenor sax; Rafael Leafar, alto sax and flute; Kasan Belgrave, alto sax; Damon Warmack, electric bass; and James O’Donnell, flugelhorn. IMPROVISATIONAL MUSIC The track “Perfumed Forest Wet with Rain” is especially appreciated by Perlmutter. “It’s a beautiful piece of music, but it also allows the band to get into really interesting spaces improvisationally,” said the drummer, who teaches at a studio as well as digitally and performs Monday nights at Barter in Hamtramck. “It allowed me, as a player, to use a lot of my experience and a side of my playing I don’t necessarily get a chance to showcase. It has a few different sections, and it’s one of the more floaty or ethereal pieces that has fluidity to the pulse. It starts off slow and picks up just a little bit as it goes on.” Perlmutter, who recorded “MOUTHBREATHr” as a debut album of his own compositions and has freelance performances lined up, learned about Ibrahim’s style by working on the recording being released. “The soulful, and many times joyful, music can be appreciated by all types of people,” he said. “It’s not just the jazz audience although the music still has all the jazz bona fides.”

ARTS&LIFE FILM REVIEW

DANIELLA NOWITZ/TIMES OF ISRAEL

sia is a journey into a complicated and complex which is revealed after her appointment with a neurologist. mother-daughter relationship that proves to be heart- Though the exact disease isn’t specified, Vika is sick with a warming and heart-wrenching at the same time. neurological illness that begins to rapidly impact her motor The Russian- and English-language film, which has a quick skills on her right side after remaining stable for some time. runtime of just 85 minutes, is playing at the Maple Theater in Her arm begins to lose function, and then the rest of her Bloomfield Township now through July 8 and is available for body. streaming through the Detroit Institute of Arts now through The doctor advises Asia that Vika could have years before July 30 (dia.org/events/dft-home-asia). she loses her ability to breathe, but that she could also decline Directed by Ruthy Pribar as rapidly. Asia, sensing the urgenher debut feature film, Asia stars cy to reconnect with her daughAlena Yiv and Unorthodox star ter before it’s too late, immediShira Haas. It won Best Picture at ately takes time off work and the 30th Israeli Academy Awards takes Vika on vacation. They (Ophir Awards) and was submithead to the sea to tan on the ted as the Israeli entry for the Best beach, then stay overnight International Feature Film at the at a hotel. There, while Asia 93rd Academy Awards. sings a lullaby to Vika that she It’s easy to see why Asia won an once sang to her as a child, the additional eight Ophir Awards out Shira Haas and uncertainty that hung around of a total of 12 nominations. This their relationship melts away. Alena Yiv star in the movie Asia. extraordinarily powerful drama, We simply see a mother and which moves at a rapid pace but daughter, laughing and remimanages to capture the vivid emoniscing about the past. tions of the storyline (and then some), follows the strained relaBEST ACTRESS tionship between Asia (Yiv) and Haas, who does a tremendous her teenage daughter Vika (Haas). job playing the troubled yet The two play Russian immigrants immensely strong Vika, won the now living in Jerusalem, where Best Actress Award from Tribeca they moved to start a new life. Film Festival, where the film Asia, who works as a caregiver premiered online in 2020 due in both a hospital and home setto the COVID-19 pandemic. As tings, struggles to make ends meet Vika continues to deteriorate, ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER as a single parent who became a eventually becoming confined mother at a very young age. Her to a wheelchair and unable to nursing job often causes her to care for herself, we see Asia fully  work late, leaving Vika alone to stepping into her role as a mothhang out at the skate park with er while Vika seems to mature her friends. We get the sense that both Asia and Vika are lost quickly, becoming a source of strength and light for her mother. in finding themselves, with Asia spending many nights with In a reversal of roles, Asia goes from caring for the sick her lover or at a club while Vika rebels and experiments with and elderly to caring for her daughter, putting her personal alcohol and drugs. and professional life on hold to give Vika her all in Vika’s final months. The two nurture the unwavering bond that was DAUGHTER’S ILLNESS always there — though perhaps, not so overtly — that culmiEarly on, it becomes clear that there’s more to their complicated nates in a beautiful relationship with the power to make you relationship than meets the eye. Vika is seen taking medication laugh and cry at the same time. in the morning, then becomes hospitalized after drinking at the Through the very end, Asia does everything she can to skate park with friends. Her mother, working at the hospital make Vika comfortable and happy, even helping Vika spark a at the same time, rushes to see her daughter, who can’t drink romantic relationship with a young man who is helping Asia on the medication she takes. Vika also grapples with romance, take care of her daughter. Beautiful and poignant, Asia teachfriendship and growing up, all of which are thrown off track by es the lesson of the unbreakable bond between mother and a change of circumstances. daughter, a bond that can’t be deterred by even the most diffiViewers are slowly introduced to Vika’s devastating illness, cult circumstances.

Mother and Child Reunion

Exceptional Israeli film Asia pulls at the heartstrings.

JULY 1 • 2021

ARTS&LIFE

CELEBRITY NEWS

NATE BLOOM COLUMNIST

WHO’S THE BOSS? BETTING ON MICHIGAN The animated film The Boss Baby: Family Business opens on July 2. Lisa Kudrow, 57, again is the voice of the Templeton brothers’ mother, and Jeff Goldblum, 68, is the voice of Dr. Armstrong, a business rival of the Templetons. Then there’s Lady Boss. A documentary about writer Jackie Collins (1937-2015) began streaming on CNN on June 27. Check listings for encore showings, and it’s available on demand. Her first novel, The World is Full of Married Men (1968), was much “steamier” than other romance novels of the day. Collins was born in the U.K., the daughter of a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother. Her JN 1/2 horz page

JULY 1 • 2021

Lady Boss Jackie Collins

sister is actress Joan Collins, now 88. Jackie and Broadway producer Oscar Lerman (19191992) were wed in 1969. Last week, it was announced that an original Paramount+ film Jerry and Marge Go Large will begin filming this month. It is based on the true story of Jerry and Marge Selbee. The Selbees, now retired, have long lived in Evart, Mich.,

south of Cadillac. The couple, who have six children, made a modest living from their convenience store. Then, in 2003, Jerry became aware of Winfall, a new Michigan lottery game. Jerry has an undergrad degree in math, and he quickly realized there was a “quirk” in the game that virtually guaranteed “net” winnings if you bet enough. There was nothing illegal about what he planned to do, and he enlisted local friends in a “betting club.” In two years, they netted over $300K. Later, Jerry found a similar game in Massachusetts and the club played for next seven years, making another $7.7 million in profits before taxes. The film stars Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening as the Selbees. David Frankel, 62, will direct. Frankel has helmed some really big comedy hits, including The Devil

Wears Prada and Marley and Me. His father is Pulitzer Prize winner Max Frankel, now 91. Max and his family fled Nazi Germany in 1940. He began working for the N.Y. Times in 1952. He was a top correspondent and retired (1996) as the Times’ executive editor. David married (1998) advertising executive Jennifer Beber, 62-ish, in the Spanish Synagogue in Venice, Italy. Their children Phoebe and Jake Beber-Frankel are 19-year-old twins. Last April, Jake was profiled by a Stanford University publication. A top high school golfer, Jake recently joined the Stanford golf team. Jake is not “just” a golfer; his father says he’s also a “funny writer.” The profile notes that Max took Jake and Phoebe on a b’nai mitzvah trip to Europe. They visited his hometown in Germany and several concentration camps.

ON THE GO

PEOPLE | PLACES | EVENTS

OUTDOOR KABBALAT SHABBAT 6 PM, JULY 2 Adat Shalom Synagogue invites you to join them for an uplifting Friday evening service, outdoors on the synagogue’s grounds. They will welcome new members of their clergy, Rabbi Dan Horwitz and Rabbi Blair Nosanwisch, director of spiritual care. Reservations are required and limited to the first 150 people to register. Contact the synagogue office at 248-851-5100. The service will also be available on Zoom. Visit adatshalom.org for information.

Anna Shternshis

MUSIC LECTURE 7 pm, July 7 The Yiddish Book Center hosts “My Song Ends but My Singing Never Stops: Calls for Justice in the Yiddish Music of the Holocaust in Ukraine,” with Anna Shternshis. Based on recently discovered archival documents, this lecture examines amateur Yiddish music created during the 1940s in Nazi-occupied Ukraine. Registration is required: yiddishbookcenter.org.

TEA, TALK & TORAH 3-4 pm, July 8 Temple Shir Shalom invites you to gather with Rabbi Daniel Schwartz for an afternoon tea (light treats and your choice of hot/iced tea), schmooze and a brief study of the day’s text. Each session stands alone. Join for one or all. RSVP required at shirshalom.org. No charge for members of TSS; $10 for non-members. Info: michjewishhistory. org/calendar.

Judy Batalion

JHSM DONOR EVENT 6 pm, July 8 The Jewish Historical Society of Michigan will host an evening with Judy Batalion as she discusses her newest book, The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos. This event is only for JHSM donors who have made a minimum $500 contribution to JHSM’s 2021 Annual Campaign or its Museum Feasibility-Study Fund. This will be on Zoom; info@michjewishhistory. org. Register by 9 pm, July 5. It is not necessary to read the book to attend.

PATHWAY TO EVIL 7 PM, JULY 8 The Holocaust Memorial Center offers a virtual program, Pathway to Evil, about the infamous Auschwitz doctor Josef Mengele, who was the embodiment of bloodless efficiency and passionate devotion to a grotesque worldview. Author David Marwell will discuss Mengele’s twisted career and his escape to South America. To order a copy of the book, Mengele: Unmasking the ‘Angel of Death’ by David Marwell, visit https://tinyurl.com/jsxd4xxv. Register at https://tinyurl. com/u55pbhhk. Community partners include Wayne State University School of Medicine and Wayne State University College of Nursing. INTERFAITH GOLF EVENT 3 PM, JULY 11 The Interfaith Couples-only at Topgolf in Auburn Hills is coming. Whether you want to work on your form or just

putter around, this will be a chance to socialize with other interfaith couples. No experience necessary, though it’s never a bad idea to rewatch Happy Gilmore. The event runs from 3-5 pm and is being put on by NEXTGen Detroit. Cost is $20. Email mmarcus@jfmd. org with questions. CAJE SUMMER July 12-30 NewCAJE is the place to be for professional development, networking, problem-solving and the best of Jewish music and storytelling. Cost: $300 for an all-access pass, which includes all Jewish education programming and access to recordings through Sept. 6. Learn more at newcaje.org or call 857-288-8765. FISHER SEASON STARTS Oct. 19-24 Broadway shows will return to the Fisher Theatre with the RENT 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour. Tickets ($39 and up are on sale now online at Ticketmaster.com and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office. Compiled by Sy Manello/Editorial Assistant. Send items at least 14 days in advance to calendar@thejewishnews.com.

JULY 1 • 2021

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OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY

THE BOARD OF

American Friends of Magen David Adom AS WELL AS THE ORGANIZATION’S STAFF MOURN THE PASSING OF

Marcia Applebaum AMERICAN FRIENDS

caring philanthropist and dear friend of Magen David Adom, Israel’s national EMS and blood-services organization. We offer our condolences to the entire Applebaum family. We hope they will be comforted by her memory and by the knowledge of her lasting legacy — the thousands of lives in Israel saved by her thoughtful generosity.

Mark D. Lebow National Chairman Catherine Reed Chief Executive Officer Richard Zelin Director of Strategic Philanthropy Midwest Region Wendy Strip Development Executive Greater Detroit Area

JULY 1 • 2021

SIGAL BEN DAVID JERUSALEM POST

‘H

ero of Israel,” a “oneman space agency” and “huge loss for the defense establishment” are just some of the descriptions of Israel Defense Prize laureate and rocket scientist Aby Har-Even, who was injured during riots in Acre last month and died June 6 at age 84. Aby His contribution to Har-Even space exploration and Israel’s national security is unknown to most Israelis, and much of his activity will remain a mystery. Har-Even was born in Romania and made aliyah with his parents in 1950. He studied mechanical engineering at the Technion, and then later, during his military service, did a degree in electrical engineering. He was involved in procuring advanced weaponry for the IDF’s arsenal: defensive weapons and anti-aircraft guns. Later, he commanded the Hawk missile battery, which was deployed to protect the Nuclear Research Campus, served in the R&D department and headed the team that reviewed lessons learned from the Yom Kippur War. In 1977, he was awarded the Defense Ministry Prize for a secret project still prohibited from being publicized to this day. As a civilian, Har-Even filled a number of positions at Israel Aerospace Industries, was the fifth director of Israel’s Space Agency and led a team that developed Israel’s Shavit satellite rocket launcher. In recent years, he spent time working on R&D at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. TIMES OF ISRAEL

Saving lives. It’s in our blood.

Israel’s Space Pioneer Due to the confidential nature of much of his work, however, we are unlikely to ever understand the scope of his contributions to Israel’s security. “After completing the development of the Shavit satellite launcher, Aby began offering consulting services to American technology companies,” said space analyst Tal Inbar. “Later on, he began working with Israel’s civilian space agency. Among other projects he was involved in was the mission with Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut to go to space.” On the night of May 11, while staying at the Efendi Hotel in Acre, Har-Even was injured when Arab rioters set fire to the building. He was brought unconscious to Haifa’s Rambam Hospital, suffering from serious burns and smoke inhalation. On June 6, he passed away with his family at his side. “His greatest contribution was his work with Israel’s Space Agency, where he focused on Israel’s ability to launch satellites,” notes Dr. Igal Patel, former chairman of the Israeli Astronomical Association. “Aby helped Israel join the international space community. “His second greatest contribution was to Israel’s security, since he was responsible for the development of the Shavit launcher, as well as all of the reconnaissance satellites.” In recent years, Har-Even and Patel worked together to establish a space center in Israel, which Har-Even had agreed to chair.

BERNICE BAER, 99, of West Bloomfield, died June 20, 2021. She is survived by her sons and daughter-inlaw, Richard Baer and Frances Schott-Baer, and Jeffrey Baer; sister-in-law, Gwendolyn Klein; brotherin-law, Elbert Lipman; loving nieces and nephews. Mrs. Baer was the beloved wife of the late Melvyn J. Baer; the loving sister of the late Julian Klein and the late Harriet Lipman. Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Humane Society of Michigan, 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025, michiganhumane.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. YONA J. FRIEDMAN, 101, of Novi, died June 17, 2021. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Small; sons and daughter-in-law, Garry Radzin, Darryl and Jody (McAdams) Radzin, and Eugene Radzin; sister, Lela Henkin; sister-in-law, Marcia King; grandchildren, Shawna Small and Bryan Radzin.; many other loving family members and friends. Mrs. Friedman was the beloved wife of the late Edward Friedman; the mother-in-law of the late Shelby Small and the late Louisa Radzin; sister-in-law of the late Dr. Raymond Henkin; sister and sister-inlaw of the late Meyer and the late Clara King, sister of the

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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.

24 Tammuz July 4 Albert A. Craine Morris Trivax Sadie Weber Dora Weinenger

Philip Weiss Philip Zelickman 27 Tammuz July 7 Eva Cohan Elias Green Hyman Levine Ida Pessman Clara Reif

29 Tammuz July 9 Lena Corman Moshe Glancz Aaron Golub Helen Goodstein Aby Lantor Zelda Miller Bean Sidney Mitnick Isaac Schmaltz Samuel Schumer I. William Sherr Julius Taitelbaum

25 Tammuz July 5 Dorothy Backhaut Mollie Baschin Mary Been 28 Tammuz July 8 Nathan Bell Benjamin Aronson Jacob Berman Esther Broder Alvin Bez Sanford Louis Coleman Abe Chausky 1 Av July 10 Jack Coleman Jordan Brian Gunsher Miriam Apt Bessie Krakofsky Moses Israel Beshkin Dora Fleischer Isadore Levin William Bricker David Fuller Irving Rosenthal Fannie Dorf Irving Glancy Eva Scherr Jacob Farkas Morton Gottlieb Sam Stoller Burton Hornberg Israel Kojder Louis Jack Weiss Mollie Hannah Kane Shifra Kojder Seymour Matz 26 Tammuz July 6 Gussie Kushner Schmuel Orechkin Helen Brode David Lakin Florence Bobry Dorothy Harrison Hirsh Dovid Unrot Ribiat Robert Esther Kunin Goldie Waxman Shafer Anna Sherman David Saks Dave Silverstein Irwin Ronald Wolfe Ben Shaffer Samuel Yoffee Joel Siwek School for Boys • Beth Jacob School for Girls • Bais Yehudah Preschool Weiss Family Partners Detroit • Kollel Bais Yehudah • Maalot Detroit P.O. Box 2044 • Southfield, MI 48037• 248-557-6750 • www.YBY.org

JULY 1 • 2021

OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 49

Along with our Shiva Trays.

248.737.8088

OBITUARIES

RONALD M. ROTHSTEIN, 94, of West Bloomfield, died June 24, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Joyce Rothstein; daughters, Jane Rothstein and Emily Minns; sons and daughtersin-law, Charlie and Diana Rothstein, and J. Adam and Julie Rothstein; grandchildren, David and Marisa Ruby, Amy Rothstein, Peter and Alexa Rothstein, Jenna Rothstein, Kevin Rothstein, Katie Rothstein and Ellie Rothstein; great-grandchildren, Lennon, Ashton and Jonah Ruby. Interment was at Machpelah Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Anti-Defamation League (ADL), c/o 6600 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, michigan.adl.org/tag/ Detroit; or to a social justice organization. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. JEROME “JERRY” MORTON SALLE, 83, of Longboat Key, Fla., formerly of West Bloomfield, died June 24, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Lee Ann Salle; son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Janet Salle; son-in-law, Marc Betman; grandchildren, Rachel Salle, Emma Salle,

Erin Betman and Michelle Betman; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Vera and Barry Pearl, and Warren Siegel; nieces, great-nieces, cousins and friends. Mr. Salle was the cherished father of the late Diane Betman; the proud grandfather of the late Dina Salle. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Milwaukee Jewish Community Foundation, Dina Beth Salle Memorial Fund, 1360 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202, milwaukeejewish. org/give; Hermelin Brain Tumor Center-Henry Ford Health System, 2799 W. Grand Blvd., 11th Floor Neurosurgery, Detroit, 48202, henryfordhealthsystem. com/giving; or to a food pantry or charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. FRANCES SCHEER, 95, of White Lake, died June 17, 2021. She resided at Pleasant Lake for 36 years in the home she and her husband built and loved. She is survived by her daughters and sons-inlaw, Anne Wright, Susan and Sem Dacosta-Scheer, Carol and Mark Steffes, and Beth and Joe McMurray; grandchildren, Aiya and Elad Kravi, Zeev and Shani Mayan-Scheer, Guy Scheer and his fiancee, Ayelet Korb, Bryan Golemba, Rachel and Daniel Navarre, Joseph and Sara McMurray, and Benjamin McMurray;

great-grandchildren, Rotem, Ido, and Alon Kravi, Shachar, Ori and Zohar Mayan-Scheer, Drake and Eve Navarre, and Keagan and Riley Golemba. Mrs. Scheer was the beloved wife for 70 years of the late Martin Scheer; loving mother-in-law of the late Timothy Wright. Interment was at Adat Shalom Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to a breast cancer fund; Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jewishhospice.org; or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. BARBARA SNOVER, 77, of Farmington Hills, died June 20, 2021. She is survived

by sons and daughter-inlaw, Joseph Snover, Mark and Nicole Snover; daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Richard Shenkan; grandchildren, Stephanie Snover, Jack Shenkan and Kate Shenkan; brothers and sister-in-law, Sam Meklir, Gary and Susie Meklir; sister, Gail Young; many loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Mrs. Snover was the beloved wife of the late Wells “Skip” Snover; sister-in-law of the late Linda Meklir and late Sam Young; sister of the late Lillian Meklir, the late Jules Meklir and the late David Meklir. Interment took place at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

LAWRENCE D. WARREN, 79, of Farmington Hills, died June 17, 2021. He is survived by his companion, best friend and caregiver, Renita Linkner; sons, Dr. Michael Warren and Jeffrey Warren; daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Daniel Harold; grandchildren, Ryan Harold, Jack Harold, Layla Harold, Jonas Warren and Saul Warren. He is also survived by Renita’s children and grandchildren, Josh and Tia Linkner, Sarah and Nick Zagar, Ethan and Tara Linkner; and their children, Noah, Chloe, Avi and Tallia Linkner, Lane, Alice and Elijah Zagar, and Annie and Jay Linkner. Mr. Warren was the beloved husband of the late Janis Warren.

Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Temple Beth El, Brotherhood Fund, Ellin and Harold Lawson Youth Institute, 7400 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48301, tbeonline.org/donation-page; or Nature Conservancy, 101 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906, nature.org/?redirect=https-301. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

OBITUARY CHARGES The processing fee for obituaries is: $125 for up to 100 words; $1 per word thereafter. A photo counts as 15 words. There is no charge for a Holocaust survivor icon. The JN reserves the right to edit wording to conform to its style considerations. For information, have your funeral director call the JN or you may call Sy Manello, editorial assistant, at (248) 351-5147 or email him at smanello@thejewishnews. com.

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

JULY 1 • 2021

OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY

Philanthropist Marcia Applebaum

Jewish Community Center Detroit

JULY 1 • 2021

Marcia Applebaum, 81, of Bloomfield Hills, died June 24, 2021. Marcia lived a life devoted to her family and community. The love of her late husband, Eugene, was special and inspirational. They were philanthropic partners and champions for so many causes which advanced education, promoted health and medical research, enhanced arts and culture, and strengthened the Jewish community and Israel. Marcia was the beloved wife of 56 years of the late Eugene Applebaum. Cherished mother of Lisa Applebaum and Pamela Applebaum (Gaal Karp). Adoring Nanny of Rebecca, Molly, Mia, and Sky. Loving sister of Alice (Ronald) Turett. Devoted cousin of Shelly Freedman and devoted

daughter of the late Seymour and the late Sadie Lipsky. Survived by nephews, nieces, and many cousins. Also survived by her longtime and dedicated staff Zeba Kuhl and Ken Smith. Donations may be made to Jewish Family Service, The Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Older Adult Enrichment Fund, 6555 West Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, (248) 592-2300, jfsdetroit.org; or American Friends of Magen David Adom, 3175 Commercial Ave, Ste 101, Northbrook, IL 60062, 888674-4871, afmda.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. A extensive obituary will appear in next week’s Jewish News..

RASKIN

THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

Laughter is the Best Medicine

he JN’s premier columnist, Danny Raskin, will take a few weeks off to recover from rib injuries suffered in a fall, so we’ll be offering highlights from Danny’s columns until his return. Danny is feeling much better. If you’d like to send greetings, email: dannyraskin2132@ gmail.com or send Danny mail to: Danny Raskin Raskin c/o The Senior Columnist Jewish News, 32255 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 205, Farmington Hills, MI 48334. To cheer all of us up in Danny’s absence, here are some of his time-tested “Oldies but Goodies.” OLDIE BUT GOODIE … “Hello, Mom. Can I leave the kids with you tonight?” “You’re going out? With whom?” “With a friend.” “I don’t know why you left your husband. He is such a good man.” “I didn’t leave him. He left me!” “You let him leave you, and now you go out with anybodies

and nobodies.” “I do not go out with anybody. Can I bring over the kids?” “I never left you to go out with anybody except your father.” “There are lots of things that you did that I don’t.” “What are you hinting at?” “Nothing. I just want to know if I can bring the kids over tonight.” “You’re going to stay the night with him? What will your husband say if he finds out?” “My EX-husband. I don’t think he would be bothered. From the day he left me, he probably never slept alone!” “So you’re going to sleep at this loser’s place?” “He’s not a loser.” “A man who goes out with a divorced woman with children is a loser and a parasite.” “I don’t want to argue. Should I bring over the children or not?” “Poor children with such a mother.” “Such as what?” “With no stability. No wonder your husband left you.” “ENOUGH!” “Don’t scream at me. You’ll probably scream at this loser, too!”

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“Now you’re worried about the loser?” “Ah, so you see he’s a loser. I spotted him immediately.” “Goodbye, Mother.” “Wait! Don’t hang up! When are you going to bring the children over?” “I’m not bringing them over! I’m not going out!” “If you never go out, how do you expect to meet anyone?” OLDIE BUT GOODIE … Three grandmothers are sitting on a park bench. The first lets out a heartfelt “Oy!” A few minutes later the second grandmother sighs deeply and says, “Oy vey!” A few minutes after that, the third lady brushes away a tear and moans, “Oy veyizmir!” To which the first grandma replies, “I thought we agreed that we weren’t going to talk about our grandchildren!” OLDIE BUT GOODIE (revised for sports fans, a bit) … Joe was cleaning the attic and found a beautiful old lamp. As he rubbed off the dust, a genie popped out. “Thank you for releasing me from this prison;’ said the genie. “To show my gratitude I will

grant you one wish.” “Wonderful,” said the surprised Joe. He reached for his Atlas and pointed to a map of Israel. “The people there have been fighting for as long as I can remember. My one wish is to bring peace to this land.” “Um … that’s a little difficult …” stammered the genie. “These people … they’ve been … it goes back … Sorry, I’m afraid you’ll have to make another wish.” “Too bad,” said Joe sadly. “Could you at least help the Detroit Lions win a couple more football games this year?” The genie thought a moment, then opened his hand. “Hmmm, let me see that map again …” OLDIE BUT GOODIE … Jake says to his doctor, “Doctor, my wife needs an appendix operation.” “But I took out your wife’s appendix only a year ago. I’ve never heard of a second appendix,” says the doctor. “Maybe doctor,” says Jake, “but have you ever heard of a second wife?” Danny’s email address is dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

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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www.antone.com or email at law@antone.com 31555 W. 14 Mile Rd., Ste 100 • Farmington Hills, MI 48334 Ph: 248-406-4100 Fax: 248-406-4101 JULY 1 • 2021

Looking Back

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

We Love Our Macs!

kay, I confess. Yes, it’s true. I am one of “them.” I am a devout Apple computer user, and I have been so since 1996. Perhaps, I have been brainwashed to believe, but I love my Mac computer and am happily using it to write this column. Apple Inc. (formerly, Apple Computer Inc.) was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. To say that their venture was a success would be a great understatement. Apple is now a global producer of computers, smart phones, software, Mike Smith servers, media content and Alene and Graham Landau God knows what else. Since it Archivist Chair was created 45 years ago, the company has been responsible for many pathbreaking technological advancements (along with a huge net worth and very healthy stock share prices). I decided to see what I could find about Apple in the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History. A search indicated that there are many Apple product users in Detroit’s Jewish community; “Apple Computers” were cited on 71 pages. “Mac Computers” were cited on another 79 pages, but almost all of those advertisements were for computer repairs or classes. Of course, just searching for “Apple” will raise thousands of entries, from apple trees to apple pie recipes to apples in Israel. However, the Archive does hold a wide range of interesting stories about uses of Apple products among Metro Detroit Jews. An early story, in the Nov. 16, 1983, issue of the JN reported that United Hebrew Schools students were studying Hebrew on computers, and that most of the students “had been trained to use the Apple computer at their public school.” An advertisement in the Dec. 15, 1989, JN encouraged readers to “Give an Apple Computer for Chanukah and help your children learn and grow” or “Help your business prosper and grow.” One can find several feature articles relat-

JULY 1 • 2021

ed to Apple. In the April 4, 1993 issue, “Standing Room Only” is an ode to Sidney Fine, legendary professor of history at the University of Michigan. For his four decades of exemplary teaching, Fine received the “Golden Apple Award,” sponsored by B’nai B’rith Hillel, and — you guessed it — Apple. COMPUTER WARS In “Computer Wars,” (June 18, 1999) longtime JN writer Suzanne Chessler reviewed the TNT Channel movie, Pirates of Silicon Valley, a drama about the founding of Apple Inc. starring Jewish actor Joey Slotnick as Steve Wozniak. “Sound Advice: An Apple A Day” by Neal Check is a technology report, but it also has a brief history of Apple (April 25, 2013). Former Young Israel of Oak Park Rabbi Reuven Spolter wrote a most interesting essay in the Oct. 27, 2011, JN “Red Thread” section — “iChoice: Steve Jobs and Us” — that explores the balance between raising children and a work life. The catalyst for his inquiry was a report of writers’ extensive interviews with Jobs. Spolter reported a sad reason from Jobs for a biography: “I wanted my kids to know me. I wasn’t always there for them.” Yes, a very sad answer from a person who changed the modern world. Finally, I should note that Apple computers was a clue in five crosswords in the JN. Well, I now know I’m not alone. Are you also one of the chosen (or brainwashed) — an Apple user? Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation. org.

THE DETROIT

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

thejewishnews.com

36 36

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

THE DETROIT

JEWISH NEWS

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

thejewishnews.com

Sense of

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

THE DETROIT

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

thejewishnews.com thejewishnews

THE DETROIT

JEWISH NEWS

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

thejewishnews.com

Floating Cloud ON A

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

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

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Articles inside

Danny Raskin

The Exchange

Celebrity News

Mother and Child Reunion

Soulful Jazz

How Can a Religious Prime Minister Run a Country?

Torah portion

Moments

Meet Rachel Lichtenstein

Toys for Everyone

Surprise: There will be JCC Maccabi Games!

The Power of Plants

Teaching the Shoah

‘Zeyer Gut!’

At the Border

Jewish Party Maven

JARC Teen Council Wins $4,000 Grant

‘End Jew Hatred’

Fighting Antisemitism at U-M

Twin Destinations on the RiverWalk

Thank You, Gilda

On Top of the World

Homecoming