DJN July 2 2020 by The Detroit Jewish News

Jeff & Matt Barker

Obtaining record prices for our Sellers. Call today for a market valuation.

248.425.6000 200 July 2-8, 2020/ 9-15 Tammuz 5780

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Jews and Joints

Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cannabis industry, propelled by Jews and ex-Detroit Lions, takes off during the COVID-19 crisis. See page 14.

Diana Lewis Anchor/Reporter ABC, WXYZ Detroit “Enough To Be Dangerous takes us on quite a ride!

Mort gives us a peek behind the curtains of the music business, the news business, and into the heart of a man who could have been defeated by a tragic upbringing but instead stuck to his passion and created quite a life! Mort gives back, mentoring so many himself and being a true force of positive change for black journalists.” “A GREAT READ!” Murray Feldman Former Anchor/ Business Reporter FOX, WJBK Detroit Now WWJ News Radio 950

THE MOST TIMELY BOOK ABOUT THE MEDIA THIS YEAR An unforgettable peek into a life fully lived and a legacy that’s leaving a powerful imprint on TV news and people everywhere.

Enough to Be Dangerous chronicles Mort’s against-the-odds success, and his courageous quest to call out sexism and racism in newsrooms in St. Louis, Chicago and Detroit throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

“I could not put it down. So compelling–honest–and helpful. A book that had to be written–because anyone who witnessed what you will read here certainly needed to write a book about it. A compelling story of struggles, determination, compassion-and love. And to be clear–as he does in life–Mort tells it like it is! No excuses! A heartfelt look at one’s life from within that may just leave you asking...what have I accomplished... what I have I done to learn from experiences and work to make this a better place?”

John “Bulldog” Drummond Former Mob & Crime Reporter CBS, WBBM Chicago

“A no holds barred look at big city TV news in its heyday. Mort Meisner tells of the highs and lows of running a news operation in Chicago, Detroit and St Louis. Meisner minces no words as he grapples with a drug habit that almost takes him down. Enough to be Dangerous is a great read.” Scott Lewis Award Winning Former Investigative Reporter FOX, WJBK Detroit And Current Owner of Scott Lewis Investigations

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“I thought I knew Mort Meisner, former boss, and longtime friend. Then I read his book. Wow, what an eye-opener! Mort bares all in a gripping tale of child abuse, sex, drugs, booze and rock and roll. Plus, amazing inside stories about the underbelly of TV news.”

Dr. Isaiah “Ike “Mckinnon, Ph.D Former Detroit Police Chief And Deputy Mayor

“I have known Mort Meisner for 35 years. He is one of the most positive individuals who possesses a broader picture of the world and of the common man. Mort’s story will grab your heart and touch your soul. You will love every page.”

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contents July 2-8, 2020/ 9-15 Tammuz 5780| VOLUME CLVII, ISSUE 22

Views

Spirit

5-12

Torah portion

Jews in the D

Jews and Joints

Arts&Life

14 Michigan’s cannabis industry, propelled by Jews and ex-Detroit Lions, takes off during the COVID-19 crisis.

On the Grill 31 Enjoy some recipes to make your July 4th holiday special.

Educational Gardens 18 Big Green, Hazon partner to grow produce at Metro Detroit schools.

One-Act Festival 33 New stage company provides showcase for original works.

‘Super Motivated’ Local Donors 18 Hundreds participate in COVID-19 vaccine development and virus progression study.

Celebrity Jews

Michigan Board of Rabbis Approves Guidelines for Re-opening Simchahs

Online Events

21 New guidelines allow for weddings, b’nei mitzvah and baby namings beginning Aug. 1.

22 Guests in five states virtually attend newest family member’s bris.

Jewish Legal Experts Weigh In On DACA Decision 24 The Supreme Court ruled that efforts to end the program were “arbitrary and capricious.”

Jews and Racial Justice Social Justice Challenge 26 Three local Jews offer a way to help social justice organizations achieve their goals.

Marching in Crown Heights 27 Michigan-based grad student Ilana Spencer helped organize a groundbreaking solidarity rally among Brooklyn’s Chabad community.

Nosh Dining around the D: Detroit Fleat

Have Mohel, Will Zoom

Birmingham Restaurant Rebrands as Casa Pernoi 36

Health Open Wide? 37 Face shields, social distancing and fog machines are the new “norm” for dental appointments.

Etc. The Exchange Soul Danny Raskin Looking Back

38 40 45 46

Moments Moments 29

Shabbat Lights

On the cover:

Shabbat starts: Friday, July 3, 8:55 p.m. Shabbat ends: Saturday, July 4, 10:06 p.m.

Cover photo: Josh Weinberg and his PRIMITIV co-founders, Calvin Johnson Jr. and Rob Sims. Photo by: Glenn Triest. Cover design: Kaitlyn Schoen

* Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar.

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Alan shows off his stapler repair.

Views for openers

letters

Thank You, YouTube

Support Criminal Justice Reform

ave you taken advantage of Michigan’s updated limited capacity dine-in rules in restaurants? Not me. I remain steadfast in my skittishness to venture too close to anyone. I won’t even get Alan Muskovitz within 6 feet of my reflection in a mirror. On the plus side, I’ve finally gotten used to using a 6-foot long toothbrush. I almost convinced someone the other day that my gastroenterologist was social distancing by using 6-foot poles to perform colonoscopies. I did, however, after a fourmonth hiatus, finally cave to pick up my first carryout — but not without a trial run. My first attempt at ordering curbside from Jersey Bagel at 14 Mile and Farmington Road earlier in the pandemic ended like a delayed rocket launch at Cape Canaveral. It was no fault of Jersey Bagel. I knew they were following all the health guidelines. But after spending 20 minutes staring at their front door and just within seconds from liftoff, I aborted my carryout phone call from the parking lot and held off ordering. I… just … couldn’t … do … it. A few days ago, with my appetite thrusters on full throttle, I called Jersey Bagel and picked up at curbside their “Morning Stimulus” breakfast sandwich. Pre-pandemic, I

would’ve taken a bite at the first traffic light I came to. But, oh no, I had to wait until I arrived home and removed the bagel out of its carryout box with the precision of a neurosurgeon on the table in our garage reserved for cleaning incoming products. It had been four months since I had a breakfast sandwich. When my teeth landed on the multi-grain surface, I audibly moaned: “The bagel has landed.” Yep, one small bite for me, one giant appetite for this man-child. I invited our first repairman into our home a few days ago. He wore a mask and gloves. And he was very patient trying to hear me through my hazmat suit encased in bubble wrap. I’ve been turning to tutorials on YouTube for less urgent repairs. I am sooooo proud of myself. The spring on my ageless 747 Swingline Stapler had become unhooked and, yes, to those of you whose moron alerts just went off, it’s a more complicated repair than you think. Just ask the 26,000 plus people, yes, 26,000 people who watched the same video as me looking for stapler spring reattachment help. Thank goodness I didn’t

have to fix the spring on a Swingline 545 stapler. Apparently, that’s a more widespread problem, as evidenced by the 421,000 views on YouTube! Don’t believe me? Go to YouTube and watch it yourself. Yep, I found myself binge watching stapler repair videos. Who needs Netflix?! When cleaning products were in short supply, YouTube taught us how to create homemade solutions. And as pathetic as it is for me to admit, when I was tasked with a simple cooking chore, I searched out a how-to-boil-eggs tutorial. Make fun of me if you will, but I was one of 1.2 million other views! By admitting this I may have egg on my face, but at least I know how to boil them now. You’re lucky I’m at my word limit. I don’t have enough space left to tell you about the YouTube video I recently watched on how to clean my CPAP machine equipment. Unfortunately, I fell asleep before it was over. Alan Muskovitz is a writer, voice-over/ acting talent, speaker, and emcee. Visit his website at laughwithbigal. com,“Like” Al on Facebook and reach him at amuskovitz@renmedia.us.

Uprisings are surging around the country and world in response to the horrific police killing of George Floyd, while Black communities continue to suffer on the front lines of COVID-19 and police violence. As a member of Detroit Jews for Justice, I have been heartened to see DJN’s call to action around racial justice in this moment of collective awakening. The next step in our journey to racial justice will lie with the county prosecutor offices, which have the power to end police brutality and mass incarceration at a local level. This conversation about the inequities of our criminal justice system is long overdue. We have been failing poor people and people of color, who are disproportionately the targets of our policing and prison systems, for many decades. The ACLU and Michigan Liberation know what it takes to make these changes — and DJJ is following their lead. They urge voters to support candidates who will embrace a smarter approach to criminal justice that includes cash bail reform, greater accessibility to diversion and treatment programs, expungement for marijuana convictions for amounts that are now legal and the resentencing of people serving juvenile life without parole. I encourage readers to visit smartjusticemi.org to see where county prosecutor candidates across the state stand on these important issues. Jewish tradition teaches us to appoint leaders in our courts who pursue true justice and impartiality. As Jewish voters, we have the opportunity to reimagine a justice system that protects its citizens and prioritizes community safety for all. To get involved, visit detroitjewsforjustice.org and miliberation. org. — Seth Archambault Michigan Liberation Liaison, Detroit Jews for Justice continued on page 8 JULY 2 • 2020

Views essay

Treat Yourself to a Hartman Summer in Detroit

ut of crisis comes opportunity. At the Shalom Hartman Institute, we are proud that 500 rabbis, community leaders, students and professionals come together at our Jerusalem campus each summer for serious Jewish study to address Rebecca Starr the greatest issues and ideas of our day. This summer, due to the pandemic, we sadly cannot gather in Jerusalem. Though the campus is closed, the Hartman Beit Midrash (study hall) is now open to the world — and free. More than 3,000 rabbis, community leaders, students and Jewish professionals are already registered to join online for our new summer initiative, All

Together Now: Jewish Ideas for This Moment, taking place now through July 23. Our Detroit Jewish community can take advantage of this because it means we can all attend. Twenty of our local Jewish lay leaders, in partnership with the JCRC/ACJ, have spent the last nine months studying with faculty members from the Hartman Institute. They discussed issues of particularism and universalism, anti-Semitism, nationalism, notions of Jewish peoplehood and more. They read articles, books and texts that challenged their thinking. They were excited to spend 10 days this summer in Jerusalem as part of a culminating experience through Hartman’s Community Leadership Program. They are moving forward

with their course of study, albeit online, and the new arrangement means you can join them. Hartman sessions are educationally challenging, but they are also delightful, and the more people from Detroit who attend, the stronger and better informed our community will be. The Hartman Institute is uniquely positioned to share important ideas and convene conversations. Hartman’s month-long series of seminars, lectures, electives and cultural events will include discussions surrounding the challenges the Jewish community faces locally and abroad in the face of threats to justice, changes in nationalism and, of course, the novel coronavirus. Speakers will address Israeli politics (annexation, coalition and more), Israeli culture (poet-

ry, music and more) and Jewish angles on American culture, morality, spirituality and peoplehood. There are hundreds of impactful choices filled with ideas for us to apply to our own lives. I hope that the wider Detroit Jewish community will join me, our local lay and professional leaders from Detroit, and others around the world as we engage in a summer filled with Hartman Torah — a summer that will surely offer restoration, comfort, the opportunity to wrestle with ideas and challenging topics. I hope to “see” you there. Registration information can be found at shalomhartman. org. Rebecca Starr is Midwest Manager of the Shalom Hartman Institute.

guest column

Be an Anti-Racist

abitually in response to racial tensions, American Jews will pridefully retell our part in the founding of the NAACP and reminisce about the staunch allyship during the fight for Civil Rights. Fiftyfive years after a promise of equal Ariana rights, we see Mentzel more marches and protests demanding justice and equality. The most popular movement of today is Black Lives Matter. When Soviet Jews needed our help, we acted. We didn’t distract by saying “all lives matter.”

It is the same today: a spotlight has shone on Black lives. We are called on to place focus toward changing the system that has greatly disadvantaged and threatened Black, Indigenous and people of color. The systems in place that have created this disparity began with the European colonization of America, and with African and African American enslavement throughout the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, then mass incarceration and Jim Crow Laws, and presents itself today in a number of institutionalized racist practices and policies like in housing and loan discrimination, disproportionate arrest and conviction rates in the justice system, unfair

education funding and voter suppression, just to name a few. As a white-passing Ashkenazi Jew, I stand at an interesting intersection — I’m a person of generational trauma and a victim of white supremacy on one hand, and a person who is afforded white privilege on the other. Many of you are like me in this regard. White privilege is my ability to speak to you about race and not be seen as self-seeking. It is also the fact that I don’t have to prepare or warn my children that they will be viewed as less than fully American or profiled as violent, threatening or suspicious — just because of the color of their skin. Today’s discourse demands

we actually recognize race in order to eradicate the bigotry and prejudice that surround it. As uncomfortable as it is, begin to understand your own racial biases and prejudices because once you gain this self-awareness you can work to diminish them. Embrace this work because it will shape a better future not only for our Black family and friends, but also for the future of American Judaism — one more naturally inclusive of Jews of color — more representative of the entire Am Yisrael. Some of you have said: “I am not a racist, but Black Lives Matter doesn’t care about me.” When one large, diverse, fluid movement with an overarchcontinued on page 10

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Views LETTERS from page 5

Thank You I just wanted to say thank you for your recent article “Learning from History” in the Jewish News. I praise you for using your position, your voice and your privilege to speak to others from similar backgrounds to advocate for the Black community. I have seen many statements over the past two weeks voicing some form of support, but many have lacked the sincerity of recognizing the role that white (or whitepassing) people have played in our regional history, and the roles we must assume going forward in order to enact real change. Many statements of support have been void of actionable options that point readers to ways to get connected and actually help. Your article provided both. And you didn’t pull your punches. Thank you for being an ally for Black lives. Our community is stronger when there is not just equality, but equity for every member of that community. There’s a lot of work to be done, but the load is lighter when we all take it on together. — Carie Branch Hamtramck

Arthur M. Horwitz Publisher ahorwitz@renmedia.us F. Kevin Browett Chief Operating Officer kbrowett@renmedia.us | Editorial Editor: Andrew Lapin alapin@thejewishnews.com Associate Editor: Jackie Headapohl jheadapohl@renmedia.us Social Media and Digital Producer: Nathan Vicar nvicar@renmedia.us Multimedia Reporter: Corrie Colf ccolf@renmedia.us

Regarding the “Editor’s Note — Healing Ourselves” Contrary to Andrew Lapin’s assertion, Black Lives Matter’s original 2016 platform began with bald-faced anti-Semitism from the get-go. It has never retreated. The mere removal from the internet of its embarrassingly hateful position on the existence of Israel, without renouncing its vicious message to Jews, is not clarification, it’s concealment. Many Jews today are conned by BLM’s PR move. Melina Abdullah, the co-founder of BLM’s Los Angeles chapter, has a record of appearing at Nation of Islam events and praising the anti-Semitic hate group and its leader, Louis Farrakhan. When Facebook decided to remove Farrakhan over his hateful rhetoric toward Jews, Abdullah came to his defense. “Facebook and Instagram’s decision to ban The Honorable Minister Farrakhan along with known white-supremacists represents the ultimate in false equivalencies,” Abdullah complained. “As a Black community, we should be very

Editorial Assistant: Sy Manello smanello@renmedia.us Senior Columnist: Danny Raskin dannyraskin2132@gmail.com Contributing Editor: Robert Sklar rsklar@renmedia.us Contributing Editor: David Sachs Editorial Intern: Yael Eichhorn yeichhorn@renmedia.us Contributing Writers: Nate Bloom, Suzanne Chessler, Annabel Cohen, Shari S. Cohen, Shelli Liebman Dorfman, Louis Finkelman, Maya Goldman, Ronelle Grier, Madeline Halpert, Esther Allweiss Ingber, Alan Muskovitz, Eli Reiter, Mike Smith

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JULY 2 • 2020

wary when others attempt to silence our leaders. I continue to appreciate the Minister’s fearless leadership and intense love for our people.” The platform of BLM, which has existed since 2016, could have been written by Hamas. It declares that the Jewish people of Israel perpetrate genocide against Palestinian Arabs and that Israel is an apartheid state. “The U.S. justifies and advances the global war on terror via its alliance with Israel and is complicit in the genocide taking place against the Palestinian people,” reads the “Invest/Divest” section of their charter “A Vision for Black Lives.” That same BLM platform supports Omar Barghouti’s anti-Semitic BDS movement. Barghouti, the co-founder of BDS, has said the sole purpose of BDS is the euthanasia of the Zionist dream of Israel. Those vandalizing statues across the world claim that they’re fighting hate, but their targets have often been the men and women who courageously stood up to racism and hatred. The statue of Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who saved

thousands of Jews during the Holocaust, stands in Los Angeles. When mobs swept through the area, looting Jewish stores and defacing synagogues with “BLM” and “Free Palestine” graffiti, the statue of a man who risked his life to resist fascism and bigotry was one of their targets. Jews have got to be literate enough to read the handwriting on the walls. We Jews helped start the NAACP and walked with Dr. King. We ask, where is the reciprocity? When will they finally stand with us to support Israel? At this time of unrest, it is worth remembering an op-ed by Congressman John Lewis in the San Francisco Chronicle in January 2002. In that op-ed commemorating Martin Luther King Day, Congressman Lewis recalled the wise and prescient words of Dr. King spoken at Harvard a few weeks before his death: “When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews; you’re talking anti-Semitism.”

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guest column

The 70th Anniversary

s the date of the 70th anniversary of my parents’ arrival in New York approached, and after so many trips to New York, I thought it was finally time to visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. On the ferry to the islands Barbara S. and during Balaj the visit, I was struck by the multitudes of foreign tourists — catching bits of Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian and Spanish. It was heartening to see these visitors from around the world witnessing the best of the spirit and history of America as a nation of immigrants. This was the America taking in the bereft and the broken to build new lives in a young and free country. After the war, my parents, Manya (Maria) Waskobujnik Balaj and Boruch (Ben) Balaj, made their way west from Chelyabinsk, USSR, through Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Austria, eventually arriving in Germany. When traveling through Vienna, they spent several days in the Rothschild Palace, which had been opened to refugees. They slept on the floors, gazing

at the splendorous remnants of a once magnificent home. They then spent several years in Displaced Persons’ (DP) camps in Wasseralfingen and Wetzlar, Germany. An exhibit at the Ellis Island Museum reminded me of the reason they were finally issued a visa to the United States. The U.S. Congress had passed a special Displaced Persons Act in 1948, authorizing the admittance of 200,000 DPs. They then sailed from Bremerhaven, Germany on the US military ship, the General Harry Taylor, landing in New York on Nov. 7, 1949. The exhibits and photos highlighted the many waves of immigrants throughout U.S. history, documenting their lives and struggles. There were photos of Southern and Eastern European immigrants living in squalor and poverty, huddled together in small, dark, rundown New York tenements. The photos show the haunted and frightened faces of immigrants working 10-12 hours a day, six-seven days a week. The exhibits showed that immigrants were often employed in the most physically demanding, difficult, dirty and low-paying

Manya Waskobujnik Balaj and Boruch Balaj, April 20, 1946, Chelyabinsk, USSR.

jobs — working as carpenters (“$3.75/day”), miners (“$2.50/ day”), and farmhands (“$5/ week with room & board”). And to think that this was better than what they left behind! My parents bought a used Singer sewing machine in Germany and loaded it with them on the ship to America, thinking that my father could work as a designer and shoemaker, as he had in Poland. He eventually established his own business in Detroit, toiling those long, hard immigrant hours. Born in 1915 in a oneroom, clay-floor house in the kleyn shtetl (small town) of Koretz, Poland, my father eventually moved his own family to a beautiful four-bedroom home in suburban Michigan. Ellis Island displays many documents about the struggles of new immigrants to learn English and assimilate into American life, building their families and pushing their children to take full advantage of unimaginable opportunities in the places from which they originated. continued on page 12 The caption reads: “M.S. General Harry Taylor in Bremerhaven [Germany] before departing for America.” The ship now lies at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean near Key West, Florida, where it functions as the world’s second largest artificial reef.

Palais Albert Rothschild, Vienna, Austria. It was occupied by Adolf Eichmann during the annexation of Austria, and the contents were looted by the Nazis. The heavily war-damaged building was demolished in 1954. Some of the items from the palace were eventually recovered by the Rothschild family, who then donated them to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

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JULY 2 • 2020

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BARBARA BALAJ

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ANTI-RACIST from page 6

ing cause — fighting for justice and the lives of Black people — includes a point of personal tension — it is time to make more dialogue and not the time to burn bridges you didn’t help build, nor the time to dismiss the reality that within this movement there are family and friends. It is because we are a moral people that we must stand up for Black lives, like we and our ancestors have in the past. Anti-racism is the practice of identifying, challenging and changing the values, structures and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism. I believe becoming a nation of anti-racists is our Sinai moment (God calling us to action) of today. Practicing anti-racism can be done Jewishly — in accumulative acts of heshbon hanefesh (taking personal inventory — or checking your own and your loved ones’ biases), gimmulut chassadim (the giving of loving-kindness) and in tzedek, tzedek tirdof (justice, justice, you shall pursue). When the work becomes uncomfortable, remember it will pale in comparison to the discomfort that Black, Indigenous and people of color feel in America under the shadow of white supremacy. Root your anti-racism work with guiding values that are inherently Jewish but intensely universal as well. It is in the ability to balance both our internal work — matters of the Jewish people and the Jewish faith — and in doing external work for those who will see us as we see them, children of Abraham. With this balance we can thoroughly heed our Godgiven call to do our part in creating a moral and just society. Peruse this list for some anti-racist resources: https://tinyurl.com/ yaka99u8. Ariana Mentzel is the managing director of the Detroit Center for Civil Discourse, a nonprofit organization with the goal of creating a space for meaningful and effective conversation between peoples of differing ideas and experiences.

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JULY 2 • 2020

ANNIVERSARY from page 10

With the outbreak of war, neither of my parents was able to finish their schooling. With only two weeks of English language lessons upon their arrival in Michigan, my mother and father struggled with English, their sixth and seventh languages, respectively. However, they greatly valued and supported education, and were so proud of their three college-educated children. Their family grew, and they were able to enjoy many years with their three beautiful and much beloved grandchildren. When touring Ellis Island, I also remembered the surprise I had uncovered some years earlier while searching the Ellis Island ancestry records. There were the details of my paternal grandfather’s ill-fated exodus to America. My paternal grandfather, Tevye Balaj, aged 28, arrived in New York from Glasgow, Scotland, on the S.S. Furnessia on Aug. 15, 1905. He moved to Boston for a year, where he joined his brother-in-law, who had come to the U.S. some years earlier. Tevye did not find American life to his liking, missing the traditional European Jewish life

of Koretz, then part of Russia. Instead of bringing the family to America, tragically, he returned to Russia, only to face the eventual destruction of the family — except for my father, who managed to survive after being deported to Siberia. My parents survived Hitler, Stalin, World War II and the Holocaust. They created a loving family, finding a piece of the American dream. They fulfilled the promise embodied in the Statue of Liberty, the “Mother of Exiles,” in the words of the famous sonnet by Emma Lazarus. Over the years, I recall my parents repeatedly saying, “This is the best country in the world, and don’t you forget it!” And as my mother said in her later years, “I came to this country with empty arms, and now they are full.” Barbara S. Balaj, Ph.D., a native of Michigan, lives in Washington, D.C., where she works for the World Bank Group, a United Nations specialized agency, initially created to rebuild countries devastated by World War II. The World Bank now provides loans, grants and technical assistance to over 100 developing countries around the world.

Online Comments The JN welcomes comments from our Facebook followers. Recently, several people responded to the story “Safe to Come Out?” which discussed how local Jews are feeling about the state reopening. Jill Stern: I’m high risk and so is my daughter. If something happens to me, she ends up in foster care since I have no remaining family. I only go out for necessities such as food. Even with that, I use Kroger pickup. Nothing is important enough to risk my daughter’s life. 99% of everything that I need I can get delivered or pick up every 2 weeks using Kroger pickup. Fred Cislo Jr.: I worked through the whole time (I work in a funeral home), went to the store as needed and continue to work. I feel comfortable going to the nature preserve and to the park and to where I need to go to get what I need. Rebecca Goldberg: Depends on the safety standards of the businesses. Trying to keep my shopping short and focused, probably only dining out on a patio if I do go somewhere this summer.

GLENN TRIEST

Jews in the D

Jews and Joints Michigan’’s c Michigan’s cannabis annabis iindustry, nd dustry propel propelled lled db byy JJews ews and ex-Detroit Lions, takes off during the COVID-19 crisis. MADELINE HALPERT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

hen Josh Weinberg was working as an attorney at Honigman LLP in Detroit, he couldn’t imagine that just a few years later he’d be in the cannabis business — much less enter a partnership with one of the best wide receivers in NFL history. In 2017, Weinberg met former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson Jr. and guard Rob Sims, and a business venture was born. After their football careers ended, Johnson and Sims had been using cannabis products to treat long-term inflammation and joint pain resulting from the beatings they endured on the field.

PSI INSTAGRAM

A technician at PSI Lab does some testing.

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They saw a chance to invest in a product with “untapped health benefits.” Weinberg saw a great business opportunity and a chance to form a partnership with a highly respected Detroit household name. “It was just the perfect timing,” Johnson told the Jewish News. “I wanted to get involved and see how much we could do in the industry.”

“It was just the perfect timing.” — CALVIN JOHNSON Two years later, in 2019, Weinberg opened Weinberg Family Enterprises, a medical marijuana growing facility in Webberville, Michigan. With Johnson, Sims, Jared Bundgaard and Adi Twina, he co-founded an affiliated brand and cannabis research company, PRIMITIV. Weinberg is one of many Jews in Michigan to become intimately involved in the cannabis industry since the state legalized medical marijuana in 2008. Since then,

(L-R) The Jewish PRIMITIV co-founders, Jared Bundgaard, Adi Twina and Josh Weinberg, with Calvin Johnson Jr. and Rob Sims, in their Detroit office.

Jews have come to occupy a variety of roles in the business, including helping to draft statewide marijuana laws, as well as working in marketing, advocacy, testing laboratories, growing facilities and secure transportation. And marijuana appears to be pandemic-proof. While many businesses have struggled to remain afloat during the economic recession brought on by COVID-19, many local cannabis businesses are doing better than ever. LEGAL GRAY AREAS Adam Goldberg, the CEO of Evergreen Logistics, a licensed marijuana transportation firm in Grass Lake, Michigan, says one of the reasons he was attracted to the cannabis business was the thrill of being a part of something new. “You don’t get too many opportunities to be a pioneer in an industry,” he said. When Benjamin Rosman and Lev Spivak-Birndorf opened their testing facility, PSI Laboratories, in Ann Arbor in 2012, it was one of only two such laboratories in Michigan. Rosman says he was inspired by his own cautionary experiences with unsafe cannabis

“You don’t get many opportunities to be a pioneer in an industry.” — ADAM GOLDBERG business and the cannabis industry have grown beyond their expectations. In 2018, legalization of adult-use recreational marijuana helped expand the cannabis industry in Michigan. But Matthew Abel, the founder of Cannabis Counsel, a firm specializing in marijuana law in Detroit, explains that the law has not paved the way for all parts of the state. Abel, who was one of 20 people involved in drafting the adult-use marijuana bill, explains that the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in Michigan (LARA)’s interpretation of the law requires city councils to pass an ordinance before recreational dispensaries and other cannabis facilities can operate in the area. Abel has since spent time visiting many city councils to encourage them to opt in to recreational marijuana. But with more than 1,700 municipalities in the state of Michigan, this is no easy task. Ferndale, Hazel Park and Walled Lake are some of the Metro Detroit municipalities that have already allowed the sale of adultuse marijuana. In Detroit, however, which currently has only medical marijuana dispensaries and facilities, a lawsuit is pending

that seeks to require the city to allow certain recreational dispensaries. On Nov. 1, 2019, the state had already started accepting adult-use marijuana license applications for Detroit. On Nov. 12, the Detroit City Council passed an ordinance banning adult-use stores and facilities. Those suing the State of Michigan say that businesses who applied for adultuse licenses within these 11 days should be allowed to sell recreational marijuana. But some businesses in the cannabis industry have benefited from the opt-in approach. Goldberg says that a reason his business has been successful is because it was located in a municipality that opted into the ordinance, allowing him to gain a license before others. “This put us at a tremendous advantage where we could be one of the leaders in our industry,” he said. Nevertheless, licensed cannabis businesses face several other practical issues in the state. Weinberg says that because marijuana is not legal on the federal level, some landlords are afraid of leasing real estate, and banks are hesitant to give out loans for fear of legal repercussions. “As long as it is considered a schedule 1 drug, we will not be able to access the normal banking system,” Weinberg said. Johnson says that to combat this problem, a successful cannabis venture requires solid investors. Abel says that, ultimately, implementation of the legalization of recreational marijuana “should give more opportunity to people

GLENN TRIEST

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products. On one occasion, Rosman bought an improperly labeled CBD pretzel edible. The product ended up containing psychoactive THC. After this experience, Rosman and Spivak-Birndorf wanted to help create safer products for consumers and become involved in a growing and changing cannabis industry. Now, as one of only a couple laboratories in the state licensed to test adult-use and medical marijuana, PSI Labs works to ensure the safety of products before they arrive at dispensaries. Their team of scientists tests for potential contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides and microbial contamination, along with potency. SpivakBirndorf says that since the opening, their

Josh Weinberg

who have been impacted by the unfair drug laws.” Johnson, who recently issued a statement about police brutality and cannabis criminal justice reform on behalf of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, says communities of color have been disproportionately affected by these prohibition laws. For this reason, he and Sims feel their new role in the cannabis industry is a chance to work toward progress and equity. “It’s an opportunity for us to create our own narrative, especially being minorities working in a business that has greatly affected the Black community,” Johnson said. continued on page 16

Jerry Millen

COURTESY OF GROW CANNABIS MARKETING

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COURTESY OF GROW CANNABIS MARKETING

continued from page 15

The GreenHouse of Walled Lake dispensary

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owners, Abel feels the cannabis industry is still being discriminated against in the midst of the coronavirus. He says that marijuana businesses are not eligible for the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, which offers loans for small businesses. He finds this ironic, since many governors, including Whitmer, have deemed marijuana dispensaries as essential businesses. JEWISH VALUES In the past decade, Jews have come to play an important role in the cannabis industry in Michigan. Half of the six cannabis testing facilities in the state are owned by Jews, including PSI Laboratories, Steadfast Analytical Laboratories in Hazel Park and Iron Laboratories in Walled Lake. Spivak-Birndorf says he has met several Jews working behind the scenes in laboratories, growing and processing facilities. From a science perspective, he’s not surprised to find Jews in cannabis laboratories. “The stereotype is we have a lot of nerds,” he said. In addition to the scientific aspects of the business, Spivak-Birndorf believes Jews might be attracted to the cannabis industry because of their willingness to question things. “We are allowed to ask questions to our God in a way that maybe other religions aren’t as often,” he said. “We’re attracted to groundbreaking, rule-changing sorts

of industries in that way.” For Mort Meisner, the CEO of Grow Cannabis Marketing in Royal Oak, the pull to the cannabis industry for Jews, and many others, is as simple as opportunity. “Those of us of the Jewish faith, many of us are very entrepreneurial,” he said. Many of those involved in the cannabis industry don’t find their work to be at odds with their Jewish roots. Goldberg says though there tends to be a lot of misinformation and stigmatization of the industry, he sees cannabis as a business like any other. Some even feel their Jewish values inspire the work they do. Weinberg says that the Jewish principle of helping others is present when his products provide symptom relief to medical marijuana patients. Additionally, Weinberg explains that for COURTESY OF GROW CANNABIS MARKETING

CANNABIS UNDER COVID-19 Despite these legal gray areas and financial technicalities, many cannabis industry owners are thriving — even during the COVID19 pandemic. Goldberg says that the cannabis business has gotten even stronger during this time. “People have had some of their best weeks under COVID,” he said. Jerry Millen, owner of The GreenHouse of Walled Lake dispensary, says that on an average business day during the COVID-19 pandemic, the store sees 700 to 800 cars come for curbside delivery. Business has been so successful that on May 29, Millen started offering free 20minute consultations on cannabis products to all medical marijuana and recreational users. “People who wouldn’t even try cannabis before are reaching out because of a lot of anxiety and stress,” he said. Curbside pickup has been a huge boon, too. Millen is grateful to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for legalizing this service for the industry. He says he has been advocating for curbside pickup even before COVID-19, in particular for medical marijuana patients. “I have people who are in wheelchairs, paraplegics, people with stage four cancer. Just for them to get out of their vehicle is a 20-minute process,” he said. Millen hopes the state will consider permanently legalizing this service even after the pandemic. Despite an uptick in business for many

Mort Meisner

COURTESY OF GROW CANNABIS MARKETING

“I think it helps bring the world together, tikkun olam.”

FARBER HEBREW DAY SCHOOL

years, people have been unjust- systems. ly incarcerated and prosecuted Some feel confident in the due to their cannabis use. industry’s ability to bounce Changing the mentality around back. Rosman says the ecomarijuana is, to him, a chance nomic trajectory of the industo help those who were previtry before the coronavirus will ously subjected to a discrimibe indicative of its future. natory system. “It very much “Everyone was going goes along with the Jewish through this tremendous ethos of helping the downtrod- growth period when the entire den,” he said. world was hit by the pandemic, Spivak-Birndorf sees some and it knocked the world off its similarities between the proaxis,” he said. cess of kosher certification and In two to three months, he cannabis safety testing. He says hopes the industry will start to their lab also works to uphold see some of that same growth a code of safety and quality. start back up again. “It involves both the ethical Even in the wake of a panstandpoint about what’s right demic, Weinberg plans on and wrong, as well as setting expanding his business to a minimum baseline in terms dispensaries in the near future. of quality for what you expect When he obtains his adult-use a product to medical marhave if you ijuana license, are going to Weinberg consume it,” explains that he said. Johnson and For others, Sims will serve cannabis and as central Judaism go ambassadors back a long for the compaway. “They’re ny and its can— MATTHEW ABEL both ancient,” nabis products Abel said. through the Abel adds that it’s only been in PRIMITIV brand. Sims says the last 100 years that cannabis he and Johnson are looking has been villainized, but that forward to the opportunity to thousands of years before that, work with diverse groups to Jews likely used cannabis. create cannabis products for the masses. LOOKING AHEAD Ultimately, many see huge When Whitmer approved the economic potential in the opening of retail spaces in the future of the cannabis industry state for up to 10 customers in Michigan and the United at a time, she cleared the way States. Abel says some are callfor dispensaries to open their ing it the new dotcom boom. doors again. But for those in If approached with the right the retail sector of the cannaplanning and forethought, bis industry, reopening stores he views the industry as an under the coronavirus presents economic driver and a develparticular challenges. opment tool that communities, Millen says it will be a difincluding Jews, would do well ficult transition back to welto embrace. coming customers in the dis“It would be nice if the pensary. He is most concerned Jewish community could assist for the health of his medical in the cannabis mission,” he marijuana patients, who some- said. “I think it helps bring the times have weakened immune world together, tikkun olam.”

Parking Lot Ceremony Farber Hebrew Day School celebrates graduates. CORRIE COLF STAFF WRITER

n June 7, Farber Hebrew Day School celebrated their eight graduating seniors by throwing them their very own parking lot graduation. Although it was not how seniors envisioned their graduation, it was the perfect way to end this memorable senior year. “No one was excited about a Zoom graduation. The thought of having a remote graduation was the last thing that anyone wanted to have,” said Head of School Rabbi Scot Berman. Farber’s graduation ceremony had been scheduled for May 31. But the faculty and staff postponed it to see if an in-person graduation ceremony would be possible. “Time was in our favor. The later we had the graduation, the better the chance that there would be less restrictions imposed upon us that would interfere with us having it in-person,” Rabbi Berman said. Once residents were allowed to gather outdoors, Farber moved ahead with setting up the outdoor ceremony. All eight graduates were socially distanced on the stage and families of the graduates gathered in the parking lot while practicing social distancing. Farber had most of their speeches pre-recorded so there would be fewer faculty and staff. Each senior was given their own microphone as well. Yaffa Magier and Micah Eizen were two of the seniors who graduated from Farber.

They both expressed their gratitude to the faculty and staff for being able to make this last event at Farber a special one. “It was not what I was expecting at all, especially with everything going on,” Magier said. “In the end, being able to be on stage and seeing family in their cars, it was exciting and felt like we earned this. Compared to other graduations, I appreciate our ceremony so much.” Since their graduating class was so small, all the seniors were able to attend and come together for one last time. “This process has been very hard. These last couple months are supposed to be the best four months of our educational careers,” Magier said. “However, our school really pushed through and tried to make our graduation as special as they possibly could, and they did just that.” Prior to the graduation, Rabbi Berman and some of the other staff members dropped off lawn signs and personalized cookies to the homes of each graduate as a surprise to all eight seniors. They had graduation music playing and took socially distanced graduation photos with the seniors. “This whole thing has been surreal. We walked out of school on March 13, and who knew that it was going to be our last day in the school,” Eizen said. “The graduation ceremony and the lawn sign drop-off was really nice and meant a lot to all of us to see the continued support from our teachers and staff that we have had throughout our years at Farber.” JULY 2 • 2020

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A member of the Southfield Police Dept., with Southfield Fire Dept. Chief Johnny Menifee at the blood drive.

Jews in the D

NACHY SOLOFF

‘Super Motivated’ Local Donors Hundreds participate in COVID-19 vaccine development and virus progression study. SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

purred by the overwhelming attendance at two recent Hatzalahorganized blood drives, a third, held on May 31, drew nearly double the number of individuals than the first two combined. All three were aimed at helping those suffering from COVID-19 and hopefully preventing the virus from affecting others. The first two drives tested

only those who recovered from the illness, had been exposed or had symptoms, with the hope of identifying individuals with antibodies that could potentially help others. Nearly half of the 400 blood donors were found to have levels of antibodies needed to donate plasma for scientific trials and treatment of those who have the virus. At the most recent drive, the 350 donors who came

Educational Gardens Big Green, Hazon partner to grow produce at Metro Detroit schools.

COURTESY OF SARI CICUREL

Hazon’s Topsy Turvy Bus

MAYA GOLDMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ewish sustainability organization Hazon is partnering with environmental education nonprofit Big Green to create new “giving gardens” in several Metro Detroit communities this summer. Work on the gardens officially began in late June. The garden beds, which already exist as

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“learning gardens” at public schools, will be planted by Big Green staff in cities including Ferndale, Oak Park, Hazel Park and Southfield. Hazon has volunteered to provide the seeds and compost to grow carrots, beans and squash. When the vegetables are ready to be harvested starting around

out included some with the same COVID history but also individuals with no diagnosis, symptoms or exposure. Blood was taken as part of a vaccine development/virus progression study, created for the development and study of COVID-19 vaccines and to enable further research toward more effective treatment. The samples will be used in the study of vaccine development, as well as how COVID-19 infects and spreads across a region or community. The first two drives were organized by the Oak Parkbased Hatzalah of MichiganEmergency Medical Services. At the May 31 drive, they collaborated with the Southfield Fire Department. Captain Melissa Medici, the fire department’s EMS coordinator, who volunteered as a phlebotomist at a previous drive, contacted Hatzalah about working together, said Nachy Soloff of Southfield, a

Hatzalah volunteer and blood drive organizer. “She opened it up to a wider platform.” Members of Hatzalah and the fire department drew blood in tented areas outside the Southfield Public Library from donors who waited in their cars until called. “Other communities also held this type of drive, but we are the only ones in the national (Hatzalah) movement to bring in these types of numbers,” Soloff said. “Our relationship with the city fire department is a reflection of this. “In addition to new donors, those tested for antibodies at previous drives were eligible to donate again at this most recent one. We had people who were so super-motivated to help others that they donated before, and when they heard about this drive, they came back again.”

mid-August, students and families from the community will be invited to pick their own veggies. Hazon will then help distribute the remaining vegetables by parking their Topsy Turvy Bus in the community so families can come collect the free produce. Whatever is left after Hazon’s distribution will be donated to local food pantries. Big Green will also work with online farmer’s market Michigan Fields to help distribute produce in the community, said Ken Elkins, regional director of Big Green Detroit. Big Green, co-founded in 2011 by Elon Musk’s brother Kimball Musk, builds and runs educational learning gardens in public schools. When COVID19 hit Michigan this spring, the organization moved their learning garden curriculum online for students to access at home, but their gardens sat empty when schools closed in March. The organization wanted to find a

way to put them to use. “We wanted to do our part as far as assisting and helping our communities,” Elkins said. Similarly, Hazon shifted its focus toward helping community members plant and grow their own produce with their Relief Garden Initiative when the pandemic began. The program ended on June 5. Wren Hack, director of Hazon Detroit, said her organization already had seeds to give away from their relief garden initiative, and their bus made for a convenient distribution center. “It was an easy partnership to form,” Hack said. “It’s so heartening to know that [Big Green] can activate those gardens and just help people with their meals.” Twenty of Big Green Detroit’s 52 school gardens will be repurposed as giving gardens, Elkins said. He hopes the other 32 gardens will be able to continue with normal learning garden programming this fall.

Eugene and Marcia Applebaum, Jewish Community Campus

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Jews in the D essay

B’nai Moshe Begins Group to Discuss Racism

Looking Back at Hillel of Metro Detroit

Marcella Bluth

MARCELLA BLUTH SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

ooking back at my involvement with Hillel of Metro Detroit seems odd because it is like looking back at all my encounters with my family. Family is there to challenge you, encourage you and guide you into the person you are meant to be. I know it seems cliché, but the encouragement and support of my Hillel family has helped shape me into the woman I am today, and for this I am grateful. Through Hillel, I have been a part of J-talk, Students for Israel, Jewish Student’s Organization and the Israel Fellowship, to name a few. As of last year, I became the president of the Jewish Student Organization and started the Girl’s Night program at Wayne after receiving a grant of $4,000 from the Jewish Women’s Fund for these programs. I also founded and coordinated Green is the New Black, Detroit’s first ever sustainable living fashion show. The fashion show spread awareness about sustainable fashion, worked with local Detroit businesses and students, inspired people to find their passion projects pertaining to sustainability

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and demonstrated how to give back to one’s community; over 200 people attended this event. Drive and resilience (a nicer word for stubbornness) go hand in hand. What keeps my vision intact is by looking at what is already there and building on it. There is a small, budding Jewish community in Detroit, which taught me the meaning of dedication toward stepping up and making the community great. It is never easy to be the first, but when you believe in the cause of repopulating the Jewish community in Detroit, you find the drive and motivation. My boyfriend (Jeremy Rosenberg) and I have taken the Jewish future of Detroit into our own hands. In addition to building that community on campus, we realized it is just as important to root and build that community off campus. We do this through Hillel’s Shabbat programs to host Shabbat dinners and lunches. Cooking for dozens of Jewish college students is never easy; however, seeing another Jew feel welcome and wanting to be a part of the Jewish community in Detroit is incred-

ible and makes it worth the effort. That's what drives me, knowing I am actively contributing to my future. I have many favorite moments. Each experience matures my understanding of what it means to be a Jew and how to give back to my community. That being said, a defining moment for me occurred a few months ago when a few students and I were meeting with a potential donor. He asked us, “If I could help give you guys anything, what would you ask for?” After much discussion, the conclusion was that we didn’t need anything at that time. I realized then that I helped create an infrastructure that previously did not exist and was now self-sustainable. This edified the reality that my work ethic and goals were successful. It also increased my drive and helped me realize that I have only just begun. Marcella Bluth, a senior majoring in communications at Wayne State University, was named the Elaine C. Driker Award recipient via Zoom at a recent Hillel of Metro Detroit Board of Governors meeting. The Elaine C. Driker Award acknowledges a Hillel of Metro Detroit student who has demonstrated a commitment to Jewish life in Detroit.

Recent events have brought systemic racism to the forefront of our collective consciousness. B’nai Moshe is stepping up to advocate for and take action toward building a more just system. In doing so, B’nai Moshe has created an ongoing opportunity for education and dialogue in our community on how to effectively contribute to lasting impactful and meaningful change. This group will meet every other week via Zoom video conferencing in a safe and supportive place to gather and share information necessary to reinforce B’nai Moshe and the Jewish community’s support for people of color and the Jewish values of life, justice and community. This program, called “Avodat Tzedek — Work of Justice,” is an information exchange and discussion group, and will be led by a mental health professional and a community organizer to ensure a safe and respectful environment. Discussions will include systemic racism (versus other forms of racism); implicit bias; Black and Jewish — ways to be more inclusive and acknowledging; oppression as it relates to Jewish history and values; and many more subjects. The group will look for concrete actions to end racism. It’s not enough to just not be racist. We need to be actively antiracist. The first discussion is Monday, July 6, at 7:30 p.m. and registration is required. For more information and to register, visit.bnaimoshe.org.

Guidelines for Re-opening Simchahs Weddings, b’nei mitzvah and baby namings can begin Aug. 1. SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

n March 12, the Michigan Board of Rabbis decided to close synagogue and temple facilities due to the threat of COVID-19. That action, based on medical recommendations, preceded Michigan’s official “stay-at-home” order. The group, which includes Reform, Rabbi Aaron Conservative, Bergman Reconstructionist, Renewal, Humanist and Modern

Orthodox rabbis and those who work at Jewish day schools, has been discussing policies for reopening synagogues. Rabbi Aaron Bergman of Adat Shalom Synagogue serves as the board’s president. Looking ahead to re-opening, he said, “We are taking into consideration the governor’s orders and changing science. We’ve been very cautious.” On June 9, the Michigan Board of Rabbis approved a policy for re-opening simchahs that will “provide essential Jewish rituals in ways that

address our shared commitment to health and safety. In doing so, we are heeding the advice of governmental authorities and health experts — and recognize that this advice (and our response to it) may continue to change and evolve rapidly.” Beginning Aug. 1, synagogues affiliated with the Michigan Board of Rabbis will offer private, in-person simchahs (weddings, baby namings, b’nei mizvah) with specific guidelines. These include location considerations — outdoor ceremonies are preferred, but simchahs may be held inside a well-ventilated sanctuary with additional precautions. Participants and guests (besides clergy and essential synagogue workers) are limited to 25 people from no more than 10 households or the state of

Michigan’s recommended limit, whichever is less. Worship space will be set up to maintain 15 feet of distance between clergy and ceremony participants. All guests must wear masks and sit with at least 12 feet between individual or family groups who live in the same household, including relatives. Sanitation stations will be readily available. Such “touch points” as shared programs, loaned siddurim, kippot and tallitot will be eliminated. Aliyot, other than those given by a bar/bat mitzvah, or his/her family members, will be allowed only from the pews. Several congregations are planning to conduct services this summer in compliance with the Michigan Board of Rabbis’ policies for social distancing and other health precautions.

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Jews in the D

Neil, Emily, Davi, Miriam, Mendy and Leah Silverman, at Mendy’s bris.

Have Mohel, Will Zoom Guests in five states virtually attend newest family member’s bris. SHELLI LEIBMAN DORFMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

hen Debbie and Howard Silverman learned of the birth of their new grandson in St. Louis on May 28, they knew his bris would not be anything like the Shabbat morning, synagogue ceremony and kiddush attended by hundreds of people for his now 6-year-old brother. Not only would newborn Mendel Moshe’s bris not take place in a crowded shul, but no matter where it occurred, the Silvermans would not be there — the baby was quarantined for 14 days after his birth due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grandparents, who live in Waterford, had traveled to be with their son and daughter-in-law’s family when each of their other children was born, and in “normal” times would have been there in-person for Mendy, too. The disappointment of missing this very special day was eased with an introduction to the Zoom bris, bringing them into the new realm of connecting religious traditions with web-based video conferencing. The bris was planned quickly. Until Mendy’s birth, only his mom was aware of

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his gender. “Our daughter-in-law Emily knew for some time, but our son Neil didn’t want to know,” Debbie said. “He wanted to be surprised. I couldn’t believe that she kept it secret for so long.” Before the baby was born, his parents discussed the possibility of a Zoom bris if they had a boy, knowing it was the only way to include others in the milestone occasion. “There really wasn’t another option, given that the shuls were still closed at this time,” Neil said. “We briefly discussed including friends and people in our community, but ultimately decided to make it a more private Zoom event.” FAMILY AFFAIR The bris was held in the family’s home, with only Neil, Emily, Mendy and his siblings, Leah, 8; Davi, 6, and Miriam, 4½, and a masked mohel present. Debbie and Howard were joined in their computer’s Zoom boxes by Neil’s brothers and sister-in law, Steven and Jamie Silverman of Birmingham and Jason Silverman of Miami, along with Emily’s brother and sister, Zander Kanefield of New York and

Lily Kanefield of Chicago. Emily’s parents, Jeff and Renee Kanefield, who live in the St. Louis area, had an unusual vantage point for the bris: neither in the home, nor on Zoom. “They actually watched from outside, through our front door,” Neil said. This was not mohel Gideon Nitsun’s first screen-sharing bris. “His attitude didn’t appear to be altered by the fact that this was broadcast over Zoom,” Neil said. “Seems like he had already become somewhat desensitized to our new reality.” Not so for the family who

signed onto their computers without much knowledge of what would take place. “In hindsight, I should have been more thoughtful on setting expectations for those family members on Zoom,” Neil said. “Since this was a first for everyone, there was a real sense of surrealism. “Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to speak after the bris. Had I sent a schedule or agenda in advance, our conversation following the bris would potentially have felt more natural to transition from casual chit chat to a more formal speech,” Neil said.

FREE Y DELIVER TRADITION Mendel Moshe was officially named at his bris, given his first name in memory of Emilyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paternal grandfather, Marvin Kanefield, who lived in St. Louis. His middle name was in memory of Neilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paternal grandfather, Detroiter Milt Silverman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a great way to honor my father,â&#x20AC;? Howard said.

Neil, too, saw a bright side in the connection of family through video conferencing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Under normal circumstances, siblings understandably may have had difficulties justifying the expenses associated with traveling to this event. Zoom permitted all immediate family members to virtually experience our simchah.Â Once life normalizes, I would

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were very happy that today, in 2020, there is Zoom available, and we could see the bris, along with our children in the other states where they live.â&#x20AC;?

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â&#x20AC;&#x201D; DEBBIE SILVERMAN One bris custom that was impossible to share via cyberspace was the festive meal that typically follows the ceremony. Guests were on their own, but Mendyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immediate family sat down afterwards to lox, eggs and bagels.Â Being part of the computer-gathering allowed Debbie and Howard not only to participate in Mendyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bris, but it also gave them a chance to share the day with others who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live close by. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would have been very sad not be able to see the actual bris,â&#x20AC;? Debbie said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were very happy that today, in 2020, there is Zoom available, and we could see the bris, along with our children in the other states where they live.â&#x20AC;?

recommend that mothers and fathers do consider providing a Zoom option for people that may be unable to travel to the simchah.â&#x20AC;? Comparing the bris of each of his sons, Neil said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Daviâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was held at shul on Shabbos followed by a kiddush that was attended by hundreds of people.Â Family from both sides were in attendance, including both sets of parents and siblings. It was traditional in every sense of the word.â&#x20AC;? Mendyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bris, too, was deep-seated in tradition. The close-knit family found a way to be together to observe every Jewish law and custom associated with it. And they discovered it could be done with the infusion of a modern-day, unexpected twist.

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Protestors in San Francisco in 2017 defending DACA

BY PAX AHIMSA GETHEN VIA WIKIPEDIA

Jews in the D

Jewish Legal Experts Weigh In On DACA Decision The S Th Supreme C Courtt ruled l d th thatt efforts ff t tto end d th the program were “arbitrary and capricious.” LOUIS FINKELMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

June 20 Supreme Court decision invalidates the Trump administration’s attempt to rescind DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). For now, these immigrants — the “dreamers” — have retained the protections of DACA. President Barack Obama’s 2012 DACA program protects from deportation some undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children and then raised and educated here. The program permits DACA recipients, about 700,000 people, to obtain work permits. Five years later, on Sept. 5, 2017, Elaine Duke, acting secretary of Homeland Security in the Trump administration, issued a memorandum that “terminated the program.” The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia found that Duke provided insufficient explanation for terminating the program. Duke’s successor as secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen M.

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Nielsen, then provided additional reasoning for rescinding DACA. On June 20, 2020, Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the Court, ruled that the efforts to end DACA were still “arbitrary and capricious,” and so DACA remains in force. At this point, dreamers can breathe a sigh of relief, and the Trump administration expresses frustration. THE LEGAL REASONING Tim Moran, senior lecturer at the Irvin D. Reid Honors College of Wayne State University, cautions that “when the Supreme Court issues an opinion, it’s not because they ‘side with’ any particular issue. They examine the law and decide whether the law has been followed correctly.” The majority of the court decided the case as a narrow question of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). The executive cannot simply overturn an administrative rule without providing a sufficient rationale. Justice Roberts, joined by the liberal justices, found that Duke’s memorandum offered an

“arbitrary and capricious” rationale, and that Nielsen’s later additions could not remedy that original lack. Three conservative justices dissented in part on substantive grounds. Justice Clarence Thomas (supported by Justices Alito and Gorsuch) wrote that President Obama’s orders creating DACA were themselves illegal, so the court should have accepted the memorandum ending DACA. Congress never granted legal status to these people, and the Department of Homeland Security could not do so. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented in part for a different reason: Ending DACA specifically targets Latino immigrants, and the court should have considered President Trump’s often-expressed animus against Latinos. The decision, however, rests on a procedural question. Robert Sedler, professor of constitutional law at Wayne State University Law School, notes that Chief Justice Roberts here follows “the operative principle: Decide cases on the narrowest possible grounds.”

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR DACA RECIPIENTS? Local immigration attorney Ellie Mosko of Mosko Law PC put it this way: â&#x20AC;&#x153;DACA recipients â&#x20AC;Ś can now feel a little less anxiety. DACA was always a stopgap measure, a Band-Aid, imperfect at best. It gives people the chance to live here, to work, to travel and return, to help family members. It does not lead to citizenship (for people who know no other country).â&#x20AC;? Mosko continued, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Applying for DACA status is always a difficult choice. To apply, a person comes out of the shadows and exposes himself or herself to the government. This gives rise to legitimate Ellie Mosko concerns in which a government could end such a program and turn around and target those previously protected and their families.â&#x20AC;? Furthermore, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Homeland Security has not yet issued guidelines for accepting new DACA applications.â&#x20AC;? Sedler agreed the decision does not protect DACA recipients from future deportation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no security for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dreamers,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? he said. However, â&#x20AC;&#x153;for the foreseeable future at least, they need not worry about Robert Sedler losing that status. And public opinion is strongly in favor of their being able to remain in the U.S.â&#x20AC;?

Questions about how the Trump administration will implement this ruling remain. According to Mosko, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the initial response from Homeland Security indicates that they consider DACA illegal.â&#x20AC;? Chad Wolf, acting Homeland Security chief, simply said of DACA, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unlawful.â&#x20AC;? U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Deputy Director for Policy Joseph Edlow similarly rejects the Supreme Court decision: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s court opinion has no basis in law and merely delays the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawful ability to end the illegal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals amnesty program.â&#x20AC;? Legal historian Paul Finkelman, president of Gratz College in greater Philadelphia, finds Edlowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statement â&#x20AC;&#x153;disturbing.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Almost all American Jews are the children, grandchildren and Paul Finkelman great-grandchildren of refugees,â&#x20AC;? Finkelman said.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thus, we should be applauding this ruling on DACA, which reinvigorates our nation as a refuge of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the tired, the poor, the huddled masses, yearning to be freeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as the Jewish poet Emma Lazarus wrote in the poem that is on the Statue of Liberty.â&#x20AC;? According to Mosko, the court did not address the legality of the original DACA program. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In effect,â&#x20AC;? she said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the court creates a roadmap for the Trump administration to try again following the appropriate legal process.â&#x20AC;?

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Jews in the D jews and racial justice

Social Justice Challenge Three local Jews offer a way to help social justice organizations achieve their goals. RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

hree native Detroiters created an online donation platform that offers a socially engaging experience while helping social justice organizations achieve their fundraising goals. The Social Justice Challenge was developed by longtime friends Steven Silverman, Josh Sklar and Matthew Greenberg, all 29. Their goal was to design a quick and easy program for individual donors to learn about and support a variety of local and national charitable organizations. “We started with a plan to raise money for COVID-19 relief, and then quickly shifted to supporting racial and social justice once it became the center of attention,” said Silverman, a Birmingham resident who is a senior vice president at Friedman Real Estate in Farmington Hills. All three founders grew up in Metro Detroit and attended Hillel Day School and the University of Michigan. Sklar and Greenberg were neighbors in Franklin. Greenberg and Silverman went to Tamarack. Sklar and Silverman both serve on the NEXTGen Detroit

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JULY 2 • 2020

board of Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. “Our contacts have been supportive in raising money and making a difference for the organizations we’re supporting,” said Greenberg, a freelance web developer in Chicago. According to Silverman, the platform allows donors to contribute to vetted organizations while providing opportunities for personal expression. The process is simple: Visitors to the home page are greeted by a grid of squares (think gigantic Zoom meeting) filled with personal photos, logos and inspirational messages created by past donors. Those wishing to donate click on an empty square, which takes them to a donation page. There, they select the organization they wish to support. During checkout, donors can upload an image of their choice to display in their squares, along with their names and chosen charities, unless they choose to remain anonymous. Once the transaction is completed, donors are provided with links to enable sharing on their various social media accounts.

NONPROFIT PARTNERSHIPS Contributors can choose from a list of nonprofit partner organizations, each committed to helping people in need and furthering the cause of social justice reform. Currently, there are seven participating organizations: • Detroit Justice Center • Black Lives Matter - Detroit • The Bail Project (national) • SAY Detroit • Empowerment Plan • Humble Design • Neighborhood Defender Service - Detroit The founders welcome new partnerships from organizations looking to increase their public profile and expand their fundraising capabilities. “Beyond listening, talking and educating myself more around social injustice, I was struggling to find a way to make an actionable impact,” said Sklar, who lives and works in Detroit as director of engineering for StockX. “We’re excited about making this more accessible for everyone, and hope that the community shares our passion and helps make an impact.”

COURTESY OF SARI CICUREL

Josh Sklar, Matt Greenberg, Steve Silverman

CORPORATE MATCHING PROGRAMS In its first two weeks, the platform expanded to include corporate “challengers” who are motivating their employees by matching individual donations. The first Michigan companies volunteering to match their employees’ contributions are Telemus Capital (which raised $12,000), Friedman Real Estate in Southfield, ADS Music Partners in Birmingham and Child and Family Solutions Center in Farmington Hills. To date, the trio has raised more than $20,000 for local organizations. “We’ve found that individual donors tend to donate quicker and donate more when there is a philanthropist, community sponsor, employer, etc., that is matching their donation one-for-one,” Silverman said. In addition to expanding these connections, the group is helping community sponsors by creating custom boards/websites they can use to promote the program to their networks. Future plans include continuing to grow the organization in Metro Detroit and then expanding nationwide to cities such as Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. The trio also plan to move forward with their original fundraising site for COVID-19 relief, CovidCharityChallenge.com. “From a tech perspective, it’s easy for us to grow and evolve in other markets. We exist purely as a platform to serve our individual donors, community sponsors and, most importantly, the grassroots organizations that we’re supporting,” Silverman said.

To learn more or to make a donation, visit socialjusticechallenge.com. Nonprofit organizations interested in partnerships may email support@ socialjusticechallenge.com.

jews and racial justice

Marching in

COURTESY OF ILANA SPENCER

Crown Heights Michigan-based grad student Ilana Spencer helped organize a groundbreaking solidarity rally among Brooklyn’s Chabad community. ELI REITER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

n June 7, more than 200 members of the Crown Heights Chabad community came together in solidarity to march along Eastern Parkway. Across Orthodox communities in New York there were rallies against police brutality and to build solidarity with people of color. One of the Ilana Spencer organizers of the Crown Heights rally was Ilana Spencer, a University of Michigan research assistant who helped organize the event from her home in Ann Arbor. She even made sure to include her maiden and married name on banners, to normalize being an Orthodox Jewish progressive. This interview was condensed and edited from a phone call and email exchange. TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW YORK AND DETROIT CONNECTIONS. I moved to Crown Heights to go to a religious high school (Beis Rivkah High School). I moved to Detroit three years ago to help facilitate the opening of a Jewish

Montessori school in the area. I stayed with the school for a year before moving to Ann Arbor to pursue my master’s degree. WHAT’S THE STORY ABOUT THE FACEBOOK GROUP THAT STARTED THIS OFF? The group was a place where we could really be ourselves with like-minded people, which doesn’t seem like a big deal unless you understand how much regular frum life clashed with our inner worlds and realities. This hadn’t really been as much of a problem before Trump’s election, and then we looked around at people who we respected and interacted with daily and couldn’t really relate to their value systems anymore. Something had really broken permanently in many of our relationships when we saw that. It started with a Facebook group and migrated into a WhatsApp group of like-minded progressive, observant and formerly observant Jews who shared articles, Twitter screenshots and memes, which started so we could follow the 2019 Democratic primary debates. I was already in Michigan at that point.

HOW DO JEWISH VALUES PLAY INTO BOTH THE GROUP AND PROTESTS? Part of the reason I was drawn to religious life and community was the focus on self-improvement and community responsibility. Judaism offers something that American daily life is sorely lacking — a sense that we are responsible for our neighbors and to becoming the kind of person who can support our community members through tzedakah and acts of kindness. To

“Judaism offers something that American daily life is sorely lacking.” — ILANA SPENCER us, civic engagement and liberal values align with what we love about Judaism because it gives us permission to care deeply and feel responsible for others and our own impact or potential inaction in the world. continued on page 28 JULY 2 • 2020

| 27

COURTESY OF ILANA SPENCER

continued from page 27

WHAT WAS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS MOMENT FOR YOU? I saw [Lubavitch] people cheering when the NYPD arrived [in response to a BLM protest] and sobbed. I wanted to normalize being a social justice activist by being a visibly frum person. This action is something one can do as a graduate of Bais Rivkah. The protesters who were there were not on the

fringes [of the Chabad community]. Also, to normalize showing up for our Black neighbors. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THE PROTEST? I am so excited and happy that so many people from the Crown Heights community showed up in support of their Black neighbors. We weren’t sure what the turnout would be. It went beyond our expectations. A historian explained that

3 percent of a community has to come out and protest in the streets in order for a revolution to follow. We were halfway there with our first protest. Given how heavily policed and silenced people are within the community, I imagine there were many more who would have liked to show up but would worry about their kids being kicked out of school or otherwise being shamed for being public [about their liberal politics and activism]. I think there is a lot of energy and goodwill around the ideas we are advancing, and I think we uncovered that there’s a lot more support for a progressive worldview that’s being buried than we had originally thought, which is heartening and galvanizing.

for racial justice and support our Black neighbors. I wanted both the Jewish and Black communities to see us and know that there is support for this cause. Seeing the positive response has really inspired us organizers, and we are working daily on meeting with local politicians and community groups; forming subcommittees; coming up with a name and logo; and crafting a mission statement and focus. We hope to plan more rallies, educational events and generate awareness about civic engagement and cross-community conversation. This (movement) is internal, organic and rooted in Chasidic values, so we bring something unique to the table.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE NEXT STEPS WILL BE? My hopes were to take a stand

You can follow along and support the cause at https://www.instagram.com/ ker_a_velt/

JCRC/AJC

Members of the Chabad community of Crown Heights marched for Black lives and held signs expressing their Jewish values.

Jews in the D

Advocating for Criminal Justice Reform JCRC/AJC join clergy in the state capitol to propose policy changes. LAUREN GARFIELD-HERRIN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

ecently, Rabbi Asher Lopatin, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council/ AJC (JCRC/AJC), joined more than 60 clergy from across the state and across racial and religious divides to advocate on the steps of the state capitol for criminal justice reform. The Interfaith Coalition for Criminal Justice Reform was organized by the Rev. Dr. Tellis Chapman, the NAACP, Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, and Bishop Edgar Vann. While there, the group proposed important policy changes on policing and reviewing police activities. This included

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JULY 2 • 2020

a call for police departments to be comprised of resident members of the community; the prohibiting of chokeholds or placing an officer’s body on a detainee, which causes bodily harm; requiring public safety officers to intervene when observing use of excessive force or other misconduct; and the reimagining of police department budgets to include funding to address social and mental health needs without direct police intervention. Lauren Garfield-Herrin is assistant director of the JCRC/AJC.

TOP: Rabbi Lopatin with Dr. Steve Bland, president, Council of Bapitist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity. BOTTOM: Rabbi Asher Lopatin speaks on the capitol steps surrounded by fellow clergy members.

Moments

JUNE 8, 2020 Traci and Michael Baum of Birmingham are thrilled to announce the birth of their daughter, Madison Paige. Parker, 2, is her proud big brother. Madison is the granddaughter of Dianne Zullow and Scott Gordon of Kissimmee, Fla., Howard Baum of West Bloomfield and the late Patti Nemer. She is the great-granddaughter of Marlene Zullow of Boynton Beach, Fla., and the late Herman Zullow, Sydelle and Bernard Gordon of Clermont, Fla., the late Pearl Baum, the late Sidney Baum, the late Mickey Nemer, the late Barbara Nemer and the late Ilene Nemer. Madison was named in memory of her maternal great-great-grandmother Minnie Katz and paternal great-grandmother Pearl Baum. MAY 2, 2020 Debra Kayes Halpern and Miles Halpern of Batavia, Ill., are very happy to announce the birth of their beautiful daughter, Golda Neko Kayes Halpern. Joyfully welcoming Golda are her adorable sister, Edie, and her grandparents, Linda and Dennis Kayes of Huntington Woods, and Leslie and Barton Halpern of Lititz, Pa. Golda is named in memory of Debra’s maternal great-grandmother Golda Shafer, who was loved by her family. OCT. 12, 2019 Kristin and Eric Sweet of Holly Springs, N.C., happily announce the birth of their daughter, Penny Diana Sweet. Thrilled grandparents are Adrienne and Neal Sweet of West Bloomfield, and Diana and Bob Dombrowski of Fowlerville. Penny’s Hebrew name is Leah Bayla, in loving memory of her great-grandmother Jane Sweet and her great-great-aunt Betty Merna.

Hirsch 100th

ernard Hirsch of Southfield recently celebrated his 100th birthday; he was born May 28,

1920. He is a Holocaust survivor from Petrovce, Slovakia. The Russians liberated him in 1945. In Detroit, he helped form Sam’s Carpet Cleaning Company and retired at 85. His children are Henry (Caryn), Danny (Cindy), Steven; grandchildren are Stacey (Brian Jeffries), Ryan (Lori), Andrea (Michael Kruszynski), Julie (Aaron Friedman), Jessica (Zak Shenitsky) and Michelle Wayne; great-grandchildren are Ruthie, Zev, Sylvia, Isaac, Sam, Lyla and Alex.

Martinez-Friedlaender

icole Friedlaender and Joseph Martinez are pleased to announce their engagement. Nicole is the daughter of Susan and Howard Friedlaender of Birmingham. Joseph is the son of Gail Henderson of Brownstown Township, Mich., and Joe Martinez of McEwan, Tenn. Nicole and Joseph live in Birmingham. They received their bachelor’s degrees in English from Wayne State University in Detroit, where they met. Nicole then completed her master’s degree in counseling psychology at Wayne State. She is employed as a psychotherapist at Great Lakes Psychology Group in Roseville. Joseph is completing his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Wayne State. He also works on the administrative staff at Neurobehavorial Medicine Group in Bloomfield Hills. Their wedding will take place this August at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield.

Shepherd 50th

usan and David Shepherd of Farmington Hills marked their 50th wedding anniversary on June 28, 2020. They are the proud parents of Aaron (Melissa) Shepherd, Matt (Jessica) Shepherd and Alison (Brett) Gers. They have also been blessed with six wonderful grandchildren, Alexa, Sasha, Ari, Zoe, Emma and Aiden. Due to the pandemic, this announcement will be the first part of an otherwise delayed celebration.

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@renmedia.us or (248) 351-5147 for information or for a mailed or emailed copy of guidelines. JULY 2 • 2020

| 29

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few months before all the stories and all the advice the pandemic, which came from a place of love. now feels like another This weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Torah portion lifetime, I flew home for a visit features a kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempt to with my parents and sisters, curse the people of Israel. He one of whom is pregnant with sends Balaam, a prophet, to the her first child. Unlike so many Israelite camp; and instead of members of our comcursing them, out of his munity, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t grow mouth comes a beautiful up in Michigan â&#x20AC;&#x201D; blessing: Ma Tovu Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;halecha although I got here as Yaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;akov, mishkanotecha fast as I could â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and Yisrael. How lovely are your so these cross-country tents, O Jacob, your dwellRabbi trips have become an ing places, O Israel. Jennifer essential part of our Our tradition teaches Lader routine. that Balaam uttered these During these visits, words of blessing after Parshat Chukat/ there is always great seeing that the Israelites Balak: food and reminiscing, arranged their homes in Numbers board games and shopsuch a way that their doors 19:1-25:9; ping; but in my family, and windows faced away Micah the best conversations from each other. They 5:6-6:8. happen at night after were private, a people half the house is sleeping. In that valued their family units the calm and the dark and the â&#x20AC;&#x201D; their chosen people â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and quiet, we talk about the things they made the choice to share that really matter, and the more deeply and trust harder things that are harder to say and love deeper with the people when we are running around or with whom they shared their chasing kids or sitting down to homes. eat. And given the circumstancThere are things that we es, during this visit, we found share with our partners and our ourselves ruminating on what it children that we would never means to raise a family, to share share with another soul. There your life so fully and uncondiare things we share with our tionally with someone else. families that leave us vulnerable We talked about moments of and open, as we are lifted or strength and weakness, about shattered by those closest to us. how challenging it is to live This vulnerability is a blesswith intention, to raise children ing. And as we prepare to welwith a strong sense of right and come a new soul into our own wrong, negotiating the time family, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but dream and energy and input of famof her, sitting in the dark with ilies on both sides. We talked us, legs crossed on the couch, about change, and how children laughing and crying, open and morph into completely differtrue. ent humans 5, 10, 20, 50 years How lovely are our tents â&#x20AC;Ś down the road. And, of course, how lovely, how sacred, to share we joked about the wonderful ourselves fully with those we world of sleep deprivation. love. But as the words flowed, as we shared stories and compared Rabbi Jennifer Lader is a rabbi at Temple experiences, it became clear that Israel in West Bloomfield.

Arts&Life dining-in

ANNABEL COHEN

On the Grill W

ithout question, the finest aromas and flavors of summer come from the grills and barbecues that define the season. Just as the backyard becomes your living room, Mother Nature is the perfect party planner. Food sizzling on Annabel Cohen the grill keeps Food Columnist us outdoors and gives the kitchen a vacation. And grilling is cooking food PDQ — fast and furious (unlike barbecue, which requires slow, even heat). Super-heat means speedy searing so that juicy juices stay put within meats, vegetables … everything. In summer we want extra ease and tend to seek the most effortless, formulaic fare, which works because once you throw something on the barby, you're practically guaranteed scrumptious results. Even the most obvious choices — burgers and dogs — can still be gourmet if you prepare them beautifully. And change up the toppings. A thick slice of grilled eggplant is delicious atop a burger. Sausage, in any number of forms and flavors, are a welcome swap to traditional dogs, especially when served with a slaw instead of

relish. Especially this summer, the outdoors has magical powers when it comes to our collective positive frame of mind. BEEF BURGERS WITH RED PEPPER AND CORN RELISH Ingredients Burgers: 2 pounds lean ground beef 2 Tbsp. dried parsley flakes 1 Tbsp. granulated garlic 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce ½ tsp. ground black pepper 1 tsp. kosher salt, or to taste To serve: 6 good quality onion rolls or big hamburger buns Relish: 1 cup chopped red or yellow bell peppers 1 cup corn kernels (if frozen, thaw first) ¼ cup white vinegar Juice of one lemon (about ½ cup) ¼ cup sugar 1-2 tsp. hot red pepper sauce (such as Tabasco) 2 tsp. mustard seeds Kosher salt to taste Directions Make relish: Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and stir well. Bring the mixture

to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and cook, covered, for 10 minutes. Let cool on the turned-off stove to room temperature before chilling, covered. Make burgers: Combine all burger ingredients and mix well. Chill the mixture, covered, until very cold. Form the burger mixture into 8 “balls.” Form the burgers by placing each ball on a square (about 6-inches) of wax paper or parchment paper. Center a dinner plate over the ball and press down until the burger is about ½-inch thick (they will shrink when cooked). Place another square of waxed paper over the finished burger and repeat with remaining balls. Stack the burgers and chill until ready to cook. Heat grill to medium-high. Spray each burger with nonstick cooking spray (one side only) before placing on the hot grill. Spray the top of the burger with nonstick cooking spray before turning over to cook the other side. Grill for 10 minutes or until burgers are to your liking. Serve on onion rolls with pepper relish. Makes 6 servings. GRILLED CAESAR SALAD Ingredients Dressing: ¼ cup mayonnaise (regular or low-fat) 2-4 garlic cloves, peeled 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard Juice from 1 lemon 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 6 anchovy fillets, drained, optional ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Enjoy some recipes to make your July 4th holiday special. Salad: 4 romaine hearts, each cut into six wedges Extra-virgin olive oil for brushing on lettuce Fresh ground pepper to taste Croutons Directions Make dressing: Combine dressing ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Grill lettuce: Heat grill to medium. Brush lettuce wedges very lightly with oil. Arrange the wedges (do not separated into leaves) on the grill and cook, turning once or twice, until just wilted and charred, about 1-3 minutes. Remove from the grill, arrange on wedges on the plates or on a platter and drizzle dressing over (you may also chop the wedges and serve as a traditional salad). Sprinkle with fresh grated Parmesan cheese, fresh ground pepper and top with croutons. Makes 6 servings. HOT DOG CHILI Ingredients ½ pound ground beef Water ¼ cup chopped onion ½ tsp. minced garlic 1 Tbsp. white vinegar 2 Tbsp. tomato paste 2 tsp. sugar 1 tsp. paprika ½ tsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. ground chili powder ¼ tsp. Salt ¼ tsp. ground black pepper Pinch cayenne pepper continued on page 32 JULY 2 • 2020

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Directions Place beef in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add enough water to just cover the meat and bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the meat is cooked through. Use a potato masher, hand-blender or fork to crumble the meat in the pot. Add remaining ingredients and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes, or until the chili is thickened. Makes 4-6 servings. RED POTATO SALAD Ingredients 2 pounds red-skinned potatoes, unpeeled, cut into 1-inch chunks ¼ cup red wine vinegar ½-1 cup mayonnaise (regular, lowfat or nonfat) 2 Tbsp. yellow or Dijon mustard 4 hardboiled eggs, chopped ½ cup chopped celery ½ cup chopped mild onion (such as Vidalia) (optional) ¼ cup sweet pickle relish 1 tsp. celery salt Kosher salt and pepper to taste

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Garnish: Paprika and chopped fresh parsley Directions Place potatoes in a pot of cold water over high heat. Bring the water to a boil, reduce heat slightly and boil potatoes for 12-15 minutes until just tender. Remove from heat and drain the potatoes well (do not rinse), shaking colander to remove all excess water. Place the hot, drained

potatoes in a large bowl and sprinkle them with the vinegar. Allow the potatoes to cool to room temperature. Add remaining ingredients and fold gently to incorporate. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Adjust seasonings to taste at this point. Garnish with parsley and sprinkled with paprika just before serving. Makes 6 or more servings. GRILLED CHICKEN SAUSAGE IN PITA WITH CILANTRO SLAW Ingredients 6 large chicken sausages (about 1½-2 pounds) any flavor 4-6 pocket pitas, halved Slaw: 8 cups shredded cabbage, red and green ¼ cup chopped red or Bermuda onion Cucumber slices ¼ cup olive oil ½ cup (or more) fresh chopped cilantro ¼ cup fresh lime juice 1-2 tsp. hot red pepper sauce, such as Tabasco (to taste — I like it spicy) ½ cup mayonnaise Salt and pepper to taste Directions Make slaw: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss well. Grill the sausage: Grill sausage on a medium-high grill until charred on all sides and hot. Have the pitas and open to make pockets. Place a large spoonful of slaw in each pocket and top with the grilled sausage. Top with extra slaw, cucumber slices and serve with Dijon mustard. Makes 6 servings.

theater

Emily Rose Miller

PHOTO COURTESY OF NICELY THEATER GROUP

One-Act Festival New stage company provides showcase for original works. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

hile David Carroll was building a strong career at Quicken Loans, he maintained a leadership presence at JARC and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. He relaxed by watching musical theater proDavid Carroll ductions. After retiring four years ago, Carroll, of West Bloomfield, realized a longtime dream by being cast for a community theater role in his favorite show, Guys and Dolls, which he had seen some 30 times. That onstage experience for the Village Players of Birmingham motivated him to find new ways of bringing theater to others while offering paid opportunities to those in the entertainment field. At the encouragement of former employer and longtime

friend Dan Gilbert, Carroll established a nonprofit stage company, Nicely Theatre Group, and is now executive producer of its first presentation, One-Act Festival. The group had planned to launch this summer with two live performances of Pippin, but that changed when COVID-19 moved people out of theaters and toward digital platforms. Although the premiere can be seen for free at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, donations will be accepted to benefit the Detroit Public Schools Foundation. For each person registering to watch, $3 will be donated by Nicely. “Maybe I’ll be like director Alfred Hitchcock, making brief appearances in productions,” joked Carroll, who is personally financing this presentation featuring short plays that capture the emotions of the times. “I’ve learned that there’s a lot of talent in the area, and I hope to work these people into high-quality theater at low tick-

et prices to benefit educational programs in Detroit. One-acts are not that expensive or complicated to produce.” The four short works include Ghost Light, a love story set in a post-apocalyptic theater; Shelter, a series of monologues exploring youth homelessness; He Said, a Zoom-held argument entered into by a wife and her husband’s lover; and The Tinker Bell Situation, a dark comedy about a lost pet and parent-child relationships. The choices of plays were made by the Nicely team that includes Carroll, director Mitch Master, producer Nicole Broughton-Adams, technical director Eric W. Maher and marketing director Tina Fleming. “We had a lot of submissions when we were looking for plays to present,” said Master, director of performing and visual arts at Frankel Jewish Academy and co-director of Roeper Summer Stock Theatre. Master, who has directed 90 stage productions and performed in 50 productions, is glad that this program will support educational initiatives. “We developed our presentation through Zoom recordings,” Master explained. “We wanted to start and finish each play in one take so it would give the feeling of live theater. When we had sound Mitch Master or internet issues, we would start over. “Mostly, performers were in their own homes, but we staged [Broadway veteran] Eric Gutman, in Ghost Light, at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts in West Bloomfield, one of the locations where we had planned to show Pippin.”

Master explained that the four one-acts fall into the theme of people getting through rough situations. Given COVID-19 issues, he felt everyone in the audience could relate. Emily Rose Miller, who performs one of the monologues in Shelter, feels a strong understanding of the character she portrays. A DePaul University theater student forced home to Franklin as schools shut down, she speaks the feelings of a coed with no place to go. “My character feels she has overstayed her welcome by friends but doesn’t want to return to the home of her abusive stepfather,” said Miller, who attended the Frankel Jewish Academy. “I’m grateful I could perform my part from my couch.” Marc Paykuss, formerly a Los Angeles entertainment copywriter, scripted The Tinker Bell Situation based on a friend’s experiences. “I write in a lot of different styles, and I’m very excited to be part of an inaugural season,” said Paykuss, now living near Boston but familiar with Michigan through visits to relatives. His Jewish heritage motivated the play No Entry, recently performed digitally by Theater Resources Unlimited. The motivation for the title of the new theater company returns Carroll to his favorite musical. Nicely-Nicely Johnson was his favorite character in Guys and Dolls, and he hopes to bring theater experiences more than nice to draw audiences and encourage donations. “We will be giving folks a showcase for original work,” Carroll said.” “Let’s build something and then fundraise.” To register for the free One-Act Festival, click on the link at nicelytheatregroup.org.

JULY 2 • 2020

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Arts&Life celebrity jews

On The Go virtual events | learnings

STAYING CONNECTED At this time of social distancing, the Jewish News will try to bring awareness to events/ learning situations offered online by synagogues, temples and community organizations. TOUR ISRAEL NOON-1 PM, JULY 7 Temple Shir Shalom is offering a live, virtual Tel Aviv Graffiti Tour with Rabbi Daniel Schwartz and Israeli tour guide Beni Levin. Learn about current events in Israel through a tour of Tel Aviv graffiti on this one-hour guided tour on Zoom. To learn more or register, call 248-737-8700 or email audrey@shirshalom.org. RENAGADE RABBIS 7:30-8:30 PM. JULY 7, 14, 21, 28 Cohn-Haddow Center Director

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JULY 2 • 2020

Of course, Lin-Manuel Miranda stars in the title role and he wrote the musical. Many articles have noted that Miranda, a native New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent, really loves everything Jewish (Fun fact: His father was a political adviser to NYC Mayor Ed Koch). Check out, or re-visit, the “Lin Miranda wedding video” on YouTube. Called the best wedding video ever, it features an amazing (spoiler!) version of “To Life” from Fiddler on the Roof. I am enraptured and just plain happy every time I see it. The 10-episode first season of The Babysitters Club begins

Professor Howard Lupovitch will be teaching a lecture series in July titled “Renegade Rabbis.” He will “examine four rabbis who were condemned as renegades but whose ideas reshaped what it means to be Jewish in the 21st century.” The lectures will take place via Zoom. 7:30- 8:30 pm. To register: cbahm.org/event/ renegaderabbis. MY ISRAEL: WHY ISRAEL? NOON, JULY 8 Federations’ Women’s Philanthropy and Israel and Overseas Departments present this virtual event. Nina Yahalomi Klevitsky, Detroit’s resident Jewish Agency for Israel shlicha, hosts a thought-provoking and interactive conversation about American Jewry’s relationship with Israel. Info: Marianne Bloomberg, 248642-4611 or Bloomberg@jfmd. org.

streaming on Netflix on July 3. It is a reboot of a 1990 HBO series of the same name. Both are based on a best-selling children’s novel series of the same name about the members of a club composed of young teen girls who all babysit. Kristy Thomas (Sophie Grace) is the lead babysitter character in this series. Her parents, Elizabeth Thomas Brewer and Watson Brewer, are the only adults to be leading characters. They are played by, respectively, Alicia Silverstone, 43, and Marc Feuerstein, 49. Silverstone is still most famous for the teen comedy Clueless (1995) and Feuerstein’s most successful TV

SUMMERTIME SUPER FOODS 3 PM, JULY 8 Federation’s We Need to Talk presents this virtual event. Plantbased chef Stacy Bishop will show how to whip up some frozen treats to keep cool and healthy this summer, such as banana “nice” cream and watermelon slushees. For info as to supplies needed: Amy Wayne, 248-2031483, awayne@jfmd.org. JOB WEBINAR 3-4 PM, JULY 9 JVS will present “Resume Righting” Strategies with Summer Tahaney, workshop facilitator at Detroit at Work. Learn how to write a resume that will match your skills to the position you are applying for. No registration is necessary. Webinars will be streamed on the JVS Human Services Facebook page, facebook.com/jvshumanservices. Info: EmploymentHelp@

series was the comedy Royal Pains, which ran on the USA channel from 2009 to 2016. The new Babysitter series was co-created by Rachel Shukert, 40, and she wrote three of the episodes. She frequently writes on Jewish topics, and she’s the only Jewish author I know of who was born and raised in Omaha. The original Amazon film 7500 began streaming June 18. It stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 39, as the American co-pilot of a plane staffed by an international crew. Shortly after take-off, Muslim terrorists attempt to storm the cockpit and hijack the plane. I won’t disclose the rest of the story, except to say that the tension is at a fever pitch for the remainder of the film. This film has received mostly good reviews. This is GordonLevitt’s first film role release in four years. He’s explained that he was busy with the birth of his two children.

MOT

HAMILTON AND MORE The film version of Hamilton, the mega-hit Broadway musical about Alexander Hamilton, begins streaming on the Disney Plus channel on July 3. The film was supposed to open in theaters, but COVID-19 intervened. A Disney Plus subscription costs $7 a month, so Hamilton would be a bargain if you just subscribe for one month. Disney is hoping you’ll watch Hamilton and like the whole channel and stay a subscriber. Three stage productions of Hamilton were filmed and the “best parts” were combined to make the film. The original Broadway cast re-created their roles. Daveed Diggs, 38, reprises the Hamilton roles that won him a best supporting actor Tony (the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson). Thomas Kail, 42, who directed the stage version, also directed the film.

DISNEY MEDIA RELATIONS

NATE BLOOM COLUMNIST

JVSHumanServices.org, 248-233-4245. FOR OPERA LOVERS ONGOING While social distancing keeps us at home, turn to MOT at Home for online performances, discussions and activities. MOT at Home uses Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to deliver new content every day, including opera and dance fixes, blogs, recordings, fun facts, etc., about opera and dance. Compiled by Sy Manello/Editorial Assistant. Send items at least 14 days in advance to calendar@ thejewishnews.com.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DETROIT FLEAT

Nosh

dining around the D

Detroit Fleat D

etroit Fleat, a “food truck park and boozery, booz bo ozer eryy” is w where here he re I w went entt to d en dip ip m myy toes into restaurant dining again. That hadn’t been an option since March 16, when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order prohibiting on-site service in restaurants and bars — her effort to stem the spread of COVID-19. With the situation Esther Allweiss greatly improved in Michigan, Ingber she lifted the ban as of June 8. Contributing Writer I’ve been a fan of Detroit Fleat since July 2019, when owner-operator Katie Picard and manager Aaron Tye introduced casual, food truck dining at the eastern end of Ferndale. Three international food trucks are parked permanently for the season, with additional rotating trucks. Open at 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday, the choices are Pita Post, healthy Mediterranean fare; Impasto Food Truck, Italian-inspired wraps; and Fleat Tacos, Mexican cuisine (but not on Sunday). Detroit Fleat’s permanent building, in a reworked Chinese restaurant, features a reclaimed wood and corrugated tin bar. The

menu is “house street food,” such as sliders sliders. s. Also p.m., but on Saturday Also open ope pen n at 4 p m b ut 1111 aa.m. m o n Sa Sat turday and Sunday, the schedule includes Sunday brunch until 3 p.m. On my first visit to Detroit Fleat this season, I followed the signs to wash my hands with a pump of hand sanitizer and wore a mask before entering the patio. I noticed most diners took off their masks once seated. Servers consistently wore theirs. The patio has fewer, more widely spaced tables than previously. Additional seating is under the restaurant’s covered side porch or at parking lot level. In front of each food truck, pavement markers indicate a safe 6 feet apart for waiting. My order at Impasto was a Sausage & Pepper Impasto. I ate the tightly wrapped sandwich in a park. The still-warm grilled pita was stuffed generously with Italian sausage and sautéed bell peppers and onions, then topped with marinara sauce and fresh basil. Delicious and filling. I took home half of it. More Impasto wraps include grilled chicken or spicy steak. For vegetarian tastes, try Margherita or Spicy Veggie, which has arugula, griddled tomatoes, roasted red

peppers, red onion, spicy giardiniera and spicy garlic aioli. I’ve several times enjoyed Impasto’s crispy Parmesan-Truffle fries. If choosing Pita Post, I can recommend the vegan Falafel Boy and the best-selling Chicken Schnitzel. On a more recent outing, my friend and I took a table indoors. I was comfortable sitting a distance from other diners and felt fresh air drifting in from an open door to the patio. We shared Street Taco Salad, a very good choice with fresh greens, black beans, corn, tomato, radish slices, crispy tortilla strips, cilantro and lime. It came with avocado vinaigrette. Instead of adding chicken or chorizo, we split Chicken Drumsticks with a Cajun rub, instead of Lemon-Pepper or Garlic Romano. Our sauce was Blue Cheese, rather than Whiskey BBQ, Ranch or Chipotle Pineapple Remi. Detroit Fleat 1820 E. 9 Mile Road, Ferndale (248) 607-7611 detroitfleat.com $$½ out of $$$$

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asa Pernoi, a casual Italian restaurant focusing on classic, scratch-made cuisine, opened June 16 at 310 E. Maple Road in downtown Birmingham. The restaurant, originally opened as Pernoi, boasts a nostalgic and refined Italian dining experience. The updated concept comes following a successful â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trattoria pop-upâ&#x20AC;? amidst the coronavirus crisis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been fortunate enough to continue serving our guests through carryout and an adjusted menu geared toward family-style meals at home these last few months,â&#x20AC;? said Luciano DelSignore, chef and owner at Casa Pernoi. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With an overwhelmingly positive response, we decided to expand the pop-up menu to reflect the dine-in experience.â&#x20AC;? The new menu, designed by DelSignore, features classic Italian dishes like a Ricotta Ravioli, Charred Octopus, Baked Orata and Veal Chop Parmigiano. Additionally, Casa Pernoiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pane,â&#x20AC;? a complimentary bread

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basket featuring five types of bread baked in-house daily, is available starting at 4 p.m. along with an array of antipasti appetizers pairing perfectly with the bread. Following CDC recommendations and all social distancing guidelines, the 2,700-square-foot restaurant, designed by Kyle Evans Design, offers seating for 80 guests between the main dining room and patio, plus an additional six at the bar and eight in the adjacent lounge. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, with dinner service-only starting at 5 p.m. The bar and patio will open daily at 4 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, visit pernoibirmingham. com.

Health

Open Wide?

Face shields, social distancing and fog machines are the new ‘norm’ for dental appointments. CORRIE COLF CONTRIBUTING WRITER

fter months of being shuttered due to the coronavirus, Michigan dental offices have reopened for nonessential procedures following Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s May 29 announcement. Dr. Nelson Hersh from Hersh-Beattie Orthodontics began seeing patients right away on Friday, May 29, at his offices in West Bloomfield and Waterford. Before May 29, he was allowed to see patients for emergency services only. Hersh had very few emergency appointments, but his office has been swamped trying to catch everyone up with appointments. Hersh’s office began setting up appointments for the patients that needed to be seen right away or those who had appointments that were canceled due to the closure. Their offices are currently open five days a week, unlike before COVID-19 hit when they were not seeing patients on Fridays. The office is trying to catch up on their backlog. With their reopening, Hersh’s offices now have different protocols in place. Upon confirmation for their appointment, the office screens all patients with a health questionnaire. The office is also limiting the number of patients in the waiting room and using every other chair when the patients go back for their appointments. “We’re doing a concierge service, which means that either mom or dad calls to let us know that they are here, because usually our patients are kids, and then we have someone come out to get them and bring them into the office. It also depends on their age,” Hersh said. “Then we screen them again by asking questions, checking

Dr. Nelson Hersh

their temperature and immediately bringing them back and putting them into a chair so they are not in the waiting room.” All the office staff has proper personal protective equipment (PPE) on at all times. There is an acrylic shield in place at the front desk, and Hersh and the other dentists are always wearing face masks or face shields. Patients entering the office must also have a mask on and follow the markings on the floor to ensure social distancing.

“I would rather be overprotective than under-protective. I love our patients and I just want to make sure we are doing everything possible to keep them safe.” — DR. NELSON HERSH Hersh’s office washes everything down once used with strong antibacterial and antiviral disinfectants. The office has hired extra people to ensure that every chair is sanitized between each patient. “Once patients realize the procedures that are being put in place, I believe that they will understand that the office is as safe as it possibly can be,” Hersh said.

“I would rather be overprotective than under-protective. I love our patients and I just want to make sure we are doing everything possible to keep them safe.” Dr. Mark Birnholtz, located in Farmington Hills, and Dr. Paul Darmon, located in Beverly Hills, were both able to see some patients during the closure for emergency services. Birnholtz’s office opened on May 29 and Darmon’s office did a soft opening on June 2, after he spent the two days prior rehearsing and practicing new procedures with his staff. Birnholtz and Darmon were both in contact with their office staff throughout the closure and had Zoom meetings periodically to keep them up to date on new information and what procedures might look like once the offices opened back up. Both dentists now have similar protocols put in place for patients. They have them fill out a health questionnaire and wait in their cars instead of the lobby; they check the patients’ temperatures as soon as they come into the office and everyone in the office constantly wears the proper PPE. They’ve purchased air purifiers and even fog machines to disinfect their spaces. “We’re turning over all the air in each room every five minutes,” Birnholtz said. “Next, we bought commercial grade foggers. We have a machine that makes the sterilizing soluDr. Mark Birnholtz tion, called hypochlorous, and then we fog each room if we do any long procedures in there and then we fog each room at the end of every day. So, everything in there is hit with the fogger and it just kills everything it touches.” Darmon’s office has even remodeled parts of the building to replace some of the carpeting with vinyl flooring so it’s easier to clean and disinfect. “I would say 90% of our patients are fine and comfortable coming into our office and can see we are going above and beyond to ensure our staff and patients’ safety,” Darmon Dr. Paul Darmon said. “We are happy to answer any questions our patients may have before they come into the office to make sure they are comfortable when they do come back.” JULY 2 • 2020

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thejewishnews.com/newsletter

25 JULY 2  2020

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Soul

of blessed memory

DR. SEYMOUR DONALD BERMAN, 95, of Novi, died June 25, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Rose Berman; daughter and sonin-law, Laura Berman and Brian Dickerson; son and daughter-in-law, Paul Berman and Linda Shayne; daughter and son-in-law, Joyce Berman and Dan Carol; grandchildren, Lina Berman, Robin Carol and Jack Carol; brother-in-law, Marvin (the late Elaine) Green and the late David (Mary) Mendelson. A private family graveside service was held. Contributions may be made to American Technion Society, the Morris and Esther Mendelson Fund, 6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 304, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, ats.org; or to ORT America Michigan Region, 6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 375, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, ortamerica.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. LAINIE WINE COUREY, 75, of Farmington Hills, died June 25, 2020. She is survived c. 1992 by her beloved husband, Richard Courey; son, Jason Wine; brothers, Jerry Bobroff and Norman Bobroff; second mother, Beatrice “Bea” Vinokour; nieces and nephews, Andi (Mark) Rottenberg, Karen Drasin; many longtime devoted friends. Interment took place at Adat Shalom Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions may be made

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to the Michigan Humane Society or the National Kidney Foundation. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. DR. CHARLES H. FEINMAN, 84, of Franklin, died June 21, 2020. He is survived by his beloved wife, Florence Feinman; sons, Jason Feinman and Dr. Ross Feinman; dear brother-in-law, Michael (Janice) Nash; many loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Mr. Feinman was the brother of the late Arlene (the late Gary) Gurin; son-in-law of the late William and the late Hilda Nash. Interment took place at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham. Contributions may be made to the Amyloidosis Research Consortium or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. BOB “SONNY” FREEDMAN, 87, of Florida, died June 17, 2020. He was born in Detroit Sept. 28, c. 1981 1932, to Simon and Bertha Freedman. Bob owned a men’s clothing store in Detroit, Sam’s Quality Clothes. Bob and Marilyn, high school sweethearts, married in 1952 and had four children. Sonny retired in 1973 and moved to Florida. He threw himself into his new home of Ormond Beach and was very active in the Jewish community. He was also an accomplished artist of multiple mediums. Sonny loved fishing

A Notable Entertainer

for a magician, Michael picked ichael Jacobson of up his son’s tricks and spent West Bloomfield the next 30 years performing died peacefully at thousands of magic shows for his home on Sunday, June 14, children, adults, private par2020, at the age of 76. ties and corporate events. Michael grew up in and Michael’s magic shows around the entertainment entertained audiences in temindustry as his family owned ples, synagogues and Jewish many theaters in the Detroit organizations, including ORT, area. Michael Hadassah, National graduated from Council of Jewish Detroit’s Mumford Women, Chabad High School in House, JET Theater 1961; and, at age 17, and the Jewish he signed a recordCommunity Center. ing contract with Notably, Michael 20th Century Fox was a longstanding Records and moved member of Britain’s to New York City. Magic Circle, the Under the Michael Jacobson Society of American stage name Mike Magicians and Sheldon, he recordthe International ed his debut single, “Oh You Brotherhood of Magicians. Beautiful Doll,” with producer He was also a substance Ray Ellis. He went on to share abuse prevention specialist the stage with entertainers and would incorporate that including Tony Bennett, Jerry background into his magic Lewis, and Mr. Ed (the talking shows at schools, camps and horse). community centers. Michael In 1965, Michael returned received the Governor’s Award to Michigan and married his childhood sweetheart, Harriet, from the Michigan Senate for his achievements as an enterwho grew up just a couple tainer. blocks away from Michael Anyone who knew Michael on York Road in Huntington personally was aware of his Woods. As legend would have love for animals of every kind. it, the first time Michael saw A vegetarian since the late Harriet, he was looking out ’70s, Michael would go out his bedroom window when of his way to protect animals, she walked by; he announced, and he rescued hundreds “That’s the girl I’m going to of cats and other creatures marry!” throughout his lifetime. Michael and Harriet were Michael Jacobson is surmarried for 54 years. They vived by his wife, Harriet; son settled in West Bloomfield and daughter-in-law, Matthew and raised their son, Matthew. Jacobson and Leigh Jurecka; As a child, Matthew followed grandson Levi. in his father’s entertainment The funeral was held at footsteps as a magician and, Clover Hill Park Cemetery. To like his dad, moved to New support feral and unwanted York at 17 to attend university. cats in Michael’s memory, visit With Matthew out of the Cat Tails Acres. house and calls still coming in

OUR FUNERAL HOME MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY. trips, baseball games and bowling with friends. Mr. Freedman is survived by his children, Ira (Robin) Freedman of Ormond Beach, Paul (Randee) Freedman of West Bloomfield, Sue Irwin (Scott, deceased) of Henderson, Nev.; nine amazing grandchildren, Shana (James), Steve (Carrie), Michael (Stephanie), Matthew, Pamela (Slava), Brian (Amber), Samantha (Evan), Jill and Sara; eight great-grandchildren, who adored him as “Alta-Zaydie.” He was predeceased by his daughter, Gail Freedman; three older sisters, Helen, Mimi and Rosie. Contributions may be made to the Dementia Society or Congregation B’nai Torah in Ormand Beach. MARVIN GANTZ, 79, of West Bloomfield, died June 20, 2020. He is survived by his beloved wife, Beverly Gantz; son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Kathleen Gantz; daughter, Debra Gantz; grandchildren, Jacob, Montgomery and GiGi; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Larry Traison; brothers and sisters-in-law, Chuck and Patricia Gantz, Steven and Jill Gantz, and Alan Gantz; many loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Mr. Gantz was the father of the late Matthew Gantz; brother-in-law of the late

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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@renmedia.us.

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Carol Gantz.Â Interment took place at Adat Shalom Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions may be made to a charity of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. HAROLD GREENSPAN, 88, of West Bloomfield, died June 19, 2020. A corporal in Korea, Harold then became active with the Jewish War Veterans. A past-president and longtime board member of Hebrew Benevolent Society, Mr. Greenspan served as treasurer from 1995-1996 and served on a multitude of committees. A member of Pinsker Society and a past president of City of Hope, he was also very active with Congregation Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;nai Moshe. Mr. Greenspan is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dolores Greenspan; daughters and son-in-law, Wendy Bundgaard of Birmingham, Lori and Steven Smith of Florida; son and daughterin-law, Jay Greenspan and Karen Laub; brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Rita Greenspan; grandchildren, Jared and Alison Bundgaard, Amy and Tony Anceveski, Matthew and Itzik Kaminski-Shalem, Stefani Greenspan, Carly Greenspan and fiance, Matt, Sydney Laub, Jami Laub, Ryan Laub, Alana and Justin Ellingham; great-grandchildren, Ava Shayne Bundgaard, Austin Anceveski, Aiden Anceveski,

Romy Kaminski-Shalem, Gil Kaminski-Shalem, Jade Ellingham. Contributions may be made to Hebrew Benevolent Society, 26640 Greenfield Road, Oak Park, MI 48237; Congregation Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;nai Moshe, 6800 Drake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322. A graveside service was held at Hebrew Memorial Park, Pinsker Section. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. POLLY KAATZ, 95, of Oak Park, died June 21, 2020. She is survived by her daughter, Lin Kaatz Chary; sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Susan Kaatz, and Walter and Jane Kaatz; grandchildren, Michelle and Jarrod Fox, Ella Rose Chary and Leah Tepperman, Aaron Katz and his fiancee, Alexandra Rudolph, and Joel Kaatz and Roni Deitz; great-grandchildren, Jordan Fox and Sienna Fox. Mrs. Kaatz was the beloved wife of the late Paul Kaatz. Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 24359 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 125, Southfield, MI 48075, jdrf.org; or Jewish Senior Life, Coville Assisted Living, 15100 W. 10 Mile Road, Oak Park, MI 48237, jslmi. org/residences/covilleapartments. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

DR. JEROME KAUFMAN, 91, of Bloomfield Hills, passed peacefully on June 21, 2020. Beyond a successful career in ophthalmology and devotion to his family, Jerry lived a life dedicated to Judaism, Zionism and the State of Israel. Dr. Kaufman leaves behind four daughters, Lisa (Larry) Kaplan, Robin (Stephen) Stratton, Jody (Ron) Benishay and Tracey (Mitch) Grossbach; nine grandchildren; one great grandchild; niece, Lauren (Jeff) Miller; nephew, Jeffrey (Joyce) Kanter; former wives, Suzanne Curtis and Mindy Soble Greenberg.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Samuel and Libby Kaufman; and sister, Fredelyn Kanter. A private funeral was held in Florida. Contributions may be made to baischabad.com or palmbeachsynagogue.org. CYNTHIA KLEIN, 66, of Tucson, Ariz., died June 23, 2020. She grew up in Southfield and graduated from the University of Michigan. Mrs. Klein was a Tucson resident for most of her adult life, moved back to Michigan for a short time before moving back to Tucson to be with family. She was a speech pathologist by trade but her most

recent passion was genealogy. She had become quite the genetic detective in past years, finding long lost family of her own as well as helping others do the same. Part of her legacy will be all those relationships that benefited from her work helping build family trees. Mrs. Klein is survived by her love, Michael Hough; beloved pup, Jack; her daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Matt Landau; her grandson Jeremy; many cousins and friends, who will also miss her intellect and wit. She was the daughter of Phyllis and the late Marvin Penn; sister to Howard and Sandee Penn, and Gail Penn. A graveside service was held at Evergreen

Cemetery in Tucson, Ariz. Contributions may be made to Braintumor.org, Jewishgen. org, Beadsofcourage.org or Michiganhumane.org. MARILYN â&#x20AC;&#x153;MICKEYâ&#x20AC;? ANNE LOGAN, 88, of Southfield, died June 17, 2020. She was a proud life-member of Hadassah. Mickey graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in education and taught elementary school in Detroit. Mrs. Logan is survived by her children, Stuart and Deborah Logan, Rhonda and Paul Krupkin, and Barbara Logan and Francis Shor; continued on page 44

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grandchildren, Chloe Logan, Daphne Logan and Raffi Levi, Aaron Krupkin, Joshua Krupkin, Molly Shor and Dan Asmus, Miriam Shor and Justin Hagan, and Finn Dannin; great-grandchildren, Ruby and Iris Hagan Shor; sister-inlaw, Maxine Stoler; numerous loving nieces, nephew, and cousins. She was the beloved wife of the late Jerome H. Logan. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. SHOLOM SOLOMON, 78, of West Bloomfield, died June 18, 2020. He is survived by extended family and friends.

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Contributions may be made to Hebrew Benevolent Society, 26640 Greenfield Road, Oak Park, MI 48237; Chabad House of Grand Rapids, 2615 Michigan, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. A graveside service was held at Ahavas Israel Cemetery in Grand Rapids. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. ADELE STRAGER, 91, of Birmingham, died June 24, 2020. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Faith Strager; son and daughter-in-law, Robert S. and Diane Strager; grandchildren, Samantha, Hunter and Ryan Strager; nephews and nieces, Fred and Linda Gold, Stuart

and Ronna Gold, and Marlene Gold; cousins, Dr. Maurice B. and Dorothy Weiner; their children, Dr. Richard Weiner, Steven Weiner and Ann Weiner Murphy. Mrs. Strager was the beloved wife of the late Norman Walter Strager; the cherished mother of the late Stanley Forest Strager; the loving sister of the late Beverly Spitz; the dear aunt of the late Gordon Gold; the dear cousin of the late Judy Weiner; the devoted daughter of the late Wilma Oppenheim Wolfson and the late Frank Wolfson. Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

ALYSSA RENE STYBEL, 41, of West Bloomfield, died June 23, 2020. She is survived by her son, Wolf “Corey” Stybel; parents, Debbi and Harvey Stybel; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jeremy and Abby Stybel, and Ryan and Kristina Stybel; nieces and nephews, Ella, Landon, Leo, Julian and Dean. Also survived by her fiancee, Bill Otto, and many other loving family members and friends. Interment took place at Adat Shalom Memorial Park Cemetery in Livona. Contributions may be made to the GoFundMe page for Wolf “Corey” Stybel. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

Raskin the best of everything

Raleigh House

Remembered

ne of many stories regarding restaurant ownership by men or women, is that of 10 men, led by one man who became its owner, vice president and general manager … and thoroughly Danny Raskin Senior Columnist enjoyed the successful realization of a fervent dream. His name … Sammy Lieberman, a well-liked caterer who, with nine others, founded the prestigious former Raleigh House on Telegraph Road in Southfield. Against many odds, the restaurant brains took hold as in 1973 it became what was to eventually become their elegant House of Lords gourmet dining room and Lion’s Head English-style pub … Then two days later, with George Fink manager, was the opening of

their Piccadilly Delicatessen (“When you pick a deli, Piccadilly”) and Sammy’s son Erwin “Itsy” ran errands plus helped George cut the corned beef, etc. … and Raleigh House also soon became America’s largest private catering firm. The new restaurants were opened in a record 10-months’ time, covering an area of 20,000 square feet … The House of Lords sat 156 with food brought in carts with selections from eight pages of gourmet choices … The Piccadilly Deli sat 166 … The Lion’s Head seated 140 … and, among untold amounts in the elegant catering rooms, six that I walked through myself. Yes, it was a long way from 1943 when Sammy owned the Blaine Restaurant and Avalon Room in Oak Park … It was like a dream come true for him in 1973 … He now walked about it with a beaming face of his elegant House of

Lords dining room and Lion’s Head English Style pub, etc. … The Raleigh, America’s largest private catering firm, became a part of Interstate United, then the fifth-largest food chain in the United States. Executive chef was Milos Cihelka, who had won two gold medals as a member of the U.S. Culinary Olympics in Frankfort, Germany. Opening of a 12-story, 300room Raleigh Hotel never happened … But the new restaurants were opened in a record 10-month time. AS THE BAN on complete sit-down dining is reduced to 50% capacity, it may remind many folks to call numerous higher-end eateries for reservations … It might also give some eateries a huge opportunity to get their fine servers and others back … and, if needed, some fixup at the restaurant.

FORMER MAYOR of Oak Park, Jerry Naftaly, also turned author, is on his fourth book … Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour and his 34 years in Oak Park government will be next … Many are saying, too, that he may run for mayor again. OLDIE BUT GOODIE … As soon as the Sabbath services had ended, the little boy walked up to the rabbi and said, “When I grow up, I’m going to give you lots of money.” The rabbi laughed and asked, “That’s really good to know, little man, but why do you want to do this?” “Because,” replied the youngster, “my daddy says that you are the poorest rabbi we have ever had.” CONGRATS … To Irwin Cash on his birthday … To Lillian Cooper on her birthday. Email dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

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

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JULY 2 • 2020

The Santa Rosa police department released this photo of a robbery suspect taken from a surveillance camera on Monday, Dec. 22, 2008, at the Washington Mutual Bank in Santa Rosa, Calif.

hu rw rwit itzz-ka karb rbe ell mar arr rria iage ge vvo ows

he was captured Alan and incarcerated. Hurwitz Two weeks before he died, Hurwitz was given n a compassionate release from prison. The William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish JTA mrs a allan an hu hurw rwit itz Detroit History ga lan lan la ana g aiil ka a ka arrrb be b el be el be ecca c a me the me bri br riide de d tth e he he o of f allan d a da does not have much info on av aviid d hu urrw u de d ecc 1177 la e wiit itz tz be b etth ab e abr brah go g ogu og a s sy ha h yn y a ue n na m e ra a rab abbi bi is isr Hurwitz. I did find his wedding sra sr hal ae alp el ha el pe errn e rn off of ffic ici ici cia iat atte e d pa p are ar en nt nts o off th the the he br announcement in the July 8, brriida ou o da up all co ple are ar are le le re mr an and nd mr rss na na attha ha an app nk ppo off ap o ka oli ol arrbe a li liin be ne a ne ell av v 1960, issue of the JN. e a an nd n d m mrs tth r an a nd n d h he e o od do d o r hu hurw stttoe ssto to rwiittz o oe o ep pe el av el off ave Now, with this Looking h e w wh hiiittte h e sa sa at ati tiin n Back, the story of Alan ch wiiitth w ha th ch ant ntil ttiilly lllly ly ng n gag age ettn ne en ntts ga g at ath a he e erred ed Hurwitz will be in the om th the he s sk ki kirrtt was he mrr aand m an nd nd m mrs mr rrss na nat n att ka a kar k arbel ar rbel be b e ell of of wa by he elld by Archive. It is a classic tragedy aapp ap pp ppol oli oli line in ne ea tthe he ma he attch av v e an ann a nn n noun ou o uncce un e tth the he th he chi hing ng da dau au a ug gh ght htte h err h en e eng nga ng age ag ge geme men m en e nt o nt he e ca off the tth he h eiirr d car arrrie riie ied of a good man, dedicated to ed w wiiitth w lan la lana na a ttoo aal ala la lan hurwit hur hu h urwitz ur wiit wit w itz sson so on of on of ed wh hi h hit it i te no otti tis is is mr aand mr an nd nd mrs mrrs m rs th tthe he h eo od odo do d or h hu hur urrw u wiiittz n wit education and social good, stto toep epe e pe p el a ccou ou o up pllle ple e at or w wa off ssto o av ve tth the he h e co at or as mrrs as s uni un niiv ve ver errsit e rssit siit iity ty ssi wa w ayn ay ne e sta sis istte is err o e tend tend te ten en e nd n ds way ssttta ate te u off th gn th he e succumbing to drugs and mai ma aid o off h ho on ono nor w go riiv rriv oo o iva g od wa diis as a is b s brrriide de essm ma aiid a dss we mrs rs rru we errre ere us usse se elllll mes crime. It is sad that Hurwitz esk kiiin kin n mrrs ge ere ald a al sg ld ld k ka atttch a chm ch hma an n mrs r s ge g fra f fr r ra et a n nk ttlle tle l les k es e s o on n an and nd mrs lla lar will be most remembered ar a r r ry y hu hu urrwi ssiis sis ister witz tte err-i e itz it r-in -in in--la la law of of the brrriid th th he de eb egrro eg oom oo be be esst m ma an a n wa for his role as the Zombie ar arrry wa ass lla y hu h u ur brro br r wi w o ottth i it tz hel of he of th brriid he b he de eg e gro ro oo om ussh u sher errss we ga wer arry a ere g Bandit rather than his positive brro b roth e the her er o off th th he eb brri rid de e ru mes ussssse u eski se ge elll kin erra e in g alld ld ka contributions to Detroit and ka attcch hm hman ffrra fra rank ge etttl et nk g an tle le lesso on o n bo b ob o b s so g ge o ol a an e er llam amon am nd n r d alld ald a ld b Michigan. ble bl le l e ch c hm h m an an fo fo ollllo low lo owin in ng yo new ne orrk e y

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

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education as a middle school English and social studies teacher. Hurwitz was known for a deep dedication to social justice and equality. He worked to end segregation and racism, serving on a commission to desegregate the Detroit public school system and a state task force on violence in schools, and as education director for New Detroit. Hurwitz also spent time in the Peace Corps, including a stint as deputy director of the mission in Kenya. By 1989, however, Hurwitz was disillusioned. He quit his position at New Detroit and returned to the Peace Corps hoping to rejuvenate his life. He was stationed in Trinidad and Tobago, but there, he began serious drug abuse. By 1992, Hurwitz had reached the bottom and was living in his car. He could no longer continue to teach, so he decided to rob a bank in Southfield. Over the next nine weeks, he robbed 18 banks in the Midwest. The FBI called him the “Zombie Bandit” because of his expressionless face when he demanded cash from bank tellers. Hurwitz’s story finally aired on the television show America’s Most Wanted. He was soon captured and spent the next 12 years in prison, where, by all accounts, he helped educate his fellow prisoners. Released in 2003, Hurwitz led a quiet life for a few years, but returned to robbing banks in Oregon in 2008. Once again,

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w k the co ou th th he up e co pllle ple e wi wiilll on wh on wh hiiitm tm tm mo orre e av a a

lan Hurwitz passed away from the effects of COVID-19 this past June 6, at the age of 79. You may not recognize his name, but you might recall his nickname: Hurwitz earned fame, or perhaps infamy, as the “Zombie Mike Smith Alene and Bandit.” Graham Landau Historically, Archivist Chair Detroit’s Jewish community has not produced many criminal celebrities. One hundred years ago, there was the nationally renowned Purple Gang. This was definitely not a group of good Jewish boys. In 1992, it was the Zombie Bandit. Hurwitz, a.k.a. the Zombie Bandit, was a paradox, to say the least. He had an accomplished career as an educator and social activist, but ended his working life as a famous bank robber. Hurwitz was born in Detroit on Jan. 18, 1941, the son of Theodor and Minnie (Cohen) Hurwitz. He recalled, in published interviews, “I was blessed with the best parents. I was raised in the liberal Jewish tradition of justice, learning and equality …” Hurwitz graduated from Mumford High School and, after a failed semester at Wayne State, joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He subsequently returned to Wayne State, earned his teaching degree and began a very successful career in

SANTA ROSA PD

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thejewishnews.com/contribute In addition to contributing online, you may also send a contribution to: The Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern Highway #110, Southfield, MI 48034 APRIL 9 • 2020

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Andy and son, Levi, celebrating Sukkot Meisners add a letter to a new Torah

DEMOCRAT

FOR OAKLAND COUNTY

It’s been an honor representing and being a part of Oakland County’s caring, diverse and philanthropic Jewish Community as State Representative and County Treasurer. Today, I am asking for your vote for Oakland County Executive in the Democratic Primary Election August 4th. Absentee Ballots are coming soon. Your friend, ANDY Andy with sons, Asher and Levi, “Virtual” Passover 2020 Happy Hanukkah 2019

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