BRIAN SIEGEL
intention of giving. No act of charity is bad, but it is most meaningful when given willingly, proactively and anonymously. According to Maimonides, the highest level of charity is when the donor gives the recipient the wherewithal to become self-supporting. Tikkun olam is the Jewish directive to “repair the world.” Similar to tzedakah, tikkun olam creates the duty to serve those in need. In more recent times, it has come to be seen as a responsibility to mitigate the worst effects of a warming planet. Tikkun olam may direct us to invest and/or give to socially or environmentally conscious organizations, or at least to avoid those that operate to the contrary. Tzedek is the call to justice and fairness. It is similar to the American value that all are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We are directed to combat injustice wherever we see it and to be conscientious of our own biases. This has obvious implications in today’s social climate and how we, as Jews, are supposed to respond. Tzedek establishes that we should understand the social impact of companies in which we invest, and to
The Joe Dumars Detroit facility will remain open, but its Shelby Township location will close.
‘End of a Chapter’
Pandemic results in closure for Joe Dumars Fieldhouse. SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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ike many other businesses in Michigan, Joe Dumars Fieldhouse closed in March to comply with state regulations counteracting the spread of COVID-19. The large sports and entertainment facility in Shelby Township has been a popular venue for bar and bat mitzvahs, as well as many other events, since it opened 25 years ago. The 100,000-square-foot
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facility offered basketball courts, miniature golf, trampolines, laser tag and bumper cars, and has hosted many basketball, volleyball and roller hockey teams. But with events limited to a small number of attendees to reduce coronavirus transmission, the days of big indoor parties and sporting events are over for now with an uncertain future. “There is no clear opening for athcontinued on page 38
We can’t help you hang a painting perfectly level. But we can help you bank from home.
B I R M I N G H A M Member FDIC
SEPTEMBER 10 • 2020
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