Pandemic results in closure

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 continued on page 38 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.

BRIAN SIEGEL

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Like 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 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 ath- continued on page 38

We can’t help you hang a painting perfectly level.

But we can help you bank from home.

BIRMINGHAM

Member FDIC

business SPOTlight

A JEWISH APPROACH continued from page 37

favor those with diversity in race, age and gender.

The fourth mitzvah is g’milut chasadim, translated as lovingkindness. This is the Jewish call for caring and compassion. It encourages us to give our time and resources and to do it with genuineness. In particular, we are to support the sick and elderly.

The fifth and final of these mitzvot is tikya, translated as “hope.” We are guided to remain optimistic for the future. As David Arnow said, “Judaism’s profound conviction is that many of the tragic elements of the everyday world are not immutable, that little by little, the world can and must be improved.” Not only should we live with hope and drive, but we should consider how to inspire others to do the same. Tikya, of course, is particularly relevant in light of COVID-19.

The five mitzvot discussed here provide a firm foundation upon which financial decisions can be made. Some Jewish customs are specifically rules-driven and others are subject to interpretation. It is curious that making Jewishbased financial decisions is not rules-driven and contains considerable flexibility. Why that is the case is not something we feel qualified to opine upon. At the end of the day, how one spends, saves and gives away money is an expression of that person, and Judaism provides ample guidance on doing so within our religious values.

Reuben Rashty is managing director and wealth management advisor in the Bloomfield Hills office of the Rashty Group at Morgan Stanley. Jacob Rashty is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. Kyle Zwiren is a former practicing attorney and supports the Rashty Group and its clients with financial planning and wealth management solutions. Contact them at reuben.rashty@morganstanley.com and kyle.zwiren@morganstanley.com.

Free Online Computer Proficiency Skills Webinars

JVS Human Services is launching a new, free online training program to help job seekers to increase their computer proficiency necessary for securing employment both in the office or remotely. Titled “Modern Toolkit,” the prerecorded classes will be uploaded every week beginning Sept. 10 on JVS Human Services’ Facebook. The webinars will help job seekers with tips, tools and techniques to improve confidence and skills on the computer. Topics are: • Sept. 10 - SharePoint vs OneDrive Fundamentals; understand these file management platforms with similarities and differences in file saving and storage to help boost business efficiencies. • Sept. 17 – LinkedIn Basics; learn to create a LinkedIn profile with your professional brand. • Sept. 24 – Electronic File Organization; file management tips to keep your electronic files organized on your computer. • Oct. 1 – LinkedIn Advance for Job Seekers; learn how to make valuable connections,

increase knowledge and visibility in a field, and open new career opportunities with LinkedIn tools. • Oct. 8 – Intro to Google Apps; the basics of working with web-based Google Apps such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Sheets and Forms. • Oct. 15 – Ribbon Essentials and Beyond in MS Word; learn about the components of the Ribbon and how to easily navigate for quick access and increased productivity.

Access to “Modern Toolkit” is free and the Facebook page will be monitored by instructors who will respond to questions. For jobseekers wanting more detailed computer instruction, online classes are available for a nominal fee. Sign up for classes at www.ed2go.com/hermelinORT. More information can be obtained at hermelinORT@ jvshumanservices.org.

JOE DUMARS continued from page 37

letics and activities of that nature. This is the end of a very wonderful chapter,” says Brian Siegel, one of the owners of Joe Dumars Fieldhouse. He also serves as the CEO of the Jewish Community Center. A sale of furniture, equipment and sports memorabilia took place Aug. 29-30.

He and his partners, who include Joe Dumars, former NBA star, and Scott Kaufman, former CEO of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, rent the facility on Mound Road. Without a current income stream, ongoing rent payments weren’t sustainable.

West Bloomfield wedding and event planner Andrea Solomon worked on many large bar and bat mitzvah parties held at Joe Dumars Fieldhouse in Shelby Township. “It’s a good facility, really nice,” she said, because it offered games and sports from puttputt to trampolines, along with catering services and space for dancing.

Another Joe Dumars Fieldhouse, located in Detroit on the site of the former Michigan State Fair, is being used for the city of Detroit’s COVID-19 testing. Siegel explained that the state is their landlord there and that he and his partners are “pleased to provide this space for testing.”

He anticipates reopening this facility for sports in the future. A new Amazon warehouse will be built at the former fair grounds and a transit center is planned as well — both providing potential users of the Fieldhouse athletic facilities.

Siegel is an owner of other entertainment venues including Detroit Axe, which features axe-throwing, at locations in Ferndale and Partridge Creek, although both are temporarily closed because of the coronavirus. A third location is planned for Corktown in Detroit.

“We believe in entertainment, in providing energy for people. We are looking forward to future iterations,” he said.