SPOT LIGHT EVENT
Chairs: Gail Danto & Art Roffey
Jordon & Alex Wertheimer
Shining a light on mental health and suicide prevention in our community.
Chairs: Gail Danto & Art Roffey
Jordon & Alex Wertheimer
Shining a light on mental health and suicide prevention in our community.
MAY 22, 2024
WELCOME
Marc Bakst, JFS Board Chairperson
GREETINGS
Gail Danto & Art Roffey, Spotlight Co-Chairs
HONORING RABBI DANIEL SYME & RECOGNIZING A SINGLE SOUL
HONOREE REMARKS
Rabbi Daniel Syme
INTRODUCTION OF GARY GULMAN
Jordon Wertheimer, Spotlight Co-Chair
SPOTLIGHT SPEAKER & COMEDIAN
Gary Gulman
Q&A
Perry Ohren, CEO & Gary Gulman
BOOK SIGNING AND DESSERT RECEPTION
Stand-up comic Gary Gulman is a nationally renowned talent, star of four TV specials, and one of only a handful of comedians to perform on every single late-night talk show. He is one of the most popular touring comics, selling out theaters, including the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City.
In his first HBO comedy special, The Great Depresh, Gary offered candid reflections on his struggles with depression and provided insight into his mental health journey. And through his authentic storytelling and brilliant humor, has become the voice of millions, like him, who have struggled with mental health.
His second HBO comedy special, Born on Third Base, is streaming now. He is also the author of Misfit: Growing Up Awkward in the 80’s. He has an astonishing memory, and his memoir shares detailed stories of his childhood in Boston and the people who impacted him. Alongside these stories he shares glimpses into his 2017 mental health crisis. Gary is married and lives in Harlem with his wife.
Since 1928, Jewish Family Service has served as the heart of a stronger community, providing service to thousands of individuals and families annually, ensuring that no one faces life’s challenges alone. Those in need of our help have access to programs and services centered around older adults, mental health and wellness, and safety net services. With a unique ability to meet unexpected needs, JFS ensures that members of the community are served with excellence and compassion.
After losing his 21-year-old brother Michael to suicide, Rabbi Daniel Syme made it his mission to spare other families the same devastation. His passion for suicide education and advocacy led him to create A Single Soul, a suicide prevention initiative which eventually found a home at JFS. He is the author or co-author of 24 books on topics such as Jewish parenting, youth suicide prevention, ChristianJewish relations and more. The third longest-tenured rabbi in Temple Beth El’s history, he became its third rabbi emeritus in 2016.
As an inspiration to all who knew her, Reva Stocker z’’l was an active member of the Detroit Jewish community and a fierce advocate in promoting strong, healthy families and preventing domestic abuse. She supported the JFS Windows program, which established the agency’s domestic abuse intervention and prevention services, along with an endowment in 1994 for the Reva Stocker Lecture Series for educational programs on the significant issues impacting families today. As of this year, we have brought 13 incredible speakers to the community in Reva’s memory.
Jewish Family Service is proud to honor Reva Stocker’s legacy and commitment to enriching the lives of others through this important lecture series.
Jewish Family Service appreciates your help in shining a light on mental health and suicide prevention in our community. Your dedication and involvement allow us to continue providing critical services to those in need. Thank you for co-chairing and all you have done to make our Spotlight Event a success.
Many thanks to our host committee for their generous support of Jewish Family Service and tonight’s event.
Pamela Applebaum & Gaal Karp
Lisa Applebaum
Wendy & Marc Bakst
Dorothy & Eddy Barak
Lisa & Andrew Barbas
Mari & Ken Barnett
Carolyn & Jim Bellinson
Black Family Development, Inc.
Hon. Paul D. Borman
Rhonda & Morris Brown
Burnstein Family Foundation
Andrew L. Camden
Suzan & Michael Curhan
Joanne Danto & Arnold Weingarden
Marvin & Betty Danto Family Foundation
Sandy & Jim Danto
Beth & Jeff Davidson
Cathy & James Deutchman
Shelley & Mickey Eizelman
Pamela & Walter Feuereisen
Elyse & David Foltyn
Dale & Bruce Frankel
Cindy Frenkel
Jenny & Ron Fritz
David Gach, JP Morgan Private Bank
Ralph, Erica, Steph & Maddie Gerson
Elizabeth & Brian Guz
Hack Wealth Management
Rose & David Handleman
Doreen Hermelin
Rabbi Marla Hornsten & Dr. Sheldon Stern
Gayle Taubman Kalisman & Michael Kalisman
Helen & Martin Katz
Nancy Katzman & Randy Wertheimer
Rosann & Jack Kaufman
Sue & Alan Kaufman
Rebecca Kushner & Perry Ohren
Melissa & Larry Lax
MacWilliams-Wolf Wealth Management, Raymond James
Dr. Alexandra Matta & Josh Syme
Joy & Allan Nachman
Amy Nederlander & L!FE Leaders Inc.
Amy & Max Newman
AnaPaola & Geoffrey Orley
Diane & Randy Orley
Harriet & Gregg Orley
Marcie & Rob Orley
Sally Orley
The David & Andrea Page Family Fund
Julie & Jason Page
Sarah Page
Patti & Rick Phillips
Barbara & Mark Picklo
Julie Ritten & Irwin Futernick
Arleen & Don Rochlen
Deborah & Steve Rosenthal
Julie & Adam Rothstein
Shelly & Mark Rubenfire
Bluma & Robert z”l Schechter
Sandra Seligman, Rachel & Jon Lowy, and Seth & Melissa Meltzer
Lori & Marc Siegel
Amy & Craig Singer
Nancy & Harvey Solway
Becca Steinman-DeGroot
Ellen & William Taubman
Caroline & Robert Taubman
Carolyn Tisdale
Drs. Allison & Max Weinmann
Melanie & Marty West
Beverly Wine
Andi & Larry Wolfe
(as of 5.7.24)
Applebaum Family Philanthropy
Carolyn & Jim Bellinson
Judy & Jeff Aisen
Marjory & Donald Epstein Family
Charitable Foundation
Pamela & Walter Feuereisen
Linda & Mark Jacobs
Melissa & Larry Lax
Mark Milgrom
Joy & Allan Nachman
Anonymous
Rhonda & Morris Brown
Sandy & Jim Danto
Elaine C. & Eugene z”l Driker
Frankel Health and Research Foundation
Dale & Bruce Frankel
Ralph, Erica, Steph & Maddie Gerson
The Grove
Wendy & Marc Bakst
Dorothy & Eddy Barak
Lisa & Andrew Barbas
Mari & Ken Barnett
Black Family Development, Inc.
Blumenstein Family Foundation
Brogan & Partners
Ina Cohen
Suzan & Michael Curhan
Gail Danto & Art Roffey
Jenny & Ron Fritz
David Gach, JP Morgan Private Bank
Marvin & Betty Danto Family Foundation
Andi & Larry Wolfe
AnaPaola & Geoffrey Orley
Diane & Randy Orley
Sally Orley
The Irving & Ethel Palman Foundation
The Sylvia Pevin & George Pevin Foundation
Nancy & Harvey Solway
Rebecca Kushner & Perry Ohren
Colleen & Jeff Lev
Julie & Jason Page
Arleen & Don Rochlen
Julie & Adam Rothstein
Bluma & Robert z”l Schechter
Janet & Donald Schenk
Drs. Margo & Douglas Woll
Hack Wealth Management
Amy & Mark Haimann
Helen & Martin Katz
Nancy Katzman & Randy Wertheimer
Rosann & Jack Kaufman
Ellen & Jerry Minkin Family Foundation
Deborah & Steve Rosenthal
Shelly & Mark Rubenfire
Sandra Seligman, Rachel & Jon Lowy, and Seth & Melissa Meltzer
Jennifer & Paul Silverman
Amy & Craig Singer
(as of 5.7.24)
Craig Singer MD Dermatology
Katie & Scott Small
Temple Beth El
Drs. Allison & Max Weinmann
Gretchen & Tony Baron
Anita & Dennis Blender
Hon. Paul D. Borman
Diane Brody & Todd Schafer
Burnstein Family Foundation
Andrew L. Camden
Emily Camiener & Marc Schwartz
Lauren & Marvin Daitch
Joanne Danto & Arnold Weingarden
Beth & Jeff Davidson
Cathy & James Deutchman
Ryan Doyle, Video Vision 360
Wendy & Jeff Eisenshtadt
Shelley & Mickey Eizelman
Ellen Firestone
Deena Fishman
Jeri & Steve Fishman
Elyse & David Foltyn
Michelle Freeman & Zachary Katz
Cindy Frenkel
Jennifer & Lowell Friedman
Casey & Brian Ginsberg
Barbara & Fred Goldberg
Diane & Bill Goldstein
Grigg Graphic Services, Inc.
Fran & David Grossman
Elizabeth & Brian Guz
Rose & David Handleman
Wendy & Howard Handler
Lucy & Raymond Henney
Doreen Hermelin
Rabbi Marla Hornsten & Dr. Sheldon Stern
Myndi Weinraub & Alan Gallatin
Steven R. Weisberg
Alex & Jordon Wertheimer
Melanie & Marty West
Marla & Jeffrey Kaftan
Sue & Alan Kaufman
Stacy & Ron Klein
Lisa & Gary Langnas
Nancy & Howard Luckoff
MacWilliams-Wolf Wealth Management, Raymond James
Judy & John Marx
Dr. Alexandra Matta & Josh Syme
Mara & Andrew Moss
Anita & Robert H. Naftaly
Amy Nederlander & L!FE Leaders Inc.
Amy & Max Newman
Helene & Tom Ohren
Harriet & Gregg Orley
Marcie & Rob Orley
The David & Andrea Page Family Fund
Sarah Page
Patti & Rick Phillips
Barbara & Mark Picklo
Lisa & Thomas Pullman
Quality Kosher Catering
The Ravitz Foundation
Julie Ritten & Irwin Futernick
Marcie & Marc Schechter
Lori & Marc Siegel
Becca Steinman-DeGroot
Julie & Mark Teicher
Carolyn Tisdale
Beverly Wine
Jaimee & David Witten
Linda Zlotoff
(as of 5.7.24)
BBYO Michigan Region
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Nancy & Lawrence Bluth
Sandra & Stanley Boykansky
Bradley + Company
Sandhya Chandrasekhar & Ronald Ohren
Betty Chu & Navot Shoresh
Danielle DePriest & Matthew Newman
Farber Hebrew Day School
Linda & Robert Finkel
Frankel Jewish Academy
Joan & Jerry Frohlich
Yuliya Gaydayenko & Eugene Press
Gesher Human Services
Amye & Lou Goldhaber
Hebrew Free Loan
Susan & Nelson Hersh
Hillel Day School
Gina & Arthur Horwitz
Connie Jacob
JCRC/AJC - Detroit
Alexander Accounting
ART + FRAME
Barbara Bloom
Marion & Harvey Bronstein
Katie & Jeremy Brown
Mushky & Rabbi Levi Dubov
Becky & Jerry Eizen - ECG,LLC
Amy & Eric Ersher
Samantha & Michael Foon
Linda Kahn Gale & Allan Gale
Nancy Glen & Ralph McDowell
Goldman & Associates Law Firm
Kimberly & Gary Goodman
Barbara Grant
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
Richard Herman
Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit
Steven Kalt
Zina & Michael Kramer
Carrie & Roger Kushner
Lisa & Hannan Lis
MSU Hillel
Susie & Norm Pappas
Dini & Aaron Peterson
Elana & Rabbi Daniel Schwartz
Jane & Richard Schwartz
Lisa & Joshua Sherbin
Frances & Marvin Sonne
Louise & Steven Spector
Beth & Sheldon Stone
Lilly & Alex Stotland
Tamarack Camps
Renee & Rick Unger
University of Michigan Hillel
Winning Imprints & Custom Trophies
Yad Ezra
Beth & James Hill
Lenlen & Jeff Jenks
Mari & Sheldon Kaftan
Barbara Kaplan & Leslie Swartz
Ken Korotkin
Miche Lame
Vera Lev
PACE Southeast Michigan
Avy Schreiber
Carol & Andrew Sofen
Rebecca & Rabbi Aaron Starr
Renee & Joel Stillman
Buzz Turner
Jim Wolfe, Realtor
Margie & Josh Yaker
A Single Soul works to prevent suicide in our community by creating suicide-alert helpers who are critical in maintaining the well-being of our community. We do this by training both laypeople and professionals and partnering with organizations to provide consultation and support.
Since A Single Soul’s inception we have led over 60 trainings and have educated over 1,000 people at one of our many suicide prevention trainings.
Trainings include:
Suicide Prevention Empower Hour
QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer)
safeTALK
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
AMSR (Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk)
Our work wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of:
The Jewish Fund
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)*
*Funding was awarded through Congressionally Directed Spending, sponsored by Senator Debbie Stabenow
We are so grateful to our many partners, including:
Black Family Development Inc.
BBYO
Buyers & Kulkarni, PLC
Care House of Oakland County
Charlie Health
Centro Multicultural La Familia
Congregation Beth Shalom
Gesher Human Services
Greenfield Health Systems
Hebrew Free Loan
Hillel of Metro Detroit
JARA
JCADA
Muslim Unity Center
National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan
Nature’s Playhouse
No Veteran Left Behind
Oakland County Health Network
Tamarack Camps
Temple Emanu-El
Wayne State University School of Social Work
Yad Ezra
Young Israel of Oak Park
Jewish Family Service
jfsdetroit.org resourcecenter@jfsdetroit.org
248.592.2313
Association for Children’s Mental Health acmh-mi.org
888.226.4543
Daniel B. Sobel Friendship House friendshipcircle.org/locations/friendship-house benny@friendshipcircle.org
248.788.8888
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance dbsametrodetroit.org metrodetroitdbsa@gmail.com
734.667.2138 (Plymouth)
248.714.8088 (Novi)
313.974.4487 (Westland)
Easterseals MORC easterseals.com
248.475.6300
Eisenberg Family Depression Center, University of Michigan depressioncenter.org
734.763.9629
734.764.0231 (for Psychiatry appointments)
Gesher Human Services geshermi.org info@geshermi.org
248.559.5000
Jewish Addiction Resource Alliance (JARA)
jfsdetroit.org/jara iworonoff@jfsdetroit.org
248.592.3981
Kevin’s Song kevinssong.org gail@kevinssong.org
313.236.7109
National Alliance for Mental Illness nami.org 800.950.6264 namimetro.org 248.277.1500
Oakland Community Health Network oaklandchn.org 248.858.1210 (main office) 248.464.6363 (non-emergency)
UMatter friendshipcircle.org/umatter umatter@friendshipcircle.org 248.788.7878 ext.208
We Need to Talk wn2t.org hberger@jfsdetroit.org 248.592.2654
If you or a loved one is in crisis, please contact one of the following or proceed to the nearest emergency room:
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24/7 confidential support) Dial: 988 | Online chat: 988lifeline.org/chat
Common Ground Resource and Crisis Helpline
Call/Text: 800.231.1127 (24/7) Online Chat: 988lifeline.org/chat
National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline Monday-Friday 10am-10pm Call: 800.950.6264 Text: NAMI to 62640
The Trevor Project Call: 866.488.7386 (24/7) Text: 678678 Online Chat: thetrevorproject.org/get-help