DJN May 19, 2022 by The Detroit Jewish News

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200 May 19-25, 2022 / 18-24 Iyar 5782

Mazel Tov,

Class of 2022 See page 53

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contents May 19-25, 2022 / 18-24 Iyar 5782 | VOLUME CLXXI, ISSUE 14

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Shabbat Lights

Lag b’Omer: Thursday, May 19 Shabbat begins: Friday, May 20, 8:35 p.m. Shabbat ends: Saturday, May 21, 9:44 p.m. * Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar.

ON THE COVER: Cover photo/credit: Farber Hebrew Day School grads Daniella Weil and Aaron Adler. Photograph by Jerry Zolynsky. Cover design: Michelle Sheridan

28 PURELY COMMENTARY 4-10

Essays and viewpoints.

OUR COMMUNITY 12

Ambulances for Ukraine

Okemos man helps deliver ambulances and medical supplies to Jews in the war-torn region.

Honoring the Best of Jewish Detroit

Federation’s 2022 Awards Night honors outstanding community leaders.

Jewish groups mobilize to get reproductive rights issue on Michigan ballot.

What Would Overruling Roe v Wade Mean for Michigan?

Educators of the Year

The JN honors the best and brightest teachers in the community.

Looking for the Light Event Series

Detroit arts leaders team up with Galerie Camille and local businesses for Mental Health Awareness Month.

Synagogue Spotlight:

Windsor’s Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, Nears Centennial

Meet Eddie and Vince

A four-legged friend bringing smiles to all.

Assumption University and Windsor Jewish Federation and Community Centre launch new course.

Night of stories from the Jewish and Black experience raises over $10K for Ukrainian relief.

Detroit’s Youngest Tichel-Maker

A Birthright Summit

Metro Detroiter attends summit with emerging global Jewish business leaders.

Nelson Legacy Event Tackles Opioid Crisis

Health care expert Harry Nelson to be guest speaker at Congregation Beth Shalom event.

JN Wins 13 SPJ Awards

NEXT DOR 42

SPORTS 49

From Terrible to Terrific

Quick Hits

‘Freedom Stories’

Advocating for Change

A conversation with constitutional law professor Robert Sedler.

Jewish-Catholic Relations

Moments

SPIRIT 45 46 47

Torah Portion Evolution or Revolution? Synagogue Directory

2022 Jewish High School Graduates

JEWISH@EDU 100

JeMSA (Jewish Medical Student Association) Antisemitism Training

101

Gen Z and Zionism

102

Wayne State Celebrates Israel

ARTS & LIFE 103

Inspired by Nature

104

Rescued Yiddish Stories

106

Celebrity News

MAZEL TOV 44

Family-focused bowling team wins Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson league and International B’nai B’rith tournament titles.

CAP & GOWN

Connecting Youth to Judaism Hillel’s director of Judaic studies shares her passion for being Jewish.

CORRECTION: The cover photo and most of the photos for “Motor City NFT Drop” (May 12, 2022) were taken by Sal Rodriguez; Jeff Cancelosi took the headshot of Chris Turner.

West Michigan-based poet’s new volume is Nature’s Olympics.

A review of Fear and Other Stories by Chana Blankshteyn, translated by Anita Norich.

EVENTS 107

ETC. 108 110 118

Community Calendar The Exchange Obits Looking Back MAY 19 • 2022

PURELY COMMENTARY for openers

The Frozen Bagel and the Synagogue

t usually takes years to get to the point where you can make a living as a standup comedian. That applies to many other professions in the arts, but it’s widely known that you’re probably not going to be very good for a long time. Avi Liberman Accepting that, and knowing you are just going to have to put in the time, the “Day Job” as it is commonly known is going to be a fact of life. For me, it was being an elementary school teaching assistant. Having gone to Orthodox Jewish day school, I taught Sunday school in college for extra cash, and it seemed like a normal progression to keep a roof over my head while I struggled to get better. I worked mostly with firstand second-graders in Jewish day schools, and getting up early to get to work became part of my routine over the years. As I got more work doing what I wanted to do, I went from full-time to parttime to eventually taking the plunge and telling the school I would not be coming back. While frightening not knowing where my next check would be coming from, I knew it was time. Even though I could now sleep in, I still found myself waking up before 7 a.m., since my body clock had been adjusted to it for years. I also found it hard to go to sleep before midnight since I was also accustomed to doing my other job at night performing.

MAY 19 • 2022

That often involved hanging out late and naps in the afternoon (when I could) to keep me sane. The one bonus of still getting up early no matter what time I went to sleep was I finally had time to enjoy breakfast and not feel rushed. When I was a teaching assistant it usually consisted of a cup of coffee, and a danish, or oatmeal in a paper cup at my desk. Now that I had time, I was going to enjoy it, and watch whatever crappy reality show I had recorded on my DVR and just relax. I became a big breakfast guy and thoroughly enjoyed taking my time making and eating it. While I always had my staples of blueberries, strawberries and cottage cheese, I’d rotate out every other day between a bagel with lox and cream cheese, and an omelet with cheese and salsa, which I’ve since added avocado to. I grew up in Texas so the salsa was a must. I had one problem though, I keep the bagels frozen (whole wheat everything in case you’re wondering) and on bagel mornings, needed time for them to defrost when I pulled one out of the freezer.

Usually about 20 minutes in, I was fine, and a good knife could do the job before I popped it into the toaster. I would end up bored though and needed to kill time waiting for the defrost. This is where my friend Adam came in and solved, and ruined, it for me at the same time. MY CONVERSATION WITH ADAM Adam is what’s known as a “Baal Tshuvah,” basically the Jewish version of a born again. Adam did not grow up religious but became more traditional later in life. Nine times out of 10, they are more religiously involved than those of us who grew up with it, and generally have a much more spiritual approach. The rest of us were jaded early and don’t have as much of an appreciation for what we were given as far as Jewish education, religious practice etc. I like to poke fun at this group on stage when I do Jewish events, but I actually have a profound respect for people who take on a more traditional lifestyle that they aren’t used to. I don’t remember how it

came up, but the topic of my newfound defrosting problem came up in conversation with Adam and he had the perfect solution. “Come to minyan in the morning at the synagogue, Avi! Plenty of time for your bagel to defrost.” I remember thinking, “Is this guy nuts?” No way I’m getting up at 6 a.m. and doing that. Most guys go early since they need to get to work. When I protested and gave him the “Nice Baal Tshuvah try,” he told me there was a 7:45 a.m. service he attends. I smiled and said, we’ll see, but I honestly had no intention of going. After a few days, no matter what I tried and how late I went to sleep, I kept getting up at around 7 a.m. or just before. If it was a bagel morning, I’d walk to the grocery store, maybe buy something I didn’t need, or procrastinate some other way. I didn’t like jumping online since that was sort of the beginning of my new workday and wanted to eat first. One morning, I woke up early again, and was just lying there and thought, “I have nothing else to do and really have no excuse. I live across the street from the synagogue, I know how to navigate the service just fine, put on a tallis and tefillin (traditional prayer shawl and “phylacteries” as they are called) so I might as well go.” While I went on the Sabbath, going during the week was never really in my plans. I would say a few basic prayers in the morning, but continued on page 10

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PURELY COMMENTARY column

The Challenge of Reforming a Powerless UN Security Council

he Russian war on Ukraine, and the seeming powerlessness of the United Nations to halt it or seriously punish its instigator because of the veto power that the Russian Federation wields in the UN Security Aaron Jacob Council, has reignited a long-running debate about reforming the world body’s most important organ. The UN Charter states that “The Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members.” But the Charter also grants

permanent membership and veto power in the Security Council to World War II’s five victorious powers. In the eyes of many member states, this makes the UN inherently undemocratic. In 1950, the General Assembly, following repeated Soviet vetoes regarding the war in Korea, adopted the “Uniting for Peace” resolu-

tion. It stipulated that “if the Security Council, because of lack of unanimity of the permanent members, fails to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security,” an emergency special session of the General Assembly could be called within 24 hours. However, since emergency special session resolutions are not binding or enforceable, they have never become an alternative to Security Council resolutions. On April 26, the General Assembly adopted a resolution by which it will meet and hold a debate every time a veto is cast in the Security Council. The resolution is meant to

compel permanent members to defend their decision to cast a veto, but the General Assembly does not have the authority to reform the Council, including curtailing the veto power. Any such reform would entail changes to the UN Charter, which are subject to approval by two-thirds of UN member states, including all five permanent members of the Security Council. When the UN was established in 1945, with 51 member states, the Security Council was composed of 11 members, five of which were permanent and six non-permanent serving a two-year term. During the next 20 years, UN membership grew continued on page 10

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PURELY COMMENTARY column

Harvard, BDS and the Nazis

he editors of Harvard’s student newspaper have just urged a boycott of the Jewish state and praised a campus group that has celebrated a murderer of Jewish college students. In the 1930s, the editors of the Rafael same newspaper Medoff asserted that JNS.org Harvard should grant an award to a Nazi official who promoted anti-Jewish boycotts and celebrated murderers of Jews. Is there a basis for comparing today’s editors of the Harvard Crimson to their preWorld War II predecessors? The Crimson’s editors recently accused Israel of

committing “crimes against humanity” and endorsed the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. One presumes the editors are aware of the fact that BDS founder Omar Barghouti has said his goal is not to oppose “settlements” or “occupation,” but rather to “oppose a Jewish state in any part of Palestine.” The editorial heaped praise on the “colorful” and “spirited” anti-Israel activities organized on campus by the Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee. For some reason, it did not refer to the Committee’s 2015 post of a video that justified knife attacks against random Israeli Jews, or its 2016 event in support of Rasmea Odeh, the convicted murderer of two

Hebrew University students in Jerusalem. It would not be a stretch to imagine that if Ernst “Putzi” Hanfstaengl were alive today, he would be an enthusiastic supporter of the BDS campaign, the Palestine Solidarity Committee and Rasmea Odeh. The shameful story of Hanfstaengl and Harvard was documented in the landmark 2005 book The Third Reich in the Ivory Tower by Professor Stephen Norwood. The German-born Hanfstaengl attended Harvard and graduated in 1909. He later returned to Germany and became an active supporter of the Nazi Party from its earliest days. Eventually, he rose to become Hitler’s foreign press spokesman. Hanfstaengl’s

announcement in 1934 that he would attend his 25th class reunion sparked a debate over whether he ought to be welcome on the Harvard campus. The editors of the Crimson at the time argued that not only should Hanfstaengl be “warmly welcomed,” but also received by the Harvard administration “with the marks of honor appropriate to his high position in the government of a friendly country, which happens to be a great world power — that is, by conferring upon him an honorary degree.” Nevermind that the policies of the regime Hanfstaengl represented made a mockery of the ideals of liberty and free inquiry for which Harvard stood. Harvard also maintained

student’s corner

New ADL Report has Antisemitism on the Rise

he Anti-Defamation League (ADL) tracks antisemitic incidents worldwide. Recently, the ADL released its 2021 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, with 2,717 incidents reported, the most incidents reported in one year since 1979. Spencer Cherrin This includes assaults, harassment, and vandalism. This trend is not isolated to the United States. Antisemitism is trending upward in the EU

MAY 19 • 2022

and other parts of the world. On MSNBC’s Morning Joe, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt characterized the rise in antisemitic incidents as the “normalization of antisemitism.” Greenblatt said that the casual way people say antisemitic remarks is what makes it more acceptable. He said we are seeing “soft” antisemitism, for example, when Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green recently likened NATO soldiers to Nazis or last year when Jim Walsh, a Washington-state legislator, wore a yellow Star of David

like the one Jews were forced to wear in the Holocaust to protest the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The issue of “soft antisemitism” is not restricted to politics. Meyers Leonard, a former NBA player with the Miami Heat, recently posted an antisemitic comment on Twitch. After someone brought the statement to his attention, he immediately ended the stream, but it had already gone viral. Julian Edelman is a former New England Patriot and three-time Super Bowl cham-

pion. His father is Jewish, but he was raised Catholic. However, he now identifies as a Jew. Edelman was one of the first people to respond to Leonard’s comment and, in his response, Edelman invited Leonard over for Shabbat dinner. Greenblatt said on Morning Joe, “this kind of casual rhetoric leads to shocking results in the real world.” Greenblatt continued to say that “social media has a lot to do with the increased incidents.” Just a few weeks ago, like we do every year, we sat around

crewmen from the warship were entertained at Harvard, and professors attended a gala reception in Boston where the warship’s captain enthusiastically praised Hitler,” Norwood notes. The following year, the German consul-general in Boston was permitted to place a swastika wreath in the university’s chapel in honor of German war veterans who were Harvard alumni. Of course, there are important differences between the Crimson of 1934 and the Crimson of today. For one thing, the quality of the editorial writing has deteriorated noticeably over the years. The journalism students who edit the oldest college newspaper in the United States really should know that the past tense of “strive” is not “strived,” “nuance” is not a verb, and “difficults” and “straw-manning” are not real words. Grammatical errors are the least of the current editors’

the seder table and retold the story of the challenges Jews faced, standing up to those who sought to enslave us. Clearly, our journey is not yet complete. For centuries the Jewish people have been targets and scapegoats, but we as a people have survived. We have survived because we share our story every week, and we keep on telling our story so that we never forget what happened to the generations before us. We just commemorated Holocaust Remembrance Day. As this generation of survivors is quickly diminishing, my generation and those that come after me will never forget the atrocities that occurred decades ago. Even with the number of antisemitic incidents rising, it is a powerful

reminder of how much work we have ahead of us to speak up and call people out, just as Edelman has. A few months after Meyers sent that destructive post, he set out on his journey to learn about the Jewish community. He shared what he learned over social media, becoming an ally. As generations become further detached from the survivors of the Holocaust it is crucial that we continue to share stories and that we feel empowered or become equipped with the tools to stand up and speak out, so we never have to become victims of antisemitism again.

problems, however. The more important issue is whether it can be argued that there is some connection between the past and present Crimson editors’ attitudes toward persecutors of Jews. Obviously, criticism of Israeli policies is not Nazism and the BDS campaign is not the same as the Holocaust. But there is something important about the Crimson editors’ explanation that they were moved to embrace BDS by “the weight of this moment.” Our universities are supposed to train students to engage in free inquiry and independent thinking. The “weight of this moment,” especially on college campuses, is tilted heavily against Israel. Nothing is trendier than accusing the Jewish state of behaving like apartheid-era South Africa or even Nazi Germany. But the editors of the Crimson should have resisted the temptation to

go along with the crowd, to succumb to the “weight of the moment.” They should have opted to side with facts and reason instead of simply aping what all the cool kids are doing. Here is where the comparison to the 1930s is relevant. Then too, the editors of the Crimson chose to follow the crowd. From the White House down to the Harvard administration, the maintenance of friendly relations with Nazi Germany — and ignoring the plight of the Jews — was regarded as the preferred approach. The editors of the Crimson made the wrong moral choice in the 1930s. Their successors have done likewise. Dr. Rafael Medoff is director of the David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies and author of more than 20 books about the Holocaust and Jewish history. This article was originally published by the Jewish Journal.

WIKIPEDIA

strong ties to Nazi-controlled German universities; in particular, the University of Heidelberg. Even though Heidelberg fired all its Jewish faculty members, instituted a Nazified curriculum and hosted a mass book-burning, Harvard President James Conant accepted an invitation to take part in celebrations of Heidelberg’s 550th anniversary in 1936. He said “political conditions”— such as the mass persecution of Germany’s Jews — should not prevent Harvard from participating. A Crimson editorial agreed and hailed Conant’s decision as “splendid.” The Harvard administration took additional steps in the 1930s to foster friendly relations with Nazi Germany. Harvard rolled out the red carpet for the crew of a Nazi warship, the Karlsruhe, when it docked in Boston harbor in 1934, the swastika flag flying from its mast. “Officers and

By reaching out, Jewish ex-NFL star Julian Endelman made an ally out of a potential antisemite.

Spencer Cherrin is a freshman at Frankel Jewish Academy and a graduate of Hillel Day School.

MAY 19 • 2022

PURELY COMMENTARY THE FROZEN BAGEL continued from page 4

never really the whole service. As it was an all-important bagel day, I figured I’d head over and give it a whirl. When I walked in, there was Adam, and he gave a big smile and hello. I simply replied, “I don’t want to hear it! This is your fault!” Adam laughed and said, “I’ll take full blame, and credit!” We generally make jokes about having to go to synagogue, getting out early, and all the other usual stuff. I’m told by many of my Christian friends the same stereotypical jokes are cracked about church as well. Religion is religion. Needless to say, after a few days it became a pattern even when it was an omelet morning. There is a question the sages bring up. What is the greatest passage from the Bible? Is it

the Shema? “Hear O Israel the Lord our God the Lord is one!” Is it the famous “Treat your neighbor like yourself,” etc.? Finally, it was decided that the greatest line of all is: “They brought the sacrifice every day, twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.” Really? That one? Routine in life is important. The Rabbis felt it was so important that they were willing to say it is the greatest thing we are taught. I remember being on the road with another comic during my early years of when I first started working at clubs. We were staying at the infamous “Comedy Condo,” and I asked if he wanted me to wake him up the next morning if I got up first. He replied, “No way. I’m a comic, I don’t

get up until noon,” as if there was pride in that. I remember thinking to myself, “Ya know, I’ll bet Drew Carey isn’t getting up at noon” or any other successful person for that matter. Rabbi Muskin, the rabbi at my synagogue, once gave a speech on Yom Kippur and gave examples of how great men valued routine. Beethoven would count out exactly 60 beans of coffee and grind that. It was exactly 60, no more and no less. It was the one thing he was very particular about, but nothing else as far as food or drink. That one routine was important to him. Darwin and Einstein were meticulous about their daily walks. The list goes on and on. There is even the famous speech by Admiral William H. McRaven

about making your bed every morning. Routine, and getting something done is important. The admiral knows it, and the Rabbis knew it thousands of years ago. After not having to have a schedule, I know it too. I don’t have to get up early in the morning, but I try to anyway. Routine is important. It’s said that, throughout the centuries, it’s not that the Jews kept the Sabbath, but the Sabbath kept the Jews. Or, more simply put, it’s not so much that I keep the bagel, but the bagel keeps me … or it at least keeps me from oversleeping.

Malaysia; in Latin America — Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and others; in Africa — Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt. In reality, none of the current five permanent members wants to expand the Council, as it would dilute its own power and make the work of the Council more complicated. At the same time, none is openly opposed to change, understanding that such a position would be damaging to its standing in world public opinion. During his recent visit to Ukraine, UN Secretary-General Guterres conceded that “the Security Council failed to do everything in its power to prevent and end this war. This is a source of great disappointment, frustration and anger.” He then added: “I have not the power to reform the Security Council. I have no illusions about the possibility to do it immediately,

but I will do everything I can through making the UN as effective as possible in situations like these to at least compensate for a failure that I cannot solve.” There can be no doubt that any just and sustainable international order must include a Security Council that is efficient, effective, credible and legitimate. However, these four imperatives are not necessarily compatible. The challenge facing the UN, and the international community at large, is how to make the Security Council more credible and legitimate, while ensuring that it does not become even less efficient and effective.

Avi Liberman is a stand-up comic who was born in Israel, raised in Texas and now lives in Los Angeles. Avi founded Comedy for Koby, a bi-annual tour of Israel featuring some of America’s top stand-up comedians.

UN SECURITY COUNCIL continued from page 6

to 120 countries. To reflect this growth, four additional rotating seats were added to the Council in 1965, bringing the total number of Council members to 15. Today, the UN has 193 member states, yet the Security Council has remained the same. Over the past 40 years, there have been various proposals to expand the Council’s membership to between 21 and 26. Italy at one point had suggested that instead of adding new permanent and non-permanent seats, ten semi-permanent seats be added, with no veto power, to be rotated among thirty mid-level powers. A high-level panel in 2004-05 offered a complex package of alternatives, one of which suggested the creation of new categories such as six permanent seats without a veto power, or eight four-year memberships. In 2015, France, with the support of Mexico,

MAY 19 • 2022

launched an initiative aimed at suspending veto powers in cases of mass atrocity. Despite years of negotiations, none of these ideas materialized. In the mid-1990s, the Clinton administration endorsed expanding the Council to 20-21, including five new permanent members: Germany and Japan from the industrialized nations, plus three regional powers from Asia, Latin America, and Africa, respectively. This proposal has not advanced for two reasons. First, the Non-Aligned Movement has demanded a larger increase (at least eleven additional seats); and second, the regional groups have been unable to agree on which countries should be eligible for the additional permanent seats. In each regional group, more than one regional power aspires toward a permanent seat: in Asia — India, Indonesia, and

Aaron Jacob is American Jewish Committee (AJC) Director of Diplomatic Affairs. From 1998-2002, he served as Israel’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN at the rank of ambassador.

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OUR COMMUNITY

Ody Norkin on his journey to Ukraine

Ambulances for Ukraine Okemos man helps deliver ambulances and medical supplies to Jews in the war-torn region. STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ince the beginning of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Oded “Ody” Norkin, 67, of Okemos, has felt the pull of his past. In 1925, his father, Aaron, graduated Odessa Technical School. In 1941, when the Nazis and their allies took siege of Odessa, his father, like many Jews, was deported to work camps in Siberia. His grandparents Sara and Moshe Norkin were murdered in the streets of Odessa. “My grandparents were not evacuated because they were considered too old, and we lost them,” Norkin said. “So now, this current war hit home for me, and I had to do something.” With a newly formed network of people that stretches from Michigan to Romania to Ukraine, Norkin, together with $20,000 in donations collected from a Greater Lansing Jewish Federation emergency campaign, has secured two ambulances plus medical equipment, first aid supplies and vital medication for war-ravaged Ukrainians. Norkin transferred the first ambulance, packed with supplies, to the Jewish community in Odessa in April. As of

MAY 19 • 2022

May 11, the second ambulance began its long journey to the Jewish community in Dnipro. Norkin, 67, was born in Israel and served in the Israeli Army during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. For the last 16 years, people know him best as vice president of Michigan Flyer, a multicity transportation service that shuttles travelers to and from the Detroit Metro Airport. In early March, Norkin called Hendel Weingarten, the rabbi at Chabad House in East Lansing, who suggested he contact Rabbi Avraham Wolff of Chabad in Odessa. They began exchanging text messages March 13. “I know a thing or two about transportation, and that’s where I wanted to help, with evacuees fleeing Ukraine over the border to Moldova, Romania or Poland,” Norkin said. “When I signed up to volunteer, the network of Chabad rabbis said transportation they had; where they really needed help was to get more ambulances and medicine.” Though Norkin’s expertise lies in bus shuttle transportation, he had

no knowhow in how to acquire an ambulance. Yet, he promised Rabbi Wolff he would come through. BOUND FOR ROMANIA By March 14, he was on a plane bound for Romania, traveling with $10,000 in cash of his own savings, with few other plans beyond that. He made his way to Bucharest in a rented nine-passenger van, where he connected with Chabad Rabbi Naftalai Deutsch, who introduced him to a man who could get the job done: Marco Katz. A native of Romania who has spent time living in the United States and Israel, where he served in the Israeli Army, Katz is vice president of the Zionist Association of Romania and founding director of Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism in Romania. “Katz wears many hats,” Norkin explained on a spotty phone call with the JN while the two were making a recent three-hour drive between the tiny Romanian border town of Siret, host to many fleeing refugees, back to Bucharest. “He knows everybody and anybody you

need, so I was lucky to have been taken under his wing, and so we went to work.” Since the beginning of the war, Katz has been providing relief efforts, funded by many organizations, including B’nai B’rith International, to Ukrainian refugees who have made it to Siret. Norkin spent his first week in Romania working with Katz providing relief to refugees in Siret as they stepped up efforts to procure medical supplies, equipment and an ambulance for Odessa. By the second week, he had teamed up with the Joint Distribution Committee in their efforts to transport a few Jewish Ukrainian Jewish families who were stranded in the port city of Mangalia. In his rented van, he was able to transfer nine refugees to Bucharest, where they boarded a chartered flight to Israel. Norkin said, eventually, Katz recruited a friend who is an ER physician in Bucharest who procured a Mercedes Benz Sprinter ambulance that could be used in Odessa. They stocked the ambulance with medication, including thousands of dollars of thyroid pills, something that many Ukrainians need as a lingering effect of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The second ambulance for Dnipro.

LANSING’S JEWISH COMMUNITY STEPS UP While overseas, Norkin got a call from Amy Shapiro, executive director of the Greater Lansing Jewish Federation, who told him that the community was financially backing him by collecting $7,000 in donations to cover the cost of the ambulance, as well as additional $7,000 for medical equipment like dual

patient monitors and defibrillators, medicine and first aid supplies. “As soon as I heard about (Ody’s work in Ukraine), I knew this was something that community would get behind,” Shapiro explained. “Ody is well known and well liked from the years he has operated Michigan Flyer. He is very active at his synagogue, Kehilat Israel. And when I heard about this ambulance project, I knew that would really inspire people to donate because they knew exactly where the money was going.” Although they had an ambulance in their possession by the end of March, Norkin and Katz still had to contend with red tape from Romanian officials to transfer the ambulance’s ownership title to the Jewish community of Odessa. It took some more connections, plus a few phone calls from Michigan Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, to seal the deal. On the night of April 7, Norkin and Katz drove the ambulance from Bucharest to the Isaccea border, crossed the Danube by ferry and arrived in Odessa by early morning. It took 24 hours to drive the 584-km trek between Bucharest and Odessa — a journey that in normal times can be done in under nine hours. continued on page 14

Ody Norkin in the back of the ambulance he’s delivering to Dnipro

MAY 19 • 2022

OUR COMMUNITY continued from page 13

The trip was slowgoing and marked by 21 checkpoints by Ukrainian military, who at one point held them for several hours for questioning. “It was a pretty grueling all-nighter, and we were delayed a lot because of curfews and other humanitarian trucks going across the border,” explained Norkin. “But we had help from our hosts in Odessa because they helped us communicate with the military staff at each crossing point and roadblock. It was a bit challenging to explain why two guys who did not speak Ukrainian were headed to Odessa in the middle of the night and traveling by ambulance.” By April 8, the ambulance was officially under the ownership of the Tribes of Israel Unity, the umbrella organization of the Jewish Community of Odessa. After having the satisfaction of handing the ambulance keys over to Rabbi Wolff, Norkin realized that what he thought was a cold he had contracted during his travels turned out to be COVID. Though he wanted to come home after being away for four weeks, a positive test at the airport in Bucharest sent him into quarantine for 10 days.

ABOVE: Ody Norkin in Bucharest to help Ukrainian refugees on their way to Israel TOP: Ody Norkin delivering the first ambulance in Odessa. He is standing with Nelli Kuznietsova from the synagogue in Odessa and Marco Katz of the Zionist Federation of Romania.

MAY 19 • 2022

A SECOND MISSION Norkin returned to the United States on April 20 only to head back Bucharest on May 2 to continue his work with Katz. By then, Katz had already secured a second ambulance, which will be used for trauma relief for the residents of Dnipro.

Once again, the Federation of Greater Lansing is raising money and is also reaching out to Metro Detroit’s Jewish community to participate in the cause. To donate, go to www.jewishfederationlansing. org/ambulance-for-ukrainerelief. Of this second mission, Norkin explained: “We have put a new set of tires on the ambulance and are procuring more equipment and medical supplies. Now, once again, we are at the mercy of the Romanian government to change over the ownership titles. We are not sure if we are going to drive it all the way there, and maybe someone will meet us halfway.” When asked if the two had any security or are concerned for their safety on these missions, Norkin and Katz agreed that with their years of training in the Israel Defense Forces, they are the security. “Before we head out, we do we do a lot of diligent research,” Norkin explained. “We continue to network to ensure that we don’t get ourselves into a situation where we shouldn’t be. But clearly, anytime you go into Ukraine, there’s some risk involved. But we both feel this is something we must do. And though the ambulances are being given to the Jewish communities, the ambulance workers give emergency care to anyone who needs it. Just like the Israeli Magen Adom ambulances that are in Ukraine, the Ukrainian military know it is to help all who are in need. It’s just heartwarming to see the amount of cooperation going on.”

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2ND YEAR BOARD MEMBERS

1ST YEAR BOARD MEMBERS

Mazel Tov!

to the members of The Jewish Fund Teen Board 2021-2022, a diverse group of Jewish teens who have deepened their engagement within our community through learning of communal needs and responding through philanthropic grantmaking. 1ST YEAR BOARD MEMBERS

Jocelyn Adelman Andrew Bertman Jordan Bloom Samantha Caminker Anthony Carson Maddie Charnas Brevin Chernett Merrick Chernett Aria Dwoskin Tali Feingold

Ella Fried Abigail Goldberg Erin Grey Ethan Grey Nicolette Handler Jane Heller Mayer Krieger Rayna Kushner Ariella Leib

Isaac Mougoue Gabrielle Polakoff Rebecca Rabin Ryan Schmeltz Ari Schon Harrison Shaevsky Meredith Shapiro Ethan Simon Ashten Spector Benzion Taylor-Abt

2ND YEAR BOARD MEMBERS

Allie Abrams Max Barish Elizabeth Doran Grant Fleischer Eli Foltyn Evan Foltyn Shayna Foreman Zachary Frank

Max Friedman Bella Gottlieb Yakira Hyman Mia Jacobson Bella Muchnick Libby Neuvirth Noa Ostroff Noa Pergament

Alexa Philko Isaac Pitt Daniella Press Isaac Saulson Avi Selesny Benji Stern Ruby Stoller Adin Victor

Special thanks to our 2021-2022 Leadership Committee for their dedication and hard work in facilitating board meetings and site visits.

Logan Edelheitt Isabelle Goldstein

Haley Lipman Lilli Semel

Eryn Stern Macy West

Each year, Teen Board members select critical issues affecting the community to address through their grantmaking. This year, the focus areas included impacting community members with mental health issues or disabilities and improving the health and welfare of those experiencing significant economic hardship. The Jewish Fund Teen Board is proud to announce that a total of $182,577 in grants has been awarded to the following organizations: YEAR 1 YEAR 2

Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation | Friendship Circle Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit | JVS+Kadima Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network | Kevin’s Song

Anti-Defamation League Foundation | B’nai B’rith Youth Organization Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network | Kids Kicking Cancer Life Remodeled

For more information on the work of The Jewish Fund Teen Board, or to apply for a 2022-2023 Teen Board position, please visit www.teenboard.thejewishfund.org. Application deadline is May 31, 2022. The Teen Board is a project of The Jewish Fund. The Jewish Fund was established in 1997 from the sale proceeds of Sinai Hospital to the Detroit Medical Center. Sinai Hospital was a Jewish community funded facility that grew into one of metropolitan Detroit’s top health care institutions. As a legacy of Sinai Hospital, The Jewish Fund continues the tradition of assuring quality and compassionate care for those in need in Metropolitan Detroit.

The Jewish Fund Teen Board is proud to be a part of the Foundation Board Incubator, a project of the Jewish Teen Funders Network, which is generously funded by Laura Lauder and the Maimonides Fund.

OUR COMMUNITY

ach year, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit honors exceptional individuals who have made a positive impact on the Jewish community. Common characteristics can be found in outstanding leaders: a passion to serve their communities; an active involvement in the organizations near and dear to their hearts; and inspiring others to do the same. This year’s awardees have something else in common — they grew up with role models who instilled in them the value of giving back. It is a lesson they have not only embraced but are also now passing down to a new generation. Federations Awards Night will take place on Wednesday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the Berman Center for Performing Arts, 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield. Registration for the event is free and open to the community at jewishdetroit.org/ awardsnight. WILLIAM DAVIDSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Established in 2000, this award recognizes those who have devoted a lifetime to community service. It is one of Federation’s highest honors and puts a spotlight on individuals who have worked tirelessly for decades to ensure a vibrant future for the Jewish community of Detroit and the Jewish people. Marta Rosenthal has spent four decades as a career volunteer. During that time, she has served as president of the Michigan Chapter’s National Council of Jewish Women and the Sinai Hospital Guild,

MAY 19 • 2022

Honoring the Best of Jewish Detroit Federation’s 2022 Awards Night honors outstanding community leaders. ROBBIE TERMAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Marta Rosenthal

Neil Satovsky

Jessica Katz

Yoni Torgow

Keith Schonberger

Amy Neistein

and has been active on more than 25 committees, initiatives and boards. She served as co-chair of Federation’s Annual Campaign, a key leadership position that impacts the welfare of the entire community. Israel is particularly close to her heart, having traveled there 37 times since 1985. A standout in her long list of achievements is the relationships she has forged between Detroit and Israel through Partnership 2Gether, PACT and the American Technion Society. Neil Satovsky began his Jewish communal career in Federation’s Junior Division, where he later became president. He soon joined several other Federation committees, sat on the board of JVS, and then got involved in Jewish Apartments and Services, where he served as president. During his tenure, he launched the Eight Over Eighty program, which honors seniors who have made a community impact. Today, he serves on the board of Jewish Senior Life. Satovsky has also lent his considerable skills to Hillel of Metro Detroit, where his many roles included vice president, and Camp Tamarack, where he set up a fishing program, a nod to his longtime hobby. YOUNG LEADERSHIP AWARDS Established in 1965 as a memorial to the beloved wife and mother, the Sylvia Simon Greenberg Young Leadership Award recognizes exceptional leadership potential and service to the Jewish Community by a young woman. This year’s recipient, Jessica Katz, has made a substantial impact on young-adult focused community work. As a founding member of The

Well, a NEXTGen Detroit and Kadima board member, and co-chair of Federation’s Liaison Committee and Becker and Marcus Mission, Katz is taking a vital role in mentoring the next generation of leaders. She also sits on the Federation’s Local Area Planning Division and has built relationships with Jews around the world as the JDC Ralph I. Goldman fellow. The Frank A. Wetsman Young Leadership Award was established in 1961 as a memorial to the beloved husband and father and recognizes exceptional leadership potential and service to the Jewish community by a young man. Yoni Torgow, this year’s recipient, was inspired by his tenure in the Wexner Heritage Program, an intensive two-year initiative for Jewish volunteer leaders. With the lessons he learned, Torgow took on many roles, including chairing the building of the new boys’ and girls’ schools of his alma mater, Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, and becoming a mentor for Partners Detroit. He also serves on Federation’s Real Estate & Capital Needs Committee and the Board of Governors and sits on the boards of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and JVS+Kadima. As a sports enthusiast, Torgow has also revitalized the Detroit Jewish Youth Sports League. The Mark-Lis Family Young Leadership Award was created in 1993 to recognize an established leader in the NEXTGen Division who has shown outstanding commitment and success within the division and within Federation’s Annual

Campaign. Influenced by a teen mission to Israel, this year’s recipient, Keith Schonberger, took an active role within Jewish groups and organizations while attending Michigan State University. Later, he served on the board of Tamarack Camps before joining NEXTGen Detroit’s board. There, he co-founded NEXTGen’s Interfaith Couple’s Group, which promotes inclusivity and outreach to interfaith couples and their families, and co-chaired NEXTGen’s Community Campaign. An attorney, Schonberger is also part of the Federation’s Affinities Attorney group. MANDELL L. AND MADELEINE H. BERMAN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL SERVICE The Bermans, both of blessed memory, established this award in 1988 to acknowledge communal professionals and share their accomplishments with the Detroit Jewish community. Amy Neistein, director of Women’s Philanthropy at the Jewish Federation, is this year’s recipient. Neistein has spent her career in Jewish communal service, and since coming to Federation in 1996, has made a significant impact. Her work has taken her from the Neighborhood Project to Israel and Overseas and now Women’s Philanthropy, where she leads the department’s yearly effort to raise $6 million for the Annual Campaign. As a builder of community and relationships from Detroit to Israel, Neistein embodies the essence of a truly outstanding Jewish professional.

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OUR COMMUNITY

Advocating for Change Jewish groups mobilize to get reproductive rights issue on Michigan ballot. STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ince the U.S. Supreme Court draft decision was leaked earlier this month, forecasting its intentions to overturn Roe v Wade, Michigan women are concerned a 1931 law on the Michigan books would immediately go into effect, essentially illegalizing abortion in the state, reversing a 50-year precedent of women’s rights for 2.2 million women of childbearing age in the state. This law states that any doctor performing an abortion could be prosecuted, even in cases of rape or incest. Although Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, in a May 8 appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, said if she remains in office, she will not prosecute any cases that would come up as a result of this Dana law, she said she could not Nessel prevent the state’s 83 elected county prosecutors from doing so. Nessel also said that as a worst-case scenario, even performing a dilation and curettage (D&C) for a woman experiencing a miscarriage or if a fetus dies in utero could be considered criminally liable for physicians. “What’s going to happen is doctors will be so afraid of being investigated for performing these procedures, even when there is no longer any [fetal] viability because it’s the same procedure that you might perform for an abortion … It will have a chilling effect, and women will not have basic medical health care,” Nessel said. “Doctors simply are not going to perform those procedures anymore because they don’t want to go to prison for it.” The possibility of living in such draconian conditions is energizing many in the state’s Jewish community to

MAY 19 • 2022

The logo of the ballot initiative effort

attempt to secure women’s reproductive rights in Michigan by working to add an amendment to the state Constitution through the Reproductive Freedom for All ballot initiative. In addition to safeguarding the legality of attaining and performing abortions in Michigan, the proposed initiative, if it makes it to the November ballot and passes in the election, would include protections for use of birth control, safe birthing care, and medical procedures associated with miscarriages and stillbirths. Because the initiative would amend Article I of the Michigan Constitution, its backers would need to collect 425,059 valid signatures by this summer from Michigan voters to place the measure on the ballot. MEMBERS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY MOBILIZE Michigan’s Jews are raising money and volunteering for organizations that work to protect reproductive freedom. Rabbi Asher Lopatin, executive director of Detroit’s Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC, said that defending a woman’s right to choose is a strong Jewish value. He said his organizaRabbi tion is playing a supportive Asher role to Jewish organizations Lopatin

such as Hadassah and the National Council of Jewish Women. He especially emphasized the organization’s partnership with the Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity, as the elimination of abortion rights will fall most heavily on communities of color. “Many women in this community do not have the resources to travel out of state to get an abortion,” Lopatin explained. “We will become active in a supportive role for the Black community through our social justice committee.” As an Orthodox rabbi, Lopatin cautioned his community should be wary of anti-abortion laws. “Defending the right of a woman to choose is a Jewish value and a moral value,” Lopatin said. “Also, this country has a separation of church and state, so this is a matter of religious freedom.” The National Council of Jewish Women in Michigan has been actively involved in getting the initiative on the ballot since it was drafted in early 2022. “At NJCW, our mission is to improve the lives of women, children and families,” said Linda Levy, NCJW of Greater Detroit co-state policy advocate. “This is an issue that touches each of these points. Many of these decisions on Linda Levy abortion affect families, and they are often made in conjunction with a family setting.” Levy, 69, of Farmington Hills, said NCJW delegates have been instrumental in the formation and mobilization of the initiative, which was crafted by Reproductive Freedom, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan and the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan. It sent delegates to Lansing

in January 2022 to testify in support of the summary wording of the initiative. “For younger women, I think there was this feeling that this could never happen,” Levy said. “There was a fear [the court] would merely chip away at Roe, but this [leaked] draft opinion shows that there’s an intention to eliminate it. So that has mobilized a lot of young people and people of all ages. The [1931] law is a throwback to a much earlier time in our country and would take away the many freedoms that women have taken for granted, such as having the same freedoms as men when it comes to making decisions about our healthcare.” Hadassah is also activating its constituents, according

to Hadassah of Greater Detroit President Mandy Garver. “Hadassah has always unequivMandy Garver ocally stood for a woman’s reproductive rights,” Garver said. “We believe that women must be able to continue to make critical healthcare decisions for themselves and for their families based on a person’s own values and on medical guidance. We are asking people to become public champions for reproductive rights by talking with friends, family and neighbors, and above all contact their state House representatives as well as their representatives in Congress to let them know as voters where we stand on this issue.”

Members of Detroit Jews for Justice also fear what the reversal may eventually mean for gay rights. “There is a real risk that Obergefell v Hodges, the case which protected same-sex marElijah Silver riage, will also be overturned,” said Elijah Silver, DJJ organizer for campaigns and education. “If this happens, a 2004 amendment to the Michigan Constitution will go back into effect, which would ban all forms of same-sex marriage in the state. Other rulings that are at risk include Lawrence v Texas, which protects all forms of sexual acts between consenting adults, and Griswold v. Connecticut, which protects access to

birth control.” Planned Parenthood volunteer and board member Diane Diane Orley Orley attended a Detroit fundraiser on the evening of May 10, where she and 240 donors secured $225,000 to support the organization’s in-state clinics. Orley, 62, of Birmingham, fears that the assault on personal liberties will continue unless Michigan can get its legislature back to an ideological center. “The only way to get our legislature back in the center is to keep money out of politics and change how elections/nominations occur. Sadly, I don’t see it happening in our lifetime,” she said.

MAY 19 • 2022

OUR COMMUNITY

What Would Overruling Roe v Wade Mean for Michigan? A conversation with constitutional law professor Robert Sedler. DAVID SACHS ASSOCIATE EDITOR

obert Sedler, 86, a retired constituDemocrats and one reasonable Republican, tional law professor at Wayne State Elizabeth Clement, would uphold abortion University, is no stranger to the bat- rights. tle for reproductive rights. While teaching law at the University of Kentucky prior to PRIOR TO 1973, ABORTIONS WERE the 1973 Roe v Wade decision, Sedler filed ALLOWED IN MICHIGAN ONLY TO suit along with the ACLU to overturn the PROTECT THE HEALTH OF THE Kentucky abortion ban. Their efforts were MOTHER. IF ROE WERE OVERRULED, unsuccessful, but the U.S. Supreme Court’s DOES THE 1931 LAW AGAIN TAKE decision in Roe immediately threw out EFFECT? every state’s abortion ban. If the U.S. Supreme Court overrules Roe v Now, a leaked draft opinion Wade, at that point in time, aborwritten by Supreme Court tion would be illegal in Michigan. Justice Samuel Alito indicates Now, this is why you have the balthe high court will overrule lot proposal, and this is why you Roe and throw the question of have the suits under the Michigan the legality of abortion back to Constitution — and it’s entirely a the individual states. matter of Michigan law. Professor Sedler was interBut let me make another point. Professor viewed last week by the JN on Let’s suppose that abortion is Robert Sedler how he foresees the current illegal in Michigan and a woman controversy playing out. finds herself pregnant. What can she do? PROFESSOR, WHAT WOULD BE Well, if she lives in the eastern part of THE IMPACT IN MICHIGAN IF ROE V the state like Detroit, she can go across the WADE WERE OVERRULED? river to Windsor because abortion is legal In Michigan, the ACLU and other groups in Canada. If she lives in the western part of are collecting signatures for a ballot prothe state, she can go to Chicago. posal that would amend the Michigan So, as a practical matter, this is not going Constitution to essentially incorporate Roe to prevent women in Michigan from getv Wade. I’ve worked on that ballot proposal. ting abortions. Also, Gov. Whitmer has filed a suit in the Now, you’re going to hear the pro-choice Michigan Supreme Court, and the ACLU people say this will affect poor woman, and other groups have filed suits in lower which it will. But right now, poor women courts. don’t have abortion covered by Medicaid So, I think there’s a good likelihood that, in Michigan. And in any event, you can be one way or another, this will not affect assured that the wealthy liberals will raise Michigan. I think that the seven-member money to enable women to go to other Michigan Supreme Court, which has four states and get abortions.

MAY 19 • 2022

COULD SOME STATES TRY TO BLOCK WOMEN FROM SEEKING ABORTIONS IN OTHER STATES? There is a constitutional right to travel. The red states are digging in. There are maybe 27-28 states that are very confident that their voters are opposed to abortion, or at least won’t stop the legislature. And some of the states were going to make it a crime to assist anybody going to another state. Now, that would seem to violate the constitutional right to travel. People have a right to travel interstate the length and breadth of the land. IF ROE IS OVERRULED, ON DAY 1 DO ABORTION PROVIDERS IN MICHIGAN HAVE TO STOP UNDER THE 1931 LAW? I suspect that by that time the Michigan Supreme Court or some courts will resolve the issue. Also, state Attorney General Dana Nessel has said she will not enforce it. And you can be assured that county prosecutors Karen McDonald in Oakland and Kym Worthy in Wayne are not going to prosecute anybody. However, there’s another dimension to that. If a doctor performs an illegal abortion, the doctor runs the risk of losing his or her license — and the medical board could go after the doctor. So, you see, there are many sides to this issue. WHAT ABOUT ABORTIONS SOLEY BY USE OF MEDICATION, WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF A SURGEON? There’s a whole slew of medications that can provide abortions up to about 10

weeks. About half of the abortions performed in the first 10 weeks are by means of medication, not surgery. The question is: Because the federal government allows this medication, would this preempt a state law prohibiting or regulating the use of medication abortions? Medication is under the auspices of the federal government, and the government could allow mailing this medication to a woman, even to a state that forbids abortion. But the interesting thing is, what else is Alito going to say in the final opinion? It could be possible that if he wants to show other options, he could talk about that. He could say the federal government controls medication, and states can’t prohibit the use of medication, but I don’t think he will. COULD OVERULING ROE AFFECT OTHER NEWLY WON PRIVACY RIGHTS? It’s a fact that since Justice Alito was assigned to write this draft opinion that means that the majority, and I expect five justices, will overrule Roe v Wade. In the draft, he tries to say this ruling is limited to abortion — that it does not affect marriage for samesex couples or anything else. Although some commentators say you can’t believe it, I think you have to take it at its word. WILL THE ABORTION ISSUE HAVE POLITICAL IMPACT? Maybe yes, maybe no. Will this motivate white suburban women and young people to register to vote and then vote for Democrats? Congress has the power under the Interstate

Commerce Clause to provide for abortion. And the rationale is if women can’t get abortions in one state, they will go to other states — and that comes within Congress’ authority. So, Congress clearly has the power to do this, but the Democrats have to win, and then there’ll be an issue of overcoming the filibuster. And then if the Democrats do win, you’re going to have proposals to add four more justices to the Supreme Court. There’s nothing in the Constitution that says it has to be nine justices. Sometime after the Civil War, there was 10 for a period of time. So, as you can see, there are multiple dimensions to this. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE FACT THAT SOMEONE RELEASED THIS DRAFT EARLY? This has never happened before. Apparently, the draft was circulated in February, right after the argument because of the practice to take a vote — and you have a 5-4 vote, and the chief justice could assign the opinion to Alito. But clearly, it’s not going to change the vote. The justices are going to dig in. I mean, I think you have a conservative majority on the court saying, “We’re going to overrule Roe v Wade, period. And we’re not going to change our mind on that.” The question is, what is the final opinion going to look like? And we won’t know that until the end of June. Until then, we’re all doing a lot of speculation. THANK YOU, PROFESSOR. I’ve been at this issue for a long, long time.

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MAY 19 • 2022

OUR COMMUNITY

Educators

of the Year

The JN honors the best and brightest teachers in our community.

JN STAFF

n today’s world, teaching is perhaps the most important profession and, sometimes, the least appreciated. A great teacher can open students’ minds and hearts, challenge them to greater heights and inspire them to become better people. In the Talmud, it states that “parents bring a child into this world, but a teacher can bring a child into the World to Come” — into a world of imagination, self-discovery, creativity, ideas and self-worth. This year, the JN asked the community to nominate their favorite teachers for our inaugural “Educator of the Year” awards. All of the nominees were worthy of recognition. We chose our top three in Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary education and honor all the other nominees from the community.

Nursery 2 teacher at Farber Hebrew Day School has such a heart and creates genuine connections with her students. Parents say, “She works hard to include a variety of topics and subjects in the curriculum, from all the Jewish holidays to things like Earth Day and the importance of recycling and protecting our planet. “The kids soak up all the information they learn from her class.” Farber Head of School Josh Levisohn said, “This is such a deserving honor for a teacher who is so dedicated, loving and caring. Sharon has the ability to see each child at their level and makes each one feel loved as if they are the only child that matters. She makes everything fun so that the children play without realizing just how much they are learning. We are tremendously proud of Sharon and her impact on our young ones.”

EARLY CHILDHOOD

HONORABLE MENTIONS

WINNER: SHARON OZROVITZ, FARBER HEBREW DAY SCHOOL As someone once said, “It takes a big heart to help shape little minds.” Sharon Ozrovitz, a

JACKIE EATON, HILLEL DAY SCHOOL Jackie Eaton, from Hillel Day School, works with 2-to-3-year olds. According to parents, she is a “fantastic teacher” who is

“always on top of things, the best at communicating, knows each student so well, and has made our first year at Hillel a great one.” ANNA GARTMAN, HILLEL DAY SCHOOL Anna Gartman pivoted last year school year to lead the Kindergarten Flex class, adapting to online learning and teaching, and creating a warm environment (over Zoom, no less!). Said one parent, whose daughter was the first one in her class to get glasses, “Ms. Anna went out of her way to wear her own glasses — when she normally always wears contacts — so that my daughter would feel comfortable!”

ELEMENTARY

WINNER: JODI TEPPER, HILLEL DAY SCHOOL Jodi teaches first and second grade general studies at Hillel Day School. Prior to Hillel, she worked in public school for nearly 20 years. continued on page 24

MAY 19 • 2022

CONGRATULATI to

ERIC RAPP

on being named

Educator of the Year by the Detroit Jewish News

recently being appointed as a professor at

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FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY www.frankelja.org

OUR COMMUNITY continued from page 22

“No matter how beautifully I describe Jodi as an educator, my words do not do her justice,” said one parent. “Jodi does not merely impart knowledge to students. Jodi profoundly perceives the soul of each child in her classroom. She cultivated a love of learning within our daughter, taught her that school can be genuinely fun, and, most importantly, interpreted her shortcomings as strengths not yet honed.” Head of School Dr. Darin Katz said, “Jodi Tepper is truly an amazing educator. She sees the potential in each child and strives to differentiate instruction for each student to help them excel. Jodi cares deeply about the academic, social, spiritual and emotional development of each of her students. Hillel Day School is beyond fortunate to have Jodi as one of our teachers and we are extremely proud of her for winning this award!”

HONORABLE MENTIONS

STEVE MCCLURE, FARBER HEBREW DAY SCHOOL Steven McClure teaches third grade general studies at Farber Hebrew Day School. He is always finding new ways to engage the children by incorporating their interests into the curriculum. This year, his class was accepted into the Red Wings Reading for Kids reading program, where students were able to get Red Wing-themed prizes based on their ability to meet their reading goals. PAM FARBER, HILLEL DAY SCHOOL Pam Farber is a Learning Specialist at Hillel for fifth and sixth graders. “She is an amazing educator, who’s available to her students and their parents day or night,” said one parent. “She often gets calls from a parent after hours and does not hesitate to answer her phone. She is so passionate about her students and wants each of them to do their best.” MICHELLE BORTNICK, HILLEL DAY SCHOOL Michelle Bortnick is the Math Curriculum Coordinator for fifth through eighth grades and math teacher at Hillel. “Michele continued on page 26

MAY 19 • 2022

Teachers Don’t Just Work in Schools ROWE A. RUCH SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

When I began as volunteer greeter at the then new Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills in 2004, I had no idea I would be there for nine years. In 2006, I went on a group trip to both Poland and Israel with Hadassah to experience my Judaism and newfound knowledge from the HMC. Our great Rabbi Charles Rosenzvieg asked me to bring him a brochure from Auschwitz as he was writing one for the new center at the time. I felt like a little ambassador for them and was their eyes and ears on my journey. My understanding of Holocaust history had been vastly improved and expanded through Mrs. Feiga Weiss, head librarian at the HMC, as she showed my Yizkor books from and for a part of my family that I never knew existed. Although I was deeply horrified to learn that the family was shot into pits in the Lithuanian forest, I was also overjoyed to find that a son had escaped and survived and was living in Israel. Feiga suggested that we look for his phone number in an Israeli phone book she had in the library, and she found him! This is the pure essence of tikkun olam, repairing the world and sewing it back together one family at a time. My uncle, Meyer Ruch, and I were very close friends until he passed away. I feel it was a life opportunity that Feiga gave not only to me, but also to my whole family that I could now help educate. This knowledge has helped shape my heart and soul. I created two books for the lost family, one of research findings and the other of photographs, which Feiga said was “a beautiful tribute.” This is where inspiration combines with knowledge and history to cre-

Rowe Ruch at Auschwitz

ate a love for my people and the entire Jewish people. This shows the true meaning of a teacher’s job, goal and mission, and this unsung “jewel in the crown” at our own Holocaust Center has achieved just that. Feiga has done more than set me on my path, she has given me a goal: to teach and be a role model as well. I hope others will follow in Feiga’s footsteps, not only to become teachers in this area, but to find their own historical heritage just waiting to be unlocked. Mrs. Weiss is a true professional and a master of resources and technology in this field. And, for me, she brings history to life. To which I say, l’chaim and thank you to my friend Feiga, for caring and sharing.

MAZAL TOV TO ELEMENTARY EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

JODI TEPPER

You are most deserving. Your Hillel colleagues and students are incredibly lucky to have you. Thank you for bringing your joy, expertise, and passion to Hillel each and every day. MAZAL TOV ALSO TO MICHELLE BORTNICK AND PAM FARBER ON RECEIVING HONORABLE MENTIONS.

AND A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR INCREDIBLE EDUCATORS FOR ENSURING HILLEL STUDENTS ARE LEARNING, THRIVING, AND DISCOVERING THEIR PASSIONS EACH AND EVERY DAY.

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EXPLORING THE OPIOID CRISIS: OVERDOSES, ADDICTION, CHRONIC PAIN

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KEYNOTE PROGRAM AND RECEPTION WEDNESDAY

JUNE 8TH 7:30 P.M. th THE OPIOID CRISIS: EXPLORING

THE OPIOID CRISIS: A JEWISH RESPONSE

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LUNCH AND LEARN THURSDAY

JUNE 9TH 12:30 P.M.

11 NELSON LEGACY EVENT

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−Your Farber Family

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Harry Nelson is the author of two books and founding partner of Nelson Hardiman, a leading healthcare/life science firm in Los Angeles. Having received national recognition for his efforts to change the conversation about America’s addiction, pain, and mental health crises, he has received the Davis Direction Foundation Award, the Spirit Award from CLARE Matrix, and the Behavioral Health Network’s Advocacy Award.

anxiety, unaddressed trauma, and a rising suicide rate? How are we going to deal with them? Harry Nelson will offer a prescription for a nation in pain.

and can lead us toward healthier

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EVENTS LOCATED Congregation AT: Beth Shalom 14601 West Lincoln, Oak Park, MI 48237 Congregation Beth Shalom 14601 West Lincoln, Oak Park, MI 48237

MAY 19 • 2022

OUR COMMUNITY continued from page 24

Bortnick is an amazing teacher,” said one parent. “She goes above and beyond to help students. She will investigate the ways to adapt techniques that engage the students. She is patient and has a sense of humor.” LAUREN STERLING, HILLEL DAY SCHOOL Lauren Sterling teaches English at Hillel Day School. “She is able to approach students with kindness and Humor. She follows through when a student is having difficulty and adjusts the curriculum,” said one parent. ADINA LEVIN, HILLEL DAY SCHOOL Adina Levin teaches firstgrade Hebrew at Hillel. “All three of my children were blessed to learn Hebrew from Morah Levin. She teaches with such love and patience that even my most reluctant Hebrew learner enjoyed his time with her,” said one parent. NICK PORTERFIELD, HILLEL DAY SCHOOL Nick Porterfield, who teaches fifth grade at Hillel, was nominated by one of his 11-yearold students, who said Mr. Porterfield “really gets what it’s like to be a kid.” He added that his “empathy about how hard, boring or stressful school can be” help motivate him to work hard and succeed in class. DEVRA GOLDBERG, NORUP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Devra Goldberg is a thirdgrade teacher at Norup Elementary School in Oak Park. She was nominated by a parent who volunteered in her classroom and saw her in action. “She is awesome in the way she can control the class without ever raising her voice or criticizing any student other than very mildly. She is very loving toward her students,” she said.

MAY 19 • 2022

HIGH SCHOOL

WINNER: ERIC RAPP, FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY Eric Rapp is the Mathematics Department Chair at FJA, where you can often find him quietly working in his classroom while most of the students are still asleep. One of Mr. Rapp’s colleagues recently wrote of him, “Mr. Rapp is the cornerstone of this entire institution. Over the years, he has touched the lives of countless students. He raises the bar for teachers and leaders, holding his students accountable with high expectations but always making sure they’re supported to reach those expectations.” Mr. Rapp is also known for implementing silly yet meaningful community building activities with his students just to show how much he cares about them. He has inspired many students who previously disliked math to go on to careers in fields where math is paramount. The bonds he creates with students last well beyond graduation. Years later, he still meets with a group of past students to see the latest Star Wars movie whenever a new one is released. According to FJA Principal Erika Weiler, “Everything he does is guided by what is best for the students of FJA. Eric is always researching ways to elevate and expand the offerings that are available to our students. Eric cares so much about the FJA students that he tries to keep track of and in touch with as many FJA alumni as possible. Eric Rapp provides the absolute best experience and support for students.” Added Rabbi Azaryah Cohen, FJA Head of School, “Eric is the teacher any parent would want for their kids, the colleague any teacher would want to work with, the professional any organization would cherish and the person every student would aspire to emulate.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS

REBECCA STROBEHN, FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY Rebecca Strobehn is a Jewish Studies teacher at Frankel Jewish Academy. “Her enthusiasm, not just for Jewish Studies, but for

using Jewish Studies to help students explore aspects of their own beliefs and identities that they may not have considered is inspiring,” said one of her colleagues. “She lives her life modeling for students the value added of these important Jewish institutions to the community.” HADASS KIDRON, FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY “When I started at FJA, coming from public school, I was very nervous about taking Hebrew at a high school level,” said the student who nominated her. “From the beginning, Morah Kidron did everything she could to make sure we were learning, and I was confident. She works with each student individually and really cares for each person!” IRA GOLDBERG, BERKLEY HIGH SCHOOL Ira Goldberg teaches at Berkley High School in the Social Sciences Department, working with students taking Advanced Placement classes. “Ira brings a sense of dedication to his work and is always there for his students and their families to help ensure a successful educational experience,” a colleague said. “Ira represents the best in our educational system, and we are proud to call him our own.” LINDSEY RUBIN, LAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL Lindsay Rubin teaches business and marketing at Lakeland High School in White Lake, where she is also the junior class sponsor and DECA advisor. DECA is a business club/competition that brings the classroom experience to life. Recently she had about 100 students at the county level of competition. Of those, nearly 50 went on to compete at the state level of competition. Of those, she took 25 for national competition in Atlanta, Georgia. She has received numerous accolades from former students who credit her with their success in the business world.

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Seedsmen to the World

WIKIPEDIA

OUR COMMUNITY

Aces Chai Returns!

Looking for the Light Event Series

Detroit arts leaders team up with Galerie Camille and local businesses for Mental Health Awareness Month. JN STAFF CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ooking for the Light is an art exhibition and event series dedicated to the destigmatization of mental illness. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month (May), the event’s mission is to confront the issue of mental illness in a celebratory, informational and inspiring way — eschewing the shame and promoting help options. Events run through the end of the month and include art, counsel, education and fun, highlighting the unique spirit of artists and focusing on all aspects of mental health. The event series is inspired by the memory and collected works of late Detroit artist and musician Michael Francis Miller and features Miller’s — and other local artists’ — works. The event takes place at Midtown’s Galerie Camille (4130 Cass Ave., Suite C). “My brother was such a beautiful, talented soul,

MAY 19 • 2022

and his cruel disease really wreaked havoc. As an artist, Michael kept fighting the disease, and in a sense, kept fighting to paint,” says event creator Dan John Miller, brother of the late Michael Francis Miller. “We knew we needed to honor not only his artistry, but also his advocacy, so we decided to put together a show of his work, with the goal of taking away the shame and fear of mental illness. But the show really didn’t get going until I talked to our friend Gretchen, who grabbed the bull by the horns and…” “When Dan John called to brainstorm ways to honor his brother and his artwork, we thought a gallery reception and event series would be an impactful way to get the community involved,” says co-creator Gretchen Gonzales Davidson. “Mental health impacts us all. We want to shift awareness to remove its

stigma, bring light to useful resources and help people feel like they are not alone.” Looking for the Light will feature different events, including a Michigan Humane Society panel focusing on the mental health benefits of pets on May 19, and a meaningful caregiver panel at BasBlue, presenting Dan John Miller and the much-honored Rabbi Daniel Syme, a beloved local religious leader and wellknown suicide prevention advocate on May 25. Both Miller and Syme (both named Daniel) lost brothers (both named Michael) to mental illness. May 21, from 7-9 p.m. at Midtown’s Galerie Camill, it’s music night featuring Seedsmen to the World and Dan John Miller. Seedsmen to the World is a collaboration between the cascading soundscapes of Detroit’s Infinite River (Joey Mazzola, Gretchen Gonzales and Warren Defever) and folk troubadour Ethan Daniel Davidson, who will be celebrating their debut record release. For a list of all Looking for the Light events, visit https://galeriecamille.com/ upcoming-events.

The COVID pandemic took many things away from us but, in an effort to bring some normalcy back into our lives, Temple Kol Ami is bringing back its popular Aces Chai event on Saturday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. The high-energy casino night in the West Bloomfield synagogue’s Conrad Social Hall features craps, blackjack, roulette and poker, and the chips you win are later exchanged for raffle tickets that you put into boxes in front of items you want to try and win at the end of the evening. If you really want one particular item, put all of your tickets into that one item’s box; if you want a chance to win multiple items, spread them out and put tickets in many boxes. You must be at least 21 years old to attend. In addition to the fun, food and casino games, a silent auction will once again have items available to bid on at the TKA page at this link: https://tka.cbo.io. Items up for auction include a week at a fabulous west Michigan vacation home, the opportunity for WDIV meteorologist and TKA past president Paul Gross to visit a classroom of your choice for a one-hour weather lesson, the opportunity to talk sports over lunch with 97.1 The Ticket’s Mike Stone and great seats at a Detroit Tigers game. The auction will open for bidding a few days prior to the event, and you don’t need to attend the event to participate in the auction. Cost for the evening of fun is $60 but, in keeping with past tradition, those ages 21-36 only pay their age! For more information, visit https:// tkolami.org or call (248) 6610040. Tickets can also be purchased online at https://tkolami.org/donations.

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Rabbi Sholom Galperin near the bimah.

Windsor’s Congregation Shaar Hashomayim Nears Its Centennial DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

true piece of Jewish history sits just over the Detroit River, an institution that’s seen it all in its near century of existence. It may have originated as a replica, but there’s no duplicating it. Windsor’s Congregation Shaar Hashomayim, or “Gate of Heaven,” is an exact model of the namesake synagogue in Montreal, just on a smaller scale. The synagogue was built 93 years ago and is listed on the Heritage Register of the City of Windsor. As Windsor’s population boomed in the post-World War I era, so, too, did its Jewish population, until the Shaarey Zedek on Mercer Street could no longer hold its membership. According to the Windsor Jewish Federation, just over 300 Jews lived in Windsor in 1911. By 1921, the community

MAY 19 • 2022

numbered 980. It became clear a new synagogue was needed. A building committee was organized in 1925. The present Shaar Hashomayim site on Giles Boulevard was purchased and groundbreaking took place on June 24, 1929. The first services were held on Rosh Hashanah in 1930. By the time Shaar Hashomayim was built, the Windsor Jewish community had grown to 2,200 people. From that beginning, the synagogue grew both in membership and in function. High Holidays at Shaar Hashomayim were packed, full of congregants all the way up to the balcony. That was then, and now is now. The Windsor Jewish community has dwindled in numbers over the years. But Bill Mechanic, current act-

ing-president of the congregation and fifth-generation member of the community, has worked tireBill lessly to keep the Mechanic doors open to the near century-old gem of Jewish architecture and history. Mechanic’s great-grandfather,

NATHAN VICAR

SYNAGOGUE SPOTLIGHT

Morris Gitlin, was the first acting rabbi in Windsor, and his grandfather Bill and his brother Abraham were among the founding fathers of Shaar Hashomayim. Mechanic follows in his father Dave’s footsteps as a dedicated and giving congregant. The community has assisted Mechanic and Shaar Hashomayim in endless ways over the years, helping keep the operation going. “We’ve raised a lot of money,” Mechanic said. “Our heating and cooling was kaput. It was from 1929. We raised $300,000 to replace that last year.” Mechanic says along with help from those still in town, the congregation has received help from people who were raised in Windsor and moved away. When the ceiling collapsed about six years ago and they didn’t have the money to fix it, a man who was bar mitzvahed at the Shaar years prior visited and said, “That can’t be.” Mechanic said the problem was taken care of. “If there’s a cause, people in the community will come through and rally around it. They don’t turn their backs,” Mechanic said. “We’re trying to keep it operational. We keep reinvesting, and we’re able to have weekly services and High The exterior

Holidays. We keep the synagogue going.” Cantor David Neumark has been Shaar Hashomayim’s spiritual leader since 1993. Rabbi Sholom Galperin of the Chabad Jewish Centre of Windsor also has a hand in services at the synagogue. Shaar Hashomayim’s constitution defines it as an Orthodox congregation, although it has made some concessions to certain Conservative practices at the request of many congregants. While it strives to maintain strict separation of men and women in the main sanctuary, it does provide mixed seating in the social hall as well as limited areas of family seating in the balcony during the High Holidays. Shaar Hashomayim also runs its own Hebrew school, serving about 20 kids, with Rabbi Galperin as its director.

The Shaar runs its own cemetery as well, which Mechanic estimates holds 1,000-1,300 graves spanning generations of families. Mechanic says the synagogue currently has 85-90 “member units” — families or individuals who belong. The Each year, Shaar sanctuary Hashomayim draws now. men from all over for The synagogue, which its biggest social/fundraising has endured its fair share of event of the year, a kosher deli struggles, is still going strong feast known as “The Man’s as it approaches its centennial. Lunch.” It features all-youMechanic takes pride in can-eat corned beef, pastrami, its aged uniqueness and is salami and more. The meat grateful for the community is custom-brined and takes a that continues to unabashedly month to make in Hamilton, support it and the multipleOntario. The lunch also offers generational families that still seven-layer cake and rye bread congregate there. from Detroit’s Bake Station, “We’ve reinvested over $1 along with guest speakers. This million in the last 20 years to year’s lunch takes place Sept. bring this building back to 22, and spots can be reserved

the level it should be at and to honor those who made it available to us starting in 1929,” Mechanic said. “We’ve been given this magnificent synagogue, and we just have to keep it going. There’s no synagogue like it; it’s inspirational.” To learn more about Shaar Hashomayim or to donate, visit https://shaarwindsor. org, call (519) 256-3123 or email shaar@ mnsi.net. Also, check out a conversation with Rabbi Galperin on thejewishnews. com.

MAY 19 • 2022

OUR COMMUNITY

VOLUNTEERS OF THE WEEK

Sylvia Berger, Amalia Berger, Eddie Berger, Sarah Miller and Vince the dog.

Eddie and Vince

A four-legged friend bringing smiles to all. RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR

hat started as a family visit turned into certified volunteer position with the Hospice of

Michigan. “About three and a half years ago, I was tagged on a Facebook post from another animal lover saying that Hospice of Michigan was in need of pet therapy friends,” said Eddie Berger of Bloomfield Hills. That’s when Eddie realized his 3-yearold labradoodle Vince would be a perfect candidate after seeing how calm he was around his wife’s grandmother. “When my wife’s grandmother was alive, Great Grandma Jean, we would go to her facility. After we were done visiting with her, we would then walk up and down all the hallways and interact with people,” Eddie said. Eddie decided to take his 62 pounds of furry love to Hospice of Michigan for an interview. The interview process was extensive, Eddie explained. “I had to show them some of his obedience then had to fill out forms. Then I had to go through an extensive eight or 10 hours in classroom training. We also learned and got training on palliative care and learned about what hospice means and what the roles and responsibility

MAY 19 • 2022

of Hospice of Michigan were,” he explained. Once training was finished, Eddie says he and Vince began visiting clients, and before the pandemic hit, they did a lot of visits. Eddie said he had a preference to serve Jewish senior citizens, being Jewish himself. “I always have had a passion for giving back. I was in BBYO and always had a strong passion for volunteering,” he said. Even though Eddie works fulltime while raising two young children with his wife, Sarag Miller, he still made volunteering a priority. “Pre-pandemic, I was able to bring my kids into the assisted living center and show them why it’s important to give back and to use that as a life lesson. At the same time, when you bring a small child into a facility like that, immediately smiles show up because people love to see kids run around.” Even during the pandemic, Eddie and Vince continued their pet therapy services virtually. “I was able to connect and do some virtual home therapy visits where I was able to show Vince and bring his face very close to the camera, boop his snout and get him to do some tricks.” Eddie said pet therapy visits brought a lot of joy to his clients during a difficult time in

“My wife’s grandma was the inspiration for Vince to volunteer because of how well he behaved around her and in her facility with others,” Eddie Berger said.

their lives. “I remember going to this person and their spouse,” he said. “When Vince went to work, he put his head right on the knee of this person who was partially nonverbal and the spouse really appreciated this joy,” he said. “It was almost a family interaction and at that point, I almost remove myself from the situation — Vince knows what to do. The husband and the wife were enjoying Vince together. For them to be together and share those additional moments near the end of life, that’s really special.” As things start to open back up, Eddie says he and Vince want to continue bringing smiles to senior citizens in the Jewish community. If you would like to nominate someone to be the next volunteer of the week, send a nomination with a short paragraph telling us why to socialmedia@thejewishnews.com.

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Jewish-Catholic Relations Assumption University and the Windsor Jewish Federation and Community Centre launch new course. DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

indsor’s Assumption University and the Windsor Jewish Federation and Community Centre launched a new course titled, “Jerusalem and Rome: Jewish-Catholic Relations” during an event at the Windsor JCC on May 2. The course marks a new chapter in Jewish-Catholic dialogue, teaching an appreciation for both religious traditions with hopes to inspire additional Jewish-Catholic communities in Canada and the United States. Dan Brotman, executive director of the WJCC, and Dr. John Cappucci, the Stephen Jarislowsky Chair in Religion and Conflict at Assumption University, signed a joint statement during the event and gave each other tokens of appreciation to symbolize their continued friendship. Jewish and Catholic prayers at the event were led by the

Dr. John Cappucci and Dan Brotman signed a joint statement.

WJCC’s Rabbi Mike Nasielski and Assumption University’s Fr. Paul McGill, CSB, Superior of the Basilian Fellows. Members of the Windsor and broader Jewish and Catholic communities were also present. The course provides a portrait of Jewish-Catholic relations by exploring both the historical interactions and the contemporary developments between the

two religions and the place they hold in the larger community. The course will also explore the similarities and differences in the lived expressions of Judaism and Catholicism. The course aims to provide the space for students to explore approaches and strategies to help cultivate understanding, dialogue and cooperation between Jewish and Catholic

Jewish and Proud In honor of Jewish American Heritage month in the United States, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) has designated May as #JewishandProud Month. “Amid rising antisemitism and a wave of deadly terror attacks on Israel, we’re calling on all Jews and all allies to celebrate Jewish identity and unite against all forms of Jew-hatred,” said Belle Etra Yoeli, AJC Chief Advocacy Officer. AJC, the leading global Jewish advocacy organization, first introduced

MAY 19 • 2022

#JewishandProud at the “No Hate, No Fear” Rally in New York City, in January 2020, where over 25,000 Jews and allies marched together against antisemitism. The hashtag went viral on social media, with Jews, allies of all backgrounds and civil society leaders expressing their Jewish pride or showing support for the Jewish community. Throughout the month of May, AJC is encouraging Jews and all people of good will to exhibit their pride by: • Wearing and proudly dis-

playing Judaica, like a kippah or Star of David, when in public. • Downloading and taking a picture with the #JewishandProud sign and posting a photo of it on social media and using the hashtag #JewishandProud! • Sharing one’s own #JewishandProud story. A collection of testimonials from

communities. For Nasielski, the course is unique in that it’s presenting Jewish-Catholic relations primarily through a Catholic university but with much input from Jewish sources and guest speakers, including himself. “It takes that mission of helping Catholics and other non-Jewish people understand Judaism but makes a strong point of presenting it from a Jewish lens,” Nasielski said. “It makes sure the Jewish perspective is expressed by actual, living Jewish people and it’s not just ‘about the Jews.’” For Cappucci, the course is a historic moment and major step forward in Jewish-Catholic relations. “You have a Catholic university and Jewish federation working together on an item of mutual interest and mutual education benefit for the community. I’m very excited by it,” Cappucci said. “I hope [the students] will be inspired to see Jews and Catholics are not as different as everyone starts to think they are, that their similarities outweigh their differences.” . Jews around the world will be shared on AJC’s social media accounts and website. • Joining AJC in urging the White House to convene a taskforce to develop a national action plan to fight antisemitism. Sign the petition here: https://actnow.ajc.org/RkadPkK. Allies of the Jewish community are encouraged to participate by downloading a #JewishandProud Ally sign and posting a selfie with it on social media with the hashtag #JewishandProud. Learn more at AJC.org/ JewishandProudMonth.

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OUR COMMUNITY

“Freedom Stories”

Night of stories from the Jewish and Black Experience raises over $10K for Ukrainian relief. DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

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ationally recognized storytellers Corinne Stavish and Rev. Robert Jones Sr. provided an evening of stories and songs on the theme of freedom while drawing on Jewish and Black experiences on April 20 at Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield. The program was a fundraiser for refugees displaced in the current fight for freedom in Ukraine. The artists waived their fees, and all proceeds, more than $10,000, have been donated to HIAS, an international refugee relief organization. Stavish performs nationally and specializes in personal, historical and biblical narratives. She was named the Detroit Jewish Woman Artist of the Year in 2001 and has received the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence Award. Jones is a singer, songwriter, storyteller and self-taught on many instruments, which he uses to play folk, blues, spirituals and other American Roots music. He has performed professionally throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. The program was spearheaded by Temple Kol Ami and co-sponsored by 21 organizations, including the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit, Detroit Interfaith Outreach Network, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)/AJC

Storytellers Corinne Stavish and Rev. Robert Jones Sr. along with event organizer Steve Merritt.

and many other synagogues and other Jewish and Black organizations. Gathering during the holy week of Passover, everyone involved said it was only fitting to tell the stories of Jewish and Black struggles for freedom while keeping in mind the ongoing struggle for freedom in Ukraine. Stavish told the story of visiting the now-closed Friheds Museum on a trip to Denmark and learning about how the majority of Denmark’s Jews escaped being captured by the Nazis during the Holocaust. Although Sweden’s king had originally aligned the country with Nazi Germany, Danish physicist Niels Bohr persuaded him to allow Denmark’s Jews to find refuge in his country. As Nazi forces took over Denmark in 1943, about 7,200

Danish Jews were safely ferried over to Sweden by Danish fishermen over a three-week period, saving 95 percent of INNOVATIVE. ENGAGING. ENLIVENING. TOTALLY CAPTIVATING. the country’s Jews. “I’m left so speechless by some of the stories,” said Steve Merritt, the event organizer. “The Denmark story shocked me. I found myself crying. We’re not so used to that kind of decency … and being exposed to a whole society that works together when we’re in a INNOVATIVE. ENGAGING. ENLIVENING. TOTALLY CAPTIVATING. period of such division.” A group of over a dozen INNOVATIVE. ENGAGING. ENLIVENING. TOTALLY CAPTIVATING. people from the First Congregational Church of Detroit came to witness the stories and songs expressing the connection the Black community and Jewish community have in their historical fights for freedom. Merritt is interested in seeing more connection between All Seasons invites you to discover new perspectives and the two communities. His goals include doing a Blackenjoy every moment of every day! Jewish seder and Temple Kol Ami forming a relationship All Seasons invites you to discover new perspectives and with an African American enjoy every moment of every day! congregation. “I like to bring people together with others who are not like them,” Merritt said. “So often we self-select to be For the Joys of Senior Living with people who are like us and we feel comfortable with, but I like events where people For the Joys of Senior Living rub shoulders with others who are different from them.” A poignant quote from Yehuda Baeur, Israeli historian and scholar of the Holocaust, was on the event flyer. “Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander.” 5600 “And I think that was sort of 5600Drake DrakeRoad Road| |West WestBloomfield, Bloomfield,MIMI| 248.419.7838 | 248.419.7838 the theme here,” Merritt said. AllSeasonsWestBloomfield.com “That it’s up to us to stand up AllSeasonsWestBloomfield.com Managed by: Ask Us Why! Proud Recipient of the Prestigious when we see what’s happening in Ukraine, and it’s up to us to stand up when we see things in Managed by: Ask Us Why! Proud Recipient of the Prestigious Managed Ask UsAsk Why! Proud Recipient of of the Managed by: by: Us Why! Prestigious Proud Recipient thePrestigious the Black or Jewish community and speak out.”

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COURTESY OF SOFIA BAT SARAH

OUR COMMUNITY

Hand-made tichels

Detroit’s Youngest Tichel-Maker ROCHEL BURSTYN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

t just 17 years old and still a senior in high school, Sofia Bat Sarah has no plans for marriage in the immediate future, but you might still catch her on occasion wandering around wearing a tichel (head scarf). That’s because she wants to make sure that the tichels she’s creating are as comfortable as she’s promising her buyers. It all began when Sofia saw some images of Judaic jewelry online. It tickled her crafty side, and she was instantly inspired. “I love that kind of stuff,” Sofia said. “It’s so beautiful. I decided to try making my own.” She began tinkering, creating and selling her handmade jewelry last year. She makes necklaces with the star of David or “hamsa” hand, Mizrachi-style earrings and bracelets, and much more. “I have something for everyone, Ashkenazim, Sephardim, I even customdesign,” Sofia said. Soon after she started selling her jewelry, she came across a TikTok account with a woman demonstrating how she styled her tichel. Adept at the sewing machine since she was a young girl, Sofia immediately decided to try creating a stylish tichel herself.

MAY 19 • 2022

“I was shocked when I saw how much tichels cost!” Sofia said. “They usually run from $27-$30+! I decided to make them more affordable and available, with significantly cheaper shipping options.” Sofia’s tichels cost between $5-$15. (And yes, that’s with up charging a little so she can still make a profit!) She buys 3-4 yards of fabric at a time, cuts the fabric into squares or triangles, and then crimps or sews the edges. Each yard of fabric

Sofia’s jewelry

yields two tichels. Tichel-making takes Sofia about one to two hours while her jewelry takes her between 20 minutes and three hours, depending on the piece. Sofia, who prefers to be known by her Hebrew name, grew up in Detroit, Hamtramck and Warren, knowing very little about her Jewish roots. A few years ago, she attended Menorah in the D and had a marvelous time. Soon after that, she joined Chabad in the D for Shabbat and was “instantly hooked.” When she attended Shofar in the Park in Royal Oak, it was the first time she had ever celebrated Rosh Hashanah. “I’ve been exploring a lot recently,” Sofia shared. “And that was the start of it all. I love checking out other synagogues and have since moved to Oak Park to live closer to the Orthodox community.” Her parents and two brothers are supportive, but according to Sofia, her family is also still getting used to these changes. A BRUSH WITH HATERS Unfortunately, after posting her first few TikTok videos that explored different parts of Jewish culture and traditions, Sofia was “doxxed.” Neo-nazis found her full name, address and phone number online and began posting her details on numerous sites, inciting others to harass her virtually. Her phone was always “blowing up” with nasty messages. Some people even turned up at her house. Sofia called the police but was advised to “just block them” and told “we can’t do anything unless you’re physically harassed.” After this scare, Sofia deleted all her social media accounts, except for her business, changed her phone number and became extremely private about sharing any information publicly. That’s also why she’s uncomfortable sharing her photo publicly. Despite this extremely distressing episode, Sofia continues to create her Jewish-themed jewelry and her tichels. She is grateful that there has been such a positive reaction to her tichel sales, which only began in February/March of this year. “I’ve sold over 100 already,” Sofia said proudly. She gets the word out through social media posts and her new website judaicabysofia.square.site.

LEFT: Excel fellows in finance careers. Gordon is in the top row, second to left. RIGHT: Livvy Gordon.

The attendees from Gordon’s 2019 Cohort.

A Birthright Summit Metro Detroiter attends summit with emerging global Jewish business leaders. DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

ore than 300 Birthright Israel Excel Fellows from North America and around the world gathered in New York City from April 1-3 for the Excelerate22 Summit, the first time the annual Birthright Israel Excel Summit has been held in person since 2019. Birthright Israel Excel is a prestigious business fellowship that offers a summer internship in Israel followed by membership in an exclusive community of peers focused

on professional development, personal growth, Israel engagement and philanthropy. After their internships, Excel Fellows have maximized their experiences by taking on positions at top-tier companies such as J.P. Morgan Chase, Bain & Company and Google, developing strategic partnerships with Israeli companies and starting their own while often hiring other Fellows. Throughout the summit weekend, attendees participated in various networking

opportunities, industry-specific panels and discussions about topics such as business development, Jewish identity and Israel engagement. Livvy Gordon, originally from Franklin, Michigan, participated in this year’s Excel Summit and enjoyed reconnecting with friends from all over the world and meeting other Excel alumni. Gordon attended Cranbrook Schools and graduated from Georgetown University in May 2021. Gordon’s Excel summer took place in 2019, when she had an internship with a growth equity investment platform in Tel Aviv. She is currently living in New York and doing restructuring investment banking at Perella Weinberg Partners. Gordon has fond memories of her summer in Tel Aviv, including being paired with an Israeli peer who was able to show her around and help her integrate. “My peer is still a very close friend and she definitely showed me a local’s perspective of Tel Aviv, which was unique,” she said. For Gordon, the summit was a particularly exciting experience because it was her first one. “Generally, just seeing everybody in person was really incredible,” Gordon said. “Everybody’s found new job opportunities and different things we could catch up about. But I think the highlights of the program are the speakers. “We had panels led by Excel fellows. Some of the coolest ones were on NFTs and cryptocurrency, and then we also had an awesome panel about growth equity and venture capital and the trends in those industries.” Asaf Zamir, Israel’s Consul

General in New York, offered the event’s first keynote speech. Erin Schrode, activist, social entrepreneur and Congressional candidate, offered her expertise on social impact, pro-Israel activism and the role of millennials in igniting change. The final keynote presentation was given by David Blitzer, Global Head of Blackstone’s Tactical Opportunities Group. Blitzer is also the founder and managing general partner of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) and managing partner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. Gordon believes those interactive panels, where fellows are able to ask questions and learn from each other, are the best part of the fellowship and what makes the network unique. “Having the opportunity to hear in detail what some of our peers are doing was inspiring, and I think it’s awesome to get to know all these different areas of the industry you might not fully appreciate in your day job,” she said. Gordon is grateful to be a part of the Excel network, something she was reminded of during the summit weekend. “I think every single speaker across the board emphasized that wherever they are today, it had something to do with the Excel community,” Gordon said. “Whether it was advice for mock interviews or getting you some sort of leg up in connecting you with people in the space, I think what I’ll take away is to make sure you’re taking advantage of the network and reaching out if you have any questions or need help with anything. It’s something I’ll definitely start to do more when I’m thinking about next steps in my career.” MAY 19 • 2022

OUR COMMUNITY

Nelson Legacy Event Tackles Opioid Crisis Health care expert Harry Nelson to be guest speaker at Congregation Beth Shalom event. BARBARA LEWIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

merica’s opioid crisis is about more than a few villains in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, says Harry Nelson. He will address the topic as the guest speaker at this year’s Nelson Legacy Event June 8-9 at Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park. At the keynote lecture at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, Nelson will explore the roots of the opioid crisis in terms of overdoses and addiction and suggest ways to confront the problems. At a lunch-and-learn program at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, Nelson will offer a Jewish response to the opioid crisis, exploring timely sources from the Torah to modern commentary. Nelson, 54, is the son of the congregation’s Rabbi Emeritus David Nelson and his wife, Alicia Nelson. He grew up in Southfield, attending Hillel Day School and Southfield High School before earning degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan Law School. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Dorit. They have two sons and two daughters, ages 14 to 21. He is a partner in a

MAY 19 • 2022

20-attorney firm, Nelson Hardiman LLP, which specializes in healthcare and life science issues. He has written two books about health care in the United States, From ObamaCare to TrumpCare: Why You Should Care, co-authored by Rob Fuller and published in 2017, and The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain, published in 2019. He has received numerous awards for his efforts, including the Behavioral Health Network’s Advocacy Award and the Spirit Award from CLARE Matrix. Nelson says he thinks of the opioid problem as a series of related but distinct crises around pain (a problem for 20 percent of American adults), a crackdown on doctors who prescribe pain medications and the way pharmacies deal with opioid dispensation. “By the early 2010s, I had gotten very involved in advising addiction treatment and

mental health programs, and I began to get multiple phone calls every month from programs round the country dealing with drug overdose deaths in facilities,” he said. He found the work to be gripping but was disturbed that he was called in only to clean up the mess after problems presented themselves. “I became obsessed with overdose prevention,” he said. As he thought about the opioid crisis, he was bothered that discussion seemed to focus on looking to blame “villains” such as Purdue Pharma, the Sackler family and permissive doctors, rather than delving into the structural problems that drove the crisis. He strove for a more solution-based approach. “The pandemic accelerated the problem, taking overdose deaths over the 10,000-peryear mark, and the need for action became more pressing,” he said. “I have come to the view that, while societal solutions are a ways off, there are powerful lessons for all of us in our lives and in the outreach we can make to the people close to us.” After publishing the book, he was invited to join the national board of Project Opioid, working on overdose prevention. Admission to the Wednesday keynote lecture, which includes a dessert reception, is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. A Zoom option is also available. Admission to the lunch-and-learn program, with food provided by Bloom Kosher Catering, is $25, and reservations are a must. Reservations can be made by emailing the synagogue at cbs@ congbethshalom.org or calling the office at (248) 547-7970. Rabbi David and Alicia Nelson started the Nelson Legacy Fund in 2010 to provide educational and operational support for the community, including Congregation Beth Shalom, which Rabbi Nelson served for 36 years. Co-sponsors include Congregation Beth Shalom, the Detroit Jewish News the IRP Harry of the Jewish Community Nelson Center, the Maimonides Society of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, the Jewish Addiction Resource Alliance (a specialized program of Jewish Family Service) the Tri-Community Coalition Preventing Substance Abuse Together and the Nelson Legacy Fund.

JN Honored with 13 Journalism Awards

he Jewish News took home 13 awards in its print class from the Detroit Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Excellence in Journalism awards on May 5 at the San Marino Club in Troy. In the category of Community/Local News Reporting, Director of Editorial Jackie Headapohl won first place for “9-11: 20 Years Later“ and fourth place for “Heroes at Your Doorstep.” Contributing Writer Stacy Gittleman took home second place for her coverage of the detainment, imprisonment and release of journalist Danny Fenster from a Myanmar prison.

JN page designer Michelle Sheridan took home a slew of awards: third place for Cover Design for “Freedom Finally,” and first, second and fourth places for “A Return to Glory,” “Freedom Finally” and “Preserving the Legacy of Albert Kahn,” respectively. In the category of Feature Reporting, Contributing Writer Shari Cohen won first place for “Memorial of Tears“ and Contributing Writer Alan Muskovitz won fourth place for “Sophie’s Sorrow.” Alan Muskovitz also took home a second-place award in General Column Writing, for columns “Here’s To Memories,” “Vaccination Day Diary“ and “Laughing

The Jewish News team at the SPJ Banquet May 5: Top Row: Designer Michelle Sheridan, Contributing Writer Esther Allweiss Ingber, Associate Editor David Sachs, Contributing Writers Shari Cohen and Stacy Gittleman; Bottom Row: Detroit Jewish News Foundation Archivist Mike Smith, Director of Editorial Jackie Headapohl and Contributing Writer Barbara Lewis.

Through Tears.” In the category of General News Reporting, Contributing Writer Shelli Liebman Dorfman took first place for “Sheltering in One Place“ and Contributing Writer Barbara Lewis took second place for her story “Air Force Over-

Head.” In the category of Health Reporting, Suzanne Chessler won third place for her story, “Vaccine Video.” All of the stories were published in 2021 and can be found at thejewishnews.com.

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MAY 19 • 2022

KEVIN BEAN

JN STAFF

NEXT DOR

Amira with daughters Alma and Michal

VOICE OF THE NEW JEWISH GENERATION

Connecting Youth to Judaism Hillel’s director of Judaic studies shares her passion for being Jewish. ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

hroughout her education at Hillel Day School and Frankel Jewish Academy, Amira Soleimani realized her passion for Judaism at a young age. “I felt this was my life calling,” the 36-year-old recalls. “My dream was to be a Bible teacher, to inspire the next generation in the way that my teachers inspired me.” The current director of Judaic studies curriculum and instruction at Hillel Day School never strayed far from her origins, eventually working at both schools that she attended as a kid. With her mother from Israel and her father from Detroit, Soleimani grew up in the best of both worlds with roots in both countries. After a senior class trip to Israel with FJA, Soleimani grew even closer to her Israeli roots. “My mom’s connection to the country

MAY 19 • 2022

suddenly felt like it was my own connection,” she recalls. “I began fostering an independent relationship with the country.” To pursue Jewish study further, Soleimani attended the University of Michigan following the senior class trip to Israel, where she received a triple major in Judaic studies, Hebrew and Jewish cultural studies, and ancient civilizations and biblical studies. “I soaked in the academic world of everything Jewish,” she says. When it came time for her master’s degree, Soleimani felt an urge to step away from Michigan. “I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go,” she remembers. “I thought to myself, ‘If I moved to any other big city in North America, how am I going to find community there?’” Instead, Soleimani looked to

her roots in Israel, and decided on a joint program for her master’s degree between Tel Aviv University and the Shalom Hartman Institute. “For the first time, I brought to life my independent relationship with the country and moved there,” she says. “It was an incredible two-year experience.” Living in Israel, Soleimani says she got to know the country inside and out. “I had a car, and I was fortunate to drive and learn about Israeli culture in the most intimate of ways on the roads, through the smells, the tastes, and sounds of my grandparents, my extended family.” Yet after two years in Israel, Soleimani had a longing for home and moved to Farmington Hills. She took a position teaching high school Judaics at FJA and became head of the Bible department, where she worked for five years. While working at FJA, Soleimani had her first daughter Alma, now 7. After her fifth year

at FJA, she transitioned into a new role at Hillel Day School. “It was an exciting opportunity returning to the school that gave me that foundation of a love for Judaism,” she says, noting that her mother, Clara Gaba, also teaches at Hillel. In her first years at Hillel, Soleimani had her second daughter, Micah, now 5. Since starting her role, Soleimani has worked at the school for seven years, with her third year serving on what’s known as administration in leadership. In her role as director of Judaic studies curriculum and instruction, Soleimani oversees middle school Judaics. “That role allows me to have an eye on integration of Judaics through specialty classes,” Soleimani explains. “Not only do I have that opportunity, but I’m blessed to be able to share my vision through the teachers and help them become experts in their capacities in their roles, to seek fulfillment as humans, [to seek] spiritual fulfillment in their work.” Through teaching Judaism, Soleimani believes youth also connect with their deeper souls, especially when the topic of God is explored with confidence and intent. To help fulfill that mission even further, Soleimani is also in the middle of writing the Tanach Sadna, a Torah curriculum that is skills-based and uses universal reading strategies. It’s a major undertaking: so far, third and fourth grade curriculums are up-and-running, with more work to be done for other grades. Outside of work, Soleimani enjoys slowing down and appreciating the simple things, especially time with her daughters. Together, they cook and make memories. A family favorite is sabich, an IraqiIsraeli street food. They also cook meals passed down through the family from Soleimani’s grandparents. “I enjoy the simple things in life,” she says, “and connecting with others.”

PAID ADVERTISEMENT Originally printed inThe Detroit News opinion section, 5/10/22 www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2022/05/10/opinion-stevens-better-friend-israel-than-levin/9701382002/

Haley Stevens Strengthens the US-Israel Relationship and Fights Antisemitism. Andy Levin Does Not ABRAHAM H. FOXMAN, FORMER NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE (1987 – 2015)

he race between Democratic U.S. House colleagues Andy Levin and Haley Stevens in Michigan’s new 11th congressional district has captured national attention. Some see it through the prism of defending a Democratic majority and debate the propriety of Levin declining to battle a Republican opponent in his district only to challenge Stevens for her now safe seat. My three-decade career as national director of the AntiDefamation League, however, directs my attention to the twin issues of antisemitism and Israel — issues for which this race is the crucible of markedly different approaches by Stevens and Levin. It is my belief that Stevens and her like-minded colleagues promote a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and meaningfully combat antisemitism while Levin and his fellow travelers do not. Here’s why: Our country’s relationship with Israel is unique in the world. For both Republican and Democratic administrations Israel has been one of our closest allies,

a credit to the American people who are uniquely proIsrael and consistently elect a Congress reflecting their sentiment. The international community, however, is a very hostile place for the Jewish state. It is within this context that we must ask the related questions of what it means for a member of Congress to be pro-Israel and a fighter of antisemitism — to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Stevens and Levin represent starkly differing approaches with Stevens’ demonstrably more constructive than the other. As concerns Israel, Stevens’ camp understands it to be the Middle East’s sole democracy, forced to fight existential threats since its birth. It respects our two nations’ deep democratic, moral and strategic bonds and seeks to strengthen them, push back on cynical anti-Israel attacks from abroad and handle inevitable disagreements between our two countries in a way befitting close friends — in private. Stevens and her congressional coterie are proIsrael in just this way.

The other camp — Levin’s — adopts a paternalistic and sometimes hostile view. In “protecting Israel from itself ” they dismiss the country’s history and strategic challenges and eagerly pile on to international enmity publicly berating Israel as a human rights suspect seemingly solely responsible for its ongoing conflict with the Palestinians. While a minority viewpoint in Congress it is nonetheless the one to which Levin subscribes and irrespective of good intentions it is damaging to the U.S.-Israel relationship. On combatting antisemitism the analysis is simpler still. Fighting this scourge first requires recognizing it. The unfortunate truth is that antisemitism exists in this country on both ends of the political spectrum. To maintain, as Levin does, that this hatred is the exclusive province of far-right white supremacists is to ignore its place in the politics of the left. Neither partisanship nor ideological commitment can be allowed to excuse this form of racism, something Levin has done in his denial of its existence within his

ideological cadre and his public defense of close colleagues Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. By contrast, Stevens focuses on the issue, not the politics, and consistently pushes back on antisemitism from whatever corner it emanates. To be clear, Levin abhors antisemitism no less than Stevens, but fighting it requires doing so wherever it is found, not just in your political opposite. For but one example of how differently Stevens and Levin and their respective groups understand antisemitism and the U.S.-Israel relationship take their reactions to Amnesty International’s recent libelous demonization of Israel as “an apartheid state.” Stevens immediately condemned this “unjustifiable” slander’s “threat of delegitimization” to the Jewish state. Levin, a prolific tweeter never hesitant to condemn alleged Israeli human rights abuses, also had an instructive response to this vicious attack: silence. While it is not my place here to weigh in on other issues, as concerns Israel and antisemitism, the voters of Michigan’s new 11th district have a clear choice between Stevens and Levin. •

MAZEL TOV! APRIL 23, 2022 Laura (Marcus) and Michael Kleinman of Hoboken, N.J., joyously announce the birth of their daughter, Avery Jordyn. Happy grandparents are Andee and Ken Marcus of West Bloomfield. and Jody Kleinman of Plainview, N.Y. Avery is named in loving memory of her grandfather Alan Kleinman.

Ashtyn Rose Eisenberg, daughter of Shannon and Joe Laverde, and Karin and Brian Eisenberg, will lead the congregation in prayer as she becomes a bat mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, May 21, 2022. She will be joined in celebration by her siblings Jordan, Kaylie and Taitym Eisenberg, and Danielle, Joshua and Fallan Sherman. Ashtyn is the loving grandchild of Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg, and Paula and Keith Bjertness. Ashtyn is a student at Eton Academy in Birmingham. For her mitzvah project, she volunteered her time working with her art teacher to create a project called Pieces of Life, for a group of social workers from Jewish Family Services who work with Holocaust survivors. Tobi Dawn Felhandler, daughter of Alicia and Brian Felhandler, will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, May 21, 2022. She will be joined in celebration by her sisters Emma and Chloe

MAY 19 • 2022

and her brother-in-law Will. Tobi is the loving grandchild of Marcia and Dr. Stuart Felhandler, and the late Pauline and the late Jesse Fraga. Tobi attends Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit in Farmington Hills. Her most meaningful mitzvah project was teaming up with some of the ladies of JARC, where she donated art supplies and led a fun art project; she also organized a “fun” raiser to purchase fun gifts from the ladies’ wish lists. Elliott Emmanuel Imerman, son of Lisa and Jay Imerman, will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, May 21, 2022. He will be joined in celebration by siblings Rachel, Jeremy and Benjamin. Elliott is the loving grandchild of the late Constance “Connie” Sanford and Michael Sanford, the late Judith Herman and Sal Herman. Among many mitzvah projects, Elliott’s most meaningful was helping deliver food with Temple Israel’s Free Fresh Food Pantry.

Kara Rose Kales, daughter of Marilyn and Aaron Kales, will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, May 21, 2022. She will be joined in celebration by her brother Andrew. Kara is the loving grandchild of Paul Kales, the late Lorraine Kales, the late Sarah (Stefa) and the late Henry Kupfer. Kara is a student at West Hills Middle School in West Bloomfield Township. Her most meaningful mitzvah project was collecting items to be donated to UCARE Inc. (Ukrainian Children’s Aid and Relief Effort Inc.); she feels it is important to help the children impacted by the war in Ukraine. Isaac Henry Kaplan, son of Karen and Evan Kaplan, will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Friday, May 20, 2022. He will be joined in celebration by his brothers Noah and Solomon. Isaac is the loving grandchild of Linda and Steve Kaplan. Isaac is a student at West Hills Middle School in West Bloomfield Township. Among many mitzvah projects, his most meaningful was collecting, leveling and delivering books, school supplies and games for Brilliant Detroit.

Sari Alexis Kravitz, daughter of Lisa and Grant Kravitz, will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Friday, May 20, 2022. She will be joined in celebration by her sister Jordyn. Sari is the loving grandchild of George and Cindy Rubin, Paula and the late Howard Kravitz, and the late Lois Graff Rubin. Sari is a student at Warner Middle School in Farmington Hills. Among her many mitzvah projects, her most meaningful was volunteering her time on multiple community projects for Jewish Federation’s Service with Purpose and Repair the World Detroit. Asher Singer (Reuven), son of Dawn and Michael Singer, brother of Ethan and Julia Singer, and the grandson of Beverly Fantich, Judy and Harley Faxon, and Judith and Dr. Stanford Singer, became a bar mitzvah on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield. Asher lives in Farmington Hills and is a student at Warner Middle School. He volunteered at the Farmington Hills Nature Center, taking care of their animals, for his mitzvah project.

SPIRIT

CANTOR SAMUEL

GREENBAUM

TORAH PORTION

Share Your Bounty

— Certified Mohel —

here is a famous story that year. These laws still apply about two partners havtoday, (but not to worry; the ing an argument regardrabbinical institution has already ing a piece of land. Each was found ways to “bypass” these positive that the land belonged laws due to the problems that to him and him alone. have arisen from them and the Finally, they pleaded their case difficulties keeping and performin front of the rabbi. ing them). And the message The rabbi tried to find of sharing and taking care of a compromise, but they your fellow Jew is emphasized were each adamant. in this parshah for all Jews. The rabbi then said: We forget or don’t want to “I must see the piece of remember that we are here land.” as temporary employees Rabbi Sasson After a good hour with 70- or 80-year contracts Natan of riding together, they (maybe even 90 or a 100 approached the land, years if we are lucky) and Parshat The rabbi again tried then we are given a pink slip, Behar: to bring them to a and we depart this world Leviticus compromise; and when 25:1-26:2; empty-handed, no matter Jeremiah they finished screamhow much belonged to us 32:6-27. ing, he suddenly lay while we were alive. down, shushed them As a father and grandfaand put his ear to the ground. ther, former student, teacher “What are you doing, Rabbi?” and principal, I have seen and they both asked. witnessed three full generations. “I am listening to the land; be I have seen brothers grow up quiet, please,” replied the rabbi. eating from the same plate and After a long silence, the rabbi spoon, sharing a room, towel stood up and said, “The land and bed. They grew up thinking, said that both of you belong to “What is mine is yours, and what her!” is yours is yours. And thank you This week’s parshah is a wake- for sharing it with me.” up call to all human beings living But these days, there is much on the Earth. It reminds us that less sharing. The motto seems to nothing really belongs to us. Just be: “What is mine is mine, and when we think that we control what is yours is yours, but in a the things we own and they are very short time it will also be ours forever, the shmitah — the mine.” seventh year — comes and comI think it’s important to pause mands us to share with others and rethink this whole situation. because what we think is ours If this is what we see now, what doesn’t really belong to us. will happen in another three What is shmitah? It comes generations? Many of us will from the Hebrew word shaprobably be gone, but how will mot — to let go, release. Every we have lived our lives and what seven years, every piece of land lessons will we have left behind? in Israel, even land that legally That is the question. belongs to you, that you pay Rabbi Sasson Natan is rabbi of taxes on, work very hard to Keter Torah Synagogue in West plow, seed, irrigate, harvest, etc., Bloomfield. This article originally becomes public. Anyone can appeared in the Jewish News on May take from its fruits throughout 8, 2014.

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MAY 19 • 2022

SPIRIT

A WORD OF TORAH

God acts in history to liberate slaves — that the supreme Power is on the side of the powerless. It is no accident that Israel was born as a nation under conditions of slavery. It has carried throughout history the memory of those years — the bread of affliction and the bitter herbs of servitude — because the people of Israel serves as an eternal reminder to itself and the world of the moral need for all people to be free in society. The free God desires the free worship of free human beings. Yet the Torah does not abolish slavery. That is the paradox at the heart of Behar. It was limited and humanized. Every Shabbat, slaves were granted rest and a taste of freedom. In the seventh year, Israelite slaves were set free, and if they chose to remain, then they had to be released in the Jubilee year. While they were slaves they had to be treated like employees, with no back-breaking or spirit-crushing labor. Yet slavery itself was not banned. Why not? If it was wrong, it should have been outlawed. Why did the Torah allow slavery to exist? Rambam in The Guide for the Perplexed explains the need for time in social transformation. All processes in nature, he argues, are gradual. The fetus develops slowly in the womb. Stage by stage, a child becomes mature. And what applies to individuals applies to nations and civilizations: “It is THE CORE IDEA impossible to go suddenly from one extreme Behar sets out a revolutionary model for to the other. It is therefore, according to the a society of justice, freedom and human nature of man, impossible for him suddenly dignity. At its core is the idea of the Jubilee to discontinue everything to which he has (the 50th year). One aspect of the Jubilee been accustomed.” is the release of slaves (Vayikra 25:39-42). But surely God can do anything, including The Torah’s message there is clear. Slavery is changing human nature. Why then did He wrong. To be “in the image of God” means to not simply transform the Israelites, making have the right to a life of freedom. The very them capable immediately of the highest idea of the sovereignty of God means that He values? Rambam gives a simalone has claim to the service ple answer. In miracles, God of humankind. Those who QUESTIONS TO changes physical nature but are God’s servants may not be PONDER never human nature. Were He slaves to anyone else. 1. Is slavery wrong? to do so, the entire project of This is a radical idea that 2. Do you agree with the Torah — the free worship overturned the very foundaRambam’s assessment of of free human beings — would human nature? tions of religion in ancient have been pointless. There is 3. Does slavery still exist times. The early civilizations today? Do you think no greatness in programming — Mesopotamia, Egypt — humanity has finally a million computers to obey were based on hierarchies of learned the lesson? instructions. God’s greatness is power which seemed to be in taking the risk of creating a seen in the very nature of the being, humans, capable of choice cosmos. Just as there were (so it was believed) and responsibility and, therefore, of freely ranks among the heavenly bodies, so there obeying God. were on Earth. The great religious rituals and monuments were designed to mirror and support these hierarchies. The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks served as the At the heart of the Jewish story was an idea chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, 1991-2013. This was written in 2018. almost unthinkable to the ancient mind: that

Evolution or Revolution?

arshat Behar is just a single chapter, but it transformed the social structure of ancient Israel and provided a unique solution to the seemingly unsolvable conflict between two fundamental ideals: freedom and equality. Much of human history has illustrated the fact that you can have freedom without equality (capitalism/ laissez-faire economics) or equality without freedom (communism, socialism), but Rabbi Lord not both. Jonathan The powerful insight of the Sacks Torah is that you can have both, but not at the same time. Therefore, time itself has to become part of the solution, in the form of the seventh year and, after seven sabbatical cycles, the Jubilee year. These function as periodic corrections to the inequalities caused by the free market that allow some to become rich while others suffer the loss of land, home and even freedom. Through the periodic liberation of slaves, release of debts and restoration of ancestral lands, the Torah provides an inspiring alternative to individualism on the one hand, collectivism on the other.

MAY 19 • 2022

SPIRIT

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

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

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

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

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

Kehillat Hatzhav Hagadol Mackinac Island (906) 202-9959 mackinacsynagogue.org ORTHODOX Agudas Israel Mogen Abraham Southfield (248) 552-5711 aymadetroit.org Ahavas Olam Southfield (248) 569-1821 Ahavasolam.com

Balfour Shul – K’Hal Rina U’Tefila Oak Park (732) 693-8457 Beth Tefilo Emanuel Tikvah Southfield (248) 559-5022 Birmingham-Bloomfield Shul Birmingham (248) 996-5818 bbchai.org B’nai Israel-Beth Yehudah Oak Park (248) 967-3969 bi-by.org B’nai Zion Oak Park (248) 968-2414 Chabad House-Lubavitch of Eastern Michigan Flint (810) 230-0770 chabad.org

Ahavas Yisroel Oak Park (248) 298-2896 Learntorah.info

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

Aish Hatorah in the Woods Oak Park (248) 327-3579 Aishdetroit.com

Chabad Jewish Center of Novi-Northville (248) 790-6075 novijewishcenter.com

Bais Chabad of Farmington Hills (248) 855-2910 chabad.org

Chabad Jewish Center of Troy Troy/Rochester Hills (248) 873-5851 jewishtroy.com

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

Chabad-Lubavitch of Bingham Farms Bloomfield Hills (248) 688-6796 chabadbinghamfarms.com

Bais Haknesses Hagrah Oak Park (248) 542-8737

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

Dovid Ben Nuchim-Aish Kodesh Oak Park (313) 320-9400 dbndetroit.org Etz Chayim of Toledo Toledo, OH (419) 473-2401 Etzchayimtoledo.org First Hebrew Congregation South Haven (269) 637-1603 firsthebrewcongregation.org Kehillat Etz Chayim Huntington Woods etzchayim-detroit.org Kollel Institute of Greater Detroit Oak Park (248) 968-1891 kollel@kolleldetroit.org Mishkan Israel, Nusach H’ari, Lubavitch Center Oak Park (248) 542-4844 theyeshiva.org Ohel Moed Shomrey Emunah West Bloomfield (248) 737-2626 ohelmoed.org Or Chadash Oak Park (248) 819-1721 or-chadash.org Sara & Morris Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center of West Bloomfield (248) 855-6170 baischabad.com Shaar Hashomayim Windsor (519) 256-3123 Shaarey Zedek Windsor (519) 252-1594 shaareyzedekwindsor.com

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MAY 19 • 2022

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

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

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

MINYANS Fleischman Residence West Bloomfield (248) 661-2999

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

Temple Benjamin Mt. Pleasant (989) 773-5086 templebenjamin.com

Temple Jacob Hancock templejacobhancock.org

Yeshivat Akivah Southfield (248) 386-1625 farberhds.org

The Shul-Chabad Lubavitch West Bloomfield (248) 788-4000 theshul.net Yagdil Torah Southfield (248) 559-5905 Young Israel of Oak Park (248) 967-3655 yiop.org

Temple Beth El Battle Creek (269) 963-4921

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

Temple Beth El Bloomfield Township (248) 851-1100 tbeonline.org

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

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

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

Young Israel of Southfield (248) 358-0154 yisouthfield.org

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

RECONSTRUCTIONIST Congregation Kehillat Israel Lansing (517) 882-0049 kehillatisrael.net

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

SECULAR/HUMANISTIC Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Metro Detroit Farmington Hills (248) 477-1410 chj-detroit.org

Temple Beth Israel Jackson (517) 784-3862 tbijackson.org

Sholem Aleichem Institute West Bloomfield (248) 865-0117 secularsaimichigan.org

Congregation T’chiyah Ferndale (248) 823-7115 tchiyah.org Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit (313) 567-0306 reconstructingjudiasm.org REFORM Congregation Beth El Windsor (519) 969-2422 bethelwindsor.ca Congregation Beth Shalom Traverse City 231-946-1913 beth-shalom-tc.org Congregation B’nai Israel Muskegon (231) 722-2702 cbimkg@gmail.com

MAY 19 • 2022

Temple Beth Sholom Marquette tbsmqt.org Temple B’nai Israel Kalamazoo (269) 342-9170 Templebnaiisrael.com Temple B’nai Israel Petoskey (231) 489-8269 templebnaiisraelofpetoskey. org Temple Emanuel Grand Rapids (616) 459-5976 grtemple.org Temple Emanu-El Oak Park (248) 967-4020 emanuel-mich.org

ANN ARBOR

CONSERVATIVE Beth Israel Congregation (734) 665-9897 @BethIsraelCongregation ORTHODOX Ann Arbor Chabad House (734) 995-3276 jewmich.com Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan annarborminyan.org RECONSTRUCTIONIST Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation (734) 445-1910 aarecon.org REFORM Temple Beth Emeth (734) 665-4744 templebethemeth.org RENEWAL Pardes Hanah pardeshanah.org

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

SECULAR HUMANISTIC Jewish Cultural Society (734) 975-9872 jewishculturalsociety.org

Ohr Hatorah Oak Park (248) 294-0613 Ohrhatorah.us

Please email factual corrections or additional synagogues to list to: smanello@thejewishnews.com.

TRADITIONAL Woodward Avenue Shul Royal Oak (248) 414-7485 thewas.net

SPORTS

From Terrible to Terrific

Family-focused bowling team wins Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson league and International B’nai B’rith tournament titles.

rotherhood-Eddie Jacobson B’nai B’rith bowling league champion. International B’nai B’rith Bowling Association national tournament champion. It was a great season for the House Ballz team, especially considering its humble beginnings. “We joined the (Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson) league seven years ago. We were terrible,” said team captain Ryan Vieder. “We got our team name because none of us had our bowling ball. We used house balls.” Being terrible and using house balls didn’t last long. House Ballz made the playoffs four times in its first five years in the Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson league, twice making it to the semifinals. There were no league playoffs in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, there was no league season in 2020-21. This league season didn’t start well for House Ballz. The time away from bowling took its toll. The team finished in last place in the five-team Tigers Division in

the first half of the season. “We struggled in the first half. It felt like we were starting over again,” Vieder said. “But then all four of us on the team got hot in the second half. Each of us raised his average by 10 to 15 pins. We saved our best for last.” House Ballz qualified for the 2021-22 league playoffs by winning the second-half championship in the Tigers Division. Then it raced through the playoffs to win the championship of the 22-team league. It beat first-half Tigers Division champion Yogi’s Rollers 18-6 in the quarterfinals, The Rolling Stoned 17-7 in the semifinals and NHL Property Management 14.5 to 9.5 on April 25 in the title match. The International B’nai B’rith tournament was held virtually in March, with competing teams using sixgame scores from two nights of league bowling. House Ballz rolled 4437 in its six games. With its handicap score, the team totaled 5796. Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson teams swept the

GARY KLINGER

STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Meet the champs. From left are Mitch Cohen, Jason Vieder, Ryan Vieder and Jeff Vieder.

top 10 and 13 of the top 14 places in the tournament, quite an accomplishment even though 20 of the 46 teams in the tournament were from the league. Two brothers and two family members make up the House Ballz team. The brothers are Ryan Vieder of Farmington Hills and Jeff Vieder of Bloomfield Hills. Their cousin Jason Vieder of Huntington Woods and Mitch Cohen of West Bloomfield also are on the team. “Mitch is Jason’s wife’s uncle. We call him Uncle Mitch,” Ryan Vieder said. House Ballz took time out after winning the Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson and International B’nai B’rith titles to win the traditional Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson four-man scramble golf outing that precedes the league’s post-season banquet. Jason Vieder didn’t play in the May 2 golf outing at Mystic Creek Golf Course & Banquet Center in Milford

Township. He was replaced by Adam Vieder of West Bloomfield. He’s Ryan’s and Jeff ’s brother. House Ballz shot 7-underpar for 18 holes to win the outing, which had a record 32 golfers. Three teams tied for second place at 4-under: Gary and Mike Klinger, Dale Taub and Larry Woodberg; Steve Lotzoff, Jeff Berlin, Lyle Schaefer and Howard Mertz; and Mike Weinstock, Jerry Wayne, Tom Endean and Spencer Burke. House Ballz didn’t learn it had won the International B’nai B’rith tournament until the Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson banquet at Gino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant in Keego Harbor. “That information was a nice surprise,” Ryan Vieder said. “We’re wondering what we can win this summer,” he added with a laugh. Send sports news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com. MAY 19 • 2022

SPORTS

quick hits

BY STEVE STEIN

Elle Hartje Writes Her Name in the Yale Women’s Hockey Record Book

stunned world champion Tyson Fury with a third-round punch that Fury later needed 47 stitches to close. Fury won the fight by a controversial unanimous decision. Booker was the No. 1-ranked heavyweight in the U.S. when he was an amateur. All five of his professional losses have been inflicted by a former champion or undefeated top contender. “(The May 26) show is part of our bigger initiative to bring world-class professional boxing to Detroit on a consistent basis,” Salita said. For ticket information, go to Dearborntheater.com.

Happy 10th Anniversary to the B’nai B’rith Golf League A milestone season has begun for the B’nai B’rith golf league. This is the 10th season for the weekly nine-hole league, and its ninth season at The Links of Novi after starting at Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center in Plymouth. The 17-week league once again has a full roster of 12 two-man teams, 25 golfers in all (one team has two golfers who alternate weeks). Competition, camarade-

rie and reasonable costs have kept the league going strong, according to organizer Gary Klinger. So has the league’s stability. “We’ve been playing at the same times on the same day (late afternoon/early evening Thursday) each week for 10 years,” Klinger said. “Guys can count on it. It’s locked in.” Klinger said the league isn’t filled with superstar golfers.

“Most of the guys are decent golfers,” he said. “We use handicaps, which is the great equalizer.” Mike Klinger and Kerry Chaben led the league’s team standings through the first two weeks of the current season (April 28 and May 5). They had compiled 30 points by going 12-4-2 on holes and winning both of their matches. League golfers also compete as individuals. continued on page XX

MAY 19 • 2022

Elle Hartje

YALE UNIVERSITY

Orthodox Jewish boxing promoter Dmitriy Salita has put together a special preMemorial Day weekend show for area boxing fans. Salita Promotions’ next Detroit Brawl card May 26 in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn is headed by an intriguing heavyweight main event. It matches WBC No. 11-ranked Otto Wallin (23-1, 14 KO’s) of Sweden against veteran Rydell Booker (26-5-1, 13 KO’s) of Detroit. Wallin shocked the boxing world in 2019 when he

Elle Hartje played a starring role in the best season in the history of the Yale University women’s hockey team. The No. 4-ranked Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four for the first time. Yale lost 2-1 to No. 1-ranked and eventual national champion Ohio State in March in the national semifinals. Hartje, a sophomore forward from Bloomfield Hills, broke the Yale team record for assists in a season (35), and her 51 points were the most for a Yale women’s hockey player in 38 years and the second-most in team history. An All-ECAC First Team selection, Hartje led the conference in points per game with 1.42, and she was fifth and 10th nationally in assists and goals per game.

Yale didn’t play in the 2020-21 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hartje spent the season in Slovakia playing for a club team that earned a bronze medal in the Elite Women’s Hockey League and the Slovakian national team. The Detroit Country Day School grad lived in Bratislava, Slovakia, where her maternal grandparents Jan and Eva Rival were born, lived as adults and got married.

Mike Klinger and Kerry Chaben.

GARY KLINGER

Salita Promotions Packs a Punch

SALITA PROMOTIONS

Dmitriy Salita

Nodler Is Taking His Talents to UMass Calgary Flames who will remain the Flames’ property for one more season. Nodler said coaches from about a dozen Division I programs contacted him after he entered the NCAA’s transfer portal in early April. One call, a day or so after Nodler put his name into the portal, came from UMass associate coach Jared DeMichiel. “That call drew me into UMass,” Nodler said. A few other colleges were “semi-intriguing,” Nodler said, but UMass eventually became his choice. Nodler hopes to have a great senior season. He didn’t set the world on fire at Michigan State, compiling just 34 points in 99 MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

The next stop on Josh Noder’s hockey journey is the University of Massachusetts. The center from Oak Park, who announced his verbal commitment to Michigan State University when he was a sophomore Josh Nodler at Berkley High School, is transferring to UMass after spending the first three years of his collegiate career at Michigan State. UMass checked all the boxes for Nodler. Winning program. Good facilities, coaches and academics. He’ll be able to remain a computer science major. “And they’ve proven they can develop guys to play at the next level,” said Nodler, a 2019 draftee of the NHL’s

games over three seasons. And the Spartans struggled as a team during Nodler’s tenure, going 34-60-5 including 12-22-1 this season. Michigan State won NCAA titles in 1986 and 2007, but hasn’t qualified for the NCAA tournament since 2012, the second-longest drought in program history. Nodler is joining a program on the rise. UMass won its first NCAA and Hockey East tournament championships in the 2020-21 season. The Minutemen repeated as Hockey East tourney winners this season. Coach Greg Carvel is 116-88-12 in his six seasons at UMass, with 49 of the 88 losses coming in his first two seasons. The

Minutemen were 22-13-2 this season. Eleven of Carvel’s former UMass players are NHL draftees. Michigan State has changed coaches since Nodler entered the transfer portal. Danton Cole is out after five unsuccessful seasons (58-101-12) and Adam Nightingale is in. An extensive renovation project at Munn Arena, the Spartans’ home, will be completed before next season. Those developments weren’t enough to convince Nodler to stay in East Lansing. “It was a difficult decision for me to leave MSU, but it was 100% the right decision,” the 5-foot-10, 195-pounder said. “UMass has all the opportunities I was looking for.”

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Farber Hebrew Day School grads Daniella Weil and Aaron Adler. Photograph by Jerry Zolynsky.

Mazel Tov,

Class of 2022

MAZEL TOV CLASS OF 2022 MSU HILLEL AND THE HILLEL CAMPUS ALLIANCE OF MICHIGAN CONGRATULATE YOU!

We look forward to seeing many of you on campus this fall. To learn more about Jewish life at Michigan State University, visit msuhillel.org. To learn about HCAM, which covers 10 campuses statewide, including: Albion, Alma, CMU, EMU, GVSU, Kalamazoo College, Michigan Tech, NMU, SVSU and WMU, visit h-cam.net.

cap&gown 2022

AARON ADLER

Farber Hebrew Day School Central East NCSY Regional Board, Student Council President National Honor Society, Tanzman Tournament Commissioner. Yeshiva University

ADINA ALTERMAN

Cranbrook Kingswood 12-letter Varsity athlete (Field Hockey, Basketball, Track, Cross Country), Track Captain, AllState, All-Catholic League/ All-Region Track, All-State Academic, Co-founder and co-president Jewish Culture Club, BBYO, Teen Board Leaders for Tomorrow. The New School

BEN APPEL

North Farmington High honors, National Honor Society, Golf Team, Bowling Team, Yad Ezra Giving Garden volunteer, Hospitality House Food Pantry, Temple Israel Food Pantry. Michigan State University

Mazel Tov! RIKKI ARONOFF

Bloomfield Hills High School National Honor Society, Temple Israel Youth Group President, Varsity Dance Team, Softball. University of Michigan

ANNABEL BEAN

Berkley High School Detroit News and CATCH Outstanding High School Graduate Scholarship, Varsity Tennis Captain, National Honor Society Committee leader, Council Manager, Huntington Woods Teen Council, President, Children’s International Summer Villages. University of Michigan

RYAN BECKER

Cranbrook Kingswood Varsity Baseball, Baseball Team Captain 2022, Cranbrook Hockey Team, Student Leadership, Varsity Tennis Team Manager, Scholar-Athlete. University of Arizona continued on page 56

OLIVIA BLOOM We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished. May all of your dreams and wishes come true. We love you! Annie and Papa

Mazel Tov! Noah Yaker Congratulations Noah! You have always marched to the beat of your own drum. You are a-MAIZE-ing AND true BLUE! Good Luck at Ross. Love you and am so proud of you, N9NNIE MAY 19 • 2022

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Congrats! Shayna Foreman We are so proud of your high school years. We hope your college years bring you happiness, personal success and many memories. We love you and can’t wait to see what your future holds. Go Blue!

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Mazel Tov! Limor Goldsmith We are so proud of you and your accomplishments!! Congratulations on graduating Cum Laude from Tulane University; Honors from the School of Sociology; and a Full Service Award from the Tulane Marching Band. May all your dreams come true!! We love you, Papa and Softa

Mazel Tov!

Ali Chapnick

We are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished! Continue pursuing your passions and believing in yourself. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you! ON WISCONSIN!

We Love you! Mom, Dad, Josh, Grandma Margie, Poppy Phil and Nana 56

MAY 19 • 2022

continued from page 55

BROOKE BECKERMAN

Eton Academy Straight A student, National Honor Society, Varsity letters in Pep Squad and Drama Club, Co-editor of the school newspaper, Band Excellence Award, Creative Art Excellence Award, Numerous academic awards, accomplished drummer. Oakland University

EDEN BECKERMAN

Love, Mom, Dad, Elliot and Baxter

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JN Cap & Gown

Berkley High School Summa cum laude, National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Varsity Swim, Medaled at OAA Division League Meet, OAA-Scholar, LINK Program supporting students with disabilities. Michigan State University

CARLY BERNARD

Bloomfield Hills High School Varsity Tennis Captain, AllState Tennis, Friendship Circle Teen Board President, Student Class Representative, DECA Representative, Mental Health Club President. Indiana University

LOLA BELCHINSKY

Berkley High School National Honor Society, Summa cum laude, Varsity Tennis Captain, UMatter Board, DECA twotime state qualifier, Outreach 360 volunteer. University of Wisconsin

JACOB BERG

North Farmington High School National Honor Society, Varsity Tennis, Varsity Baseball. Michigan State University

LINDSAY BERKE

North Farmington High School National Honor Society, AP and Honors Student, Scholar-Athlete, Varsity Tennis Captain, Link Crew Leader, Fleece and Thank You volunteer, BBYO: Outstanding Achievement in Leadership Award, Aliyah BBG MIT Mom. Michigan State University

THALIA BILLS

Berkley High School National Honor Society, TriM, Madrichim Leadership Institute, Temple Emanu-El/Yachad TLC graduate. Kalamazoo College continued on page 58

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Congratulations!

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Alexa Shepherd Go Green! Go White! We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments! Michigan State is getting a good one! We love you so much! All our Love, Mom, Dad and Sasha (Emmett and Dolly too)

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NOAH BLACK

JN Cap & Gown

Congratulations! Shayla Rose Mostyn We couldn’t be more proud of all your accomplishments. Setting your own goals and working to reach each one. We’ve stepped back and watched you grow. Now starting your new journey at Eastern Michigan University Honors College. Majoring in Sociology and Journalism

Love You Girl, Mom, Dad, Brandon, Ethan and Dexter

MAZEL TOV ADUATE 22 GR S! 0 2

H.H. Dow High School Summa cum laude, Debate Captain, Varsity Wrestling, miRcore MVP, GIDAS Research Club, semi-finalist for Genes in Space Science Award, fifth place Flint ISEF Award. University of Michigan

OLIVIA BLOOM

Seaholm High School National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Varsity Water Polo, Academic All-State, ScholarAthlete. Michigan State University

JORDYN BOKOLOR

West Bloomfield High School Varsity Field Hockey, Dora Savage BBG, Student Leadership, Peer Mentorship, Jewish Club President, National Honor Society, Current Events Club President. Michigan State University

SOPHIE BLUMBERG

North Farmington High School High School Class Boards, Academic Honors, Temple Israel Madricha, Aliyah BBG, Friendship Circle volunteer, Temple Israel Housing the Homeless, Make A Wish Team Alex Wish Hero. Michigan State University

SETH BRASCH

North Farmington High School Varsity Tennis, Junior Varsity Golf, Adat Shalom teen volunteer, MSU Tollgate volunteer, Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies — Social Media Committee. Oakland University

CARSON BRODSKY

Bloomfield Hills High School National Honor Society, Summa cum laude, Captain Varsity Basketball, OAA White First Team AllLeague for Basketball, Varsity Football, Varsity Lacrosse. Michigan State University continued on page 60

MAY 19 • 2022

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The Class

CONG R YOU ATU D

Congratulations! Evann Oleshansky

Evann, you amaze us everyday with all of your accomplishments. We are so proud of you and look forward to watching you shine at the University of Michigan. Love, Mom & Brian, Dad & Marlene, Aria, Joey, Bella, Jonah, Madeline, Matthew and Noa

Mazel Tov! Lindsay Dudovitz CONGRATS!!! We are so incredibly proud of you! You truly amaze us with all of your accomplishments! We wish you continued success, laughter and unforgettable adventures at University of Wisconsin! Go Badgers!

We love you beyond! Mom, Dad, Josh, Bubbie, Papa, Fenway & Briggs

BEN GLICK We’re so proud of you and your accomplishments and we can’t wait to see how your future unfolds. Love, Mom, Dad, and Josh 60

MAY 19 • 2022

cap&gown 2022 TOBY BUCKFIRE

Bloomfield Hills High School Student Ambassador, Co-president of the Math and French clubs, Investment Club, Movie Club, Chess Club, Quiz Bowl, National Honor Society, Marching Band, Fisher AZA, National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. University of Michigan

MADDIE BUTLER

Bloomfield Hills High School National Honor Society, JDRF Youth Ambassador, Jewish Student Alliance, Varsity Field Hockey, Youth Federation of Temple Israel. University of ColoradoBoulder

ALISON CHAPNICK

Groves High School Forensic Team, Big Brother Big Sister mentor, Student Congress, BBYO Chapter and Regional Boards, Jewish Fund Teen Board, Brilliant Detroit literacy tutor, Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board, Temple Israel youth group member and graduate. University of Wisconsin

continued from page 58

ABBY CHAYET

Bloomfield Hills High School Rising Star: Teens Making a Difference Award, Friendship Circle Executive Teen Board, Promotional Manager of the Bloomfield Hawkeye, Summa cum laude, National Honor Society, Syracuse Dean’s Scholarship, SU Orange Distinction Award. Syracuse University

BRIE CHERRIN

Berkley High School Captain Varsity Swim & Dive Team; Friendship Circle volunteer, Friendship Circle Girls Board, Coach, Troy Gymnastics, National Honor Society, NHS Peer-to-Peer Committee Leader. Michigan State University

RACHEL CHOSID

Pioneer High School Regional Board BBYO Gizborit, President of Hatmatdah chapter, JV

hockey. University of Wisconsin Madison

continued on page 62

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 GRADUATES. This May, 3,800 new Wayne State University graduates are officially ready for any kind of challenge, anywhere they’re needed. All of us at Wayne State congratulate these Warriors for their academic achievements, and we wish them well — wherever their passions take them.

WAYNE.EDU

Mazel Tov! ADINA ALTERMAN We are so proud of the wonderful person you are. We can’t wait to see what the future brings!

Love, Mom, Dad, Noa, and Leo

Mazel Tov! Abby Chayet

We are so proud of all your accomplishments and the beautiful person you are. So excited to watch you shine at Syracuse University.

We love you endlessly, Mom, Dad, Matthew and Peyton XOXO 62

MAY 19 • 2022

cap&gown 2022 REBECCA CHYNOWETH

Frankel Jewish Academy National Honor Society, Student Director, Quiz Bowl Team, Teen Volunteer Corps, Teaching Assistant for Sunday School. Michigan State University

COURTNEY COHEN

North Farmington High School National Honor Society, Student Senate, Student Board, Teen Impact Fellowship, Competitive Dancer, President of Aliyah BBG. Michigan State University

JONAH COHEN

Interlochen Arts Academy Composer, cellist and pianist, Numerous accolades in music composition, Founder of the NowBeat Project — a free program connecting young composers with mentorship and performance opportunities, National Merit Finalist, Baseball, Ski racing, Student Government, Temple Israel Madrich. The Juilliard School

continued from page 60

NOAH COOPER

Berkley High School National Honor Society, Varsity Hockey, DECA. Michigan State University

JACK COPLEY

Detroit Country Day Magna cum laude, Visual Arts Conservatory in Metals, Scholastic Art Silver Key winner, Science Fair participant, Varsity Football, AZA. Michigan State University

KATELYN CYMERINT

Oakland Flextech High School BBYO, Debate Team, Written more than 100 poems and short stories, Adat Shalom High Holiday helper. Wayne State University

continued on page 64

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Congratulations Berkley High School

Class of 2022

Good luck in your future endeavors, we’re proud of you!

Class of 2022, you have shown strength, resilience and grace through your high school careers. You are ready to take on the world and do great things - be sure to stay in touch!

www.berkleyschools.org/bhs MAY 19 • 2022

Congratulations!

Ryan Becker We are so proud of you! Take pride in all of your achievements and celebrate the victories, but remember to enjoy the ride. The University of Arizona is lucky to have you! Bear Down!

All our love, Mom, Dad, Eric, Ellory, Benson and Bailey

The Sky's the limit N oah C ooper! Noah Cooper! We wish you much success at M S U and are excited to see what your future will bring. We love you so much. X o x G o G re e n ! ! Love, Mom, Dad, Jake, Bubbie, Papa, Grandma and Grandpa!

cap&gown 2022

continued from page 62

SAMMI DESMON

Bloomfield Hills High School Bloomfield Youth Assistance Award, Jewish News Rising Stars Award, Captain Varsity Field Hockey, Varsity Gymnastics, Softball, Poms, Student Leadership, National Honor Society, Secretary, Community Service Club, Bloomfield Hills Student Ambassador, Youth Action Board, Jewish Student Alliance Club, Owner Sammi’s Sweats. University of Michigan

ISABELLA DRYSDALE

Eton Academy Academic Letter Drama, President of National Honor Society, Straight As for high school career, Student Government, Freshman Student of the year, speaker for graduation. Bowling Green State University

LINDSAY DUDOVITZ

Berkley High School Summa cum laude, National Honor Society, Varsity Dance Team Captain, UMatter Board leader. University of WisconsinMadison

LOGAN EDELHEIT

Groves High School Varsity Tennis, State Champion Tennis, Varsity Bowling, Jewish Teen Program Executive Board, Big Brother/Big Sister mentor, National Honor Society Executive Board, Student Action Committee, DECA, Mu Alpha Theta math honor society, Franklin Cider Mill worker. University of Michigan

MAX EDELHEIT

Groves High School Tennis Team, Varsity Bowling, Big Brother/Big Sister mentor, Executive Board for National Honor Society, Student government community service projects, Jewish Federation Teen Board, Franklin Cider Mill worker, Bloomfield Hills Athletic Club lifeguard. University of Michigan

SKYLAR ELBINGER

Frankel Jewish Academy National Honor Society, FJA Volleyball Co-Captain, Lead Student Ambassador, Yearbook Co-Editor, BBYO Regional President, First Cohort of AJC Detroit Leaders for Tomorrow program, JN Rising Star, BBYO Menorah Pledge Principal Award, Silver Star of Deborah Award. Michigan State University continued on page 66

MAY 19 • 2022

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Mazel Tov!

Shoshana Gem Sprecher

We are so very proud of you! We know you are ready for the journey ahead. Let your SMILE change the world, but NEVER let the world change your smile. Follow your dreams and passions and your life will always be filled with happiness.

With all our love and affection, Mom and Dad

Mazel Tov! RAQUEL ROSENFELD You achieved this milestone with great discipline and determination. We know your steadfast courage will carry you far as you write your next chapter. May Hashem be your guide in Yerushalayim! Congratulations Salutatorian!!!

All our love, Mom, Dad, Zachary, Daniel, Grandma, and Papa

Congratulations! Charlie Tobias Congrats! We are so proud of you and love you so much! Love, Mom, Dad, and Cady

MAY 19 • 2022

cap&gown 2022 HENRY ELLENBOGEN

Groves High School Varsity Hockey, OAA Red Dream Team Goalie, 16U National Champion Hockey, Varsity Soccer, National Honor Society, Yad Ezra volunteer, Big Brother/Big Sister, Investment Club. Miami University

SHIRA ELLIS

Bloomfield Hills High School Dance & Poms Team, Studio A competitive dancer, Musical Theater, Jills all-girls audition choir, Jewish Fund Teen Board, Count Me In, Jewish Student Alliance, Red Cross Club, BBYO member, Mind, Body, Attitude Regional chair, Youth Federation of Temple Israel. Michigan State University

HARRY FEBER

Groves High School National Honor Society, Varsity Baseball, AllState

Powerlifting. Michigan State University

continued from page 64

COREY FEIN

West Bloomfield High School Percussion in Jazz Band, Percussion section leader Concert Band, Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award, played drums in musical productions, created video content for the school’s broadcast news program Laker Update, Honor Roll. Michigan State University

EMMA FELDBERG

Cranbrook Kingswood UMatter Board, Friendship Circle, Leadership for Tomorrow, BBYO, DECA, Varsity Soccer. University of Michigan

MAX FENSTER

Bloomfield Hills High School Summa cum laude, National Honor Society, President of Shapiro AZA. Michigan State University

CHARLIE FINSILVER

Cranbrook Kingswood Varsity Hockey, Varsity Hockey State Championship 2022, Academic honors, volunteer. Indiana University

EMILY FLOOD

Berkley High School National Honor SocietyCommittee Leader, Peer Corps. University of Michigan

JACK FLOOD

Berkley High School National Honor Society, Varsity Football, Varsity Golf. Michigan State University

ALEXIS FORMAN

Bloomfield Hills High School National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Forensics Team State Champion, Sutton Foster Theater Award nominee, Temple Israel Teen T’filah Choir, Temple Israel volunteer. Michigan State University

JARED FOX

West Bloomfield High School National Honor Society, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Bowling Team, School musical, Brilliant Detroit volunteer. Grand Valley State University

SHAYNA FOREMAN

Frankel Jewish Academy Varsity Volleyball Captain, Varsity Basketball Captain, Eight-Over-Eighty interviewer, Friendship Circle, National Honor Society, BBYO chapter/ regional board, Ahavat Tzion President. University of Michigan

ZACHARY FRANK

Bloomfield Hills High School Summa cum laude, National Honor Society Vice President, Varsity Tennis, Varsity Forensics state finalist, DECA, International Thespian Society, Choir (male choir head), Jewish Federation Teen Board, Youth Federation of Temple Israel. University of Michigan

JACK FREEMAN

Detroit Country Day School Magna cum laude, Varsity Lacrosse Team Captain, Investment Club President, National Scholar-Athlete, Academic All-State 2020/2022, National Hispanic Recognition Program winner. University of Michigan continued on page 70

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Lincoln Shopping Center GREENFIELD and 10½ MILE MAY 19 • 2022

Congratulations! Zach Frank We are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments. We can’t wait to watch you thrive at the University of Michigan. We hope all of your dreams come true. Go Blue! We Love You! Mom, Dad, Ryan, and Spike

Mazel Tov! NAOMI LUPOVITCH

Dear Naomi, You continue to amaze us as you go about with your quiet and unassuming manner. Your accomplishments are most impressive and speak loudly for you. We look forward to visiting you at the U of M Honors College in Ann Arbor.

Love you a Bunch, Bubbie Janice and Grampy Henry, Aunt Marcy and Uncle Matthew Cousins Annie, Lily, and Levi.

Congratulations! Tristan Kreindler You are a fabulous grandson. Graduating from The University of Michigan and getting a wonderful job in your chosen field, computers, we know you will have a bright future. You make us so proud.

Love always, Papa and Gigi 70

MAY 19 • 2022

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continued from page 67

MAX FRIEDMAN

JOSHUA GELLER

ALEXANDER GADD

NOA GOLDSTEIN

Berkley High School Jewish Fund Teen Board, Yad Ezra Giving Gardens volunteer, National Honor Society, Baseball, Tutoring, Academic Honors. University of Michigan Berkley High School National Honor Society, Varsity Football, small business owner, Jolson AZA. University of Michigan

EVRETT GECHTER

Royal Oak High School Honors graduate, Temple Israel High School graduate, Youth Group of

Temple Israel. Michigan State University

BLAKE GEDRICH

North Farmington High School National Honor, Society, Link Leader, Varsity

Baseball. Lansing Community College

West Bloomfield High School Summa cum laude, JARC Teen Board, Friendship Circle volunteer, Student Leadership, Student Government, National Honor Society. Michigan State University Bloomfield Hills High School Varsity Tennis-cocaptain senior year, Varsity Tennis Division 1 Singles State Champion, National Honor Society, Model U.N., Student Advisory Committee. University of ColoradoBoulder

SETH GOLDSTEIN

West Bloomfield High School Summa cum laude, National Honor Society, JARC Teen Action Council Board, Friendship Circle Guys Leadership Board, Jewish Club, Special Needs Mentor Camp Ramah. Michigan State University

continued on page 72

CONGRATULATIONS

HILLEL DAY SCHOOL CLASS OF 2018 ALUMNI Ashleigh Adelson Frankel Jewish Academy Michigan State University, Lyman Briggs College

Asher Aisner West Bloomfield High School Michigan State University Adina Alterman Cranbrook The New School Adriana Azariah Frankel Jewish Academy Michigan State University Yossef Ben-Yair Hart High School Enterpreneur Ori Berger Brenner High School Kol Ami Gap Year IDF Becky Bernard Berkley High School Michigan Technological University Elyssa Biederman Groves High School Colgate University Daniel Bernstein Frankel Jewish Academy University of Michigan Jacob Bronstein AIM High School Madison College Brianna Cherrin Berkley High School Michigan State University Rebecca Chynoweth Frankel Jewish Academy Michigan State University

Shoshana Sprecher West Bloomfield High School Michigan State University

Jonah Cohen Bloomfield Hills High School Michigan State University

Joey Goldman Farber Hebrew Day School Yeshivat Torat Shraga

Emma Cutler North Farmington High School Michigan State University

Meira Goldman West Bloomfield High School Undecided

Cara Dones Bloomfield Hills High School Michigan State University

Seth Goldstein West Bloomfield High School Michigan State University

Skylar Elbinger Frankel Jewish Academy Michigan State University

Rayna Golnick Frankel Jewish Academy University of Michigan

Shayla Mostyn Frankel Jewish Academy Eastern Michigan University Honors College

Henry Ellenbogen Groves High School Miami University

Eli Gordon Frankel Jewish Academy Michigan State University

Leah Phillips Frankel Jewish Academy University of Michigan

Yonatan Erez Mevoot Hanegev IDF

Bella Gottlieb Farber Hebrew Day School AMIT Gap Year Stern College

Hannah Rashty West Bloomfield High School Machon Maayan Gap Year Binghamton University

Jacob Handler Groves High School University of Michigan, Ross School of Business

Brandon Rones West Bloomfield High School Wayne State University

Matthew Weinstein Groves High School Purdue University

Tali Rubenstein Groves High School Indiana University

Elianna Weisberg Bloomfield Hills High School Michigan State University

Isaac Saulson Groves High School University of Michigan

Maya Weisberger North Farmington High School Michigan State University

Lindsay Schlussel Frankel Jewish Academy Kivunim Gap Year University of Michigan

Samantha Witt West Bloomfield High School Michigan State University

Ava Farber Walled Lake Western Central Michigan University Harry Feber Groves High School Michigan State University Max Friedman Berkley High School University of Michigan Rachael Gaft Berkley High School Gap Year Oz Gamer Frankel Jewish Academy DePaul University Joshua Geller West Bloomfield High School Michigan State University, Lyman Briggs College

Micayla Jacob Aaron Kahn Matthew Kay Frankel Jewish Academy Michigan State University Caleb Kleinfeldt Frankel Jewish Academy Bar llan Gap Year Syracuse University Benny Lerner Berkley High School University of Michigan Noah Lovy West Bloomfield High School Michigan State University

Naomi Lupovitch West Bloomfield High School University of Michigan Honors College Logan Marx Lev Mechnikov Berkley High School University of Michigan

Benjamin Schmeltz Frankel Jewish Academy University of Michigan Nora Skolnik Frankel Jewish Academy Michigan State University

HILLEL ALSO CONGRATULATES THE CLASS OF 2018 FOR BEING ACCEPTED TO THE FOLLOWING UNIVERSITIES, IN ADDITION TO THE ONES THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO ATTEND:

Adam State Frankel Jewish Academy University of Michigan Elana Stebbins Groves High School Grand Valley State University Daniel Stryk Frankel Jewish Academy University of Michigan Andrew Tukel Frankel Jewish Academy University of Michigan, Ross School of Business Sam Vieder Berkley High School Michigan State University

David Zauberman Walled Lake Western Undecided Hunter Zorn-Banooni Bowers Academy Eastern Michigan University

!‫מזל טוב‬

Boston University, Brandeis, Central Michigan University, Drexel University, Elmhurst University, Elon University, Goucher College, Kalamazoo College, Loyola University Chicago, Muhllenberg College, Northwestern University, Notre Dame University, Oakland University, Ohio State University, Pace University, Penn State University, Temple University, University of Arizona, University of Colorado - Boulder, University of Kansas, University of Maryland, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, Univesity of Vermont, Western Michigan University

Orley Blake Krugel We are so proud of your accomplishments, academically and in soccer. Wishing you success in your future! Love, Safta and Sava

Congratulations! Skylar Elbinger “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

Your kindness, confidence and determination inspires us and makes us proud. We can’t wait to see what your bright future has in store for you. We love you, Mom, Dad and Zachary Mimi and Papa and Nanny 72

MAY 19 • 2022

cap&gown 2022 RAYNA GOLNICK

Frankel Jewish Academy National Honor Society, ORT Teen Board, Varsity Girls Tennis. Dale Carnegie graduate, Owner of Loaded Sprinkles — Profits to Feeding America. University of Michigan

BELLA GOTTLIEB

Farber Hebrew Day School Jewish Fund Teen Board, Varsity Volleyball, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Girls Basketball, Rosh Eidah Alef, Bnei Akiva, Friendship Circle volunteer, National Council of Synagogue Youth. Midreshet Amit, Israel/ Stern College

continued from page 70

ABBY GURVITZ

Berkley High School Varsity Swim, National Honor Society, 2022 Bear of the Year (Girls’ Swim). University of Michigan

KIMBERLY GURWIN

Walled Lake Northern High School National Honor Society, Marching Band, Walled Lake Robotics Team, BBYO, Temple Beth El youth group. University of Michigan

LEXI HACK

ALEXANDER GREEN

Seaholm High School Varsity Basketball, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, STEAM Leadership, Temple Shir Shalom Youth, Oakland Activities Association Scholar-Athlete 2022 & 2022, MHSAA Scholar-Athlete nominee, Honorable Mention Basketball – Oakland Activities Association - Blue Division. University of Michigan

College

Aim High School Yearbook Staff, School Photographer. Oakland Community

JACOB HANDLER

Groves High School President DECA Club, President Investments Club, Tennis Team, Interact Club, Big Brother/ Big Sister mentor, National Honor Society, National Merit Commended Scholar. University of Michigan continued on page 74

Mazel Tov! Cami Jordan Brode Krugal Dearest Cami, Our memories of you growing up have been filled with warm, loving, musical moments. You are unfailingly kind, empathetic and welcoming. We marvel at your brilliance, strength and creativity. We look forward to your future and enjoying more bonding “adventures.” We wish you a lifetime of health, happiness and laughter.

Congratulations! Cami Jordan Brode Krugel Congratulations on your academic success and accomplishments in dance. Best of luck in college! Love, Safta and Sava

243 Grammy & Papa

We love your spirit and sense of adventure, and we marvel at the way you cherish joy. We are proud of your strength, determination, empathy, kindness, open heart, and open mind. Continue dancing through life and finding your bliss, Cami!

2-4-3 with all our hearts, Mommy & Daddy Darby (your biggest fan) Muggle & Munchkin

Congratulations!

Cami Jordan Brode Krugel MAY 19 • 2022

Congratulations! CARSON BRODSKY Congratulations on all of your accomplishments! We know the best is yet to come! Throughout your life you have been a blessing to your family and we know that all of your dreams will come true! We love you! Bubbie, Mom, Dad, Chase, Brayden & Olivia

WHATEVER IS

NEXT For Grand Valley students, next is opportunity and innovation. Next is global, connecting and uniting us. It’s local, shaping the spaces in which we work and live. It’s a commitment to progress. Next is where minds are free to imagine what could be. At GVSU, next is now. And whatever’s next for you, we will help you get there.

gvsu.edu/next 74

cap&gown 2022

continued from page 72

CHARLIE HERMANN

Groves High School National Honor Society, Varsity Swim, Varsity Water Polo, Varsity Scholar-Athlete, Student Congress, Shaarey Zedek graduate and madrich, Federation/ Tamarack Manhigim Youth Council, Shapiro AZA. Michigan State University

ELANA HOCHBAUM

Farber Hebrew Day School National Honor Society, Bnei Akiva Rosh Eidah, Leaders for Tomorrow American Jewish Committee, UMatter, Yeshiva University National Model United Nations, local and school theater productions. University of Michigan

STELLA HURWITZ

Berkley High School Student Body Treasurer, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Event and Fundraiser Committee Chair, Community Service volunteer, Student Tutor, Art Growth Award. University of Florida

JORDANA JACOBS

Farber Hebrew Day School National Honor Society, Bnei Akiva, National Conference of Synagogue Youth, Youth Adviser at Young Israel of Southfield, Partners Detroit, Dance, Swim, Gymnastics, Flag Football, Bookstock, Yearbook Editor. Machon Maayan Israel/ Binghamton University

RAYNAH JACOBS

Berkley High School National Honor Society, Editor-inChief of the Berkley Spectator, UMatter Board.

Tulane University AMELIA KARP

Berkley High School Editor-inchief of school’s newspaper, Dance Team Captain, UMatter Board, National Honor Society. University of Michigan

SHELBY KAUFMAN

Walled Lake Northern High School National Honor Society, Friendship Circle Teen Board, C Teen Board, Temple Israel Madrichim/graduate. Elon University continued on page 76

MAY 19 • 2022

Congratulations! Jonah Shapiro You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. We are so proud of everything you've accomplished and the man you have become! Your ambition, competitiveness and hustle are going to take you anywhere and everywhere you want to go. We can't wait to see what you do next at Kelley / IU Bloomington GO BIG RED!! You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

May all of your dreams come true - we love you, Mom, Dad, Jordy and Maxx

Congratulations! Brandon Yaker For 18 years we have witnessed your achievements both academically and athletically. More importantly, we are proud of the caring, confident person you have become. We wish you great success at U of M! Love you, Grandma & Papa Uncle Todd & Aunt Anat 76

cap&gown 2022 LEORA KAYE

North Farmington High School Summa cum laude, Farmington United Varsity Pompon Captain, Most Valuable Pommer 2020 & 2022, Most Dedicated Pommer 2022, MidAmerican Pompon All-Star Team, Annette and Company School of Dance, Adat Shalom Synagogue Madricha, Traveling Tutus volunteer. Michigan State University

YONA KELMAN

continued from page 74

CALEB KLEINFELDT Frankel Jewish Academy Student Council, Varsity Tennis, Varsity Basketball, School Ambassador, Federation’s Teen Board, AJC LFT Program, Founder of Investment Club, Yad Ezra volunteer and honoree, Kehillat Etz Chayim volunteer, Certified lifeguard. Bar-Ilan University gap year/ Syracuse University

Farber Hebrew Day School Bnei Akiva Board, Young Israel of Southfield youth leader, Moot Court Competition, Yeshiva University Model U.N., National Honor Society, National Merit finalist, Co-president and founder of Mario Club, AP Scholar Award, AJC Leaders for Tomorrow participant. University of Michigan

JONATHAN KORNBLUM

YAFFA KLAUSNER

ELLIE KROLL

Farber Hebrew Day School National Honor Society, Friendship Circle volunteer, Bnei Akiva, UMatter Board & Club President, Student Council, Drama Club, Varsity Basketball. Midreshet Lindenbaum in Jerusalem/University of Michigan

Farber Hebrew Day School Mazkir of Bnei Akiva Detroit, National Honor Society, Friendship Circle President, Senior Student Council Representative, Varsity Basketball, Varsity Baseball, Bookstock volunteer. Gap year in Jerusalem/ Binghamton University Groves High School Varsity Softball Captain, AllDistrict ScholarAthlete, Varsity Golf, National Honor Society, Founder of h.U.G.G.S (a nonprofit for teens in need), Big Brother/Big Sister, Groves Scriptor All-State award. University of Michigan continued on page 78

MAY 19 • 2022

Congratulations! Kate Michaels Dearest Kate; We are so very proud of you and all that you have accomplished. You have been a great joy in our lives! Your smile always brightens everywhere you go. May all of your dreams come true. Enjoy Wisconsin! All our love! Grandpa, Nana, & Grandma

Mazel Tov! Claire Spektor We are so proud of all you have accomplished and the person you have become! We know you have an amazing future ahead of you!

We love you so much! Mom, Dad, Scott, Baba and Deda

Congratulations! CHLOE KREINDLER Our wonderful Chloe is graduating from Seaholm High School and going to the University of Michigan this fall. You have been a joy in our lives, we are proud of you and we know you will have a bright future!

Love, Papa and Gigi

MAY 19 • 2022

cap&gown 2022 CAMI KRUGEL

Bloomfield Hills High School Summa cum laude, National Merit Scholar, Michigan Student Leadership Unsung Hero Award, Bloomfield Youth Assistance Award, Vanderbilt University Crescere Aude Merit Scholarship, AP Scholar, Student Body Secretary, National Honor Society, Scholar-Athlete, Studio A Company, Varsity Dance, JCC Teen Impact Fellow, Jewish Fund Teen Board, Aliyah BBG. Vanderbilt University

ORLEY KRUGEL

Berkley High School Varsity Soccer Captain, Liverpool Soccer Academy Community and Leadership Scholarship, Michigan Elite 25 volunteer, National Honor Society. University of Kansas

SETH KRUGER

Bloomfield Hills High School Honors graduate, National Honor Society, Co-Editor of school newspaper, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Track, AllLeague Soccer, President of AZA Chapter, Temple Israel graduate, Marching Band Co-Assistant Section Leader. University of Wisconsin

continued from page 76

SHAINA LAZAR

Bloomfield Hills High School Summa cum laude, National Honor Society, Forensics Captain, Varsity Swimming, NISCA Academic All-American, Temple Israel Madricha, Religious Action Center Teen Justice Fellowship, TITAN Internship. University of Michigan

BENJAMIN LERNER

Berkley High School President National Honor Society, AP Scholar with Honors, Varsity Cross Country, Track and Field, Symphony Orchestra, Lt. Governor Boys State, InvestWrite and Samsung American Legion scholarships, Science National Honor Society, Tri-Music National Honor Society, Madrich Temple Emanu-El, Hillel graduate. University of Michigan

ALI LIPSON

Bloomfield Hills High School Honors graduate, Ski Team, Dance, Model U.N., Noah’s Project volunteer, Team Leader Student Action Committee, elementary school volunteer, middle school students tutor, Summa cum laude. Michigan State University continued on page 80

L V A Z O T A M FJA's CLASS OF 2022!

Students from the FJA Class of 2022 have been accepted to the following colleges, universities and gap year programs: Arizona State University-Tempe Binghamton University Boston University Bowling Green State University Central Michigan University Clark University DePaul University Drexel University Eastern Michigan University Eckerd College Elon University Emory University Florida Atlantic University Florida Institute of Technology George Washington University Goucher College

Grand Valley State University Indiana University-Bloomington Kalamazoo College Michigan State University Michigan Technological University Muhlenberg College Northern Arizona University Ohio State University Pennsylvania State University Syracuse University Temple University The University of Arizona The University of Tampa University of Colorado Boulder University of Colorado Colorado Springs University of Dayton

frankelja.org

University of Maryland-College Park University of Michigan-Ann Arbor University of Michigan-Dearborn University of Minnesota-Twin Cities University of Missouri-Columbia University of New England University of Northern Colorado University of Pittsburgh University of Toledo University of Wisconsin-Madison Wayne State University Western Michigan University Bar Ilan Israel Experience EF Gap Year Kivunim

cap&gown 2022

Congratulations!

continued from page 78

Rebecca Tauber Congratulations on your high school graduation. We are so proud of you. You are a beautiful girl inside and out. You deserve the best life has to offer. May all your dreams and wishes come true. We love you!

NOAH LOVY

West Bloomfield High School Varsity Tennis, National Honor Society, Friendship Circle and Yad Ezra volunteer. Michigan State University

Love, Nanny, Papa, Aunt Susie, Aunt Lisa, Uncle Kevin, Mackenzie and Bella

Mazel Tov! Sophie Blumberg

NAOMI LUPOVITCH

West Bloomfield High School Summa cum laude, National Honor Society, USYer of the Year, Varsity Softball. University of Michigan

You make us so proud and amaze us every day! Your determination to overcome life’s obstacles and offer compassion and kindness to everyone makes you so special. Continue to be yourself and dream big! Go Green!

We love you! Mom, Dad, Alena, Bubbe, Sol, Mema & Murphy

Mazel Tov!

JORDAN MANELA

Amelia Karp Way to go Amelia! We are so proud of you! We love you so much!!!

Love always, Your Loving Grandparents! 1/8

3.6041 x 2.324

Border #3

Congrats! Ryan Nakisher Congrats to a smart, talented, charming, adventurous, alwayshilarious son! We are so proud of all your accomplishments and hard work. When writing the story of your life, don’t let anyone else hold the pen. We love you so much! -Mom, Dad, Rachel & Jonah

MAY 19 • 2022

JN Cap & Gown

North Farmington High School National Merit Finalist, National Honor Society, AP Scholar with Distinction, HOSA Gold Medalist, Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition qualifier, Senate Executive Board, Class Boards, Captain JV Bowling, Symphony Orchestra, LINK Crew, Model U.N., Mayor’s Youth Council, Rising Star, Adat Shalom Madrich, Greenberg AZA Shaliach. Princeton University

ETHAN MARCUS

Groves High School National Honor Society, Co-Founder, Bagel Boys Delivery Service, Editor in Chief, school newspaper, Co-President, Youth Action Board; Co-President, DECA-State Finalist; Executive Teen Board ORT, Executive Board Big Brother Big Sister, JCC Teen Impact Fellowship, Varsity Hockey, Varsity Baseball. University of Michigan

KATE MICHAELS

Bloomfield Hills High School Varsity Tennis, National Honor Society. University of WisconsinMadison

NOAH MICHAELSON Berkley High School President Jolson AZA, Varsity Football, Varsity Skiing, International qualifier for DECA, National Honor Society, Scholar-Athlete. University of Michigan

continued on page 82

The Administration, Faculty, Staff and Alumni of Yeshiva Beth Yehudah extend a heartfelt

MAZEL TOV to our

GRADUATING CLASSES OF 2022/5782 Congratulations on your wonderful academic achievements, including high school students who won Phi Beta Kappa and Michigan Competitive Scholarships. We are proud of your accomplishments in middos tovos (sterling character traits).

HATZLACHA RABBAH! BAIS YAAKOV GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL ESTY APT

CHUMY LEVI

ROCHEL BAKST

SHOSHANA LEVIN

AHUVA BENEDID

DEVORAH LOKETCH

CHAYA ESTHER BERNATH

DANIELLA LOWENBERG

HADASSAH COHEN RIVKA COHEN SARAH DAVID TOVA FINK NOEMIE RUS FISH BAILA GOLDBERG MIRIAM SHIFRA GRINMAN

MALKA MANDELBAUM MENUCHA MULLER SARAH SHOSHANA TZIPPY SPERO HADAR TALMID FRUMIE TOMASES SHIFRA VOLGYI CHANI WAINKRANTZ

BATSHEVA ISHAKIS

LEAH WAYNTRAUB

RACHELI KNOLL

SHOSHANA WEINRACH

ATARA KOTT

CHANA ELANA ZACKS

BAIS YAAKOV GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL

BAIS YEHUDAH BOYS MIDDLE SCHOOL

SHEVY ADLER SARALA APT RIKI BAKST RIVKA BEIN NECHAMA BENEDID RACHEL BURNHAM TOBY CHAIT CHAVI DREYFUSS YOCHEVED EISENBERGER ESTHER HINDY EISENBERGER AVIGAIL ELLENBERG CHANNA YEHUDIS FISH MALKY GOLDBLATT ROCHEL GOLDMAN ELIANA GOLDSTEIN TOBY GREEN PNINA GROSS AIDEN GROSSBARD BASSY HAUER TZIPPY JAFFE ROCHEL LEAH KANTROWITZ

CHAIM YONA ABOUD SHUA AISENSTARK SHIMON CHAIM BERGMAN YECHESKEL BRESLER EZZY BULUA SHMUEL CARMEN AVRUMI CHAYN AKIVA COOPER EZRA FARHY NOACH FELDMAN AVROHOM ABBA FREEDMAN DANIEL FRIEDMAN YAKOV GOLDSTEIN YECHEZKEL GOLDSZTEIN YONAH GREENBERG YOSEF GREENFIELD EFRAIM DOVID HILLER NAFTALI KANNER YITZCHAK KAPLAN ELIMELECH KATZ

ATARA KING DENA KLEIN DVORA LIBA KOZLOV ALIZA LANGE SHEVY LEVI DEVORA LIEFF LEEBA LOVER MIRI MACKAY ALLI MANDELBAUM SHIRA MARZOUK SHOSHANA RAIZEL NEUBERGER TZIPPY PEINE MARIYUM PERECMAN CHANIE POLTER RACHELI RADNER MINDY ROTH BLIMI SCHWAB ELKIE SELIGSON SHEVY SHERIZEN TOVA WASSERLAUF ZELDY WEINBERGER

AVIGDOR KAUFMAN YONATAN CHANANEL KAYE SIMCHA KRAMER TZVI KUNSTLINGER NESANEL KURZ MENACHEM DOV LORINER YOSSI LUSS MORDECHAI MANDELBAUM ELI MARGARETEN ALON DAVID MARGRETT YAAKOV RADNER AHRON ROBERG ARI ROSENFELD ARYEH RUSSELL MAYER SIMCHA SCHURAYTZ RUMI SINGAL DOVI SOLOFF SHAIKY WAINKRANTZ YECHEZKEL WEINRACH

Mazel Tov! Joel Van Loon We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished. May you continue to inspire those around you and do great things! We look forward to sharing your journey ahead. We love you, Mom, Dad, Alexandra & Jack

Congratulations! Evann Oleshansky We are so proud of all your accomplishments. May all your dreams and wishes come true. Love Always Mimi And Poppy

Mazel Tov! ANDY TREPECK Go Blue! As your biggest fans, we love watching you grow.

cap&gown 2022 JOSHUA MILLER

North Farmington High School Varsity Tennis Captain, Tennis District Champion, Varsity Baseball, BBYO Regional Board, Shapiro AZA Vice President, JCC Maccabi Baseball, National Honor Society, Academic Letter, Raider Rage, Franklin Athletic Club Junior Tennis Camp counselor. Michigan State University

SHAYLA MOSTYN

Frankel Jewish Academy Editor in Chief of Frankel Forum, Varsity Volleyball, JARC’s Teen Action Council, Co-president of Ruach BBG, Voted BBYO Michigan Region’s MVP 2022, Detroit Writing Room’s Poetry Award. Eastern Michigan University

continued from page 80

ISABELLA MUCHNICK

Bloomfield Hills High School Varsity Poms, Hawkeye staff writer, Peer to Peer program, National Honor Society, Summa cum laude, Jewish Fund Teen Board, Friendship Circle and ORT Michigan Board member, Studio A Company, Star Trax Events interactive dancer, Temple Israel youth group, Temple Israel graduate, Temple Israel Irving and Sara Pitt College Scholarship, High school President’s Award for Educational Excellence. University of Michigan

RYAN NAKISHER

Berkley High School National Honor Society, Varsity Football, Varsity Swim Captain, Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association Academic AllState Award, International DECA qualifier, UMatter Board, Guys Club Committee Leader, Founder Berkley UMatter Club, NHS Elementary School Committee, BBYO Recruitment Leader, small business owner. Michigan State University

All our love, Mom, Dad, and Jamie continued on page 84

MAY 19 • 2022

, s n o i at l u at r g n o C ! s e at u d a r G 2 2 20 “Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be

happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” - Golda Meir Linda Hiller Novak, University of Michigan 1974 Frank Novak, University of Michigan 1999 Novak Real Estate Partners

LINDA HILLER NOVAK 248.408.7811 LINDA@NOVAKRETEAM.COM continued on page XX

FRANK NOVAK 248.563.7217 FRANK@NOVAKRETEAM.COM MAY 19 • 2022

Mazel Tov!

Eddie Berlin We are very proud of you! Good luck next year, the best is yet to come.

Love, Bubbie & Papa

Congratulations! Zach Frank

You never stop amazing us. We are so proud of you and your many accomplishments. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Love and Hugs, Grandma Peggy and Grandpa Dennis

Congratulations Noa Goldstein Noa, We are so proud of you and the amazing young woman you have become. We can’t wait to watch your next adventure!

We love you so! Mom, Dad, Eli & Riley Mimi & Papa, Nonnie & Jesse ParPar & MarMar, Mimi Bubbles 84

MAY 19 • 2022

cap&gown 2022 EVANN OLESHANSKY

Groves High School National Honor Society, President of Interact, Links Board, President Youth Action Board, Founder National Math Honor Society, Mensa Honor Society, Presidential Service Award, Coca-Cola Scholarship finalist, Varsity Golf and Tennis. University of Michigan

NOA SYLVIA SUNSHINE OSTROFF

Walled Lake Northern High School Varsity Tennis Capitan, JFS Teen Board, National Honor Society, Friendship Circle Girls Board, Honor Roll. Michigan State University

NOA PERGAMENT

Farber Hebrew Day School YU National Model U.N., UMatter Club and Teen Board, Mario Club, Jewish Fund Teen Board, Summer in the City, Southfield Police Department Badges & Books. Masa Israel-Aardvark Gap Semester/Oakland University

continued from page 82

LENNA PETERSON

Bloomfield Hills High School Summa cum laude, President’s Award for Academic Excellence, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, Editor-in-Chief Hawkeye newspaper, Forensics Limited Preparation Senior Captain & Broadcasting State Champion, Broken Leg Theatre Company Stage Manager, National History Day national finalist, National Federation of Temple Youth Michigan Regional President, Because We Care Club President, National Honor Society, International Thespian Society. Northwestern University

ALEXA PHILKO

Berkley High School National Honor Society, Varsity Dance Team Captain, Yearbook Editor and Business Manager, DECA International Qualifier, DECA Council, Huntington Woods Teen Council Coordinator, Jewish Federation Teen Board. Miami University

continued on page 86

MAY 19 • 2022

Congratulations! ETHAN MARCUS We are so proud of all of your accomplishments. Wishing you a life filled with success and happiness. We look forward to watching you on your journey through life. All our Love, Mom, Dad, Mason, Grandma Linda, Nana Cheryl, Papa Barry and Goldie

Mazel Tov! Matthew Weinstein We are so proud of you for graduating from Temple Israel High School, and Birmingham Groves HS. Congrats for also being accepted to the Purdue University − Krannert School of Business. We love you and wish you much success in the future. Much love, Bubbie, Papa z”l, Aunt Dena, Uncle Brad, Julie and Family.

Congratulations! EMMA FELDBERG To our favorite daughter who makes us smile everyday... we are so proud of all that you’ve accomplished and know there will be so much more to celebrate ahead. Go Blue!

xoxo Mom, Dad, Ari, Stella, & especially Lulu 86

MAY 19 • 2022

cap&gown 2022 DANIELLA PRESS

Farber Hebrew Day School Bnei Akiva head of volunteering, Jewish Fund Teen Board, National Honor Society, National Council of Synagogue Youth, Basketball. Yeshiva University

LINDSAY RANDEL

Frankel Jewish Academy Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Youth Ambassador, Jewish News Rising Star, JDRF Children’s Congress, Michigan Region’s Sh’licha, Aliyah BBG’s Chapter President, Excellence in Social Studies Award. Education First Gap Year/ University of Michigan

GENNA REID

Walled Lake Northern High School Varsity cheerleader. Eastern Michigan University

BRANDON RONES

West Bloomfield High School National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Robotics, Theater, Programming/coding. Wayne State University

continued from page 84

RAQUEL ROSENFELD

Livingston Classical Academy National Honor Society, Groves Service Award, National PTA Writing winner, TOA Scholar, Groves Scriptor Magazine contributor, High School Salutatorian, Dance, Art, Gymnastics, Hebrew School teaching assistant, Tamarack camper, CTEEN Western Trip, Camp Sternberg waitress, Friendship Circle volunteer. Touro College

LEXY ROSENWASSER Birmingham Groves Student Government President, Varsity Tennis Captain, UMatter Board, National Honor Society. University of Michigan

HANNAH ROSINSKI

North Farmington High School National Honor Society, United Farmington Figure Skating Team, Bronze level achievement award from U.S. Figure Skating. Michigan State University

continued on page 88

Photo taken by Les Gorback

Rikki Ann Aronoff

Ashley Nicole Fogel

Sydney Kate Harker

Rachel Sloane Perry

Jordyn Brooke Tepper

Carson Garrett Brodsky

Shayna Paige Foreman

Shelby Erin Kaufman

Sarah Paige Rudman

Charlie Hunter Tobias

Madison Hope Butler

Alexis Erin Forman

Seth Mitchell Kruger

Kira Anne Saroken

Andrew Robert Trepeck

Christopher Dean Caballero II

Jared Hayden Fox

Shaina Alyse Lazar

Emily Hannah Schneider

Britney Rose Wasserman

Alison Paige Chapnick

Mia Claire Frank

Ethan Harrison Marcus

Lilli Rachael Semel

Matthew Ryan Weinstein

Abby Lauren Chayet

Zachary Evan Frank

Mikki Hannah Mathis

Jadyn Nicole Shapiro

Dylan William Young

Skylar Brooke Elbinger

Evrett Cole Gechter

Isabella Peg Muchnick

Claire Hannah Spektor

Lindsey Jaclyn Zousmer

Zoe Eliza Goldman

Benjamin Rafael Hornsten Stern

5725 WALNUT LAKE ROAD, WEST BLOOMFIELD MI 48323 | WWW.TEMPLE-ISRAEL.ORG MAY 19 • 2022 | 87

Mazel Tov! JACK FREEMAN Jack, Use your mind, body, and soul to continue achieving great things and making a difference in the world. We are proud of your dedication to education and accomplishments.

With love, Mom, Dad, Henry, Stella, Bubbie, Poppa, Nona and Nono

Congratulations! ARI MATTLER The best is yet to come…. We love you so much, Bubbie and Papa

Noah Michaelson We are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments. As you pursue your passions, never stop believing in yourself and continue to follow your dreams. Dream big and celebrate your wonderful self. GO BLUE! Our love always, Grandma & Grandpa Nana & Papa

MAY 19 • 2022

cap&gown 2022 TALI RUBENSTEIN

Groves High School Groves Varsity Tennis, Teens Making a Difference Rising Star Recipient, Jewish Fund Teen Board, Shalom Hartman Emerging Jewish Thought Leaders Fellowship, National Ramah Camper Inclusion and Differentiation Weinstein Cohort participant. Indiana University

SARAH RUDMAN

Walled Lake Northern High School National Honor Society, Academic Honors, Volleyball, Tennis, BBYO, Madricha Temple Israel. Michigan State University

EMMA SALLE

Bloomfield Hills High School Summa cum laude, Sen. Peters Senatorial Recognition Award, Bloomfield Hills Optimist Club Youth Award, President, Bloomfield Hills Future Farmers of America, Yearbook Editor-in-Chief, Small group leader, National Honor Society, Student Ambassador and Global Leader, Studio A Company dancer. Ohio State University

continued from page 86

MADELINE SANDBERG

West Bloomfield High School AP Scholar with Distinction, National Honor Society, University of Michigan Regents Merit Scholarship, Student Leadership President, Varsity Field Hockey Captain, Varsity Tennis Captain, HOSA regional first place (20202022), Jewish Cultural Club President, Teen Volunteer Corps. University of Michigan

ISAAC SAULSON

Groves High School National Honor Society, ORT Teen Board, Federation Teen Board, Student Advisory Council, Big Brother/Big Sister, Yad Ezra volunteer, Varsity Tennis. University of Michigan

LINDSAY SCHLUSSEL

Frankel Jewish Academy National Honor Society, BBYO Chapter President, Jewish Fund Teen Board, Berkley High School Upstander. University of Michigan/ Kivunim Gap Year

BENJAMIN SCHMELTZ

LILLI SEMEL

Frankel Jewish Academy National Honor Society, Varsity Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, AllCatholic League-Soccer, JARC Teen Action Council, Technion Robotraffic Competition. University of Michigan

EMILY SCHNEIDER

Walled Lake Northern High School National Honor Society, High academic honors, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Tennis, Varsity Bowling, JV Basketball, Aliyah BBG board member and leadership class. Michigan State University

LEORA SCHOTTENSTEIN

Farber Hebrew Day School National Honors Society, Wrote two high school

plays. Oakland University

Walled Lake Central High School Magna cum laude, National Honor Society, Varsity Cross Country Team Captain, Varsity Track and Field, Scholar- Athlete, Jewish Fund Teen Board– Team Leader, Temple Israel Madricha, BBYO Michigan Region Regional Convention Coordinator, Friendship Circle volunteer, Student Pantry volunteer. Michigan State University

JADYN SHAPIRO

Bloomfield Hills High School Summa cum laude, National Honor Society, Figure Skating Team Captain, School Yearbook, Student Ambassador, ORT Teen Board, Youth Federation of Temple Israel, Care House and Forgotten Harvest volunteer. Michigan State University

Congratulations! Zachary Frank Dearest Zach, Grandpa and I are bursting with pride. You are talented and gifted and will take those qualities and be so successful in all that you do. You are so very caring and thoughtful.

Love you forever, Grandma & Grandpa Sturman

JONAH SHAPIRO

Bloomfield Hills High School Varsity Golf, Varsity Hockey, Freshman Baseball/JV Baseball, Scholar Athlete, National Honor Society, Senior Honors. Indiana University continued on page 90

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Congratulations! Alena Blumberg Michigan State University! We are beyond proud of all that you accomplished during the last four years. Your achievements will be the foundation for success as you start life’s next chapter! We love you so much! Mom, Dad, Sophie, Bubbe, Sol, Mema & Murphy

Mazel Tov! ALEX GADD

Love, Grandma Irene Border #3

Congratulations!

Mazel Tov! Nora Skolnik We are so proud of you Nora for all you have accomplished. You have grown into a kind, thoughtful, intelligent, and caring young woman. Onwards to great life experiences...the world awaits!

Love you always, Mom, Dad, Maya, Stella, Grandma, Nana, Eli, and Pearl

MAY 19 • 2022

ALEXA SHEPHERD

AVI SKOCZYLAS

SAMANTHA SHERMAN

NORA SKOLNIK

Bloomfield Hills High School Varsity Tennis, Friendship Circle Girls Presidential

I’m so proud of you and everything you have accomplished and can’t wait to see what you achieve at the University of Michigan and beyond! 3.6041 x 2.324

continued from page 89

Bloomfield Hills High School Ambassador for American Diabetes Association, Student Advisory Committee, National Honor Society. Michigan State University

Congratulations on your graduation from

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Board, Women’s Empowerment Club, Technical Crew, Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club. Michigan State University

LEAH SIMAKAS

International Academy Bloomfield Hills Valedictorian, Physics Departmental Award, Robotics Special Recognition Award, President of the Jewish Student Association, Chemistry Club Board, French Honor Society.

Farber Hebrew Day School National Merit finalist, President of Mario Club, National Honor Society, Synagogue Youth Leader, Author of Shlomo Man. University of Michigan Frankel Jewish Academy National Honor Society, Eight-overEighty interviewer, Jewish Senior Life, Soccer Captain, Student Government Class President, Friendship Circle volunteer. Michigan State University

JACOB SMALL

West Bloomfield High School Captain Varsity Ski Team, Varsity Cross Country, Scholar-

Athlete. Michigan State University

GRAHAM SMITH

Bloomfield Hills High School Magna cum laude, President’s Award for Educational Excellence, Food delivery volunteer, My COVID Response, Varsity Tennis. University of WisconsinMadison

Congratulations! SHOSHANA GEM SPRECHER

West Bloomfield High School National Honor Society, Varsity Equestrian Team, Laker Express Acapella Group, Numerous plays and musicals performer, Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association, Committee Chairperson Choir Board, Treasurer International Thespian Society. Michigan State University

ADAM STATE

Frankel Jewish Academy National Honor Society, AllSchool Vice President, JARC Teen Board, Medical Mission to Kenya, Assistant Captain, Royal Oak Hockey, Varsity Bowling. University of Michigan

ERYN STERN

Bloomfield Hills High School Summa cum laude, Newspaper Co-Editorin-Chief, Varsity Tennis Doubles Division 1 State Champion, Jewish Fund Teen Board, Key Club Co-President, DECA Co-Captain, DECA State Champion, Global Leader, Student Ambassador, Health Occupation Students of America Co-Captain, National Honor Society Small Group Leader, Temple Israel Madricha. University of Michigan

DANIEL STRYK

Frankel Jewish Academy AP Scholar, Excellency in Social Studies, Second place Technion Robotraffic Competition, administrative Assistant at a medical office, JARC volunteer. University of Michigan

REBECCA TAUBER

North Farmington High School Academic Achievement Award, National Honor Society for Dance Arts, Harrison Dance Company. Lawrence Technological University

Britney Wasserman

Congratulations! We are so proud of you and everything you have accomplished. We are very excited for the next chapter of your life at Michigan State University. May all your dreams come true! Love, Mom, Bob, Grandma and Grandpa

Mazel Tov! Charlie Finsilver We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished! May all your dreams and wishes come true. We love you, Mom, Dad, Frankie & Ruby, Nanny & Poppy, Bokka & Papa

Congratulations!

Carly Bernard We are so proud of you in every way and can’t wait to see what you do in your next chapter of life.

Lots of love, Mom, Dad, Alexa, Kaela, & Jace

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Congratulations! Evrett Gechter We are so proud of you graduating with honors from Royal Oak High School. Evrett was graduated from Temple Israel High School and belongs to the Youth Group. We love you so much! Mom, Dad, Trudy, Bubbie Z, and EC

Mazel Tov! Samantha Sherman We are so proud of you. We wish you lots of success. We love you very much!

Love, Mom, Dad and Matthew

Mazel Tov!

Lola Belchinsky

We are so proud of you and your accomplishments. May your future be filled with health and happiness and may all your dreams come true! Good luck at Wisconsin. GO BADGERS!

Love, Grandma, Popa, Lisa, Mom, Dad, and Ari

Mazel Tov! Abbey Weitzman We are so incredibly proud of you and all of your accomplishments. Wishing you a future filled with love, happiness, good health and success. May all of your wishes and dreams come true! We love you so much!!

Love, Mom, Dad and Jake Grammie, Bubbie and Papa Larry

MAY 19 • 2022

JN Cap & Gown

cap&gown 2022 JORDYN TEPPER

Bloomfield Hills High School National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Youth Federation of Temple Israel Executive Board, Softball, Blackhawk Award. Michigan State University

CHARLIE TOBIAS

Frankel Jewish Academy Varsity Baseball and senior captain, Varsity Basketball and senior captain, URJ Camp George counselor, Kever Avot volunteer. Michigan State University

ANDY TREPECK

Berkley High School National Honor Society, Co-Captain and MVP Varsity Tennis, OAA Tennis AllTeam Recognition and Scholar-Athlete, Temple Israel graduate. University of Michigan

continued from page 91

ANDREW TUKEL

Frankel Jewish Academy All-School President, National Honor Society, Cross Country Captain, Bowling Captain, All-League Academic Award, Jennifer Lanxner Scholarship, JARC Teen Council Founder/ President, Jewish News Rising Star Award, WWJ Radio Difference Maker Spotlight, Ahavat Tzion Club President, NCJW Award. University of Michigan

AVA USHER

Bloomfield Hills High School Dance Team, National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Bloomfield Jills Choir, Orchard Youth Board, Summa cum laude. University of WisconsinMadison

JOEL VAN LOON

Frankel Jewish Academy Weight Training, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Quiz Bowl, Fleischman/Meer volunteer, BBYO. Eastern Michigan University continued on page 94

Mazel Tov!

Bella Muchnick

Lindsay Schlussel

We couldn't be any prouder of you and all of your accomplishments! Continue to be the shining star that you are, and never stop dancing, dreaming, and believing in yourself because you can do anything you set your mind to do. We know you are destined for amazing things, and we cannot wait to see what your future holds. Wishing you much happiness and success always. Go blue!

We’ve watched with amazement as you’ve grown into a wise, resilient, and kind woman. We’re blessed to have a daughter and sister like you. Congratulations - you make us continually proud. Best of luck at Kivunim and then at the University of Michigan!

With much love and pride, Mom, Bubba and Max, Mimi and Papa, & Gibson

Love, Mom, Dad, Jacob, and Mia

Congratulations

ROYAL OAK HIGH SCHOOL

We wish you the BEST OF LUCK on whatever new adventure comes your way! royaloakschools.org MAY 19 • 2022

Congratulations! Joel Van Loon Dear Joel,

We wish you a future filled with good health & happiness! You are our shining star!!

Love,

Mimi & Papa

Mazel Tov! MAX FRIEDMAN To Our Max — Dream on. Work hard. Play smart. And continue to be the best version of yourself. The world is waiting. And you make us so proud!

We love you, Bubbie Sandy and Zayde Lenny

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AIDAN WARREN

Bloomfield Hills High School National Honor Society, Dale Carnegie graduate, Varsity

Wrestling. Michigan State University

BRITNEY WASSERMAN

Bloomfield Hills High School Summa cum laude, National Honor Society, Temple Israel Youth Group

Board. Michigan State University

DANIELLA WEIL

Congrats! Kate Michaels We are so proud of you today and look forward to such a bright future. On Wisconsin! We love you so much.

Love, Mommy, Daddy, Ryan, Bodhi and Harlow

Farber Hebrew Day School Student Council President, StandWithUs intern, National Council of Synagogue Youth Regional Board Vice President, Bnei Akiva Mazkira, National Honor Society. Yeshiva University

JONAH WEINBAUM

Berkley High School Graduating junior with honors, National Honor Society, Founder of Investment Club, First cellist Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Metro Detroit Youth Clubs volunteer, Henry Ford Karmanos and Sheridan assisted living volunteer pianist. University of Michigan

JOSH WEINGARDEN

North Farmington High School Varsity Tennis, Track, DECA, BPA, Student Senate Secretary. University of Michigan

MATTHEW WEINSTEIN

Groves High School Varsity Bowling, Varsity Track, School Ambassador, DECA, Investment Club, Friendship Circle. Purdue University continued on page 96

Congratulations! Mazel Tov! College Already??? From a beautiful baby to a beautiful young lady. MSU awaits Emma Cutler! Go Green! We love you, Baba & Zay

MAY 19 • 2022

Mazel Tov! Ariel Golnick You continually make us proud! Congratulations on graduating from The University of Alabama! Good luck at University of Michigan SEAS graduate school.

Love, Mom, Dad, and Rayna

Graduate Certificate Nadav Linial Joshua Scott Jason Wagner

Major

Emily Anfang Maxwell Russ Tori Spector Jillian Sturim Kathryn Todd David Zwick

Minor

Melanie Beal Sophie Einbund Noah Ente Noah Fisher Jordan Galperin Sawyer Howard Emme Kierstein Joshua Kornblum Ilana Moffet Allison Monto Sarah Pomerantz Josh Robbins Grace Roberts Jacob Schuman Ariana Schwartzberg Caroline Shrock Elizabeth Young Samantha Zuckerberg

Congratulations! Jacob Handler We are so proud of you and excited to see what your future holds. Enjoy everything about this next chapter of your life — you deserve it! We Love You! GO BLUE!!! Love, Mom, Dad, Nicolette & Cocoa

Frankel Center for Judaic Studies offers courses and degrees that help engage you in the world and plan for your future.

“Because learning leads to action.” -Talmud Kiddushin 40b Study issues that matter in today’s world Pursue careers in social services, law, education, business, and medicine Build personal connections with faculty and students through small classes and lively discussion at the forefront of Judaic Studies. lsa.umich.edu/judaic JudaicStudies@umich.edu

MAY 19 • 2022

Mazel Tov! Alexandra Van Loon Congratulations on your Graduation from Columbia College Chicago Honors College. It’s amazing what you have accomplished in just 3 years! We are incredibly proud of the person you have become and are excited to share in the next chapter of your life! We love you, Mom, Dad, Joel and Jack

Congratulations! Lindsay Randel Your kindness, determination, and drive have always made us so proud of you. Now, on to the adventure of a lifetime! We wish we could go, too! Love ya, Bubbie & Zayde

Mazel Tov! Joshua Geller The best is yet to come.... We love you so much, Bubbie and Papa

MAY 19 • 2022

cap&gown 2022 MAYA WEISBERGER

North Farmington High School Varsity Soccer senior captain, Volleyball, National Honor Society, LINK Crew leader, Class Board, Academic Honors Award, BBYO, First place Regional Design competition and second place in Engineering. Michigan State University

REBEKAH WEISKOPF

Northville High School National Honor Society, Summa cum laude, Academic Honors, KLAA ScholarAthlete, Varsity Pom Captain, Mustang Leadership Council, Temple Shir Shalom High School graduate, Shir Shalom Temple Youth President, Machonik, Willoway Day Camp counselor. Michigan State University

ABBEY WEITZMAN

Bloomfield Hills High School National Honor Society, Dale Carnegie Outstanding Performance Award, BBYO Chapter President, UMatter Board, The Hawkeye staff writer, School Student Ambassador. Michigan State University

continued from page 94

JOSEPH WINER

Farber Hebrew Day School Royal Oak Eagles Ice Hockey, Royal Oak Falcons Ice Hockey, Running Club founding member, Junior Varsity & Varsity Basketball, Varsity Basketball, Chess Club founding member, National Honor Society, Wayne State University STEM competition winner, Young Israel of Oak Park religious leader teen minyan, Bnei Akiva Detroit youth group leader. Yeshiva University

CLAIRE WOLFE

Royal Oak High School International Baccalaureate graduate, Academic Distinction, National Honor Society, Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus Section Leader, Madricha, Rugby, Track, Cross-country, Fundraiser for The Pink Fund. Arizona State University

continued on page 96

Matthew Weinstein Congratulations Matthew! We are so proud of you for graduating from Groves High School and Temple Israel. You are an incredible person and we can’t wait to see all that you will accomplish in life. Boiler Up! All our Love, Mom, Dad, Phillip, Finn, Bubbie Judy and Zadie Sydney

Mazel Tov! GRANT BURNSTEIN You have always been such a joy in our lives. May all your dreams and wishes come true!

We love you! Mom, Dad & Becca Grandma Joyce & Papa Steve Grandma Dana & David Karla & Sandy

Mazel Tov! JOSHUA MILLER You have made us so proud and we celebrate your achievements. Keep your eye on the ball and always swing for the fences. Go Green! With Much Love, Mom, Dad, Jonah & Talya

Mazel Tov! Noah Yaker Congratulations Noah! You have always marched to the beat of your own drum. You are a-MAIZE-ing AND true BLUE! Good Luck at Ross. Love you and am so proud of you, N9NNIE

Congratulations! AVA ROSE USHER Congratulations to our 2022 graduate! We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see what your future holds! Go Badgers! We love you! xoxo, Mom, Mike and Dad

Congratulations! Jacob Small

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We are so proud of you and wish you a lifetime of happiness. Always remember, there’s no limit to what you can do if you keep believing in yourself.

Love, Mom & Dad

Congratulations! JOSH CARLIN We are so incredibly proud of your graduation from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. We are proud of your accomplishments and the wonderful man you have become. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you! Your loving family

Congratulations!

Lexi Atler

We are so proud of you and know your future will be bright! All our love, Mom, Murray, Ally, Eden, Lexie, Isaac and Grandma

Congratulations!

Alexandra Van Loon

Dear Alexandra, We are so proud of you and your accomplishments in college. May all your dreams come true.

Love, Mimi and Papa

Mazel Tov!

BRANDON YAKER

Bloomfield Hills High School Varsity Hockey (Oakland Activities Association White Division Dream Team and First Team), Varsity Golf, Varsity B Tennis, Varsity Lacrosse, OAA Scholar-Athlete, School newspaper Sports Editor and Managing Editor, National Honor Society, Summa cum laude, USA Eagles Travel Hockey. University of Michigan

NOAH YAKER

Bloomfield Hills High School National Honor Society, Drum Line Section Leader, Varsity Lacrosse Captain, Varsity Tennis Captain, DECA, Big Buddies of Bloomfield Co-Founder, Friendship Circle Guys Board. University of Michigan 1/8

Andy Trepeck We continue to be so proud of you and all of your accomplishments! We wish you all the best in Ann Arbor Go Blue! With all our love, Mom Mom and Grandpa Kaufman & Mom Mom and Pop Pop Trepeck

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DYLAN YOUNG

Bloomfield Hills High School Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, Drum Major Marching Band, Detroit Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble, ASBDA National Honor Band, MSBOA All-State Band, MSBOA Spring Honors Band, National Honor Society, BBYO Regional Treasurer. University of Michigan

ARIANA ZUSEL

Bloomfield Hills High School Magna cum laude, Varsity Cheerleading, Yearbook, BBYO. Arizona State University

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Congratulations! Brandon Weingarden We wish you an amazing journey at the Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State. We know you will achieve great things in life — you are the greatest! We are so proud of you. So much love, Nanny and Grampy

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Congratulations! Rayna Golnick We are very proud of your accomplishments at Frankel Jewish Academy. We wish you all the happiness in the world and much success at the University of Michigan! Love, Mom, Dad, and Ariel

Mazel Tov! Aidan Warren Aidan, Always remember that you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you’ll ever know! We are so proud of you and we can’t wait to see what your future holds. Best of luck at MSU! With so much love, Mom, Dad, Ricki, Devin Grammie and Bubi

WEST BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT

MAY 19 • 2022

for college students by college students

May 19, 2022 / 18 Iyar 5782

JeMSA

(Jewish Medical Student Association)

Antisemitism Training Leah Rotenbakh } Jewish@edu writer

Leah Rotenbakh

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n the world of COVID, the I was scrolling through social media and noticed that atmosphere of school has a few classmates of mine posted insensitive and hateful changed completely. things about Israel and Zionism. Speaking with a few of While virtual learning has my Jewish classmates, I learned of similar experiences and increased, so has the even of some insensitive comments made to them directly. availability to hide I felt uncomfortable knowing that some students could be so behind your screen; open to hate as future medical professionals that will be taking and connecting care of a diverse patient population. with classmates Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Oakland has become University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB) and harder president of the Jewish Medical Student Association (JeMSA). During than ever my time as president, I wanted to make sure that no other students feel before. like they must hide a part of themselves to connect with others at school, especially if they are Jewish. I also wanted to ensure that my fellow future physicians were going to treat all patients without bias no matter who they are, where they come from or what they believe in. I contacted Hillel of Metro Detroit to help the Jewish Medical Student Association (JeMSA) construct a plan. We decided that antisemitism training led by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) would be appropriate to offer the OUWB student body. All students and faculty from the OUWB medical school were invited and encouraged to attend the session. There were about 30 participants on the Zoom call, with a majority being non-Jewish students who wanted to learn more about antisemitism and antibias. I was also pleasantly surprised to see multiple OUWB faculty members present and was thrilled to witness their commitment to their students. The training, led by Emily Snider of the ADL, lasted an hour and a half, and was concluded with a Q+A. OUWB students were shocked at how much they did not know about antisemitism and other forms of hate in the community. The students were thankful for the training and thought it was helpful to them as they transition Leah Rotenbakh from students to medical professionals. I am now more equipped to recognize is currently a bias-related incidents and how to report them and more comfortable knowing second-year medthat my classmates understand antisemitism and know what to look for. ical student at the Oakland University This opportunity was important to provide to my fellow students and the William Beaumont School 10 faculty members in attendance. It was a fantastic first step, and I hope of Medicine and served as that JeMSA will continue to educate and support their peers to benefit the 2021-2022 President of the the OUWB community as well as everyone our medical students will Jewish Medical Student Association. encounter in the future. @

MAY 19 • 2022

Gen and Zionism W Caitlin Bairdl } jewish@eduwriter

alking through the halls of my inclusive and diverse college campus, it is easy to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance no matter where you go. Students proudly express their own identities and individualism freely, knowing they are protected and safe to do so in a generation that is continuously pushing for tolerance. However, I began to realize that a part of my identity that I so confidently displayed was not only greatly misunderstood, but also put down by my fellow peers. This part of my identity was being a proud Zionist. I expressed this part of my identity by wearing my favorite hoodie almost every week. It was jet black with an Israeli flag on the back and a gold Star of David embroidered on the right shoulder. I began to notice the uncomfortable stares and negative attention this gathered as I walked past crowds of students on my way to class. I thought nothing much of the looks, until the glances and staring turned to odd comments and questions from near strangers. One student waiting in the same line as me in the cafeteria caught me off guard, “How could you support something so hateful?” he asked. Others commented throughout the day, “Israel is not a legitimate country” and “Israelis are oppressors.” Others seemed to just shy away as these comments were announced, with not a single student

Caitlin Baird and others in the Hillel of Metro Detroit Israel Fellowship program.

coming to the defense of Israel. Strange and misled opinions such as these took me to question: Does the younger generation truly understand what it means to be a Zionist? What relation, if any, do they have to the IsraelPalestine conflict that provides them with such a mindset? In an effort to understand, I interviewed 90 students from three local colleges (30 at each campus). Students were asked if they were familiar with the term Zionism and if they could provide a definition of the concept, as well as their thoughts toward the State of Israel if any. An overwhelming majority of students, 78 total, were unfamiliar with the term Zionism and did not understand what it meant to be a Zionist. However, these same students who were unfamiliar with the concept of Zionism were quick to answer the second question. Forty nine of the 78 students expressed negative opinions toward the State of Israel. With further inquiry as to why they felt the way they did, many students spoke of influence they have had from the BDS movement and other anti-Israeli sentiments. Forty of these students were unable to provide the correct acronym for BDS or a precise reasoning for their support of the movement. As for the students who were familiar with Zionism, eight replied with intense opposition of the State of Israel, three responded with sup-

port and the remaining student expressed indifference. Upon viewing these results and witnessing the attitudes expressed during the interviews, a realization was made that many students hold anti-Israel sentiment views without understanding the conflict or history of the State itself. Many students are not exposed to the other end of the argument in the Israel-Palestine conflict as well. At the end of each interview, I informed the individual student that I myself was a Zionist and asked what their opinion was of me in regards to now knowing this. The majority of students responded politely and/or indifferently. Four students responded surprised with the statement “But you seem so nice” or “I wouldn’t have guessed that about you.” However, most of the remaining students responded quite negatively and left abruptly. This has enlightened me that representation of Zionist views is near absent on college campuses and among the younger generation. For progress to be made, and for our younger generation to have a solid base for their beliefs, representation of pro-Israeli views should be brought to light and to the attention of our youth. @ Caitlin Baird is a third-year linguistics student at Oakland University. She recently completed Hillel of Metro Detroit’s Israel Fellowship program. MAY 19 • 2022

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for college students by college students

Wayne State Celebrates Israel Adi Siegmann } jewish@edu writer Grilling dinner for Bedouin Culture Night

WSU Students for Israel at Bedouin Culture Night

fter a year of creative programming during lockdown, the opportunity to engage with Jewish students on campus was a thrill. This academic year, I served as president of Students for Israel at Wayne State. With the help of my vice president, Tania Miller, and Hillel of Metro Detroit’s Arad Kauf, we pulled off a year filled with amazing programs. Our goal was to have an all-encompassing line of programs, showing off as many pieces of Israel we could. We had Israeli Shabbat dinners, Anti-Defamation League training, a Bedouin bonfire and plenty of other amazing events. Personally, my favorite event of the year was our bonfire night. Renting out a space in Core City, a small neighborhood off Wayne State’s campus, we swung a movie and a dinner not to be forgotten. We watched Sand Storm, a drama set in a small Bedoin town in southern Israel. We were lucky enough to have a clear night sky following the film.

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While the students caught the movie, we cooked a delicious meal. The night helped everyone take a load off school, COVID and everything else life throws at us. We all came together to see a unique piece of Israel, that still at its core was Jewish. Keeping a Jewish focus in all Israeli programming was always a priority for us. Israel at its heart is unavoidably and unapologetically Jewish, and that is what we aimed to be. Though we were able to meet in person, we still had to work around COVID-19 safety protocols. Masks and 6 feet apart were a priority as always, but anything is better than the upteenth Zoom for students. Classes were hybrid, meaning some were in person again while others remained online. So, to do anything in person, regardless of safety protocols, was welcomed by board members and students alike. When I first came to Wayne, I made it my mission to meet a diverse group of students and faculty, with the Jewish community far from a pri-

ority. I settled into a fraternity, made friends and found my footing. When the pandemic hit, Hillel came to provide dinners and online programming so we could still socialize even when we were stuck at home. The following fall, I hopped into the Applebaum internship with Hillel to show others how much Hillel can do for you. Meeting with students and helping with events was a thrill, so much so that when I was offered a spot with Students for Israel (SFI), I joined immediately. This is my last year here at Wayne State, so I chased after a fulfilling year as much as possible. Hillel of Metro Detroit offered me opportunities left and right, and my president spot was no exception. It was a challenge but a treat to lead my board and create meaningful programs all year. SFI has taught me plenty, and I am thankful I was able to contribute to my local Jewish community. @ Adi Siegmann is graduating from Wayne State University with a psychology degree.

ARTS&LIFE POETRY

Janet Ruth Heller

Inspired by Nature

West Michigan-based poet’s new volume is Nature’s Olympics. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

anet Ruth Heller likes to joke that her first publisher was her first-grade teacher. It happened after the woman gave a poetry writing assignment to Heller’s entire Milwaukee class and learned of the many poems the youngster had written. The teacher especially liked a verse about the emerging poet’s flying a kite with her dad, mimeographed it and gave a copy to each of the other students. “Twenty-five copies of purple ink,” Heller happily recalled. Some 65 years later, Heller happily has released her fourth poetry book, Nature’s Olympics (Wipf and Stock Publishers), which uses outdoor images to probe penetrating ideas, some delving into Judaism. “I have been devoted to nature since I was a little girl,” said Heller, a retired university professor

living in Portage. “My dad taught me about trees and plants and stars and animals, and I absorbed his love of nature. “The poems in this book were written over a lot of my life. The oldest poems were written when I was an undergraduate in college. The most recent were written in 2021. “There isn’t just one theme, but there are some related themes. For example, I find nature very comforting so some of the poems speak about my having a bad day or being in a state of despair and having some encounter with the natural world that changes my mood and my outlook on life completely.” “Haven,” for instance, was written after Heller walked beside a

Wisconsin lake and chanced upon a beautiful garden, which she imagines would be like finding Eden. “Unveiling” becomes an elegy for her father as it describes his influence in sharing a love for nature with his children. “I have nature poems in my other books, but this book is all nature poetry,” Heller said. In contrast, an earlier Heller book, Exodus, modernizes Midrashim. She presents interpretations and psychological explorations of people and events in the Bible. Heller uses the central metaphor of the exodus from Egypt to explore the journey people take when deciding to take on new experiences. Individual poems address leaving a bad relationship, finding a new job and taking risks. Many of the poems are dramatic monologues from characters in the Jewish scriptures. Heller’s poems have appeared in anthologies and Jewish periodicals, such as Studies in American Jewish Literature, Shofar and The Jewish Quarterly. “I read an essay about Edna St. Vincent Millay when I was in junior high, and that’s the first time it occurred to me that I could be a woman writer,” said Heller, also a writer of produced plays and children’s books, including The Passover Surprise. “I always liked to write, and my teachers encouraged me. In high school, I was on the staff of the literary magazine. I was also on the staff of the literary magazine at Oberlin College and Conservatory in Ohio, where I was double majoring in English and Spanish.” After earning bachelor’s and

master’s degrees in English at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, she earned a doctoral degree in English language and literature from the University of Chicago. Along the way, she studied Hebrew and Hebrew literature. Heller, who moved to Michigan in 1989, has taught at many colleges around the state, including Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University and Western Michigan University. A member of Temple B’nai Israel in Kalamazoo, her career also has included teaching and administrative jobs at Hebrew schools. Heller and her husband, former long-time elementary teacher Michael Krischer, reinforce their devotion to the natural world with retirement activities. Together, they care for a garden, replete with raspberries, on their property. While she prefers hiking, he favors bicycling and is a board member of the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club. “I do a lot of work for nonprofit organizations right now, and I’m president of the Michigan College English Association, which holds an annual conference where people present both creative writing and scholarly work virtually and in person,” said Heller, whose own creative projects have addressed issues of bullying and antisemitism based on her experiences. “I’m also very active in my synagogue, especially with what we call the Green Team. We’re working on ways to make the synagogue more environmentally conscious. For example, we are involved in installing solar panels. We have a charging station for electric vehicles in our parking lot and a compost bin.” And in line with a vastly expressed appreciation of nature, Heller remains intent on the synagogue use of environmentally conscious ways of gardening and landscaping. MAY 19 • 2022

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ARTS&LIFE BOOK REVIEW

Rescued Yiddish Stories

A review of Fear and Other Stories by Chana Blankshteyn, translated by Anita Norich. LOUIS FINKELMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Anita Norich

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MAY 19 • 2022

hana Blankshteyn had amassed a world of experience in the 1920s, when, in her 60s, she took up writing fiction in Yiddish. Born in Vilna around 1860, she had traveled to France and Germany as a young girl to further her education, had married and divorced and then married again, moved to Kiev with her second husband, and, after her second divorce, lived with a married daughter in St. Petersburg. Blankshteyn served as a nurse in the Russian army during WWI, before returning to her native Vilna to a career as a social worker, political candidate, founder of a women’s rights organization, publisher and, eventually, fiction writer. Her fiction first appeared in Yiddish periodicals in Vilna; nine of the stories were republished in a collection titled Noveles (Novelas). The book appeared in July 1939, two weeks before the author died, and a couple of months before the Germans conquered Poland. Blankshteyn, a sensitive observer of the change in Jewish Vilna, was thus spared encountering what would happen. Most of the book’s intended readers were murdered; the book almost totally disappeared; likewise any memory of the author.

STORIES GET A NEW LIFE But Anita Norich, professor emerita of English and Jewish Studies at the University of Michigan, came across a surviving copy at the Center for Jewish History in New York City. Norich now presents Blankshteyn’s book of short stories in English translation as Fear and Other Stories (Wayne State University Press, 2022). In these stories, we meet a variety of Jews and non-Jews in modern Europe. In Paris, an artist’s model keeps a painting by her late husband, depicting Jewish men praying in a synagogue in his distant birthplace. She explains her sentimental attachment to that painting to her daughter. As her career wanes, the woman sells the painting and eventually abandons her daughter. Memory of that painting remains the daughter’s one weak connection to her Jewish roots, until . . . In another story, a studious young woman celebrates her graduation — first in her class in mathematics — by allowing herself to attend a graduation picnic with other university students. She feels flattered by the attention of a handsome and confident male student, but when she drowses, her subconscious discomfort surfaces in fantastic dreams. In another, an up-and-coming communist leader has a problem: His fiancée, a plain and quiet girl, insists on marrying under a chuppah. She has promised that to her Chasidic grandfather. Her fiance has been giving speeches in favor of the new decree against religious wedding ceremonies. He could certainly find a more glamorous match, but . . . A resourceful young woman deals with strained circumstances: Her husband went off to war and then chose not to return to her. As a single mother, Sheyndele used a small fund from her uncle in Africa to finance her university education in biology and now works

in a laboratory. She is preparing her first article for publication in a scholarly journal. Her quiet life seems in order, until an intriguing stranger, an American engineer, takes a romantic interest in her. CONNECTION TO HISTORY The troubled political history of Eastern Europe figures in several of these stories, most sharply in the story that begins: “This morning, once again, control of the city again changed hands. One set of occupiers retreated, another took over, but it didn’t make much of an impression. People were used to such changes. In a few days, the steel helmets would surely return.” Vilna indeed had changed hands several times in Blankshteyn’s lifetime. It belonged to the Russian empire in her youth and to Germany during the Great War. Right after the War, the Soviet Union made it the capital of the LithuanianByelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic until Poland claimed it. In 1922, Lithuania claimed it again. Poland took it back in 1922, although Lithuania protested. Vilna experienced uncertainty, fear and downward mobility, along with rising antisemitism, even before the coming catastrophe. In one of these stories, a soldier remains in Vilna as his army retreats. He rents a room. He tries to call as little attention to himself as possible, a blond non-Jew disappearing among the Jews of Vilna if he can. An officer in the next invading army looks for him, though. Escaping from his room, the deserter can find places to hide, but no food or drink. When he comes out of hiding, the Jews give him food and drink, but the army returns to kill him. One young woman tries to stand with him, but her father restrains her, saving her life. In another story, new antisemitic decrees affect the director of the largest local

sugar factory. He has achieved a comfortable life, with a large house, a wife and even a mistress, and, most important to him, a respected career. Then the Germans come to enforce Aryan control of businesses. German soldiers round up the Jewish employees and arbitrarily shoot and kill two of them. The director contemplates his future in these new circumstances, for the Germans will not let him continue in his post. Jews have courage, he thinks, but he wonders how much he remains a Jew. In the title story, “Fear,” a businessman traveling by train uses a 15-minute stopover efficiently to get a quick bite. When he mistakenly returns to a different train — a sealed train carrying prisoners — a soldier nearly shoots him to death. The businessman realizes that a moment’s inattention can end his seemingly secure life, and he suddenly understands the awesome power of merely staying alive. Blankshteyn presents sturdy stories, built around strong male and female characters who seem real, who deal with significant challenges as best they can. Her stories (as they appear in Norich’s translation) seem plain and direct, artfully concealing their literary sophistication. The author adds just a few touches of embellishment, describing, for example, how the colors of nature reflect the emotions of her characters. One embellishment concludes the story “Colleague Sheyndele.” Sheydele and her American friend go for a walk when he unexpectedly kisses her. She is frightened but also attracted. We do not learn how their relationship ends, but the story ends gracefully: “Behind them, the light snow covers their steps. In front of them, the lights of the town swim in yellow fog. From above, the young crescent moon bends down to the ground, curious.”

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105

ARTS&LIFE CELEBRITY NEWS

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MAY 19 • 2022

JAY GODWIN

Michael Stuhlbarg

Michael Aloni

Netflix streams “tons of stuff,” but provides such minimal descriptions on its website that it is easy to not know that the film or mini-series has a lot of Jewish content. Few Netflix foreign offerings (except Israeli) have Jewish content, so anyone interested in such content has a very hard time finding the few (foreign) Jewish offerings. A case in point is Heirs of the Land, a Spanish-made series that began streaming its second season in April. The brief website description gives no clue that this season is largely about the lives of Spanish Jews in the late 1300s. (In 1492, Jews were forced to leave Spain if they didn’t agree to convert to Catholicism). Kudos to the person who told the Jewish Telegraph Agency (JTA) about the series. They posted a quite good article (May 5), 10 days after Heirs premiered and that’s how I become aware of this series. Heirs follows the life of a Catholic young man. The first season had little Jewish content. However, the eight-episode second season finds this man in trouble and taking refuge with a Jewish family. The JTA reports that “Heirs

takes a deep dive into what it meant to live as a Jew in Spain at the time, when the strictly Catholic country began its descent into organized persecution of minorities.” On May 20, Netflix will release The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem, an award-winning Israeli TV series. This 10-episode series is based on a best-selling novel by Sarit YishaiLevi, 75. Beauty’s main cast includes Michael Aloni, 38, the star of the Israeli mega-hit series Shitsel. Beauty follows a Sephardic, Jerusalembased family during the Ottoman Empire (before 1917), the British Mandate (1919-1948) and the Israeli War of Independence (194749). Variety says, “[The series] is lush with mysterious powers, forbidden loves and Israeli history.” The Hollywood Reporter reported last week that five of the six original members of the cast of That ’70s Show will make guest appearances in a new Netflix series titled That ’90s Show. That ’70s Show was a big hit and aired from 19982004. The new series is set in 1995. It focuses on Leia, the daughter of (original characters) Eric and Donna. It follows Leia as she visits Eric’s parents for the summer. The original cast co-starred as six (supposedto-be) teenagers. They were Topher Grace (as Eric). Grace’s paternal grandfather was Jewish; Laura Prepon, now 42 (as Donna). Prepon’s father is Jewish.

Mila Kunis

She is married to actor Ben Foster, 41, who was raised in his father’s Jewish faith; Wilmer Valderrama (as Fez); Mila Kunis, now 38 (as Jackie); Ashton Kutcher (as Kelso); and Danny Masterston (Hyde). Masterson won’t be in the new series (see below). Kutcher is married to Kunis. While he has not converted to Judaism, his interest in Kabbalah has been strong and ongoing for decades. It appears that he knows Hebrew, and he is well-acquainted with Judaism. He’s often traveled to Israel for personal and business reasons. Kunis, who was born in Ukraine, came to the United States when she was 7. Her family received resettlement aid from HIAS (formerly known as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society). HIAS, as it known now, helps refugees of any background. Since last March, Kunis and Kutcher have raised more than $30 million to aid Ukrainian refugees. In 2017, four women accused Masterson of rape (charges he denied). He was indicted for one rape in 2020 and will stand trial this coming August.

COLLIDERVIDEO

DID HE DO IT? TWO SEPHARDI SERIES ON NETFLIX, THAT ’70S RE-BOOT The Staircase, an original eight-episode HBO Max series, premiered on May 5. Three episodes were released then; remaining episodes premiere on following Thursdays. It’s based on a real case. In 2001, novelist Michael Peterson (played by Colin Firth) was accused of killing his wife. She was found dead at the bottom of a staircase. Peterson said he was outside and didn’t hear her fall. Almost all reviews of the HBO series are positive, with Firth singled out for praise. Peterson was represented by David Rudolph, a seasoned defense attorney (played by Michael Stuhlbarg, 57). Records I’ve checked make me almost certain that Rudolph is Jewish. A French company made a 10-part English language documentary (also called The Staircase) as the trial was proceeding. It made a follow-up three-part documentary after the verdict. The case became an international sensation after all 13 episodes appeared on Netflix.

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PEOPLE | PLACES | EVENTS

THRILLING THURSDAY 10-11 AM, MAY 19 Children ages 0-4 and their favorite adults are invited to come play in person at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. Join Lindsay Mall for a Rhythm and Ruach class, with songs, gross motor activity and more. $5 donation per family per session suggested donation. For information, contact Ari Reis at areis@shaareyzedek. org. FAMILY FARM DAY 10 AM-NOON, MAY 22 At Oakland Avenue Urban Farm, 9227 Goodwin St., Detroit. In collaboration with Downtown Synagogue, Dor Hadash and Repair the World. A fun morning of farm work and Jewish learning. Come dressed for the weather. In case of rain, we will be in an indoor greenhouse. Info: hello@downtownsynagogue. org. A CONCERT 2 PM, MAY 22 The Zekelman Holocaust Center and the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance will present Music From Auschwitz: A Concert. The free performance, followed by refreshments, will feature 10 short musical pieces arranged by Polish political prisoners who were members of the men’s orchestra in the Auschwitz I camp. A University of Michigan student orchestra led by conductor Oriol Sans will perform the original musical pieces interspersed with lines — spoken by the singers — from testimonies and interviews with members of the Auschwitz I men’s orchestra after the war. Register for this free concert at holocaustcenter.org/May or call (248) 556-

2511 by May 20. LOW-IMPACT EXERCISE 10:30-11:30 AM, MAY 23 Jim Berk hosts participants in person at Congregation Shaarey Zedek for gentle stretching and exercises. Cost: $5 per person per session, payable directly to Jim Berk at the conclusion of each class. For additional information, call the synagogue office at 248-357-5544.

INSIDER’S TOUR 2-4 PM, MAY 23 The Jewish Historical Society of Michigan has organized a trip to see “Jewish Connections to Detroit Central Market” at The Henry Ford. Join us for an exclusive look at a storied piece of Jewish history. This 1860 vegetable shed was once part of Detroit’s Central Market, before being rescued by The Henry Ford. Curator of Agriculture and the Environment Debra Reid gives a behind-the-scenes look at the shed and its architect, Dankmar Adler. The tour begins with remarks at 2 pm at The Henry Ford’s Benson Ford Research Center, followed by a visit to the shed in Greenfield Village. Scooters and wheelchairs will be available. Info: info@michiganjewishhistory.org. L’CHAIM DETROIT 5:30-7:30 PM, MAY 24 Sponsored by NEXTGen

FEDERATION’S REMIX 7 PM, MAY 26 Detroit. A happy hour at 24 Seconds Bar & Grill, 3071 12 Mile, Berkley. Register in advance for $5, and your first drink is on us. Grab a seat on the rooftop deck for a fabulous view and some great appetizer and drink specials Register online, jlive.app/ events/2237, before May 23 to receive a drink ticket. REMIXED BEIT MIDRASH 7 PM, MAY 24 Adat Shalom Synagogue invites you to explore with Rabbi Dan Horwitz why we customarily eat dairy foods on Shavuot; while learning, sample delicious cheeses with master cheesemonger Zach Berg. Register on https:// jlive.app/events/2092. NEW MINI GOLF MAY 25-SEPT. 25 Cranbrook Art Museum invites visitors to experience a new dimension of its historic campus with the launch of Cranbrook on the Green, an artist-designed outdoor miniature golf course located on the grounds outside of Cranbrook Art Museum. The course will be open from 11 am to sunset Wednesday through Sunday of each week. A special Cranbrook Art Members preview weekend will be held May 21–22. Each of the nine holes of the course is inspired

by a different element of Cranbrook’s historic campus and history. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance via Cranbrook Art Museum’s website, which will be sold by time slot. Each ticket also includes free admission to the galleries to explore other exhibitions also on view at Cranbrook Art Museum. FEDERATION’S REMIX 7 PM, MAY 26 Sponsor: Federation’s Affinities Department. At M1 Concourse Event Center, 1 Motorsports Drive, Pontiac. Laid-back, outdoor concert featuring live music from Your Generation. Throw on a treasured concert tee and come casual and ready to rock for this adults-only evening out. There’ll be food, an open bar and surprises in store. This event is intended for Gen Xers. Dietary laws observed. Choose General Admission ($50 per person includes food, drinks and on-site parking); or VIP Seating (a table for you and five friends for the show, $500 includes six individual tickets). Contact Jodi at feld@ jfmd.org or Karen at kaplan@ jfmd.org. Compiled by Sy Manello/Editorial Assistant. Send items at least 14 days in advance to calendar@thejewishnews. com. MAY 19 • 2022

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109

A Dedicated Health Professional

r. Maurice Reizen, former director of the Your active involvement in the development of Michigan Department of Public Health, the public health code has led to a legacy that passed away at the age of 103. He left with will stand for years as one of the most modern a long list of degrees, honors, awards and achieve- and comprehensive public health codes in the ments that are his legacy. country. It was a landmark piece of legislation Maurie was born in Detroit in to which other states have looked for 1919 to Max and Minna Reizen. guidance and inspiration. Your counHe attended Durfee intermediate sel has always reflected your deep school and graduated from Central concern for the health of the citizens High School. He spent his summers of Michigan. I can think of few who as a camp counselor and waterfront have served in leadership positions director at Camp Nahelu, which he in the state who have more warmth, loved; he spent the next four years compassion and understanding for getting a bachelor’s degree from the humanity.” University of Michigan. After that, One of Maurie’s proudest moments he enrolled in the newly formed was when he was awarded the Roy R. University of Michigan School of Manty distinguished service award in Public Health. 2013. In the nomination, it was said, Dr. Maurice Reizen Meanwhile, he met his wife-to-be, “Dr. Maurice Reizen’s legacy in public Leanor, in the choral union at the University of health is unmatched. Throughout his long and Michigan. stellar career, Dr. Reizen achieved local, stateThe Army called Maurie after he had completwide and national recognition as an advocate for ed the coursework for his degree, but he did not individual and community health. The public have time to write his thesis. health code that Reizen and a team of public It was good fortune that Maurie was accepted health officials wrote has been copied by many into the medical administration officer candidate other states. Some of his other notable achieveschool. He spent the next four years at various ments are: advocating for flouridated drinking military locations, being discharged with honor as water, a well-baby clinic at Cristo Rey in Lansing, a captain in 1945. securing funding for many local health causes, After the service, Maurie made it his number teaching and mentoring public health students, one priority to complete his masters’ thesis. He and expanding the state’s rubella immunization was awarded a master of science in public health program to vaccinate more than 90 percent of the at U-M, and then enrolled at the University of state’s young children.” Rochster Medical School, where he earned his Even in his retirement years, he maintained a M.D. consulting role, volunteered in the health comAs a doctor, he opted to practice family medimunity and served on various boards to lend his cine at the Memorial Clinic in Warren. At some expertise. point, he felt the need to return to his first love As his son, Mark, and daughter, Nancy, said, and accepted the position as director of the “Dad was honest, honorable, just and fair. He was Ingham County Health Department in Lansing. one of a kind and he will be greatly missed.” During his three years there, the public health Dr. Reizen is survived by his son, Mark; and code was conceived, nurtured and brought to fru- his daughter, Nancy (Howard) Serlin; grandchilition, the spacious Bake-Olin west building was dren, Jason Reizen, Jennifer Matley, Daniel (Miry designed and completed, and Michigan moved to Bernard) Serlin, David (Dana Shapiro) Serlin; the forefront nationally in programs designed to great-grandchildren, Molly Matley, Cameron cope with toxic chemicals in the environment. Matley, Andrew Serlin, Leia Serlin (fiancé, Carter In 1970, Gov. Milliken selected Maurie to be Fox), Ludy Serlin and Olivia Serlin. director of the Michigan Department of Public He was the beloved husband of the late Leanor Health, where he remained until his retirement. Grossman Reizen; father of the late Bruce Reizen; On the occasion of his retirement, the goverbrother of the late Alice Reizen Sklansky; brothernor sent him a letter which stated: “In your in-law of the late Morris Sklansky; great-grandfatenure as director of the Michigan Department ther of the late Griffin Matley. of Public Health, you have led the department A memorial service will be held at a future through some of its finest times as well as date. Condolences may be shared with the family some of the state’s most troublesome times. at familyfuneralcarekeego.com.

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OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY

FRIEDA APPLEBAUM, 103, of West Bloomfield, died May 9, 2022. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Eva Applebaum; daughter and son-in-law, Lois and Jerry Beznos; grandchildren, Daniel and Janet Applebaum, Rachel and Hayden Milberg, and Lauren and David Grossman; great-grandchildren, Ezra and Arlo Grossman, Asher and Naomi Milberg. Mrs. Applebaum was the beloved wife of the late M. Lawrence Applebaum; the loving sister of the late Max and the late Minnie Millman, the late Bertha and the late Jerry Friedman, and the late Eva and the late Mark Chessler. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202, dia.org/support/ donate; Cranbrook Educational Community, Development Dept. 77428, P.O. Box 77000, Detroit, MI 48277-0428, schools.cranbrook.edu/giving/ways-to-give; Friendship Circle, 6892 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, friendshipcircle.org/donate; or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. SANDRA M. ARFA, 79, passed away May 5, 2022, in Madison, Wisconsin. Sandy was director of the University of Wisconsin’s program for English as a Second Language for international students

and faculty. She earned her undergraduate degree at University of Wisconsin in Madison and graduate studies at UCLA and Harvard University. She and her husband, Allan David, lived abroad for many years and traveled the world extensively. Sandy was sent by the University of Wisconsin to establish language education and training programs on all four continents, including major projects in South Korea, Kazakhstan, Uruguay, Bolivia and Turkey. Mrs. Arfa was the beloved wife for nearly 50 years of Allan David Arfa. She is survived by her children, Jessica Arfa (Dr. Steven “Shimon”) Rudnick of Seattle, Wash., and Benjamin (Laura Rafson) Arfa of Louisville, Ky.; grandchildren, Roland (“Rolly”) Rudnick, Eric (“Rocky”) Rudnick and Silas Arfa. she was the sisterin-law of Janet Abramson Borson; aunt of Jay (Joanna) Abramson. In addition, she leaves many colleagues and friends. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Beth Israel Center of Madison, Wisconsin, 1406 Mound St., Madison, WI 3711, bethisraelcenter.org; or Chabad of Madison, 1722 Regent St., Madison, WI 53726, chabadmadison. com. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ALAN BARRY, 79, of Commerce Township, died May 10, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Karen Barry; son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Jill Barry; daughter and sonin-law, Laura and Scott Kay;

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Devoted to Helping Those in Need

r. Arthur Klass, M.D., a resident when he retired. When he did hang up of Sarasota, Fla., and former the stethoscope to become a consultant long-time resident of West with Blue Cross Blue Shield, he had long Bloomfield, died peacefully at home on distinguished himself as one of the most May 9, 2022, after bravely battling respected and trusted years’ long health issues. board-certified gastroenArthur was born in Rochester, terologists in the state. N.Y., in 1929, just as the Great But his career was Depression descended on the only part of his proudnation. While the struggles est accomplishments. defined the times, Arthur’s In Detroit, Arthur met memories were filled with joyful and married his beautifamily moments of drinking tea ful wife, Judy. Together, at his bubbie and zaydie’s house, they raised four chilwith a dollop of strawberry jam dren he greatly loved; sweetening each cup; going to and he doted on a bevy Dr. Arthur Klass the Empress Theatre on Clinton of adored and lovingly Avenue with his brother, David, spoiled dogs and cats for 10-cent movies (that included ice (and a robin redbreast named Pretty cream); and looking forward to his Bird.) mom’s incredible chocolate cake each As an intellect and lifelong education birthday. advocate, Arthur was a voracious reader After losing his mother when he was of medical journals, newspapers, novels only 11, Arthur, his father, brother and and biographies; he enjoyed conversaclose-knit family supported one anothtions that challenged and nurtured his er; as years went by, he set his sights insatiable curiosity and love of learning. on becoming a physician. He worked He appreciated great art, had a yen for tirelessly to pay for his education, and travel, basked in the beauty of classical his determination paid off. Arthur music and regularly trounced his youngreceived his bachelor of science degree est daughter in gin rummy. at University of Rochester and was then He was the kind of person you could admitted to the University of Buffalo always depend on. He had a dry wit and Medical School, where he proudly earned subtle sense of humor that could take his M.D. credentials in 1956. you by surprise in a wonderful way. He He served as captain in a mash unit in genuinely made the world a better place. South Korea for one year and received Dr. Klass is survived by his wife, Judith the Army Commendation Medal in 1961 Ann Klass; children, Susan Klass, Nikki for going above and beyond as he com(Bruce) Ingber, Michael (Gaia) Klass and mitted himself to helping those in need. Melissa Siegler; grandchildren, Amelia Once back in the States, Arthur enterKlass, Bridget Klass, Matthew Ingber, tained an offer to practice in San Diego, Megan Ingber, Aaron (Jessica) Ingber Calif., but instead, accepted a position and Joshua Mendelson; great-grandin Detroit, where he became head of the daughter, Scarlett Ingber; and his beloved G.I. Department at Sinai Hospital and dog and granddog, Sasha and Berty. one of the pioneers of G.I. laser applicaAt his wishes, no service is planned. To tions, leading to the hospital’s then-desig- honor Dr. Klass, the family asks for connation as “the most extensive multi-disci- tributions in lieu of flowers to one of the plinary laser unit” in the country. following: St. Jude Children’s Research At his core, Arthur loved being a docHospital (st.jude.org); Florida Rescue tor. In turn, his patients loved him, writFarm (floridarescuefarm.org); Planned ing him letters, poems and heartfelt notes Parenthood (plannedparenthood.org).

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grandchildren, Maxwell and Gavin Barry, and Cameron and Jeremy Kay; brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael and Cathy Barry, and Gordon Barry. Mr. Barry was the devoted son of the late Julius and the late Lillian Barry. Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Variety the Children’s Charity, 600 S. Adams, Suite 230, Birmingham, MI 48009, variety-detroit.com; or City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, cityofhope.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. RICHARD N. DONER, 72, of Orlando, Fla., died May 6, 2022. He is survived by his daughter and son-inlaw, Jessica Doner and Nicholas Smedes; sister and brotherin-law, Jill Doner Kagle and Steven Kagle; sister, Jacqueline Doner Moore; grandson, Artemis Grey Doner Smedes; many other loving relatives and friends. Mr. Doner was the devoted son of the late Milton J. Doner and the late Ilsa Haas Doner. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to an animal shelter of one’s choosing. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. MELVIN FREEMAN, 79, of West Bloomfield, died May 10, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Norrine Freeman; sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey and Maria Freeman, Joel and Randi Freeman; grandchildren, Henry and Jack Freeman, Rayna and Peri Freeman; brother-in-law, Sheldon Koven; many loving cousins. Mr. Freeman was the devoted son of the late Frank and the late Rae F. Freeman. Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may

be made to Parkinson’s Foundation of Michigan, 30400 Telegraph Road, Suite 150, Bingham Farms, MI 48025, parkinsonsmi.org; Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323, temple-israel.org/ tributes; or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. ROSE G. FREEDMAN, 101, of West Bloomfield, died May 10, 2022. She is survived by her son and daughterin-law, Michael and Nanci Freedman of Birmingham; daughter, Wendy Freedman of West Bloomfield; sister, Sylvia Smaller; sisters-in-law, Mae Fink-Woodberg, Alyce Freedman; many loving nieces, nephews, other relatives, caregivers and friends. Mrs. Freedman was the beloved wife of the late Max Freedman; loving daughter of the late Fannie and the late William Fink; dear sister and sister-in-law of the late Albert Fink, the late Harry Smaller, the late Harold Freedman. A graveside service was held at Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. EUGENE FRIEDMAN, 88, of West Bloomfield, died May 11, 2022. He was a Magistrate for 46th District Court in Southfield. Mr. Friedman is survived by his beloved wife, Vivian Friedman; children, Darryl (Tori) Friedman, Stacey Reed. Also, survived by his other children, Avery (Marlene) Gottfried,

Dr. David (Rabbi Pamela) Gottfried and Lisa (Rich) Pooler; grandchildren, Jennifer DeLia, Jeffrey DeLia, Madison Friedman, Mallory Friedman, Matthew Gottfried, Rachel Gottfried, Maital Gottfried, Shira Gottfried, Jonah Gottfried, Mollie Pooler and Georgia Pooler; he was the devoted brother of Gilbert (the late Helene) Friedman and Elaine (Mark) Lavetter; many other loving family members and friends. He was the father of the late Neal Friedman. Interment was held at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. JAMES “JIMMY” GELL, 72, of West Bloomfield, died May 9, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Vera Gell; sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey Gell and Elana Goldenberg, and Jared and Lauren Gell; grandchildren, Jesse, Levi, Tate, Georgie, Teddy and Frankie Gell; sister and brother-in-law, Nancy Gell and Andrew Montgomery; brothers-in-law, and sistersin-law, Mickey and Myrna Shanker, and Dr. Alvin and Susi Schoenberger; motherin-law, Lola Schoenberger. He is also survived by Lindsay Liss and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mr. Gell was the loving brother of the late Susan Shanker; the devoted son of the late Carol and the late Ted Gell; and the dear son-in-law of the late Igor Schoenberger. Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park.

Contributions may be made to Hebrew Free Loan, 6735 Telegraph Road Suite 300, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, hfldetroit.org; Yad Ezra, 2850 W. 11 Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072, yadezra.org/ donate; Temple Israel, Susan Shanker Camp Scholarship Fund, 5725 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323, temple-israel.org/tributes; or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. RUTH GILAN, 88, of Union, N.J., formerly of Bloomfield Hills, died April 24, 2022. She was born in Warsaw, Poland, on May 5, 1933, and moved to Israel (then Palestine) as an infant so her family could be closer to her older brother who was studying at Mikve Israel. Mrs. Gilan and her mother traveled from Palestine to Poland during the summer of 1939, and she described the harrowing account of witnessing and surviving the German invasion of Poland on Sept. 1, 1939. These experiences motivated Mrs. Gilan to become a teacher and share her love and passion for Judaism, Israel and the Hebrew language. She received a bachelor of arts from Hunter College and a teaching degree from the Herzliah Hebrew Teachers Institute of New York. For more than 40 years, she taught at afternoon and day schools, most recently at Hillel Day School in Farmington Hills. Mrs. Gilan is survived by her children, Marilyn (Dr. Leonard) Bielory, Cheryl (Mutty) Slansky and Ethan (Lisa) Gilan; grandchildren, Dr. Brett (Rada) Bielory, Amy (Robert) Stern, Rena

Kirsch, Eden Gilan and Jonah Gilan; great-granddaughters, Arabella and Sasha Bielory. She was the beloved wife of Daniel Gilan; the devoted daughter of the late Hyman and the late Rebecca Wheat; the loving sister of the late Noach Wheat and the late Chava Weitz. The family would like to recognize and thank her aides, Sofie Chausi and Tea Martin, for their kindness and care during the past eight years. Contributions may be made to any cause benefitting and furthering Jewish education. DAVID GOLDMAN, 51, a resident of Cumming, Ga., formally of West Bloomfield, died April 30, 2022. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jennifer Goldman; children, Ben Goldman and Addison Goldman; parents, Jill and Jules Goldman; sister and brother-in-law, Jennifer and Ethan Frank; niece, Sophie Frank; nephew, Jonah Frank; mother-in-law, Bonnie Miller; many loving aunts, uncles, other family members and friends. Interment was held in Atlanta, Ga. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. DR. WILLIAM GREENBERG, 78, of West Bloomfield, died May 6, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dr. Joann Greenberg; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Jason and Selina Greenberg; daughters and son-in-law, continued on page 114 MAY 19 • 2022

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Audrey Greenberg and Amiel Gross, and Marnie Greenberg; grandchildren, Sasha and Tyler Cambron, Shauna Ferguson, and Lauren, Jocelyn, and Jacob Gross; sister, Ruth Kadish; brother-in-law and sister-inlaw, Mark and Jan Hauser. Dr. Greenberg was the devoted son of the late Joseph Greenberg and the late Goldie Greenberg Kramer; the dear brother-inlaw of the late Paul Kadish. Interment was at Beth El Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to American Heart Association, 27777 Franklin Road, Suite 1150, Southfield, MI 48034, heart.org/en/ affiliates/michigan/Detroit; or Jewish Federation of

Metropolitan Detroit, 6735 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, jewishdetroit.org/donate-online. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. PENINA “LIBBY” HALBANY, 83, of South Lyon, died May 10, 2022. She is survived by her sons, Matthew Halbany of Novi, Daniel Halbany of Southfield; daughters and sons-in-law, Rachel and Bryan Gidcomb of South Lyon, Ruth and Jim Betts of Wyandotte; grandchildren, Aaron and Mary Gidcomb, Elizabeth and Jacob Yono, Michael and Stephanie Halbany; great-grandchildren, Connor Yono, Evelyn Yono, Aaron

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Joseph Gidcomb, Ellis Ann Gidcomb; sister-in-law, Susan Goulding. Mrs. Halbany was the beloved wife of the late Joseph Halbany; loving sister and sister-in-law of the late Joel Goulding, the late Rose and the late David Morrison. A graveside service was held at Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. ROSE RIFKIN HECHLER, 94, of Southfield, died May 10, 2022. She was a proud member of the Jewish Women’s International, Hadassah, a marriage encounter group and Temple Israel Sisterhood. Mrs. Hechler is survived by her husband of 74 years, Mark Hechler; children, Andi and Mark Weiss of Oak Park, Ellen Hechler of Southfield; grandchildren, Kevin and Amy Weiss, Kim Weiss, Scott and Elyse Weiss; great-grandchildren, Eliana, Samuel and Gwendolyn Weiss. Contributions may be made to Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute,

Contributions–VE01FS, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI 48201; Jewish Women International (B’nai B’rith Women), 2000 M St., NW Suite 720, Washington, DC 20036; Temple Israel Sisterhood, 5725 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323. A funeral service took place at Hebrew Memorial Chapel. Interment was held at Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. RACHEL (NÉE GEITHEIM) JUNI, 99, passed away in her home in Ann Arbor on May 10, 2022. She was a graduate of the third class of Queens College in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y. where she grew up. In her late teens, she met the great love of her life, Elliot Juni, who was the son of her parents’ closest friends from Europe. The families originated in what was then Eastern Galicia, AustriaHungary, in the area now known as Southwestern Ukraine. They were married on March 5, 1944; Elliot died in 2016. Rachel (Rae, Rekhl) and

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Elliot’s early travels followed his pursuit of his Ph.D., leading eventually to Atlanta, Ga., where he had a faculty position at Emory University and finally to Ann Arbor, where she supported him in his faculty and research position at the University of Michigan Medical School. In addition to her continuing interest in science, which she discussed avidly with Elliot, she actively did many things. The family was always her utmost focus and for whom she exemplified the baleboste — an always gracious host, homemaker, active parent, teacher and guide to her children and grandchildren, and generous host to numerous close friends. It is impossible to describe the love, creativity, intelligence and pure joy she radiated.

In the early 1960s, Rachel and Elliot actively campaigned, including door-todoor in the South, for civil rights and continued political work their whole lives. They also enjoyed membership in many square dance clubs, including their favorite, challenge level, which involved memorizing almost 1,000 dance formation calls. Their related papers are archived in the Elliot and Rachel Juni Challenge Square Dance Collection at the New Hampshire Library of Traditional Music and Dance. Rachel was an accomplished artist who worked with fiber art, abstract paintings, plus others. She donated countless hours to various volunteer activities, including library work at the Beth Israel synagogue,

Hadassah, and the early years of the Washtenaw Jewish News. Starting about 25 years ago, she became an ardent Yiddishist, working to preserve her ancestral language. In that regard, she participated for decades in two weekly Ann Arbor Yiddish Groups, one of which she created and hosted. During COVID, she continued to participate weekly in the Ann Arbor Yidish Tish and several other Yiddish groups via Zoom. Mrs. Juni is survived by her son, Jack (Rochelle); her daughter, Susannah; two grandchildren, Eva (Ryan) Stevenson and Elyssa (Luke) Vanderlinden; and two great-grandchildren, Janaki and Lakshman Vanderlinden. Interment was held at Adat Shalom Memorial Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the League

for Yiddis Inc. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. ALLEN KAMINSKY, 74, of Southfield, died April 11, 2022. He is survived by his wife of c. 1984 46 years, Cindy Kaminsky; son and daughter-in-law, Ian and Anna Kaminsky of Greenwood Village, Colo.; daughter and son-in-law, Hallie and David Freed of Toledo, Ohio; sister, Iva Kaminsky; nieces and nephews, Stacey and Bernie Boyd, Jaykelen and Dominic Lociento, Tyler Nelkin; grandchildren, Ellery Freed, Madelyn Freed, Myles Freed, Harrison Kaminsky, Mikaela Kaminsky; great-nieces, Cameron and Peyton Boyd; brother-in-law and sistercontinued on page 116

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in-law, William Nelkin, Eric and Sandy Nelkin. Mr. Kaminsky was the treasured son of the late Marion and the late Harry Kaminsky; dear son-in-law of the late Edna and the late Marvin Nelkin. Contributions may be made to Jewish Family Service, 6555 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 or MORC, morcinc. org. A funeral service was held at Hebrew Memorial Chapel. Interment took place at Hebrew Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

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ALICE LABES, 82, of Southfield, died May 9, 2022. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Joanna and Jefferson Tuttle; grandchild, Ries Tuttle; sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Dr. Paul Redstone. Mrs. Labes was the beloved wife of the late Marvin Labes and the late Melvin Harris. Interment was at Adat Shalom Memorial Park. Contributions may be to Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jewishhospice.org; or Hospice of MichiganOakland Co, 43097

Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, hom.org/ donations. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. CURT LOWENTHAL, 95, of West Bloomfield, died May 10, 2022. He is survived by his partner, Ileane Stone; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Sandy (Voremberg) Lowenthal; grandchildren, Ian Lowenthal and Haley Lowenthal; many other loving family members and friends. Mr. Lowenthal was the beloved husband of the late Elaine Lowenthal; father of

the late Sherry Lowenthal; brother of the late Edie Finklestein. Interment took place at Beth El Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan. Arrangements by the Dorfman Chapel. SUZANNE WINKELMAN, 68, of Austin, Texas, died March 9, 2022. She lived her life with an unmatched ability to focus on the important and let go of the rest. She approached everyone with a genuine smile and with the superpower of letting go of the unimportant; she saw and brought out the best in people.

Remembering Comic Book Legend Neal Adams RAFAEL MEDOFF JTA

omic artist Neal Adams, who died at age 80 in New York City on April 28, is best known for having revolutionized Batman and other iconic comic book characters for both the DC and Marvel brands. But Adams himself was also a fearless crusader: He battled comics publishers for the rights of artists and writers, rescued Superman’s Jewish creators from abject poverty and campaigned for a Holocaust survivor to regain portraits she painted in Auschwitz. Adams, who was born in New York City in 1941 and spent much of his childhood on a U.S. military base in postwar Germany where his father was stationed, was not Jewish. But he had a strong interest in the Holocaust, both because of his childhood memories from Germany and because his mother-in-law was a Jewish refugee from Nazi-occupied Poland who helped the Polish Embassy in Morocco design counterfeit documents for other Jews fleeing from the Nazis. In school, “they showed us some pretty harrowing stuff — newsreel footage of what the Allied troops found when they liberated the camps, severely emaciated prisoners, huge piles of dead bodies,” he later recalled. “It was very hard for a 9-year-old to take. I came home from school and wouldn’t speak to anyone for days.” Those memories would influence his interest in Holocaust education many years later.

NICHOLAS ROBERTS/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Suzanne was born on May 15, 1953, to Pauline and Bernard Jonas in Detroit. She was the youngest of three children, with two older brothers, Marc and Shmaya. Her kind spirit and love of animals were evident from an early age as she would often rescue and nurture injured and abandoned animals, a passion she would continue throughout her life.· Caring became a hallmark as she was called to a career in nursing and volunteered with organizations like Austin Wildlife Rescue, KLRU and Legacy of Giving. In 2007, Suzanne and her husband, Marc, received the LBJ Humanitarian Award; and later the family was honored with the Maislin Humanitarian Award from the Anti-Defamation League. Suzanne was also proud of the fact that she earned a Kundalini Yoga instructor certificate. She leaves a legacy that will be honored and continued by her three children, Eli, Alex and Jacob; her grandchild, Asher; and her husband, Marc. She is also survived by her father and two brothers. The family expresses extreme gratitude to Suzanne’s caregivers and large circle of friends who brought her so much joy. The funeral was at Congregation Agudas Achim in Austin followed by a graveside service at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to worldcentralkitchen.org; or austinwildlifeAescue.org.

Neal Adams poses in his office in New York, April 14, 2008.

In 1967, Adams began drawing for DC Comics, the publisher of Batman and Superman and, a few years later, for Marvel Comics, home of Spider-Man and the X-Men. Under Adams’ pen, superheroes who previously were drawn in exaggerated, cartoonish ways, took on a new, powerfully realistic appearance. Sales of Adams-drawn comics skyrocketed. Jewish artists, writers and editors have played major roles in the comic book industry from its earliest days, starting with Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the Jewish teenagers from Cleveland who created Superman in 1938. They sold the rights to the Man of Steel to DC (then National Periodicals) for $130 and a 10-year work contract. When Adams met them in 1971, Siegel was working as a clerk and Shuster, nearly blind, was sleeping on a cot in a relative’s apartment. Shocked to hear that Superman’s creators could not even afford tickets to see the Broadway play based on their character, Adams led a campaign to pressure DC “to just do the right thing already,” as he put

it. The publicity he generated eventually convinced the publisher to give Siegel and Shuster a modest pension and health care coverage. In 2006, Adams took up the cause of Dina Babbitt, a Czech Jewish artist seeking the return of portraits that she had been forced to paint in Auschwitz by the infamous “Angel of Death,” Dr. Josef Mengele. The Auschwitz-Birkenau museum, which acquired eight of the portraits after the war, claimed ownership. Despite Adams’ efforts, the museum never returned the paintings. Adams drew a comic strip about Babbitt’s plight, which was published by Marvel Comics, and then later adapted into an animated short for a DVD of Holocaust-related stories created by Disney Educational Productions. Later Adams, together with comics historian Craig Yoe and myself (Rafael Medoff), coauthored a book, We Spoke Out: Comic Books and the Holocaust, which showed how comic book stories about the Nazi genocide played a pioneering role in Holocaust education in the 1950s and 1960s.

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Looking Back

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

‘The UP’s Jewish Soul’

recently wrote about Holocaust education in Michigan. While researching this topic in the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History, I ran across the name of a Holocaust educator that you may not know: William L. Cohodas, known to all as “Bill,” did not have a degree in Holocaust studies, but he left his mark on this field of study in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, or the “UP.” As the JN stated in its July 21, 2016, issue, Cohodas was “The UP’s Jewish Soul.” For more than 100 years, Jews have lived in the UP. Indeed, the first known Jew in Mike Smith Michigan, Ezekiel Solomon, Alene and Graham Landau was a fur trader who moved to Archivist Chair Michilimackinac (Mackinaw City today) in 1761 and traded in the UP area. Once copper and iron mining began in the 1840s, and lumbering in the 1870s, thousands of migrants began to populate the UP. And like elsewhere in America, Jewish peddlers and storekeepers soon followed the miners and lumberjacks. In 1889, the Jewish population in Hancock, Mich., was large enough to establish the UP’s first congregation. Temple Jacob still stands today as the oldest synagogue in the UP. Cohodas was born in 1914, in Menominee, the southern-most tip of the UP. Sadly, his mother died when Cohodas was 6 years old, and his father sent him to live with his grandmother in Ishpeming. Cohodas would become one of the city’s most prominent businessmen and a civic leader. For example, he was a supporter of such UP institutions as Northern Michigan University (NMU), the Bay Cliff Health Camp for children with challenges and the Ishpeming-Marquette Cancer Society. Along the way, Cohodas married his beloved Lois (nee Wenk) in 1939. Cohodas’ Jewish heritage was, however, always in the forefront of his life. He co-founded Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming in 1953 (Beth Sholom moved to Marquette a few years ago). Cohodas was a

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staunch supporter of Israel. He was a board member of the American Friends of Hebrew University and, as an amateur archaeologist, made many trips to Israel to visit the sites of new discoveries. Perhaps the greatest impact that Cohodas had upon the UP was in the field of Holocaust studies. He believed that the lessons of the Holocaust were universal. To this end, Cohodas introduced Holocaust education to UP schools, funded a Holocaust Information Center at NMU and sponsored an Interfaith Holocaust Memorial Service that has been held for nearly 50 years in Marquette. I particularly liked a story from April 20, 2001, JN, that demonstrated the legacy of Cohodas. It is about a display that seventh-graders Brandi Barens and Erica White created for a Holocaust Memorial Day at the Ishpeming Middle School. Cohodas passed away in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 101 in 2016 (July 21, 2016). Shortly after, Michigan enacted the Governor’s Council on Genocide and Holocaust Education (Oct. 27, 2016, JN). Bill would have liked this. This week’s JN is a big one and one of our favorite issues of the year. We honor our Jewish community graduates and, in a new feature, the JN’s “Educators of the Year.” Mazel tov to all of them. I thought this is an appropriate issue for the story of Bill Cohodas, “The Jewish Soul of UP.” He is missed. Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

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DJN May 19, 2022

Articles inside

Synagogue Spotlight

‘Freedom Stories’

Ambulances for Ukraine

Meet Eddie and Vince

Jewish-Catholic Relations

Looking for the Light Event Series

Honoring the Best of Jewish Detroit