DJN 7_29_21 by The Detroit Jewish News

THE DETROIT

JEWISH NEWS 200 July 29-Aug. 4, 2021 / 20-26 Av 5781

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Food For Thought Top kosher eateries to check out this summer. See page 42

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contents July 29-Aug. 4, 2021 / 20-26 Av 5781 | VOLUME CLIX, ISSUE 25

33 PURELY COMMENTARY 4-9

Essays and viewpoints.

ERETZ 24

OUR COMMUNITY 10 11 12 14 15 16 16 18 20

Building Leaders of Tomorrow

Youth Summit connects young Detroiters with work opportunities.

On to Israel

Two students awarded scholarships for gap year in Israel.

Come on Back

Young Israel of Oak Park receives a grant to bring members together.

Helping People Get Work

JVS provides janitorial trainings for those with disabilities.

Repairing the World

Ex-Detroiter Marla Feldman is a moving advocate for tikkun olam.

Ice Cream Social

Up & Coming Writers All in a Day’s Work

JVS’ 38-year job counselor retires — after launching hundreds of careers.

Listening Tour

Dave Coulter visits the JN in his efforts to better know Oakland County.

SPORTS 22

Tigers Like Mike

Jewish catcher from Duke selected in the 12th round of the MLB Draft.

Meet Jeff Schreiber

Religious Zionism led to family’s decision to move to Israel.

MAZEL TOV! 26

Moments

SPIRIT 26 28 30

Torah portion The Spirituality of Listening Synagogue Directory

51 HEALTH 51

A Little Miracle

Metro Detroit youngster is an ambassador for cochlear implants.

ETC.

The Exchange Obituaries Raskin Looking Back

53 54 61 62

ARTS&LIFE 33

Casting a Spell

Putnam County actress has rich theatrical heritage.

Young Voices

Book Review: A Passion for Israel: Adventures of a Sar-El Volunteer

JSL provides cool treats, cool music. Four high schoolers named winners in annual writing contest.

Detroit Children’s Choir featured in Shoah Ambassadors film.

Celebrity News

EVENTS 37

Community Calendar

NOSH 38

From Russia with Love

Bistro Le Bliss serves Eastern European fare with a French twist.

Food for Thought

Dining Guide Listings

Top kosher eateries to check out in Metro Detroit this summer.

Shabbat Lights

Shabbat starts: Friday, July 30, 8:36 p.m. Shabbat ends: Saturday, July 31, 9:42 p.m. * Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar.

ON THE COVER: Cover photo/credit: Director of food operations at Soul Cafe Shalom Shomer. Photo by Jerry Zolynsky. Cover design: Kelly Kosek

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JULY 29 • 2021

PURELY COMMENTARY guest column

letters

Living Jewish Values at Haven Editor’s Note: Jessica Caminker was part of JFS’ 100 Mensches Essay Contest a year ago, won, and was given a stipend to participate on the Haven’s Youth Advisory Board. She has written the attached essay about her experience.

s a result of my participation in Jewish Family Service’s “100 Mensches” essay competition, I was offered the unique opportunity to apply for a position on a new Youth Advisory Board at Haven, a local comprehensive program for survivors of sexual assault Jessica Caminker and domestic abuse. Haven does incredibly important work, providing shelter, intervention services, counseling, advocacy education and more to thousands of people each year. These efforts make all the difference for those who take advantage of them and lay the foundation for a future in which they won’t be necessary. I found incredible meaning in the time I spent with Haven. Especially as a young woman beginning to navigate society as an individual for the first time, I feel very connected to the cause of eradicating intimate partner violence and helping heal those who have been affected by it. The Youth Advisory Board certainly gave me the opportunity to assist in pursuing this goal, as well as deepened my appreciation for and understanding of the Jewish values that go hand in hand with its

JULY 29 • 2021

mission. Although Haven is not a uniquely Jewish organization, the strides it takes to better the lives of others beautifully reflect values that Judaism holds closely, and my time spent on the board allowed me to personally involve myself in furthering many of these ideals. The Jewish Family Service mission statement is: “Inspired by the wisdom and values of Jewish tradition, we strengthen lives through compassionate service.” As part of this mission statement, JFS also highlights and describes several significant examples of such Jewish values. Among them are chesed (compassion and kindness), tzedakah (justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). These three concepts serve as a sort of algorithm for much of Haven’s work: When someone comes to Haven seeking help, they are welcomed immediately with overwhelming compassion in a clear expression of chesed. Next, the organization takes steps toward securing justice for the individual seeking help. Through interventions, court advocacy, personal protection orders or whatever the situation requires, Haven pursues tzedakah on behalf of everyone it serves. Finally, even once an individual’s immediate needs have been met, Haven continues to provide them with longer-term care such as support groups and counseling, as well as hosting events for educational programming and youth outreach which attack the broader issue. In this way, both directly and indirectly, Haven sets out to repair the world.

The value that I found the most profound in Haven’s work, however, is that of B’tzelem Elohim, viewing every human being equally and as they were created: in God’s image. All of Haven’s tasks, each with its own specific goals, serve to preserve and empower the humanity and dignity in each individual. In all the support and encouragement that Haven has to offer, the “victims” it serves are never victimized; Rather, they are reminded of their worth and fundamental importance as people. This elevates Haven to the next level of service: Not only does it help those in need, but it does so with grace, mindfulness and in true recognition of God’s image in everyone. While I am grateful to have learned many lessons from this experience, my main takeaway is this: The more we can do to remind the world of the holiness found in every single human being, the better suited we will be to combat these difficult issues together going forward. Haven encouraged me to identify the inherent value in myself and in everyone I meet. And although my personal involvement with Haven ends here, for now, I am confident this is a message that I will carry with me and aim to spread for the rest of my life. Thank you, Haven, and thank you, JFS! Jessica Caminker was raised in Ann Arbor and West Bloomfield and graduated from the Frankel Jewish Academy with the class of 2021. She is eager to spend a gap year at Midreshet Lindenbaum in Jerusalem and continue her Jewish learning before returning to the Honors Program at the University of Michigan the following year.

Antisemitism’s Real Name: Jew-Hatred The lid is off on Jew-hatred in America. If that doesn’t scare us, it certainly should. We can try to justify this danger any number of ways. It’s an issue based on politics. It’s all about people’s views on the Israeli/ Palestinian issue. It’s relevant to our concern about Critical Race Theory and the issue of Caucasians and our relationship to people of color. Well, let’s take a look back in history. Jew-hatred has been a permanent feature for Jews for thousands of years. Before party politics, the Israel/Palestinian issue and Critical Race Theory, there has been the desire to eliminate the Jewish people. Unfortunately, it has also been existent in the United States since its inception. It has just never been as open and omnipresent as it is today. Have we forgotten our history, our courageous and successful battle for survival against impossible odds? Standing together, caring for and about each other has been an important force against our oppressors, which include the Greek and Roman Empires. They are gone and we remain. A miracle! What does it take to admit the truth about the real cause of Jew-hatred and for our generation to take its place beside our ancestors in this fight for our survival and that of future generations who can look and learn from our example? We are a link in a continuous chain of Jewish history. Let us not be the ones to break that chain, to fail our people. — Joel Gershenson Farmington Hills

JULY 29 • 2021

PURELY COMMENTARY analysis

Ben & Jerry’s Alarming Boycott Crosses A Dangerous Line

a subsidiary of Unilever, which has taken a clearly anti-Israel step.” This temporary rapprochement between political foes is consistent with much of the

clarified the true mission of the BDS movement — to push for a boycott of all of Israel. The movement’s reaction to the announcement made that clear, calling for ending all sales and operations

Jewish world. How do we explain such widespread distaste for the Ben & Jerry’s decision? I see two key factors, both having little to do with partisan politics. First, the decision

in “Apartheid Israel.” If there’s one thing most Jews agree with, it is that boycotting Israel proper (pre-1967 borders) is out of line. What’s more, Ben & Jerry’s is coming dangerously close to

ROBERT ALEXANDER/GETTY IMAGES VIA JTA

fter months of bitter disagreements, it was shocking to see Benjamin Netanyahu finally agree with the rival who took over his beloved throne, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. But some issues simply go too far, and Ben David Suissa & Jerry’s decision JNS.org to stop selling its ice cream in “Occupied Palestinian Territories” was one of those. “Now we Israelis know which ice cream NOT to buy,” tweeted Netanyahu. Bennett, according to his office, “made it clear that he views with utmost gravity the decision by Ben & Jerry’s to boycott Israel, and added that this is

doing just that. Unlike previous companies subjected to boycotts, such as SodaStream, Ben & Jerry’s makes its ice cream inside Israel proper. It doesn’t even operate any ice cream stores over the 1967 lines; all it does is sell to individuals or vendors such as supermarkets and gas stations. By targeting sales to the West Bank — rather than exports of settler products — Ben & Jerry’s is setting an alarming precedent. There’s even confusion about whether Ben & Jerry’s will still sell its products inside Israel, as was initially suggested by parent company Unilever, which may have spoken too soon. In any case, as reported in the Jerusalem Post, the boycott criteria already set by Ben & Jerry’s “would make any Israeli or foreign company continued on page 9

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PURELY COMMENTARY guest column

What’s Kosher in Combating Racism?

pen any American news source, and America’s “culture wars” dominate the headlines. With conservatives on one side and liberals on the other, we vilify each other as if in preparation for a civil war. However, not only does Judaism offer us guidance in addressing the culture wars of our day, but Judaism Rabbi also demands that Aaron Starr we engage each other especially when we disagree with each other.

RACE AND RACISM If we are to accept the verbal grenades tossed by politicians and pundits, it is perhaps the battle over race and racism that most threatens to unweave the very fabric of this country. The good news is that on this topic the majority of Americans, the reasonable left and the reasonable right, agree: Racism is wrong; racism is on the decline — and yet racism still exists. Nevertheless, the murder last year of George Floyd released a torrent of longtime pain and an avalanche of built-up fear. People of color continue to experience racial disparities in wealth, education, employment, housing, policing, incarceration, political disenfranchisement and health — especially as we saw during this past year of COVID-19. Additionally, the violence within communities of color is rampant and the despair significant. ROOTS OF INEQUALITY Certainly, no single cause exists

JULY 29 • 2021

for the inequality from which people of color suffer. Some blame a certain lack of commitment to education, the challenges of single-parenthood or misplaced priorities as it comes to spending discretionary income. Others point to the existence of systemic racism: When conscious or unconscious racist attitudes intersect with institutional practices, it results in vastly different treatments, systems of care and outcomes for different racial groups. Systemic racism also helps us to understand the cumulative effects of racism over time. For example, the post-World War II G.I. Bill helped many Americans to build home equity and access high-paying jobs, allowing wealth to build over the generations. However, most Black service members received no such benefit. Today, the average white family has approximately 10 times the net worth of a Black family. WHAT CAN WE DO? As compassionate human beings and as Jews who are obligated to care for our own people (which

includes Jews of color), we must try to remedy the causes of these fears. The Talmud instructs us that whenever there is a crisis, we should examine our own deeds first. Thanks to the generosity of a grant from the Hermelin-Davidson Center for Congregational Excellence, we at Congregation Shaarey Zedek of Southfield are engaging in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training with the goals of learning, reflecting and, where necessary, doing teshuvah (repentance) for our own shortcomings. We are actively seeking to overcome our individual and collective yetzer hara (animal instincts toward prejudice). After all, the reasonable left and the reasonable right agree conceptually that diversity and inclusion strengthen a community, a college or university, a business or a governmental body. We agree that diversity and inclusion are worthwhile goals as it pertains to broadening the scope of participation and opportunity for any gender, sexual identity and race. DRAWING THE LINE While as it pertains to race and racism in America there is so

much on which most of us agree, there appears to be a border that we Jews choose not to cross in terms of ending racial inequality. While Jews have long supported affirmative action in theory, the Jewish community opposed affirmative action when it came to quotas. Jews oppose a zero-sum approach to combating racism because, when it comes to quotas, Jews often lose. For example, one might support more people of color attending the University of Michigan. However, one might object if allowing more people of color to attend the University means that his or her own child will not be accepted. As the parent of a high school student, I empathize with this fear. Perhaps, then, we should view the battle against racism as we view tzedakah. With regard to our charitable giving, we are obligated to give not less than 10%, but we are forbidden from giving more than 20%. Perhaps in our desire to end racism, we are obligated to make sacrifices, but only to a point. A similar conversation might occur regarding slave reparations. On one hand, we know that the biblical Egyptians gave the Israelites gold and other objects when our ancestors left slavery and that in our own day the German government gave reparations to Holocaust survivors. On the other hand, today’s African American community is generations removed from slavery and, for many Jews, our ancestors were not even in America during slavery. Additionally, my immigrant ancestors worked night and day to provide for their families with

gratitude for the promise of America on their lips, and they directed their children to focus on hard work and education as the keys to success. At the same time, my family certainly benefited from the American economic system built on the backs of people of color. To which Jewish values and to which Jewish laws do we turn as we argue with the question of what more we can do beyond individual teshuvah and personal tzedakah to address the racial inequality in this country? I know that I am obligated to pursue justice, but I am also obligated to offer compassion. I know that my fellow Americans and that my fellow Jews are suffering and therefore I am obligated to help, but I am afraid to give up too much. I wonder how we might get out of the zero-sum approach to combat-

ing racism so that ending racism is a win-win for all. JUDAISM AS ANTIDOTE We are in the grips of a culture war in this country, with questions of race and racism at the very heart of the battle. Among Judaism’s gifts to the world, though, is the teaching that the antidote to political polarization is the ability, modeled by Jews, to participate in meaningful and even heated dialogue rooted in respect, in radical listening and in giving our opponent the benefit of the doubt. Let us follow the meta-lesson of our Talmud and, rather than retreat to our own echo chambers, engage in discussion, listening, learning and growth. Rabbi Aaron Starr is a spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield.

“Ben & Jerry’s” from page 6

that helps stock a [West Bank] supermarket with those products susceptible to boycotts. Even the European Union doesn’t ban the sale of its products to the settlements.” Regardless of where one sits on the political spectrum, Ben & Jerry’s has crossed a line that repulses much of the mainstream Jewish community. PICKING ON ISRAEL The second way that line has been crossed is a familiar one — singling out the Jewish state. Will Ben & Jerry’s now boycott China to protest the ethnic cleansing of Uyghurs? What other atrocities will it protest through national boycotts? And why pick only on Israel? These are not partisan questions; they are human ones. We’ve seen this singling out of Israel over and over by groups that ignore genocides and

mass murders to go after the world’s only Jewish state. For decades, the United Nations, which reserves the majority of its condemnations for Israel, has led this anti-Zionist parade that effectively has signaled that it’s always open season on the Jewish state. When a beloved brand joins the anti-Israel parade so loudly and forcefully, it concentrates the mind. It reminds us, first, of the power of the anti-Israel movement to intimidate and, second, that regardless of our political disagreements, sometimes it’s worth uniting for a specific cause. The unfair and discriminatory targeting of Israel is one such cause. David Suissa is editor-in-chief and publisher of Tribe Media Corp, and “Jewish Journal.” He can be reached at davids@ jewishjournal.com. This article was first published by the Jewish Journal.

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JULY 29 • 2021

OUR COMMUNITY

Building Leaders of Tomorrow COURTESY OF AMY NEDERLANDER

Detroit Youth Summit Conference connects local youth with work opportunities. ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

very year, up to 300 Detroit youth ages 14-24 gather to discuss the state of Detroit and what the future of the city might hold. At the Detroit Youth Summit Conference, held by the youth leadership and career development program L!FE Leaders Inc., and various Detroit-based partners, young people meet and learn from experts, business professionals and community leaders about career opportunities in the city. “The overall objective of our program is to empower youth to empower the future,” explains L!FE Leaders founder and president Amy Nederlander. “The conference updates youth on Detroit’s growth and its resulting opportunities while providing access to those opportunities.” Over the course of two days, youth attend roundtable discussions, fireside chats and actively engage in breakout sessions to develop their interpersonal and professional skills. They even play an active role in planning the conference, hosting panel discussions with guest speakers and channeling the overall creative direction of the event. “Confidence is a very important skill that youth come out with,” Nederlander says of the summit. “They learn professional etiquette, collaboration, public presentation and leadership skills.” PLANNING FOR FUTURE Now, Detroit youth are also learning remote work skills. As Detroit Youth Summit Conference prepares for its thirdannual event Aug. 3-4 — and secondannual virtual edition — all programming is taking place online to accommodate the

JULY 29 • 2021

Donnell White, senior vice president at TCF Bank, chief dversity officer and director of strategic partnerships with L!FE Leaders, and Curtis Bates, Mario Lemons and Charvae Jackson of the Detroit Achievement Academy at a previous summit.

ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It’s also one of the topics at the forefront of the summit conference, which aims to update Detroit youth on how the pandemic continues to impact the city’s workforce and job opportunities. There’s a focus on destigmatizing access to mental healthcare as well, with a roundtable discussion and fireside chat exclusively dedicated to raising awareness on workplace wellness. “The conference is told through the lens of current events,” Nederlander says. The theme of this year’s event, for example, is “Detroit Defining the New Normal.” At the upcoming summit, participants will learn about the growth of the health and technology industries, among others, both of which have grown significantly in light of COVID-19 as many industries turn virtual. This year’s programming will also focus on the city’s growth plans for 2021, equity in education, neighborhood redevelopment, citywide internet access,

and more. Special guests will include Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti; the city of Detroit’s Director of Digital Inclusion Joshua Edmonds; and Chief CEO of Detroit Future City Anika Goss. CHANCE TO NETWORK While the first day of the summit will highlight understanding Detroit’s current state of affairs, the second day leans into the future as youth participate in a job fair to learn about possible career paths they can go into. “The objective is to really network,” Nederlander explains of the summit. “The future workforce can connect with opportunities, make plans, get internships and get appropriate access to jobs and mentorship.” It’s an area Nederlander, 60, has always had a passion for. Now based in New York City, she grew up in Huntington Woods and Franklin. Since she was a teenager,

she has been thinking about how to provide youth with career mentorship. “I’m a real believer in the youth voice,” she explains, “and being able to navigate your own destiny.” She says youth can pave the way to a successful career path through learning practical skills and understanding how the world evolves as it pertains to current affairs. “There are a lot of barriers to career entry for a lot of people,” Nederlander continues. “We’re helping with that through skill development, introductions and networking.” REAL-LIFE SUCCESS Nederlander and L!FE Leaders’ community partners have seen their efforts in helping Detroit youth pay off. Now, youth volunteers have created a dedicated youth summit council to take on and address issues related to the larger conference.

Two participants, Nederlander explains, decided to focus on improving financial literacy. The youth started a nonprofit called Discover SELF Impact to offer a series of workshops on financial independence. “As a result of the work they did, they were included in this year’s Skillman Foundation’s 20 Black Detroiters Making History,” Nederlander says. It’s just one example of many, she explains, that highlight the importance of providing Detroit youth with the right skill-building programs and doors to career growth. “We have several students moving into the real world with exciting opportunities,” Nederlander says. “Understanding what’s going on around you can help you understand the opportunity in front of you and how to make things happen for yourself.”

Amy Nederlander, co-founder and president, L!FE Leaders Inc. and Rico Razo, deputy director, Bridging Neighborhoods, City of Detroit, at the Mike Ilitch School of Business, Wayne State University in 2019.

On to Israel

Two students awarded scholarships for gap year programs in Israel. RABBI HERBERT YOSKOWITZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

wo 2021 high school grads were awarded scholarships June 16 to enable their gap year studies in Israel. Zoe Golan of Farmington Hills High School and Cara Lopatin of the Farber Hebrew Academy were the recipients of these competitive awards. Zoe will use the Jay Yoskowitz Israel scholarship for the Gal-il year program in Upper Galilee. In her application, Zoe wrote that this year in Israel will enhance her “excellent relationship to both Jewish education as well as the Jewish community as I have come to know at Adat Shalom.” The daughter of Yifat and Shaham Golan, Israelis from

the Galilee, Zoe has a familiarity with Israel. Through her gap year, she expects to deepen her connection to Israel. The Jay Yoskowitz Israel Rabbi Aaron Bergman, Joan Chernoff-Epstein (president of Adat Shalom Scholarship Fund was estab- Synagogue), Rabbi Emeritus Herbert Yoskowitz and Hazzan Daniel Gross offered their personal congratulations as they presented Zoe Golan and lished in 2006 by Rabbi Cara Lopatin summer scholarships. Herbert Yoskowitz, rabbi the Harry and Sarah Laker emeritus of Adat Shalom to lished at Congregation Beth honor the memory of his broth- Memorial Scholarship to study Achim (merged with Adat at Amudim in Jerusalem. Cara er Jay Yoskowitz, who served Shalom Synagogue in 1998). looks forward “to learn Torah as senior vice president of the Harry Laker was president of lishmah (for its own sake), American Technion Society, Congregation Beth Achim. executive director of the United explore Jewish topics both old Both scholarships are and new to me” and to deepen Israel Appeal and executive administered by Adat Shalom her strong connection to Israel director of the Council of Synagogue and awarded annuand to Jewish studies. She is the Jewish Federations. The scholally on a competitive basis. daughter of Rachel and Rabbi arship is awarded annually to Asher Lopatin. a member of Adat Shalom for Herbert Yoskowitz is rabbi emeritus at The Harry and Sarah Laker study in Israel. Adat Shalom Synagogue. Memorial Award was estabCara Lopatin received JULY 29 • 2021

OUR COMMUNITY

Members enjoy the day together outside the YIOP synagogue building.

Come On Back

Young Israel of Oak Park receives a grant to bring members together. SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

he guideline wording was simple. Submit an entry of “any initiative, program or project which will re-engage community members in synagogue life.” Three-hundred submission-reviews later, 35 congregations were sharing $100,000 in funding to implement their innovative ideas. Among them is one Michigan synagogue: Young Israel of Oak Park (YIOP). With the recent easing of COVID-19 restrictions, congregations worldwide are beginning to open their doors for in-person prayer, programming and activities. With that anticipation at the forefront, the Orthodox Union (OU), the umbrella organization for the North American Orthodox community, established the Back to Shul grant to spur these efforts for its members. Out-of-the-box entries encouraging long-term return to the synagogue included hosting a communal Kiddush celebration as a “make-up” for missed milestones, a backto-shul fair and a communal parlor meeting project to gain an understanding of the changed needs of congregants.

Categories included Education, Chesed, Dating and Marriage, Women, Seniors, Youth — and Events, Shabbatons, Tefillah and Music, which is where YIOP secured its grant. “We are planning four themed Shabbatot,” said Sharon Cohen, the congrega-

Cohen said. The hope is for the grant-winning programming to take place in August and September as a lead-in to Simchat Torah. “The committee was most impressed with the multifaceted nature of the submission

social event since before the start of the pandemic. The synagogue has also begun indoor services, with clearly marked sections designated for those who wish to mask and social distance. “Young Israel of Oak Park is a full-service family shul with

“SHUL LEADERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE DISCOVERING NEW WAYS TO BRING BACK OUR COMMUNITIES STRONGER THAN EVER.” — OU PRESIDENT MOISHE BANE

tion’s fundraising secretary, who submitted the proposal to the OU along with synagogue president Gil Stebbins. “Each Shabbat would include a dvar Torah delivered by Rabbi Shaya Katz to go with the theme. After davening, Kiddush — incorporating the theme — would allow for everyone to socially engage with one another. The planned themes are prayer, health and happiness, and will culminate with the theme of community. A small theme-based gift for each participant might also be included in some weeks,”

from Young Israel of Oak Park,” said OU Synagogue Initiatives director Rabbi Adir Posy. “Their approach was to recognize the different ways that members interact with the shul and to tailor programming that addressed different aspects of return to shul experience.” STRONGER THAN EVER In advance of the implementation of YIOP’s grant programming, the congregation hosted a June 24 outdoor “welcome back” pizza and ice cream celebration, their first in-person,

a young and dynamic rabbi, which makes us very appealing to young families,” Stebbins said. “Over the past two years the average new member has been between 25 and 35 years old, newly married with young children. With this trend, it is important not only to have events welcoming back the community but also include the younger couples who will be the future of Young Israel of Oak Park. “The kickoff event was a perfect example, with future programs also being planned with young families in mind,” continued on page 14

JULY 29 • 2021

OUR COMMUNITY

JVS janitorial program trainee Vernard McGouch with trainer Charles Roberts.

Helping People Get Work JVS provides janitorial trainings for those with disabilities.

government buildings. To qualify for the program, participants need to have an open case with Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) or the Veterans Administration (VA) to be referred for training from these organizations. “The feedback we get from businesses is how much they appreciate the expertise our trainees have in commercial cleaning, which remains vital for everyone’s health and safety,” said Danita Love-Carter, manager for Rehabilitation Services at JVS Human Services. JVS

paid janitorial training program for Metro Detroiters with disabilities and other barriers to employment, operated by JVS Human Services, continues to provide local businesses with specialized cleaning skills essential during the pandemic. At the same time, lives of participants in the eight-week program have been changed forever, with graduates gaining the ability to work part time or full time in a variety of facilities once the course is completed, ranging from hospitals and retail outlets to sports arenas, offices, apartment buildings and

During the course, which runs five days-a-week and is paid at minimum wage, participants learn all the technical and interpersonal skills to help them interact appropriately with people as janitors. Typically, starting wages for janitorial jobs are $10-$15/hour, and while most of the jobs are part time and do not include benefits, many participants will retain their disability benefits; and workers employed in hospitals are often full time and have benefits. Ken Alexander, 52, of Detroit, credits the janitorial training program with turning his life around. After battling a substance abuse problem, he was “at rock bottom” and needing to start over.

“The program helped me do a 360-degree turnaround,” he says. “I was learning, and they were willing to take a chance on me. If I made a mistake, no one judged me. It was just so supportive.” That was in 2007 and, since then, Alexander has had promotions, becoming a crew leader, and recently earned the title of supervisor, Environmental Services at JVS Human Services. His work has also enabled him to look after his family, including being able to put his daughter through school. Broder & Sasche Real Estate uses the service. “The JVS Janitorial Services team has been a tremendous asset to our property management team,” said Sarah Turton, property manager. For information about the training or hiring the service, contact Danita Love-Carter at dlove@jvshumanservices.org.

continued from page 12

he said. “In addition to using the grant money for the upcoming themed Shabbat programming, we were able to use what was left over to offset the cost of this event to be able to hold it free of charge to all members.” In a statement, OU President Moishe Bane stressed the importance of synagogue life for those of all ages. “The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us all that the shul experience creates a sense of community that is irreplicable,” he said. “Shul leaders across the country are discovering new ways to bring back our communities stronger than ever; our families, our singles, our seniors and our youth, and we are thrilled to be able to partner with them on this endeavor.” Going one step beyond the funding of back to shul programs, is how to share these ideas. “The purpose of the grant is twofold,” Rabbi Posy said. “First, we want-

JULY 29 • 2021

ed to spur conversations within the shul communities around the extremely important issue of bringing our congregants back to shul after such a long time away. “Second, we wanted to learn about the innovative ideas raised in the field and both invest in them and share ideas with a broader swath of the shuls who may benefit.” For this, he says a database has been created, that he refers to as “a launching pad for others.” YIOP’s Cohen says she is proud that the themed Shabbatot could serve as a model for other synagogues. Back home, she looks at her own congregation with expectation, and says, “By connecting davening, dvar Torah and Kiddush with an overall theme, we believe we will generate excitement and bring together our members so we can once again enjoy the spiritual closeness we had before the pandemic.”

TOP: YIOP members gather at the synagogue’s ‘welcome back’ event. BOTTOM: Members reunite and wait for an ice cream treat.

Rabbi Marla Feldman

Repairing the World

Ex-Detroiter Marla Feldman is a moving advocate for tikkun olam. CAROLINE CUNNINGHAM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ikkun olam means repairing the world, and Rabbi Marla Feldman calls for Jews and everyone who cares about the world to engage in social justice. Feldman is executive director of New York City-based Women of Reform Judaism. Look at the group’s website and see the Godembedded actions of tikkun olam — from American race relations to poverty to women’s reproductive rights and genocide and to the creation of Israel and the peace process with Palestinians. Feldman’s activism, which began in her youth, has informed her role as a pioneering female rabbi and a brave and bold leader. She had to weather wage inequality. She was rejected by some synagogues because she was a woman. Nonetheless, she has evolved into an effective leader who has cared for her congregations and worked on struggles like combating geno-

cide in Bosnia and Darfur and rescuing Ethiopian Jews. She worked as assistant director of the Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit from 1996-2002 and taught Holocaust Studies at the University of Detroit-Mercy from 1998-2001. Feldman is devoted to Reform Judaism and its basic covenant: Jews are obligated to partner with God and each other to make the world a better place. We are all made in the image of God, and thus everyone is valuable. For Feldman’s flock, this means including all types of people like those with different gender identities, those from different backgrounds, women and people of color. “There needs to be space for everyone where anyone can walk in the door,” she said. The scourge of genocide in the world is one area where Feldman has passionate beliefs. Overcoming the unthinkable

practice of mass murder is a momentous task, but God and humans have a role in repairing the overwhelming damage, Feldman said. Moreover, because of the Holocaust, she said she and fellow Jews understand the gravity of the wretched crime, and thus, are especially poised to mend it. Feldman said caring humans and their emotional relationship with God can end atrocity and restore humane morality. As she helped with Bosnia and Darfur, humans can protest genocides by placing it on the public radar and urging the world to intervene. When the evil ends, people can rebuild human relations. Feldman explains how genocide is about dehumanizing others. Thus, seeing each other as equally human can mitigate genocides from ever happening again. HELPING THE NEEDY Helping the poor is a paramount purpose in Judaism. Feldman said the Torah tells Jews they have a duty to help the poor. She went on to say that Maimonides, the great Jewish scholar and sincere thinker, delineated what this means for Jews. As they partner with God, generous givers need to partner with the poor. The giver’s success is linked to the poor person’s success. Their relationship means that the poor can escape poverty and keep what they earned so they can be self-sufficient. Feldman refers to a passage from Isaiah that is often told on Yom Kippur, “And if you draw your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall your light to a rise in darkness … And then Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy your soul.” Feldman has mixed views on the social safety net. She thinks it has gaps that must be addressed to help the needy. One example is wage inequality for women. For sure, as women head many families, they face poverty and cannot provide for their families when they are underpaid, Feldman said.

Nonetheless, she said Americans can be proud of the heroic progress they have made dealing with poverty. Feldman agrees that policies for women like Women Infants and Children (WIC), a nutrition program, and President Biden’s child tax credit, which will reduce child poverty by a half, are good and sensible policies. Moreover, she said the fortification of Medicare and Medicaid is good for all Americans. RACIAL RELATIONS Race in America is another area that Feldman cares about. Because Jews were enslaved in Egypt and were treated like pariahs, they can identify and have solidarity with African Americans and their privation. Feldman rues the structural racism in America. When asked why it matters, she said: “The simple one-word answer is: justice. If we live in a society that is just then we need to treat people equally and fairly.” She discussed policy challenges that must be addressed in the criminal justice system. She said the overincarceration of African American men and the schoolto-prison pipeline are particularly deleterious. Feldman believes that Americans must have a deep conversation about the roots of racism in America. “This discussion, I believe, can give Americans of all races and religions hope for racial reconciliation. “The suffering in the world needs good care and a momentous love to mend it. Tikkun olam teaches us how to effect such change. With God’s help, we can heal the sick and clothe the naked; we can nurture goodness and tolerance; we can free innocents and we can save lives in a turbulent world,” she said. Feldman added: “It’s not going to happen with one person or one community. It’s going to require people of good will who share common values coming together to live those values.” JULY 29 • 2021

Ice Cream Social JSL provides cool treats, cool music. DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

n ice cream social event was held on the Jewish Senior Life campus in West Bloomfield, with residents of the Marvin & Betty Danto Health Care Center, Fleischman Residence and Hechtman and Meer Apartments attending with support from the Ella Baker Lecture and Music Series Fund. Ella Baker was a resident who spent many years at Hechtman, then Fleischman and finally at Danto. In her memory, Ella’s daughter Esther Salamon established a special fund for residents at JSL in West Bloomfield to be entertained and enhanced with a series of music and

speaker engagements. This was the kickoff event of the fund, with many more events expected. Rennie and Esther Kaufmann, a singing father and daughter duo, performed various songs at the event, which also featured an ice cream truck. Sarah Lowe, a resident of Danto, was one of the many residents enjoying ice cream, the music and the friendly scene. “We’re just so happy they’re showing concern for seniors, because we enjoy being thought of and we appreciate it so very much,” Lowe said. “It means a lot, it gets us outside and enjoying the air, and allows us to see every-

Up and Coming Student Writers

Four high schoolers named winners in Cohn-Haddow writing contest. JN STAFF

he Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies at Wayne State University announced that Batsheva Ishakis (from Bais Yaakov) Ariella Leib (Farber Hebrew Day School), Emily Abrams (Walled Lake Northern High School) and Adam Arnold (North Farmington High School) are the winners of its Annual High School Jewish Writing Competition.

JULY 29 • 2021

This competition, now in its sixth year, invites high school students across the Metropolitan Detroit area to submit an essay or poetry on any Jewish-related topic. The goal of this competition, center Director Howard Lupovitch explained at a recent awards ceremony held on campus, is “to encourage burgeoning young Jewish intellectuals to think and write not only reflectively but critically —

body,” Fleischman resident Ileene Zate said. “We’ve been stuck inside for COVID, and we’re out now and enjoying ourselves.” Tracey Proghovnick, director of Residential Marketing and Community Relations for JSL, realizes the significance of the event after how tough the past year and a half has been. “It’s so wonderful to see smiles on faces, people enjoying ice cream and being together again on a beautiful summer day,” Proghovnick said. “We may have taken it for granted before the pandemic, and now we appreciate it even more so than ever. “Ella loved to walk, loved flowers, loved music and everyone knew her,” Proghovnick recalled. “I hope today she’s looking down and smiling at this beautiful event in her honor.” MUSIC BRINGS JOY Bracha Drissman, director of Life Enrichment for

an especially important skill at a time when 140 characters passes for complete thought.” Batsheva For the sixth Ishakis straight year, the center received many strong entries, from which it chose the four winners. Ishakis’ entry, titled “Pride,” describes the will and power we have within to stand up for who we are and our Ariella Leib beliefs. Leib’s entry titled, “There Will Always Be People,” outlines the reality of the human experience (differences in political and

DANNY SCHWARTZ

OUR COMMUNITY

Ileene Zate enjoys the social.

Rennie and Esther Kaufmann

religious beliefs and lives) and that rather than fight each other, we should follow our own path and Emily respect each other. Abrams Abrams’ entry, titled “Faith and Pride-Lost and Found,” describes how the darkest moments of her life — the antisemitism by her middle school peers that led her away from Judaism and Jewish life — led her to the B’nai B’rith Girls and a stronger connection with her Jewish identity and community. Adam Arnold’s Arnold entry, titled “The Epiphany of the 21st

Fleischman Residence and the Brown Memory Care Pavilion at JSL, says that while music brings tons of joy to the residents, simply being together does the trick even more. “Throughout the past year and a half, we’ve had concerts when residents have been in quarantine in their rooms with strolling musicians, but it doesn’t bring the same joy if they’re not able to enjoy it with their neighbors,” Drissman said. Drissman had similar thoughts about Ella Baker in light of the event. “Ella was all about community and social justice and she would want everyone to have the same opportunities, so whether she lived at Danto, Hechtman or Fleischman, she would want everyone to equally benefit from it, so hopefully we’ll be able to continue these kinds of events and invite other people.”

Century Jew,” describes how struggles in practicing Judaism on a virtual platform due to COVID-19 gave him the opportunity to grow stronger in his personal and religious life and led to opportunities to meet other Jews from around the world. Ishakis and Abrams will receive a cash prize of $500 for first place, and Leib and Arnold will receive $100 as the Honorable Mentions. Their entries are available online at the center’s website: judaicstudies. wayne.edu/2021-winners. The announcement for the seventh annual competition will appear this fall. JULY 29 • 2021

OUR COMMUNITY

Vintage photo of JOIN participants. Debra Silver is on the far right.

All in a Day’s Work JVS’ 38-year job counselor retires — after launching hundreds of careers. ALISON SCHWARTZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

he was just married and new to Detroit when Wisconsin native Debra Silver got a job at JVS Human Services back in 1982. She thought it would be for a couple of years. Instead, the social worker turned career counselor — who admits she knew nothing about career counseling when she first started — forged a 38-year career with the agency. During that time, she has guided the working lives of more than 1,000 local people

and inspired close to 400 Jewish college students to consider a career working in the Jewish community through a paid summer internship program called JOIN. Silver, who lives in Beverly Hills and is a member of Temple Emanu-El, is set to retire in August and reflects that her career has been incredibly rewarding. “Being given the chance to impact people, to empower them to make changes in their lives, was my calling, I think,” she says.

Silver’s journey across the Midwest began in Milwaukee, at a singles event where she met her future husband, Scott. Debra had just finished her postgraduate social work degree at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in Missouri and had secured a job at a crisis intervention center in Milwaukee. Meanwhile Scott, originally from Detroit, was thinking of returning home to open a business offering vocational rehabilitation case man-

agement closer to his family. Love and marriage swiftly followed, and with the couple now living in Michigan, Silver needed to find a job. Luckily one of her husband’s aunts knew someone who worked at JVS Human Services, and this contact gave Silver the names of some staff for her to network. That networking led to a job offer. “My initial job was to be a full-time career counselor, but I honestly didn’t know anything about the career part. What I did know was that I had really good counseling skills from my work in clinical social work, and JVS felt that I could train to become a career counselor,” Silver says. “As it was, I fell in love with career counseling because of the difference I could make in people’s lives.” When three children came along — Randall now 36, Eric, 34, and Sarah, 30 — Silver made her career at JVS work, sometimes job sharing, and then, as the children got older, she increased her hours. Ten years ago, she became supervisor of career development services. INSPIRING STUDENTS One important aspect of Silver’s job was supervising the continued on page 18

Three People Whose Lives JVS’ Silver Has Influenced

Natalie DuBois with her baby, Judah

Natalie DuBois, 32, director of family support services at Jewish Family Service, says the JOIN program shaped her career. “I wanted to be a social worker, but I wasn’t sure what direction to go in,” says DuBois of Oak Park. “JOIN supported my passion for Jewish communal service, gave me a taste of possible options, and I have worked in the Jewish commu-

nity all my career. Debbie has been a constant support and mentor to me throughout my career.” Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny of Temple Israel was studying Judaic studies at the University of Michigan when she took part in the JOIN program. “I always knew I wanted to be a rabbi, but I also knew it was important to understand not just how to serve a congregation, but how to serve a community. I wanted to understand how the Jewish community worked in terms of the agencies involved in servicing the needs of differ-

ent people,” she explains. Rabbi Kaluzny was placed at the Jewish Community Relations Council and had the opportunity to visit many agencies in the area. “JOIN was a great program Rabbi — political action, Jennifer social action and a Kaluzny meaningful way for students to get up close and personal with the community.” Moshe Newman, 32, of Southfield, benefitted from career counseling with Silver. He came from an Orthodox continued on page 18

JULY 29 • 2021

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DAVID SACHS

OUR COMMUNITY

Listening Tour Dave Coulter visits the JN in his efforts to better know different segments of Oakland County. JACKIE HEADAPOHL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

arlier this month, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter visited the Jewish News’ Farmington Hills office to meet with the editorial team and Detroit Jewish News Foundation Board Member Mark Zausmer and Board Advisor Mark Davidoff. Coulter, the former mayor of Ferndale, said he was interested in fostering relationships within the Jewish community. “In many ways, I’m still the new guy,” he said. “I know my own corner of Oakland County very well, but we have a big county, so I’ve been engaged in a listening tour, meeting with leaders from all over.

“The Jewish community is centered here in Oakland County, and it has a major presence. I want to better understand the community.” Coulter added that he was in Washington, D.C., during the recent “No Fear” rally again antisemitism. “I thought it was important to go and was struck by the commitment of two young men I met there from Oak Park, who drove down to the rally because they thought they needed to be there.” Because of the recent surge in antisemitism, Coulter also addressed the issue of security within the community. He said

County Executive Dave Coulter

he has talked to Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, who has been doing proactive outreach to synagogues and other places of worship regarding security. Coulter also talked about “making county government work.” His board of directors is split 11-10 between Democrats and Republicans. “And we don’t ignore the 10 Republicans,” he said. “We like proposals to pass with broad bipartisan support, which we’ve done with our budget and federal COVID relief dollars.” Coulter added efforts are

underway to build more diversity into county government, something he said was lacking. Another new project was the creation of a Community Relations Department to better understand and work more closely with area agencies and nonprofits. His office has also set up a welcoming initiative for immigrants, which the Jewish Community Relations Council is a part of. He said the biggest challenge the county faces is still COVID. “No question. The pandemic is not over,” he said. “The challenge is managing this next phase. Although the health aspect is much more manageable now, we still need to get people vaccinated. “There are also the affects of the pandemic on the economy. A lot of businesses have recovered and are doing great, but there are those still struggling. We want to target our American Recovery Plan dollars to where we can make the biggest impact and make significant, structural and transformational change.”

continued from page 16

JOIN program, an acronym for the Jeannette and Oscar Cook Jewish Occupational Intern Program. This unique opportunity provides paid summer internships for Jewish students to gain work experience, attend educational seminars and learn about the Jewish community, developing lifelong connections. JOIN began in 1973 and ran until 1980 when the recession in Detroit forced its suspension. In 1987, however, Silver and her then-supervisor Gail Stewart decided the program needed to restart. As the JOIN program coordinator, working with 12-15 students a year, Silver has been instrumental in guiding a generation of young people into careers in the Jewish community. Local rabbis, educators, communal leaders and board members have all graduated from the program benefiting the Metro Detroit Jewish community. Some have even gone far afield. “I see JOIN alumni everywhere,” Silver says. “Once I was watching the Today Show and there was a story about the King David dig in Israel, and the man being interviewed was one of my students!” From August, however, Silver will be

Jewish home, and his education had been traditional, studying in yeshivahs and gaining a degree in Talmudic Law. Moshe Newman, however, Newman wanted a career. “Someone mentioned vocational testing at JVS Human Services, and I was lucky enough to come across Debra. Over the course of 10 sessions, with vocational and psychological testing, we figured out that going to law school would fit my temperament and skill set,” he explains. “She gave me clarity.” Newman attended Wayne State University Law School, graduating in two and a half years. Now married with three young children, Newman is the founder of the Legacy Law Firm, which specializes in inheritance law.

JULY 29 • 2021

Debra Silver with her three granddaughters, Mia Paige Silver, 3, and Isabella Faye Silver, 10 months (on left), and Eloise Margot Cherluck, 11 months

focusing more on her family, spending time with her three small granddaughters, and taking frequent trips to Wisconsin to visit her 90-year-old mother.

Graham A.Orley was a man who put family first.

Including ours.

We at Jewish Family Service offer our heartfelt condolences for the loss of this giant in the Jewish community. His memory and legacy will live on through us all.

jfsdetroit.org JULY 29 • 2021

DUKE UNIVERSITY

SPORTS

Tigers

Like Mike Mike Rothenberg hit 24 home runs during his Duke career.

Jewish catcher from Duke selected in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball Draft STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ike Rothenberg would love to add his name to a lengthy list that includes Hank Greenberg, Joe Ginsburg, Brad Ausmus, Gabe Kapler and Ian Kinsler. The list is Jewish ballplayers who played for the Detroit Tigers. Rothenberg took his first step toward joining the list July 13 when he was selected by the Tigers in the 12th round of the annual Major League Baseball Draft. The 345th pick overall, he was taken on the third and final day of the draft. Rothenberg is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound switch-hitting catcher from Boca Raton, Fla., who just finished his senior season at Duke University. “I’m proud to be a Jewish ballplayer, and I’ve always appreciated the support I’ve gotten from the Jewish community,” he said. Rothenberg headed to the Tigers’ complex in Lakeland, Fla., after he was drafted. He’ll probably be joining the Lakeland Flying Tigers, the organization’s Low-Class A affiliate. Rothenberg said he was in communication with the Tigers prior to the draft and attended the organization’s pre-draft camp

JULY 29 • 2021

July 9 in Lakeland, so he wasn’t surprised the Tigers selected him. There haven’t been many switch-hitting catchers in the major leagues. A recent survey listed only 82 among more than 1,650 major-league catchers in history. Rothenberg, 22, said he began switch-hitting when he was 9 or 10 years old on a recommendation from his hitting coach. “I’m a natural right-handed batter. I struggled batting left-handed when I was 10, 11 and 12, but I stuck with being a switch hitter and it’s worked for me,” he said. The 2020 college baseball season was canceled by the NCAA because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rothenberg used the unexpected time off to modify and hone his catching skills. “I switched from the traditional catching style of two feet down to the new age style of catching on one knee,” he said. “The new age style is beneficial for a tall catcher like me. It makes it easier to block low pitches.” Rothenberg has been a catcher throughout his baseball life. He likes the cerebral part of the position. “I enjoy the chess match with each

Mike Rothenberg

opposing batter, calling pitches and the sequence of pitches,” he said. The Tigers drafted Rothenberg after taking another catcher — Josh Crouch from the University of Central Florida — in the previous round. It wasn’t a coincidence. “You always need catching and we’ve had our eye on those guys (Rothenberg and Crouch) for a while,” Scott Pleis, the Tigers’ top amateur scout, told the Detroit News. “Rothenberg has good size and arm strength. He was a little up and down offensively this past season (at Duke), but we saw

DUKE UNIVERSITY

Duke catcher Mike Rothenberg tags out a Boston College runner during a game this spring.

in the past how he swings,” Pleis said. “Both guys (Rothenberg and Crouch) are interesting. If they uptick a bit, they’ll turn themselves into good players.” Rothenberg had a great career at Duke, where he appeared in 166 games in four seasons, starting 157. The Blue Devils achieved unprecedented success with

him behind the plate, playing the NCAA tournament three straight times (2018, 2019 and 2021), making the super regional round twice (2018, 2019) and winning their first ACC championship (2021). Rothenberg had a career .266 batting average at Duke with 24 home runs (13th in program history), 128 RBIs (17th

in program history) and a .479 slugging percentage (24th in program history). He was hit by a pitch 36 times (fourth in program history). A star off the diamond, he was named an Academic AllAmerican in 2020. He graduated from Duke with a bachelor’s degree in political science, but he said he hopes to be a baseball executive after his playing career is over. Before going to Duke, Rothenberg set the school record for career home runs (19) at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he was an honor roll student. Rothenberg is the son of Mark and Susannah Rothenberg. He has an older brother, Matt, and a younger sister, Arielle. Matt Rothenberg played baseball at Harvard University from 2015-18. The 6-2, 195-pound

right-handed hitting second baseman, third baseman and leftfielder batted .307 in 128 games for the Crimson over four seasons with five homers and 53 RBIs. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard and is now the national trade marketing manager for AnheuserBusch’s Michelob Ultra brand. He works in New York City. Mike Rothenberg was part of a historic MLB draft for Jewish ballplayers. Observant Orthodox Jews were selected for the first time since the draft began in 1965. The Arizona Diamondbacks drafted 6-5, 220-pound pitcher Jacob Steinmetz, 17, from Woodmere, N.Y., and the Washington Nationals picked catcher Elie Kligman, 18, from Las Vegas, Nev. Please send sports news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.

Eugene & Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus

WEST BLOOMFIELD

• Edward I. & Freda Fleischman Residence/ Louis C. & Edith B. Blumberg Plaza • Dorothy and Peter D. Brown Memory Care Pavilion • Lillian & Samuel Hechtman Apartments J • Norma Jean & Edward Meer Apartments • Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program, West Bloomfield & Southfield

A. Alfred Taubman Jewish Community Campus

OAK PARK

• Margot & Warren Coville Assisted Living and Memory Care Community • Anna & Meyer Prentis Apartments • Harriett & Ben Teitel Apartments

People of all faiths and beliefs are welcome JULY 29 • 2021

ERETZ

MEET THE OLIM

Religious Zionism led to family’s decision to move to Israel. AVIVA ZACKS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

eff Schreiber, 68, regales us with stories of his fierce Zionism and why Zeman’s seven-layer cake and seeing his son are the only things he misses about living in Detroit. Jeff and his wife, Faye, made aliyah 16 years ago and have never looked back. Jeff, an engineering technician, repairs specialized computerized machinery. Q: Tell me how you got connected to Israel and became a Zionist. Jeff Schreiber: When I was growing up in Detroit, Israel was this faraway place. Just before I turned 21, in 1974 after the Yom Kippur War, I was tired of going to university. I told my parents I wanted to spend time on a Kibbutz called Sde Eliyahu in the Beit Shean Valley. I was there for six and a half months, working half the days and studying Hebrew in the ulpan the other half. Oddly enough, many people from Detroit have ended up there. The second time I was in Israel was in 1995, and I arrived with my wife and three children in tow. It was just before my son Danny’s bar mitzvah. Since then, we managed to come every year or two. Q: How did you prepare your children for living in Israel? JS: We spent our hard-earned money to send our kids to a religious Zionist day school, and we ended up with religious Zionists. I used to laugh at my friends who wondered what they did wrong because their kids wanted to live in Israel. We knew that when our daughter Shira left after high school, if she came

JULY 29 • 2021

back, she was only coming for a visit. That was in 2003. The next year, Danny and I came to Israel for a wedding. I went back to Detroit and said to my wife, “I’ve waited long enough. With you or without you, I’m going.” And to her credit, she took care of everything. She made all the arrangements. We arrived a couple weeks before Rosh Hashanah of 2005, and we have been here ever since. Q: What are your kids up to these days? JS: Our older daughter Avital lives around the corner from us and works at Shaare Zedek Medical Center as a nurse’s aide. She spent many years in the newborn nursery, and now she works in the outpatient chemotherapy department. Danny is in Detroit, and I miss him. We still try to convince him that this is where he belongs. It has been the better part of 18 months that we have been trying to get him to visit, and now it looks like he actually can. Shira, our youngest, has been married for 12 years and has presented us with interest on our original investment. We now have three grandsons and a granddaughter. Q: What organizations were you affiliated with in Detroit? JS: We went to the Young Israel of Oak Park, and our kids all went to Akiva (now Farber). For my own schooling, I went to the afternoon school of Beth Yehudah and my sisters went to United Hebrew Schools. My little brother was in the first graduating class at Hillel Day School. So, we covered the gamut of the

Jeff Schreiber

different organizations. Q: Is there anything that you miss about living in Detroit? JS: I miss Zeman’s seven-layer cake. I miss the Great Lakes. Having lived in Michigan my whole life, once you have seen Lake Superior or Lake Michigan, you can’t put the kid back on the farm. And I miss sane drivers. Q: Do you have a message for people who are reading this interview? JS: What are you waiting for? I would be lying to say that living in Israel is easier than living in the United States. It is not, but when you look at the bus coming at you in the opposite direction and it says Chag Sameach [Happy Holiday] on it in Hebrew, it is all worth it. And there are always inspirational things that happen day-to-day. I was with a Druze customer in Kiryat Shmona last week, and I saw something that struck me as incredibly odd. I said to him, “Why do you have a mezuzah on the door of your business when you don’t have an obligation to hang one?” He said, “Yes, but I do it out of respect for my Jewish customers.” I have Muslim customers who text me “Chag Sameach” on Israel Independence Day.

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JULY 29 • 2021

MAZEL TOV! JUNE 28, 2021 Joshua and Michelle Pad of Berkley are thrilled to announce the birth of their son, Eli Raymond Pad. He is welcomed into the world by his grandparents Karen Pad, Robert Pad, and Alan and Judy Wormser. Greatgrandparents are Barbara Becker, Helen Pad Urnovitz, Henry and Sandra Wormser, and Ellen Ziff. They honor Eli’s late great-grandfathers Raymond Becker, William Pad, Ernest Weiss and Larry Ziff. MAY 12, 2021 Michelle (Schwartz) and Baxter Trapp of Royal Oak are delighted to announce the birth of their daughter, Lilah Rehn. Lilah’s happy grandparents are Bill and Caroline Trapp of Farmington Hills, Alan and Kim Schwartz of Franklin, and Wendy Schwartz and Larry Bennett of Bloomfield Hills; overjoyed great-grandparents are Edie and Ed Broida of West Bloomfield, Rosemary Trapp of Novi, and Rosalie and George Schwartz of Farmington Hills. APRIL 6, 2021 Ashley and Nathan Silverman announce the birth of Isla Jade Silverman (Yehudit Ayla). She is the sister of Eden, granddaughter of Karen and Irwin Danto, Lynn and Warren Silverman, great-granddaughter of Rita Foon, the late Edward Foon, Ruthye and Charles Danto, the late Evelyn Silverman, Dolores Brown and the late Hyman Brown. She is named after the late Isadore Silverman and the late Julius Danto. MARCH 8, 2021 Devonie and Joel Danto announce the birth of Ezra Gordon Danto (Ezra Gabriel). He is the grandson of Karen and Irwin Danto of West Bloomfield, Lauren and Jack RoyalGordon of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., great-grandson of Rita Foon, Ruthye and Charles Danto, Joan and the late Herb Royal. He was named after the late Edward Foon and Gordon family. HOW TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS Mazel Tov! announcements are welcomed for members of the Jewish community. Anniversaries, engagements and weddings with a photo (preferably color) can appear at a cost of $18 each. Births are $10. There is no charge for bar/bat mitzvahs or for special birthdays starting at the 90th. For information, contact Editorial Assistant Sy Manello at smanello@thejewishnews.com or (248) 351-5147 for information or for a mailed or emailed copy of guidelines.

JULY 29 • 2021

SPIRIT

TORAH PORTION

Divine Covenant vs. Divine Contract

n this week’s portion, we tal needs. They were no longer encounter a shift in the covslaves, but wandering in the desenantal relationship between ert prevented them from being God and Israel. free-thinking people. Much like Until this point, this relaa child moves unselfconsciously tionship focused on the comthrough a daily routine accordmandments revealed ing to the instructions of at Mount Sinai. The parents and teachers, they commandments were unreflectively followed a unconditional: “thou pillar of cloud by day and a shalt” or “thou shalt pillar of fire by night. not.” Prior to this, there The task of conquering Professor is no conditional, “if the Land of Canaan, howevHoward ... then” relationship er, demanded more human Lupovitch between God and the initiative and agency. This Parshat People of Israel. was no task for “children.” Ekev: This now changes. In Moses reiterated the comDeuteronomy a passage (that happens 78:12-11:25; mandments as one instructs to be the second paraadults, placing a much larger Isaiah graph of the Shema) premium on human action, 49:14-51;3. we read: “... if you decision and initiative. obey the commandments that I Talmud scholar Rabbi Adin command you today” a series of Steinsaltz analogized the differrewards will ensue, mainly havence between life in the desert ing to do with rain. The Land and life in the Land of Israel of Israel relied almost entirely to life in the diaspora yeshivah on sufficient annual rainfall for world and life in the modern crops to grow and for the area to State of Israel. The former probe habitable. A promise of rain vided students’ daily necessities is a promise of life. However, in a world that was largely this promise has conditions homogenous, unchanging and attached. You get the rain and a sheltered. This, Steinsaltz argued, good life if you obey the comcomplicated efforts to transplant mandments. If not, God will the yeshivah world of galut to “close up the skies so that there the very different world of Israeli will be no rain and the ground society, a dissonance that every will not yield its produce, and Israeli government has had to you will soon perish.” confront and the current governThis shift from a covenant ment will have to confront now. to a contractual arrangement This dissonance is not just reflects the maturing of the a clash between religious and people. The men and women of secular, rather between the two this generation had experienced different and, at times, inherlittle or no autonomy and rarely ently conflicting mentalities: the made important decisions for mentality of the desert and the themselves. They lived under mentality of building a life in the harsh rule of Egyptian task Eretz Yisrael. masters and then under the Dr. Howard N. Lupovitch is director of sheltering Divine aegis that took WSU’s Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic care of even their most elemenStudies.

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JFSDETROIT.org JULY 29 • 2021

SPIRIT

A WORD OF TORAH

The

Spirituality of Listening I

t is one of the most important words in Judaism — and also one of the least understood. Its two most famous occurrences are in last week’s parshah and this week’s: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one,” and “It shall come to pass if you surely listen to My commandments which I am commanding you today, to love the Lord Rabbi Lord your God and to serve Him Jonathan with all your heart and all Sacks your soul” — the openings of the first and second paragraphs of the Shema. It also appears in the first line of the parshah: “It shall come to pass, if you listen to these laws.” The word, of course, is shema. I have argued elsewhere that it is fundamentally untranslatable into English since it means so many things: to hear, to listen, to pay attention, to understand, to internalize, to respond, to obey. It is one of the motif-words of the book of Devarim, where it appears no less than 92 times — more than in any other book of the Torah. Time and again in the last month of his life Moses told the people, Shema:

JULY 29 • 2021

listen, heed, pay attention. Hear what I am saying. Hear what God is saying. Listen to what He wants from us. If you would only listen … Judaism is a religion of listening. This is one of its most original contributions to civilization. The twin foundations on which Western culture was built were ancient Greece and ancient Israel. They could not have been more different. Greece was a profoundly visual culture. Its greatest achievements had to do with the eye, with seeing. It produced some of the greatest art, sculpture and architecture the world has ever seen. Its most characteristic group events — theatrical performances and the Olympic games — were spectacles: performances that were watched. Plato thought of knowledge as a kind of depth vision, seeing beneath the surface to the true form of things. This idea — that knowing is seeing — remains the dominant metaphor in the West even today. We speak of insight, foresight and hindsight. We offer an observation. We adopt a perspective. We illustrate. We illuminate. We shed light on an issue. When we understand something, we say, “I see.”

WORDS OF GOD Judaism offered a radical alternative. It is faith in a God we cannot see, a God who cannot be represented visually. The very act of making a graven image — a visual symbol — is a form of idolatry. As Moses reminded the people in last week’s parshah, when the Israelites had a direct encounter with God at Mount Sinai, “You heard the sound of words, but saw no image; there was only a voice.” (Deut. 4:12). God communicates in sounds, not sights. He speaks. He commands. He calls. That is why the supreme religious act is Shema. When God speaks, we listen. When He commands, we try to obey. Rabbi David Cohen (1887–1972), known as the Nazirite, a disciple of Rav Kook and the father of R. Shear-Yashuv Cohen, chief rabbi of Haifa, pointed out that in the Babylonian Talmud all the metaphors of understanding are based not on seeing but on hearing. Ta shema, “come and hear.” Ka mashma lan, “It teaches us this.” Shema mina, “Infer from this.” Lo shemiyah lei, “He did not agree.” A traditional teaching is called shamaytta, “that which was heard.” And so on. All of these are variations on the

word shema. This may seem like a small difference, but it is, in fact, a huge one. For the Greeks, the ideal form of knowledge involved detachment. There is the one who sees, the subject, and there is that which is seen, the object, and they belong to two different realms. A person who looks at a painting or a sculpture or a play in a theater or the Olympic Games is not himself part of the art or the drama or the athletic competition. He or she is a spectator, not a participant. Speaking and listening are not forms of detachment. They are forms of engagement. They create a relationship. The Hebrew word for knowledge, da’at, implies involvement, closeness, intimacy. “And Adam knew Eve his wife and she conceived and gave birth” (Gen. 4:1). That is knowing in the Hebrew sense, not the Greek. We can enter into a relationship with God, even though He is infinite and we are finite, because we are linked by words. In revelation, God speaks to us. In prayer, we speak to God. If you want to understand any relationship, between husband and wife, or parent and child, or employer and employee, pay close attention to how they speak and listen to one another. Ignore everything else. The Greeks taught us the forms of knowledge that come from observing and inferring, namely science and philosophy. The first scientists and the first philosophers came from Greece from the sixth to the fourth centuries B.C.E. But not everything can be understood by seeing and appearances alone. There is a powerful story about this told in the first book of Samuel. Saul, Israel’s first king, looked the part. He was tall. “From his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people,” (1 Sam. 9:2, 10:23). He was the image of a king. But morally, temperamentally, he was not a leader at all; he was a follower. IGNORE APPEARANCES God then told Samuel to anoint another king in his place and told him it would

be one of the children of Yishai. Samuel went to Yishai and was struck by the appearance of one of his sons, Eliav. He thought he must be the one God meant. But God said to him, “Do not be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not see as people do. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). Jews and Judaism taught that we cannot see God, but we can hear Him and He hears us. It is through the word — speaking and listening — that we can have an intimate relationship with God as our parent, our partner, our sovereign, the One who loves us and whom we love. We cannot demonstrate God scientifically. We cannot prove God logically. These are Greek, not Jewish, modes of thought. I believe that from a Jewish perspective, trying to prove the existence of God logically or scientifically is a mistaken enterprise. God is not an object but a subject. The Jewish mode is to relate to God in intimacy and love, as well as awe and reverence. One fascinating modern example came from a Jew who, for much of his life, was estranged from Judaism, namely Sigmund Freud. He called psychoanalysis the “speaking cure,” but it is better described as the “listening cure.” It is based on the fact that active listening is in itself therapeutic. It was only after the spread of psychoanalysis, especially in America, that the phrase “I hear you” came into the English language as a way of communicating empathy. There is something profoundly spiritual about listening. It is the most effective form of conflict resolution I know. Many things can create conflict, but what sustains it is the feeling on the part of at least one of the parties that they have not been heard. They have not been listened to. We have not “heard their pain.” There has been a failure of empathy. That is why the use of force — or for that matter, boycotts — to resolve conflict is so profoundly self-defeating.

It may suppress it for a while, but it will return, often more intense than before. Job, who has suffered unjustly, is unmoved by the arguments of his comforters. It is not that he insists on being right: What he wants is to be heard. Not by accident does justice presuppose the rule of audi alteram partem, “Hear the other side.” Listening lies at the very heart of relationship. It means that we are open to the other, that we respect him or her, that their perceptions and feelings matter to us. We give them permission to be honest, even if this means making ourselves vulnerable in so doing. A good parent listens to their child. A good employer listens to his or her workers. A good company listens to its customers or clients. A good leader listens to those he or she leads. Listening does not mean agreeing, but it does mean caring. Listening is the climate in which love and respect grow. LEARN TO LISTEN In Judaism we believe that our relationship with God is an ongoing tutorial in our relationships with other people. How can we expect God to listen to us if we fail to listen to our spouse, our children or those affected by our work? And how can we expect to encounter God if we have not learned to listen? On Mount Horeb, God taught Elijah that He was not in the whirlwind, the earthquake or the fire but in the kol demamah dakah, the “still, small voice” that I define as a voice you can only hear if you are listening. Crowds are moved by great speakers, but lives are changed by great listeners. Whether between us and God or us and other people, listening is the prelude to love. The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks served as the chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, 1991-2013. He has made his teachings available to all. This essay was originally published in August 2016.

JULY 29 • 2021

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

JULY 29 • 2021

Kehillat Hatzhav Hagadol Mackinac Island (906) 202-9959 mackinacsynagogue.org

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

ORTHODOX Agudas Israel Mogen Abraham Southfield (248) 552-5711 aymadetroit.org

Chabad House-Lubavitch of Eastern Michigan Flint (810) 230-0770 chabad.org

Ahavas Olam Southfield (248) 569-1821 Ahavasolam.com

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

Ahavas Yisroel Oak Park (248) 298-2896 Learntorah.info Aish Hatorah in the Woods Oak Park (248) 327-3579 Aishdetroit.com Bais Chabad of Farmington Hills (248) 855-2910 chabad.org Bais Chabad of North Oak Park (248) 872-8878 chabad.org Bais Haknesses Hagrah Oak Park (248) 542-8737 Balfour Shul – K’Hal Rina U’Tefila Oak Park (732) 693-8457

Chabad Jewish Center of Novi-Northville (248) 790-6075 novijewishcenter.com Chabad Jewish Center of Troy Troy/Rochester Hills (248) 873-5851 jewishtroy.com Chabad-Lubavitch of Bingham Farms Bloomfield Hills (248) 688-6796 chabadbinghamfarms.com

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

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

Shaarey Zedek Windsor (519) 252-1594 shaareyzedekwindsor.com

Dovid Ben Nuchim-Aish Kodesh Oak Park (313) 320-9400 dbndetroit.org

Shomer Israel Oak Park (248) 542-4014 godaven.com continued on page 32

An Unearthed Diary.

An Unforgettable Story. The Girl in the Diary: Searching for Rywka from the Lodz Ghetto is a special exhibit based on a diary discovered in Auschwitz-Birkenau after WWII. Created by the Galicia Jewish Museum in Krakow, Poland. Open now through December.

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SPIRIT continued from page 30

Shomrey Emunah Southfield (248) 559-1533 congregation-shomreyemunah-105705.square.site The Shul-Chabad Lubavitch West Bloomfield (248) 788-4000 theshul.net Woodward Avenue Shul Royal Oak (248) 414-7485 thewas.net

Congregation Beth El Windsor (519) 969-2422 bethelwindsor.ca

Temple Emanu-El Oak Park (248) 967-4020 emanuel-mich.org

Temple Beth El Battle Creek (269) 963-4921

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

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

Temple Jacob Hancock templejacobhancock.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yagdil Torah Southfield (248) 559-5905 Young Israel of Oak Park (248) 967-3655 yiop.org

Congregation T’chiyah Ferndale (248) 823-7115 tchiyah.org Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit (313) 567-0306 reconstructingjudiasm.org REFORM Bet Chaverim Canton (734) 480-8880 betchaverim@yahoo.com Temple Benjamin Mt. Pleasant (989) 773-5086 templebenjamin.com

Congregation Beth Shalom Traverse City 231-946-1913 beth-shalom-tc.org

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

Temple Beth Sholom Marquette tbsmqt.org

SECULAR/HUMANISTIC The Birmingham Temple Farmington Hills (248) 477-1410 birminghamtemple.com

Temple B’nai Israel Kalamazoo (269) 342-9170 Templebnaiisrael.com

Sholem Aleichem Institute Lathrup Village (240 865-0117 secularsaimichigan.org

Temple B’nai Israel Petoskey (231) 489-8269 templebnaiisraelofpetoskey.org Temple Emanuel Grand Rapids (616) 459-5976 grtemple.org

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

Ohr Hatorah Oak Park (248) 294-0613 Ohrhatorah.us MINYANS Fleischman Residence West Bloomfield (248) 661-2999 Yeshivat Akivah Southfield (248) 386-1625 farberhds.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 SECULAR HUMANISTIC Jewish Cultural Society (734) 975-9872 jewishculturalsociety.org Please email factual corrections or additional synagogues to list to: smanello@thejewishnews.com. JULY 29 • 2021

Cast (from left): Lauren Landman, Mitchell J. Hardy, Erin Johnson, Jason Bowen, Alec Diem and Maryanna Lauter.

ARTS&LIFE THEATER

Casting NICELY THEATRE GROUP

a Spell Putnam County actress has rich theatrical heritage. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

auren Landman grew up in Michigan surrounded by a three-generation family of theater fans and community theater performers. In Chicago, an aunt and uncle (Naomi Landman and Neil Tobin) could be seen on professional stages. What Landman enjoyed most at age 6 seemed to fit in with her heritage and surroundings without ever changing. A role as an orphan in a Lauren community theater production Landman of Annie cemented her interest. Twenty-one years later, while pursuing a theater career in New York, she has returned to Michigan as part of the ensemble cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which is being presented July 28-31 by the Nicely Theatre Group enhanced by a live band. Although planned as an outdoor show on the grounds of the Berman Center for the Performing Arts in West Bloomfield,

the production can be readily switched inside if the weather dictates. “I’ve never performed in a show outdoors before, but I’ve seen shows outdoors,” said Landman, who portrays one of six adolescents competing to surpass opponents as each presents special challenges amid the tension of the bee. “Mitch Master, our director, and David Carroll, our producer, have some exciting ideas about how to incorporate doing the show outdoors, and we have exciting visions before and after the show to really help welcome audiences into the environment. We’re going to be miked and have food trucks, weather permitting.” Landman takes on the role of Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, the daughter of two gay men pushing her to excel as written in the script by Rachel Sheinkin and the score by William Finn. “All of the children’s roles are written to be larger than life,” Landman said. “Although

DETAILS

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is being performed at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, July 28-31, on the grounds of the Berman Center for the Performing Arts in West Bloomfield. $25. Grounds open at 7:30 p.m. for refreshments and music. Bring your own chairs and blankets. nicelytheatregroup.org. they are caricatures, we’ve been focusing on making these kids’ stories authentic and relatable. “My character is a bit insecure, so she overcompensates for it by showing a lot of confidence even though it isn’t always genuine. Schwartzy, as she is nicknamed, makes connections during the bee and learns how to stand up to the pressure that her fathers are always placing on her. “My main song is ‘Woe Is Me,’ which laments all the pressure. It’s very fast and continued on page 34 JULY 29 • 2021

ARTS&LIFE

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a hard song to sing since it’s almost a tongue twister. Because the show is ensemble-focused, we sing most of the songs together, but each character gets a song to detail reasons for wanting to win the bee.” Landman built her musical theater experience by appearing in school productions, first in the Walled Lake system and then at Detroit Country Day School. Summers were divided between Interlochen Arts Camp and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Mich. While studying theater at Kalamazoo College, Landman was able to appear in summer stock productions at the Barn Theatre in Augusta, Farmers Alley Theatre in Kalamazoo and the Dio in Pinckney. New York instructional opportunities included enrollment at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and the Broadway Dance Center. She also participated in educational programming at the Stratford Festival in Ontario. Through those experiences, Landman was able to take master classes with popular stage stars, such as Joanna Gleason, a Tony Award-winner who had the lead in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. A month after moving to New York in 2019, Landman was cast into her first national tour, a children’s theater pro-

duction about the Holocaust. The drama My Heart in a Suitcase, presented through ArtsPower National Touring Theatre, placed Landman in the role of Anne Lehmann, the lead character. “It’s based on a memoir by Anne Lehmann Fox, whose parents made the decision to send her on the Kindertransport so that she would hopefully survive as things were getting worse and worse for Jewish people in Germany,” said Landman, who attended services and religious classes at Temple Israel. “She was ultimately the only member of her family to survive. “The play was focused on her at age 12, and I look much younger than I am. It is a beautiful, emotional and powerful play, and I was so grateful to be part of it. I was supposed go out on another leg of the tour, but that’s when COVID hit. The tour was canceled.” Landman was asked to be in the spelling bee musical by Mitch Master, who had worked with her in a Bloomfield Players production of Fiddler on the Roof. “I hope I eventually will perform fulltime, but I understand the importance of having a backup plan,” said Landman, who has been working in social media to help support herself. “In the meantime, this musical is such a great time.”

Members of the Detroit Children’s Choir lay down tracks for the film’s final song.

MUSIC

PHOTOS BY KEITH FAMIE

Young Voices

Detroit Children’s Choir featured in Shoah Ambassadors film. DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

roduction on Keith Famie’s Shoah Ambassadors Holocaust documentary film continued July 15 at Tempermill Studios in Ferndale, as the Detroit Children’s Choir took part in a filming session of what will serve as the vocal tracks for the film’s final scene. The film has been in production for more than 18 months and is focused on educating the youth about the horrors and atrocities of the Holocaust through ambassadors Curtis Bates and Hailey Callahan, who have been selected to tell the Holocaust story through their own unique artistic expression. The choir will be featured in the film singing and dancing through the streets of Detroit while they sing the closing song “Never Again,” written by Bates, a singer-songwriter from Detroit. This will be the third song Bates has written for the film. During the filming session, the kids had the opportunity to lay down their vocal tracks for the song. The song drives the thought of unity with a call to action for the younger generation to take the lead as they grow into the world’s future leaders. Bates’ song touches on important discussions with a hope to catch the attention of the country’s youth, the very intention of the film. “When we heard about this project, it really spoke to what we’re all about,” said Eric Taylor, musical director of the Detroit Children’s Choir. “This idea of supporting and loving one another and making a more inclusive world for everyone to be a part of.”

Sandee Singer, executive director of development and operations for the Detroit Children’s Choir, believes it’s the perfect time to inform the young generation of current and past human rights issues. “I’m hoping as they engross themselves in this project and learn more about it — it’s going to create an awareness they can grow and share with their friends and family, become more involved and a voice that’s heard throughout the world,” Singer said. Now, Famie and his team have to go shoot the actual visuals of the film’s final scene, a process the team is working on scripting right now. The visuals for the final scene are planned to be shot throughout the streets of Detroit, including at iconic Detroit land-

marks and possibly finishing at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, with Holocaust survivors, the choir and Curtis and Hailey all there at the same time for the climax. Famie is looking forward to closing out the film in a perfect bow. “We’re bridging generational gaps through this song,” Famie said. “It’s like we’ve gone through this whole story in the film, you’ve met Holocaust survivors, you understand the journey Curtis and Hailey have been on, so where do we go from here? “It brings it all together with youth and lets youth drive where we go today with a very powerful message,” Famie said. For updates and to learn more about the film, visit shoahambassadors.com. A member of the sound crew for Shoah Ambassadors works on the taping.

JULY 29 • 2021

CELEBRITY NEWS

NATE BLOOM COLUMNIST

BACK TO THE PAST, AGAIN; MR. 4 BILLION VIEWS The 2019 film Framing DeLorean had a short theater run and then found a home (2020) on Netflix, where it is still streaming (also now on Hulu). The film had some documentary-style material mixed in with many dramatic reenactments of critical moments in DeLorean’s life. Alec Baldwin played DeLorean and Josh Charles, now 49, played Bill Collins, the engineer who designed the DeLorean car. Also dramatized was Howard Weitzman (1942-2021), the skilled attorney who successfully defended (1984-85) DeLorean on charges of cocaine trafficking.

Netflix augments its DeLorean library with the release, on July 30, of a three-part documentary it has titled Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean. Myth and Mogul is a BBC documentary that ran in the U.K. last February under the title DeLorean: Back to the Future. The U.K. title, of course, references the use of a DeLorean car in the hit film — and the film is the only reason why people under 40 even know DeLorean’s name. The BBC series, which got good reviews, aims to be a psychological study of DeLorean. The interviews include those who knew DeLorean “way back when” (DeLorean was born and raised in Detroit and long worked for GM in greater Detroit). Weitzman and Collins are prominent figures in the BBC documentary.

Mark Ronson

The Sound with Mark Ronson is a six-part Apple TV+ interview series that premieres on July 30. Each week, Ronson and his guest(s) will discuss revolutionary music/sound technology and its effect on the artistry of current music. The guests include Paul McCartney, Questlove, Dave Grohl, and the two surviv-

JENNIFER SU, WIKIPEDIA

ARTS&LIFE

ing members of the Beastie Boys, Adam Horovitz, 54, AKA Ad-Rock, and Mike Diamond, 55, AKA Mike D. Ronson was born in the U.K. He moved to the States when he was 8, following his parents’ divorce. Ronson, who was a bar mitzvah, is a top producer and songwriter. He’s won seven Grammys, a Golden Globe and an Oscar. The last two for co-writing the monster hit “Shallow” for A Star is Born. His most notable Grammy was for co-writing and producing “Uptown Funk.” The video for the song has received 4 billion(!) views on YouTube. Ronson was once engaged to Rashida Jones, 45, and was married (2011-2018) to Joséphine de La Baume, 36, a French actress. He’s currently engaged to actress Grace Gummer, Meryl Streep’s daughter.

BOOKS

Book Review: A Passion for Israel: Adventures of a Sar-El Volunteer ED KOHL SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

hat would motivate a successful corporate lawyer to trade in his comfortable life in America for three weeks every year to volunteer on an Israeli military base? Mark Werner, an Mark ardent American Werner Zionist, sought a personal way to show support for Israel. His new book, A Passion for

JULY 29 • 2021

Israel: Adventures of a Sar-El Volunteer, is based on journals he kept during 14 volunteer Sar-El stints on Israeli military bases from 2006 to 2019. It tells the story of a volunteer experience that has enriched the author’s life, and it also provides a roadmap for others to show their support for Israel. Sar-El is an Israeli organization that enables thousands of volunteers from all over the world to work in a civilian capacity on Israeli military

bases. Werner describes what life is like on Israeli army bases for volunteers, starting with his own experiences — from working through a desert sandstorm, to dealing with a scorpion in his bunk, to taking refuge in a bomb shelter during a Hamas missile attack. Through simple activities

— from packing kitbags and medical supplies for the soldiers to filling sandbags and assembling tank antennas — the volunteers work hard to make their contributions to the defense of Israel. While working side-by-side with Israeli soldiers, a camaraderie develops between the volunteers and soldiers, and that camaraderie is the reward for their service. Our local Sar-El/VFI (Volunteers for Israel) Team is available to speak to groups and individuals about the program, including the new VFI PLUS programs, which are scheduled to reopen this fall. Email michgan@vfi-usa. org, visit vfi-usa.org or call Carol Kent or Ed Kohl at (248) 4203729 for more information.

ON THE GO

PEOPLE | PLACES | EVENTS

SPECIAL EXHIBIT OPENS JULY 29 The Holocaust Memorial Center will display “The Girl in the Diary: Searching for Rywka from the Lodz Ghetto.” 28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills. Info: holocaustcenter.org; 248-553-2400.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT 7-9 PM, JULY 29 NEXTGen Detroit will host D-I-Wine & Cupcakes at Pinspiration Berkely, 2733 Coolidge. An evening of vino, cupcake decorating (and eating) and the chance to make some new gal pals. Cost $25. Info: mmarcus@ jfmd.org; 248-205-2535. STROLLING BRUNCH 10 AM-NOON, AUG.1 Federation’s Affinities Dept. will host this event for women ages 37-55. At Eastern Market, 2934 Russell, Detroit. Info: jfeld@ jfmd.org; 248-873-2512. ‘A WANDERING PEOPLE’ 2-3:30 PM, AUG. 2 The Jewish Theological Seminary hosts Dr. Stefanie Siegmund for a look at the flow of information within government agencies to see how licensing developed by the Florentine government as tools for the control of plague, of

criminals and of residents of the Florentine ghetto and how these instruments led directly to the forms of identification we use today. “The Early Modern Travel Pass: Controlling the Plague and Jewish Mobility in 16th Century Tuscany” is an online presentation. Info: inspired.jtsa.edu/event.

ANNUAL CONCERT OF COLORS AUG. 2-9 Roy Ayers, Don Was, Ram, Souad Massi, Organic Orchestra and others in an 8-day diversity celebration. Local cultural institutions expand this festival that returns as a hybrid: live, broadcast and streamed. Detroit Public TV-WTVS and WDET 101.9 FM will broadcast and stream headlining artists who are recording at the Detroit Film Theatre at the DIA and on stages from their home countries. Events will also be streamed on YouTube, Facebook and concertofcolors.com. All events are free. HADASSAH GET TOGETHER 6:30 PM, AUG. 3 Eleanor Roosevelt Hadassah hosts this membership in-person event at the Beverly Hills Village

GOAT YOGA 11 AM-NOON, AUG. 13 Park, 18801 Beverly Road, Beverly Hills. Register by Aug. 1. There is a $18 event fee. Event features guitarist Lisa Soble Siegmann, a singer, song writer, cantorial soloist and song leader. Bring your own beverages/food, rain or shine. Additional parking at Beverly Hills Elementary School, 18305 Beverly Road. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required. You will also be required to sign a Hadassah waiver form at time of entry. Info: contact greaterdetroit@hadassah. org or call 248-683-5030. GROWING GREEN 7:30 PM, AUG. 3 NEXTGen Detroit and JVS present “Growing,” a NEXTWork series on the cannabis industry. This will be the first of a two-part series as they visit New Standard, a high-end dispensary, 24906 John R, Hazel Park, and hear from its CEO Howard Luckoff. Cost $10. Info: jlive.app/ events/718. MIND AEROBICS 3-4 PM, AUG. 3-NOV. 3 Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County offers this workout class for the brain. It is looking for partic-

ipants (discounts offered for groups) for a 12-week series of LIVE virtual sessions that use games and activities to help optimize brain health, maintain sharp mental function with age and ward off cognitive decline later in life. The sessions will go from Aug. 3 to Nov. 3 on Tuesdays & Thursdays. The cost is $10 a session/ $240 for the whole course. Scholarships are available. For information and to register, visit: wisemich.org/ mind-aerobics. GOAT YOGA 11 AM-NOON, AUG. 13 Jewish Federation Affiliates invite you to Plymouth for flexibility and fun at The Goat Yoga, 5400 Curtis Road, Plymouth. Cost $25. Bring along a towel; class will be held outdoors, so dress for the workout and for the weather. This in-person event is intended for the GenX crowd. Please register in advance by Aug. 6. Questions? Contact Jodi at feld@jfmd.org. Learn more about The Goat Yoga at thegoat.yoga. Compiled by Sy Manello/Editorial Assistant. Send items at least 14 days in advance to calendar@thejewishnews.com.

JULY 29 • 2021

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

NOSH

From

Russia Bistro Le Bliss serves Eastern European fare with a French twist. ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

akov Fleysher made his first soup when he was just 5 years old. The owner and executive chef of West Bloomfield’s Bistro Le Bliss, which fuses traditional Eastern European fare with French cuisine, boiled orange peels with different ingredients. The then-5-year-old, who grew up in the former Soviet Union in a small city 20 miles outside of Riga, Latvia, called

Ogre, fed the soup to his father. “My dad ate it, and he liked it,” he recalls with a laugh. Encouraged by the response, Fleysher, now 42, continued to cook. By the age of 16, he was regularly flipping and serving up blinchiki, or thin Russianstyle crepes for his family. “Whenever someone wanted crepes, I was supposed to make them,” he says. “Cooking was in my DNA.”

Chef puts the finishing touches on his food before it is sent out.

Fleysher’s great-grandmother was a chef. His great-grandfather also operated a kosher butcher shop. “Before the Soviets came to Latvia, my family was making kosher food and kosher meat for Jewish people,” he explains. “I was inspired by them.” He likens his lifelong passion for cooking and the art of food to the Sanskrit word of “samsara,” a fundamental belief that life is cyclical and that all living beings are reborn. “I knew all my life I was ready to cook,” Fleysher says. “Life led me to it. It’s just the way it was.”

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

A NEW FUTURE As Bistro Le Bliss, which will celebrate three years in operation this August, gets ready to welcome a recently secured liquor license, Fleysher is already cooking up creative plans for how to remodel the restaurant to accommodate a new bar and eating area. He also has new dishes in the works that follow Bistro

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Le Bliss’ traditional style of incorporating unusual ingredients into beautifully arranged plates. The restaurant plans to begin selling charbroiled sturgeon, roasted beet and herring tartare, and beef and herring carpaccio. “They’re Eastern European with a French influence,” Fleysher says of the upcoming menu options. Yet these dishes aren’t easy to make; the chef and restaurant owner spends weeks, sometimes longer, developing and fine-tuning recipes. “It’s trial and error,” he continues. “Every day, you think about your inspirations and create new combinations from them. After several tries, you come up with the perfect combination.” It’s a practice that Fleysher has refined in his 37 years of cooking. From his early years living behind the Iron Curtain to the culinary career that he built from the ground up in the United States, the self-taught

LEFT: Decadent chocolate mousse: dark Belgian chocolate with raspberry sauce and toasted almonds.

RIGHT: Chef Yakov Fleysher at one of his booths.

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

BELOW: Charbrolied Sturgeon: Roasted butternut squash succotash, roasted corn, lima beans, grape tomatoes, champagne beurre black, pomegranate glaze.

continued on page 40

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

BUILDING A BRAND Since immigrating to the United States in 1995 and settling in Metro Detroit at the age of 17, Fleysher has steadily built a loyal clientele that follows him wherever his cooking takes him. One of the first jobs he landed in Michigan was working as a dishwasher making $4.25 an hour. But his manager saw potential in the young man. “He pushed me to open my own restaurant,” Fleysher recalls. “He pushed me to go to college, and he was willing to pay for my education.” Over the next few years, Fleysher attended Oakland Community College while refining his culinary skills. He cooked with chefs from Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Mexico, among others, learning about different cuisines as he prepared to open his own restaurant. After nine years, he was finally ready. In 2004, Fleysher opened Cafe Rendezvous, a breakfast and brunch diner in West Bloomfield inspired by Eastern European food. Yet he realized there was more he wanted to do. Fleysher eventually sold Cafe Rendezvous in 2011 with the dream of opening Bistro Le Bliss, though he

didn’t know at the time what the concept would be. He only knew West Bloomfield was the right location for his second restaurant. “I was looking for a network of people [to cater to] and for some of these people, I’ve been making food for nearly 20 years,” he says of West Bloomfield clientele. “I was looking for a place with potential.” He found it near the crossroads of Orchard Lake and Maple. “When I found this place, and it became available,” Fleysher continues, “I knew it would be perfect for French European bistro.” Bistro Le Bliss opened Aug. 27, 2018, which also marked 20 years of marriage on the dot for Fleysher and his wife, Julie. For the couple, who operate the restaurant together, it felt like a sign. The Fleyshers designed the restaurant with an open kitchen so Yakov Fleysher can see his customers while he cooks and they, in turn, him. The layout was intentional, Fleysher explains. The restaurant has a loyal

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

and classically trained chef has taken bits and pieces of different life experiences to shape the dishes and cooking style that he’s known for today. “You have to study your people, your customers,” Fleysher explains. “You have to know what they want and what they’re looking for. “Everyone has different habits and different ways about food,” he continues. “People used to tell me, ‘Why are you opening a restaurant in West Bloomfield? It’s very difficult.’ And I would say, ‘No, it’s not. This is the clientele I know, and I know how they like their food.’”

JULY 29 • 2021

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

NOSH

Chef at one of his tables with some dishes. Roasted beet and herring carpaccio: arugula, pickled purple shallots, fromage de chever, pickled mustard seeds.

continued from page 39

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

clientele that includes some customers who sit down every week for a hot meal. Most popular on the menu are the West Bloomfield onion soup, whitefish meuniere and beef stroganoff, though a regularly rotating menu keeps things new. Yet for repeat customers, Fleysher has their favorite meals already simmering before they even take a seat. “You know who they are, what time they’re coming and what they’re going to eat beforehand,” he says of some Bistro Le Bliss customers. “For every single person who walks in, you develop a relationship with them.”

Chef prepares the vegetables for a dish.

JULY 29 • 2021

PATH TO FREEDOM After more than 25 years in the United States, Fleysher is looking forward to the next chapter for Bistro Le Bliss. Yet like many other Soviet Jews who escaped the former Soviet Union due to antisemitism and limited opportunities, Fleysher carries a special appreciation for Jewish culture. It’s one of the building blocks of Bistro Le Bliss, which caters to a large Jewish clientele and features Jewish-

inspired classics, though often with Fleysher’s custom twist. Growing up in Latvia, Fleysher was surrounded by a small, but close Jewish community that often stuck together. As the Soviet Union neared winter of 1991, which finally saw the collapse of the Iron Curtain, Fleysher’s friends began to move away. One by one, Jewish families immigrated to countries like Canada, Israel, Australia and the United States. Eventually, the Fleysher family was one of the last Jewish families left in

“FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO WALKS IN, YOU DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM” — CHEF YAKOV FLEYSHER

Ogre. They, too, decided to leave Latvia for a better life abroad. “We were the last of our family to immigrate,” recalls Fleysher, who had two uncles immigrate to the United

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

Restaurant & Catering

“A Great New York Style Steakhouse”

INDOOR & PRIVATE PATIO DINING!

Chef plates the vegetables.

FULL WINE & LIQUOR THE

States in previous years. The family felt it was finally time to go, as the collapse of the Soviet Union left the republics, including Latvia, in various states of chaos. “It was like hypothetically, if the United States collapsed into 50 different countries,” Fleysher explains of the end of the Soviet era. “Everyone was grabbing whatever they could, because in the Soviet Union, everything belonged to the government.” In the chaos, Fleysher was once physically attacked for no reason. But the family couldn’t leave right away. Applications to emigrate took months, sometimes years, and the Fleyshers waited more than five years until their request was granted. Like many others, they were forced to leave everything behind in the former Soviet

Union in order to exit the country. “When I came to the United States, all I had was a plastic bag full of pictures and a T-shirt signed by my friends,” Fleysher remembers. Yet the entrepreneur had a dream, even from the young age of 17. “My plan was to be successful by age 30,” he continues. “By age 25, I opened my first restaurant.” Fleysher always knew this would be the case, though. It was clear to him since the first soup he made for his father at the age of 5. “It just comes natural,” he says of cooking. “You have to be confident. “Other chefs, maybe they will be afraid something won’t work,” he continues, “but you have to see the final product in your head already. And you just think and you change ingredients until you make it happen.”

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CALL TO RESERVE YOUR TABLE TODAY! HOURS: MONDAY - THURSDAY 11:00AM-9:00PM CLOSED FRIDAY & SATURDAY - SUNDAY 4:00PM-9:00PM 15600 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield / 248-327-7344 / info@prime10detroit.com

JULY 29 • 2021

DINING GUIDE

EATS | DRINKS | SWEETS

Food for Thought Top kosher eateries to check out in Metro Detroit this summer. WOK IN CARI OUT FACEBOOK

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ABOVE: A delicious entree from Chef Cari.

JULY 29 • 2021

etro Detroit is home to a variety of kosher-certified eateries. From local pizza joints to upscale steakhouses, to even national breakfast chains, there’s something for nearly every tastebud when it comes to finding kosher-friendly meals in the area. With summer in full swing and many restaurants back open for in-person dining (or increased carryout options), these are the establishments worth checking out for the best kosher dining Metro Detroit has to offer. JERUSALEM PIZZA 26025 GREENFIELD ROAD, SOUTHFIELD Jerusalem Pizza has a little bit of everything. On top of their namesake pizza (which includes vegetarian “meat” options), this cozy eatery serves up homemade kosher bagels and, most recently, sushi. Though their indoor dining space has been reduced to make room for a sushi bar, Jerusalem Pizza continues to offer carryout. More than 29 pizza varieties make up Jerusalem Pizza’s vast pizza menu. Owner Brian Jacobs says the most popular orders are Greek, barbeque “chicken,” Sephardic and Mexican pizzas. While there aren’t any summer dining specials, Jacobs explains that the sushi bar is growing in popularity. “If you go to New York, every pizza store has sushi,” he says. Sushi was a perfect addition to Jerusalem Pizza, Jacobs says, because the pizza restaurant is next door to an Asian eatery that doesn’t offer sushi. This brings customers to Jerusalem Pizza. Jacobs says the sushi is madefrom-scratch, cooked in-house and available in brown rice options.

WOK IN CARI OUT FACEBOOK

Chef Cari Herskovitz offers Contonese-American cuisine at Wok In Cari Out.

Jerusalem Pizza’s breadsticks and bagel trays, Jacobs adds, are also some of their biggest hits. WOK IN CARI OUT 15600 W 10 MILE ROAD, SOUTHFIELD As a clever play on owner and chef Cari Herskovitz’s name, Cantonese-American carryout restaurant Wok In Cari Out celebrated its third birthday this summer. It’s Herskovitz’s newest project, which offers the area’s first fully kosher menu featuring classic Chinese dishes. With more than 15 years of cooking experience under her belt, Herskovitz serves up chicken, beef, vegetarian and vegan options, plus traditional soups and appetizers. On top of carryout, Wok In Cari Out also offers curbside pickup and delivery (when available). “Our sesame chicken is our most popular entree,” Herskovitz describes,

“which is crispy battered chicken tossed in our house-made sweet and savory sauce.” Wok In Cari Out’s sticky summer Chinese barbecue rib special ($29.99) is another bestseller this season, she says. SOUL CAFE 5586 DRAKE ROAD, WEST BLOOMFIELD This Friendship Circle project brings a diverse kosher foods option to the West Bloomfield area. Its kosher menu includes gourmet soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas and more. Soul Cafe also gives back to the community by providing creative and vocational opportunities for individuals who have special needs. They teach adults how to prepare food, cook, host and serve. Friendship Circle director of food operations Shalom Shomer says almost

“OUR SESAME CHICKEN IS OUR MOST POPULAR ENTREE, WHICH IS CRISPY BATTERED CHICKEN TOSSED IN OUR HOUSE-MADE SWEET AND SAVORY SAUCE.” — CHEF CARI HERSKOVITZ

continued on page 44 JULY 29 • 2021

DINING GUIDE

LEFT: Soul Cafe is a great place for a business lunch or a get-together with friends. RIGHT: Soul Cafe’s Pear Affair salad and Ultimate Vegan sandwich.

SOUL CAFE FACEBOOK

EATS | DRINKS | SWEETS

continued from page 43

“OUR CINNAMON SWIRL CHALLAH IS MADE BY OUR SISTER COMPANY DAKOTA BREAD COMPANY ... IT’S DIPPED INTO OUR BATTER AND SERVED WITH ORGANIC MAPLE SYRUP AND FRESH BERRIES.” — SOUL CAFE’S SHALOM SHOMER

Kravings

JULY 29 • 2021

Rounding out Metro Detroit’s kosher dining options are bagel shops and build-your-own sandwich joints, among others. Plus, all Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins locations have certified-kosher options. In addition to the popular chains, here are other local kosher eateries to check out:

Company located in West Bloomfield. It’s dipped into our batter and served with organic maple syrup and fresh berries.” Also popular, in the summer months in particular, are brewed Starbucks and Chazzano Coffee served over ice, which Shomer says are big hits in the hotter weather. This summer also sees Soul Cafe expanding its patio dining with two greenhouses available for private dining.

An expansive menu includes poke bowls, barbecue beef hot dogs, house-made corned beef and garlic bread, for starters.

SPREADS BAGELS & CAFE 15600 W. 10 MILE ROAD UNIT 9, SOUTHFIELD Nestled inside Southfield’s New Orleans Mall, Spreads KRAVINGS Bagels & Cafe has many 25270 GREENFIELD different flavors of kosher Spreads Bagels & Cafe bagels. Plus, it serves up ROAD, OAK PARK Featuring kosher deli fare, creative bagel sandwichburgers, build-your-own salads and es that include classics like bagel and lox, bagel with scrambled eggs and sushi, Oak Park’s Kravings restaurant bagel with tuna spread. It also bakes has something for the whole family. SPREADS BAGELS & CAFE FACEBOOK

KRAVINGS FACEBOOK

More to Enjoy!

100% of dishes are made from scratch. “If I had to single out two dishes, I would say our ancient grain salad is a hot seller,” he explains. “It features a combination of savory and sweet and contains healthy ingredients while being gluten-free and vegan.” Another dish that guests enjoy, Shomer continues, is the cinnamon swirl French toast: “Our cinnamon swirl challah is made by our sister company Dakota Bread

of pipe tobacco and a red wine finish), and the pancake mix- and maple syrup-inspired Honduras Royal Reserve. “Most of our customers purchase our coffee by the pound or halfpound,” LanzkronTamarazo explains. “They order online, at the walkup window or by phone. We also have free local delivery for

CHAZZANO COFFEE ROASTERS 1737 E. NINE MILE ROAD, FERNDALE This Ferndale-based kosher coffee shop roasts 27 different specialty coffees every day. Owner Frank LanzkronTamarazo says bestselling varieties include the chocolate- and almond-flavored Mexico Chiapas, the blueberry- and cherry-infused Ethiopia Harrar (which also has notes

all orders within a 30-minute range around the cafe.” Lanzkron-Tamarazo says each cold brew coffee, summer favorites, are brewed fresh daily and bottled in one-liter bottles. Chazzano Cold Brew is also offered by the cup. Yet for those who aren’t coffee drinkers, the shop also offers 15 fresh loose leaf specialty tea varieties from Zen Tea Traders. These are also available by the ounce or cup (hot or iced). For the summer, Chazzano continued on page 46

RITA’S OF FARMINGTON HILLS 25836 MIDDLEBELT ROAD, FARMINGTON HILLS As Metro Detroit’s newest kosher-certified eatery, Rita’s of Farmington Hills is the perfect destination for those with a sweet tooth looking for kosher-friendly desserts. From Italian ice to frozen custard, to frozen slushies and milkshakes, Rita’s offers

dozens of flavor combinations plus take-home options like frozen custard cakes. It also serves up gelati, a fan-favorite, which has layers of Italian ice and decadent custard, according to its website. DAVE’S GOURMET 15280 LINCOLN ST., OAK PARK Dave’s Gourmet is known for its grilled specialties. The Oak Park restaurant’s certified kosher beef burgers are grilled to order and paired with your choice of toppings

honey barbecue, honey garlic or General Tso’s sauce.

DAVE’S GOURMET FACEBOOK

traditional Jewish sweets like rugelach, heimishe kokosh, and apple and cherry turnovers.

Dave’s Gourmet

and a side of coleslaw. It also has grilled chicken sandwiches, five types of hot dogs (including chili and crispy), and wings and poppers that can be tossed in

PIZZA STOP (INSIDE THE GROVE) 25155 GREENFIELD ROAD, SOUTHFIELD If you haven’t been inside the former One Stop Kosher since it became The Grove, you’ll find the look of the store has changed to a more upscale feel. But it still has the same great pizza, bakery and other grab-andgo kosher items — great for nights when you don’t feel like cooking. JULY 29 • 2021

DINING GUIDE

French inspired European bistro with a unique twist

EATS | DRINKS | SWEETS

Prime 10 offers outdoor dining. continued from page 45

is serving up the popular Italian dessert Affogato, which includes two scoops of ice cream drowned with two shots of espresso. While it currently isn’t offering indoor dining, Chazzano has an outdoor space for people looking for al fresco dining. Lanzkron-Tamarazo suggests drinking their coffee black for maximum flavor. “We’re also known for encouraging customers not to put sugar or cream in our fresh-roasted coffee,” he says.

6540 Orchard Lake Road | West Bloomfield, MI 48322

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PRIME 10 15600 W, 10 MILE ROAD, SOUTHFIELD Husband-and-wife duo Scott and Nichole Cohen are the creative minds behind Prime 10, a contemporary kosher restaurant serving up steaks, seafood, burgers and wraps. “All of our steaks are handcut domestic cattle and graded-choice or prime,” Nichole Cohen says. Its 12-ounce Prime 10 boneless ribeye served with a soup or salad and a choice of two sides is a fanfavorite, she explains, along with the restaurant’s homemade mashed potatoes.

Also a signature dish is its chicken marsala, made with two pan-seared chicken breast cutlets in a sherry wine mushroom sauce served over a side of garlic mashed potatoes and topped with sauteed red onions. “This dish has made us a destination location for many communities,” Cohen says. Aside from steak, Cohen says the restaurant carries a large assortment of fresh salads, fish and vegetarian options to accommodate different tastes and diets. This summer, Prime 10 is offering both indoor and outdoor seating, the latter of which now includes individual greenhouse seating. “Our indoor seating is in private curtained sections so you have your own privacy,” Cohen says. “It’s very romantic.” Throughout the summer months, Prime 10 will also host their Prime on the Patio jazz and live music series. The patio can also accommodate large parties of more than 60 people, making it a top choice for kosher-friendly birthday parties, graduations and more.

DINING GUIDE LISTINGS

ANTONIO’S CUCINA ITALIANA

Canton: (734) 981-9800 Dearborn Heights: (313) 278-6000 Farmington Hills: (248) 994-4000 Dearborn: (313) 842-2100 Livonia: (734) 513-8000 (No Banquets) antoniosrestaurants.com Antonio’s Cucina Italiana, the Rugiero family and its staff have impressed their guests since 1964 with their traditional and authentic Italian cuisine. Signature dishes like Gnocchi Rita, Chicken Antonio, mouth-watering veal dishes, our famous bread and awesome pizzas. A banquet facility, full bar and extensive wine list are available at Dearborn Heights, Canton, Farmington Hills and Roman Village in Dearborn.

Buddy’s Pizza

BUDDY’S PIZZA

Multiple Locations buddyspizza.com In 1946, Buddy’s Pizza became the birthplace of the Original Detroit-Style Pizza. For more than seven decades, it has been consistently voted Detroit’s number one pizza locally, regionally and nationally. Bring some Detroit-Style to your next gathering with Buddy’s Catering.

Kravings

KRAVINGS

25270 Greenfield Road Oak Park, MI 48237 (248) 967-1161 www.kravingsdetroit.com Our mission is to provide a quality and memorable experience for all our customers and team members that raises the bar of service and food in the kosher dining and event industry.

Bistro Le Bliss

Great Lakes Pot Pies

BISTRO LE BLISS

6540 Orchard Lake Road West Bloomfield, MI 48322 (248) 325-9251 bistrolebliss.com Bistro le Bliss is a French-inspired European bistro with its own twist. We offer a unique culinary experience that will delight your senses and our menu includes creative dishes seldom seen anywhere else. Please visit us at the SW corner of Orchard Lake and Maple roads in West Bloomfield.

JULY 29 • 2021

GREAT LAKES POT PIES

809 W. 14 Mile Road Clawson, MI 48017 (248) 266-1160 www.greatlakespotpies.com Social Media Handle: @greatlakespotpies At GLPP, we make a variety of gourmet pot pies that are sold frozen, so you can keep them stocked in your freezer for when you don’t feel like cooking. Gourmet Made Easy.

Prime 10

PRIME 10

15600 W. 10 Mile Road Southfield, MI 48075 (248) 327-7344 Prime10detroit.com Prime 10 is an upscale casual restaurant where you’ll have a remarkable culinary experience. Our vast menu offers authentic flavors served with elegance and simplicity. Whether it’s an engagement party, birthday or special occasion, Prime 10 offers a unique and memorable dining experience.

Steve’s Deli

Beverly Hills Grill

Bill’s

Cafe ML

tation for consistently delivering superior service and fresh, innovative food. One visit to any of our restaurants and you’ll see we uphold our longstanding tradition of excellence and provide our guests with an exceptional dining experience every time. Streetside Seafood

Roadside B & G Roberts Restaurant Group

ROBERTS RESTAURANT GROUP

Beverly Hills Grill | (248) 642-2355 Bill’s | (248) 646-9000 Cafe ML | (248) 642-4000 Roadside B&G | (248) 858-7270 Streetside Seafood | (248) 645-9123 www.RobertsRestaurantGroup.com Roberts Restaurant Group is a collection of five different restaurants, each with its own distinct personality, atmosphere and menu. Over 30 years, we’ve built a repu-

STAR DELI

24555 W. 12 Mile Road Southfield, MI 48034 (248) 352-7377 stardeli.net The Star Deli is a take-out only restaurant that also provides personal catering deli trays, using only the highest quality products. Serving the Metro Detroit community for over 40 years everyone is warmly welcomed, whether you are a lifelong customer or just coming in for the first time.

STEVE’S DELI

6646 Telegraph Road @ Maple Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 In the Bloomfield Plaza (248) 932-0800 stevesdeli.com Steve’s Deli is one of Metro Detroit’s most popular and well-known delis. Providing quality food and service, Steve’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers a fabulous carryout department with hot dinners to go every night. We also provide party trays and catering for home and business events. We will assist in all your shivah needs and offer suggestions for delicious Shabbat dinners. Steve’s is a little bit of New York right here in Bloomfield Hills!

Taste the difference! Highest quality & responsibly sourced, Grow & Behold Beef!

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Order online at KravingsDetroit.com or over the phone 248-967-1161 Safe and Easy Pickup, or Delivery! See you soon!

JULY 29 • 2021

HEALTH

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KEREN KLEIN

Keren and Yehuda Klein

loss is a known unfortunate side effect of that vital medication. By 8 weeks old, Yehuda was diagnosed with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD); sounds weren’t being transmitted from his inner ear to his brain. “His hearing was like listening to a broken radio with lots of static,” his mother, Keren Klein, said. Yehuda was referred to a specialist at Children’s

A Little

Miracle Metro Detroit youngster is an ambassador for cochlear implants. ROCHEL BURSTYN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

hen Yehuda Klein of Oak Park goes to a playground or library, strangers often take a second glance. The unspoken (and sometimes spoken) question is: What are those things on the side of his head? Many people have never seen cochlear implants before. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), as of December 2019, there are only about 736,900 implanted cochlear

devices worldwide. In the United States, about 118,100 cochlear devices had been implanted in adults and only 65,000 in children. (The FDA only approved it for eligible children in 2000.) In the Metro Detroit area, Yehuda Klein is among the few children with cochlear implants. Yehuda’s hearing loss is not genetic. At 8 days old, Yehuda, now 7, developed a sudden life-threatening intestinal infection, and extremely strong antibiotics were administered. Hearing

Hospital and was given a hearing aid trial at 4 months old. By his first birthday, Yehuda was babbling and could speak 15-20 words, within the normal range. Cautiously optimistic, Keren, a science teacher at Farber Hebrew Day School, and her husband, Yosef, a lawyer, took Yehuda for further testing. They were shocked to discover that Yehuda had only been lip reading, was not understanding context and was quickly falling behind.

At that point, cochlear implants were recommended. GETTING IMPLANTS Cochlear implants have two parts: The first part is surgically implanted into the temporal bone. The second part is the processor, essentially a strong microphone that is magnetically attached to the first part from the outside of the head. Together, the pieces accept, decode and send electric signals directly to the auditory nerve in the brain. There was no guarantee cochlear implants would correct Yehuda’s hearing loss … and if the surgery didn’t work, it could leave him completely and permanently deaf. “It was an extremely difficult decision,” Keren said. “It’s literally brain surgery. We did tons of research and then finally decided to go ahead with just one ear. That way, if it were unsuccessful, at least Yehuda would still have some hearing in the other ear.” Yehuda received his first implant at age 2. Within days of his processor being activated, he was engaged, responding to music and participating in conversation. “It was clearly a huge success; it was as though everything had finally just clicked for Yehuda,” Keren said. At age 4, Yehuda received his second implant, which was equally as successful. Every six months for his entire life, he needs to get “mapping” — a process that is like fine-tuning a continued on page 52

JULY 29 • 2021

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radio frequency. Also for the rest of his life, there’s another special date on the calendar — the Klein family celebrates Yehuda’s “implant-versary” like a birthday because, for him, it was a whole new beginning. ATTENDING SCHOOL These days, Yehuda is enjoying a backyard day camp; he attends Yeshivas Darchei Torah in Southfield and will be starting first grade in the fall. Keren admits she worried at first that a private school wouldn’t be able to accommodate Yehuda’s needs, but was pleasantly surprised. “The staff rose to the occasion. We are blessed to have an amazing support team and, thankfully, Yehuda is thriving there with the support of a fulltime shadow/para.” Yehuda loves singing,

running, jumping and roughhousing with his three brothers, Eliyahu, 11, Sender, 9, and his twin, Pinchas, 7. There is nothing he can’t do. While playing like any other kid, he is not even aware yet that he’s an ambassador, paving the way for future children with cochlear implants in the community. Yehuda is often the first implanted child people in Detroit have ever seen. And while Keren and Yosef, like any parents of a child with special needs, do not appreciate when people stare at their son, they are eager to normalize cochlear implants, answer any questions and share the amazingness of it all. “It’s really very cool,” Keren said. “We have this one in a million kid, a little miracle.”

the exchange community bulletin board | professional services

HEALTHCARE A1 CAREGIVER/COMPANION. Experienced, excellent references. 248-991-4944 CAREGIVER. Cert. Medical Assistant. Honest & Reliable w/ 15+ Yrs Experience. Jenene 313-485-7023 "Healing Place Home Care" - If you or your loved ones are in need of Private Care we’re here to Assist you. We Specialize in every area from preparing meals, medication reminders, bathing, grooming, transportation to appointments, and daily activities. Please call (586) 604-5023 or Email: healingplacehomecarellc@ gmail.com. You can contact us (24hrs) 7 days a week Monday - Sunday. Healing Place Homecare Where Loved ones feel Safe in the Comfort of their home.

Cita Angels Home Care. Caregiver Services 24 hr. care. We assist in cooking, cleaning, bathing/grooming, doctor appointments, errands, etc. We accept private pay and Medicaid payment. Please call 1-866-542-6435. COMPANION/CAREGIVER: Experienced, very dedicated, compassionate and reliable care for your love one. Excellent references. Please call Melissa (248) 343-5360.

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the exchange community bulletin board | professional services

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JULY 29 • 2021 JULY 29 • 2021

OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY

IRENE ALPINER, 91, West Bloomfield, died July 19, 2021. She is survived by her daughters and sonsin-law, Tobie and Tom Hartman, Pamela and Donald Cohen; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Neal and Karen Alpiner; grandchildren, Brian Hartman, Steven (Caitlin) Hartman, Marcie (Eugene) Weissberger, Emily Cohen, Brett (Chandler) Alpiner, Sean (Patience) Alpiner, Kallie (Mitch) Kaufman, Brendan Alpiner and Kyra Alpiner; great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Henry, Alice, Logan, Max and Spencer, Jacob and Evan; many other loving family members and friends. Mrs. Alpiner was the beloved wife of the late Sol Alpiner. Interment took place at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. MARTIE BACOW, 99, of Farmington Hills, died July 16, 2021. Known professionally as Bill Martin, he was a sports announcer, boxing announcer and a film producer. Mr. Bacow is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Joel and Deneen Bacow of Huntington Woods; daughter and son-in-law, Gail and Daniel Zides; sister, Evelyn Grant; grandchildren, Michael and Michelle Zides, Robert and Prichya Zides, Jack Bacow, Bennie Bacow; great-grandson, Justin Zides; many loving nephews and nieces. He was the beloved husband of the late Sara Bacow. Contributions may be made to Deaf Professional Network. A graveside service was held at Nusach Hari Cemetery in Ferndale. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. DR. ROBERT BRENT, 84, of Bloomfield Township, died July 14, 2021. A retired captain of the Army, he served in Thailand. A urologist for 30 years, he was beloved

by his patients and his staff. He was a life member of B’nai B’rith, a member of Congregation Shaarey Zedek for 40 years and was a humble, brilliant, charitable and honest man. He loved life. He owned several horses that were in the Kentucky Derby. Dr. Brent is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dassie Brent; daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Edward Levin; sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas and Rebecca Brent, David and Miri Brent, Gregg and Amy Brent; brother and sister-in-law, Burton and Belinda Brent; grandchildren, Jonathan Levin, Aaron and Olivia Levin, Nicole Levin, Ariel and Aaron Kachler, Elise Brent, Ben Brent and fiancee Vivian Fierberg, Scott Brent, Emily Brent, Camryn Brent; great-grandchildren, Sadie Levin, Nathan Kachler; many other loving family members and friends. Contributions may be made to Chabad of North Port, Florida, 21560 Angela Lane, Venice, FL. 34293; Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 27375 Bell Road, Southfield, MI 48034; or the Audubon Society. A graveside service was held at Beth Yehudah section of Workmen’s Circle Cemetery. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel. ROBERT B. COHEN, 89, of Southfield, died July 20, 2021. He is survived by his beloved wife, Elaine Cohen; sons and daughter-in-law, Mark Cohen, James Cohen, Daniel and Nancy Cohen; grandchildren, David Cohen, Joshua Cohen, Aaron Cohen, Matthew Cohen and Allison Cohen; sister and brother-in-law, Rochelle and Robert Stutz; sister-in-law, Barbara Cohen; many other loving family members and friends. Mr. Cohen was the brother of the late Harvey Cohen. Interment took place at Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale. Contributions may be made to the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network or to the Seasons Hospice Foundation. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

CLAIRE (GREENSPAN) FINN, of Southfield, died July 19, 2021. She is survived by her sons, daughter and daughters-in-law, Risa and Mark Finn, Anne Finn, and Jo and Brad Finn; grandchildren, Nicole Finn, Courtney and Brian Meisel, Joshua and Philip Dodge, Samantha and Christopher Holt, Samuel Finn, Sydney Finn and Isabelle Finn; great-grandchildren, Parker and Zoe Meisel. Mrs. Finn was preceded in death by her daughter, Sandra (Finn) Henderson; her sister, Sharon Schluessler; parents, Belle and Emanuel Greenspan. Interment took place at Adat Shalom Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions amy be made to the American Diabetes Association, 20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48076, diabetes. org; or Angela Hospice Home Care, 14100 Newburgh Road, Livonia, MI 48154, angelahospice.org Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. SHELLY (ROCHELLE LEE) FORMAN, 75, of Westland, died July 18, 2021. She was a lifetime member of Jewish Women’s International Galilee Chapter. She is survived by her daughter, DeAnna Lynne; son, Jayme Matthew; grandson, Jordan Gray, sister, Fay Margolis; brother and sister-in-law, Manny and Renee Raimi; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and a world of loving friends. Mrs. Forman was the daughter of the late Joseph and Ida Raimi; the sister-in-law of the late Jerry Margolis. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

DAVID G. FOSTER of Lyndhurst, Ohio, formerly of Michigan, died July 19, 2021. He was the beloved husband of Linda (nee Ginsburg); loving father of Rabbi Josh (Katie) Foster, Zach Foster and Marni Foster; devoted grandfather of Leora and Ezra; dear brother of Sara (Richard) Barkley, Miriam (Bob) Ricket and Debra Foster; cherished nephew of Michael and Marilyn Rubin. Mr. Foster was the adored son of the late Arlene and the late Harold Foster. Graveside services were held at the Zion Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Camp Ramah in Canada or a charity of one’s choice. The service may be viewed on YouTube — enter David G. Foster Funeral Service. TERRY LOIS FULLER, 83 of San Diego, Calif., died on June 21, 2021. She was the cherished mother of Michael Fuller and Ricki (Ralph) Pagano; proud grandmother of Zachary Fuller, Alexandra Fuller, David (Lindsay) Pagano, Liz (Lee) Smith; adoring great-grandmother of Easton and Harlow Pagano; loved by her sister-inlaw, Stephanie Keywell; and her children, Julie Keywell and Brad (Kim) Keywell. May her youthful energy and spirit live on in all of those she touched. Mrs. Fuller was predeceased by her parents, Gretchen and Benjamin Keywell; brother, Frederick Keywell; and partner, Rowan Klein. A private service was held at El Camino Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

DIANE GLAZER, 78, of Shelby, Township, died July 15, 2021. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Susan (Jeff Smith) Buskell and Geri (Enzo Cangemi) Schettler; grandchildren, Bill Ruggirello, Shelby Schettler, Frankie Cangemi, Isabella (Dylan Page) Cangemi; great-grandchildren, Vinnie and Willard; sister-inlaw, Fern Wallach. She is also survived by special family member, Shari (Craig) Morgan; former spouse, Marvin (Linda) Glazer; many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other family members and friends. Mrs. Glazer was the daughter of the late Saul and the late Shirley Wallach; sister of the late Robert Wallach and the late Gerald Wallach. Interment took place at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. RUTH GOLDSTEIN, 102, formerly of New York before relocating to Michigan in 2005, died July 17, 2021. She was born Oct. 17, 1918. Mrs. Goldstein is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carole Goldstein Oppenheim and Douglas Oppenheim; son and partner, Leonard Goldstein and Lois Lazarus; grandchildren, Greg Goldstein (fiancée, Monai Johnson) and Mark Goldstein; many loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Interment took place at New Montefiore Cemetery in Farmingdale, N.Y. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Local arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

NORMAN HERBST, 79, of Novi, died July 18, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Herbst; sons and daughters-in-law, Bradley and Merrie Herbst, Jonathon and Maryanne Herbst, and Ryan and April Keen; grandchildren, Jack, Theo and Arden Herbst; sister and brother-in-law, Zona and Richard Ribiat; brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Elaine Herbst; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Donna Rosenberg, Eileen Hyman and Bruce Lawson; many loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; his caregivers, Brenda Fields and Ariel Z’Hane. Mr. Herbst was the beloved husband of the late Linda Herbst. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Bloomfield Township Public Library, Linda’s Garden Fund, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills, Mi 48302, btpl.org; Beaumont Foundation, Lisa Amy Herbst Memorial Fund, 3711 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073; Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jewishhospice.org; or Humane Society of Michigan, 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025, michiganhumane.org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel. DR. JEROME H. KLEGMAN, 89, of Traverse City, formerly of the Detroit area, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2021, with his family by his side. Jerry was born on March 26, 1932, in Detroit to William and Celia (Fine) Klegman. On June 13, 1954, Jerry married Shirley Joyce Reiter in Detroit. Dr. Klegman was a radiologist. He enjoyed sailing, skiing, computers and golf. He was a member of the continued on page 57 JULY 29 • 2021

OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY

The Man in the Driver’s Seat

NICOLE FREHSEE MAZUR SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

arvin M. Tamaroff passed away on July 16, 2021, at age 95. He battled various medical conditions over the last couple years, but true to his tenacious nature, he fought valiantly until the end and left this world peacefully, in his bed, surrounded by his loving family. In the hours following his passing, all the texts, emails and calls coming in to his family shared the same message: “He was an icon.” “A great man.” “A huge influence.” “They don’t make them like that anymore.” “And all of those things are true,” said grandson Eric Frehsee. Marvin was born to Anna and Louis Tamaroff in Detroit on Nov. 17, 1925. At 17 years old, he enlisted in the Army, where he endured harrowing experiences, including marching 300 miles without food and being taken as a Nazi prisoner of war. Upon his return, Marvin graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from General Motors Institute; married his longtime sweetheart, Claire; had two children, Jeffrey and Karen; and began to pursue his dream: becoming a car dealer. He started out as a used-car dealer in Detroit and, in 1967, secured a chunk of land on Telegraph Road. “He had no money at the time,” said son Jeffrey. “He convinced a banker to loan him the $25,000 he needed. His only collateral was his dream.” He eventually secured a Buick franchise, too, but only after all 26 existing Buick dealers turned down moving to that location. In 1969, he became the first dealer to open on Telegraph and 12 Mile Road. Over the next decades he became the largest Buick dealer in Michigan and one of the most successful in the country. His company, now called Tamaroff Motors (which includes Jeffrey Automotive Group in Roseville), is still going strong today in the hands of the third generation. “It made my dad so proud and happy to know that the dealership is still in the family, with his grandsons running it today,” said Jeffrey. A GENEROUS HEART In addition to his career, Marvin was a

JULY 29 • 2021

Marvin Tamaroff

dedicated philanthropist, generously supporting many charities and causes. A random glance into his mailbox once revealed letters from no fewer than 100 charities, thanking him for his support. He had a soft spot for just about every cause, especially those that supported Judaism and his longtime synagogue, Congregation Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield. Marvin’s generosity extended well beyond the financial realm. He loved to share advice, stories and his life experiences with anyone who would listen. He was also a mentor to many people, helping several, including his son, to open their own dealerships. ALWAYS THE OPTIMIST Marvin was an eternal optimist. His goal was to live to 100 — something he actually expected to do. In 2014, at 88 years old, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. When he found out he’d need surgery to remove the affected kidney, he shrugged it off. “It’s not my time yet,” he said. “I still have 12 years left.” He didn’t quite make it to 100, but he got pretty close. And he led a long, beautiful life filled with adventure, accomplishments and, above all, love. “Yes, he was a pillar of the community —

but more importantly, he was the pillar of our family,” said daughter Karen Frehsee. “He was our patriarch, our leader, the one who always sat at the head of the table. He wasn’t a big talker, especially as he got older, but he was a strong, quiet presence — except when he let loose his deep, booming laugh, which he did often.” It was always said that Marvin had nine lives because he survived so many near-misses, including beating COVID in 2020 and making it through countless hospitalizations in the last few years. In the end, it is unknown how many lives he was granted, but he lived them all well, and to the fullest. Marvin will be remembered as many things: a dreamer, a soldier, a visionary, a collector of everything from vintage cars to watches to magazine subscriptions, a lover of fine food and travel … the list goes on. As a friend said, he was a true gentleman who always handled himself with integrity and kindness. “He was, simply, a legend,” said Karen. Marvin Tamaroff is survived by his wife of 68 years, Claire Tamaroff; children, Jeffrey and Sandi Tamaroff, and Karen and Howard Frehsee; grandchildren, Nicole and Joel Mazur, Jason and Gillian Tamaroff, Eric and Elyse Frehsee, Ryan Tamaroff, and Ashley Tamaroff; great-grandchildren, Elan and Jacob Tamaroff, Maya and Sadie Mazur and Hanna Frehsee; sister, Shirley Katzman; many nieces and nephews; and devoted caregiver, Elizabeth. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Anna Tamaroff; sister and brother-in-law, Helene and Jack Shulman; sister, Betty Schwartz; and sister-in-law and-brother-in-law, Dorothy and Harold Reisner. Interment was at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy, (248) 592-2687; Hospice of Michigan, (888) 247-5701; Tamaroff Family Fund at Congregation Beth Ahm, (248) 851-6880; or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.

OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 55

Wabeek Country Club, Great Lakes Yacht Club, Phi Delta Epsilon, the American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America and the American Medical Association. He was also involved with the Boy Scouts and was a Cub Scout Master. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Shirley; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Steven and Jane (Gordon) Klegman; grandchildren, Rachel (Brandon) Bartkowiak and Sarah Klegman; great-grandchildren, Sullivan and Hudson Bartkowiak; daughter-in-law, Kimberly Klegman; son-in-law, Randall Gross. Dr. Klegman was preceded in death by his son, Larry; daughter, Audrey; and brother, Norman. A memorial service was held in Traverse City. Contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. RUTH LETZER, 87, of Boynton Beach, Fla., died July 20, 2021. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. David and Dianne Letzer, Dr. Jeffrey and Meredith Letzer; grandchildren, Hannah Letzer, Benjamin Letzer and Sasha Letzer; many other loving family members and friends. Mrs. Letzer was the beloved wife of the late Norman Letzer; the sister of the late Martha Friedman. Interment took place at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham. Contributions may be made to Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit or to Temple Israel. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.

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OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 57

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OBITUARIES

CAROL JOY LAPPIN LUNSTED, 75, passed away on July 15, 2021. She was born on Sept. 7, 1945, in Battle Creek to Samuel E. Lappin and Helen Roden Lappin. Carol graduated from Dondero High School in Royal Oak in 1963 and Michigan State University in 1967, with a degree in communication arts. She earned three master’s degrees from Michigan State University as well. Carol worked as a speech and language pathologist in nursing homes and schools throughout mid-Michigan, was a lifetime member of the American and Michigan Speech and Hearing Associations, and loved helping people during her career. Carol enjoyed antiquing, gardening and living on the lake. She was a talented artist who could paint, sculpt and decorate with ease. Throughout her life, Carol was a devoted mother and later a grandmother to Jacob. She was genuine, kind, attentive, smart and witty. Carol was an active member of the Parkinson’s exercise classes at the MAC and fought Parkinson’s disease with determination and courage Mrs. Lunsted is survived by her daughters, Erin Lunsted and Andrea (Tyler) Groskopf; grandson, Jacob Donald Groskopf; sister, Margie Mellen; brother, Alan (Gail) Lappin; many other extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Phillip Lunsted. A memorial service was held at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes Lansing Chapel, Lansing, Mich. Contributions may be made to Making the Turn Against Parkinson’s, 1861 Rowley Road, Williamston,

MI 48895. To leave a memory, photo or condolence for the family, please visit greastlansing.com. SARAH NADEL, 97, of West Bloomfield, died July 18, 2021. She is survived by her daughters, Sandra Weiss, Marian Silverman; son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Sharon Steiner; grandchildren, Evan (Joanna) Weiss, Emily (Will) Pipesh, Keith (Tristan) Silverman and Zachary (Rebecca) Silverman; great-grandchildren, Fiona, Jordan, Suzanna, Cameron, Elio and Liev; sister, Irene Light; many other loving family members and friends. Mrs. Nadel was the beloved wife of the late Morris Nadel and the late Morris Steiner; the sister-in-law of the late Nate Light. Interment took place at Beth El Memorial Park Cemetery in Livonia. Contributions may be made to Jewish Senior Life. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. GRAHAM A. ORLEY, 96, of Bloomfield Hills, died July 21, 2021. He was the beloved husband for 71 years of Sally Orley; cherished father of Geoffrey (Paola) Orley, Randy (Diane) Orley and Pamela (Dr. Walter) Feuereisen; loving Gramps of Adam (Alison) Orley, Ethan (Laurel) Orley, Jordan (Charlene) Orley, Amanda Orley (fiancé Jeremy Goldman), Samuel Orley, Kerri Feuereisen, and James Feuereisen; proud great-grandfather of Ben Orley, Maya Orley, Naomi Orley, Levi Orley, Ruby Orley and Julian Orley; also survived by many

loving nieces, nephews, and his devoted caregivers, Joyce, Cheryl and Ricci. Mr. Orley was the devoted son of the late Celia and the late George Orley; son-in-law of the late Lillian and the late Samuel Hechtman; brother of the late Joseph (the late Suzanne) Orley and Rhea (the late Robert) Brody; grandfather of the late George Orley. The funeral was held at the Davidson/Hermelin Chapel at Clover Hill Park; interment followed at the cemetery. Contributions may be made to Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, George A. Orley Memorial Fund, 6735 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301, jewishdetroit. org/donate-online; Jewish Family Service, 6555 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jfsdetroit.org; University of Michigan Depression Center, Attn: Depression Center Fund, Rachel Upjohn Bldg., 4250 Plymouth Road, SPC

5763, Ann Arbor, MI 481092700, depressioncenter.org; or Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jewishhospice.org. Arrangements by Iora Kaufman Chapel. (A more detailed obituary will appear next week.) JACK POLSKY, 84, of West Bloomfield, died July 16, 2021. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Dana and Dr. Jeffrey Rochlen and Dr. Stefanie and Dr. Herbert Aronow; grandchildren, Abigail Rochlen, Matthew Rochlen, Hannah Aronow and Joshua Aronow; many other loving family members and friends. Mr. Polsky was the beloved husband of the late Joyce Polsky. Interment took place at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham. Contributions may be made to Send a Kid to

Camp Tamarack, the American Cancer Society, Jewish Hospice or to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. EDWARD HERBERT POWERS, 79, died peacefully on July 14, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Jersey City, N.J., on June 21, 1942, to Samuel (Sam) and Ruth (Handman) Powers. Ed moved from Jersey City to Detroit when he was seven years old and later to Oak Park. He graduated from Oak Park High School in 1957 and was in touch with his close-knit group of high school friends throughout his life. Ed received his B.A. in pre-legal studies from the University of Michigan in 1964 and his J.D. at the University of Michigan Law School in 1967. He met the love of his life, Phyllis, while an undergraduate student. They married in May 1966. Out of law school,

Ed joined the law practice of Morris and Michael Pelavin (Pelavin and Pelavin — later, Pelavin, Pelavin and Powers PC). Ed later opened a private practice. Prior to retiring, he became a certified civil mediator and opened a successful mediation practice. He became a member of the American Bar Association and the Michigan State Bar in 1967 and was known throughout Genesee County and Michigan as a highly respected attorney. Ed was an active leader in the Flint Jewish community, on boards and fundraising campaigns for the Flint Jewish Federation, the United Jewish Appeal and Congregation Beth Israel. Mr. Powers is survived by Phyllis (Alpern) Powers, beloved son and daughter-inlaw, Alexander (Alec) Powers and Jennifer Guthart Powers; daughters, Jill Powers and Annette Powers; grandsons, continued on page 60

We believe that every Jew has a portion in the world to come. Trust us to prepare your loved one for that journey.

JULY 29 • 2021

OBITUARIES

OF BLESSED MEMORY continued from page 59

Maxwell (Max) and Samuel (Sam) Powers, and Noah Hamilton; cousin, Gerry (Hoffman) Baron; close friends and other family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Sam Powers. Contributions in Ed’s memory may be made to Congregation Beth Israel of Flint, Chabad of Eastern Michigan, the Flint Jewish Federation or a charitable organization of one’s choice. A private graveside service was held. Tributes may be shared at sharpfuneralhomes.com. MARC ALAN SAMEROFF (“King Tut”), 48, left us unexpectedly on Jan. 18, 2021, due to heart

JULY 29 • 2021

complications. He was born on Sept. 4, 1972, in Detroit. He moved with his family to Las Vegas, Nev., in 1988. After graduating from Valley High School, Class of 1990, he worked for many years as a statistical analyst in sports gaming. However, his mastery of information technology led to his ultimate career managing the Law Offices of Michael Bohn. Marc was known for his fun-loving quick wit, loyal friendship, his die-hard love of all sports; and he was a go-to source of information on just about any subject. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. Mr. Sameroff is survived by his parents, Philip and Wendy Sameroff of Las Vegas; sister, Stephanie Elias of Waterford;

nephew, Daniel Elias of Royal Oak; uncles, Arnold Sameroff (Susan McDonough) and Harry Newman Jr. of Florida; numerous cousins and dear friends. A celebration of life for “Tut” will be held Aug. 7, 2021, from 1-4 p.m. at the Kopper Keg, 2375 E. Torino, Las Vegas, NV 89123. PEARL SHERMAN, 97, of Aventura, Fla., formerly of Michigan, died July 15, 2021. She is survived by her son and daughterin-law, Dr. Errol and Bonny Sherman; daughters and sonsin-law, Andrea and Alfredo Frohlich, Judy and Kenneth Post; grandchildren, Jacquelyn

Frohlich, Michelle and Michael Klinger, Bradley Sherman, Brittany Sherman, Brooklyn Sherman, Alexis and Bill Klemm, Jonathan and Jamie Wachlarz, Alison and Joshua Markzon, Shelby and Jerome Dixon; great-grandchildren, Samuel, Gabriel, Daniel, Daniella, Max, Gabriel, Bella, Ruby, Robert, Levi, Oliver. Mrs. Sherman was the beloved wife for 49 years of the late Albert Sherman; dear daughter of the late Anna and the late Jacob Rakotz; dear sister of the late Nate, the late Helen. Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Services were held at Davidson/ Hermelin Chapel at Clover Hill Park. Interment was held at Clover Hill Park Cemetery. Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.

RASKIN

THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

The Hy Life (part 2) While the JN’s premier columnist, Danny Raskin, has been convalescing, we’ve been offering highlights from Danny’s prior columns. Danny has appreciated the greetings sent to him by readers. Here is Part 2 of Danny’s column from Aug. 31, 2001, where he celebrated the 90th birthday of longtime deli man Hy Horenstein. Sadly, less than three months later, Hy passed away on Nov. 23, 2001. Part 1 of the column appeared last week.

hat name of Hy Horenstein Deli seemed to come into its own big-time when Hy hit Livernois … Norman Cottler had built the Dexter Davison Market on Coolidge and 10 Mile Road in Oak Park … and his wife used to be a customer of Hy’s on Livernois … “Why don’t you come to Oak Park and my husband’s shopping center?” she Danny suggested … At the Raskin time there was only the Senior Columnist market, Mertz Bakery and Dexter-Davison Kosher Meats. The most prominent of all his delicatessen-restaurants was the Hy Horenstein’s that opened on 10 Mile and Coolidge in 1963 … and didn’t

close until he retired … 23 years later. It had just 55 seats … and was in the tradition that Hy remembered so well … a delicatessen the way it used to be, he says. The only reason Hy finally broke down and bought a slicing machine to cut corned beef was because, he tells, women used to come in insisting on their corned beef or pastrami being very lean and thin … “Actually,” relates Hy, “this is probably the reason the machines came into being in the first place. Years ago, the fatter the corned beef, the more people loved it.” He had never before owned a slicing machine at any of his delicatessens … But even after finally getting one, Hy never would use a machine to cut his Jewish rye bread … preferring to always slice it by hand. He was noted for his french fries … Never frozen like at so many places today … The potatoes were peeled and cut by hand … and fried until a golden brown … never ever soggy … “Heaven forbid they shouldn’t be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside!” exclaims Hy. Back in 1949, Hy remembers, there were eight delicatessens within 10 blocks … “And everybody made a

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Hy Horenstein

good living,” he says … Leinoff ’s off Waverly, Ben & George’s between Tyler and Buena Vista, Lefkofsky’s at Tuxedo, Nate’s at Burlingame, Wilson’s at Richton, Liberman’s (formerly Perlman’s) between Cortland and Sturtevant, Hy Horenstein’s off Boston and Bill Boesky’s at Collingwood … “Around 1945,” recalls Hy, “a few of my favorites on Linwood were Flashenberg’s, formerly London’s; Lou’s owned by Lou Loewe on Pingree; and Abe Boesky’s Blaine Restaurant off Blaine.” They gave him a 90th birthday party … and Hy, always the dapper, welldressed gent, looked at the family and friends who came to pay him homage and said, “Clothes may make the man, but the delicatessen business made men out of boys.” Danny’s email is dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

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Looking Back

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

Israel’s Long Fight Against Nuclear Threats

recently wrote about Israel’s spectacular rescue mission at the Entebbe airport in 1976. It was a memorable, historic operation that inspired movies, books and massive worldwide recognition. Five years later, on June 7, 1981, Israel conducted another dramatic raid — “Operation Opera” Mike Smith — an event with a farAlene and Graham Landau reaching impact. Archivist Chair “Operation Opera” was a preemptive strike that destroyed the Osirak nuclear plant in Iraq. Eight Israeli fighter jets flew more than 2,000 miles to bomb and destroy the unfinished reactor. It was a most dangerous mission: The pilots were not sure they would safely return to Israel. Last month, the IDF archive opened additional documents related to the strike, including the rough sketches that were drawn for the fighter pilots to simulate what they would see upon reaching the reactor. Effective enough but hardly like the hi-tech images the IDF uses today. The story of the strike and its impact upon the Middle East can be followed in the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History. The headline on the front page of the June 12, 1981, issue of the JN reads “Israel Staunchly Unanimous on Right to Pre-Emptive Raid.” Indeed, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin acknowledged the strike as an

JULY 29 • 2021

act of self-defense, that it was “now or never.” Moreover, he stated that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein would have had “no hesitation” at dropping “three or four or five” nuclear bombs on Israel. The JN’s editorial on July 7, 1981, was “The Honor of Self-Defense.” It began with “Israel rendered such an immense service to humanity with the Osirak bombing that the occurrence will continue to dominate international discussions.” It was an accurate assessment. Initially, the raid was condemned internationally by media and politicians around the globe. But the June 19, 1981, headline in the JN was “Reagan Concedes Israel Raid Was a Sincere Defensive Act.” President Ronald Reagan added: “It is difficult for me to envision Israel as being a threat to its neighbors.” Begin did set a significant precedent. Under an existential threat since its founding, Israel would take whatever measures it thought prudent to protect itself. Begin’s decision is still relevant years later. For example, see “Deterrent” (Sept. 20, 2007, JN). This analysis addresses the question, “Was the Israeli Strike in Syria a repeat of the 1981 Osirak hit?” Israel had attacked a Syrian nuclear reactor on Sept. 5-6, 2007. Thirty years ago, Helen Davis wrote “Nuclear

Explosion” about the Islamic quest for an atomic bomb (Oct. 4, 1991). Or see the essay “Bomb Iran?” (Dec. 15, 2005). The Iranian pursuit of nuclear capability is still a hot and serious topic. Davie Ivry, commander of the IDF in 1981, who directed the airstrike on the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak, reached a conclusion that still rings true: “You cannot eliminate an idea, a national will. But you can delay progress on a nuclear program with the appropriate military action.” After seeing the effects of the Iran/Iraqi war, Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship in Iraq, the actions of Syrian leaders, and Iran’s promotion of terrorism with the goal of destroying Israel, Ivry and Begin clearly understood the reality of living in Israel’s neighborhood. And, the production of nuclear arms is no longer just a local issue. Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

THE DETROIT

JEWISH NEWS 200 Feb. 11-17, 2021 / 29 Shevat-5 Adar 5781

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36 36

Meet the cohort of 2021 — young Jews making a difference in our community. See page 8

THE DETROIT

JEWISH NEWS

200 Feb. 18-24, 2021 / 6-12 Adar 5781

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Sense of

Duty Young Detroiters serve in the IDF to “give back” to Israel. See page 12

THE DETROIT

JEWISH NEWS 200 Feb. 25-March 3, 2021 / 13-19 Adar 5781

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JEWISH NEWS

200 March 4-10, 2021 / 20-26 Adar 5781

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Floating Cloud ON A

With Detroit’s help, Israeli firm creates app to give your car a smoother, more efficient ride. See page 12

Todah Morim! Thank you, teachers! An appreciation of our day school educators during this pandemic. See page 13

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Articles inside

Obituaries

Raskin

A Little Miracle

Dining Guide Listings

Food for Thought

From Russia with Love

Casting a Spell

Community Calendar

Young Voices

The Spirituality of Listening

Meet Jeff Schreiber

Tigers Like Mike

Listening Tour

Essays and viewpoints

All in a Day’s Work

On to Israel

Come on Back

Repairing the World

Helping People Get Work