oints of view >> Send letters to: Ietters®thejewishnews.com Guest Column - .1, 4,- Editorials Kosher Matters Despite Closings • Margie Dunn and Mark Davidoff in Jerusalem Margie Dunn Mark Davidoff W e recently had the honor to join the 2013 Michigan Legislature's Economic Development Mission to Israel. This bi-annual mission, supported by the United Jewish Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit, takes our Michigan leaders from Lansing to Israel to enhance the strong eco- nomic ties between Michigan and Israel. We are always enriched when taking first-timers to Israel as they become enlightened by experienc- ing all that Israel is through its people, its land and the progress made since 1948. As we progressed through the mission, from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to our Partnership 2Gether region in the Central Galilee, one com- mon theme followed us wherever we went: the tale of two states, the State of Israel and the state of Detroit. To the first-timers' amazement, what they read in certain headlines and viewed through the news media about Israel was not true. It was not a land of desperation and hopelessness. It was not a community divided without common vision. It was not a wasteland of insecurity and despair. Rather, the Israel discovered by our mission participants was the realization of the dreams of pioneers to build a homeland of inspiration where the spirit of innovation is grounded in deeply rooted commitments to economic devel- opment, prosperity, social justice, education, responsibility for the environment and caring for all. We introduced our visitors to some of Israel's newest technological innovations and to orga- nizations involved in everything from commu- nity-based health care to the development of tactical armor for the U.S. military. Our group got a taste of different viewpoints on politics, security and tikkun olam (repair of the world) through discussions with such lead- ers as U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro, Mark Regev, spokesman for the prime minister, and journalist Hirsh Goodman. On our last day of the mission, we viewed a reclamation project for the Jordan River, an effort to infuse new life into this once flow- ing and thriving historic tributary. Through a tedious effort of breaking away barriers that will enable free flowing water, the river is experienc- ing rejuvenation. Israel has fought many battles and continues today to struggle against forces that would seek a different outcome. Our legislative leaders now appreciate that the spirit that has brought Israel this far will empower it to progress further and to prevail. This is the tale of the State of Israel. What About Detroit? The tale of our beloved city of Detroit is no dif- ferent. How many times have we encountered an expression of sympathy about Detroit from someone who has never taken the opportunity to visit our city? The headlines and tabloids will have non-Detroiters believe that this land, too, is a hopeless wasteland of blight and lawless- ness, with no hope for a future. However, we also know that when we have the opportunity to host first-timers to Detroit, whether they're from New York or New Delhi, all are amazed at what our community has to offer. Like Israel, Detroit is a community with an evolving vision of what can and should be. Like Israel, Detroit has been through many battles, but continues the struggle forward in search of our ultimate dreams of Detroit reclaiming its position as one of the top places in the country to live, work and play. Detroit is our Jordan River. Once teeming with life and vitality, years of neglect and a lack of stewardship left our great city in need of reclamation. The efforts under way today by elected, business and community leaders is working to break the dams that have held back progress for decades. Like the spirit of those early Israeli pioneers, we will persevere until the state of Detroit's renewal is a tale recanted around the globe. ❑ Margie Dunn and husband Mark Davidoff live in West Bloomfield. He's a former COO and executive director he closing of Farm Fresh Market and its kosher line of products in Oak Park as well as the closing of two kosher restaurants in Southfield are more signs of the economic times than a commentary on keeping kosher in Jewish Detroit. By past experience, we as a Jewish community certainly know kosher restaurants are a financial challenge no matter how promising they start out. The exit of Jerry Denha's Farm Fresh from the kosher scene after almost 10 years is a reminder of the storied history of the location it occupied — the former site of the Dexter-Davidson and Farmer Jack markets, once local grocery giants for Detroit Jews. One Stop Kosher in Southfield, a mile to the west, remains the only Glatt kosher market in Oak Park-Southfield. One Stop is a loyal, fully kosher, Jewish-owned community mainstay. The closing of Farm Fresh as well as the older, smaller Hiller's Market in Berkley is sure to open new retail opportunities mainly for One Stop, but also for other locally owned markets, including other Jewish-owned Hiller's Markets. It's nice to hear that Chef Cari, popular at Farm Fresh, found a home for her kosher catering/takeout business at Congregation B'nai Moshe in West Bloomfield. Nearby, at Orchard Lake and Maple roads, is longtime kosher butcher shop Harvard Row Meat & Poultry. There's certainly a kosher audience in Metro Detroit, where the Orthodox community alone makes up about 11 percent of the total population of 65,000. Many Conservative Jews and some Reform Jews also keep kosher. Though it can command a higher price point, kosher is still desirable to a limited extent among Jews, and even non-Jews, who don't observe kashrut. The Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Greater Detroit, the largest local kashrut arbiter, certifies 30 local retail establishments — from caterers to bakeries to butchers to restaurants and more. And Metro Detroit offers a strong kosher distribution network. So the local kosher service scene looks well endowed to continue serving the bustling Jewish neighborhoods in and around Oak Park, Southfield and beyond. ❑ Wanted: Good Jobs C reating more and better jobs is a prime objective of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. He also has targeted specifically improving the economic and social climate so young professionals who grow up in Michigan stay here to raise families instead of migrating toward seemingly more inviting urban areas. The improving economy has meant some new jobs. That, in turn, has helped spell the state's nagging brain drain. But there's much still to do to sustain the rise in good-paying jobs in the Great Lake State, said Snyder in addressing the Jewish community last week in Downtown Detroit. He's, of course, right. And the state must take the lead in raising the jobs bar by focusing on increased career opportunities, not just entry positions. The governor's Oct. 27 forum was the high-profile annual dinner of Southfield-based Yeshiva Beth Yehudah. The dinner drew 2,350 guests to the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. With so many business professionals and political leaders in the audience, he certainly had a supportive audience. It was great to hear Snyder play up the possibilities for jobs and partnerships emerging from the state's burgeoning business ties with Israel, a relationship encouraged by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and the Michigan Israel Business Bridge. ❑ of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. November 7 • 2013 55