metro » Images, Legends, and Abstractions IN IS TH E ISSU Sunday, September 21 t 3:00 p.m. Artist Talk and Presentation by Todd Weinstein Exhibit Opening Event is free with museum admission. ©Todd Weinstein Light is My Voice Todd Weinstein explores themes including the reemergence of Jewish life in modern day Germany, the prophets of the Bible, and the legend of the 36 Righteous Ones whose merit keeps the world from destruction in times of peril. ON EXHIBIT SEPTEMBER 21 – DECEMBER 22, 2014 FOR MORE INFO: o Eat Out T » Sharing The Bimah Song and Spirit Institute For Peace builds interfaith harmony. See page 32. » Angels And Dreamers West Bloomfield girl fulfills her dream of helping the homeless. See page 36. Jerry Zolynsky Blight Buster Decision about Rabbi Krakoff leaves rift Shaarey Zedek is working to heal. Keri Guten Cohen Story Development Editor W hen a petition to hold a special con- gregational meeting signed by about 20 percent of its congregants was presented to the Congregation Shaarey Zedek board at the beginning of August, signers were hopeful their request would be met. Members of the Save Our Synagogue (SOS) group and other petition signers, numbering 550 people, sought a special meeting on Aug. 24 to voice their opposition to a decision not to renew Erica Ward Gerson, head of the Detroit Land Bank, at one of the abandoned Detroit homes up for sale and rehab CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 Bryan Elkus-Shaarey Zedek Erica Ward Gerson heads the Detroit Land Bank, renewing Detroit one home at a time. Sam Gringlas | Special to the Jewish News O ne year before Mike Duggan declared his candida- cy for Detroit mayor, he scheduled a lunch meet- ing at Roma Cafe on Riopelle Street in the city. His guest was Erica Ward Gerson, board chair at the Detroit Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital of Michigan. She had known Duggan for years through his role as head of the DMC, and figured he wanted to discuss hospital busi- ness. Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield JN claims 17 awards in statewide competition. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 obituaries obituaries Profound Impact | Ronelle Grier | Contributing Writer R Rachel Jacobs’ family recalls her devotion to social justice, her loved ones and to Detroit. A Jewish Renaissance Media Publication C1 Stacy Gittleman for “Perfect Prom,” about teens who took disabled students to their high school prom. In the design department JN Creative Director Deborah Schultz and page design- ers Michelle Sheridan and Amy Pollard of Farago & Associates took third place for Best Newspaper Design for the JN Passover issue. Sheridan also swept three awards in her own right for Best Page Design — first place, second place Deborah and an honorable mention. Schultz In the Special Section competition, the JN’s Celebrate! Section won second prize. “Wonderful mix of content — news and advertising,” the judg- es said. “This section real- ly hits a target audience with valuable information displayed in an elegant Michelle and easy-to-use way. Great Sheridan work by the editors who crafted this section.” JN Publisher and Executive Editor Arthur M. Horwitz said, “These awards are a tribute to not just our staff, but also to our readers, advertisers and the entire community that have supported us. Arthur Horwitz “This recognition vali- dates that we are providing quality, integrity and use- fulness — not just in our eyes, but through the eyes of independent judges who respect what we do for our community.” * Michigan pride: Rachel Jacobs with son, Jacob, and husband, Todd Waldman. 72 May 28 • 2015 Obituaries OUR COMPASSIONATE SPIRIT IS REFLECTED IN OUR CARE. FREE 3 HOURS & FREE T MEN ASSESS Most competent and affordable service. www.timetestedcaregivers.com 248.914.0537 THANK YOU JAY LEVINE & FAMILY! MOS AFFORD T ABL RATES E $18 /HOUR J ULY 31 - A UG . 6, 2014 / 4 - 10 A V 5774 theJEWISHNEWS.com A JEWISH RENAISSANCE MEDIA PUBLICATION » Israel Rally Metro Detroiters stand with Israel at local solidarity event. See page 14. IN IS TH E ISSU » Gaza War Brett Mountain M a r c h 2015 Photos courtesy of family and friends | John Kerry — friend or betrayer of Israel? See page 36. DETROIT JEWISH NEWS » Primary Season Meet candidates for Congress in the 11th District and for state office, too. Primary Guide begins on 41. metro cover story Anti- Semitism Rises In Europe Enchanted Photography by Marla Michele Must celebrate! achel Jacobs, 39, was known for her kind and car- ing heart, her exceptional business acumen, and the profound impact she made on the many lives she touched with her friendship, compassion and boundless energy. A devoted wife, mother, daughter and friend; a passionate social justice advocate and ardent supporter of her home- town, Detroit; and a talented corporate executive with an impressive career history, she had a gift for forming lasting relationships that were the foundation of all her endeavors. “Most important were the connections she made on a personal level,” said her mother, Gilda Jacobs, a former Michigan senator. “She connected with the world.” Rachel, who lived in New York with her husband, Todd Waldman, and their 2-year-old son, Jacob, was killed when a New York-bound Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening, May 12. Rachel was commuting between her home and her new job as CEO of Philadelphia-based tech startup ApprenNet LLC, a company that provides training and educational programs through Internet/video- enabled, apprentice-style learning. In her too-short life, Rachel touched hundreds of people across the globe: friends, family members, colleagues, for- mer classmates and supporters of Detroit Nation, an organi- zation Rachel co-founded to enable native Detroiters living elsewhere to contribute to their hometown’s economic and cultural development. Rachel’s Detroit roots began in Huntington Woods, where her parents, John and Gilda Jacobs, raised Rachel and her sister, Jessica, with a strong sense of community ties, Jewish values and social justice. “Every Chanukah, the family would choose a charity to donate money to instead of buying gifts,” said John, an attorney. This practice impressed Todd when he first met Rachel and learned about her family. As a student at Berkley High School, Rachel was involved in student council and theater; she also served as class ombudsman and volunteered at a local Planned Parenthood office. She was president of the youth group at the fam- ily’s synagogue, Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park, and served as the vice-president of social action for NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) on a statewide level. “She was always supporting something; she never said no,” Todd said. “I remember seeing an old photo of her wearing a jean jacket covered with buttons for various causes.” She spent several summers at Tamarack Camp, as a camper and later as a staff member, leading off-site camping trips. “Her commitment to and her joy in Judaism are largely due to her time at Tamarack,” John Jacobs said. Her participation in Tamarack’s Western and Alaskan trips led to a lasting love of travel and outdoor adventure. Her younger sister, Jessica (Jessie), a favorite travel compan- ion, shared happy memories of trips when she and Rachel toured Italy, hiked through Banff in the Canadian Rockies and experienced the thrill of an African safari. Jessie, who lives in Staten Island with her husband, Joshua, and son, Lyle, shared a close relationship with her sister. Rachel received her undergraduate degree from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. After a stint at an urban planning firm and some time on Capitol Hill working for U.S. Rep. Lynn Rivers, a Detroit native, Rachel attended Columbia University in New York, where she earned a mas- ter’s degree in business administration. Life was never a spectator sport for Rachel, and her zest for experiencing the world around her was reflected in her travels. While studying in Nepal during her junior year of V 14 February 4 • 2016 1942 - 2014 An Israeli flag lends a show of support as people wait to pass through security. Call Him Amanda Borschel-Dan Times of Israel Hunter T he room was packed to capac- ity at the Knesset on Monday for an emergency meeting on the “rising wave of violent anti-Semitic and anti-Israel demonstrations sweeping Europe,” with MKs (members of Knesset) and diaspora Jewish leaders offering tes- timony and issuing condemnations. Transgender teen, family break barriers on the path to his authentic life. CONTINUED ON PAGE 38 Cnaan Liphshiz/JTA T he Detroit Jewish News has been named the Michigan Press Association’s 2015 Newspaper of the Year in its circulation class — winning 17 writing and design awards in statewide competition. JN Managing Editor Jackie Headapohl said, “The Jewish News’ suc- cess is a testament to our editors, writers and page designers who work so hard to provide a paper people care about — and one that makes a differ- Jackie ence in their lives. Headapohl “This honor redoubles our commitment to serve our readers and advertisers with the best community journalism in the state.” Honored with two first-place awards was Contributing Writer Ronelle Grier. Her touching report on the life of Rachel Ronelle Grier Jacobs, a young wife and mother who died in a train derailment in Philadelphia in May, won top prize in the Spot News Story cat- egory. The judges wrote, “An incredibly thorough news obituary, well written and packed with details of a remarkable life cut short.” Alan Muskovitz Grier also won top hon- ors for her Feature Story, “Call Him Hunter,” about how a transgender teen- ager’s transition affected his family and friends. In addition, Jewish News columnists swept the top three prizes in that cat- egory. Alan Muskovitz was Harry Kirsbaum named Best Columnist for his hilarious piece on real- ity TV, “So You Think Elvis Was Offensive?” Columnist Harry Kirsbaum took second place for his tribute to the late Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee. JN Arts & Life Editor Lynne Konstantin claimed the third spot with her “At Home” column about a historic man- sion in Detroit’s Palmer Woods. JN Contributing Editor Robert Sklar took first place for Best Editorial for “U-M Must Monitor Students Civil Rights.” The judges wrote, “The publication produces powerful editorials that challenge readers to think critically about important issues that stand up for important ideals and that connect deeply with its readership. This editorial, supporting a student movement to chal- lenge anti-Semitism, was superbly crafted.” Sklar also won a second Robert Sklar place award for his editorial, “Multitude Of Voices Key To Sustaining JCC” about the closing of the Oak Park Jewish Community Center. Winning first place for News Enterprise Reporting was Sam Gringlas for “Blight Buster,” about a woman in charge of Sam Gringlas solving the abandoned house problem in Detroit. According to the judges, “A very interesting topic that was well researched and presented clearly and with passion.” Lynne Konstantin, who won third place as a columnist, also won Lynne two other third-place Konstantin awards. Her Spot News Story, “Reunited,” about a Holocaust survivor and a black American soldier was honored along with her business story, “Mother Lode,” about an entrepre- neurial mother who created a business colorfully deco- Stacy rating shoes and jackets. Gittleman Winning an honorable mention in the Feature Story category was Contributing Writer But when Gerson arrived, Duggan leaned forward and told her something she wasn’t expecting. He was consider- ing a run for the mayor’s office. He said he thought he could make a difference, but only with a robust plan to tackle the city’s throngs of abandoned and deteriorating properties. “I can’t do it unless I come up with a policy I believe in to cure blight in the city; because if I can’t cure the blight, nothing else I do will matter,” Gerson recalled him saying. So he asked her to help write the framework. Duggan ran on the policy, won his election and assumed office in January. Six months later, the city’s reorganized Detroit Land Bank Authority has auctioned more than a hundred vacant homes, many of which are now on their way to reno- vation and occupancy. Covering and Connecting Jewish Detroit Every Week march 2015 David Sachs | Senior Copy Editor Sammy, 3, and Lenny LaKritz, 11 months, of West Bloomfield cover story Moving Forward Of The Year theJEWISHNEWS.com » Bragging Rights Grandparents share their pride and joy in their grandchildren. See page 14. DETROIT JEWISH NEWS metro www.holocaustcenter.org $2.00 S EPT . 4-10, 2014 / 9-15 E LUL 5774 A JEWISH RENAISSANCE MEDIA PUBLICATION V Newspaper Exhibit Opening Event Ronelle Grier | Contributing Writer H In the Paris suburb of Sarcelles, pro- Palestinian rioters broke shop windows and set fires on July 20. unter Jordan Keith, 15, has always known he was different. For the first 14 years of his life, he lived inside the female body he was born with, going by his given name, Olivia Lauren Keith. Looking back, he says he never felt comfortable as a female; often he felt trapped and betrayed by his own body. “In fifth grade, I remember watching a TV show on 1942 - 2014 Covering and Connecting Jewish Detroit Every Week female-to-male transition, and I thought, ‘Wait, that’s me,’” Hunter said. “I’d never been ‘one of the girls;’ I usually hung out with the boys.” At 14, Hunter began doing extensive Internet research about gender and sexuality. He learned what it meant to be transgender and familiarized himself with various treatment options, such as testosterone and various surgical procedures. He identified with a YouTube video series created by a teen in the process of transitioning from a female to a male. “I kept seeing myself in every single bit,” Hunter said. “This is me, this is me … it was like a checklist. Finally, there was no doubt in my mind.” When Hunter told his parents, Roz and Richard Keith of Farmington Hills, he was transgender, they were not shocked, but both admit it took some time to CONTINUED ON PAGE 8