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Freeing Soviet Jews

JHSM Conference
To Gather Jewish
Women’s Stories

At JFS annual meeting, Sharansky gives his account of Operation Exodus.

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In conversation about Operation Exodus: Joel Tauber, Natan
Sharansky and Marvin Lender.

Michael Baum, son of the late Patti Nemer, announces
that Nathan Torman, right, is the winner of the Patti
Nemer JFS Employee of the Year Award.

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Photos by Drasnin-Reuben Photography

enowned refusenik Natan Sharansky was on hand at
the Jewish Family Service annual meeting on May 17
to discuss and commemorate Operation Exodus, the
international undertaking that rescued 1.5 million Jews from the
former Soviet Union. About 1,000 people were part of the celebra-
tion at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. They were able
to hear a conversation between Sharansky and Joel Tauber and
Marvin Lender, both key leaders during Operation Exodus.
Key donors were able to enjoy dinner with Sharansky, a former
Israeli politician and current head of the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Frankel Jewish Academy students also were on hand to discuss
their Operation Exodus-inspired artwork.
The night included awards given to the Patti Nemer JFS
Employee of the Year Nathan Torman, Mentor of the Year Sarah
Tupica-Berard and Volunteer of the Year Larisa Korot. North
Farmington High School senior Zachary Collen, who placed sec-
ond in the 100 Mensches’ essay contest, received his award. Other
winners were FJA seniors Hannah Katz (first place) and Randi
Traison (third place); they were out of the country on their school
trip.

Larry Sherman, Natan Sharansky and Jane Sherman, whose late
father, Max Fisher, played a major role in Operation Exodus

At dinner before the program, Natan Sharansky speaks
with Gerald and Barbara Cook.

Scott Eisenberg, JFS board members Sheldon Stone and Mark
Milgrom, and Perry Ohren, JFS CEO

he Jewish Historical Society of
Michigan’s Michigan Women Who
Made a Difference (MWWMD)
project seeks to document, preserve and
share the stories and achievements of
Michigan’s Jewish women who have helped
build and shape our communities, institu-
tions and organizations.
These women led community organiza-
tions, founded businesses, or were political
and social justice leaders. They often stood
in the background, leading with strength,
dignity and silence to make our world bet-
ter. Their stories are largely untold.
JHSM created a book that shares the
stories and accomplishments of Jewish
women from Detroit and SE Michigan. The
next phase is to create a database of the
stories of Michigan’s Jewish women who
“made a difference,” whether as profession-
als or as volunteers.
The MWWMD Jewish Voices
Conference will be held Monday, June
27, at Temple Emanuel in Grand Rapids,
which is equipped with special hearing aid
technology. The day will be spent celebrat-
ing and discussing the stories and achieve-
ments of these women.
The conference will bring together
Jewish women and men from across the
state who have been working on identify-
ing and collecting women’s stories as well
as others interested in bringing the voices
of Michigan’s Jewish foremothers back to
life to provide inspiration for generations
to come.
The vision is to create a robust website
with short biographies (curated through
the project), and articles and blogs written
by writers (academics, journalists, stu-
dents, workshop participants.) The articles,
tagged with trending topics, will bring the
contributions of these women to the fore-
front and offer contemporary, inspirational
perspectives on the historical accomplish-
ments.
Making this information available online
will increase its audience to students, his-
torians, researchers and community mem-
bers not just statewide but nationally.
A bus to Grand Rapids will leave the
West Bloomfield Jewish Community
Center at 7 a.m. Cost is $25; no fee for
the conference. The bus trip also includes
a quick visit to Meijer Gardens in Grand
Rapids.
Questions and conference registration
is through the Jewish Historical Society of
Michigan, contact (248) 432-5517,
tweissman@michjewishhistory.
org or www.michjewishhistory.org.

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Natan Sharansky and JFS President Don Rochlen

26 June 9 • 2016

Vivian Dean speaks with Natan Sharansky.