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National Council of Jewish Women
Greater Detroit Section

for openers

Bipartisan Holiday Greetings

L

et me begin by wishing you and
“How did I get myself into this mess?”
yours a happy and healthy new
Chelsea didn’t convert to Judaism.
year.
However, the ceremony was offi-
I actually penned this column
ciated by a rabbi and a reverend
a week ago Tuesday, the day
under a chuppah. Unreliable
after the first presidential debate.
sources tell me that Bill Clinton
What I witnessed confirmed
ducked out of the ceremony dur-
what I already knew — I was
ing the reciting of the wedding
going to have to pray extra hard
vows because they made him
on Rosh Hashanah. I think it’s
uncomfortable. I couldn’t find any
reasonable to say that you might
information on whether Judaism
Al Muskovitz
share my sentiment no matter
will play any role in Chelsea and
what side of the aisle you’re on,
Marc’s kids’ upbringing although
both politically or at your place of wor-
my source did confirm that despite being
ship.
born into a political family, the couple plan
Speaking of which, I like an aisle seat
on raising them to be honest.
during the High Holidays because I’m
It’s well known that Ivanka Trump con-
always under the illusion that it will
verted to Orthodox Judaism. Mazel tov!
provide a quicker exit out of the parking
She and Jared welcomed their third child
lot. But inevitably, every year, I somehow
this past March. Proud zaydie Donald
end up being that one car surrounded
Trump was not only over the moon — he
on all sides, wedged in between the last
bought it. Donald was quoted as saying,
four families to leave the synagogue. The
“The boy is beautiful, believe me, beauti-
upside is that it gives me an extra 45 min-
ful; maybe the most beautiful tax exemp-
utes to share some quality time with my
tion my daughter has ever given birth to
wife and kids.
— although the kid is a little chubby.”
Meanwhile, I’ve been wondering how
I hope you enjoyed what I considered a
Marc Mezvinsky and Jared Kushner are
little bipartisan humor. I always aim to be
faring this High Holiday season. They are
an equal-opportunity satirist. But because
the Jewish husbands of Chelsea Clinton
of our current state of political discord,
and Ivanka Trump, respectively. I can’t
I’ve noticed that folks are having a tougher
help but think that while sitting in shul
time laughing at political humor, even
this year, they are asking themselves,
when doled out evenhandedly. And that

makes my job as a “humorist” a little more
difficult.
Make no mistake, I recognize the cur-
rent presidential campaign has made
many of us feel skittish about expressing
our views. There are many tough issues
confronting us and, obviously, it’s simply
not possible to see eye to eye on every-
thing.
Nothing profound being said here. But
in my humble opinion, this time around
the blame lies more on the messengers
than the messages. Set aside the candi-
dates in this election and you just might
find yourself back being comfortable
agreeing to disagree and be no worse for
wear.
This is the closest I’ll ever come to edi-
torializing. It’s not so much that I’m afraid
to express my point of view. It’s … it’s …
um; no, no, actually it is because I’m afraid
to express my point of view. I shamelessly
admit that at the end of the day I just …
want … everyone … to … like … me. Is
that too much to ask?
Here’s to a new year of civil conversa-
tions and the continuing ability to laugh at
ourselves. L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu.

*

Alan Muskovitz is a writer, voice-over/acting tal-
ent, speaker, emcee and a regular guest host on the
Mitch Albom Show on WJR AM 760. Visit his website
at laughwithbigal.com and “Like” Al on Facebook.

editorial

The Legacy Of Leonard Simons

W

hen the late Leonard
Simons and his daughter,
Mary Lou Zieve, were
recognized last week by Wayne State
University Press on the occasion of
its 75th anniversary, the spotlight was
placed on one of the hallmarks of the
Detroit Jewish community — leadership
that spans the generations.
Leonard Simons was a one-of-a-kind
fundraiser, mentor and advocate for
Jewish and secular causes. Many of our
community’s most noteworthy leaders
— Max Fisher, A. Alfred Taubman, Alan
E. Schwartz, Stanley Winkelman and
Bill Berman — benefited from Leonard’s
guidance and insights. When Philip
Slomovitz launched the Detroit Jewish
News in 1942, Leonard was his most
ardent supporter. He recognized the role
and importance of a quality, independent
publication that would both educate the
community and serve to unite young,

old, rich, poor, religious and secular
around such common causes as War
Bonds, Federation’s Annual Campaign
and support for Israel.
Leonard also had a keen appreciation
for history, recognizing the importance
of capturing and sharing the ongoing
story of our community for the benefit
of future generations. The recent 25th
anniversary of the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit’s Leonard Simons
Archive is testimony to these efforts.
Mary Lou Zieve learned the lessons
of community service from her father.
As she likes to say, “I am my father,
but with different anatomy.” While she
charted her own distinguished commu-
nity service path, including leadership
for the locally produced segments of the
annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy
telethon and the launching of the Jewish
Ensemble Theatre, she has also furthered
her father’s legacy through efforts on

behalf of Michigan Cancer Foundation,
Karmanos Cancer Institute, the Detroit
Historical Society, Federation, Temple
Beth El and Wayne State University Press.
She has also built upon her father’s
history of support for the Jewish News,
serving as a member of the independent
Detroit Jewish News Foundation’s honor-
ary board and helping to chair the cele-
brations that will recognize the upcoming
75th anniversary of the publication.
The father-daughter tandem of
Simons-Zieve is one of many that have
helped to shape the Jewish and general
communities. Other noteworthy father-
daughter teams include Max Fisher and
Jane Sherman, and Paul Zuckerman
and 2016 Butzel Award winner Linda Z.
Klein. Our current and future success is
increasingly dependent on nurturing and
expanding these legacies of broad leader-
ship and philanthropy — passed from
generation to generation.

Sharyn J. Gallatin

The mission of the National Council of
Jewish Women, Greater Detroit Section
(NCJW/Greater Detroit) is to improve
the quality of life for women, children,
and families. Our commitment to Human
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parents, and teachers, and is open to the
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Join NCJW/Greater Detroit today.
Become a new annual member and
take advantage of our special $25
annual membership fee in honor
of our 125th Anniversary.
Call us at (248)355-3300 ext. 0

MISSION:The National Council of
Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots
organization of volunteers and advocates
who turn progressive ideals into action.
Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives
for social justice by improving the
quality of life for women, children and
families and by safeguarding individual
rights and freedoms.

*

2109090

October 6 • 2016

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