contents

Dec. 22-28, 2016 | 22-18 Kislev 5777 | Vol. CL, No. 21

Quick Click …

From the DJN

Davidson
Digital Archive

Around Town ...................29
Arts & Life ........................39
Calendar...........................30
Eats ...................................44
Editor’s Picks ...................43
Gift Guide ........................35
Israel ........... 5, 6, 16, 25, 28
Marketplace ....................52
Metro ................................10
Moments ..........................49
Obituaries ........................55
Sports ...............................48
Synagogue List ...............32
Torah Portion ..................33
Viewpoints.........................5

39

Columnists

Ken Gross ...........................5
Danny Raskin ..................46
Robert Sklar ......................6

36

A

SHABBAT, HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Shabbat: Friday, Dec. 23, 4:46 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, Dec. 24, 5:52 p.m.*

Chanukah, first night: Saturday, Dec. 24.

Shabbat: Friday, Dec. 30, 4:51 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, Dec. 31, 5:57 p.m.

14

16

14

36

Chanukah Combo

Local baker creates a hybrid
challah-and-doughnut treat
for the holiday.

16

Lending A Hand

Retired fi refi ghter helps
Israel extinguish its fi res.

JN Online Offerings:

Mike Smith
Detroit Jewish News
Foundation Archivist

39

* Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar.

High-Tech Gift s

ON THE COVER: Artwork by Talya Berger,
Elissa Goldberg, Jacob Apap and Zeev Maine

A roundup of new items
for your tech lover.

COVER DESIGN: Michelle Sheridan

Good Spirits

Kick off the holidays with a
cocktail that‘s healthier.

The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is
published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical
postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and
additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send
changes to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200
Northwestern Hwy., #110, Southfield, MI 48034.

Playground Detroit • JVS Work Program

OUR JN MISSION

The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that ’s useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to reflec t the full range of diverse viewpoints while
also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unit y and continuit y. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages
creativit y and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the communit y. Being competitive, we must always strive to be the most respec ted,
outstanding Jewish communit y publication in the nation. Our rewards are informed, educated readers, ver y satisfied adver tisers, contented employees and profitable growth.

s most readers know, Israel suf-
fered a series of massive, devas-
tating fires in and around Haifa
near the end of November. Nearly 80,000
residents were evacuated, lives were lost,
and it took several days to bring the fires
under control.
Aside from the destruction of homes,
businesses and forests themselves, there was
the added pain that it appears many of the
fires were the result of arson.
There were also signs of kindness and
generosity: nations such as Croatia, Greece,
Turkey and Russia, to name just a few, sent
firefighting planes and other aid to Israel.
Reading through the Jewish News and
Jewish Chronicle in the Davidson Digital
Archives, I have known about the crucial
role that forests have played in Israel; more
to the point, the creation of forests with sup-
port from the American and Detroit Jewish
communities.
I did not recall, however, that Israel had
suffered another devastating fire just six
years ago until I read the Dec. 23, 2010, of
the JN. Until 2016, it was the worst fire in
Israeli history. And, like the aftermath of the
recent fire, it required a huge relief effort to
bring the forests back to life. While not fun,
it is worthwhile reading. In particular, see
the editor’s essay and an advertisement that
sums up the critical situation in 2010. Let’s
hope this is the last fire in Israel we’ll see
beyond those made by campers.

*

For a related story, see page 16.
Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation
archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

December 22 • 2016

3