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high holiday greeting

publisher’s notebook

Federation: Coming Together
To Strengthen Community

continued from page 5

T

Beverly B. Liss
President, Jewish
Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit

Scott Kaufman,
CEO, Jewish
Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit

Alan Jay Kaufman
President, United
Jewish Foundation

hroughout our history,
the Jewish people have
proven to be extraordi-
narily resilient, often in the face
of extraordinary challenges. We
have persevered and succeeded
because, as Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
admonished, our capacity to sup-
port and care for one another has
always far outweighed the impulse
to challenge and disagree.
Although spirited discussion and
debate are vital parts of our living
tradition and necessary ingredi-
ents for learning and growth, we
understand that our differences
must never become destructive.
The bonds that hold us together
must always remain stronger than
the forces that might pull us apart.
The Jewish Federation works to
strengthen the unity and cohesive-
ness of Jewish Detroit. Our Annual
Campaign, which funds agencies,
schools, camps and other organi-
zations throughout Jewish Detroit,
embodies the collective spirit of
the Jewish people, connecting
individuals — through the act of
tzedakah — to their heritage and
to one another.
Federation’s history and central-
ity allow us to provide for the wel-
fare and continuity of the commu-
nity as a whole while ensuring that

“I don’t need you
to agree with me;
I need you to care
about me.”

— RABBI JONATHAN SACKS,
EMERITUS CHIEF RABBI
OF ENGLAND

no one gets forgotten. We’re able to
do this because of the significant
financial support from our donors,
whose commitment and generos-
ity fuels our work.
In addition to fundraising,
Federation provides a communal
infrastructure that enables our
organizations to thrive. Recently,
we have introduced some inno-
vative new programs to this col-
lective framework. JHELP is a
platform that supports the work
of our social service agencies,
making it easier for individuals to
access assistance with a visit to
our website (jhelp.org) or a single
phone call (833-445-4357). Our
Youth Mental Health Initiative
brings together a range of organi-

zations to address the critical issue
of depression, anxiety and other
mental health issues among our
young people (visit the We Need
to Talk site at wn2t.org to learn
more).
We also work to support and
connect the many wonderful pro-
grams that promote Jewish life
and identity among our children,
young adults, families and seniors.
As we begin a new year, we look
forward to continuing to work
with our community partners to
strengthen connections and build
even greater unity across Jewish
Detroit. Our new theme is Come
Together, a declaration of our com-
mitment to work together to solve
problems and sustain our commu-
nal Jewish life. It is never a simple
task, and we encourage discussion
and debate. We truly value the
opinions of our constituents and
will always strive to incorporate
the many perspectives that reflect
our breadth and diversity. Most
of all, however, we cherish the
tremendous passion and commit-
ment that sustains our extraordi-
nary community.
With deep gratitude, we wish
our community health, happiness
and peace in the coming year.
L’Shanah Tovah. •

Yiddish Limerick

LABOR DAY

Dos is der letzter BBQ this year
So ess un ess and do not fear.
We call it Arbeit Day
But just have fun, do bist OK.
A yontef far dir un far mir.

Der letzter - the last
Ess un ess- eat and eat
Arbeit - labor
Do bist - you are
A yontef far dir un far mir - a
holiday for you for me

By Rachel Kapen

8

September 6 • 2018

jn

News 75th anniversary year.
With more than 800 people
attending a May celebration at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek in
Southfield, a cross-section of the
Jewish and general communities
celebrated the historic and con-
tinuing role of the Jewish News
while recognizing the Davidson,
Gerson, Wetsman and Saulson
family as exemplars of multi-
generational leadership.
• Myriad additional partner-
ships and collaborations, among
them the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit, the Jewish
Federation of Washtenaw County,
the University of Michigan and
its Bentley Historical Library,
the Jewish Historical Society of
Michigan, Jewish Family Service,
JVS, Yad Ezra, Temple Israel, The
Well, Jewish Ensemble Theatre,
Michigan State University,
Cohn-Haddow Center for
Judaic Studies at Wayne State
University, Holocaust Memorial
Center, Friendship Circle,
Kids Kicking Cancer, Jewish
Community Relations Council/
AJC, Congregation Beth Shalom,
Congregation Shaarey Zedek,
Congregation Beth Ahm, Hazon
Detroit, Keter Torah, Kadima,
NCJW, Temple Emanu-El, Temple
Israel, Temple Kol Ami, Temple
Shir Shalom, The Shul, Walk
for Israel, Relay for Life, Yeshiva
University and the U.S. Holocaust
Memorial Museum.
On behalf of the Jewish News
staff and our close colleagues at
Renaissance Media and Farago &
Associates, we wish you and your
families a healthy, pleasant and
meaningful new year. May we
emerge from these Days of Awe
with a commitment to strength-
en civil discourse, expand our
capacity for empathy, champion
our country’s core values —
and hold our elected officials
accountable to do the same.
In this era of fake news and
alternative facts, we will never
take for granted the continuing
trust you place in your Jewish
News.
L’Shanah Tovah,

Arthur Horwitz

