12 March 21 • 2019
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ust a few hours after David and Erin 
Stiebel hosted a bris for their fourth 
son last week, word spread through 
the Orthodox community that an Israeli 
visitor who had been to a number of 
local Jewish establishments and countless 
homes was diagnosed with measles. 
Because their newborn was too young 
to be vaccinated, the Southfield couple 
was understandably concerned about 
this highly contagious disease. Once the 
Stiebels confirmed the infected individ-
ual was not at the bris, held at Yeshiva 
Beth Yehudah, or in the building before 
the ceremony, they felt 
less worried. Still, they 
had some concerns 
because earlier in the 
week David had contact 
with a stranger who had 
“a notable cough.
” 
Conversations with the 
health department and 
physicians eased their anxiety. David had 
been vaccinated for measles. There was 
no further reason to be concerned. 

Health officials confirmed the case on 
Wednesday, March 13, saying the infect-
ed individual came to the area from 
Israel after spending time in New York. 
This person visited Ahavas Olam Torah 
Center, Congregation Ahavas Yisroel, 
Congregation Yagdil Torah, Dovid 
ben Nuchim-Aish Kodesh, Jerusalem 
Pizza, Kollel Institute of Greater Detroit, 
Mikveh Israel, One Stop Kosher Market 
and Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit 
as well as Lincoln Liquor & Rx. 
Responding to the wide exposure, the 
Oakland County Health Department 
offered a measles vaccine clinic last 
Friday at Young Israel of Oak Park. 
Forty-three people, not all necessarily 
Jewish, received vaccinations. 
Those interviewed didn’
t know the 
identity of the man who contracted 
measles but said he was in town solic-
iting donations for a program to help 
high school drop-outs in Israel. Local 
Orthodox families often receive door-to-
door solicitations, especially from inter-
national visitors. 
Rabbi Daniel Arm, a coordinator with 
the Tzedakah Enhancement Project, 
vets such solicitors to confirm a cause 
is legitimate. Arm met with the man, 
researched his organization and issued 
him a letter stating his cause was worthy. 

“This has people really nervous 
because this man was in almost all the 
local Jewish establishments, and he went 
door to door throughout the commu-
nity. He went to places we all frequent 
and, truthfully, all of us could have had 
exposure to him during his time here,
” 
said Michelle Faber, a pediatrician with 
Southfield Pediatrics and Orthodox. 

SAFETY ISSUES
Measles is a highly contagious, vac-
cine-preventable disease spread by direct 
person-to-person contact and through 
the air. The virus can live for up to two 
hours after an infected person leaves, 
according to Dr. Carl Lauter, a specialist 
in infectious diseases and allergy and 
immunology at William Beaumont 
Hospital. Symptoms typically present 
within seven to 14 days after exposure 
but can appear up to 21 days later and 
include a rash, high fever, cough, runny 
nose, red, watery eyes and small white 
lesions in the patient’
s mouth. 
Those who have been vaccinated for 
measles or previously had the measles 
are not at risk for contracting the dis-
ease, but approximately 90 percent of 
those who have not been vaccinated and 
become exposed will develop it. 
Faber’
s pediatric office received inqui-

ries from concerned parents, and she 
heard from family and friends asking 
for advice. Her office treats a number 
of Orthodox patients. She said the vast 
majority of them are vaccinated. 
“Not everyone is vaccinated, but I have 
more non-Jewish, non-religious patients 
who are unvaccinated than I do religious 
patients who are unvaccinated,
” she said. 
“Most religious leaders in the Jewis 
h 
community are in favor of vaccinating.
” 
Lauter added there is a small percent-
age of sects from all religions that tell 
their congregants not to vaccinate, but 
such advice is based on misinformation. 
He said there is nothing in the inter-
pretations of the Torah that say not to 
vaccinate. 
Michigan law requires children 
enrolled in public or private schools, 
licensed day care centers and preschools 
to be vaccinated unless there is a medical 
reason for exemption. Parents who want 
to opt out based on philosophical or reli-
gious objections must get a waiver from 
their county health department; private 
schools can choose not to accept waivers.
Recommendations for the MMR 
(measles, mumps and rubella) vacci-
nation are to administer the first dose 
between age 12-15 months with the sec-
ond dose at age 4. Faber tells concerned 

Scare

jews d
in 
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Confi
 rmed case in 
visiting Israeli prompts 
cautionary mode.

Measles

JENNIFER LOVY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Erin Stiebel

continued on page 14

JOHN HARDWICK

