34 July 25 • 2019
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You do not want to mess with Jon Pritikin. For one thing, he can bend a solid 
metal pan with his bare hands. The Guinness Book of World Records holder 
demonstrated some of his feats of strength during a motivational talk May 28 
at Friendship Circle’
s Friendship House in West Bloomfield.
Pritikin, who is Jewish, also shared his personal story of overcoming ruth-
less bullying and poor self esteem. Despite struggling with speech and learn-
ing disabilities as a child, Jon went on to graduate from college and also broke 
the world record for “tightest circumference of two aluminum frying pans 
rolled together with his bare hands in less than 30 seconds.” He now shares 
his story around the world.
“
Always watch out for other people,” Jon says. “If you have a loved one that 
has any kind of special need, don’
t give up on them ever. There’
s always hope.” 

Jon Pritikin demonstrates a feat of strength.
Eugenia and Tadeusz Gorecki

Jon Pritikin with Rabbi Benny Greenwald and 

Bluma Greenwald 

Dr. Michael Gerber and 
Sheldon Klein

Jon Pritkin inspires attendees at Friendship House.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FRIENDSHIP HOUSE

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein headlined the 22nd 
annual JVS Human Services’
 Strictly Business networking, awards and 
fundraising event on Thursday, June 13, at MotorCity Casino Hotel in 
Detroit. Bernstein inspired the crowd of almost 600 business and 
community leaders who support JVS’
 innovative employment practices 
for those with disabilities, unemployed and underemployed workers, 
and older job seekers.

Strictly Business co-chairs Bob Canvasser 

and David DeVine with JVS Human Services 

Board Chair George Stern

Roz Blanck, Sandy Schuster, JVS chief devel-

opment officer, and Marie Sickon-Burke, JVS 

chief financial officer

Cantor Penny Steyer, Alison Schwartz and 

Carolyn Krieger

Michael Weil and Ari Weil

Geoff Kretchmer, headliner Michigan Supreme 

Court Justice Richard Bernstein and Richard 

Broder of Broder & Sachse, 2018 business 

leadership award recipient

 
Judy Greenwald, Daniel Rosenbaum and 

Dharlene Norris

JCC CEO Brian Siegel and 2019 business 

leadership award recipient Geoff Kretchmer of 

Star Trax Events

Loukas and George Pallicarus (Loukas was 

one of three recipients of the JVS employee of 

the year award.)

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LARRY PEPLIN

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