‘Best Birthday Ever’

Friends and neighbors show their love for Berkley 
judge recovering from brain cancer.

JACKIE HEADAPOHL ASSOCIATE EDITOR
I

t’
s been a rough year for the 
Wittenberg family. Last May, 
44th District Court Judge Jamie 
Wittenberg was diagnosed with brain 
cancer. His diagnosis was quickly fol-
lowed by surgery and then rounds of 
chemotherapy and radiation at Henry 
Ford Hospital. 
Wittenberg, husband of Staci and dad 
of four daughters ages 10-15, turned 46 
on Friday, April 3, right in the middle of 
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’
s stay-at-home 
executive order. The Monday before his 
birthday, Staci sent out a note to friends 
and family. “I know our lives have been 
completely changed; however, we have to 
celebrate the happy moments, too,” she 
wrote. “That’
s why I invite you to Jamie’
s 
‘
Surprise Drive By’
 birthday.”
Staci kept the surprise to herself, not 
even telling her daughters.
To maintain social distancing, the 
Berkley mom asked people to meet at 
Rogers Elementary School and stay in 
their cars for a parade-style format. 
“Toot your horn, shout out the windows, 
make notes big or small,” she wrote. 
“This is something small to put a smile 

on his face.” She told people there was 
no pressure to come and to spread the 
word. 
Staci arranged for a Berkley police 
officer to lead the parade. At 4 p.m., the 
birthday parade kicked off, but it was 
no small procession. “The police officer 
said there were between 150 and 200 
cars that came to say happy birthday to 
Jamie,” Staci said.
Jamie was in the front yard with his 
family doing yardwork when the parade 
began to pass by.
Friends, neighbors, co-workers, their 
daughters’
 teachers, clergy from Temple 
Israel. “It was overwhelming; it was 
amazing,” said Jamie, who had colleagues 
drive as long as an hour and a half away 
to make the parade. “Cars just kept com-
ing and coming.”
Jamie, who said he “hates being the 
center of attention,” got emotional. “It 
was the best birthday ever, just knowing 
how many people supported us.”
During the parade, their daughter’
s 
music teacher serenaded them from the 
street. People played music and shouted 
and held out signs and posters. Temple 

Israel’
s Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny drove by 
holding out an iPad with Rabbi Harold 
Loss on FaceTime 
waving and adding to 
the celebration.
Wittenberg, who continues to do the 
court’
s business from home, said he has 
remained pretty positive throughout his 
illness. “But the parade did boost my 
spirits.”
Added Staci: “I think it uplifted every 
single person there.” 

COURTESY OF STACI WITTENBERG

CLOCKWISE: Judge Jamie and Staci Wittenberg and 
their daughters Arielle, 15, Talia, 13, Brooke, 10 and 
Maya, 10. Temple Israel Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny and 
family. Their daughter’
s music teacher got out of the 
car to sing to the family. Jamie’
s oncologist Dr. Tobias 
Walbert joined the parade.

22 | APRIL 16 • 2020 

Jews in the D

