26 | MAY 13 • 2021
OUR COMMUNITY
T
he Jewish Federation/
United Jewish Foundation
of Metropolitan Detroit
(JFMD/UJF) announced that it
has named Steven Ingber as its
new chief executive officer, effec-
tive immediately.
Ingber has served as the orga-
nization’s chief operating officer
since 2016. He succeeds former
JFMD/UJF CEO Scott Kaufman,
who stepped down from the
role at the end of 2019 after nine
years.
The announcement comes
following the completion of a
national executive search, led by
a committee of Federation volun-
teer leaders.
Over the past 18 months,
Ingber has been the JFMD/
UJF’s lead professional, guiding
the organization throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic, one of the
most challenging times in the
history of the century-old
organization.
“There could have been no
greater test for a leader,
” noted
Matthew B. Lester, JFMD presi-
dent. “The health and welfare of
the Detroit Jewish community
depends on the Federation, and
it is clear that Steve is doing an
extraordinary job.
“He has skillfully managed the
complex response to the crisis
while continuing to strengthen
the Jewish Federation for the
future. Steve has also built strong,
collaborative relationships with
individuals across all levels of the
organization, as well as with lead-
ers and stakeholders throughout
the community. We are confident
that he is the right individual to
lead the organization forward as
our chief executive.
”
Dennis S. Bernard, president
of the UJF, the fiduciary arm of
the organization, said, “Steve
brings a unique combination of
business skills, commitment and
passion to serve others in his
efforts on behalf of the Jewish
community.
“He has an intuitive under-
standing of both the mission
and operational aspects of the
Jewish Federation, and he has
been extremely successful at
working to solve both immediate
and longstanding challenges. I
know his impact on our Jewish
community will only expand as
he assumes this well-deserved
new role.
”
Prior to joining the Jewish
Federation, Ingber was an
entrepreneur who owned and
operated an automotive whole-
sale distribution business in the
Metro Detroit area. He gradu-
ated from the business school
at the University of Michigan in
2001 (now the Ross School of
Business). He lives with his wife,
Jill, and four sons in Huntington
Woods.
“I am beyond thrilled and
grateful for the opportunity to
serve the Detroit Jewish commu-
nity in this role,
” Ingber said.
“It is humbling to follow in the
footsteps of the many great lead-
ers in Federation’s history, but
I’m fortunate to be working with
a tremendous team of lay leaders
and professionals in our efforts
to support and strengthen this
amazing community.
”
Look for an in-depth profile of Ingber in an
upcoming issue.
Steven Ingber
Is Named New
Federation CEO
Steven
Ingber
Wedding Dress Designer Headlines Event
The Sisterhood of Congregation
Shaarey Zedek will host couture
and wedding dress designer
David Josef for a fundraising
event: “
Adventures in Fashion”
on May 25 via Zoom.
A designer for stars, brides
and every woman, Josef’s long
career has taken him from
humble Italian Catholic roots to
become the go-to designer for
the Boston Orthodox commu-
nity. His ability to create gowns
that are stunning, modern and
modest sent his business off in a
surprising direction.
Josef’s designs meet the
demands of tznius, translated
from Hebrew as modesty, which
usually means sleeves to the
elbow, no visible cleavage and
hems that cover the knee.
“No one wants to look old and
schlumpy,
” Josef told the Boston
Globe. “They are all fabulous …
They want to be fashionistas,
even in the rules of their reli-
gion.
”
Adventures in Fashion also
features “shopportunities” and
door prizes. Register for the 7
p.m. May 25 Zoom program by
emailing sisterhood@
shaareyzedek.org.
David Josef
State of Michigan’s Kosher Food Fight
If observant Jewish inmates
want to eat kosher meals, they
should do so on their own dime,
according to arguments from
the Michigan Department of
Corrections last month in an
appeal to a federal judge’s deci-
sion that granted kosher food to
observant inmates at the state’s
expense.
A 2013 class-action suit by
Jewish inmates alleged the
MDOC was required to provide
kosher meat and dairy since the
“universal vegan meal” the state
offered fell short of being consid-
ered kosher.
Following a bench trial, a fed-
eral judge ruled in 2020 that the
vegan meal policy violated Jewish
inmates’ rights.
MDOC disputed the sincerity
of the lead plaintiffs’ religious
beliefs in its appeal to the Sixth
Circuit Court of Appeals.
The lead attorney for MDOC
urged the panel to overturn the
lower court’s order and told the
judges “cost could be a substan-
tial burden” to the state if it is
required to provide kosher meat
and dairy on every Shabbat,
although when asked, he replied
that MDOC is currently pro-
viding kosher meat and dairy at
mealtimes for Jewish inmates.
“The district court ruled the
Jewish prisoners were to get meat
and dairy on Shabbat and four
Jewish holidays,
” said plaintiff’s
counsel Dan Manville. “The
appeal is just a natural part of the
legal process and is done in most
civil litigation.
”