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.
” 

