10 | DECEMBER 29 • 2022 

2022

OUR COMMUNITY

F

or many, 2022 was a challenging year. Russia launched an unjust war in Ukraine. 
Inflation put a dent in everyone’s wallet. Incidents of antisemitism surged, and the 
year, which began with a COVID surge, is ending with a triple threat of respiratory 
infections: COVID, flu and RSV.
Despite these challenges, the Jewish community of Metro Detroit found many ways to cel-
ebrate and many reasons to rely on one another. Throughout it all, the members of our com-
munity continued to “just do Jewish.”
Here are the highlights of 2022. 

Year in Review

COMPILED BY MIKE SMITH DJN FOUNDATION ARCHIVIST

JANUARY
» Omicron version of COVID 
virus begins to surge in the New 
Year 2022.

» Julie Yaker pilots the startup 
JLive in Detroit, an initative of 
the Jewish Federation of Metro 
Detroit and the Federation CJA 
of Montreal, Canada. 

» Jan. 15 — Hostage crisis at 
Congregation Beth Israel in 
Colleyville, Texas. Rabbi Charlie 
Cytron-Walker, who grew up 
in Lansing, is a hero, throwing 
a chair at the gunman, which 
allowed hostages to escape.

» Jan. 20 — U.N. approves 
resolution to combat Holocaust 
denial. 

» Clover Hill Park Cemetery 
announces planned expansion 
with on-site shivah center. 

» After years of consideration, 
Ann Arbor City Council 
finally condemns weekly 
Shabbat protesters at the city’s 
Congregation Beth Israel.

ABOVE: the JLive App

Rabbi 
Charlie 
Cytron- 
Walker

ABOVE: A rendering of the new 
shivah center

RIGHT: Protestors in front of 
Congregation Beth Israel 

COVID-19

