Kent GOP Headquarters Vandalized 
with Antisemitic Messages
T

he Kent County GOP 
Headquarters in Grand 
Rapids were vandalized 
with antisemitic and hateful 
symbols spray-painted on all 
four sides of the building. The 
disturbing graffiti was discov-
ered Tuesday, Jan. 17. Police 
were called and they are now 
investigating.
Sen. Mark Huizenga, 
R-Walker, issued the 
following statement: “The 
exchange of ideas free from 
violence and threats is 
critical to our democracy 
and to good government.
“As a Christian and a 
public servant, I am deeply 

disappointed by the anti-
semitic attack on the Kent 
County GOP building.
“These shameful and 
disgusting actions are not 
reflective of our community. 
The people of West 
Michigan support building 
a strong society — free from 
hate and oppression.”
Back in November, the 
Kent County Democratic 
Headquarters were 
vandalized with similar 
hateful words and symbols. 
The Michigan Democratic 
Jewish Caucus called on 
everyone from both parties 
to come together against this 

type of violence. 
“Hatred is a danger to 
both parties and to all 
Americans. Nazi messages 
are especially anathema 

to Jewish people, but 
everyone should join in 
the condemnation,” West 
Michigan Vice Chair Cary 
Fleischer said. 

The Kent County GOP Headquarters on Tuesday, Jan. 17

SPOTLIGHT

Bais Chabad is launching a new 
series, “Medicine and Morals,” 
which begins the week of Jan. 
29. 
 The series will touch 
upon fascinating, chal-
lenging and sensitive 
questions, such as: How 
does Judaism view med-
ical intervention? Is it an 
obligation or a choice? 
Does Jewish law allow 
the donation of organs, either 
from a live donor or one who is 
recently deceased? May one par-
ticipate in an experimental treat-
ment with limited chances of 
suc-cess? Is it OK to pre-select 
the gender of the child to match 
parent preferences or to prevent 
genetic illnesses? Do children 
have the right to know they are 
carriers of a particular disease or 
may the parent keep that infor-
mation private?

In all likelihood, you’ve faced 
one or more of these dilemmas 
or will in the future. As it turns 
out, Judaism has a lot to say 
on the topic of medical eth-
ics and provides direction 
on even the thorniest issues. 
The goal of the classes is 
to provide a basic under-
standing of the values that 
shape Jewish medical ethics 
and give some sense of clar-
ity in approaching challenging 
decisions we and our loved ones 
may have to face.
The cost for the series is $60. 
Textbook is $30. Scholarships 
are available. Classes will 
be taught by Rabbi Shneur 
Silberberg. 
Get more information and 
register at www.baischabad.
com/templates/articlecco_cdo/
aid/4529221/jewish/Medicine-
and-Morals.htm. 

Beginning on Monday, 
Feb. 6, the Windsor Jewish 
Community Center 
(WJCC) will be launching 
a “Senior Social Club” for 
community members ages 
55+ on the first Monday of 
every month. 
Following the pandemic, 
many of the seniors in the 
Jewish community suffered 
from isolation and a lack 
of social engagement. 
Since then, the WJCC has 
strived to provide as much 
in-person programming 
as possible to allow people 
to get back out into the 
community and socialize. 
There was one small 
issue though: Because 
many of the people in the 
community work Monday-
Friday 9-5, WJCC programs 
are almost exclusively 

in the evenings, usually 
beginning at 7 p.m. For 
many of the retired seniors 
in the community, this left 
a big gap throughout most 
of the day. For this reason, 
the WJCC decided to start 
a program specifically for 
seniors during this time, 
called the “Senior Social 
Club,
” a lunch group where 
seniors can come to the 
WJCC once a month to 
socialize and spend some 
quality time together. 
To attend the club, all 
you must do is RSVP 
to Joe Schnayer (joe@
jewishwindsor.org) and pay 
$10 (Canadian) in cash at 
the door. The lunches will 
include a variety of different 
cuisines and food from the 
Kosher Lunch Box, as well 
as drinks and dessert. 

Senior Social Club
Series on Jewish Medical Ethics

DAN BROTMAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

48 | JANUARY 26 • 2023 

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM WZZM

Rabbi 
Shneur 
Silberberg