6 | MAY 25 • 2023 

1942 - 2023

Covering and Connecting 
Jewish Detroit Every Week

To make a donation to the 
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 
FOUNDATION
go to the website
www.djnfoundation.org

The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) 

is published every Thursday at 

32255 Northwestern Highway, #205, 

Farmington Hills, Michigan. Periodical 

postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and 

additional mailing offices. 

Postmaster: send changes to: 

Detroit Jewish News, 

32255 Northwestern Highway, #205, 

Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334

MISSION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will be of service to the Jewish community. The Detroit Jewish 
News will inform and educate the Jewish and general community to preserve, protect and sustain the Jewish 
people of greater Detroit and beyond, and the State of Israel.

VISION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will operate to appeal to the broadest segments of the greater 
Detroit Jewish community, reflecting the diverse views and interests of the Jewish community while advancing the 
morale and spirit of the community and advocating Jewish unity, identity and continuity.

DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248-354-6060
thejewishnews.com

 
 
Publisher
The Detroit Jewish 
News Foundation

| Board of Directors:
 Chair: Gary Torgow
 Vice President: David Kramer 
 Secretary: Robin Axelrod
 Treasurer: Max Berlin
 Board members: Larry Jackier, 
 Jeffrey Schlussel, Mark Zausmer
 
 
 Executive Director:
 Marni Raitt 
 Senior Advisor to the Board: 
 Mark Davidoff
 Alene and Graham Landau Archivist Chair: 
 Mike Smith
 Founding President & Publisher Emeritus: 
 Arthur Horwitz
 Founding Publisher 
 Philip Slomovitz, of blessed memory

 

 Editorial 
 Director of Editorial: 
 Jackie Headapohl
jheadapohl@thejewishnews.com
Contributing Editors: 
David Sachs, Keri Guten Cohen
Staff Reporter: 
Danny Schwartz 
dschwartz@thejewishnews.com
Editorial Assistant: 
Sy Manello
smanello@thejewishnews.com 
Digital Manager:
Elizabeth King 
eking@thejewishnews.com 

Contributing Writers:
Nate Bloom, Rochel Burstyn, Suzanne 
Chessler, Annabel Cohen, Shari S. 
Cohen, Shelli Liebman Dorfman, Louis 
Finkelman, Stacy Gittleman, Esther 
Allweiss Ingber, Barbara Lewis, Jennifer 
Lovy, Rabbi Jason Miller, Alan Muskovitz, 
Robin Schwartz, Mike Smith, Steve Stein, 
Julie Smith Yolles, Ashley Zlatopolsky 
 

 Advertising Sales 
Director of Advertising: Keith Farber
kfarber@thejewishnews.com
Senior Account Executive: 
Kathy Harvey-Mitton
kmitton@thejewishnews.com 

| Business Office
 Director of Operations: Amy Gill
 agill@thejewishnews.com
 Operations Manager: Andrea Gusho 
 agusho@thejewishnews.com
 Operations Assistant: Ashlee Szabo 
 Circulation: Danielle Smith
 Billing Coordinator: Pamela Turner

| Production By 
 Farago & Associates
 Manager: Scott Drzewiecki 
 Designers: Kaitlyn Iezzi, Kelly Kosek, 
 Deborah Schultz, Michelle Sheridan 

essay
Reflections of a Proud 
Spartan Graduate
T

o say the last four years 
were ordinary would be 
far from the truth. From 
overcoming a global pandemic, 
moving to “Zoom” school and 
a horrific trage-
dy that affected 
the whole East 
Lansing com-
munity, I can’t 
say anyone is 
stronger than 
those who proud-
ly scream “Go 
Green, Go White.
” 
As I reflect on the time I’ve 
spent on campus, I leave East 
Lansing with a heavy heart but 
a deep sense of gratitude for the 
countless memories and experi-
ences I have had. 
As a student, getting involved 
was important to me right 
when I stepped foot on cam-

pus. I attended club meetings, 
joined a sorority and got 
involved in the Jewish com-
munity on campus through 
MSU Hillel. My extracurricular 
activities helped me make new 
friends and build connections 
that I cherish to this day. When 
schoolwork and classes became 
stressful, my friends and stu-
dent organizations were what 
helped me persevere and move 
forward.
The class of 2023 had a 
college experience unlike any 
other. From having my first 
year halted due to the start of 
the COVID-19 pandemic and 
my entire second year moved 
online through Zoom classes to 
my final year interrupted by the 
mass shooting that took place 
on campus in East Lansing on 
Feb. 13, I learned quickly that 

adapting to an ever-changing 
world is important and vital. 
While there were some 
days that I was sad that my 
college experience was dras-
tically different from those of 
older friends and people who 
attended Michigan State before 
me, I can’t help but also to be 
grateful for all the lessons I’ve 
learned throughout my time 
in East Lansing. I learned how 
to communicate across differ-
ences with friends and peers. I 
learned new skills and tactics 
to excel in my classes. I learned 
more about my Jewish identity 
through courses and leadership 
experiences I participated in 
through MSU Hillel. The things 
I’ve learned throughout my 
four years on campus will stick 
with me always. 
Being a Spartan taught me 

to be tough, to try new things, 
to meet new people and to 
be proud of who I am. I now 
know the true meaning behind 
the term “Spartans Will,
” a 
term used around campus and 
around the world. A Spartan is 
someone who listens to others, 
who experiences everything 
around them, and who proudly 
wears green and white. 
I am leaving my four years of 
undergrad with the tools, skills 
and relationships to do what I 
know Spartans do best — go 
out into the world and create 
positive and lasting change. 
Thank you for everything, 
Michigan State University. I 
hope to make you proud. 

Sloane Krugel is a member of 

Michigan State University’s class of 

2023.

Sloane 
Krugel

PURELY COMMENTARY

With Their Centennial Gift, Sue and Alan Jay Kaufman 
Continue Their Legacy of Commitment to Our Jewish Future

The strength and richness of our Jewish community comes 
from an unwavering commitment to future generations, l’dor 
v’dor. No one understands this better than Sue and Alan 
Kaufman, who have been extraordinarily dedicated to instilling 
Jewish values, culture and education in our community’s young 
people. Born and raised in Detroit, both Sue and Alan are 
longtime community leaders, with Sue recently serving as 
President of Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy and Alan as 
President of the United Jewish Foundation. Along with their 
children Jodie Kaufman (and Jamie) Davis, Emily (and Josh) 
Hunegs, and Danny (and Morgan) Kaufman, Sue and Alan have 
supported a wide range of Jewish causes, including many that 
have a profound impact on the next generation. The Kaufman 
Family Teen Mission to Israel, Hillel Day School, Tamarack 
Camps, Federation’s NEXTGen Detroit, Adat Shalom, campus 
Hillels and and PJ Library are among the diverse programs and 
organizations that have thrived thanks to the vision and 
generosity of the Kaufman family. “We believe in the importance 
of educating young people,
” says Alan, “and getting them to 
love being Jewish.” Sue adds, “If we as Jews don’t support our 

own communities and causes, who will?”
The Centennial Fund, which Alan helped launch as an 
original committee member, was created to fulfil this mission. 
Now, with their Trustee-Level Centennial Fund commitment, 
Sue and Alan continue their legacy of support for our Jewish 
community. The Kaufmans’ Centennial gift will create the Sue 
and Alan J. Kaufman Family Field at Hillel Day School. “We have 
seen first-hand through our own children and grandchildren 
the value of a Hillel Day School education,
” says Sue. “There is 
such an incredible environment that fosters the best in each 
student. Hillel students go on to become leaders in our 
community and elsewhere.” The Kaufmans’ gift will also 
establish a Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment, providing 
ongoing support to Federation’s Annual Campaign—along with 
funding other areas. “Our vision for the future,
” says Alan, “is 
that people continue to value the importance of giving for the 
perpetuation of the Jewish community.” Like the many great 
leaders who have come before them, Sue and Alan are leading 
by example through a lifetime of commitment to our collective 
Jewish future. 

23_END_Centennial_Kaufman_JNad.indd 1
23_END_Centennial_Kaufman_JNad.indd 1

