28 | JUNE 22 • 2023
faces&places
JCRC/AJC’s
Annual Bridge
Builders Dinner
SAM DUBIN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
The Jewish Community Relations
Council/AJC honored Andy
Doctoroff last month at its annual
Bridge Builders dinner. A crowd
of nearly 300 gathered in Herman
Hall at Temple Israel to support
Doctoroff, a figurative and literal
bridge builder. He is Michigan’s
point-person for the Gordie
Howe International Bridge project.
Doctoroff moderated a bipartisan
panel at the event, interviewing
former Rep. Peter Meijer and former
Gov. James Blanchard. Former Gov.
Rick Snyder presented the award to
Doctoroff, and Canadian Consul
General of Canada in Detroit Colin
Bird spoke on the positive relationship
the two countries enjoy.
Doctoroff’s family was in attendance
— a proud moment for his wife, Stacy,
their children and his two brothers.
“The evening was everything that
Stacy and I could have possibly hoped
for — and more,” Doctoroff said.
“The speeches and panel discussion
with Gov. Blanchard and Rep. Meijer
all communicated our core belief
that relationships matter more than
anything else, and, when we build and
nurture them, we are still capable of
achieving great things.”
The evening included an open bar,
strolling dinner and a dessert bar.
JCRC/AJC Executive Director Rabbi
Asher Lopatin was delighted to be
honoring Doctoroff.
“
Andy has been an exemplary leader
for JCRC/AJC for decades — first as
president of AJC, then continuing his
work as an involved past president,
and building a literal and figurative
bridge between communities and
countries,” Lopatin said.
“
Andy continues to inspire us in
our work at JCRC/AJC to reach out
beyond our own community and reap
the rewards of new relationships and
deepening partnerships.”
The event was co-chaired by Stacy
Doctoroff and Sherri Ketai, and the
presenting sponsors were Dan and
Alisa Doctoroff.
Sam Dubin is JCRC/AJC Assistant Director/
Director of Media Relations.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JCRC/AJC
Andy Doctoroff and Consul General
of Canada in Detroit Colin Bird
Gov. James Blanchard
and Andy Doctoroff
Dan Doctoroff, Tom Doctoroff
and Andy Doctoroff
Gov. Rick Snyder, Stacy Doctoroff
and Andy Doctoroff
Rep. Peter Meijer, Gov. James
Blanchard and Andy Doctoroff