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

