30 | JULY 27 • 2023 

Jewish Family Service’s annual Spotlight event 
was held on May 24 at Temple Israel where the 
agency’s work with more than 600 Holocaust 
survivors was highlighted. Keynote speaker Fr. 
Patrick Desbois, a Roman Catholic priest, kept 
an audience of almost 400 community members 
riveted to his every word.
Fr. Desbois shared in haunting detail his 
experience discovering the location of more 
than 2,900 killing sites and documenting more 
than 7,000 witness testimonies to the war 
crimes of the Nazi death squads. Although 
it was difficult to hear some of the specific 
accounts, those in attendance were impressed 
by his presentation and his work with Yahad-In 
Unum, his nonprofit organization dedicated to 
providing documented proof of crimes against 
humanity.
After his presentation, Fr. Desbois answered 
questions moderated by JFS CEO Perry Ohren. 

One participant who attended with her adult 
daughter remarked, “It was truly an overall 
humbling presentation that left both of us 
talking and thinking.
” 
Fr. Desbois was on hand after the event to 
sign copies of several of his books and greet 
guests.
Thanks to support from event chairs Helen 
and Martin Katz, JFS raised over $375,000, 
which will go toward providing much needed 
services to the more than 15,000 people who 
seek help from JFS each year. Jewish Family 
Service would like to thank the generous 
donors, foundations and supporters who con-
tributed to this event and to the agency year-
round to ensure that those in our community 
do not face life’s challenges alone. 

To learn more about Jewish Family Service and how you can 

get involved, visit jfsdetroit.org. For more photos from this 

event and a list of sponsors, visit jfsspotlightevent.org.

COURTESY OF JFS

faces&places

Jewish Family Service 
Spotlight Event

Fr. Patrick Desbois and Perry Ohren

An attendee gets 
his book signed by 
Fr. Desbois.

Larry and 
Andi Wolfe

Paul and 
Jennifer 
Silverman

Event chairs Helen 
and Marty Katz

The Orley family

