6 | SEPTEMBER 14 • 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: Michael J. Eizelman 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, Shari S. Cohen, Louis Finkelman, Samantha Foon, Yevgeniya Gazman, Stacy Gittleman, Esther Allweiss Ingber, Barbara Lewis, Jennifer Lovy, Rabbi Jason Miller, Alan Muskovitz, Karen Schwartz, Robin Schwartz, Steve Stein, Nathaniel Warshay, 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 High Holiday Greetings Let Our Prayers for the New Year Resonate D ear Detroit Community Members, As we stand at the threshold of another year, the sacred shofar’s call reminds us of the transformative power of this moment. It is with a heart full of anticipation and reflection that I extend my warm- est wishes to all of you for a Shanah Tovah Umetukah, a sweet and happy New Year. Rosh Hashanah is a time of renewal, a chance to shed the old and embrace the new. It’s a moment to recon- nect with our faith, our values and each other. Our tradition teaches us that during these High Holy Days, our prayers and intentions hold a special power and influence. They have the ability to reach the Heavens and bring blessings down to Earth, like exalted messengers ascending from the confines of our world to the heights of the Heavens. The very act of prayer, of directing our hearts and voic- es to the Almighty, is a means of transcending the mundane and engaging with the sacred. Rosh Hashanah heralds an opportunity for spiritual rebirth. Our prayers during this time hold a potency that can alter the trajectory of our lives. They possess the unique ability to bridge the gap between the finite and the infinite, the material and the spiritual. The Talmud teaches that even if our mouths struggle to find the right words, the yearning of our hearts speaks volumes to the Heavens. As we gather for the prayers and celebrations of Rosh Hashanah, let us reflect on the year that has passed and the one that lies ahead. Just as we seek forgiveness and offer it to others, let us also strive to bring positiv- ity and meaning to the lives we touch. Standing before the Divine Judge, let us remember that our prayers are not just pleas for mercy; they are invitations for transformation. They are vehi- cles of communication, bridges of connection and conduits for change. Our intentions, expressed through prayer, are the catalysts that invite bless- ings to descend upon our lives, enriching our journey with purpose and meaning. Just as the shofar’s sound reverberates, let our prayers resonate deeply within us, stirring our souls and touching the Heavens. To our Detroit Jewish News leadership, our esteemed readers and our entire Jewish com- munity, we thank you for your support and partnership in uniting to bridge generations, backgrounds and families into a tapestry of shared experiences and common values. Let us continue to engage in conversations that challenge our assumptions, broaden our hori- zon and invigorate our spirits. Let us support one another as we navigate the complexities of our time, always guided by the light of Heaven. Our community’s strength lies not only in its history but in the relationships we foster today and the connections we nurture for tomorrow. In the spirit of gratitude, I extend my heartfelt appreci- ation to all of you who make our community so strong and vibrant. May this Rosh Hashanah herald a year of growth, connection and kind- ness. Together, let us continue to build a future that embod- ies the very essence of our traditions and aspirations, all while lifting and encouraging our next generation. Gary Torgow is chairman of the Detroit Jewish News Foundation. Gary Torgow PURELY COMMENTARY